Noir36

Joseph and Ravi silently followed the river north to Calcutta. Both exhausted and dirty, the small wooden raft they had trailed for three miles proved to be two young men attempting to return home before they were caught by their fathers.

They were wasting time. Ravi's irritation grew now that Anisha had suddenly disappeared and Erik was nowhere to be found. He knew he should send Mr. DeChantel on his way and find the two on his own.

While the European steered the craft downriver Ravi studied him. He had somewhat piggish features with close-set eyes and a nose that turned up at the end. The strong jaw and thick hair most likely attracted women to his side. Ravi was also repulsed by how many times he mentioned his family, as though the name should impress him.

Nothing could impress Ravi. His uncle Pandir Patel was one of the wealthiest men in India. Riches were associated with the British who came in hordes and took all India had to offer. "Merciless, ruthless, unscrupulous men," Uncle Pandir would often say. He was proud to have an alliance with Girish Baleeze. Mr. Baleeze showed the same determination for success as Mr. Patel. They were a perfect association.

And now the union of Mr. Patel's daughter and Mr. Baleeze would be destroyed because of a damned European, Ravi thought. He wondered how Mr. Patel would punish his brother-in-law for introducing him to Erik Levesque.

"There," Joseph said. "Up ahead! That's him."

Ravi squinted. The sun was only beginning to rise over the horizon but even in the gray light of dawn he could see that the ferry ahead of them contained only a bent old man and two boys no older than ten.

"How long have you known Mr. Levesque for again?" Ravi questioned.

"Since childhood. His father worked for my father."

"Your father was an architect?"

"Briefly. He was also a trader. In his heart he was a businessman, though he had a soft spot for the destitute."

"Such as the Levesques?"

Joseph shrugged. "Mr. Levesque senior had a different name before he came to France. Lidst, if I remember correctly. He was of Scandinavian decent, though in his earlier days he was an extortionist. He stole from his family, his friends, his church—anyone he could find. My father didn't know this until much later. He kept them around. He kept everyone around." Joseph chuckled to himself. He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow. "He would have kept the maids around as well if Mother—"

"The maids?" Ravi questioned.

Joseph's mouth snapped shut. He cleared his throat and began dabbing at his face again. "We had some trouble with the help for a brief time."

Ravi's eyes narrowed. "Such as?"

"They had disgraceful departures," Joseph answered brusquely. "My father gave them substantial funds and sent them away."

"Your father was very generous," Ravi commented. He turned away from Joseph and closed his hand around the guard of his dagger. "Now tell me, how many of these departures were the result of your seed?"

Before Joseph could answer, Ravi's blade touched Joseph's neck. He saw the fear in the European's eyes, though he wasn't certain if it was the fear of being revealed or the fear of death.

"Please, sir," Joseph managed. "It's not me you're looking for."

-0-

Corinna woke unexpectedly with the sunrise and slid her feet over the edge of the bed. The sound of trumpeting in the distance made her sigh. She hadn't heard the call of elephants in many years and the regal sound was distinct and welcomed. It reminded her of better days when her mother was alive and her father was genuinely happy.

Ursula was still deep asleep, her mouth open and half her face buried in the pillow. Corinna smiled at her companion. She knew Ursula only wanted the best for her.

Ursula would be disappointed when she woke and discovered Corinna had left the room. Guilt tugged at her heart as she prepared a brief note explaining where she was going. She dressed, slipped on her shoes and padded from the room, hoping Ursula would understand what had to be done.

-0-

"We should reach Chandernagore by sundown in two days," Mr. Desai said groggily to Mr. Nadir. He leaned back in the carriage and closed the burgundy velvet curtain, releasing a sigh of frustration. Dawn was approaching.

The two had not stopped traveling since Ari had rapped upon Sanjeev's door late in the night two days ago. Starving and exhausted, they sat back and listened as the horse and carriage thundered through northwestern India, attempting to rest when they could drown out the noise and the violent movement of their coach.

"Two days?" Nadir asked, obviously as anxious as his fellow traveler.

"Only if the monsoons don't hit and we are unhindered on the road."

Travel would have been made faster if India were a more industrialized nation, Sanjeev thought ruefully. One of the reasons he had left Dareesh was due to the primitive nature of his country. Most of Europe was slowly being connected through trains, as were cities in the United States, but India was years behind. His brother-in-law strove for progress, as did Girish Baleeze. They had high hopes in campaigning for the Sultan to provide funds for improvements.

"Do you think two days will be enough time to find him?"

"I hope so," Sanjeev replied.

Exchanging Erik in favor of their cause was beginning to sound feasible the more Sanjeev thought about it. From the stories Ari Nadir had relayed thus far, the Little Sultana had many intentions for Erik if she found him again. Girish and Pandir would not have second thoughts about handing him over for a small fee.

Sanjeev Desai pressed his eyes closed and grimaced. "My nephew Ravi Patel is responsible for the household while Pandir is away. As you said, he sent the letter to my brother-in-law and Mr. Baleeze."

"Does that mean we are too late?"

"That means the odds are certainly not in our favor."

Sanjeev pounded his leg with his fist. He knew the way Ravi felt about Europeans and feared the worst. Not only was Erik in danger, but Sanjeev had a sinking sensation growing in his stomach that Corinna was also in danger.

"You're worried about your daughter," Ari observed.

Sanjeev nodded. "She's all I have left. If I had a son I would be worried, but there are far worse fates for daughters to suffer than sons."

"If Mr. Levesque is with her I believe he would protect her from harm."

Sanjeev shook his head. "I'm worried for both of them, not just Corinna."

With nothing left to do, Sanjeev leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and hoped Erik, Corinna and Ursula were all safe.

-0-

Caught in a deep sleep filled with the first pleasant dreams he had experienced in months, Erik wasn't sure if the knock at the door was real or imagined.

He brought the blanket closer to his chin and sighed, savoring the pleasant warmth and soft sheets.

Tap, tap, tap.

His eyes reluctantly opened and he turned from his side to his back and squinted at the ceiling. It took all his energy to put both feet on the floor and drag his weary body toward the door.

The moment he saw Corinna standing in the hallway, he stood up straighter and ran his hand through his hair.

"Good morning," he said, his voice hoarse from sleep.

Corinna smiled back. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

He nodded. "I had to return to the lobby last night to retrieve my drawings." His brow furrowed as he thought of his peculiar encounter with Anisha. "Have you seen your cousin?"

"Anisha? No. Why do you ask?"

"I saw her in the lobby when I returned. She apologized to me."

Corinna turned her head to the side. "What did she apologize for?"

Erik shrugged. "She never said, but she told me I must leave at once." He tapped the doorframe with his knuckles. "I'm worried about her. I was hoping you had seen her."

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Erik looked away, wishing he could tell Corinna what had happened to Anisha. Her attack was something that was not spoken of in India. The incident would be labeled her fault no matter what had actually happened. It galled him. But tradition was tradition and he could not interfere.

Corinna shook her head at last. "No, I haven't seen Anisha but if you would like we could both look for her."

Erik turned his attention back to Corinna. "Why are you awake at this hour? It's barely past dawn."

A smile crept onto her face. "I heard elephants."

"Elephants?"

She nodded. "In the distance. Would you like to see?"

Exhaustion left Erik as he gazed at Corinna. She was a perfect little morning glory waking with the dawn.

"Of course," he answered. "Wait here."

He shut the door and dressed in traditional Indian garb, which caused Corinna to smile brighter when she saw him again.

"You look well dressed as a native," she grinned as they walked down the stairs and passed through the lobby.

"Do you think the elephants will approve?" he teased.

Her shoulder rubbed against his as they turned a corner. Erik felt his hand clench into a fist as a ripple of excitement coursed through his body. It had been nearly impossible to sleep once he returned to his room. He sat at the writing desk and stared at the table top, replaying the moment he had kissed Corinna over and over again.

At last he had decided to retire for the night, knowing the more he thought about it the greater the chance he would go mad analyzing the possibilities. For another two hours he lay in the dark and thought of her face.

Before he knew it he had fallen asleep and she was knocking at the door.

Erik opened the door leading to a quaint dining room occupied by an elderly man in the far corner. A woman with a leathery face and her gray hair twisted into a bun told them they could sit wherever they wished.

They shared breakfast and watched as a boy led a herd of goats down the road behind the Inn. Once the dust motes that rose in the wake of the animals died down, the fields beyond were visible from their table.

"Have you ever ridden an elephant?" Corinna asked.

Erik chuckled to himself. "Horses, mules, camels…no."

"I have."

He stared at her a moment, analyzing her voice, unsure of whether or not she was serious.

"When?"

Corinna shrugged and nibbled on her flat bread. "When I was much younger."

"Much?" he said with a wink. "Is that possible?"

She blushed and turned away, brushing her hair behind her ears. While she stared out the window, Erik studied her face, soaking in each perfect detail. She sipped at her glass of water and followed the trail of workers heading to the tobacco fields. Beyond them, where the trees grew thicker, was more activity. By how the branches swayed Erik assumed the elephants were clearing away the brush.

"It's not my fault you're old," she retorted.

Erik laughed loud enough to gain the attention of the man in the corner and the woman bringing their tea. He pushed his empty plate away and shook his head.

"I'm not old."

"To me you are," she grinned. She sat back and picked her food apart, eating only the top of the biscuits. She struggled to hide her smile. "Someday when I marry I want a young, handsome man."

"And I will build your home," Erik replied.

Her eyes flashed across the table. She shrugged and turned away again. "If my husband decides to hire you," she said coyly.

"If he does I will build you a home grander than the one I have intended for your cousin." Erik leaned forward, willing her to look at him again. She watched him from the corner of her eye while she continued to look out the window.

"It would be unlike anything you have ever seen before," he said, keeping his voice low.

Corinna turned toward him and met his eye. "Then draw it for me."

Erik started to push back from the table but Corinna rose with him. "But first…you must ride an elephant."

"Pardon me?"

"Oh, Mr. Levesque, you cannot come to India and not ride an elephant."