“On my honor, sahiba.”
“And you wish to marry me?”
“Sahiba—I—I have no other wish!”
“I agree to marry you provided you will lead five thousand men to the Company's aid, but not until you have done so.”
“You will come to Howrah?”
She could feel his excitement. The cell walls seemed to throb.
“Yes; but I shall come accompanied by my father, and Mr. Cunningham, and all the Rangars he can raise. And I shall hold you to your bargain. You must help the Company first. FIRST—d'you understand?”
“I understand.”
It was Jaimihr's turn now to lay the law down. She had let him see her eagerness to gain his aid for the Company, and he saw the weakness of her case in an instant. He knew very well, too, that no woman of her breed would have thought of consenting to marry him unless her hand was forced. He decided immediately to force it further.
“I understand, sahiba. I, too, will hold thee to thy promise! Thou wilt come with an escort, as befits a prince's wife! But how should I know that the Rangars would prove friends of mine? How should I know that it is not all a trap?”