The Sheik and the Slave

His fingers lightly touched her cheek and he moved to kiss her forehead in a sweet gesture. She didn’t move away from him, and when she didn’t, he moved slowly to touch his lips with hers. His fingers moved along her neck until she broke the kiss.

“Please don’t be angry,” he said to her.

“I’m not angry,” she said as she moved ahead of him.

“Katharine?”

“No, truly, Thomas. I’m not angry,” she said. But before he turned away, he saw the tears in her eyes.

Katharine had not been expecting Thomas to kiss her, but she had been willing to allow it. But as his lips touched hers and his fingers caressed her, she had remembered a far different place in Arabia, when she had been in the garden and the sheik had come upon her.

When she pulled away from Thomas, she would have sold her soul to have Mohammed staring at her with those dark, intense eyes that could weaken her so easily. Then, she realized that she must learn to live without him. She felt the tears start again as she walked back to the house.

Thomas knew it had been too soon to kiss her, but he had become infatuated with Katharine; the more time he spent with her, the more he fell under her spell. Perhaps it was for the best that he return to London.

Chapter 25

The next day, Lord Edward approached Thomas and told him that he was also returning to London and that, if she had no objections, he would like Katharine to accompany them.

He had seen how venomous Anne was to his youngest daughter and he wanted her to have some time away from the manor house.

He had already spoken to Abigail, who would be invited along with the child. She had agreed. Katharine was very taken with the older woman and he knew she, in turn, doted upon his daughter and grandson.

He had no control over Anne and her attitude and neglect of her grandson; he thought her treatment of her daughter was reprehensible. As mistress of the house, she had cause to set an example, but instead she was vicious and cruel. He worried the servants might become neglectful of Katharine as well.

Time spent in London would help. Katharine needed diversions and he had watched Thomas be attentive and kind to her. He saw a growing attachment on the man’s part, but knew his daughter was still healing. Thomas was the sort of man to take her mind off things.

Together, the four adults and child traveled back from the country to London. The townhouse was a welcome change, and Katharine began to relax and enjoy herself. She was invited to parties and balls, and Thomas offered to escort her, which she accepted.

She chose a deep lavender silk dress, with pearls at her throat and ears, for their first evening out. Her father accompanied them, and when they arrived there was a crush of people. She noticed some openly staring at her, mostly women who were sizing her up. She felt the men’s eyes on her as well and probably for a completely different reason. They assumed she was a loose woman and would easily tumble into bed with them. Let them try, she mused. They would soon learn the truth. She was done being a pawn. She would play the game the way she wanted to.

The musicians were already playing and the tables she saw were burdened with mutton, poultry, cold sweets, fruit, and decadent pastries arranged in an attractive manner. Thomas was speaking with her brother Charles and she saw her father move to speak with their host.

Thomas took her arm and together they walked along the ballroom. He was dressed that evening as an earl’s son in a silk mint green and cream frock coat with matching breeches. The color complimented his hair and eyes.

“You are breathtaking, Katharine,” he told her secretively in her ear and she laughed.

“Thomas! Shame on you! People will think things if you lean in as if to kiss me,” she said boldly, flirting with him.

“Really? Will they?” he flirted back.

She nodded once.

He moved closer, his lips touching her ear this time.

“I want them to think that,” he said.

He was bold, but Katharine enjoyed his sudden boldness. A Minuet began and Thomas touched her arm.

“Lady?” he asked, motioning toward the dance floor.

She smiled and they joined the other couples in the middle of the floor as the music for the Minuet began. She held hands with Thomas as they moved across the floor. She glided across the floor and felt so many eyes upon her. She weaved in through the couples, touching other people’s hands as they danced, and then she curtseyed to Thomas across the room from him. He carried himself well, and when the music finally ended, she realized how much she had enjoyed herself.

When she and her father returned home almost at daybreak, she felt giddy and excited. The light outside was grey and the fog encircled the house. She stepped out of the coach as her father preceded her into the house.

Katharine turned to smile at the new day and the lightness she felt. In the fog and dim grey light, she saw a man standing across the street. He wore a royal blue frock coat with brown breeches and stood silho

uetted against the oil lamps in the street.