Jahanara’s verses were well received, though she avoided speaking directly to the issue that drove Nadira’s choice of themes. Instead, her poem focused on the search for wisdom in uncertain times.
At its end, Nadira launched into her own verses, which the accomplished poet had completed only last week. As she had heard her sister-in-law’s poem already, Jahanara half-listened while considering Nadira’s intent for the evening.
The celebration of her son’s birthday had been planned, in part, to give Nadira an opportunity to silence a few rumors that had begun circulating about Jahanara. It seemed that Jahanara’s management of Dara’s harem had caused some resentment. The rumors complained that it had been one thing for Jahanara to manage Father’s well-established harem of many wives and even more concubines, but quite another to do it for Dara, a young emperor with only the one wife and therefore very few close ties with his senior courtiers.
For her part, Jahanara could understand the ill will that fostered such rumors: if you, your parents, and your husband had spent a great deal of time and effort inveigling a position at court beside Nadira, it was understandable that resentment would follow upon discovery that Nadira was not the sole arbiter of who and what service was worthy of reward. No, the blackest rumors to reach her ears made her a power-hungry creature who refused to step down, only persisting in her position in order to exert undue control over her brother.
As her voice raised in protest would only serve to confirm the rumors to the minds of her detractors, it had been decided that Nadira would take the lead.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Nadira finished her reading and the ladies applauded enthusiastically.
Smiling, Nadira led a spirited discussion choosing which were the best couplets of the night. Jahanara participated, but less actively than she might have in order to allow Nadira all the attention she deserved. Instead, she sat quietly admiring her sister-in-law’s ability to guide the conversation to her objectives.
Seizing on the couplet of one of her senior ladies, Nadira expounded a few moments on the quality of the verse before focusing on the matching of it to her chosen theme.
“In reading the verse, I love that it leads the reader down a certain path of thought to a crossroads. On the one hand, the joys of a life in service to another. On the other, the desire to be beholden and responsible only to oneself and to God.
“Now that I am a mother and feel the ever-present ache of love and duty toward my son, I want to devote all of my time to being the best mother I can be.”
The other mothers among those gathered for the party expressed wholehearted agreement with the empress as she paused to drink her julabmost. While her courtiers nodded and spoke among themselves, the wife of the emperor met Jahanara’s gaze over the rim of her goblet…and winked.
Jahanara covered a smile.
Lowering her drink, Nadira resumed speaking. “Even at the cost of managing my husband’s harem and its affairs. I told my beloved husband as much, and he agreed that while affairs of state occupy his mind and weigh upon his spirit, I should concentrate my efforts upon rearing our son.
“This in mind, my beloved husband asked Jahanara Begum”—she raised her goblet again, this time in salute to Jahanara—“to take up many responsibilities on our behalf. As a dutiful sister to both myself and my beloved husband, Jahanara Begum has resumed those duties that she discharged so well for Shah Jahan. I wish to thank her for this kindness, and for the many other kindnesses she has bestowed upon me since we became sisters.”
The gathered ladies of the court joined their hostess in saluting the emperor’s sister. For the rest of the night, the ladies were far warmer in their regard for Jahanara than they had been in the weeks since Dara had assumed the throne.
Over the next few days she saw a general increase in ladies asking for her advice, suggestions, and opinions on a wide variety of subjects. Soon after that there came an increase in petitioners and requests for intercession in certain matters that required the attention of the foremost lady of the court.
Nadira’s message, it seemed, had been fully delivered.
Now it only remained to be seen how long the lesson would remain.
Chapter 2
Surat, on the Gulf of Khambhat
West coast of India
Lønesom Vind shifted at anchor as the tide raised the river under her, making her sweating captain sway on the ratlines lowered from her waist. The movement scarcely delayed Strand, who was far slimmer than he’d been when ship and crew had first been chartered by the USE mission.
Despite—or perhaps because of—the weight loss, he felt better than he had in years, and certainly far better than he had the last time he’d endured the Indian heat. In fact, the entire crew was, as a result of the up-timer’s dietary regimen, more fit than any he’d served with.
Feet on the deck of the Vind again, Captain Rune Strand smiled.
And now, to go with our good health, great wealth! At long last, we have the firman of trade the up-timers sought for us! He spun the bag hanging from his shoulder around and opened it, drawing the beribboned and medallion-strewn scroll into the light. Of course, the firman had also been accompanied by a request from John for two of the special shells the USE Navy had supplied for Lønesom Vind’s guns, but he was sure and certain they could be spared.
Eager to share the good news with his oldest companion, he looked aft and up. Loke stood looking downriver, out toward the open ocean.
Assuming the man was staring out toward the sea with
