Naïve enthusiast Henry Snebworth arrives in India with his imposing mother Lady Scathingtongue to be the new governor. His first task is to meet the local Maharajah. His second is to betray the Maharajah to a neighbouring warlord. 

Henry must collect taxes for the province or be sent home in disgrace, and the Rajmata has discovered a new gold mine up in the hills. Could the gold be used to pay the British taxes? Not if she has anything to do with it.

The General swears he will never reveal the secret of Henry’s paternity, but subtlety is not his strong suit. Henry has promised Sunil an evening with Janya but in her absence will he settle for McRuff in a dress?

Sunil is furious with Henry, which is awkward as they’ve been imprisoned in a cave together by Imran Afridi. Luckily their mothers have come to rescue them, but unluckily they too have been captured and put in the cave next door. 

The General has been wounded and will die without a doctor. The nearest one is in a village high in the mountains, but it’s a village with a secret, and one that could put Sunil and Henry in even greater danger. 

Afridi’s army is at the gates of the town. Can a brutal battle be avoided? The Rajmata uses her cunning to convince Afridi that there may be a more peaceful way to end the conflict. A cricket match! 

After Henry cheats at cricket war is inevitable. Sunil takes charge of his army, while Henry ponders his own plans for the battle. Should he stand and fight, or take the contents of the safe and run?