‘You always did like to tell me what to do,’ Mira said with a pert smile. ‘It’s like old times, Bikram.’ She followed him from the room.

Kate could hear them chatting amicably until their voices faded into the distance. ‘I think Mira has rekindled an old friendship. I’d like to think she had someone to look after her.’

Harry smiled weakly. ‘You were always a little matchmaker, Kate.’

‘Me?’ She stared at him in astonishment. ‘Name one match I’ve made.’

‘Annie and Peregrine Harte.’

‘I had nothing to do with that. They fell in love all by themselves.’

‘With no encouragement from you?’

‘Not really. Perry is a good man and Annie is a sweet girl. They were meant for each other.’

‘What about your maid, Jenny, and Hedley Courtney?’

‘How do you know about these things, Harry? You were away when Jenny and Hedley were married.’

‘Annie wrote to Joe, or rather she dictated the letters to my mother, who was pleased to pass on the gossip, often adding little extras herself. Joe let me read them.’

‘You can’t lay all of it at my door,’ Kate said, laughing. ‘I can see you’re back to your old self, and here was I, feeling sorry for you. I think you’re a bit of a fraud.’

‘I’ve made you smile, Kate. That’s what I’ve been missing all these months. Now I’m happy.’

She leaned over and dropped a kiss on his forehead. ‘Don’t exert yourself. Save your strength for the journey back to Bombay. I think I should take you straight to the hospital.’

‘No, please. I will go there tomorrow or the next day, but I need to sleep in a soft bed, and I want to make sure that you are really here and not one of my fevered dreams.’

‘I am here, I assure you of that. I’m going nowhere without you, Harry.’

She turned her head to give Bikram a grateful smile as he walked into the room. ‘I can’t thank you and your family enough for taking care of Harry. But what will you tell Ashok? He will know that Harry couldn’t have made the journey back to the hospital on his own.’

‘I will tell my family that Sir Robert sent his servant to fetch Harry. They won’t think to question me – why should they?’ Bikram’s stern features creased in a wide grin. ‘And it gives me an excuse to visit Mira. I will, of course, have to thank her properly for relieving us of our sick guest.’

‘You and Mira?’ Kate shot a sideways glance at Harry, trying not to giggle. ‘She’s obviously very fond of you and your family, Bikram. And her grandmother lives quite near here, so Mira might visit her more often.’