The Sheik and the Slave

***

Meanwhile, Edward dreaded telling Anne about their daughter’s child. Though he was absolutely certain Mohammed would return to marry Katharine, she was at the moment not married, and the child had been born out of wedlock.

Edward was not so modern to admit that he was at least a tad embarrassed of the child born out of wedlock. But he also knew it was hypocritical, as many couples lay togethe

r before marriage and had a ripe belly at the altar as the marriage vows were spoken.

He also knew of many couples who were married, yet took lovers or mistresses on the side. That his daughter had a living copy of her lover only made it more obvious. But she was not the first nor the last woman to have a child outside of the marriage state.

Anne was indignant when she heard the news. She closed her eyes against the shame and anger and turned on her husband.

“I blame you entirely,” she spoke roughly.

Edward was not surprised at all by his rigid wife’s response.

“And why is that?” he asked.

“Because you spoiled the girl and gave her an education not befitting her station.”

“So her education was a waste?”

“Yes, Edward. It was. When a woman’s role is to rule a household and marry, then the arts, music, and embroidery are sufficient.”

“Then you and I are in disagreement in this matter, as we always have been,” he said and shrugged.

Anne rolled her eyes in frustration.

“So now, we have an unmarried daughter in our house as well as her bastard.”

Edward took two strides to reach his wife and grabbed her upper arms in his hands.

“Madame, as long as I am alive, my daughter and her son have a place here. Should you ever mention the word bastard in my or her hearing, it will not bode well for you. Do we understand each other?”

Anne looked at him coldly.

“Perfectly,” she hissed at him.

***

Charles had enjoyed the first few years spent with his new bride, Sarah. But after the newness wore off, he settled back to joining his friends at the gaming halls and an occasion visit to the brothel. He spent his coin sparingly, but allowed himself these little trifles.

Sarah had given birth to two daughters and doted upon them rather than her husband. He spent much time with his good friend Thomas Merritt, who was the second son of an earl. Thomas would not inherit any lands or titles, but his father was generous with his allowance. Charles had first met Thomas at Eton, though he was several years behind him. Thomas was a likeable man, with brown hair and hazel eyes, compared to Charles’ blonde hair and blue eyes.

He was an amiable man who liked nothing more than a game of billiards and some lively conversation. He was in his late twenties and had still not married, much to the chagrin of his family. His elder brother was married and had a son, while Thomas preferred the life of ease and enjoyment over the restraints of marriage.

Thomas was well acquainted with Charles’ family, including his sisters, though he had not seen Katharine for several years. He remained mostly in London and rarely ventured to the country. When Charles decided to return to the country at his father’s request, he invited his friend Thomas for a long weekend. Thomas was delighted to accept the kind invitation.

***

Charles took in the information slowly and eyed his father with awe. His sister had returned to the family well and unharmed, and for that he was very grateful. Sarah had been distraught when she had returned from the market without her sister-in-law. She had been inconsolable and would be so relieved to know Kat was well.

But as his father continued to speak, he gaped at him in horror. His sister had returned, but not alone. She had given birth to a bastard child whose father was an Arab. Charles felt anger fill his senses at the shame and disgrace of it all. He knew women of lower classes would spread their legs and breed without the sanctity of marriage but that his sister was one of them disgusted him.

Apparently, his father knew the man who had impregnated his sister and found him to be an honorable man. He had asked Edward’s permission to marry and Katharine was equally in love, so his father said.

Honorable? What man would take advantage of a young woman of her social standing? As Charles listened to his father, he knew that Edward had taken the high road and accepted his sister and her child into his home. It was almost too much to bear.

“Charles,” his father said as he laid a hand on his son, “your sister has been through much. The Mother Superior who saved her life is staying with us. I ask you to be the true gentleman you are and give them your respect.”