41

By the time Drishti got dressed and reached the formal dining hall, Tej and Shravan had already started having their tea.

Shravan looked up at Drishti and then glanced at his grandfather.

In his own time, Tej Maheshwari lifted his gaze and glared at Drishti.

"Sit down." The old man radiated control and authority, and Drishti stood rigid for a moment, feeling like a schoolgirl called to the headmaster’s office.

Seeing that she had made no movement, Tej Maheshwari repeated his order.

"Sit down."

Cowed by his icy tone, Drishti plopped onto the chair. Without thinking, she toed off her shoes and crossed her legs under her, so that she was balanced on the seat.

"You need to learn to—" He broke off as he saw the way she was sitting. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting. You told me to sit. I sat."

"I told you to sit, not take your shoes off." Tension throbbed beneath the surface of his rigidly controlled frame, and Drishti wondered what it took to make the old man relax.

"My feet hurt. That’s par