The Sheik and the Slave (35 page)

“
I
think I will return to London soon,
”
he said in an offhand manner

“
Really?
I am sorry to hear that,
”
she told him.

“
You
would miss me, Lady Katharine?
”

“
We
would all miss you, Thomas,
”
she returned.

“
Would
you miss me, Katharine?
”
Thomas asked. She turned to stare at him and their eyes met.

“
Yes.
I would miss you. I enjoy your company,
”
she said.

“
You
like that I read to you and play the escort for you?
”

She smiled.

“
I
do.
”

“
I
don
’
t mind
performing a part, if it pleases you,
”
he replied.

“
Not
performing, surely. You are simply being a gentleman.
”

“
I
am. And I am dedicated to your service,
”
he said. He spoke sincerely.

“
You
are gallant,
”
she
replied.

A small tendril of golden hair had moved over her face. He
moved closer to her, plucked the tendril from her, and placed it behind her
ear.

“
Thomas,
”
she whispered.

“
Katharine.
”

His fingers lightly touched her cheek and he moved to kiss
her forehead in a sweet gesture. She didn
’
t
move away from him, and when she didn
’
t,
he moved slowly to touch his lips with hers. His fingers moved along her neck
until she broke the kiss.

“
Please
don
’
t be angry,
”
he said to her.

“
I
’
m not angry,
”
she said as she moved
ahead of him.

“
Katharine?
”

“
No,
truly, Thomas. I
’
m
not angry,
”
she
said. But before he turned away, he saw the tears in her eyes.

Katharine had not been expecting Thomas to kiss her, but she
had been willing to allow it. But as his lips touched hers and his fingers
caressed her, she had remembered a far different place in Arabia, when she had
been in the garden and the sheik had come upon her.

When she pulled away from Thomas, she would have sold her
soul to have Mohammed staring at her with those dark, intense eyes that could
weaken her so easily. Then, she realized that she must learn to live without
him. She felt the tears start again as she walked back to the house.

Thomas knew it had been too soon to kiss her, but he had
become infatuated with Katharine; the more time he spent with her, the more he
fell under her spell. Perhaps it was for the best that he return to London.

Chapter
25

The next day, Lord Edward approached Thomas and told him
that he was also returning to London and that, if she had no objections, he
would like Katharine to accompany them.

He had seen how venomous Anne was to his youngest daughter
and he wanted her to have some time away from the manor house.

He had already spoken to Abigail, who would be invited along
with the child. She had agreed. Katharine was very taken with the older woman
and he knew she, in turn, doted upon his daughter and grandson.

He had no control over Anne and her attitude and neglect of
her grandson; he thought her treatment of her daughter was reprehensible. As
mistress of the house, she had cause to set an example, but instead she was
vicious and cruel. He worried the servants might become neglectful of Katharine
as well.

Time spent in London would help. Katharine needed diversions
and he had watched Thomas be attentive and kind to her. He saw a growing
attachment on the man
’
s
part, but knew his daughter was still healing. Thomas was the sort of man to
take her mind off things.

Together, the four adults and child traveled back from the
country to London. The townhouse was a welcome change, and Katharine began to
relax and enjoy herself. She was invited to parties and balls, and Thomas
offered to escort her, which she accepted.

She chose a deep lavender silk dress, with pearls at her
throat and ears, for their first evening out. Her father accompanied them, and
when they arrived there was a crush of people. She noticed some openly staring
at her, mostly women who were sizing her up. She felt the men
’
s eyes on her as well and
probably for a completely different reason. They assumed she was a loose woman
and would easily tumble into bed with them. Let them try, she mused. They would
soon learn the truth. She was done being a pawn. She would play the game the
way she wanted to.

The musicians were already playing and the tables she saw
were burdened with mutton, poultry, cold sweets, fruit, and decadent pastries
arranged in an attractive manner. Thomas was speaking with her brother Charles
and she saw her father move to speak with their host.

Thomas took her arm and together they walked along the
ballroom. He was dressed that evening as an earl
’
s
son in a silk mint green and cream frock coat with matching breeches. The color
complimented his hair and eyes.

“
You
are breathtaking, Katharine,
”
he told her secretively in her ear and she laughed.

“
Thomas!
Shame on you! People will think things if you lean in as if to kiss me,
”
she said boldly, flirting
with him.

“
Really?
Will they?
”
he
flirted back.

She nodded once.

He moved closer, his lips touching her ear this time.

“
I
want them to think that,
”
he said.

He was bold, but Katharine enjoyed his sudden boldness. A
Minuet began and Thomas touched her arm.

“
Lady?
”
he asked, motioning
toward the dance floor.

She smiled and they joined the other couples in the middle
of the floor as the music for the Minuet began. She held hands with Thomas as
they moved across the floor. She glided across the floor and felt so many eyes
upon her. She weaved in through the couples, touching other people
’
s hands as they danced,
and then she curtseyed to Thomas across the room from him. He carried himself
well, and when the music finally ended, she realized how much she had enjoyed
herself.

When she and her father returned home almost at daybreak,
she felt giddy and excited. The light outside was grey and the fog encircled
the house. She stepped out of the coach as her father preceded her into the
house.

Katharine turned to smile at the new day and the lightness
she felt. In the fog and dim grey light, she saw a man standing across the
street. He wore a royal blue frock coat with brown breeches and stood
silhouetted against the oil lamps in the street.

His frame was masculine and he wore a wide-brimmed hat that
hid his face. Katharine clutched her small bag and looked for her father, who
had gone inside. She wasn
’
t
frightened, as she could easily call for help should she need it. But there was
something familiar in the way he stood, almost arrogantly. She shook her head
and moved her dress to help her walk inside. As she took the steps to the front
door, she glanced over her shoulder.

He was still there, and he seemed to be staring at her in a
blatant fashion. She wanted to confront him, but knew the whole thing was
foolish. He was not there for her. She had just arrived. He was meeting
someone, perhaps. Though she wondered why he would be standing there, waiting
at such an early time. But then, she was there as well.

She turned this time, entered the townhouse, and closed the
door behind her.

When she made her way up to her bed chamber, she eased
herself toward the large windows and looked out into the street. There was no
one there. She was imagining things. She shed her clothes and settled into bed,
smiling as she did.

Everything was looking bright again.

***

The entire trip from Arabia to England had been a nightmare.
The ship had become a breeding ground for disease, and scurvy had developed
among the sailors. Dysentery and pneumonia set in, and several of the men died.
Their bodies were dumped overboard at sea. The water had been rationed, and the
stench from unwashed bodies and the sickness had been overwhelming at times.
Though he had tried to remain alone on the ship to stave off sickness, it had
not possible.

Halfway during the voyage, Abdullah became ill with
pneumonia. He began to run a fever and had a hard time breathing. By the time
they landed on the coast of England, he was very ill.

The ship
’
s
captain took pity on the foreigner and brought him to a local inn and left him
there. He was kind enough to pay several weeks lodging for the man and ask that
he be looked after.

As Abdullah
’
s
mind raced with crazed imaginings in his fevered brain, the one thought he held
onto was that he had to recover so he could choke the life out of the white
witch.

***

That morning, Katharine played chess with her father, walked
along the green with Abigail and her son, and dined in with her family and
Thomas.

She settled into a relaxed routine, and Edward was relieved
to see her face calm and smooth from pain.

She and Thomas walked along Hyde Park and mixed freely with
the other couples. The beauty and green of the park reminded her of home.
Thomas tucked her arm into his.

That evening, she played backgammon and spent time with her
beloved son. It was this quiet evening that Abigail approached her.

 
“
I
think it
’
s time that
I return to the Abbey, dear,
”
she remarked.
“
I
have been gone too long. I need to return to my duties.
”

Katharine had been quietly reading in her father
’
s sitting room and was
shocked at the words.

“
Abigail,
no! What I mean to say is, must you? I will be lost without you,
”
Katharine said.

Abigail, still clad in her religious garb, came toward
Katharine.

“
Dearest
Katharine,
”
she
said.
“
It has been a
pleasure to know you and your son and to watch as you have been reunited with
your father. Now you are taking another direction, and I think you may be
married soon.
”

“
What?
”
she asked. Katharine
looked confused but then understood.
“
Oh,
no, Abigail. Thomas is a dear friend. But marriage? No, I am not ready for marriage.
And he has not even hinted at it.
”

“
Nevertheless,
”
Abigail replied.
“
You are a lovely woman
and Thomas seems smitten. He will fill your empty heart and be a good father to
your son.
”

“
Please!
I know you serve God and that is a high calling, but is there nothing I can do
to make you stay? You have a permanent place here. With my son and, when he
grows older, with me. You are welcome, most welcome, here. You are loved,
”
Kat said. Tears filled
her eyes.

“
Oh,
Katharine,
”
she said
as her grey eyes twinkled.
“
You
have been the dearest thing to me and like a true daughter. Your son is
charming and I adore him, but I have duties to fulfill at the Abbey and must
see to them. You understand?
”

“
Of
course. I
’
m being
selfish. Forgive me,
”
she said. She clasped the woman tightly to her in an embrace.
“
I love you, dearest
Abigail. I will stay in touch with you.
”

“
I
love you too, Katharine. You and your son will always be in my prayers,
”
Abigail replied. She
touched Katharine
’
s
face with her hand.

***

Once Abigail returned to her Abbey, the house seemed
quieter. Katharine missed the older woman dearly. A nurse was obtained to look
after her son, and Katharine spent time with him in the park and at night. He
was a darling and she doted on him.

One evening, Katharine dressed slowly in a cream-colored
silk dress with roses and vines encircling the stomacher, skirt, and at the
elbows. The neckline was square, with lace along the edges. It was a beautiful
dress, and she wore it with her diamond necklace and earrings.

Thomas wore a deep purple frock coat and breeches, with
yellow flowers etched along the edges at the wrists. His clothes were
impeccable and elegant, and she was proud that he was at her side.

They attended the theater to enjoy The Beggar
’
s Opera and afterwards,
they had supper. Katharine was admired wherever they went, and Thomas noticed
the men watch and follow her with their eyes. Though she was a beautiful woman,
he knew that she had been through much.

He found her beauty intoxicating and wanted nothing more than
to be with her. She was withdrawn and except for that one kiss, there had been
nothing between them. He had tried to quell his desires for her, to give her
time.

After supper, they were walking in Hyde Park, each lost in
their own private thoughts. He had spent the time with her, watching her face
and her movements, and knew the time had come.