Later that evening, when the rain had eased, the cantonment hummed with voices and activity. Reinforcements from the neighbouring fort had arrived and plans were actioned to seize Chandni Mahal. Any remaining werewolves would soon be captured and taken into custody.

Anju weaved between red-coated infantry, making her way to the congee-house. A guard at the barrack cells granted her a moment to speak to the prisoner. The cells faced a secure courtyard, and she approached the prince's cage. Moonshine and a single lamp spilled light through the tall bars. Sujit sat cross-legged in a corner, a loose tunic covering his bruised body. He broke from his meditation, sensing her, and opened his eyes. A bare eagerness lit his face. Chains clinked when he sprang forward to clutch the iron bars.

"Anju." His mouth curved at the corner. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry I misjudged you."

He lowered his gaze and shook his head. "I don't blame you. For a while I wasn't certain which path I should take. You did the right thing."

"So did you."

He regarded her for a moment, then sank to his knees and reached through the bars. To touch a person's feet was to seek their blessings, a gesture usually reserved for elders. But in this case, it was a sign of, well, she wasn't entirely sure. Respect? Her brows pulled together, and she stared at his crown of dark hair, his head bowed. His touch was light, and his fingers warm on the tops of her feet.

"I put a lot faith in science," he murmured. "I don't believe in astrology or predictions. And it goes against logic to think that soulmates exist. All those things my elders told me... Nonsense, isn't it?"

He looked up at her and stood. Milky moonlight touched his face, softening the contours of his lips, and a faint band of gold glowed around his irises.

"And yet," he added, "since that moment on the ship, in the storm, when I caught you, I've found myself wanting to believe. Do you believe?"

He pressed his forehead to the cage, as close to her as possible.

Anju inhaled deeply, imprinting his scent on her memory, then took a step away. "Keep meditating, Sujit. It will help you find peace, I promise."

Dejected, he leaned on the bars. A sigh followed her when she turned and walked away. She was unsure of the feeling in her chest. Was it relief or regret?

Jim Penderry's English friend, the young man called McKusky, leaned on the wall by the guard room with his arms folded across his chest. He spotted her and smiled kindly.

"Is his highness comfortable?" he asked.

She paused. "What will happen to him?"

"Imprisonment. The family will be stripped of their titles, and their wealth will be returned to the village. We're keeping them here until they're fit to be moved. Lucky for them, your kind heal a little faster than the rest of us." McKusky pushed his body from the wall and walked with her. "I don't mind telling you, the people I work for would be very interested in hearing Mr Singh's scientific theories. He's been regaling the guard with his fascinating insights into lycanthropy and electric therapy."

She caught McKusky smirking.

"He believes in his work," she said, drawing her scarf over her shoulder.

"I can see that. Which is why I'm not finished with him yet."

"These people you speak of, who are they?"

McKusky scratched the faint stubble on his chin. "Good-deed-doers, miss. Scholars and warriors. They protect the folk of London from the supernatural. Much like Mr Penderry and his reporter colleagues."

"We're not all a threat."

He gave a nod. "I know."

Anju left McKusky and headed back to the Spencers' bungalow. She found Bunny feeding Pikoo on the front step. Her friend's face brightened at the sight of her.

"Papa's invited Jim and the others to dine at the officers' mess. Looks like it's just the three of us, fending for ourselves. Pakoras and tea?"

Anju sat on the step beside her. "Mmm. Yes. We can fend for ourselves quite nicely."

Bunny tossed a strip of cooked meat to her pet. "She's right, Pikoo. We're old hands at that."

"Especially after England. London was full of strange people. And we were hungry a lot."

"Also true." Bunny's smile faded, and she fell quiet. After a moment, she said, "But it wasn't all bad."

"Are you thinking of your Jim Penderry again?"

Bunny smiled, only a hint of coyness flushing her cheeks. But the cheer didn't quite reach her eyes.

Anju could guess her thoughts. Soon Jim Penderry and his companions would be gone and life would return to some semblance of normal. But if she knew her friend well – which she did – it was safe to say Bunny Spencer found normal awfully boring.

***

The port of Bombay heaved beneath a sky mottled with indigo rain clouds. Bunny almost regretted that she wouldn't soon be enjoying the tranquil summer of London. Jim and the others were departing for England, leaving her behind in her beloved India. With luggage and passengers aboard, the steamship was due to depart at any moment.

"Thank you again for coming to see us off," said Jim.

Bunny's father shook his hand. "It was the least we could do. Have a safe voyage home, Penderry."

Jim turned to Bunny and extended his hand. She slipped her palm against his and warm fingers curled around hers. For a moment she felt everyone's eyes on them and heat crept into her cheeks. She hoped nobody could tell how much she enjoyed holding his hand.

"Take care of yourself, Jim," she said.

Mr Westman, clearly an astute man, planted a hand on her father's shoulder and politely drew him and Blinks away. "Tell me, Captain, do you follow the cricket?"

"Goodbye, Bunny," said Jim, shaking her hand. "Oh, I just remembered."

He released her and pulled an envelope from his pocket.

She frowned, her lips lifting at the corners. "The mysterious envelope."

"Indeed." Before passing it to her, he said, "But you must promise not to open it until the ship departs."

"Very well, you have my word."

Satisfied, he placed the envelope safely in her hand. "If you're ever back in London," he said, trailing off and smiling.

She dipped her head. That wasn't likely. "Of course, thank you. And if you're ever back in India..."

He nodded.

A balmy breeze picked up, heavy with the smell of rain and sea air. Sweet and salty.

"Well, I shouldn't keep you," she said. "You'll miss the boat home."

"Would that be a bad thing?"

Bunny tilted her head, noticing something earnest in his eyes. The blare of the steamship funnel broke the spell.

"The others might think so." Jim looked over his shoulder at the vessel. "Right. Time to go. Ready, Westman?" he called.

His party showed their tickets and made their way onboard. Bunny was swallowed by the crowd as men and women waved farewell to family and friends. She edged along the dock, joined by Anju, and tried to catch one last glimpse of Jim without appearing too obvious. Port workers rolled back the gangplank, and the ship inched away from the harbour.

"I wonder if we'll ever see them again," she said to Anju.

"Who knows? Kismet is a strange thing."

Distance grew between the ship and the dock, and Bunny remembered the envelope. It looked worn, as though Jim had been carrying it around for weeks. She lifted the seal and slid out the folded letter. Only it wasn't a letter, it was a card. A pretty, handmade card, decorated with birds, flowers and a pastel pink heart. Inside, she found a sprig of lucky heather and words that set her heart fluttering.

A valentine?

Her gaze whipped to the ship, searching for Jim. Then she found him leaning on the railing. She pressed the card to her heart and hoped he would see the sincerity in her stinging eyes. He'd blown into her life like a feather on the wind, and just as swiftly he was leaving. With a smile, he touched his fingertips to his lips, and waved goodbye.