"My esteemed sister, you were at today's durbar. You know His Majesty's whims far better than I. Perhaps he was fascinated by finding a _feringhi _who speaks his barbarous Turki. For His Majesty the new _feringhi _cannot be anything more than merely a new toy, like a new dog or horse. He will amuse himself with the _feringhi_, dangle promises before him, and wait to see if more gifts are forthcoming. You know he is the same with all ambassadors." "This one I think is different. Did you see him refuse to _teslim_? I think His Majesty is already awed by him. I fear for India if the English ever gain influence here. Do you really believe the English king wants nothing more than trade?" Janahara found herself searching for the key to Nadir Sharifs thoughts. "What do you suppose would happen if these English defy the Portuguese and one day decide to blockade Surat? To allow trade only to those who have supported them at court." She paused as she studied him. "Could there be some here already who are fearful enough to pretend friendship to the Englishman?" "Who could know these things?" Nadir Sharif walked to the white marble railing and gazed along the side of the fort, where the Jamuna lapped gently against the thick red walls. He remembered his pigeons, and then he remembered the morning _darshan_ and Janahara's unprecedented appearance. The Englishman is hardly a problem, my dear sister. He is already tamed. You are the problem now. You and your newfound power. But if you fear this harmless _feringhi_ more than you fear me, then I have at last found a way to manage you as well. At long last. "Tonight I will drink with the English _feringhi_, and then we may learn something useful. A man lounging with a wine cup in his hands says things he would never utter standing at _durbar_. I think His Majesty may also be wondering about the intentions of his king." Janahara chewed silently on the betel leaf and eyed him, knowing he had met that morning with the Rajput who brought the English _feringhi _to Agra and wondering why. Whatever the reason, she told herself, Nadir Sharif would never be so foolish as to side with Jadar. Not so long as the prince was isolated and weak. Nadir Sharif did not gamble. "The _feringhi _must be watched closely. Find a way. We need to know what he is doing, what he is thinking. Do you understand?" "To hear is to obey." Nadir Sharif bowed lightly. "And you will be at _darshan _tomorrow morning. Even if you were not there today." "Naturally had I but known, Majesty . . ." "Father made you prime minister. You can be just as easily removed." "Your Majesty." Nadir Sharif bowed, and with an unseen flick sent the rolled betel leaf spinning past the railing, toward the dark waters of the Jamuna below.