The Sheik and the Slave

“Father,” she began.

“Katharine, there is much you may feel that I need to know. But there is much I know already.” He didn’t want her to feel that she must cower in an embarrassed way, as he knew how deeply in love she was with Mohammed.

“When you disappeared, my dear, Mohammed and I met to discuss how to have you returned to us. As you recall, I knew him already from my dealings with him and your Arabian horse. I believed him to be a strong, intelligent man.”

“He is,” Katharine agreed.

“He had his advisor track down the man who had kidnapped you. This man told Mohammed that you had been sold to another man and taken back to Arabia.”

“His advisor Abdullah? He is a most trusted friend of Mohammed’s. But I was not taken to Arabia. I was left at the doors of the Abbey outside London, when I was bleeding and with child,” she said as she lowered her eyes. “Mother Superior took me to Ireland, where a man of God had medical knowledge. There he performed surgery to save the babe and me.”

Edward smiled and then wondered aloud.

“Not taken to Arabia? You know, my dear, once this was discovered, Mohammed journeyed back there to save you. He would waste no time and was most concerned for your safety.”

Katharine’s heart skipped a beat. He had gone only to save her. He had gone only to save her! She wanted to cry with joy.

Lord Edward took her hands in his.

“He loves you, Katharine. He came to me, man to man, and asked for you. He wants to marry you.”

Katharine placed her hand over her mouth and her tears flowed. She smiled through them.

“Yes, my dear. He came to me as an honorable man to beg my forgiveness. He asked for your hand in marriage. He said he had loved you for a long time and that had he done the right thing long ago, it would have saved everyone heartache.”

“Oh, Father. I have waited so long! I have thought of him often, and my love for him has only grown. And I have been in such pain, thinking that I was alone and without him. It has been at times almost unbearable.”

“Dearest, you are not alone. I love you and he loves you,” Edward said as he patted her hand. “Dry your tears.”

She sniffed and then he smiled.

“And I see that I have a grandson.”

Katharine beamed.

“Yes. He is a sweet babe.”

Edward nodded.

“You and your child are welcome here until Mohammed returns to claim you both.”

Katharine threw her arms around his neck.

“Thank you, Father. Such a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Thank you.”

“Go rest now,” he told her.

Alone with his thoughts, Edward mused over all that had been discussed. His daughter had never been taken to Arabia. What did that mean? Had the mercenary lied to the advisor? Why on earth would he do that? Why would the advisor lie?

Then, he recalled the last letter received from the Bow Street Runners and the Arab man who had last been seen talking to the mercenary before he was killed. What did this Abdullah look like? he wondered.

***

Katharine watched her small son sleep in the cradle and closed her eyes. With no one around, she let the tears flow. He loved her. He loved her. She hugged herself and smiled.

He had done exactly as he had said he would. He had approached her father and asked for her hand. Had she not been kidnapped, they would have been married, her child would have been born safely, and nothing would have gone wrong.

She moved one finger along the babe’s soft cheek and moved to the bed. She should never have doubted him. He loved her and she loved him. Soon she would be safe in his arms, never to be separated again.