"Of course! Saloni, I forgot to mention it, Tara Baisa is visiting us during our stay at the shikar kothi. She is Vidushi Baisa's half-sister, so she is family. You do remember her from her previous visit to us, don't you?" Anokhi stepped forward with a warm smile before anyone else could react. Randhir, who was about to speak, was hushed by Parth who joined Anokhi in extending a welcome to Tara. 

"Baisa, you have journeyed a long distance, rest for a while. Saloni Baisa must rest too, she has been on a long walk with my brother. Why don't we reconvene in the main hall in an hour's time? It will be a pleasure to be regaled by your thumri. All of us know what a gifted artiste you are! Brother, make sure your wife puts up her tired feet for some time, meanwhile Saloni will have some light refreshments served to your room as well as to Tara Baisa's." Parth made it clear to everyone that he had taken charge.

Randhir did not need to be told twice, he led Sanyukta indoors and shut the door to their room. His brain was still racing as he tried to figure out a way to tackle the problem on hand. He was grateful to Anokhi and Parth for having saved the moment cleverly.

"What is she doing here, and why did she mention that you knew of her impending arrival?" Sanyukta had sensed a different vibe in Tara's body language. Her eyes had a determined and triumphant look as if she was sure of what she was doing here. 

"You heard Bhabhisa, she is Badi Bhabisa's stepsister. We have to extend courtesy to her." Randhir explained, sounding as diplomatic as he could.

"Tell me the truth, are you keeping anything from me? That woman hinted at your involvement in some way." Sanyukta threw her arms around Randhir who held her close lovingly.

"You know stress is not going for our baby! Do you think I'll do anything to offend you? I thought you trusted me!" Randhir looked into his wife's eyes earnestly.

"Of course I trust you, but I don't trust that woman. She is a courtesan, it is all in her day's work for her to entice men!" Sanyukta voiced her concern.

"My dear, don't forget that Anokhi Bhabhisa was stuck in a similar position not very long ago. Luckily Bhaisa managed to get her out of that purgatory. And now who can tell that she had graced a tawaaif's kotha once? Please try to understand!" Randhir continued to convince her.

"Somehow, Tara Baisa seems dubious. On the other hand Jija is a pureheart who cares about all of us, especially abou me, even more than my own sibling did!" Sanyukta commented.

"Hey look! I can feel the baby move! Touch here and you can feel it too!" Sanyukta blurted out excitedly. Suddenly her focus shifted from anxiety to excitement as she tried to concentrate on the fetal movement she sensed inside her. Randhir placed his palm gently over the area of belly that she had indicated. The fluttering movement radiated onto his palm and held the couple in a trance for a couple of minutes.

"Do you recall how we made our baby together?" Randhir asked her with a glint of mischief in his eyes. Her eyes met his and communicated her consent for what he was about to undertake.

Randhir cupped her face and closed his mouth over hers hungrily and she responded with as much enthusiasm. They continued to feel the baby move inside her as he lowered her on the bed slowly and lay down besides her. They had an hour to kill, what better way to spend it other than by giving each other sweet loving and trying to get over the arrival of the uninvited stranger?

In the other room a concerned Anokhi discussed the situation with Parth who appeared lost in thought. Anokhi spoke in hushed tones lest she was overheard across the door.

"Thank God Sanyu does not know anything about the proposed deal between Tara and Devarjisa yet. But what are we going to do now? Tara will raise hell if Devarjisa backs down. So far we have handled things but I have no clue how to take them further to ensure minimal damage." Anokhi's tone reflected that she was stressed. Sanyukta was in a fragile state, Anokhi was worried about how she would be affected.

"My brother had not expected Tara to be so steadfast when he made her that proposal to keep her off his back temporarily. Tara has been infatuated with Randhir for many years, ever since she saw him at my wedding with Vidushi. She felt frustrated when the relationship she had been hoping for never materialised and now that the opportunity is knocking on the door she won't budge. I wonder how we are going to keep your sister from getting hurt!" Parth expressed his own worries. Tara was not an ordinary woman, she had Rajput blood in her and was characterised by a strong will. Anokhi and Parth continued to discuss the issue on hand but they found themselves unable to come up with any conclusive solution.

Following an intense session of lovemaking Sanyukta fell into a deep slumber. This was not unusual as a combination of pregnancy hormones and sexual climax had a calming effect on her. Randhir made sure she was fast asleep before getting dressed and leaving the room. He knocked on another door announcing his arrival and it slid open, with the person inside inviting him in.

"I knew you would come!" Tara leapt at him, her eyes full of desire. Randhir could not help but notice how soft her skin felt to touch and how her mysterious perfume invited the onlooker to explore the wearer whose pulse points were scented with it. Had he been single and unattached he would find her impossible to resist. But he was not and he had come to Tara's room with a specific purpose on his mind. He took a couple of steps away from her desirable form.

"Baisa, when I told you I'd think about our conversation I mentioned that it was important for me to secure my fortune first. You have jumped the gun by coming here uninvited. Now that you are here feel free to spend a couple of days with us before going your way." Randhir did not see the need to mince words. He was close to his father's fief and they were well-protected by guards. Sanyukta would be absolutely safe.

"What do you mean? Are you not reneging on the promise you made by asking me to leave now?" Tara gave Randhir a sharp look. She was not here to take no for an answer.

"Baisa, understand this. I have just taken on the responsibility of two young brides. One of them is with child and my expenses are bound to go up. My father is yet to grant me free access to my share of property. It would be impractical for me to pay for your upkeep right now! I have tried to tell you this earlier!" He knew it would be hard to convince her, but he owed it to Sanyukta to try just the same. Ratnavali was too small to be affected by Tara's presence around him but Sanyukta would definitely be hurt, not to mention that Vidushi would raise hell. Maybe he had bitten off far more than he could chew.

"I don't care, I will make do with what little you allow me. You are not exactly a pauper, and I know you are trying to push me away. But I am not used to being denied, especially if it is something I have my heart set on! I know you are besotted with that peasant girl. You are a fool if you let her control your mind. A high alpha male like you needs to share passion with someone who matches your verve. I know hundreds of ways to take you on a trip to paradise unlike that wife of yours who in all probability just lies still on her back with her feet open wide till you are done digging into her! " Tara spoke in a pitch that Randhir had not heard before. The situation was suddenly tense. 

Randhir slammed Tara against the wall and gripped her arms with a fury that she had hardly expected. It took Randhir very iota of restraint as he struggled to stop himself from harming Tara. Her unflattering reference to Sanyukta had irritated him.

"I have had it with you! Try as I might, I cannot be civil with you anymore. Why are you so vain about your ability to please a man, huh? Obviously because you have acquired field experience with scores of men for whom you are just a body. Every man knows his wife can never match the sexual skills of a courtesan but unlike her the wife knows precisely who has seeded her womb. Would you be able to tell whose babies you have expelled before giving them a chance to come into the world? I guess not!"

" When the opportunity was offered to you, you tossed aside the dignity of being somebody's wife, and now you want me to eat off a plate that many have tasted from before. Is it so hard for you to understand that I am not interested in what lies beneath your clothes and between your legs? If you were not somehow related to my brother by his marriage to Vidushi Bhabhisa I would not even bother to have this conversation with you. Stay away from me, and from both of my wives or you shall be sorry you ever crossed my path!" Randhir loosened his grip on her and without another word stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him, startling Parth who had been waiting outside the door hoping for a chance to mediate between the two.

As Randhir walked off Parth entered the room to find Tara dissolved into tears. He had come with the intention to be firm with her and tell her there was no hope for her as far as Randhir was concerned but finding her crumpled into a heap the frost within him melted. She was, after all, his wife's half-sister and a beautiful and talented woman. Randhir had lost his cool and had ended up demeaning her unwittingly.

"Tell me, is a courtesan not a human? Does she not have the right to fall in love and expect to be loved like any other woman? What makes her any different?" Tara sobbed and Parth came forward to try and comfort her.