"My dear, what are you saying? Randhir has married a girl just a few weeks ago, why should he take another wife so soon? I agree that he will have to marry within the class sooner or later but he is very young. Give him some time. He needs to have some more field experience before he assumes a settled life. What is the point in making more than one girl pine away during his absence? I must really ask you to reconsider your request." Parth replied diplomatically. He could not reveal to Vidushi the real circumstances under which Randhir had married Sanyukta. Confiding in Vidushi would be equivalent to opening Pandora's box. 

"Is that so? You did not seek my advice before proceeding with a second marriage, even when you knew I was about to bring your baby into the world! Were you so sure that I was carrying a girl child? I know how important sons are to our families, perhaps you wanted to indemnify your right to have another woman bear you the much-needed male offspring. If that is it then it is better that I continue to remain in my parental home. Your new wife can replace me as your Chief wife and take over my duties in your house." Vidushi was determined not to let Parth win the argument, there was too much at stake for her.

"Now where did this come from? All I said is we should not rush Randhir into a second marriage so soon after his first. Let him have some space till he grows accustomed to the role of a husband! You tend to overreact at times!" Parth tried to pacify her. A dissatisfied wife could well make life hell for her man! He sincerely hoped that he could distract Vidushi from her most recent mission of finding Randhir a bride of her choice. "You don't understand, I have already initiated talks with your parents. I have a couple of cousins of a marriageable age and I have discussed with my parents the possibility of choosing one of them for Randhir. Obviously they were very quite happy. Tomorrow's mahurat is auspicious, along with baby's naming we can also perform the Tilak dastoor for Randhir." She said firmly.

"Don't you think we are jumping the gun? First we have to ask Randhir for his consent. How can we proceed without knowing his opinion?" Path knew Randhir would not consent, he loved Sanyukta too much, and a second marriage would mean upsetting her. He hoped to dissuade Vidushi somehow. "Why does it seem like my role in your family matters has become trivialised? Is it because I gave you a daughter rather than a son? Very well, in that case I will take up permanent residence in my father's house. I cannot return to a home where I have no say in anything. You can live happily with your new wife and any more that you may add after her!"Vidushi said in a huff.

"Please don't say such things, my dear. Your place is next to me, and I am happy that you have given me a child, gender notwithstanding. Try to be reasonable. We can ask Randhir in the morning, until then get some sleep, you need your rest!" Parth drew his angry wife in his arms and kissed her on the forehead, coaxing her to fall asleep. He fervently hoped that Vidushi would let go of her obsession to get Randhir married to one of her cousins. Parth knew why Vidushi wanted this to happen, it would give her dominion over the zenana and the Shekhawat household in general. There would be no one to challenge her supremacy unless Randhir decided to take a wife from another reputed clan. 

Randhir slept fitfully, he missed Sanyukta. He was worried about falling prey to the kitchen politics Parth's wife was trying to dabble in. It was bad enough to think about how Anokhi and Sanyukta would be treated in their marital home when Vidushi was trying hard to play by hierarchy. He managed to sleep briefly before waking up in time for his rendezvous with Ratnavali. He bathed in cold water, dressed and sneaked off to the stables where he knew she would arrive shortly. She was a mere child but Randhir was convinced she would prove invaluable to him. He went to Pawan and spoke to him gently, rubbing his shoulders and offering him some fruit.

"He is handsome, your Pawan! But my filly is a good match to him. There she is, my dear Lakhi." Ratnavali appeared out of nowhere, and pointed out her horse. "Lakhi is almost two year old!" She said proudly. Randhir could see that the filly was indeed a beauty, with her inward curving ears, slender legs and well-formed hooves. "She is quite a winsome filly!" Randhir said with a smile. Ratna was a tomboy underneath the garb of a girl, one of the reasons he was comfortable in her presence. "All right, now tell me why you asked to meet me here!" She could no longer keep a lid on her curiosity. 

"You know that Vidushi is planning to pair me off with one of your cousins. Frankly, I have just taken a wife and don't want to add another so soon. I am sure you will help find me a way out of this!" He did not bother to mince words. In any case Ratna was intelligent enough to perceive things instinctively. "Why don't you want another wife, you know you have to take at least one highborn wife, if not more!" Ratna knew the practice of her people very well. Her own mother superseded her husband's other wives. "Of course I know, but I just don't want to rush things. Being nagged by two women simultaneously is not an appealing idea. How can you help me?" He asked.

"Could it be that you have fallen in love with your first wife, and you are avoiding a second marriage just to please her? It is possible!" Ratna was wise for her age, but that could work to Randhir's advantage if she was willing to help. "Have I called you here to speculate over my personal life? Just name your price, as long as you offer me some viable idea I will be happy to indulge your whims!" Randhir spoke blandy. "Ok, let me see, but you have to keep your side of the bargain. I have a plan A and a plan B that you may wish to consider, and then you should also know what it will cost you!" Ratnavali whispered conspiratorially. 

She was excited, statecraft could be her arena if the opportunity came by. She was a Machiavelli in the making, and to her Randhir's matter was quite trivial in comparison. Randhir could see her eyes shine with excitement and he smiled to himself. This little bullet packed the power of a cannonball, when she was assured of a reward she would go all out to ensure that she got her way. He remembered how, during Parth's wedding to Vidushi, Ratnavali had managed to outwit the other children and reaped a rich harvest in cash, gifts and mithai, though she did share them generously with the underlings whom she patronised. After a few minutes of conversation both Randhir and Ratnavali went back to the mansion, each determined to make their plan work.