The Sheik and the Slave

“Don’t be difficult, Kat. You must know I mean Thomas.”

“I’m not being difficult, and he is a fine man. I just haven’t looked at him that way,” she said as she pulled the thread through the cloth.

Francie sighed as she stared at her beautiful fri

end.

“I have been so worried about you. Your father was kind enough to invite me here to stay. I think he wanted me to help you through this,” she said to Kat.

“Yes, dear Father. He has been very good to me. I sometimes think I don’t deserve it,” Kat added.

“Why ever not?” Francie asked. She looked at the blonde, with her cutting cheekbones and rosebud lips, and thought that, if anyone, she should have everything she desired.

“Because. Because I am a fallen woman who gave my virtue stupidly away to a man I loved. And then I was discarded like trash. I am embarrassment to my family,” she said. Kat didn’t meet Francie’s eyes.

“Katharine! That’s monstrous! Never say that again!” Francie exclaimed. She moved quickly to sit by her friend. “Your father loves you! And no matter that your mother may be harsh and uncompromising, you deserve happiness. You thought he loved you.”

“Yes, I thought he loved me. I thought we would marry, and our lives would be together and happy,” she said, as she looked down at her hands. “I’m a foolish woman,” she added.

“No, Kat. Not foolish, just blinded by love. But you shall rally. And you and I will find our happiness,” Francie said encouragingly. She took her friend’s hands in hers. “We will.”

***

Katharine continued to spend long stretches of time alone during the day, at twilight, and in the early morning. She especially loved twilight before evening as the sun set in the west and the sky turned different shades of pink and red. She was often alone, but several times Thomas joined her. They walked together and Thomas would talk while she listened. She had little to say these days.

Thomas had not wanted to leave the manor house when he saw Katharine in such raw pain and he felt he might be of some use. He also read her books of poetry and enjoyed being in her company. It was one such twilight evening that they strolled along the gardens and Katharine listened as he relayed a letter from his father.

“I think I will return to London soon,” he said in an offhand manner

“Really? I am sorry to hear that,” she told him.

“You would miss me, Lady Katharine?”

“We would all miss you, Thomas,” she returned.

“Would you miss me, Katharine?” Thomas asked. She turned to stare at him and their eyes met.

“Yes. I would miss you. I enjoy your company,” she said.

“You like that I read to you and play the escort for you?”

She smiled.

“I do.”

“I don’t mind performing a part, if it pleases you,” he replied.

“Not performing, surely. You are simply being a gentleman.”

“I am. And I am dedicated to your service,” he said. He spoke sincerely.

“You are gallant,” she replied.

A small tendril of golden hair had moved over her face. He moved closer to her, plucked the tendril from her, and placed it behind her ear.

“Thomas,” she whispered.

“Katharine.”