Mohammed had understood everything Edward said until the end.
“What has changed? What has happened? I love Katharine now more than ever. And knowing that we have a son means everything to me. She will be my wife,” he told Edward forcefully.
Edward sighed.
“And what of your other wife and son? We must stop this. I will never allow Katharine to become a second wife, which is little more than a prostitute, and if you know anything at all about my daughter, you know that she will never accept that!” He slammed his glass down upon the mahogany table.
“What did you say?” Mohammed set his glass down softly.
“Son. Go back home. I promise you I will take the greatest of care with my grandson. He will have everything I can give him. But my daughter you cannot have.”
Mohammed placed a hand out to Edward to stop him.
“No. What did you say about a son and wife?”
Edward tried to keep his patience.
“You must return to Arabia and take care of your son and wife. They are all that is important right now. Katharine will be looked after.”
“What wife? What son?” Mohammed asked. It seemed the older man was losing his mind.
Edward stalked over to his large mahogany desk.
“This game is very tiresome, Mohammed. Katharine knows. We all know. She has been heartbroken. But if you persist in this charade, here.”
Edward found the letter that had been mailed from Abdullah to the Mother Superior and in turn had been given to Katharine.
Mohammed scanned the small letter quickly and felt a cold seep into him. He read it several times over before it began to sink in.
Dear Madame –
We received your letter regarding the Lady Katharine and are pleased to hear that she is well. However, Princess Safiya has recently announced her pregnancy and the Sheik is making arrangements for the birth of his legitimate first born son to his wife. Inshallah.
The wedding is being planned and is a great event as it joins two great families. The bloodlines will be ensured once the child is born to the Sheik.
Peace and blessings be upon you.
Your servant,
“This is a lie,” Mohammed told Edward quietly.
“What?” Edward asked. He jerked around to face Mohammed.
“This entire letter is a fabrication,” Mohammed said. He sat down on the sofa. “The girl in question was invited to the palace. Not by me. I was very worried for Katharine and this girl was invited over with her family. There was food and dancing. I don’t remember much of the evening.”
“Go on,” Edward encouraged him.
Mohammed shook his head.
“I didn’t feel well. I felt sick. But the girl, Safiya, danced for me.”
He briefly recalled that night when the dark-haired beauty was dancing and suddenly her hair was blonde like the desert.
“I remember seeing Katharine dancing before me and I ached to hold her,” he said.
Mohammed closed his eyes and tried to recall that night.
“I remember lying on top the girl and blacking out.”