The Sheik's Son

“When do you return to Paris?” he asked.

“Two days. I thought Grand-mère might ask to go back sooner after the fiasco with the duke, but no. She seems fine.”

“It was a misunderstanding.”

Sophie smiled. “Yes. I recall your own misunderstanding. You and the duke have such horrible manners for Englishmen.”

“Well I’m only half English, so it can’t be that.”

Sophie smiled, “Only half English? And the other half?”

“Something mysterious and far away,” he said, teasing her.

“Mysterious and far away. German?” she guessed.

Sebastian laughed. “Farther.”

She pondered. “Hungarian. You’re a Hungarian count!” She smiled down at him.

“No, and farther.” He smiled back.

“Russia! You are the firstborn son of the czar!” she proclaimed.

“Brat!” He touched his finger to her chin and she giggled. But then his finger moved to caress her cheek and she turned her head from him.

“Not a czar,” she said in a serious tone and he moved his hand away from her, sitting up.

“Not a Czar,” he echoed. But I am the son of a great sheik, he wanted to tell her.

Leila heard the exchange and wondered why it was so important that he not tell people of their background. As he was the eldest male, she would not go against him. He must have his reasons. She excused herself and walked back to the house with Germaine. He watched the two wom

en leave, as did Sophie. She closed her eyes tightly.

“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

“I meant what I said before in your room. That list that you wrote—you must not pursue it.”

“I may not educate myself?” she asked.

“No. Of course I didn’t mean that. I will even help in any way I can. I’m sure Madame Necker would be at your disposal as well.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I meant you cannot write about these things. At least not in a pamphlet.”

“I write things that I am passionate about. Things that I feel are important. At this time I only want to educate myself.”

“And should you become impassioned about these new subjects? What then?”

“I will write about them.”

He shook his head. “Sophie.”

“Would you like that I show you the pamphlet before I send it to print? Assuming I do write about it.”

Sophie had no intention of stopping any pamphlet she would write based on his opinions. She didn’t think there would be anything wrong with writing about such things. But if it satisfied him that he should see it beforehand, she would do that.