Page 77 of To Break the Rules

Aashini laughed, hardly recognising the woman staring back at her, but finding she liked her. She liked her very much. She looked happy, and at peace with herself, and… yes, she looked beautiful.

Her eyes appeared massive, rimmed in black kajal, and everywhere she glinted, from the glorious red–and-gold silk sari to the dozens of bangles on each arm. Most were gold, but there were also a pair made from conch shells, called shakha and pola, one red, one white, and both delicately carved.

Rings adorned most of her fingers, from which fine gold chains fell and wrapped about her wrists. Jewels glinted at her throat, the navaratnaso eye-catching that she could hardly bare to look away from it. Its nine stones were thought to bring the wearer power and luck. Each colourful stone was set in diamonds, and enormous pearls hung in tiers below them. A ruby was set in the centre, representing the sun, as all the stones had meaning, an emerald for Mercury, and yellow sapphire for Jupiter, a diamond for Venus, and so on.

In India, it was believed that flawless pearls prevented misfortune, and Aashini was so covered in them she felt nothing bad could ever happen again. She laughed, her heavy earrings glittering and swaying as she turned her head.

“I feel like I’ve fallen into a jewellery box,” she said, overwhelmed and bubbling over with happiness. She couldn’t wait for Silas to see her.

“Oh, Aashini, your mother would be so proud of you.” Dharani’s voice cracked a little and Aashini turned to see her wipe her eyes.

“Of you too, Nani maa,” she said gently. “I would not be here if not for you. I shall never forget that.”

Dharani took a deep breath and exhaled, slowly. “Well then, bhanvaraa. You are ready. It is time to show your husband, and the world, just who you are.”

Aashini nodded and crossed the room, pausing to press a kiss to her grandmother’s forehead.

“Main tumse pyaar karti hoon, Nani maa,” she whispered. “I love you.”

Mary ran forward, eager to open the door for her.

“He’s been pacing the hallway this last twenty minutes or more.” The maid giggled, making Aashini smile as she stepped outside her room.

True enough, Silas was awaiting her at the top of the stairs. His back was to her, as he stared downstairs to where the sounds of music and the chatter of guests could be heard. All of them awaiting Aashini’s grand entrance.

“At last,” he said, sounding amused as he turned around. “I was beginning to think….”

The words died on his lips as his gaze fell upon her and she heard his breathing hitch. Aashini gave him a shy smile, a little anxious now as the moment stretched on and he did nothing but stare at her, mouth open.

“Silas?” she prompted, feeling a little anxious.

He wasn’t used to seeing women dressed in such a manner. Had she been foolish to believe he would like it?

“Aashini,” he said, his voice rough. “I’ve never… I… I don’t….”

“Tell her she’s beautiful, you great oaf,” Dharani called from around the door frame.

This, at least, seemed to snap him out of his reverie.

“Beautiful isn’t the word for it,” he said, shaking his head as he took her in. “My word, Aashini, you… you look like a goddess.”

Aashini let out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, and laughed. “Thank you.”

He walked closer, staring down at her, his blue eyes alight with love, pride, and wonder. “My beautiful wife,” he said, such a smile at his lips that Aashini knew she would never forget this moment. His expression would be engraved on her heart as long as she lived. “How proud I am. I love you, Aashini. So much.”

Aashini blinked up at him, a smile at her lips she doubted she’d be able to lose for days to come. “And I you, husband.”

“Come,” he said, holding out his arm for her. “Let us go and show your friends, and all those who are dying of curiosity, just what a remarkable woman I married.”

***

“Where is she?” Bonnie complained to Matilda as they moved back into the entrance hall with the rest of the Peculiar Ladies, all of them anxious for their first glimpse of Aashini.

“She wants to make an entrance,” Matilda replied, not for the first time. Though in truth she was dying of impatience too. Aashini had confided in her that she would be wearing the traditional costume of her country and the description of it had intrigued her. She was beside herself with excitement now.

“Oh, there’s Lord Cavendish,” Kitty said, waving at him as he looked down over the banisters.

His lordship grinned and waved back and then, a moment later, moved away.