Chapter Fifteen, Golden Cage
Posted by DiF on Friday, May 4, 2012
Title: Dark Horse: Chapter Fifteen, Golden Cage
Rating: PG-13 [language, drugs]
Summary: Pattie manages to have tea with Sitara. Kanti sneaks George and Donovan in to visit with Sitara...
Sitting with Donovan in the hotel for tea, George once more turned their options over in his mind. It all circled back to one thing: Sitara and Kanti would have to sneak out of the house to be spirited away. Even though they had met with Kanti and her mother a week before, they were not any closer to rescuing Sitara from her father’s clutches. It worried him greatly that he had yet to see her or even speak with her. How could they rescue her if they could not—?
“George?” Pattie touched his hand, bringing his thoughts back to the present.
His eyes flicked to hers, “Sorry.”
Her thumb rubbed the back of his hand, “We will get them out of there, George. I’m certain of it.”
Donovan lit a cigarette, “Why don’t we just go knock on the door again? You know where the house is. It at least got you a meeting with Kanti’s mother. Maybe the three of us can gain entry.”
“I am not so certain of that,” he quickly lit his wife’s cigarette before lighting his own. “I think it would be easier to meet the Queen than to see Sita.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to try,” the Scot responded before taking a deep drag.
“It very well could. He knows who we are. If we storm the house, it could backfire and Sita could be…”
Pattie touched his hand again, “Maybe I should just try to see her. He might not see me as a threat since I’m a married woman.”
“I don’t…”
“That’s a good idea,” Donovan interjected. “Perhaps you can see her for tea tomorrow.”
“But…” George protested softly.
“It’s our best chance,” Pattie claimed. “I might be able to arrange another meeting with Kanti and her mother then too.”
“I just don’t want…”
She squeezed his hand, “I am volunteering to do this. If it doesn’t work, we’ll find another way.”
George sighed, “Alright…”
“This will work, George. You’ll see.”
Three days later, Donovan and George sat in the shade down the street from the Barlow estate. Pattie quickly headed down the street for her arranged tea with Sitara. As luck would have it, Geoffrey had not recognized Pattie as someone from the ashram and seemed to believe the story she gave. He agreed to allow Sitara to have tea with the British woman, as long as it was chaperoned by Neela. Knowing the older woman, Pattie quickly agreed to it and made the date. George and Donovan had been ecstatic the moment she hung up the phone and quickly began to plan the day around the tea date.
“Do you think this is going to work?” George muttered as Donovan lit one of his new cigarettes.
“It is working,” he responded between puffs. “She just turned into the house.”
“She won’t be walking back out with Sita though.”
“Of course not. He wouldn’t allow that. But at least Pattie will be able to reassure Sita that we’re here and we’re trying to get her out of that hell.”
“What if…”
“Maybe you should mediate for awhile, mate. You’re way too tense about this.”
“Maybe…”
Approaching the massive front door, Pattie quickly knocked before straightening her clothes. Now that they had left the Ashram, she once more returned to her preferred clothing, though liked to layer in Indian accessories. George might have absorbed everything about the culture and continued to, but it did not fascinate her as much. In fact, if it had been up to her, she would have returned to London when John had.
Instead, she stayed at her husband’s side — and was now attempting to rescue a woman he seemed fascinated by. If she thought too much about it, Pattie began to question his motives. She needed to accept it at face value: George was merely concerned about a young woman and trying to do all he could for her. Besides, she was Pattie’s friend as well, at least Pattie believed her to be. There was no conflict in interest in trying to rescue Sitara, she hoped.
The door opened and Pattie was ushered into the house by a young, unfamiliar woman. Following her into the house, the Brit glanced around, trying to ascertain the personality of Sitara’s father from her surroundings. Everything seemed very masculine, very structured, and very…Victorian. Dark colors and woods dominated the surroundings, making Pattie feel as if everything was closing around her.
The girl stopped, “Wait here. I shall find Mrs. Neela to escort you to the mistress’ quarters.”
Left alone in an atrium of sorts, Pattie wandered around it, glancing through ornately carved doorways, into other rooms. The house seemed almost… lifeless. What little she knew of Sitara did not seem to explain the dark, masculinity, except maybe it had to do with the loss of her mother. Though curious, Pattie suppressed her questions; that was not the purpose of her visit.
“Mrs. Harrison?” a familiar voice spoke up, drawing her attention away from peering into another room.
Pattie turned around, “Neela.”
“Come along. Tea waits,” she motioned to the corridor behind her.
Trailing a couple of steps behind the Indian matron, Pattie was slightly surprised the woman stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor and unlocked it before proceeding. Was Sitara literally kept locked up? She had thought Neela or Kanti had been exaggerating, but it seemed not. Waiting until the blonde passed through the door, the older matron closed it and locked it once more, tucking the key away in the folds of her clothing.
“Mistress Sitara has not had a visitor in over a month,” she spoke softly, continuing down the hallway. “Other than the doctor.”
“The…doctor…” Pattie repeated.
Neela sighed and nodded, “He returned last week, marking his second visit since her return from Rishikesh a month ago. She will not speak of it with me, but Kanti has claimed… he violated her.”
The Brit stopped, “Excuse me?”
“These are dark days, Mrs. Harrison. Very dark days. Your visit will surely brighten Sitara’s temperance,” she declared, before turning from the corridor.
Stopping in the doorway briefly, Pattie glanced around. The difference was stark. While the furniture was still constructed from dark woods, delicately carved patterns with brilliant colored inlays gave life to the room. Paintings of flowers, birds, and other animals decorated cream-colored walls. Rich jewel-toned fabrics provided additional pops of color. Though still stately, perhaps even a bit too traditional in styling, Pattie instantly felt more at ease in this suite of rooms.
“Tea will be served out in the gardens today, at Sitara’s request,” Neela stated, leading Pattie out a door.
Trotting slightly to catch up with the matron, Pattie nearly skid to a halt once she stepped through the scalloped archway out rich parlor. Ten feet beyond the covered patio, a large shallow pool sparkled as two fountains broke the surface of the crystal blue water. Large trees and fragrant flowers filled the space, providing greenery and some shade from the harsh Indian sun. Peacocks and peahens wandered about the grassy area near the stone, latticed wall. The soft sounds of other songbirds mixed with the soft tinkle from the fountains. It almost seemed like she had stepped into some version of paradise.
“This way,” Neela spoke up, drawing Pattie’s attention back to her.
Following the matron down a set of steps, Pattie noticed a stone pavilion she must have looked through to see the peacocks. Sheer panels of brightly colored silk wavered slightly in a breeze, likely caused by the large fan rotated in the center of the pavilion’s ceiling. Underneath the pavilion, a cluster of brightly colored pillows surrounded a low table, upon which tea service was set. Pattie frowned slightly, noticing Sitara was not present.
Stopping under the pavilion, Neela motioned to the pillows, “Please be seated. I will go escort Mistress Sitara down.”
Finding that statement a bit odd, Pattie nevertheless sat upon one of the pillows as the Indian matron hurried off. Her blue eyes continued to look around, taking in her surroundings. It was then she noticed the building was two stories and decks opened the second floor up to the courtyard below. Seeing no exterior steps indicated access only existed from within.
Her gaze once more focused on the stone latticework behind her. Just beyond it, she could see more grass, more pavilions, more pools, and more peacocks. She eyed it curiously, wondering if there was direct access from the courtyard to the rest of the gardens. Just as she noticed a pair of doors at the end of the covered patio of the u-shaped courtyard, she felt the presence of another and quickly turned around.
“Sitara,” she smiled and stood up, “how good it is to see you again.”
“Hello, Pattie,” she greeted, but did not return the smile. “Shall we?”
As the two women settled back down, Kanti appeared and waved off two younger servant girls. Her eyes briefly connected with her mother’s as the matron sat down in a nearby chair on the covered patio, before she served the two ladies their tea and sat herself. No one spoke for a few moments, seemingly waiting for the others to bring up a topic to discuss.
“This is a rather lovely home,” Pattie spoke softly.
“Even a gilded cage is still a cage,” Kanti responded.
“That is true,” the blonde nodded, setting her teacup down. “And how shall we set the birds free?”
“It is much easier discussed than done. The locks upon the cage cannot easily be picked,” Kanti stated.
Pattie looked to Sitara, waiting for the girl to say something. Instead, the dancing girl continued to look down at the table, her tea untouched. Even without meeting her eyes, Pattie could feel the girl’s spirit was beat down. It broke her heart. Without even thinking, she reached out and gently touched the young woman’s hand.
“Both George and Donovan are trying their hardest to free you,” she spoke softly.
Sitara’s green eyes rose, meeting Pattie’s blue eyes, “They should not bother. My father will enter into marriage discussions with my uncle upon his return from his business trip. Even if you were to open the door to this bird cage, there are cuffs about my ankles.”
“Then we will have to snip those off as well,” Pattie declared with a soft smile. “We will not allow you to be kept here against your will, Sita. I promise you that.”
“I wish I could believe that.”
Pattie glanced at Kanti before focusing back on Sitara, “If it were possible, would you like to see my husband or Donovan?”
“My father would never allow that. I do not know how you were even allowed to visit.”
“Your father is in Delhi,” Kanti offered, “and my mother runs the household so not many question her.”
“And when does he return?” Pattie asked.
“Two weeks,” Kanti answered, “which is when Sita’s uncle will be here for the betrothal offer.”
“Well then, George and Donovan will come before then.”
“It will never be allow—”
“Mother will figure it out,” Kanti interjected. “She will.”
“What should I tell George and Donovan then?” Pattie asked.
Kanti met her eyes, “Come to the market tomorrow evening. Either my mother or myself will meet with you and the men to discuss our options.”
The blonde nodded, “We shall. Now, Sita, what can you tell me about your lovely garden?”
Pacing the hotel room, George waited for Donovan’s arrival. He had already attempted to meditate a few times during the day. Playing his guitar or even attempting to play his sitar had not even distracted him. Pattie even initiated sex and George could still not chase away his nerves. He had her repeat her story of her tea with Sitara at least three times, trying to absorb every detail. Instincts said Pattie withheld something and he knew it could not be good, not under the circumstances.
But he would see for himself soon, if Donovan ever arrived.
About to snatch up the phone and ring the Scottish songwriter once more, George paused just a moment to wait for Pattie to step aside. In that moment of hesitation, a knock sounded at the door. Without pause, he hurried over to the door and flung it open.
“Ready, mate?” Donovan asked, cigarette perched between his lips.
“Where have you been?” George quickly asked.
“We’re not to meet Kanti until sundown,” he responded.
George motioned to the open windows, “The sun has set.”
“So it has,” his eyes flicked to the window and back to the musician. “Shall we then?”
“Yes,” he nodded, glancing at his wife. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“I won’t wait up,” she smiled slightly. “Go make her smile again.”
Nodding again, George followed Donovan out into the hallway. The two casually strolled out of the hotel, joining the throngs of people in the dusty streets. Though he was anxious to get to the market and meet with Sitara’s best friend, George followed Donovan’s casual lead. He was not able to truly act the role until Donovan lit up another cigarette and handed it to him.
One deep drag on the cigarette and he knew it was not a regular cigarette at all. A smirk danced across his face and he was noticeably more relaxed once they entered the night market. His eyes glanced around, looking for the familiar form and face amongst the travelers of the night.
Beginning to feel dejected, believing to have missed Kanti, George’s steps slowed even more. He was about to turn and pull Donovan back to the hotel, when a small hand touched his elbow. He instantly stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Though she was completely shrouded in black, George recognized her eyes and a smile lit his face.
Before he could speak, her fingers touched his lips and pulled him aside. Donovan noticed three steps later and quickly followed the two away from the market. No one spoke until they were certain they were completely alone.
“Is she...okay?” George asked softly.
“You’ll see for yourself soon,” Kanti answered, walking briskly. “I will show the two of you how to get over the walls and into the gardens in the back. From there we’ll have to be careful not to be seen, not that her father is home yet.”
“What has—”
“Sita will tell you everything she is comfortable with,” she declared. “I don’t know how long you’ll have with her tonight. This is really… what I suppose you Brits would call a test run.”
Kanti led the two men through streets and alleys. Even if it had been light outside, George was certain he would be lost. The streets of Jaipur were confusing enough as they were, but he had a feeling Kanti was weaving through the town, purposefully confusing them.
Stopping under a large tree that seemed to branch over an imposing stone wall or fence, Kanti turned towards the two men, “This is the easiest way to get over the fence. Luckily her father has not trimmed the tree…”
“Wait,” Donovan looked up at the tree, “we’re supposed to climb this tree in order to see Sita? You have to be out of your mind.”
“It’s the only way,” she stated, before reaching up to the lowest branch and pulling herself up.
The two men watched her disappear into the tree and then over the stone fence. Shrugging, George reached up and followed the young woman’s path. Not wanting to be left behind, Donovan stubbed out his joint and struggled to pull himself up. A minute later, he tumbled to the ground on the other side.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered.
Kanti shook her head, “Quiet now. I’ll lead you to where you can see Sita.”
“We’re not going inside?” Donovan asked.
“No. That’s impossible. This way.”
The men followed her behind large stone lattice screens covered with greenery and pavilions with fluttering, sheer curtains. Only lit by a half moon, neither could see much of the vast gardens and rolling grass. Their eyes naturally focused on the half-lit house, trying to get a better sense of what they were up against.
Kanti stopped, turning to face the two of them, “Don, you wait here. It’s best if we go one at a time.”
“But I—”
“Wait here,” she stated strongly before grabbing George’s hand and leading him through bushes.
Though he felt weird holding Kanti’s hand, he understood the necessity of it, as she bolted across a patch of open grass towards another cluster of plants. As they weaved through the plants, George realized the trees, bushes, and flowers mostly obscured another stone wall. Only this one was punctured with intricate lattice-work. It was…beautiful and yet he hated it, because he knew it kept Sitara from him.
Kanti stopped, glancing up at the moon, “She will be here soon. I will leave the two of you be for awhile before escorting Don over her to visit with her as well.”
“All right,” he responded softly.
She squeezed his hand once before releasing it and hurrying off. Pulling his attention away from Kanti, George peered through the lattice. His vision began to adjust to darkness of the courtyard, allowing him to make out the shape of sleeping peacocks and peahens near the glassy pool in the center. Before he could see much else, quick movement to his left drew his attention.
A smile quickly filled his face.
“Sita,” he breathed.
“George?” she whispered, her fingers reaching through the lacy stone.
He quickly interlaced his with hers, “Oh, Sita, sweetheart. Are you… are you okay?”
She squeezed his hand, “George…”
Though she had not verbally answered his question, the tone in her voice felt weighed down with sadness. He could not explain it, but just the utterance of his name was enough for him to know his fragile dancer was broken. His heart shattered in that instance.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” he declared.
“How? I can’t even leave my wing of the house.”
George pulled her hand through the stone lattice and kissed her fingertips, “I will find a way. Kanti, Donovan, Kanti’s mother, and Pattie are all helping. We will get you out of here.”
“George…”
“I will get you out of here,” he stated strongly. “I will.”
His other hand reached through the stone barrier and cupped her face. Closing her eyes, Sitara leaned into his hand. He frowned, feeling her warm, wet tears on his palm. He wanted nothing more than to break down the stone wall and embrace her. His eyes flicked upwards, thinking if he had scaled the other fence, he could scale this one.
“Sita, I’m going to climb over,” he declared.
Her eyes snapped open and met his, “You cannot.”
“It can’t be any more difficult than climbing over the fence to get in here,” he stated, pulling away from her.
“George, the lattice goes up two meters, where a solid wall begins,” she explained. “That goes up an additional three meters before connecting with the roofline. You cannot scale this wall.”
He sighed, “Surely there must be a way…”
“There are two iron gates that link my courtyard with the rest of the grounds,” she stated. “They have been locked and chained shut for now. I do not know…”
“Where… take me to them,” he requested.
Nodding, she pulled her hand back through the latticework and turned to the side. George mirrored her movements, his heart briefly halting whenever a solid block of stone briefly obscured her completely from his sight. As they reached the end of stone wall, George turned to face her, a delighted warmth filling him once he could see her better. With only decorative, thick iron bars between them, he quickly glanced over her small, curvy frame. She did not stand as strongly, as regally as before. What had they done to his Indian princess?
“Sita…” he uttered, his arms slipping through the bars.
She stepped closer, allowing him to awkwardly embrace her with the bars sandwiched between them. A deep frown etched on his face as she trembled in his arms.
“My sweet girl,” his hands rubbed her back, “I will get you out of here. Soon, I promise.”
“George, he…”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.”
Sitara suddenly tensed, her head cocking to the side. A moment later, Kanti and Donovan appeared near the gate. George carefully released Sitara from his embrace and stepped back.
“Sorry to intrude, mate,” Donovan spoke softly, his eyes focused more on Sitara than George. “But I believe it’s my turn to visit our friend.”
Kanti touched George’s arm, “Come. I promise a longer visit next time.”
With a sigh, George kissed Sitara’s hands before stepping back. Tears slipped down her cheeks before her green eyes flicked to Donovan. He quickly grinned at her, hearing Kanti lead George back to hidden area amongst the foliage.
“Should we move where we cannot be seen?” he suggested softly.
Nodding, Sitara moved along the stone wall until Donovan was once more concealed by the trees and bushes. His hand instantly reached through the lattice work to wipe away her tears. She leaned against the wall, trying to get as close to him as possible.
“Donovan, I have no…”
“Not for long, beautiful. We will bring light back to those beautiful eyes.”
Sitting on the grass, shrouded by thick foliage, George smoked a joint, waiting for Donovan’s return. He listened to the sounds of the night at the Barlow estate, trying to imagine what Sitara’s childhood had been like. Yet his thoughts kept snapping back to the fact she was currently locked up.
“Has he done this before?” George asked, his eyes settling on Sitara’s best friend.
Her dark eyes met his and she shook her head slightly, “Never like this. She has been confined to quarters before, but never for more than a night and never with her doors and gates locked.”
“What does he hope to prevent?”
“I suppose… Sitara from becoming her mother,” she admitted softly.
“What do you mean?”
Sighing, Kanti glanced towards the house, “The brief explanation is… her mother and father fell in love. He was more than thirty years her senior, she only sixteen when they met. She got pregnant, they got married, and she died in childbirth. Sitara survived and has been his everything since that day but lately…”
“Yes?”
“Mother thinks it has everything to do with her mother. He is worried about losing her in the same manner as he lost Kala… but I don’t think that’s all.”
“Why?” he ground the last of the joint.
“If that was all that worried him, he would not bring the old ways into it. He has seen that she has all the education and opportunities possible, even was preparing her to take over his company once he retires,” Kanti explained. “But now he has brought in an absurd doctor to prove her virginity.”
His eyes widened, “Excuse me?”
She sighed, “This is not mine to tell.”
He reached for her hands and grasped them, “Tell me what has happened to Sita. Please.”
“I was not there, as I was not allowed near her then. But she has said the doctor… shoved his fingers inside her and drew blood, before declaring she was no longer a virgin,” Kanti stated. “Thus setting in motion her eventual betrothal to her uncle.”
His hands clenched into fists, “I will—”
“What? You cannot just walk in and leave with her. We have to be careful about this or we could put her in further danger.”
“Further danger? What could be worse than being raped by a sham doctor and married unwillingly to your blood relative?” he demanded angrily.
Kanti squeezed his hands, “He is a very powerful man and no one will intercede should he choose to physically punish her greater than he has before. The bruises and welts you saw marking my flesh would be just a beginning, I fear.”
“Not if I take her where he cannot touch her.”
“It is not that simple, George. It is not,” she declared. “We must do this carefully, so as to not lose the innocence and brightness that is Sita.”
His shoulders slumped, “Kanti…”
“Mother has some ideas, but has not yet shared them with me. Until that day comes, you may come and see Sita like this any night you choose. And Pattie may continue to visit during the day.”
“Thank you, Kanti. Thank you.”
Rating: PG-13 [language, drugs]
Summary: Pattie manages to have tea with Sitara. Kanti sneaks George and Donovan in to visit with Sitara...
Sitting with Donovan in the hotel for tea, George once more turned their options over in his mind. It all circled back to one thing: Sitara and Kanti would have to sneak out of the house to be spirited away. Even though they had met with Kanti and her mother a week before, they were not any closer to rescuing Sitara from her father’s clutches. It worried him greatly that he had yet to see her or even speak with her. How could they rescue her if they could not—?
“George?” Pattie touched his hand, bringing his thoughts back to the present.
His eyes flicked to hers, “Sorry.”
Her thumb rubbed the back of his hand, “We will get them out of there, George. I’m certain of it.”
Donovan lit a cigarette, “Why don’t we just go knock on the door again? You know where the house is. It at least got you a meeting with Kanti’s mother. Maybe the three of us can gain entry.”
“I am not so certain of that,” he quickly lit his wife’s cigarette before lighting his own. “I think it would be easier to meet the Queen than to see Sita.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to try,” the Scot responded before taking a deep drag.
“It very well could. He knows who we are. If we storm the house, it could backfire and Sita could be…”
Pattie touched his hand again, “Maybe I should just try to see her. He might not see me as a threat since I’m a married woman.”
“I don’t…”
“That’s a good idea,” Donovan interjected. “Perhaps you can see her for tea tomorrow.”
“But…” George protested softly.
“It’s our best chance,” Pattie claimed. “I might be able to arrange another meeting with Kanti and her mother then too.”
“I just don’t want…”
She squeezed his hand, “I am volunteering to do this. If it doesn’t work, we’ll find another way.”
George sighed, “Alright…”
“This will work, George. You’ll see.”
Three days later, Donovan and George sat in the shade down the street from the Barlow estate. Pattie quickly headed down the street for her arranged tea with Sitara. As luck would have it, Geoffrey had not recognized Pattie as someone from the ashram and seemed to believe the story she gave. He agreed to allow Sitara to have tea with the British woman, as long as it was chaperoned by Neela. Knowing the older woman, Pattie quickly agreed to it and made the date. George and Donovan had been ecstatic the moment she hung up the phone and quickly began to plan the day around the tea date.
“Do you think this is going to work?” George muttered as Donovan lit one of his new cigarettes.
“It is working,” he responded between puffs. “She just turned into the house.”
“She won’t be walking back out with Sita though.”
“Of course not. He wouldn’t allow that. But at least Pattie will be able to reassure Sita that we’re here and we’re trying to get her out of that hell.”
“What if…”
“Maybe you should mediate for awhile, mate. You’re way too tense about this.”
“Maybe…”
Approaching the massive front door, Pattie quickly knocked before straightening her clothes. Now that they had left the Ashram, she once more returned to her preferred clothing, though liked to layer in Indian accessories. George might have absorbed everything about the culture and continued to, but it did not fascinate her as much. In fact, if it had been up to her, she would have returned to London when John had.
Instead, she stayed at her husband’s side — and was now attempting to rescue a woman he seemed fascinated by. If she thought too much about it, Pattie began to question his motives. She needed to accept it at face value: George was merely concerned about a young woman and trying to do all he could for her. Besides, she was Pattie’s friend as well, at least Pattie believed her to be. There was no conflict in interest in trying to rescue Sitara, she hoped.
The door opened and Pattie was ushered into the house by a young, unfamiliar woman. Following her into the house, the Brit glanced around, trying to ascertain the personality of Sitara’s father from her surroundings. Everything seemed very masculine, very structured, and very…Victorian. Dark colors and woods dominated the surroundings, making Pattie feel as if everything was closing around her.
The girl stopped, “Wait here. I shall find Mrs. Neela to escort you to the mistress’ quarters.”
Left alone in an atrium of sorts, Pattie wandered around it, glancing through ornately carved doorways, into other rooms. The house seemed almost… lifeless. What little she knew of Sitara did not seem to explain the dark, masculinity, except maybe it had to do with the loss of her mother. Though curious, Pattie suppressed her questions; that was not the purpose of her visit.
“Mrs. Harrison?” a familiar voice spoke up, drawing her attention away from peering into another room.
Pattie turned around, “Neela.”
“Come along. Tea waits,” she motioned to the corridor behind her.
Trailing a couple of steps behind the Indian matron, Pattie was slightly surprised the woman stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor and unlocked it before proceeding. Was Sitara literally kept locked up? She had thought Neela or Kanti had been exaggerating, but it seemed not. Waiting until the blonde passed through the door, the older matron closed it and locked it once more, tucking the key away in the folds of her clothing.
“Mistress Sitara has not had a visitor in over a month,” she spoke softly, continuing down the hallway. “Other than the doctor.”
“The…doctor…” Pattie repeated.
Neela sighed and nodded, “He returned last week, marking his second visit since her return from Rishikesh a month ago. She will not speak of it with me, but Kanti has claimed… he violated her.”
The Brit stopped, “Excuse me?”
“These are dark days, Mrs. Harrison. Very dark days. Your visit will surely brighten Sitara’s temperance,” she declared, before turning from the corridor.
Stopping in the doorway briefly, Pattie glanced around. The difference was stark. While the furniture was still constructed from dark woods, delicately carved patterns with brilliant colored inlays gave life to the room. Paintings of flowers, birds, and other animals decorated cream-colored walls. Rich jewel-toned fabrics provided additional pops of color. Though still stately, perhaps even a bit too traditional in styling, Pattie instantly felt more at ease in this suite of rooms.
“Tea will be served out in the gardens today, at Sitara’s request,” Neela stated, leading Pattie out a door.
Trotting slightly to catch up with the matron, Pattie nearly skid to a halt once she stepped through the scalloped archway out rich parlor. Ten feet beyond the covered patio, a large shallow pool sparkled as two fountains broke the surface of the crystal blue water. Large trees and fragrant flowers filled the space, providing greenery and some shade from the harsh Indian sun. Peacocks and peahens wandered about the grassy area near the stone, latticed wall. The soft sounds of other songbirds mixed with the soft tinkle from the fountains. It almost seemed like she had stepped into some version of paradise.
“This way,” Neela spoke up, drawing Pattie’s attention back to her.
Following the matron down a set of steps, Pattie noticed a stone pavilion she must have looked through to see the peacocks. Sheer panels of brightly colored silk wavered slightly in a breeze, likely caused by the large fan rotated in the center of the pavilion’s ceiling. Underneath the pavilion, a cluster of brightly colored pillows surrounded a low table, upon which tea service was set. Pattie frowned slightly, noticing Sitara was not present.
Stopping under the pavilion, Neela motioned to the pillows, “Please be seated. I will go escort Mistress Sitara down.”
Finding that statement a bit odd, Pattie nevertheless sat upon one of the pillows as the Indian matron hurried off. Her blue eyes continued to look around, taking in her surroundings. It was then she noticed the building was two stories and decks opened the second floor up to the courtyard below. Seeing no exterior steps indicated access only existed from within.
Her gaze once more focused on the stone latticework behind her. Just beyond it, she could see more grass, more pavilions, more pools, and more peacocks. She eyed it curiously, wondering if there was direct access from the courtyard to the rest of the gardens. Just as she noticed a pair of doors at the end of the covered patio of the u-shaped courtyard, she felt the presence of another and quickly turned around.
“Sitara,” she smiled and stood up, “how good it is to see you again.”
“Hello, Pattie,” she greeted, but did not return the smile. “Shall we?”
As the two women settled back down, Kanti appeared and waved off two younger servant girls. Her eyes briefly connected with her mother’s as the matron sat down in a nearby chair on the covered patio, before she served the two ladies their tea and sat herself. No one spoke for a few moments, seemingly waiting for the others to bring up a topic to discuss.
“This is a rather lovely home,” Pattie spoke softly.
“Even a gilded cage is still a cage,” Kanti responded.
“That is true,” the blonde nodded, setting her teacup down. “And how shall we set the birds free?”
“It is much easier discussed than done. The locks upon the cage cannot easily be picked,” Kanti stated.
Pattie looked to Sitara, waiting for the girl to say something. Instead, the dancing girl continued to look down at the table, her tea untouched. Even without meeting her eyes, Pattie could feel the girl’s spirit was beat down. It broke her heart. Without even thinking, she reached out and gently touched the young woman’s hand.
“Both George and Donovan are trying their hardest to free you,” she spoke softly.
Sitara’s green eyes rose, meeting Pattie’s blue eyes, “They should not bother. My father will enter into marriage discussions with my uncle upon his return from his business trip. Even if you were to open the door to this bird cage, there are cuffs about my ankles.”
“Then we will have to snip those off as well,” Pattie declared with a soft smile. “We will not allow you to be kept here against your will, Sita. I promise you that.”
“I wish I could believe that.”
Pattie glanced at Kanti before focusing back on Sitara, “If it were possible, would you like to see my husband or Donovan?”
“My father would never allow that. I do not know how you were even allowed to visit.”
“Your father is in Delhi,” Kanti offered, “and my mother runs the household so not many question her.”
“And when does he return?” Pattie asked.
“Two weeks,” Kanti answered, “which is when Sita’s uncle will be here for the betrothal offer.”
“Well then, George and Donovan will come before then.”
“It will never be allow—”
“Mother will figure it out,” Kanti interjected. “She will.”
“What should I tell George and Donovan then?” Pattie asked.
Kanti met her eyes, “Come to the market tomorrow evening. Either my mother or myself will meet with you and the men to discuss our options.”
The blonde nodded, “We shall. Now, Sita, what can you tell me about your lovely garden?”
Pacing the hotel room, George waited for Donovan’s arrival. He had already attempted to meditate a few times during the day. Playing his guitar or even attempting to play his sitar had not even distracted him. Pattie even initiated sex and George could still not chase away his nerves. He had her repeat her story of her tea with Sitara at least three times, trying to absorb every detail. Instincts said Pattie withheld something and he knew it could not be good, not under the circumstances.
But he would see for himself soon, if Donovan ever arrived.
About to snatch up the phone and ring the Scottish songwriter once more, George paused just a moment to wait for Pattie to step aside. In that moment of hesitation, a knock sounded at the door. Without pause, he hurried over to the door and flung it open.
“Ready, mate?” Donovan asked, cigarette perched between his lips.
“Where have you been?” George quickly asked.
“We’re not to meet Kanti until sundown,” he responded.
George motioned to the open windows, “The sun has set.”
“So it has,” his eyes flicked to the window and back to the musician. “Shall we then?”
“Yes,” he nodded, glancing at his wife. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“I won’t wait up,” she smiled slightly. “Go make her smile again.”
Nodding again, George followed Donovan out into the hallway. The two casually strolled out of the hotel, joining the throngs of people in the dusty streets. Though he was anxious to get to the market and meet with Sitara’s best friend, George followed Donovan’s casual lead. He was not able to truly act the role until Donovan lit up another cigarette and handed it to him.
One deep drag on the cigarette and he knew it was not a regular cigarette at all. A smirk danced across his face and he was noticeably more relaxed once they entered the night market. His eyes glanced around, looking for the familiar form and face amongst the travelers of the night.
Beginning to feel dejected, believing to have missed Kanti, George’s steps slowed even more. He was about to turn and pull Donovan back to the hotel, when a small hand touched his elbow. He instantly stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Though she was completely shrouded in black, George recognized her eyes and a smile lit his face.
Before he could speak, her fingers touched his lips and pulled him aside. Donovan noticed three steps later and quickly followed the two away from the market. No one spoke until they were certain they were completely alone.
“Is she...okay?” George asked softly.
“You’ll see for yourself soon,” Kanti answered, walking briskly. “I will show the two of you how to get over the walls and into the gardens in the back. From there we’ll have to be careful not to be seen, not that her father is home yet.”
“What has—”
“Sita will tell you everything she is comfortable with,” she declared. “I don’t know how long you’ll have with her tonight. This is really… what I suppose you Brits would call a test run.”
Kanti led the two men through streets and alleys. Even if it had been light outside, George was certain he would be lost. The streets of Jaipur were confusing enough as they were, but he had a feeling Kanti was weaving through the town, purposefully confusing them.
Stopping under a large tree that seemed to branch over an imposing stone wall or fence, Kanti turned towards the two men, “This is the easiest way to get over the fence. Luckily her father has not trimmed the tree…”
“Wait,” Donovan looked up at the tree, “we’re supposed to climb this tree in order to see Sita? You have to be out of your mind.”
“It’s the only way,” she stated, before reaching up to the lowest branch and pulling herself up.
The two men watched her disappear into the tree and then over the stone fence. Shrugging, George reached up and followed the young woman’s path. Not wanting to be left behind, Donovan stubbed out his joint and struggled to pull himself up. A minute later, he tumbled to the ground on the other side.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered.
Kanti shook her head, “Quiet now. I’ll lead you to where you can see Sita.”
“We’re not going inside?” Donovan asked.
“No. That’s impossible. This way.”
The men followed her behind large stone lattice screens covered with greenery and pavilions with fluttering, sheer curtains. Only lit by a half moon, neither could see much of the vast gardens and rolling grass. Their eyes naturally focused on the half-lit house, trying to get a better sense of what they were up against.
Kanti stopped, turning to face the two of them, “Don, you wait here. It’s best if we go one at a time.”
“But I—”
“Wait here,” she stated strongly before grabbing George’s hand and leading him through bushes.
Though he felt weird holding Kanti’s hand, he understood the necessity of it, as she bolted across a patch of open grass towards another cluster of plants. As they weaved through the plants, George realized the trees, bushes, and flowers mostly obscured another stone wall. Only this one was punctured with intricate lattice-work. It was…beautiful and yet he hated it, because he knew it kept Sitara from him.
Kanti stopped, glancing up at the moon, “She will be here soon. I will leave the two of you be for awhile before escorting Don over her to visit with her as well.”
“All right,” he responded softly.
She squeezed his hand once before releasing it and hurrying off. Pulling his attention away from Kanti, George peered through the lattice. His vision began to adjust to darkness of the courtyard, allowing him to make out the shape of sleeping peacocks and peahens near the glassy pool in the center. Before he could see much else, quick movement to his left drew his attention.
A smile quickly filled his face.
“Sita,” he breathed.
“George?” she whispered, her fingers reaching through the lacy stone.
He quickly interlaced his with hers, “Oh, Sita, sweetheart. Are you… are you okay?”
She squeezed his hand, “George…”
Though she had not verbally answered his question, the tone in her voice felt weighed down with sadness. He could not explain it, but just the utterance of his name was enough for him to know his fragile dancer was broken. His heart shattered in that instance.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” he declared.
“How? I can’t even leave my wing of the house.”
George pulled her hand through the stone lattice and kissed her fingertips, “I will find a way. Kanti, Donovan, Kanti’s mother, and Pattie are all helping. We will get you out of here.”
“George…”
“I will get you out of here,” he stated strongly. “I will.”
His other hand reached through the stone barrier and cupped her face. Closing her eyes, Sitara leaned into his hand. He frowned, feeling her warm, wet tears on his palm. He wanted nothing more than to break down the stone wall and embrace her. His eyes flicked upwards, thinking if he had scaled the other fence, he could scale this one.
“Sita, I’m going to climb over,” he declared.
Her eyes snapped open and met his, “You cannot.”
“It can’t be any more difficult than climbing over the fence to get in here,” he stated, pulling away from her.
“George, the lattice goes up two meters, where a solid wall begins,” she explained. “That goes up an additional three meters before connecting with the roofline. You cannot scale this wall.”
He sighed, “Surely there must be a way…”
“There are two iron gates that link my courtyard with the rest of the grounds,” she stated. “They have been locked and chained shut for now. I do not know…”
“Where… take me to them,” he requested.
Nodding, she pulled her hand back through the latticework and turned to the side. George mirrored her movements, his heart briefly halting whenever a solid block of stone briefly obscured her completely from his sight. As they reached the end of stone wall, George turned to face her, a delighted warmth filling him once he could see her better. With only decorative, thick iron bars between them, he quickly glanced over her small, curvy frame. She did not stand as strongly, as regally as before. What had they done to his Indian princess?
“Sita…” he uttered, his arms slipping through the bars.
She stepped closer, allowing him to awkwardly embrace her with the bars sandwiched between them. A deep frown etched on his face as she trembled in his arms.
“My sweet girl,” his hands rubbed her back, “I will get you out of here. Soon, I promise.”
“George, he…”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.”
Sitara suddenly tensed, her head cocking to the side. A moment later, Kanti and Donovan appeared near the gate. George carefully released Sitara from his embrace and stepped back.
“Sorry to intrude, mate,” Donovan spoke softly, his eyes focused more on Sitara than George. “But I believe it’s my turn to visit our friend.”
Kanti touched George’s arm, “Come. I promise a longer visit next time.”
With a sigh, George kissed Sitara’s hands before stepping back. Tears slipped down her cheeks before her green eyes flicked to Donovan. He quickly grinned at her, hearing Kanti lead George back to hidden area amongst the foliage.
“Should we move where we cannot be seen?” he suggested softly.
Nodding, Sitara moved along the stone wall until Donovan was once more concealed by the trees and bushes. His hand instantly reached through the lattice work to wipe away her tears. She leaned against the wall, trying to get as close to him as possible.
“Donovan, I have no…”
“Not for long, beautiful. We will bring light back to those beautiful eyes.”
Sitting on the grass, shrouded by thick foliage, George smoked a joint, waiting for Donovan’s return. He listened to the sounds of the night at the Barlow estate, trying to imagine what Sitara’s childhood had been like. Yet his thoughts kept snapping back to the fact she was currently locked up.
“Has he done this before?” George asked, his eyes settling on Sitara’s best friend.
Her dark eyes met his and she shook her head slightly, “Never like this. She has been confined to quarters before, but never for more than a night and never with her doors and gates locked.”
“What does he hope to prevent?”
“I suppose… Sitara from becoming her mother,” she admitted softly.
“What do you mean?”
Sighing, Kanti glanced towards the house, “The brief explanation is… her mother and father fell in love. He was more than thirty years her senior, she only sixteen when they met. She got pregnant, they got married, and she died in childbirth. Sitara survived and has been his everything since that day but lately…”
“Yes?”
“Mother thinks it has everything to do with her mother. He is worried about losing her in the same manner as he lost Kala… but I don’t think that’s all.”
“Why?” he ground the last of the joint.
“If that was all that worried him, he would not bring the old ways into it. He has seen that she has all the education and opportunities possible, even was preparing her to take over his company once he retires,” Kanti explained. “But now he has brought in an absurd doctor to prove her virginity.”
His eyes widened, “Excuse me?”
She sighed, “This is not mine to tell.”
He reached for her hands and grasped them, “Tell me what has happened to Sita. Please.”
“I was not there, as I was not allowed near her then. But she has said the doctor… shoved his fingers inside her and drew blood, before declaring she was no longer a virgin,” Kanti stated. “Thus setting in motion her eventual betrothal to her uncle.”
His hands clenched into fists, “I will—”
“What? You cannot just walk in and leave with her. We have to be careful about this or we could put her in further danger.”
“Further danger? What could be worse than being raped by a sham doctor and married unwillingly to your blood relative?” he demanded angrily.
Kanti squeezed his hands, “He is a very powerful man and no one will intercede should he choose to physically punish her greater than he has before. The bruises and welts you saw marking my flesh would be just a beginning, I fear.”
“Not if I take her where he cannot touch her.”
“It is not that simple, George. It is not,” she declared. “We must do this carefully, so as to not lose the innocence and brightness that is Sita.”
His shoulders slumped, “Kanti…”
“Mother has some ideas, but has not yet shared them with me. Until that day comes, you may come and see Sita like this any night you choose. And Pattie may continue to visit during the day.”
“Thank you, Kanti. Thank you.”
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