Chapter 9 - Figurehead
The next morning a soldier wakes William early.
“Your presence is requested at government house,” he announces with a sharp salute at the barracks door. “Officials wish to speak with you. I have informed the woman already.”
Now, William and Pratima sit waiting in an elegantly furnished room. Pratima, dressed in a choli and lehenga. William admires her embroidered choli, cut modestly, hardly showing any midriff. Her lehenga, a simple stitched and deftly pleated skirt that reaches to her ankles. Her clothing simple but brightly colored reds and blues. Perhaps our outfits will help, after that display at the gate. We have come this far, at least.
William, though his hair is not dressed up like many of the officers, has dressed in the Rajasthani style, in Kurta and D
