Chapter 27

The next day, David, now dressed in a white linen suit and with the Prince at his side, stood in front of a raised dais in the Grand Audience Chamber. He looked behind him at the seated men. In the front row sat his officers, along with Robert, and behind them were the Riflemen who had been lucky enough to win a seat in the drawing. On the other side of the aisle sat the Gurkha families and residents who used the city hospital. When he saw the Reverend suddenly look up and smile, David swung his head round.

The little Prince was slowly walking down the aisle strewing handfuls of rose petals from a basket to the floor. He was followed by Susan’s assistants in light-blue silk saris. Behind them came Princess Yasmin in the same sari. Then came Susan in a white silk sari holding on to the arm of Ashar Khan in his full robes of state. David’s heart leapt at the sight of her. She looked so beautiful as she smiled shyly at him. The ceremony got under way, but to David it was a blur. He was conscious only of the girl at his side that had consented to be his wife.

Later, at the wedding breakfast, Ashar Khan gave a speech about the honour of standing in for Susan’s father. The Prince followed with his own story recounting how he had first met David. Then it was David’s turn. He couldn’t remember afterwards what he had said, but knew he spoke from the heart.

Susan went to change for the journey and the Prince took the opportunity to hand David letters for the bank and hotel in London. As they emerged from the Palace, his Officers and Havildars formed an arch with their kukris. A carriage conveyed them to the waterfront where a sleek boat with six oarsmen awaited them. With their luggage already on board, they set off down river.

Susan had changed into trousers and a jacket with a cream coloured blouse underneath. She lay back against the cushions that were piled at the back of the boat under the awning that protected them from the sun. “It was a wonderful ceremony, David,” she whispered.

He chuckled, “Going by the way Turin was looking at your assistant, there could be another shortly.”

“Oh, not only Turin. Yasmin was asking me about Sultar. She seemed very interested in him. She said that she was going to ride out to the Fort and stay in my quarters to oversee the hospital.”

“The Prince may have something to say about that,” David replied.

Susan laughed, “She can twist him around her little finger. She’ll probably take Ashar with her. I feel sorry for Sultar. He doesn’t know what he is in for.” They lapsed into silence watching the view as they sped down stream.

At the jetty they transferred to a coach which took them to the railway station where they boarded the train. They had to wait for an hour while the train was coaled and water taken on board before setting off. Susan had removed her jacket in the oppressive heat as they waited at the siding for the train to complete its preparations for departure. Once underway the heat dissipated. Having the compartment to themselves, Susan stretched out on the seat and was soon asleep. David smiled. He knew she had been up since before dawn preparing for the wedding.