Page 115 of Claimed By the Maharaja
“Yes,” he replied.
His calm reply agitated her more.
“I am not a project,” she said, her voice rising despite herself. “I am not a steel factory you acquired and optimized.”
He didn’t say anything. His face remained expressionless.
Then he rose.
He put on his jacket and adjusted his cuffs. The gold cufflinks caught the light with their usual indifference.
“Dr. Bhatt will arrive at ten,” he said. “Follow her instructions.”
He nodded once and walked toward the door. Security assembled outside without a sound.
Yamini watched him go.
She sat at the table for a long moment after the sound of the helicopter had faded into the mountains. Her breakfast had gone cold and untouched. Savita hovered near the doorway, clearly uncertain whether to approach.
“I'll eat later,” Yamini said. “Thank you, Savita.”
Savita nodded and withdrew.
Yamini pushed back from the table and walked toward the lower corridor where Sheru's basket was kept near the warm kitchen alcove. She crouched beside it, and the kitten immediately climbed into her lap.
She stroked his grey-and-white head while trying and failing to understand the control Bharat Jogra exerted on her life.
He married her for an heir. Yet, only he decided the timing.
“He is such a controlling jerk,” she whispered. “I hate him.”
Her chest tightened at the words.
The kitten purred loudly as though sensing her conflict.
She pressed her fingers into the soft fur.
“Maharani.”
She looked up.
Kamla stood in the corridor doorway, hands folded, expression apologetic. “Dr. Bhatt has arrived.”
Yamini closed her eyes briefly.
“Already?” she muttered.
It was three minutes past ten.
Of course, even the royal doctors would follow the Jogra maharaja’s timing.
Yamini set Sheru gently back into the basket, stood, and smoothed her dress. “Where is the doctor?”
“The east sitting room, Maharani.”
Yamini nodded and followed.
Dr. Bhatt was approximately fifty, with silver-streaked hair pulled into a neat bun, reading glasses on a chain around her neck. She rose when Yamini entered, gave a respectful nod, and opened her bag with brisk efficiency.
