The Sheik and the Slave

The weather outside was typically grey and dreary, but suddenly she relished the chance of seeing her Aunt Louisa in Paris. Louisa was the beloved sister of Anne who had married a Frenchman who traveled widely throughout the continent and had recently returned back to his hometown of Paris. Jean-Pierre and Louisa had never been blessed with any children and doted upon Katharine.

Katharine knew her chaperone, the dour faced girl Moll, must be inside taking some bread and ale with the rest of the party and was resolved to join them.

She squirmed in her seat and gritted her teeth as the whalebone corset bit into her.

She knew the damp weather, the constricting corset, and her worry over Mohammed was making her ill. She left the stagecoach and watched as two children and a dog ran through the small muddy street.

A street vendor was selling trinkets and an older woman was selling violets outside the inn.

Katharine bought a posy of violets and looked to find her party inside the inn. Then, she joined the group and asked for some stew, bread and ale. Her appetite was returning.

She knew it was only a matter of time before she and Jamie were married. Once their marriage occurred, Mohammed would have no say and would no longer be a threat to her sanity.

Still, she knew she was a coward, running away so as not have to face Mohammed. But she knew there would be no happy ending with him. That she loved him only made everything more complicated.

"And you are traveling to Paris, Moll tells us?" the older woman asked Katharine as she joined the small group.

***

The three men sat in a corner of the London coffeehouse. Each man had purchased a cup of coffee for a penny.

Mohammed starred down at the marriage license on the table. Now all that was required was the marriage be celebrated in a parish by an Anglican clergyman where Katharine resided. He had traveled to England with his trusted advisor Abdullah as well as Daleel to witness the marriage and support it once he returned to Arabia with his bride.

"Everything seems to be in order," Mohammed said in satisfaction as he looked over the license.

"Yes, my lord. But I beg you to reconsider," Abdullah hesitated to speak but knew his conscience would prick him if he did not. He had never been a man given to trifles. He spoke his mind.

"You ask me to reconsider, on what grounds?" Mohammed's voice held a hint of irritation.

"Your people will never accept her. They honor and fear Allah, and she is an outsider," Abdullah said quickly. "It is even been said that she bewitched your brother Majeed and caused trouble between him and Rana."

"This is idle gossip. If she caused trouble for Majeed, it is because he was too weak. What of you, Daleel? What do you say?" Mohammed turned to the younger advisor.

Daleel looked into the hot black liquid and began to speak.

"It is true what Abdullah says. She is not Muslim. But she has winning ways about her. She is very beautiful and well educated. I think to give her the benefit of the doubt," Daleel said quietly.

Abdullah crushed the desire to speak out again, knowing that he was alienating the sheik. He did not see what was right before his eyes! And she had bewitched Daleel as well. Daleel was young and foolish and could be swayed with delicate feminine looks.

"Thank you both for your service to me," he told them. “I will think on this.”

***

Katharine yawned as she tried to concentrate on her embroidery. She seemed to be sleeping so much lately, and she could barely stay awake at times. It was frustrating, as she tried to keep up with all the amusements her aunt and uncle had planned for her.

She was excited to visit the theater in Paris that evening, and chose to wear a sky-blue satin dress that made her eyes sparkle. Her stomacher was decorated with pearls, and the ruffles at her neckline and elbows were white. She wore her ivory-colored heeled shoes and a delicate lapis lazuli necklace at her throat. Thoug

h English women left their hair unpowdered, French women powdered their hair and Katharine did as well.

They were going to see the opera buffa entitled “La Serva Padrona,” composed by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. The comic opera had first been performed in Paris and had prompted an argument between those who enjoyed serious opera and those who liked the comic opera. The opera was lively and Katharine found herself entranced by the music.

Her Aunt Louisa wore a silver and black gown, and Katharine noticed that Jean-Pierre admired his wife as she moved through the theater. Her uncle had purchased a private box for them, and she was in awe of the theater and their accommodations.

"Oh Katharine, you look breathtaking," Louisa whispered as they settled into their private box.

"Merci, Aunt Louisa," Katharine replied as the performance began.

The box was immediately to the side of the stage and their view was excellent. The seats were the most prestigious of the house and Katharine felt privileged. She sat behind her aunt, uncle and another couple who were their friends.