The following version of this novel was used to create this study guide: Joshua, Alka. The Henna Artist. Harlequin Books S.A. 2020. Hardback.

The novel opens with Radha meeting her brother-in-law Hari with a letter from her sister, Lakshmi, who abandoned her marriage with Hari many years ago.

In Jaipur, Lakshmi paints henna for the rich women of society. She and one of her clients, Parvati Singh arrange a marriage contract where Lakshmi will get paid a large amount if she can arrange a marriage between Paravati’s son, Ravi, and Sheela Sharma. Paravati also offers to introduce Lakshmi and her work to the palace.

At home, Lakshmi sees Hari and asks him to meet her at the house she is building. She tells him she has worked for her money unlike him. It is also revealed that their relationship was incredibly abusive which is why she left. However, Hari tells her she has a sister, Radha, who was born after Lakshmi left. She confirms this by singing an old rhyme their father made up and takes Radha home after giving Radha the money he asks her to in exchange for keeping her abandonment of their marriage a secret.

Lakshmi helps clean Radha up and they meet Lakshmi’s helper, Malik. It is then revealed that Lakshmi used to make contraceptive tea for courtesans but was asked by Samir Singh to come to make them in Jaipur, especially for mistresses of his and his friends. She meets with an Englishwoman, Joyce, who begs for the tea saying that she is not certain whether the child is her husband's or an Indian's. Lakshmi, after confirming that Joyce is only four months pregnant, gives her the tea and explicit instructions. It is later revealed that Joyce either lied or was uncertain how long she was pregnant when Doctor Kumar and Samir arrive and Lakshmi’s house in the middle of the night as Joyce is dying. Lakshmi assists Kumar in caring for Joyce, despite his clear distrust in herbal remedies. She is forced to tell Radha about that part of her life.

Later, Radha meets Kanta before she, Lakshmi, and Malik work on a courtyard painting for the Sharmas. When Sheela upsets Radha, Lakshmi is forced to stop her from throwing rocks which she later admits she does to those who are mean to her. Samir meets with Lakshmi and the two almost kiss.

At a henna party, Radha and Lakshmi work with the young, rich girls before Sheela’s performance for the king. Later, Lakshmi meets with Samir again and he tells her that he secured her a meeting with the palace as the queen, Latika, is depressed. However, Parvati catches her and reveals that Radha was found with greasepaint from Ravi’s body. Radha and Malik later say that it was Ravi who touched her, but Lakshmi still bars Radha from going to the palace, as she fears what will happen.

The next day, she and Malik meet the dowager queen, Indira. After a light conversation, she sends Malik to Chef and tells Lakshmi that Latika is depressed after her son was sent away to school in England. The king was warned by astrologers not to trust his own kin, meaning he must adopt the next heir to the throne. Indira agrees to let Lakshmi meet with Latika every day if progress is shown.

As Lakshmi continues to work on the marriage contract between the Singhs and the Sharmas, Radha spends more time with Kanta. Latika begins to cheer up and even invites Radha to attend her prestigious school for free. One day on the way home, Hari asks Lakshmi for money to fix a young girl’s infected wound and says he is working with the underprivileged woman in Jaipur. Lakshmi wonders if he is changing and gives him the money.

Radha then refuses to go to the palace and is less than thrilled at her new school. Lakshmi is then forced to go to Samir for a loan to pay for her house but is caught by Paravati who cancels her next appointment. Despite this, business booms and Lakshmi continues to meet Latika once a week. One day with Kanta, they learn that Radha got a black eye after Sheela elbowed and insulted her over her poor status. Kanta buys Radha all new dresses and a haircut to compensate.

They then perform a move-in ceremony where Lakshmi realizes Radha is pregnant. She accuses Hari, who swears he knows nothing about it. After Malik promises to help Hari with more money, Lakshmi returns to her home and tells Radha. However, Radha refuses Lakshmi’s contraceptive tea and runs to Kanta’s house. Kanta blames herself for the pregnancy, especially when they learn that the father is Ravi. Radha is convinced that Ravi loves and will marry her, accusing Lakshmi of ruining her life when it is revealed that he is going to marry Sheela. She refuses to abort the baby.

Lakshmi goes to one of Samir’s mistresses, Greeta, and waits for Samir. However, the two end up sleeping together before she tells him about the baby. She is disgusted at how concerned Samir is for his own social status. He agrees to speak to Paravati and the palace about a royal adoption, as Ravi has royal blood. However, the baby must be a boy.

Kanta takes Radha to Shimla where they will both be overseen by Kumar. Lakshmi signs the adoption forms from Indira, learning that the palace will pay for medical bills and give the mother 30,000 rupees. Kumar writes to Lakshmi about the people in Shimla and how they often reject his more advanced treatments, preferring herbal remedies. He asks her to come work with him in Shimla. However, Parvati comes to Lakshmi’s home to offer a deal; she can continue working for the women in Jaipur and even get the money for the marriage contract as long as she stays away from Samir. However, Lakshmi rejects this, knowing that she will belong to Paravati if she agrees.

Lakshmi then goes to Shimla and learns that Kanta lost her baby and suffered enough trauma that she likely will not have another one. Radha, however, has her child and immediately changes her mind about the adoption. The two eventually agree to let Kanta adopt him, and Kumar lies about the baby’s heartbeat to make him ineligible to be adopted by the royal family.

They return to Jaipur and Radha lives with Kanta while Lakshmi struggles to find any work. Malik tells her that she needs to move away to have any chance of a new life. She decides to sell her home, which Paravati buys and sends her the excess money after paying off Lakshmi’s debt to Samir. She tells Kanta and the others. On the night before she is supposed to leave, Radha arrives and expresses her anger over Kanta getting to raise her child instead of her. However, she agrees to start a new life in Shimla. They and Malik leave the next day with a gift from Indira. Lakshmi sees Hari and realizes he is content for the first time in his life. When they arrive in Shimla, Lakshmi feels at home.