The Sheik and the Slave

His frame was masculine and he wore a wide-brimmed hat that hid his face. Katharine clutched her small bag and looked for her father, who had gone inside. She wasn’t frightened, as she could easily call for help should she need it. But there was something familiar in the way he stood, almost arrogantly. She shook her head and moved her dress to help her walk inside. As she took the steps to the front door, she glanced over her shoulder.

He was still there, and he seemed to be staring at her in a blatant fashion. She wanted to confront him, but knew the whole thing was foolish. He was not there for her. She had just arrived. He was meeting someone, perhaps. Though she wondered why he would be standing there, waiting at such an early time. But then, she was there as well.

She turned this time, entered the townhouse, and closed the door behind her.

When she made her way up to her bed chamber, she eased herself toward the large windows and looked out into the street. There was no one there. She was imagining things. She shed her clothes and settled into bed, smiling as she did.

Everything was looking bright again.

***

The entire trip from Arabia to England had been a nightmare. The ship had become a breeding ground for disease, and scurvy had developed among the sailors. Dysentery and pneumonia set in, and several of the men died. Their bodies were dumped overboard at sea. The water had been rationed, and the stench from unwashed bodies and the sickness had been overwhelming at times. Though he had tried to remain alone on the ship to stave off sickness, it had not possible.

Halfway during the voyage, Abdullah became ill with pneumonia. He began to run a fever and had a hard time breathing. By the time they landed on the coast of England, he was very ill.

The ship’s captain took pity on the foreigner and brought him to a local inn and left him there. He was kind enough to pay several weeks lodging for the man and ask that he be looked after.

As Abdullah’s mind raced with crazed imaginings in his fevered brain, the one thought he held onto was that he had to recover so he could choke the life out of the white witch.

***

That morning, Katharine played chess with her father, walked along the green with Abigail and her son, and dined in with her family and Thomas.

She settled into a relaxed routine, and Edward was relieved to see her face calm and smooth from pain.

She and Thomas walked along Hyde Park and mixed freely with the other couples. The beauty and green of the park reminded her of home. Thomas tucked her arm into his.

That evening, she played backgammon and spent time with her beloved son. It was this quiet evening that Abigail approached her.

“I think it’s time that I return to the Abbey, dear,” she remarked. “I have been gone too long. I need to return to my duties.”

Katharine had been quietly reading in her father’s sitting room and was shocked at the words.

“Abigail, no! What I mean to say is, must you? I will be lost without you,” Katharine said.

Abigail, still clad in her religious garb, came toward Katharine.

“Dearest Katharine,” she said. “It has been a pleasure to know you and your son and to watch as you have been reunited with your father. Now you are taking another direction, and I think you may be married soon.”

“What?” she asked. Katharine looked confused but then understood. “Oh, no, Abigail. Thomas is a dear friend. But marriage? No, I am not ready for marriage. And he has not even hinted at it.”

“Nevertheless,” Abigail replied. “You are a lovely woman and Thomas seems smitten. He will fill your empty heart and be a good father to your son.”

“Please! I know you serve God and that is a high calling, but is there nothing I can do to make you stay? You have a permanent place here. With my son and, when he grows older, with me. You are welcome, most welcome, here. You are loved,” Kat said. Tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, Katharine,” she said as her grey eyes twinkled. “You have been the dearest thing to me and like a true daughter. Your son is charming and I adore him, but I have duties to fulfill at the Abbey and must see to them. You understand?”

“Of course. I’m being selfish. Forgive me,” she said. She clasped the woman tightly to her in an embrace. “I love you, dearest Abigail. I will stay in touch with you.”

“I love you too, Katharine. You and your son will always be in my prayers,” Abigail replied. She touched Katharine’s face with her hand.

***

Once Abigail returned to her Abbey, the house seemed quieter. Katharine missed the older woman dearly. A nurse was obtained to look after her son, and Katharine spent time with him in the park and at night. He was a darling and she doted on him.

One evening, Katharine dressed slowly in a cream-colored silk dress with roses and vines encircling the stomacher, skirt, and at the elbows. The neckline was square, with lace along the edges. It was a beautiful dress, and she wore it with her diamond necklace and earrings.

Thomas wore a deep purple frock coat and breeches, with yellow flowers etched along the edges at the wrists. His clothes were impeccable and elegant, and she was proud that he was at her side.