The Sheik's Son (25 page)

Jean Pierre was well acquainted with Sebastian. He had seen him at many gatherings and the young man seemed taken with Sophie. He had heard his mother mention him several times in passing and he acknowledged the introduction, and in turn, introduced his daughter to the couple.

Katharine could tell Jean Pierre was an educated, capable man. He seemed honest and kind and she liked him immediately. When she glanced at his daughter, everything became clear. Her son was in love.

The woman was exquisite, with auburn hair and hazel eyes. Her dress was of the finest silk and her figure was feminine and beguiling. She was the reason her son had not noticed what was happening with Leila and her lover. He was too wrapped up in his own world.

Sophie smiled at the couple and was taken aback by Sebastian’s words. Sheik? His father was a Sheik? She was not prepared for this new revelation and eyed the older man with interest. He was certainly still attractive and Sebastian looked like a younger version of his father. But she could tell that the son was not a pure Arab. His mother was European and her creamy skin had been passed on to her son, while her blue eyes had been inherited by Leila.

Jean Pierre poured himself and Mohammed a brandy. He poured two small sherries for the ladies and gave Katharine and Sophie each a small glass. Sophie thanked her father and took a sip.

“There was never any intention to cause deceit, Father. But I have been compromised and we must marry,” Sophie told her astonished father and Sebastian’s parents.

Mohammed only briefly glanced at the young woman before looking over at his son, who seemed completely stunned.

“W-what are you saying?” Sebastian asked her.

Jean Pierre stood up to face the young man. “This is most irregular.”

“I-I’m sorry, sir. I think there is a misunderstanding here.” Sebastian watched Sophie’s face carefully.

Sophie was flushed from the words she had uttered. She set her glass down beside her.

“Sophie. Has your behavior with him been entirely above reproach?” her father asked her.

“Not exactly,” she whispered.

Katharine watched the exchange with interest while Mohammed stared at his son.

“Well?” Jean Pierre pressed her.

“What are you saying, Sophie?” Sebastian asked, confused.

Sophie closed her eyes then opened them to meet her father’s. “At the chateau—” she began.

“The chateau? Your grandmother was with you.” Jean Pierre replied, looking at his daughter to explain.

“Yes, she was. But one night there was a mistaken—”

“Yes?” Her father prompted her.

“I was sleeping and Sebastian came into the room.” There was no easy way to explain that night and she was mortified to have to do so in front of her father and Sebastian’s parents. But she had started this. She would finish it.

“My God! He forced himself on you!?” Jean Pierre spat out.

“Of course not!” Sebastian cried.

“Absolutely not!” Sophie responded. “He arrived very late one night. My room was a room he had stayed at several times before. He did not realize I had taken the room. He came to the room and fell asleep not realizing I was there.” Her cheeks were flushed red as she told the story.

“What happened then?” Her father asked.

“I woke to find him next to me.”

“Nothing happened?” Mohammed asked the question. The whole description was beyond belief. Could it be true? Had his son been in bed with the beautiful Sophie and not consummated the act? He doubted it.

“Well, there was—” Sophie whispered. This was harder than she had imagined. He had only wanted a mistress. He had never wanted to marry her. But she knew this was the only way.

“Yes?” Sebastian asked, waiting to see where this was leading.

“There was a moment when we were in the bed together alone.” She blushed.

Jean Pierre watched the two exchange words. No matter what she said, he knew his daughter was attracted to the foreigner. He had always known that Sophie would need a strong man to be her equal and not be afraid of her intelligence. Sebastian was such a man.

“As you have been compromised, Sophie, I believe the marriage should take place,” Jean Pierre told her.

She looked at the small group before her. Katharine had a puzzled look on her face while her husband’s face was closed. Her father was the opposite looking uncomfortable and Sebastian seemed bewildered and confused.

“A servant could have seen you leave my room that morning,” she argued to them, but mostly to Sebastian.

“No one saw anything and no one has said anything,” he countered logically.

He watched her face for several seconds and then said coldly, “Excuse us.”

He practically pulled Sophie out of the library and into the hall. When they came to the front salon he pulled her inside the empty room.

“What exactly is going on here?” Sebastian asked the moment the door closed behind them.

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I didn’t mean for that to happen, exactly,” she pleaded with him.

“What are you trying to accomplish?” He eyed her.

She took a deep, shaky breath. “I lied to you before about the inspector. His visit to our home this morning frightened me more than I wanted to admit. I have been reckless and foolish.”

“I agree.”

She paced in front of him and eyed the door. “I don’t know if my father can keep me safe. But with your ties to the duke, I trust you. You are an honorable man.”

“And?” He probed.

“As your wife, I would be safe from the inspector.” There, she had said it. Marriage.

Sebastian watched the rise and fall of her breasts as she inhaled deeply in her distress. He knew already what she was thinking.

“You don’t think he’s capable of using any means at his disposal?” she asked.

“I watched him this evening. He doesn’t just want to find the writer. He knows it’s you. He needs proof. He wants to break you. I think he will use any means at his disposal.” He replied.

“Any means?” Sophie asked.

Sebastian sighed. For all her intelligence, Sophie was so very innocent in the ways of the world. She had no idea how far a man like the inspector would go. Not only to prove himself, but to break a woman he could never have.

“Anything, Sophie. Coercion, pain, rape.”

Sophie felt an icy finger draw along her spine.

“Yes. He’s a man who enjoys inflicting pain. I think he would take great pleasure in breaking a lady of your class. Ironically, though, your writings benefit the people.”

“I never thought it would be so bad,” she admitted to him.

“He is ambitious. Bringing you to heel would be the beginning,” he said softly. “But I can and will protect you,” he told her.

Sophie felt such relief and that she moved to embrace him and flushed pink. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

Sebastian felt a huge sense of relief as he looked at her. “Then it is settled.”

“But I would ask that it be a marriage of convenience,” Sophie explained. “I know this marriage is not what you want. I know I am asking much of you. But once the danger has passed, the marriage can be annulled on the grounds of non-consummation.”

Sebastian had not expected this. “A marriage of convenience.” He pondered the words.

“Let us at least have honesty. This is not a marriage of love, but you are helping me, whatever your reasons. We will live together but lead separate lives. I will not burden you in any way. I promise,” she said.

Sebastian knew that she needed him. That they both felt something for each other was obvious, but she wanted to deny it. He knew the danger the inspector posed was real and grave. He would protect her. If she wanted to keep a pretense of nothing between them, then so be it. He would accept the terms, though living with her day and night would be a form of torture.

“I accept your terms,” he said.

“I don’t think we should tell anyone the truth behind the marriage. Everyone must think it is a real marriage. If too many people knew, it might get out,” she said.

He nodded. “I agree.”

The couple returned to their families in the small salon and both were united in their desire to wed.

“
Monsieur
, I request permission to marry Sophie,” he asked Jean Pierre formally while his parents looked on.

Jean Pierre watched his daughter closely. “Sophie, is this what you want?”

“Yes, Father. I want to marry Sebastian. I am not under any pressure,” she assured him.

“Then if my daughter accepts, I cannot stand in the way. Though she must be married in the Church.” He turned to Mohammed and Katharine.

Katharine knew that this would be coming, though Mohammed remained silent throughout the entire scene.

Mohammed spoke to his son in Arabic. “I would speak with you alone.”

The two men left the room, leaving Katharine to speak with her soon to be daughter-in-law.

“
Madame
.” Sophie smiled.

“Sophie,” she returned and smiled. “I am so pleased that you and my son are to marry.”

Jean Pierre left the room to give the women privacy.

“Your son is very special,” Sophie told her.

“Yes. He had many admirers back in Arabia but none of them tempted him. I think he was waiting to come to Europe to find his bride. And so he has,” she said graciously.

“I will do my best to make him happy,” Sophie assured Katharine. Though the marriage was false, she wanted his family to like her. She would never want to be the cause of a rift between them.

“I never thought to see him marry for some time. That you have managed it so soon is an accomplishment in itself.” Katharine smiled.

“Thank you,
madame
.”

“And you are young and beautiful. I expect to have beautiful grandchildren.”

Sophie smiled and looked away.

***

“What is going on?” Mohammed said bluntly.

“Father?” Sebastian questioned him.

“First we send Leila to you, and she has fallen in love with a Frenchman and is to be married. Fine. Leila may marry as she wishes.”

“But?” Sebastian waited.

“But you are the next sheik. You don’t have the luxury of marrying where and whom you choose,” Mohammed told him angrily. “You will take over when I am gone and rule over the people of Arabia, settle disputes and see to their safety and well being. It was what you were raised to do.”

“Really? You chose your bride,” he countered.

“That was different.”

“Why? Because it was Mother?”

“The people have accepted your mother over time and with great patience. Your mother is intelligent and adept at winning people to love her. I sacrificed her safety to marry outside of Islam and it caused a great dissension at the time. You recall she was threatened and almost killed.”

“Then Mother has paved the way for another foreign woman to sit beside and counsel a sheik. Sophie will be the same. She is intelligent and gracious,” Sebastian said, defending her.

Mohammed shook his head. “I did not expect this of you.”

“Am I to choose where I love?”

Mohammed knew there was something else going on between the two young people but he would not press it. He knew that if his son had set his mind to something, he would not be swayed.

“Your sister will marry in the church, and I assume it will be the same for you.”

“I have never been very religious, Father,” Sebastian replied.

“That is not the point. A sheik cannot be an infidel. You know that.”

“We can marry quietly. I will find a priest who will marry us without my converting.”

Mohammed seemed satisfied. “Good.”

“Father. She is a good woman, much like Mother. She is educated and of a good family.”

“I am not against Mademoiselle Sophie. I am afraid of losing my only son to France.”

At this Sebastian finally smiled. “That would never be possible. I know my duty. I know my duty to you, and to Arabia.”

Mohammed nodded. He smiled as well and clasped his son on the shoulders. “Let us join the ladies.”

Sebastian was not concerned about the marriage ceremony or converting to Catholicism. In any case, he would only be married long enough to safeguard Sophie and then the marriage would be annulled.

There were no announcements made that evening at the ball, though two women were about to be married.

***

Etienne’s parents met with Katharine and Mohammed the following day and there were no objections to the marriage. The church wedding was discussed and the dowry was accepted. Leila and Etienne were to be married in the Catholic church nearest Etienne’s family home, as was the custom.

It was a happy time for the young couple, and Etienne was relaxed and enjoyed the attention as a soon-to-be groom and husband. Leila needed help planning the wedding and banquet after, and Sophie was glad to be included.

Sophie was another matter entirely. She knew she would not have a large wedding, but that didn’t bother her. Her ceremony would be quiet, with only close family and friends.

She didn’t worry about taking her marriage vows for life because they would be spoken to save her own life. She worried about her life after the ceremony, when she would share a home with Sebastian. She worried that she had forced him into a corner and she wondered why he had agreed to help with nothing in return. She was wracked with guilt and wanted to smooth things over between them but didn’t know how to do it.

The next morning she occupied herself by writing thank-you cards to everyone who had attended the ball. Each card contained only two lines, thanking them for attending and saying that the family had enjoyed their company.

It was tedious but her grandmother insisted on these things. She had made a list and Sophie diligently sent a simple card to each name on the list. Her mind wandered most of the time and when the task was completed, she placed several small stacks of letters in the front hall to be delivered by their footman.

***

After she placed the small stacks of letters in the foyer, she went upstairs and pulled her cream-and-gold gown from the night before out of the armoire. She laid it upon the bed and felt the silk underneath her hands. There would be no time for a new gown, and though everyone else was excited about the marriage, Sophie knew the truth.