The Sheik's Son (17 page)

I can’t stop thinking about you
. Those words echoed in her ears. She must stop whatever this was before it was too late. She must distance herself. There was no other option. She would not be a mistress and he would not marry her. There was no other way.

***

Sebastian had followed Sophie and when the lock turned in the door, he turned away. He had not been at all concerned when he had discovered that she was writing the pamphlets. She was writing for equality and about women, and it was something she felt she must do.

The list that she had compiled was something different. He knew better than anyone that France was in turmoil and it was only a matter of time before things took a turn for the worse. The list was all the reasons why France would spin out of control. Sophie had a quick and intelligent mind and she would be excited to write about these new things which concerned him.

He closed the door to his own room and saw the fire had been lit by the servants. He was more than just anxious for her safety should she write about those subjects. He knew then that he was in love with her.

***

Leila was not upset that the evening had not gone as she had planned. She would wait for another opportunity to be alone with Etienne. Her time would come. He would be hers. She would be patient and wait.

She had been irritated and annoyed at the men of Arabia. They seemed to be overbearing and she would not be a woman to kneel and bow before her husband. She wanted someone with whom she could laugh and enjoy life. When she had first spotted Etienne, she had been taken with his handsome face. But the more time they spent together, the more she realized she wanted him as her own. She would have no other.

***

The next morning Madame Necker had planned a picnic not far from the chateau near the river shielded from the sun by large mature trees. She didn’t know if anyone would want to attend as the previous night had been filled with so many strange occurrences.

But as the day progressed, everyone appeared at the appointed time in the foyer after midday to walk together. Two footmen had been instructed to carry the baskets to the spot and everyone walked in pairs: Germaine and Sophie, Madame Necker and Eugenie, Sebastian and Etienne, Marmontel and La Harpe, the duke and Leila. Buffon was suffering from a cold and was in bed recuperating.

Madame Necker had several large rugs placed along the riverbanks for everyone to recline on and enjoy themselves. Food was in abundance, with cold chicken, cold beef, a variety of cheeses and fruit, bread and wine.

She had considered bringing cards and setting up games but thought better of it. It would be a relaxed afternoon with no planned events.

Eugenie overate and immediately settled into a corner with pillows for a nap. Marmontel and La Harpe were arguing over a new play they had seen while the duke was entertaining Leila with stories of his friends in England.

Madame Necker and Germaine were talking together in low voices when Sebastian came to sit near Sophie.

She was just biting into a strawberry as she turned to him.

“You slept well?” He asked after her health, not realizing the question came across as seductive.

She looked away from him for a moment. “Yes. Thank you.”

She replaced the strawberry stem on her plate.

“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

Sebastian wanted to apologize for the previous evening. He seemed to lose his head whenever he was near her. But if he was honest with himself, he wanted to seduce her even here with all these people. He would not apologize. He was only sorry they had been interrupted.

“Would you like to take a stroll through the wood?” he asked quietly.

Sophie smiled faintly. “No, thank you.”

She looked perfectly situated along the river in a white gaulle gown with a mint green sash. Her hair was pinned back and she looked like a new rosebud, blossoming and lovely.

“Afraid of being alone with me?” he whispered lowly.

She met his eyes. “Yes.”

“Would you care for a stroll?” Germaine asked Sophie as she joined the couple. Sophie agreed and Sebastian watched the two women walk away from the picnic.

***

“You don’t need to avoid me,” Leila told Etienne in a low voice.

“I’m not.” He sipped the wine, looking at the river.

“You are and have been all morning.”

“I’ve been preoccupied,” he said, dismissing her.

“Come to my room tonight.” Her blue eyes met his. The invitation was undeniable. She would finish what they had started the night before.

“No.” He moved away from the group walking along the river.

“What’s wrong, sister?” Sebastian asked quietly in Arabic.

“Nothing,” she replied.

“Has something happened with Etienne?” He had seen their exchange.

“No. Not at all. He’s the perfect gentleman,” she returned.

Sebastian relaxed. “He is a good man.”

Leila agreed entirely.

***

“I know why you warned me off Sebastian, Sophie.” Germaine said as they walked slowly under the green trees.

“Why is that?”

“Because you want him for yourself,” she replied bluntly.

“No, Germaine. Sebastian is very handsome and that may be fine for some women. But one day I will marry and he’s not the marrying kind. And I’m not the mistress kind.”

“I’ve seen how he looks at you,” Germaine replied.

“I can’t help that.”

“He wants you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, Germaine,” Sophie said honestly.

Germaine smiled. “I’m not hurt. I’m jealous,” she admitted.

“Don’t be. Some wonderful man will come along for you. He will.”

“Will he be handsome like Sebastian?”

“More so.” Sophie smiled.

But the smile faded when she realized that if Germaine had seen Sebastian look at her in a certain way, others had as well, perhaps even her grandmother. She must be careful and stay away from him. Only two more days in the country and then she would return to Paris.

***

Little by little the group dispersed back to the house. Soon, the only people that remained were Sebastian, Sophie, Germaine and Leila. Etienne had never returned from his walk but had instead taken a different route back to the chateau.

Leila and Germaine chatted about music and plays while Sebastian lay on his back near Sophie, who was sitting up beside him.

“When do you return to Paris?” he asked.

“Two days. I thought
Grand-mère
might ask to go back sooner after the fiasco with the duke, but no. She seems fine.”

“It was a misunderstanding.”

Sophie smiled. “Yes. I recall your own misunderstanding. You and the duke have such horrible manners for Englishmen.”

“Well I’m only half English, so it can’t be that.”

Sophie smiled, “Only half English? And the other half?”

“Something mysterious and far away,” he said, teasing her.

“Mysterious and far away. German?” she guessed.

Sebastian laughed. “Farther.”

She pondered. “Hungarian. You’re a Hungarian count!” She smiled down at him.

“No, and farther.” He smiled back.

“Russia! You are the firstborn son of the czar!” she proclaimed.

“Brat!” He touched his finger to her chin and she giggled. But then his finger moved to caress her cheek and she turned her head from him.

“Not a czar,” she said in a serious tone and he moved his hand away from her, sitting up.

“Not a Czar,” he echoed.
But I am the son of a great sheik,
he wanted to tell her.

Leila heard the exchange and wondered why it was so important that he not tell people of their background. As he was the eldest male, she would not go against him. He must have his reasons. She excused herself and walked back to the house with Germaine. He watched the two women leave, as did Sophie. She closed her eyes tightly.

“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

“I meant what I said before in your room. That list that you wrote—you must not pursue it.”

“I may not educate myself?” she asked.

“No. Of course I didn’t mean that. I will even help in any way I can. I’m sure Madame Necker would be at your disposal as well.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I meant you cannot write about these things. At least not in a pamphlet.”

“I write things that I am passionate about. Things that I feel are important. At this time I only want to educate myself.”

“And should you become impassioned about these new subjects? What then?”

“I will write about them.”

He shook his head. “Sophie.”

“Would you like that I show you the pamphlet before I send it to print? Assuming I do write about it.”

Sophie had no intention of stopping any pamphlet she would write based on his opinions. She didn’t think there would be anything wrong with writing about such things. But if it satisfied him that he should see it beforehand, she would do that.

“I would. Thank you.”

“It seems that you want to play the husband role in some respects, but not take on the true burden of it.”

“I would most definitely play the husband role for you, Sophie.”

“Yes.” She smiled. “The husband’s role in the bedchamber, I’ve no doubt.”

He smiled. “I can give you such pleasure.”

“Yes. And if I become pregnant?” She had no intention of becoming his mistress and the conversation was indecent but she was drawn into it.

“I would provide for you both.” He almost shivered at her words.

“And when you tire of me?”

“I don’t think that’s possible.” His eyes held hers captive before she broke the stare.

“You speak of a realm of fantasy like my beloved books. But all things do end.” She stood up, brushing herself off. “I, in the meantime, must begin to look for a husband as I am getting older. When a match is found that I agree with, I will accept.”

Sebastian stood as well. The sudden thought of her in another man’s arms, in another man’s bed, was completely unacceptable.

“I’ll walk you back,” he told her quietly.

She nodded.

Slowly they walked back to the chateau, each deep in their own thoughts. For the first time Sophie contemplated marriage. Sebastian had opened up a world of pleasure and passion and she wanted to experience it. As a well-bred woman, only marriage would suffice. She must speak to her father.

Sebastian, on the other hand, was in misery. She would have no trouble finding suitors. She was lovely and her father had money, so she would be married soon. But this thought pained him. He would never want her with someone else.

The chateau was quiet, though voices could be heard here and there as they entered the marble foyer.

“Good afternoon,” Sophie said as she left Sebastian and made her way upstairs to her room.

He watched her briefly before making his way into the salon to pour himself a drink. Whiskey was the drink of choice and he downed one glass and then another.

“A little bit early for that.” Madame Necker spoke from a corner chair, where she was reading.

“Perhaps. Would you care to join me?”

Madame Necker smiled. “No, thank you.”

He poured himself a third and took the chair opposite her. He was deep in thought but Madame Necker recognized all the symptoms.

“She’s very beautiful.”

“She is.”

“And intelligent. This is rare in a woman.”

“It is.”

“Only a certain type of man will be able to truly appreciate her. Most won’t understand her. And some may try to break her spirit.”

“I agree entirely,” he said, staring into his glass.

“She won’t be a mistress, though.”

“No, she won’t.”

“And you won’t marry.”

“I never thought I would marry, yet she’s something so different. So elusive and feminine. Innocent yet educated.”

Suzanne smiled. Sebastian was in love. “You have time. She is not married yet. She is not even engaged.”

Sebastian nodded. He took a deep breath. No, she was not married or engaged. Yet.

Chapter 14

That final evening at the chateau progressed without the Comte de Buffon. He had departed as his cold had worsened and he wanted to be home to recuperate. Messieurs Marmontel and La Harpe had left as well, so the meal was subdued and quiet, with little lively conversation.

Leila pleaded a headache and retired early, for which Etienne was extremely grateful. Eugenie and Suzanne sat by the fire sipping sherry while Sebastian and Sophie played a game of chess. Etienne browsed the library shelves before he returned to a large chair with his brandy.

“Our last night together,” Sophie said, simply contemplating her next move.

“Shall we retire for the evening? I have many things I’d like to teach you upstairs.” Sebastian watched her move her knight.

Sophie laughed. “Playing the husband when it suits you.”

He leaned forward. “I’ve decided I like you best in the linen shift,” he moved and captured her knight, “or nothing at all.”

“Nothing at all? I’ll catch cold.”

“I’ll keep you very warm.”

She shook her head and smiled at the playful flirting. “Which half of you owns that silver tongue of yours?”

“The lower half.”

She blushed and turned to look at her grandmother. She was nodding off in her chair and Suzanne was reading. They were on the other side of the room and could not possibly hear the conversation.

“The lower half? Your knees?”

“A little higher.”

“Thighs?”

“Higher.”

“Stomach.”

“Exactly,” he said.

Sophie captured his bishop and Sebastian was taken off-guard.

“Flirting to win?” he said, amazed.

“I do what it takes.” She purposely pressed against the table, causing her breasts to swell above the neckline and Sebastian’s eyes to dilate.

“Your move,” he said.

She made a reckless move and lost her bishop to him.

“I liked it better when you were flirting,” he said lowly.

“It was silly of me.” She said, contrite.

“No. It’s just that the logical end cannot be, so why pursue it?”