Page 64 of A Royal Inconvenience

“I’m not playing either, Ranvijay. I’ve allowed you to grieve in peace for years, but now you need to remember your duty to your title and your family. The Maharaja of Mirpur must have an heir,” she cried.

And so it was that the very grumpy Maharaja of Mirpur found himself on his way to meet his prospective second wife, Kavya Kumari, the princess of Sajjangarh.

“Ineed a minute, Ma. You go on in,” said Ranvijay gruffly when they drew up in the courtyard of Sajjangarh Palace.

The yoke of responsibility felt like a noose around his neck and he was very tempted to turn around and drive back all the way to Mirpur.

“Don’t be too long,” chided his mother as she stepped out of the car.

Ranvijay took a few deep breaths and rolled up the sleeves of his linen kurta before he stepped out of the car.

Before he had taken a few steps, a woman came around the side of the house holding a tray of flowers. When she met Ranvijay’s eyes, she smiled sweetly and his heart clenched hard. As did other parts of his body.

He held her gaze as they both walked towards the small welcome committee waiting by the palace doors.

“Shivina, get back into the house,” said a dour-looking woman sharply, and the mystery woman gave him one last quick look before she disappeared into the house.

“Pardon me, Your Highness. That was our estate manager’s daughter, who doesn’t always remember that she’s supposed to use the staff entrance,” said the Rani of Sajjangarh with an uncomfortable laugh, as she led Ranvijay and his mother into the house. “Welcome to our humble home. Kavya’s dying to meet her future husband.”