Page 80 of The Sapphire Child
Breathlessly she asked, ‘Have you been practising your backgammon?’
He gave her a quizzical look. She prompted, ‘When we parted on the boat, you said you would practise so that when we met again you might beat me.’
Hugh laughed. ‘So I did. I can’t say I’m much better, but I’m happy to try.’
Stella was aware of the other guests watching them with interest. She recovered her poise. ‘Please, Hugh, sit down. I’ll join you for a few minutes.’
They sat in armchairs next to each other. Hugh raised his voice so that MrsShankley could hear. ‘Stella, I’ve been chatting to two of your fans here. MrsShankley couldn’t speak more highly of you.’
‘She’s the dearest girl,’ agreed Winifred.
‘I’m so sorry to hear that your father passed away. You talked about him a lot on the boat.’
Stella nodded, clutching at his hand. Her throat constricted. ‘I wish you’d met him. I think you both would have got on so well together.’
MrTamang and MrsShankley began reminiscing about Charlie. Stella was touched by the way Hugh encouraged them with questions and patiently repeated himself to the deaf missionary. Yet she longed to speak to him alone.
‘How long are you in Pindi?’ she asked.
‘Four days. I’ll be busy with meetings during the day but I intend keeping my evenings free for backgammon with the Raj champion.’
Stella smiled. ‘Good. I was hoping you’d say that.’
‘After dinner tonight then?’ Hugh suggested.
‘Agreed.’ She stood up. ‘I must go and help with Charles.’
He looked at her enquiringly.
‘My nephew,’ she explained. ‘Jimmy’s son. He’s the most adorable ten-month-old baby in the whole world.’
‘Ah, a baby! I’m glad I’m not competing with a grown man,’ Hugh teased.
Stella laughed. ‘I’ll see you later.’
‘I’ll look forward to it,’ he said, standing politely as she left.
Stella felt joyful. Hugh hadn’t changed; he was still the warm, amusing, attentive man that she had fallen for so easily on the ship. It was as if the years in between had never been. The baroness had been right; time and distance didn’t matter when you loved someone enough. She knew instinctively that Hugh was the man for her.
‘You caused quite a stir at dinner tonight,’ Stella said in amusement, sitting under the portico with Hugh much later that evening. It was chilly and she had a rug tucked around her knees. The residentsand her family had gone to bed and only the chowkidar was within hearing distance as he patrolled the front lawn. ‘I’m sorry if the baroness bombarded you with questions, but I’d told her about you before. She’s finding it very romantic that you’ve come looking for me after all this time.’
‘Hester is delightful,’ said Hugh. ‘They all are. I can see why you’re so fond of the regulars. Though I’m not sure I can keep up with Fritters and his chota pegs. Just as well I’m only here a few days.’
The comment made Stella sad. ‘Don’t say that. You’ve only just arrived.’
He took her hand quickly and kissed it. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. I’m the happiest man in India to be sitting here in the dark with the prettiest girl in the world.’
Stella chuckled. ‘Oh, Hugh, I’ve missed you. Tell me what you’ve been doing since we met. I’ve told you my story – not that there was much to tell.’
He threaded her fingers in his. ‘I’ve not much to tell either.’
‘Why did you leave your job in Baluchistan?’
He sighed and tapped his leg. ‘I’ll always be lame in this leg. I couldn’t ride well and didn’t feel I could do my job properly. Horseback was the main way to get around the deserts and mountains – it’s the way I gained respect among the tribesmen. Perhaps it was stubborn of me, but I decided to leave the service rather than do a job badly.’
‘Stubborn maybe,’ said Stella, ‘but honourable. Is that when you decided to join McSween and Watson?’
‘Not immediately.’ He paused. ‘I stayed in Ireland for a while. My father needed help on the family farm – I’m the only son – and I felt duty bound. But then...’
