"Janki, hurry up, Sasubai Saheb will be upset if we are not ready in time for the arrival of Shrimant!" Kashibai was impatient. The maid was taking forever to dress her tresses into the elaborate khopa hairstyle and placing handcrafted gold flowers in it. It was custom to refer to the reigning Peshwa, the Prime Minister of the Maratha state as Shrimant. Her father in law Balaji Vishwanath had been appointed Peshwa and honoured with ceremonial robes on the occasion by Emperor Shahu nearly six years ago, in the November of 1713. The Peshwa's wife Radhabai had been elated. She openly acknowledged that the arrival of Kashi into the Bhat household had been a very good omen indeed, bringing them fame and prosperity.

After Kashibai attained puberty the Peshwa and his first born son remained occupied for a long time in the expansion of the Maratha domain. Bajirao accompanied his father when the Peshwa successfully negotiated the historic Maratha-Mughal Treaty in 1718 demanding a portion of land revenue from the old Mughal provinces of the Deccan, firmly establishing the supremacy of the Marathas in the region. Armed Maratha cavalrymen helped Hussain Ali Khan dethrone the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in Delhi. While Balaji and Bajirao were busy in combat Kashibai counted the years spent in the mansion is Saswad even as her marriage remained unconsummated.

The arrival of the victorious father and son was announced finally and Kashi went delirious in anticipation. Soon she would lay her eyes on the athletic rugged frame of the handsome young man who had stolen her heart. The maids finished dressing her and someone draped an emerald brocade stole over her shoulders. Gripping the salver holding ghee-filled silver lamps she fell in step behind her mother in law who went forward to welcome the men in her family. Radhabai looked commanding as she performed the aarti dressed in a royal blue paithani saree and traditional jewellery. The lustre of the pearls of the mango-shaped nath she wore offset the diamonds and rubies encrusted in it. 

Kashibai came forward next, following suit and hoping to summon the courage to the catch a glimpse of the face that haunted her dreams every night. The strapping young man dressed in a gold trimmed muslin tunic had a twinkle in his eye as he noticed the desperation in the downcast eyes of his virgin bride. After a long wait the moment he was looking forward to had arrived. Adding to his own was the palpable excitement of the courtiers and family members during the welcome ceremony, The Peshwa and his son had been acknowledged in popular opinion for their valour as well as for diplomacy.

The evening went by in a flurry of activities. Kashi had barely finished her evening meal when she was overcome by a sudden bout of hiccups. Before the maid offered her a silver tumbler filled with water the curtains on her chamber's entrance parted and someone breezed  in, startling both the women. "You may leave us alone!" A rich baritone commanded the maid who nervously rushed toward the exit, disappearing behind the curtain. Kashibai stood up involuntarily, trying to hold her breath to get rid of the hiccups. Just then without a warning the young man advanced toward her, forcing  her to retreat till her back touched the wall. 

Kashi wanted the earth to open up and swallow her, this was hardly the way she looked forward to present herself to her gallant husband. She had spent days planning their first meeting, considering what clothes and gems to wear, which fragrance to dab and the best way to look elegant and ladylike. How was she to guess that he would barge in unannounced this way? She stood rooted to the ground as he stared deeply into her eyes. Her lips went dry and she trembled as she felt his breath on her face. Time stood still before she finally heard him speak. "They are gone now!" He smiled, moving a step behind. 

"Your hiccups, they are gone now, Laadubai!" He smirked to see her expression change. "We are called Kashibai now!" She stammered. She realised that he had managed to scare her hiccups away. "We know that already, but do you know how you should address us?" He was beginning to enjoy her discomfort as he watched her fidget with the silk and gold tassels at end of her saree. "Sasubai Saheb insists that we address you as Rau Swami! But we are not sure if it is proper for you to be in our chamber at this late hour!" Kashi mustered up enough courage to word out her apprehension.

"As you are well aware we are the Peshwa's first born son and your legally wedded husband! We have carte blanche to come and go as we may deem fit!" His voice boomed, making her heart skip a beat. " We apologise, we did not intend to give you offence!" Kashi took a deep breath. "None taken! Would you stop being so formal? We remember a different Kashi, someone who would weep for missing her mother." Bajirao grinned. "That was almost eight years ago!" She whispered. "And now I can hardly recognise this young girl of sixteen!" He saw the scarlet tint of her blush offset her fair complexion as she tried to renegotiate her saree over her ample curves. 

"We have something for you, a gift!" He reached into his pocket and drew out a vial of perfume. "This is attar of the finest Damascus roses! We hope you like it!" He opened her palm and placed the precious gift on it. "Make sure to dab some on for our first night together!" He said softly. "We thank you for this thoughtful gift!" She said enthusiastically. 

"It seems Matoshree Saheb has consulted the astrologer about the most auspicious date and time for the ritual! We reckon it is two nights from now!" As he spoke he saw that she was completely unnerved to hear about the day of their consummation. She struggled to find words to respond to him.

"We wish to take your leave now, may you enjoy two nights of peaceful slumber. After that we have numerous stories to trade with you until dawn!" Bajirao turned and walked away as unexpectedly as he had entered the chamber. "Bai Saheb?" Janki came in. "You may leave for the night, we are ready to sleep now. Just leave one samai glowing, that will be all!" Kashi told the maid as she handed  heavy pieces of jewellery to her who put them away in the sandook chest. When the maid finally closed the curtain behind her Kashi had a glow on her face that was visible even in the dim light of the samai. "Wish the Garbhadhana was happening tomorrow!" She said to herself as she rested her head daintily on the satin bolster.