Free The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal by Adite Banerjie

time.’
    Maya’s heart had started an erratic rat-a-tat at his husky, sexy offer and she desperately tried to change the topic. ‘Who looks after the gardens? Rani?’
    Krish gave her a knowing look. ‘Rani’s father, Hari. Okay, I will leave you to your own devices. If you need anything, just let Rani know. And oh, I almost forgot. Tonight you get to meet your pa-in-law at dinner.’
    Touching his lips to her hand in a feather-soft kiss, he said, ‘Stick close to me, and from time to time make sure to give me long loving glances…and you will do fine.’
    She pulled her hand away with a jolt. ‘Right…the just-married lovey-dovey couple act. How could I forget?’
    â€˜Eight p.m. Be ready.’ Blowing her a kiss, he turned on his heel and left.
    It was almost as if, with Krish’s departure, the colours had suddenly become muted. The sunny warmth was replaced by a creepy chill that made Maya shiver. She dreaded the thought of facing up to KD in a house full of hostile people. Krish, it seemed, was her only ally. As if! He had made it quite clear that he expected her to play the role of an adoring bride. And she had better, or else KD would kick her off his turf in double quick time.
    A sudden wave of nausea swept over her. What if she lost her nerve? What if KD saw through her? Taking a deep breath, she shook her head vehemently. She grabbed her bag and pulled out Papa’s diary, which she always carried with her. Opening it on a random page, she read the words that her father had jotted down. The pages were frayed but the words were still as evocative as when Maya had first read them:
    How do I rid myself of the shadow of KD? I have tried and I have failed. How I wish God would just take me away. But then what would happen to my sweet little Maya?
    Even in his darkest days, his thoughts had been about her. She closed the diary and held it to her heart.
You have to do it for Papa!
    A knock on the door heralded Rani’s arrival with a glass of delicious mango
lassi
and a plate of savouries. She welcomed the girl’s intrusion but not even Rani’s exuberant Hinglish chatter could divert her mind from the impending evening. Maya tried to focus on the job of selecting her evening wear and decided on a pair of turquoise silk harem pants with a cream-coloured halter blouse with delicate Kashmiri embroidery on it.
    Rani greeted her choice with a delighted squeal. ‘
Bhabhi
, this will look
ekdum
beautiful on you. You will make Monica Madam go green…’
    Before Maya could ask who Monica Madam was, Rani realised that she had crossed a line. She stuck out her tongue and excused herself. ‘In that dress, you looking like
pari
—no, no—fairy! I going now. Bye-bye!’
    Rani’s enthusiasm had brought a smile to her lips. But would fairy-wear be adequate armour for the hostile gunfire that she was about to face?

CHAPTER FIVE
    A T NIGHT, THE mansion looked even more grand and imposing than it had during the day. The stamp of ostentation was all around. From the heavy brocade furnishings, the antique Louis XIV furniture to the thick Persian carpets and the chandeliers on the ceiling.
    All eyes turned towards them as soon as they stepped into the hall of the mansion. Maya couldn’t suppress a shiver of apprehension. Krish felt the fleeting reaction and caught her hand in his, weaving his fingers through hers. ‘Relax!’ he murmured into her ear.
    â€˜Oh, I didn’t know it was going to be a party,’ she said.
    â€˜No, this is the way it is every night. It’s nothing special. I guess my father can’t stand his own company.’ Krish’s voice was tinged with sarcasm. Lifting her chin with his finger to look deep into her kohl-lined eyes, he said, ‘You look like a million bucks. Let’s go get them.’ Her heart fluttered wildly as she gave him a brief smile.
    Krish’s hand on her back felt