Getting to know everyone in the Bhat family and their acquaintances was an important part of Kashibai's orientation in her role as the Peshwa's daughter-in-law. Gone were her carefree days of living as a little girl of the Chaskar Joshis. As a pre-pubescent bride she had spent a long stretch living with her parents and visiting her marital home for important occasions, thus dividing time between the two homes. In her father's house she was lavished attention and had nothing to worry about. The Chaskars were richer than the Peshwas though the latter had more power, and the implications of such an equation were not yet apparent to the young Kashi. After attaining puberty she moved permanently to the Kaala Wada (black mansion) at Saswad where the Bhat family was based. 

The story of her father-in-law's migration from the coastal town of Shriwardhan and his phenomenal rise to his position as the King's Prime Minister fascinated her. The Konkan was under the rule of the Abyssinian Siddis and Balaji Vishwanath's family held the hereditary title of Deshmukh- revenue collector in Shriwardhan. The Siddis were brutal masters and when they put an acquaintance of Balaji called Sambahji Mokashi to death by drowning him in the sea the deplorable act prompted Balaji to move his family to the Deccan Plateau far away. He was joined by his friends,  the Bhanu brothers who had been close to him ever since.

Arriving in town of Saswad near Pune Balaji met a revenue officer called Ambaji Purandare, a Deshastha Brahmin. Together they travelled to Satara where, in a few months, Balaji was assigned to serve under Dhanaji Jadhav, Rajaram's army commander. Climbing the ladder of success in his career rapidly over the next two decades Balaji rose phenomenally. He gained the confidence of Shahu who became the next Chhatrapati at Satara and appointed Balaji his Peshwa. Meanwhile Balaji also became a disciple of Brahmendra Swami, a mystic originally from Chiplun in the Konkan, who strangely enough, followed politics as well as lent money to the Peshwa just like the banker Chaskar Joshi.

Kashi felt at home in the town of Saswad. It housed the ancient Sangameshwar and Bhairavnath temples. Because the Bhat family was close to the Purandares,  Kashi would join Radhabai on occasional visits to them. The family of Ambajipant  lived in an impressive stone mansion near the bank of the Karha river. It had a massive spiked door at the entrance. The fortification was very strong and had gun turrets for defence against enemy attack. The three-storey structure was interspersed with tall columns and huge corridors. There was ornately carved woodwork all over the mansion. The four sides of the residential building teaming with rooms overlooked a central courtyard. 

On one visit when the older women were busy in conversation Bajirao's sister Bhiubai, who was nearly twelve, dragged Kashi excitedly to the top storey. From there one had a commanding view of the riverside town and the temples. Anubai soon joined the them, not wanting to miss the fun. "You left us behind because you wanted to gossip like the other grown-ups!" Anu huffed. The feisty little six year old was the apple of everyone's eye in the Bhat household. She has been married recently but as custom dictated, returned to her parent's home after spending a week at her in-laws. Both Bhiu and Anu would have to move into their marital homes after they attained puberty.

"So Vahini, how is the new phase in your married life suiting you?" Bhiu had a knowing smile on her face.

"Vansa, how did anyone name you Bhiu, you seem to have no inhibitions or fear at all!" Kashi blushed, gesturing at Anu. Even if she was too young to catch the drift of the conversation Anu had the worrisome habit of parroting back to her mother anything that caught her interest. Bhiu made an elaborate pretence of pointing out the various structures and giving information about them to Kashi until she got what she wanted to see, a yawn on Anu's face who looked bored. 

"Anu, we think they are serving your favourite sweets now.  Aai Saheb must be looking for you. Why don't you go ahead? The two of us will join you shortly as soon as we finish showing vahini the sights around town!" Bhiu tried to convince her.

"You promise to come down quickly? If not, we shall come back for you!" Anu asked.

"Sure, just tell Aai Saheb we will be there in a jiffy!" Bhiu feigned a look of innocence and the little girl ran off in anticipation of a treat.

"Finally the coast is clear. Quick, tell us now!" Bhiu asked, visibly excited.

"What is there to tell? Your brother is buried in work all day, we doubt if our thought crosses his mind at all?" Kashi would not give in easily.

"Oh, is that why Rau has a glow about him nowadays? We have never seen him smile to himself this often! After dinner we would have long conversations earlier. Now he seems to have no time left for us because he has something else on his mind!" Bhiu refused to retreat.

"What exaggeration! And Vansa, in a few summers from now we should be asking you the same question!" Kashi said, with a twinkle in her eye.

"At least tell us this much. Does it hurt a lot? We think not, but we don't have anyone to tell us so far!" Bhiu gave her a pleading look,

"Well, the first time was uncomfortable. Now it hurts a bit only if we are anxious. Nothing to worry about!" Kashi assured her without revealing too much.

"Do you enjoy being with under him?" Bhiu was really pushing the envelope now.

"As if! Vansa, wait till you find out yourself!" Kashi looked scandalised.

"Just say yes or no. We promise we won't probe beyond that!" Bhiu insisted.

"We are not sure yet, but we can only say that we look forward to being in Swami's company. It is the only time when a conversation is possible. We get told about all the brave events during battle and about the goings on in the Satara court!" Kashi had a dreamy look.

"Arey Deva! Vahini, you are so naive! We want you to tell us how if feels when Rau touches you everywhere, and rest of the stuff!" Bhiu would not take no for an answer.

"Eeshha, how can we talk about it? Of course it feels nice to have your husband's love. We are afraid we will get addicted and shall suffer in silence once Swami goes on a long campaign." Kashi shared.

"Oh, we thought men suffer more when they are away from their wives. We believe they are short of patience, and if parted from their wives for too long will find someone else to serve them. If you can keep a secret, even Baba Saheb has a son called Bhikaji from another woman, and she's neither his wife nor a Brahmin. Aai Saheb was most upset when she got to know of it!" Bhiu sounded casual.

Kashi froze as she tried to digest Bhiu's words. "But that's not allowed, is it? How is that even possible?" She mumbled.

"Many important men keep such a comfort woman, a Khaas Chaakrichi Stree, to serve them. It is an open secret, especially among the Maratha nobility." Bhiu informed the dumbstruck Kashi. Before the conversation could resume Anu returned to them.

"Aai Saheb has summoned both of you!" She commanded before turning around and rushing downstairs. "We better hurry!" Bhiu led Kashi to the room where the ladies were assembled. 

"Peshwinbai, now that her Garbhadhan has happened we hope Rau's wife won't make us wait before carrying good news!" Bayabai, Ambajipant's wife smiled at her good friend Radhabai. Kashi, already having heard more than she could handle, stared at her toes, her face and neck turning crimson.

Bhiu was younger but had experienced life more than her and Kashi had no reason to doubt her words. Over the next few days Kashi tried to assimilate the inconvenient truth and her curiosity about men breaking taboo increased. Though she would never dare to do so before, the next time the opportunity to glance at the Peshwa presented itself during a puja she could not resist the temptation looking at her in-laws. She saw them sitting together looking more regal than anyone she remembered seeing before. It made her think of the advice her mother-in-law had given her on her bridal night. The reason for the subtle warning now dawned on Kashi, it was given by a woman whose trust had been broken.

Seeing them together this way nobody could deny that Radhabai was Balaji's Ardhangani par excellence. She had stood firmly like a rock by her husband's side through thick or thin and the pride on her face as Peshwin was clearly evident. Kashi could not espy any trace of hurt or bitterness in her eyes no matter how hard she looked. The thought of the Peshwa having sired an illegitimate son refused to leave her mind. He wore his authority well and had earned the respect of his subordinates. He had two promising sons and young daughters who had been married into respectable families. Yet Kashi was uncertain if she was looking at a perfect couple.

That night as she lay spent but elated in her husband's arms he fell asleep promptly, having to leave for Satara early next morning. She tried to think how she would react if she were ever in Radhabai's shoes. Would she forgive and hold her head high in as dignified a manner? Would she love and respect her husband as much as Radhabai did? She had no answers, just the hope that her idyll would last forever and the Gods would continue to smile down on them. Why worry about a future that is still so fuzzy, let's cross the bridge if and when we get there, she told herself.