The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 5

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

  "Hmm. From 500BC to about 100AD, the age of Buddhism and Jainism put Hinduism in decline. The Buddha’s doctrine took India by storm, and the older religion was almost suppressed entirely. Hinduism still included its child into itself, however, and was able to survive the storm with new ideas. Sacrifice went out of favor, and influence by the ascetic worshipers of Jainism and Buddhism led to the composition of the Upanishads. It was also during this time that Vishnu and Shiva completed their eclipse of Indra and the other Vedic gods.

  "The next age was the Epic or Classical period, the time of the great Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. These great works were compiled into their present form during this time, though their origins so far as we can tell go all the way back at least to Vedic times. The Puranas were also composed at this time, like Christian psalms.

  "Finally, around 1000AD we come to modern Hinduism, when the religion once again became the dominant faith on the sub-continent."

  "I see. So where does Ashoka fit into all this history?" Ellen asked, fascinated.

  Ash felt a surge of pleasure at her taking an interest in his name. "So far as we know, he reigned from 273 to 232BC. The legend has it that he was one of the hundred and one sons of Bindusara, and allegedly killed all his brothers except Tishya in a fraticidal war to establish his reign in 273 BC. He was crowned in 269 BC. He is widely regarded across the land as one of the greatest emperors India ever saw.

  "He was called Devanama Piyadasi or beloved of the gods, because he treated his subjects with great compassion, carrying out wonderful public works and upholding the edict of Dharma. He stopped war and suffering and adopted many of the practices that are the central tenets of Hinduism today."

  Ellen took one of the biscuits Eswara offered her, though her eyes never left Ash's face. "What is dharma exactly?"

  "It’s the Sanskrit word for duty. Dharma consists of aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism. It is a moral doctrine, plus a way of life that can be practiced and is practiced by different people. Ashoka conquered first by war, and then by peace, Dharma Goshna. He spelled out eight qualities of dharma, and four elements which one should emphasise in one’s overall conduct and bearing."

  "And what are they?"

  "Martin?" Ash said with a grin. "In Sanskrit as well as English."

  His step-father grimaced. "You’re a cruel man. All right. I’ll try."

  "If you get six you can have another biscuit," Eswara said with a warm smile.

  "And a kiss," Martin haggled.

  "That goes without saying."

  "All right. They are, Dana , charity; Daya , compassion; Satyam , truth; Sancam , Purity; Sadhuta , Saintliness; Kritajnata , Gratitude."

  "Very good," Eswara praised, giving him the biscuit and the kiss.

  Ash said, "The others are Dri Dhabhakita, Steadfastness, and a totally unpronounceable word which roughly translates into self-control. Special stress is laid on Susrusa , obedience to parents; Apaciti , respect; Danam , liberalism and Samprat Pati , respect towards Brahmins, relations and elders. King Ashoka taught us that we could all live better lives, that each of us can make a difference in the world, young or old, male or female."

  "How can a single person make a difference?" Ellen asked curiously.

  "Like King Ashoka, I begin by practising what I preach. I do not fight wars, I don’t hunt for sport, I am a vegetarian, which means I don't eating living animals, and am tolerant of all religions. Like the great man after whom I was named, I would like to undertake public welfare projects. Build hospitals and improve medical aid and public sanitation.

  "Blake tells me that he will donate at least part of his earnings to a hospital for the poor, but at that rate it will take years to set one up. Of course, I could always go back to India and work there. There are so many needy people, so little time."

  Ellen felt her heart sink at the prospect of him leaving. "But surely with public subscriptions—"

  Eswara shook her head. "There would be a board of directors and they would interfere, no doubt trying to distinguish between the deserving and the undeserving poor and generally making a nusiance of themselves."

  "Not always interfere," Ellen said placidly. "They would be well-meaning, even if uninformed, and try to help remove the burden of ordering supplies, counting sheets, that sort of thing. Then they could let all of you talented healers focus on caring for the sick."

  "She has a point there, Mother. You know how much you both, and Blake and Belle, hate having to fill out our monthly orders. Sometimes you leave something off and run out, and have to race to Bath or Bristol for it."

  "I could help," Ellen found herself saying, much to her surprise and theirs. "I mean, it would be a good way to learn to make myself more useful. I could draw up a list of all the things you need and take inventory once every couple of weeks and place the order. Or we could also have a pad of paper upon which you could jot down a note whenever you ran out of anything."

  "All excellent suggestions," Ash said with a warm smile.

  Eswara said, "Indeed," and was grudgingly pleased with the young woman’s perceptiveness. She sensed the offer was genuine, not just made in order to impress Ash.

  "We can get started tomorrow, then. We can each go over the list and add to it, and can also ask Blake. I can make one fair copy for him and one for you three here, and then see if our new system is a success," Ellen proposed.

  "It’s bound to save time if nothing else. If it saves lives, all the better," Ash said with an appreciative look at Ellen that set her heart soaring.

  "I’ll enjoy it. Just tell me if I’m too much of a nuisance asking a lot of silly questions."

  "Nonsense, it’s good to have a curious mind. And now, I think you should head off to sleep. It’s been a long day for you. Martin, Mother, if I may, I should like to walk Miss Jerome upstairs?"

  "Yes, that’s fine. Don’t forget the hot water bottles for her, though, and don’t chat for more than five mintes," Martin said. "And not a word to her about lingams. Let your mother explain."

  Ash winked. "Doesn’t she always? She advises every single couple in the district on how to improve their marital relations so they don’t stray."

  She blushed and took Ash’s arm as he conducted her out into the hall and up the stairs.

  Once alone in his room, she settled into the bed, and said, "I really have to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Not just the rescue, but making me feel so welcome. Part of the family."

  "So you are. I’m only sorry you’ve not felt welcome to come before."

  "Perhaps I wasn’t ready to come before."

  "And you are now?" he asked softly.

  She thought a moment, then nodded. "Yes, yes, I think I am. I’m not so immature any more, and you don’t all seem so, well, I was going to say overwhelming, but that’s not it either. More like exotic and a little bit daunting."

  Ash grinned. "No one had ever called me daunting before. Makes me sound rather dashing."

  "You tend to make everything into a joke, but I know you’re very studious and dedicated, and I know you’ve suffered. It makes me ashamed."

  "Ashamed?" he echoed, knitting his fine brows.

  "Feeling so sorry for myself after everything you’ve been through. I mean, there’s no comparison."

  He shook his head. "There doesn’t have to be, Miss Jerome. Your experience and mine are very different. And two people can suffer the same setbacks and losses, but cope with them in a completely different manner. You have no reason to reproach yourself. You’ve had every reason to be afraid of men. I just hope you’re not too afraid of me."

  "No, no, I’m not," she said, gazing at him with a bold frankness which was as powerful as an aphrodisiac.

  "Still, I mustn’t keep you from your rest."

  "Ash," she said, calling him back suddenly as he was about to vanish onto the landing.

  "Yes, Miss Jerome?"

  "Would you, well, give me another hand massage tomorrow. And call me Ellen
?"

  He gave a warm happy smile, and resisted the temptation to rush back to the bed and kiss her hand. "I would be happy to."

  "That is, if I’m not keeping you from your pressing duties—"

  "Not at all. I have a couple of days’ respite before Blake takes me on rounds. We could go into Bath one day if you like, for tea or just a visit to the old familiar sights. But only if you’re up to it."

  "Chaperone?" she reminded him softly.

  "Oh, um, Mother or Auntie will oblige, I’m sure."

  "I’d like that."

  "Good. Off to Bath tomorrow. I must get myself some more shirts. And unmentionables. Oh dear, I just mentioned them, didn’t I?" He laughed.

  Ellen giggled too. "Go on, shoo. Else I shall think you are the most fearsome rattle."

  "I hope not. I may be outspoken, but not interested in the latest on-dit, or spreading scandal."

  "No, that’s true enough."

  He waved to her from the doorway. "Good night, Miss Jerome."

  "Ellen."

  "Ellen." His warm golden eyes glowed as he left her.

  She heaved a huge sigh once he had closed the door, and eagerly began looking forward to their trip to Bath the next day.

  Chapter Seven

  After a substantial breakfast which Ash insisted upon Ellen eating, he and his aunt Leela, who looked very similar to his mother apart from being nearly a decade younger, took Ellen in the carriage to Bath. They passed the journey getting to know each other, and once again most of their talk was of India, which fascinated Ellen no end.

  "I know you want to tell her all the myths, Ash, but let me tell her about all the things she could see if she visited. The tigers, monkeys and so on."

  "Yes, Auntie," Ash said meekly.

  "We shall have plenty of time now that we are friends to discuss both," Ellen said with a warm smile for the chastened-looking young man.

  She started as Ash took her hand. She had to admit she had rather hoped the hand massage would take place in the privacy of the bedroom as it had almost done yesterday. But as Ash explained, he could accomplish much while he was sitting there, and Leela did not seem to take it amiss.

  Ellen had to admit it was wonderful, though she could feel herself blusing as red as a peony at the exquisite touch.

  "And there is acupressure too. For example, pressing on the flesh part between the thumb and the rest of the hand for toothache. If the pain is on the right side, press the left one, and vice versa.

  "It’s all part of our Ayurvedic medicine. There are all sorts of special nerve clusters all over the body. Also, various part of you can become blocked, so that your energy is not utilised properly. There are six chakras , as we call them. You work with a practitioner to unblock them."

  "So you feel I’m blocked, do you?" she said, a trifle piqued.

  "It stands to reason. We all have to strive to be in balance, but don’t always succeed. Look at Martin, though. He’s most certainly changed a great deal since I met him."

  She nodded, thinking how much he had been transformed, and how she longed to be herself. "Yes, your mother’s done wonders with him. Well, you all have. Creating a new family for himself has been the making of him. Of course, I recall what he was like before, er—"

  "He was nearly killed. It’s all right. He doesn’t mind talking about it now. Quite the opposite, in fact. He likes being held up as an example of how an unhappy person can suddenly find the perfect joy that completes his or her life."

  "I’m so glad to hear that. He was very outgoing when he was younger, I recall. Now I wonder if a lot of it was false bravado, just trying to get some attention being the next to last of seven boys."

  "And you? Did you have that trouble, being child number three?"

  It had never occurred to her before, and was a most intriguing thought. At length Ellen nodded. "Do you know something, I believe I did. Josephine was always the favourite, and Emma was just so sprightly. I think I got left in the shade. And of course Georgina was wilful, and my brother the only boy, so he was very spoiled. I never really had much to recommend me.

  "I suppose that was why I liked Adam Neville. It seemed he was genuinely interested in me. It was the first time such a thing had ever happened and it was well, enormously gratifying. To be the centre of attention for the first time, feel admired and beautiful, and not be compared unfavourably with any one of my sisters. It was a minor miracle, I can tell you."

  She was astonished at having confided something so personal to a relative stranger. She retreated shyly into the corner of the carriage once more, rubbing her hands thoughtfully.

  "How did you learn all this?" she asked after a time. "Accupressure, Ayurvedic medicine, I mean."

  "My mother taught me when I was very, very ill. She tutored me in everything she knew about the white Tantra, and she and Michael Avenel’s wife Bryony helped heal me at Bath. Together they also helped heal Michael. Of course he was injured in the war. I just had some sort of debilitating malaise which I fortunately recovered from, though it was horrendously painful at the time."

  "And so that’s why you wanted to become a doctor?" she guessed.

  "That and a curiosity about things," Ash said with a smile. "I always wanted to know how things worked. Papa gave me a pocket watch when I was seven, and I took the thing apart by the end of the day. He was ever so cross, though we did manage to take it back to the jeweller and get it repaired."

  "You have a lovely family."

  He smiled at his aunt fondly. "I do indeed. I’m very lucky. I know I lost Papa, but Martin is my Pa now. And my mother never imagined she would ever see her sister alive again when they were spearated years ago as children. But Belle’s brother Uncle Peter married her, and here we all are together."

  Leela smiled. "And I thank the gods daily for it. Our destinies were all linked, fated."

  "I’m glad you’re going to get the chance to know them better," Ash said. "Yours is a very nice family as well, the ones I’ve met, of course. Apart from Georgina, whom I admit I’ve never liked. I find her pettish and spoilt."

  Ellen stared. "You would be the only one who thought it. Her beauty and allure are legendary."

  "Only in her own mind, I think. I have no qualms about any woman wishing to control her own life and destiny, her own sexuality if it is truly for desire rather than monetary gain. Georgina uses her body like a weapon. I would much rather be friends with someone quiet and intelligent than flamboyant and so wearing. You are much more restful, calming. Not so swept up in worldly concerns. And anyone can see you’re the more beautiful of the two."

  She blushed. "Oh, really, no, I’m-"

  "Too modest. Believe me, your looks recommend you, in addition to your other considerable charms."

  "It’s kind of you to say so. Really, I wasn’t fishing for compliments before when I said what I did about always being compared unfavourably with my sisters."

  He gave both her hands an encouraging squeeze. "I did not have the good fortune to meet them all. But take my word for it, given a choice, you are most definitely the only single woman in this district I would not mind standing up with."

  "Thank you."

  "Since we’re now increasing the intimacy between our two sides of the family, I would be only too pleased if you would call me cousin and allow me to escort you if you need to attend any social occasions with Georgina. I can at least protect you from any similar incidents of an embarrassing nature such as you were forced to put up with yesterday."

  "That would be most kind of you. In fact there is the monthly Assembly Ball, and in several weeks there will be the big charity benefit gala for the London clinic. And there will be Blake’s housewarming coming up soon as well, if you would care to attend, you and the whole family, of course. We could all go together."

  Ash sighed. "If only I could persuade them to have a fever hospital or clinic here."

  "I know. I’m sorry. But that chap Mr. Howard your mother mentioned in passing, bough
t the old house from Blake."

  "More’s the pity."

  "Ah well, perhaps they will be a good addition to the neighbourhood, and we can try to persuade my parents or Blake to have a benefit as well?"

  "It would be most kind of them, but I’m afraid a big name attached to the cause is always most helpful."

  Ellen thought for a moment. She was not a very sociable woman now, but that had been by choice rather than a lack of graces. "We could try the Earl of Hazelmere. Randall and his wife Isolde are relatively new to the district and might welcome the opportunity to do something for a good cause."