Gabby twinkled at him. “It isn’t as if I have a preference myself for cherry brandy,” she observed. “And I do think that Tulasi’s son will make an excellent ruler of the Holkar region someday.”

“I suppose you wished to visit Kasi when you asked for a carriage.”

“Yes. Father instructed me not to reveal Kasi’s presence in London to anyone, not even to you or your father.” Gabby hesitated. “But now that you know about Kasi, will you accompany me to Mrs. Malabright’s house, Quill? I would be most glad of your company. I haven’t seen Kasi for several days now, and I miss him dreadfully. Father said I should ascertain whether Kasi is happy and then find another arrangement if necessary.”

“Of course,” Quill said. “Lady Sylvia, would tomorrow morning be convenient for you?”

“I believe I’ll let you escort the gel on her own,” Lady Sylvia replied. “Yer practically going on an errand of mercy, after all. I’m sure no one could quibble with that.”

“I want to thank you for your performance before Colonel Hastings,” Gabby said. “It would have been a terrible thing if the East India Company found out where Kasi was living.”

“I enjoyed it.” Lady Sylvia’s voice was a bit gruff. “You’re a good gel, Gabrielle. Like the way you’re looking out for the boy, even if he’s an Indian lad. Mind you, I won’t call you that heathen name, Gabby, although you are a bit of a prattlebox.”

Gabby smiled at her. “I am a very grateful prattlebox,” she said. “I don’t think I could have managed Colonel Hastings half so well.”

“Well! Time for bed!” And Lady Sylvia shooed Gabby and the dogs out the door.

But Gabby had no wish for sleep. Colonel Hastings’ visit had given her a sick feeling in her stomach.

She had to protect Kasi Rao. Clearly, the East India Company was far more interested in Kasi than her father had realized. And that meant that her father’s plan to conceal Kasi in London would ultimately fail. Either the company would search until they located him, or else they would set up a figurehead in his place and insist that they had found the prince.

Months ago, back in India, she had thought up a scheme to stop the East India Company. Her father had curled his lip and dismissed it as nothing more than one of her impulsive, idiotic ideas. Gabby swallowed, thinking of Kasi’s trusting eyes. She could not allow him to be taken from Mrs. Malabright. It was horrible to imagine Kasi forced into a public role.

She had nothing to lose by trying. The hounds were on Kasi’s trail, and her father was not here to say nay.