Vasant Rao tried without success to mask his surprise. Lord Krishna, they know everything in Agra.
"There was a meeting." Vasant Rao hesitated, then decided to maintain discretion. "But neither spoke of it afterwards."
Nadir Sharif studied him, pondering if it were true. Then he turned to glance at the darshan balcony as he spoke.
"The Moghul has demanded that the English feringhi be brought to durbar immediately after he arrives."
"Does that mean today?" Vasant Rao shifted with surprise.
"His Majesty will hear soon enough he has arrived. There
is no choice."
"Then the feringhi must be told to prepare, Sharif Sahib. He has a chest containing gifts, and the letter."
"I know what he has. Tell him he must bring the gifts to durbar. For his sake I hope they're not trifles. His Majesty is most anxious to see them."
And the queen is even more anxious to see the letter, Nadir Sharif told himself. Then he smiled as he realized he would see it first.