Radhabai and the erstwhile Peshwa's family lived out the days of mourning with the restraint befitting their background. As soon as the rituals for the last day of the mourning were completed Bajirao resumed official work. After he left home for his mission his young wife Kashi resigned herself to domestic duties under the stewardship of her capable mother-in-law who had handed her the reigns. So powerful was the aura of the older Peshwin that while Kashi quietly assumed her responsibilities she dared not wrest the authority that Radhabai had always commanded.

As expected the dice of fortune rolled in Radhabai's favour and Chhatrapati Shahu wasted no time in appointing the young Bajirao successor to his father Balaji Vishwanath. He declared that Rau would take over as the new Peshwa, thus continuing to discharge the previous Peshwa's dual responsibility of heading both the administration as well as the military machinery.

When Bajirao received the formal robes ordaining him as Peshwa on 17th April 1720- within fifteen days of his father's demise- he was in the town of Masur near Karhad. Back in Saswad a relieved Radhabai thanked the Gods for having answered her prayers. Not only had Rau been elevated to his father's place, but in a double whammy her younger son Chimaji was appointed to his brother's earlier position as the Peshwa's Mutalik.  

The man in charge may have changed, but the Peshwa's chair had remained with the Bhat family amidst stiff resistance from jealous rivals, many of whom were much more senior and far more experienced than the nineteen year old Bajirao. The opposition was lead by stalwarts such as Shripatrao Pratinidhi, Naro Ram Mantri and Anant Ram Sumant. The Deshastha Brahmin coterie close to the King were already resentful of the rise of the Chitpawan Bhat clan under Balaji Vishwanath. They were particularly irked at the appointment of his son as the new Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.

Unlike what they believed Bajirao was not an impetuous, fallible and inexperienced lad, rather he had great political insight and a thorough knowledge of statecraft, thanks to his apprenticeship with his father who judiciously kept both his sons close to him to help hone their skills to perfection. Physically too Rau was a tall and handsome man with a robust constitution and charming personality. Shahu was greatly impressed with Bajirao's forward policy of northward expansion beyond the waters of the Narmada which would effectively channel raw Maratha ambition successfully to ensure political supremacy as well as prosperity. 

Bajirao was to make a fitting impression with these dramatic words in Shahu's court. "Now it is our time to drive the strangers from our country. Let us strike at the trunk of a withering tree and the branches will fall off themselves. By directing our efforts northward the Maratha flag shall fly from the Krishna till Attock!" Bajirao's clever arguments in favour of attacking the rapidly declining Mughal Empire helped to silence all opposition and overwhelm the Chhatrapati who would indicate his consent in an equally befitting reply. "By Heaven, you shall plant our flag beyond the Himalayas. You are indeed a noble son of a worthy father!" 

"Bhiu Vansa, please tell me more!" An ecstatic Kashi could barely conceal her excitement. 

"Vahini, you have earned a place in history for becoming the youngest Peshwin ever, at your impressionable age of 16 years! Go ahead and bask in the glory of realisation and rejoice! Rau is still in Masur and he is likely to remain there for another two weeks. We can expect to give him a grand welcome in Saswad within a month from now. Of course the messengers will ride ahead of him and bring us news about the exact date of his arrival!" The proud Bhiu saw tears glisten in Kashi's eyes and gave her an involuntary hug.

"Forgive us for reacting so immaturely, these are tears of joy! We knew we have been married to  a Yug Purush but we had not expected him to rise so rapidly. Now we wonder if we are worthy of the honour of being the wife of the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire! It seems like an immense responsibility. We know Sasubai has successfully carried this mantle. We just feel our shoulders are too frail for such a burden. Also we are afraid to prepare for a celebration so soon after the passing of Shrimant Baba Saheb!" Kashi was overcome with mixed emotions. On one hand she was reeling under the thrill of the news of her husband's promotion as the Chhatrapti's Prime Minister. On the other hand she was unsure of how she was supposed to react, it had been just three weeks since the death of her father-in-law.

"Your innocence amuses us Vahini! Naturally all of us are overjoyed! And father's soul would certainly attain salvation now that his dream for Rau has come true. Chhatrapati Shahu's decision was a real milestone in his reign, no matter how much those jealous cabinet ministers tried they could not dissuade the king from declaring Rau his new Peshwa. His Majesty shall remain indebted to father for having obtained the sanads for the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the Mughals and even more for liberating his mother Yesubai and his wives from Mughal captivity!" For her age Rau's sister Bhiu was quite well-informed. This had a lot to do with the foresight of her mother. She had raised her sons as well as her daughters to be capable and discerning.

"Tai Saheb, the senior Bai Saheb wishes to speak with you!" The maid conveyed her mistress's message to Kashi promptly. Kashi's heart began to flutter even though she was expecting the summons. 

"Don't worry, Vahini! Mother is in a very good mood ever since we received news about Rau from Masur!" A confident Anu beamed at Kashi, baring her missing deciduous teeth. Kashi often wondered if she would ever become as spirited as her bold seven year old sister-in-law. Unlike Bhiu, who, after attaining puberty, spent most of her time at her in-laws, the little Anu would remain with her natal family for another 6-7 years until she too matured enough to assume the role of a wife.

Both Anu and Bhiu had been absolutely right, their mother was indeed in a rather good mood. Her retreat into the inner rooms of the mansion after her husband's demise had hardly affected the old dame's powerful personality. Kashi dared not look her mother-in-law in the eye. In any case seeing the older Peshwin in the garb of a Brahmin widow still made her feel uncomfortable. Kashi's eyes remained glued to the ground as she bowed respectfully before Radhabai.

"Soonbai, we have been compensated by fate finally! The void left by the loss of our Lord can never be filled, but you have a reason to smile. We should be proud that our position as Satara's first family has remained unchanged as the sons have made a smooth transition by stepping into their father's former roles. Instruct the kitchen to have the auspicious milk pudding made so that we can offer it to the Gods! The family priest has already been instructed to prepare for the obligatory obsequies. Once we get word about Rau's arrival in Saswad make sure no effort is spared in welcoming him! If you need our advice or assistance don't hesitate to ask for it! That will be all!" Radhabai dismissed a relieved Kashi.

A stranger in town could easily mistake the festivities for a delayed Gudhi Padwa, so tangible was the excitement in Saswad when news of the brand new Peshwa's imminent arrival broke. Every home was decorated with flowers. The street that led to the Peshwa Mansion was festooned for the occasion. Drums began to play as Bajirao's troupe galloped onward on their tall steeds. People showered the procession with marigold and rose petals, women offered aarti with a thousand lamps. A beaming Rau nodded his acknowledgement at been given a hero's welcome. His handsome face bore a graceful expression as his sharp eyes surveyed his realm, steadying them to the entrance of the mansion where a bevy of women in traditional clothes awaited his arrival with bated breaths and aarti salvers in their hands. Leading their troupe was his resplendently beautiful young wife Kashi, who looked a little nervous.

Rau got off his horse and walked toward the gate. The Naubat sounded off in the Nagarkhana and there was a shower of fresh flower petals. Kashi stepped forward and marked his forehead with vermilion and saffron. She tried to keep her hands steady as she moved the silver salver with the lamp before his face. Water was poured on his feet with silver tumblers and he stepped on a mat to dry them. Kashi stepped aside gently, making way for her husband. 

"Welcome home Bhau!", "Welcome home Shrimant!" As assortment of feminine voices beckoned him enter. With Kashi trailing him Bajirao marched to the altar room to offer prayers. He then walked straight to his mother's room, with Kashi walking right behind him.

"Enter Rau! You have come back triumphant! May the Gods continue to smile on you and may you achieve unprecedented success. We have great faith in your ability to carve your own destiny. And Soonbai, may you soon present us with the fruit of your womb! It is time for the garden to bloom and fill us with bliss!" Radhabai instructed the married women to offer aarti and kumkum to the first couple of Satara. 

As the Peshwa and his Peshwin stood before them a series of married women blessed them with the aarti and tilak, uttering blessings for a glorious future. The reception was followed by a feast for the guests and for family and by the end of the evening when the Peshwa managed to find his way to his wife's chamber, an anxious Kashi was hoping that the saffron milk she had carried for him was still warm.

"So, were we missed at all?" He asked his wife who was thrown at having the question directed to her.

"All Swami can think about at the moment is jest! We cannot begin to tell you how proud we feel that Swami has returned a Peshwa! And we have become a Peshwin while still in our teens! We don't think there is a luckier girl in the Swarajya at the moment!" Kashi gushed.

"That may be so, but we suggest we make the most of our time together! We have to leave on a mission within four days. And we don't expect to return before three months. Does that not mean we should spend less time conversing and more time getting to know each other between the sheets?" The mischievous twinkle in Rau's eyes was as steadfast as ever. As he blew out the lamp no more words were exchanged between husband and wife, but the sound of quickened breaths and stifled moans kept them company fairly late into the night.