Quill was watching Gabby closely, his eyes narrowed. What the devil was she up to? If she smiled at the colonel one more time in that melting fashion, the old man was liable to have a heart attack.

“Well, I know of Kasi Rao.” Gabby gave another little trill of laughter. “But, my goodness! My father would never allow an Indian native to be like a brother to me, sir! After all, I am an English lady, and my father is the son of a duke!”

“Yes, quite,” Colonel Hastings assured her. “But do you have any idea of Kasi Rao Holkar’s whereabouts at the moment?”

“Certainly not.” For a moment Gabby’s frivolous exterior faltered and her tone sounded intelligent.

Lady Sylvia leapt in, quick as a cat. “I trust you are not suggesting that my dear charge would remain in contact with an Indian man, a savage, Colonel Hastings! My dear Gabrielle left India many weeks ago, on a vessel bound for England, and she intends never to return to that godforsaken country. She is betrothed to my nephew, a proper English gentleman. And he has not even traveled to the Continent!”

“I knew this was a fool’s errand,” Colonel Hastings said, a trifle wearily.

Gabby rose gracefully and then sat down next to the colonel. “I only wish that I could help you, sir. I would be so honored to be of aid. But I am afraid that Lady Sylvia is correct. I haven’t seen Kasi Rao for years. I was never allowed to mingle with the natives, you know. When we were children we may have played together, but that was long ago.” She patted the colonel’s hand. “But do let me know if you find the prince. I would be charmed to see him again, naturally.”

Quill remembered Gabby’s wish to borrow the carriage for an afternoon, and he sighed. Kasi Rao Holkar was undoubtedly in London. Hell, he probably traveled on the same vessel as Gabby.

“How long has the Holkar heir been missing?” he asked.

“We don’t know,” Colonel Hastings replied, in some frustration. “It’s deuced impossible to get straight answers over there, you know. And, if you’ll forgive me for saying so, Miss Jerningham, your father is an extraordinarily stubborn man. He refuses to direct us to the boy. If someone doesn’t find the Holkar heir soon, one of his two brothers will have to take his place.”

“And the East India Company is not pleased with that notion?” Quill asked.

“It’s an ethical question,” the colonel said, his gaze shifting uneasily to the ladies. “Kasi Rao Holkar is the only child of the chieftain and his wife.”