Sword of Empire

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. 'Sword of Empire' is a swashbuckling novel from Christopher Nicole evoking the turbulence and savagery of 19th century India that was so vividly brought to life in 'Sword of Fortune'. Praise for Christopher Nicole: 'Well-researched...Evocative descriptions of scenery and edifices, and exact period dialogue' - Historical Novels Society '...told with smooth authenticity' - Publishers' Weekly Christopher Nicole is a prolific British writer of over 200 novels and non-fiction books since 1957. He wrote as Christopher Nicole under several pseudonyms including Peter Grange, Andrew York,Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C.R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams,Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He also wrote under the penname Max Marlow co-authoring with his wife, fellow author Diana Bachmann. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.