Bombay, 1825. On a journey from Madras to Bombay, Harrison Dean falls victim to the ghastly rites of the Goddess Kali. But his death sets in motion a train of events which will take the East India Company to the height of its territorial glory. For the thugs were commanded by Prince Batraj, cousin and rival of Rajah Sitraj of Sittapore - and Rajah Sitraj was in love with Harrison Dean's niece. Laura Dean was the toast of Bombay, but also considered by many to be a woman of dubious virtue. Her marriage to the Rajah of Sittapore elevated her to wealth and power, but also created jealousy and anger, and her prosperity depended upon the health of her husband. When Sitraj breaks his neck on the polo field, Laura finds herself the plaything of Indian politics. She is hurried from state to state by the restless, ruthless, amorous Batraj, seeking always an alliance to drive the British out of India. She is forced to commit acts which will turn the entire European community against her. All but one... Only Captain Guy Bartlett retains his love for her. The story of their epic wanderings from the heat of Bombay to the snows of Kabul to the burning deserts of Baluchistan is an unforgettable one. In their pursuit, the East India Company carved out the greatest of empires.
This book is part of the Sword of India Books series and is book #2 in the series.