Annie smiled. ‘I wonder what my brother made of it. He may not even have seen it, of course, for he was never a one for churches and such like. He was a very active boy. But I know who were the Moguls, and that they liked to make gardens that were enclosed, but to keep out the world, rather than to keep what was within. And that they liked water for fountains and pools to reflect the sky, and that it was to remind them of the mountain streams where they came from.’

‘You have indeed been reading, Annie. I understand it is exactly so.’

The fountains at Sthambadree, though, were of no great height – hardly that of a man, where those at Dehli and Agra were twelve feet and more; and the hedges and flora ran wild, though the trees gave shade, and doubtless fruit in due season. And the walls, though tumbled down, still somehow kept out the world. Besides a couple of gardeners who were not greatly exerting themselves, the place was theirs.

‘Why is my brother’s regiment to come here, Colonel? Will they no longer be in Agra?’

‘They will return there.’

‘Oh, I am sorry to ask. It’s not my place.’

‘You are at liberty to ask what you please, Annie, though I’m afraid that I’m not always at liberty to answer as I please.’

‘Of course. It’s just that I heard we might be returning to Madras soon, now that the regiment has caught these men, and I wondered if his, my brother’s, regiment were to replace us – the regiment, I mean.’

Hervey warmed to her ‘us’. It never went better than when a regiment’s camp-followers thought themselves on the strength.

‘The answer to that, Annie, is “no”, on both counts. Before the regiment returns to Madras I have to visit with the ruler of Chintal, a Ranee, a princess, and then afterwards there might be need of them here a little longer. But in all probability I shall send Georgiana back if there’s need for us to stay, for I don’t think it would be especially agreeable to remain here then, my being away and all. Besides, I think Mrs Hervey will be nearing her time.’

Annie found this disappointing. She hadn’t really supposed she’d ever be able to see Agra and the Taj Mahal, certainly not now her brother was dead, but she was finding these country parts very agreeable, not least because so was Georgiana. She’d never before enjoyed such freedom, the freedom that the horse granted – to jump a stream, to gallop, to see so much from a position of security …

‘Of course, Colonel, though for myself I would gladly stay and see more.’

She knew that half her duty lay at Madras with Allegra, and that loyalty demanded she be with Allegra’s mother for her time (which she didn’t in the least resent), but there was Georgiana, whose care she’d been given …

‘Colonel Hervey, I hope you won’t think it impertinent of me, but I know that Miss Hervey, given the chance, would stay longer.’