Page 55 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

Libby slowed, glancing to see if he meant it. George took her hand and pulled her round.

‘I’m truly sorry for messing things up between us,’ he said. ‘You’re right; I am a bit selfish. But after getting my fingers burnt with Joan I’m wary of getting involved again. I feel bad if you think I led you on – you know how fond I am of all you Robsons – I just thought you might be up for a bit of fun too. I never meant to hurt you. Please forgive me. Are we still friends?’

His fair face looked so pained that Libby relented. She couldn’t help liking George. She knew he was a hopeless womaniser but he was also fun and generous and she didn’t want them to part on bad terms.

‘I suppose we’re still friends,’ she relented.

He beamed and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Grand! Let’s get another gimlet and dance till dawn.’

Libby suppressed a laugh as they retreated to the veranda. Flowers met them on the steps with an enquiring look.

‘It’s okay,’ Libby mouthed.

‘The Khans have just left,’ said Flowers. ‘Fatima said to say goodbye – she didn’t want to stop you dancing.’

Libby flushed to think that Ghulam’s last sight of her was dancing with George. She would have no chance to find out if he wanted to see her again. But why should he? To him she was still one of the despisedsahib-log– a privileged white woman – despite her Indian sympathies. Would they ever be able to get beyond that unseen but powerful barrier that divided them?

For a brief moment as they had danced, Libby thought she had seen desire in his eyes. But perhaps she had been wrong. Ghulam had not encouraged her suggestion that they meet up again and he had been swift to leave without a word of goodbye. The truth made her heart heavy; Ghulam Khan would never allow himself to fall for a Britisher. He had come out of duty to his sister and not from any desire to see Libby again.

George’s friend Eddy Carter appeared beside her. ‘Can I finally get a dance with the birthday girl?’ he asked.

Libby, suppressing her longing for Ghulam, smiled at Eddy. ‘You certainly can,’ she said. Linking her arm through his, they set off down the steps.