The Sheik and the Slave

"Now she will have a horse bred for a queen," Edward said proudly, leaving the room and whistling as he walked down the hall.

***

Katharine stood still so that the silk dress could be pinned for alterations. She was eating very little and sleeping poorly, so her jewel-toned ruby dress was being taken in again.

The silk dress was a low-necked gown worn over the petticoat, with an opening in front to show a splash of the petticoat. The stomacher was decorated with glittering red gems and pearls and was pinned to the gown; underneath, her corset was heavily boned. The close-fitting sleeves ran just past the elbow and were trimmed with ruffles.

The neckline scooped low across her breasts and ended almost at the edge of her shoulders. It created a lovely display of her delicate collarbone, neck and breasts, so much so that she felt naked. Her ivory-colored shoes were decorated with delicate pearls.

"Must it be so low?" Kat asked the French seamstress, who had been brought in to sew their dresses.

"Oui mademoiselle.” the woman replied. “It is all the rage in Paris. Indeed, it is much more elaborate there,” she continued.

Kat glared at her mother, who sat watching the spectacle. "But this isn't Paris," Kat hissed at the seamstress.

"My dear, James will love it," Anne said, smiling. She watched a young French girl pin the hem.

Kat grimaced as she stood with her arms held out at the sides of her body.

"I'm sure he will. What we women do for fashion," she said, grinding her teeth together.

"Oui, tis true," the young girl said, her mouth filled with pins. Anne and Kat looked over the young girl's red head and smiled at each other.

***

The ball was fast approaching, and Katharine was wrapped up in many details of planning it. She spent her days with James or Francie and assisted her mother with menu and music selections. She selected the flowers and other decorations. She kept herself busy and went to bed tired each night.

Her parents were overjoyed at the betrothal announcement and only wanted her to be happy. Katharine had discovered that her father had a special present for her to be revealed that night, but he would not even hint at what it could be.

Kat smiled as the sun began to set. She walked arm in arm with Francie down to the small creek that flowed through her father's expansive property.

"You look much better, Kat," Francie told her.

“I feel better, Francie,” Kat said. “I feel more at home.”

"Will you be happy with him?" Francie asked. She watched the light filter across her friend's face. She marveled at the delicate bone structure of high cheekbones, lush lips, and blue eyes.

"I hope so," Kat admitted, looking away from her friend.

Francie was silent as Katharine marveled at the beautiful sunset.

"Was he handsome?" Francie then asked quietly.

"No," Kat replied. She looked down at the grass and darted her eyes over to look at her friend.

"Oh," Francie replied.

Kat's cool blue eyes met Francie's warm, chocolate ones.

"He was beautiful,” Kat confessed. “He was everything a man should be."

“Oh Katharine,” Francie said as her voice broke.

“I don’t want to talk about this, Francie. Come. Let’s go back to the house,” Kat said, leading her back down the path.

The day of the ball dawned bright, with a clear blue sky hanging over the large estate. Katharine slept in late and took only tea for breakfast. She went riding with James, and then took a long nap to steady herself for the night to come. Most balls lasted well into the night and into the next morning, so she wanted to be fresh for her guests.

Francie had spent the night and would continue to do so for the next week. The invitations had been sent out weeks in advance, and Katharine was anticipating a few hundred guests to entertain. The guests staying at the Fairfax mansion began arriving in the afternoon, while those that would only attend the ball arrived later.