To compensate for the delay this update shall end with a Valentine's special treat! Hope you enjoy reading it! 

"I am so nervous I don't know what to do!" Sanyukta had butterflies in her stomach. They had arrived at the shikar kothi belonging to the Shekhawats just outside the town. It was a tradition to choose an auspicious day and time for the arrival of the new brides into the haveli and they would have to leave the kothi early next day so that the rituals for welcoming the three new entrants into the family could be performed at the right time.

All these months she had looked forward to taking her rightful place as Randhir's bride in her sasural. But now that the time was near she was extremely nervous. The elaborate cover story about Anokhi and her being sisters and marrying the Shekhawat brothers under unusual circumstances was the biggest challenge ahead, they would have to be on their guard. Both had to appear genuine. From what she had heard about Vidushi, passing her scrutiny would be the acid test. 

Anokhi too had expressed apprehension about meeting the family, it would be natural for Vidushi to dislike Anokhi as a co-wife. In contrast Ratna seemed unaffected even if it was also her first time entering the Shekhawat haveli. She was familiar with the men in the family because they had been present at Vidushi's and her own wedding. She had not met the women because it was not customary for them to be present, as weddings were held in the bride's family home. She was well versed with the customs of high born Rajputs, having been brought up in such a household and her sister's presence would ensure she did not feel out of place. Besides, she was a carefree child, unlike the other women.

"My family are not ogres, if that is what you are afraid of!" Randhir smiled as Sanyukta nestled in his lap. They had an early dinner so that they could get enough rest, they had to leave at dawn to arrive in time. "I didn't say they are, but there is so much to remember and so many people, I don't want to feel awkward after forgetting something important. Run me through the details once more, lest I forget something." She urged him.

"As you already know the mansion is designed like a royal palace. My parents live on the third floor of the main wing. My stepmother Maya Baisa lives on the third floor in the right wing. She has two daughters, Kanwal and Kesar, both are married. They are housed in their mother's wing when they come home for occasions. My father's concubine Gehna Bai's apartment is adjacent to her's. She has a daughter, Sukhmani, who is about seven now." He paused.

So far he had avoided mentioning his father's second wife and concubine to Sanyukta. The life of Rajput nobles had a side that would make her uneasy. She had not experienced the practice of a man enjoying the company of more than one woman as it was uncommon among her people. If their men had the desire to seek forbidden pleasures they did so outside the home without the knowledge of their wives. Discretion was key to maintaining domestic harmony. Contrarily for rich Rajputs having many wives and companions was quite routine. 

Gehna Bai was the daughter of a singer and her talent drew his father's attention. Before her virginity could be auctioned off to someone else he made a deal with her mother and brought her into his mansion where a chooda or bangle ceremony was performed before she could be initiated as his concubine. If a woman did not match the man's background a proper wedding could not be performed, hence the chooda was an alternative. 

After the ceremony she began living in the haveli and was treated just like a wife, having to keep purdah like the other women. Both the wives presented her with gifts as a symbol of her acceptance among them. Unlike other Rajputs his father had not succumbed to any more temptations. Because Renuka was the chief wife and had presented him with sons her status was well above Maya and Gehna but there was no animosity among the three women. They co-existed peacefully.

"Parth Bhaisa and Vidushi Bhabhisa are housed on the second floor in the main wing. Ratna's apartment will be adjacent to theirs. Anokhi Bhabhisa and you will share an apartment in the right wing of the second floor. You will have a drawing room with a veranda, a private lounge and dining space, a dressing room, a puja room, an independent kitchen and bedrooms-one each for the two of you and others for children. You will be assigned your own staff, including cook and maids."

"Besides our private residence there are guest rooms, state rooms, treasury, grand dining hall, women's dining hall, mirrored dance hall for mehfils, meeting rooms, library, weapon and armour room, gymnasium, kachahari, three kitchens- one for vegetarian meals, second for meat and third for staff meals, store rooms, palkhi and buggy room, servant quarters and stables. The haveli grounds have lawns, landscaped gardens with fountains and a private temple dedicated to Goddess Bhavani." He stopped to see her expression and broke into laughter. 

"I am already feeling intimidated. It sounds like a proper palace to me. I am sure I'll be lost!" She murmured. "Well, it is grand, but since our women follow purdah you cannot access the other wings of the haveli. On occasions the men and women assemble in separate state rooms. Anokhi Bhabhisa is being housed with you since you are sisters and will feel more comfortable in each other's company. You may find the life in the haveli a little stifling without freedom of movement and because I cannot be with you all the time." He sighed, he knew she had been dreaming of a perfect home. He hoped she would not be disappointed.

Rather than respond to him she quietly slipped her choli off. In the faint glow of the lamp her skin looked radiant. His eyes grew darker at the delectable sight of her swollen breasts. Their nubs had grown temptingly tawny due to her pregnancy. His fingers played with them until she drew his mouth closer so he could caress them with his tongue. He eased out the rest of their clothes, they were soon lying in a pile on the floor. His tongued traced the way from her valley southward, boring into her navel first and then inching slowly to her centre to find the source of her ecstasy. 

As it swirled around the protuberance, tasting and thrilling her, his fingers dived into her moistness, wiggling and pumping at the same time till she climaxed throatily. Without giving her a chance to pleasure him with her mouth he plunged into her, working himself faster, encouraging her to bliss herself with her fingertips till they finished together. In a few minutes she rose, asking him to lie on his back. With her own hips toward him she massaged his shaft till it was rock hard once more and closed her mouth over it, giving him all her love. Not to be undone he pulled her hips closer till her womanhood was over his face and his mouth began returning her favour in equal measure. They continued to make love till exhausted and then lay spent in each other's arms, falling asleep, their desire fully sated.