The Jewel in the Crown

The story begins in 1942. The Japanese are threatening to invade and Gandhi is calling on the British to quit India. In Mayapore Hari Kumar comes under suspicion of subversion by Merrick, the District Superintendent of Police. This turns to hatred when Hari begins a relationship with Daphne Manners, the object of Merricks affections. It is the start of a chain of events binding English and Indians in a web of love, tragedy and death.

Hari, still keeping his promise of silence, remains in prison. Daphne has been prevented from seeing him. Regardless of the scandal and the risks, Daphne is determined to give birth to the child she believes is Haris. On the lakes of Kashmir the sound of a baby crying arouses the curiosity of Sarah Layton-a daughter of the regiment. And in the princely state of Mirat, Teddy Bingham is asked by an ex-policeman to keep a secret.

Susan and Teddys wedding day is a happy one, except for the strange attack on the car taking Ronald Merrick and Teddy to the church. Merrick apologises to Sarah and explains the connections between Mirat and Mayapore where Daphne was attacked. What happened on the night of the Bibighar haunts Lady Manners too.

While visiting the wounded Ronald Merrick in Calcutta, Sarah meets Jimmy Clark who later challenges many of the values by which she lives. In Pankot another daughter of the regiment confesses her own act of rebellion long ago.

Susans baby has been rescued from the ring of fire that nearly engulfed him, but how did that awful moment leave Susan? Barbie embarks on a generous mission but is turned back by an appalling discovery. Meanwhile, the Laytons have moved into Rose Cottage, but the shadow of events in Calcutta darkens this home-coming.

On 6th August 1945 Barbie lies in hospital in Rampur. Sarah meets Guy in Bombay, after which she and her father travel to Pankot for his home-coming. There are other travellers who make the journey north with them, two old school fellows and a recently promoted Lt. Colonel. A number of questions need to be answered about loyalty, whether Merrick has finally met his match in Guy and whether it is time for another marriage.

In August 1947 Guy Perron returns to India on the eve of independence to observe the last days of British rule. He discovers that Merrick had married Susan but was subsequently killed in a riding accident. Guy questions Nigel about Merrick and discovers he was murdered.