The Sheik's Son

by Nicola Italia

  But the more he pondered his assignment, the more he realized it might be the key to what he had been craving for so many years. For there was only one thing that Vennard truly wanted—and that was power.

  ***

  Sophie nibbled on the end of her quill pen. She had heard comments about the pamphlet from several people that day and none of them were good.

  Her father called the piece “revolutionary trash” while Lizette’s father called it “garbage.” She didn’t take much stock in her grandmother’s opinion, but added the word “rubbish” to her mental list. She was suddenly very worried about the pamphlet and began a letter to Monsieur Blanche, asking him to print no more copies of it, but then stopped herself.

  She should be more circumspect. Despite her reluctance, she knew in retrospect that she should have given the pamphlet to Sebastian to read before sending it to the printers. She had been rash and excited at the new information and had wanted to write her thoughts and emotions on paper. But she should have waited.

  She set the quill pen aside. She would wait until everything had died down. After the ball she would see how she felt then, but for now, she would write no more.

  ***

  Madame Necker read the pamphlet and admired it greatly. She had come to suspect Sophie was Jean Inconnu and she was deeply proud of her. She had become convinced at the chateau when she witnessed Sophie defend her position against the intellectual men.

  It was gratifying for her to see Sophie was learning and growing to understand the underlying issues affecting France. But she was also treading a dangerous path, and Madame Necker knew she must speak to Sophie at the upcoming ball. She had made her point with the pamphlet and now people were talking, but for her own safety, she must cease writing.

  ***

  Sebastian clenched his teeth in anger. Sophie was trying to get herself killed; that was the only logical outcome he could imagine. He had read the pamphlet several times, and factually it was correct and he could not fault it. But that she had placed these items on paper and had it printed was beyond anything he could imagine.

  Dorset had brought it to his attention that the inspector in the district was looking for the printer to find the writer. He knew that the pamphlet was gaining attention and people were talking about it. Her words were on their lips and the attention she was generating was for the people in a time when Paris was becoming more unstable. The authorities would want her to cease writing. He didn’t think they would do anything to her, but he was not sure of anything anymore.

  He would see her at the upcoming ball and talk to her. Sophie must see reason.

  Chapter 16

  Sophie and Luc strolled next to each other in the Jardin des Tuileries while Eugenie followed at a respectable distance as chaperone. The Jardin had been a royal garden until author Charles Perrault of Sleeping Beauty requested it be opened to the public. It was the first royal garden to do so.

  The date of her ball was growing near and Sophie was excited for it, but she was also in a state of great concern. She knew more and more people were talking about the pamphlet and those in her circle of acquaintances did not agree at all with her writings. They thought it to be the writings of a bourgeoisie who had no understanding of the true workings of government and the monarchy.

  Then, late one evening, she heard her father with a colleague discussing the pamphlet over a glass of brandy. It was the first time she learned that there was an inspector in the district tasked with finding the identity of the printer. Once the printer was found, they would find the writer.

  The conversation did nothing to quiet her thoughts and she was concerned about being discovered. How many printers were in Paris? How long before they found Monsieur Blanche? She was certain he would be tracked down in a short amount of time. But all he would be able to say was that the pamphlets were written by a Jean Inconnu and the go-between was a maid named Marie. Certainly there must be a thousand maids in Paris named Marie, so she felt relatively safe.

  “So I decided to enjoy myself on a Grand Tour,” Luc was saying as they walked together.

  Sophie held her parasol casually as she looked about the park. She glanced over her shoulder and saw her grandmother at a polite distance, carrying her own parasol and watching the couple discretely.

  Sophie wore a linen gown of blue and white stripes with a square neckline and elbow-length sleeves. Her grandmother was dressed in a similar gown of royal blue with pink embroidery along the scooped neckline. Sophie studied Luc from the corner of her eye and noticed the cream-colored silk coat, waistcoat and breeches adorned with silver embroidery and cream hose. His shoes bore silver buckles and he cut a resplendent figure.

  “I shall travel to Geneva and then on to Turin.” He sniffed and smiled disdainfully as an elderly couple passed them in the opposite direction.

  Sophie nodded and thought his elaborate dress more befitted her friend Lizette than a man. She had never really bothered to notice male attire before she had met Sebastian, but when she looked over the satin dress of Luc, she thought of Sebastian’s woolen coat and breeches. He always seemed so masculine and radiated a sensuality that was most becoming.

  “I will also visit Florence to study the Renaissance paintings and Roman sculptures,” Luc said with a sense of superiority.

  “Indeed,” she murmured in response.

  He nodded in agreement. “Yes. I’m quite looking forward to it, and of course, my father will pay for the entire journey.”

  Sophie had been entirely willing to have her father and grandmother search for a male of the right age to consider as marriage potential. But so far, it hadn’t gone well: her father’s colleague was still in love with his deceased wife and young Luc seemed to be in love with himself.

  “Ah, mademoiselle, do you mind? I see some friends that I would like to acknowledge.” He asked permission to leave her side.

  “Of course.” Sophie watched Luc leave to join three young men and she came to stand next to her grandmother.

  “He seems quite animated,” Eugenie remarked.

  “Yes. Quite.” Sophie watched the men chuckle at a distance.

  Eugenie caught the tone in Sophie’s voice. “Most men are entirely too selfish, my dear. Your father is not such a man. But many are.”

  “I suppose they are. But does that mean I must settle?” She shaded her eyes with her parasol.

  Eugenie sighed. “What on earth do you want, Sophie? You want to discuss Plato with your husband?”

  “No, Grand-mère. But neither do I want a simpering boy who talks only of himself and dresses like a dandy.”

  “Mademoiselle Gauvreau.”

  She heard the voice and turned.

  It took Sophie a moment to take in the handsome man and his sister. She smiled and addressed each. “Monsieur Fairfax. Mademoiselle Fairfax.” She nodded to Sebastian and his sister Leila.

  Sebastian in turn nodded to Sophie and her grandmother, who remembered both siblings from the time spent at the chateau.

  Leila looked lovely in a lilac-colored gown while Sebastian was dressed in chocolate-hued breeches and a merlot coat.

  “I saw you from a distance and wanted to wish you both a good afternoon,” he said smoothly while taking up Luc’s place beside Sophie. They strolled the lane with Leila and Eugenie trailing behind them.

  Sebastian looked over at Sophie and wanted to bring up the pamphlet but didn’t want to upset her or her grandmother, whom he was certain knew nothing about it.

  “Sophie?”

  “Yes?” She turned her face to his and he stopped. He would speak with her later when there was no audience to overhear. He would find a time at the ball to make her see reason.

  “Thank you for the invitation to the ball. Leila and I are both looking forward to it,” he told her instead.

  “Of course. I hope it will be a success.”

  “It will be,” he assured her.

  Leila caught up to the couple and reminded him of an engagement
they had and he nodded.

  “Until the ball, mademoiselle. Madame.” He nodded to both Sophie and Eugenie before they left.

  “Such a handsome man,” Eugenie remarked, and Sophie watched as the brother and sister moved away.

  “Yes, he is.”

  When Luc re-joined them, Sophie felt as though she had lost a diamond and claimed a topaz.

  “Where were we?” he asked.

  ***

  Lizette picked up another lemon cookie and held it in her plump hand before devouring it. She watched as Sophie moved about the room restlessly. She stood next to the chair, then walked to the small couch, and finally stood next to the large windows that overlooked the street below. Sophie knew about the pamphlet and its outcome and that most people in their circle were not amused.

  Lizette sipped the warm tea and then licked her lips. Another cookie would not harm her appetite. She picked it up and bit into the sweet pastry covered in powdered sugar. It was a delicious blend of sweet and tart.

  “Sophie. Are you joining me? Or am I to watch you pace the room like a caged tiger?” she teased.

  “Of course not. Forgive me.” Sophie moved away from the window and sat across from her friend.

  “Sophie. What is it? Is it the pamphlet? It will die down. You’ve told me so yourself.”

  Sophie nodded. “It’s true.” But what if she had crossed the line, she wondered. What if this time, she had made a mistake that could not be undone? She had berated herself for being rash, and this time she truly meant it.

  “Sophie. It’s just a pamphlet,” Lizette said, shrugging as she reached for her teacup, and in those words, Sophie knew her dear friend did not understand.

  Lizette was not educated and could not comprehend the power of words, as Sophie had begun to realize. It was in that moment that Sophie knew one thing with clear certainty: she would not stop writing. She could not. In fact, her next pamphlet would be even more bold.

  The things she was learning and writing about must be relayed to the people of Paris and France. As she was educating herself, so she would educate them.

  “Yes. You’re right. It’s just a pamphlet,” she said softly to appease her friend.

  ***

  Her next pamphlet she titled “An Urgent Notice.”

  She wrote that afternoon in haste as the ideas spilled from her.

  “The state is ruined; it waits for its salvation from the French, or at least from those that are the wisest and most respected in the Kingdom. The Nation is troubled by internal discord. Tempers are rising, insistent once again, and all is becoming hopeless.”

  She would not let fear rule her and she would not be concerned about an inspector making inquiries. She would be found or she would not be, but that would not be the deciding factor in her writings. She would not stop for fear of being caught.

  She finished the pamphlet and let the ink dry on the page before she re-read it and rang for Marie.

  When the maid appeared, Sophie gave her different instructions. “Give this to someone you trust, perhaps your ten-year-old nephew. Have him deliver it to the printer. D’accord?”

  A frown appeared on Marie’s face but she nodded. “Oui, mademoiselle.”

  Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. If the printer had been identified, they would be looking for a young maid, not a boy. She would keep Marie safe, if not herself.

  ***

  Unbeknownst to Sophie, once Monsieur Blanche received the new pamphlet he and his apprentice worked during the day and night to have the “Urgent Notice” published and on the streets of Paris by the next morning.

  Monsieur Blanche had received such a favorable response to the previous pamphlets written by Jean Inconnu that he had been excited to receive another one. He was not at all picky on the subjects that he printed, only that they aroused the people to think and perhaps make a difference.

  He had his suspicions about the true identity of the writer but he didn’t give it much thought.

  As the sun streaked across Paris, the pamphlet was being distributed and people were already talking about it.

  ***

  Following a night of drink and cards at Juliette’s, Sebastian and Etienne walked through the quiet Paris streets. Sebastian rebuked himself for being distant and cold with the madam. He had completed the act, giving them both pleasure, but he was merely going through the motions. She was a woman who was willing and he enjoyed the release, but it was not fair to her. Every time he held her or touched her he ached to see alabaster skin and hazel eyes set in an oval face. He wanted long auburn hair falling down her back and her cool skin against his.

  Eventually he would need to make a decision. He could not continue to use Juliette. It was wrong. In the past, they had each been a part of the sexual act and had enjoyed it. Now, it was simply a way for Sebastian to achieve release and nothing else. It felt hollow and empty.

  Etienne said little as they walked and each man was deep in thought when Sebastian saw the pamphlet on the ground. Someone must have dropped it, he thought, and he picked it up as Etienne slowed beside him.

  He read the words and they almost blurred in front of his eyes.

  “Damn her!” he cursed lowly.

  “What is it?” Etienne looked over at the harmless pamphlet that his friend had stooped to retrieve.

  “Damn.” He cursed again, but this time louder and with more anger.

  “What?” Etienne was confused.

  “Nothing,” Sebastian said, stuffing the pamphlet into his coat pocket.

  Etienne would have pressed his friend for an answer but his mind had been on the night before and the mounting desire he felt for Leila.

  He had come to Sebastian’s home in the carriage to take them both to Juliette’s that evening. While waiting for Sebastian, Leila had come downstairs wearing a simple gown that hung about her body. The fabric didn’t cling to her but he remembered in perfect detail the curves hidden beneath.

  “Monsieur Pousson,” she greeted him.

  “Mademoiselle Fairfax.” He nodded but edged away from her as she entered the salon.

  “I haven’t seen you in awhile,” she said.

  As it was the evening, she was dressed simply with her brown hair pulled back. She looked very young. He moved to the small bar and poured himself a brandy with a shaking hand.

  “Is that to fortify yourself?” she whispered behind him.

  “Leila.” He turned to her. “That weekend at the chateau was a mistake. My only regret was that I behaved so badly. You were innocent.” He was in turmoil.

  Leila smiled. “I was a virgin. No longer, thanks to you.”

  Etienne cringed. It was vulgar. “I’m sorry. I took advantage.”

  “Etienne. I imagine you think this is your fault because you are older and more worldly. However, I wanted you, and I usually get what I want. And I did. I regret nothing.” She shook her head.

  Etienne was torn. He felt such remorse and wanted to approach her brother, admit all and take the consequences, even if it meant a duel to the death. The other part of him wanted to drag her onto the floor and feel her tight walls close around him again.

  “Leila.” It almost came out in a groan.

  “Stop torturing yourself. It’s unseemly.” She moved to him and touched his face with the back of her hand. She let her hand wander down his chest until it was in front of his breeches. He closed his eyes. She stroked him through the material, causing him to harden.

  “My only true regret is that I can’t have you again. Married women have so much more freedom than unmarried ones.” She sighed deeply.

  They both heard Sebastian coming down the stairs and moved apart. “Ready?” he asked as he entered the room.

  Etienne downed another brandy and then cast a long look at Leila. “Yes.”

  ***

  Later that week, Eugenie was to accompany Sophie to a Mozart piano concerto at the Theatre de l’Odeon. Several pieces by the composer would be performed and Luc would attend.
Sophie had been preoccupied all day after she learned that the printer had rushed to have her pamphlet ready for distribution. She knew several people were talking about it and she was concerned about the response.

  She was dressed in a lemon-colored gown with a scooped neckline, and her grandmother was in blue and grey dress. The carriage moved forward in line to drop them off at the entrance. The pair entered the theater quickly as a light rain was falling.

  Sophie passed by the cloakroom and remembered Sebastian’s mouth on hers and their play of words. It seemed to be their way. They sparred, but nothing was ever settled or accomplished. She noticed Lizette with her father and smiled at them.

  Several people she knew stood in the lobby, and she recognized Leila and Sebastian’s friend Etienne standing nearby as well. She breathed in a sigh of relief. Though Leila was standing near Etienne, she did not see Sebastian.

  She watched the throng of people move forward and Luc was at her elbow, behaving attentively to her. He was courteous to both Sophie and Eugenie and offered to get them both a glass of champagne. Sophie admitted to herself that she enjoyed the attention.

  Their box overlooked the stage and Eugenie took the choicest seat at the edge of the balcony, which never bothered Sophie. She liked to sit in the second row and survey the stage and audience at her leisure.

  ***

  Sebastian was late in arriving and had asked Etienne to accompany his sister to the concert. For Etienne it was a pleasure and a curse, and all the more damning because he knew Leila enjoyed tormenting him. Any small move could cause him to shudder and she did it all on purpose.

  A low neckline made even lower when Leila bent over to retrieve her fan from the floor caused him to crush his program in his hand. She merely smiled and eyed the poor program’s destruction. She brushed the back of Etienne’s hand innocently in conversation and he swallowed lightly. He moved his chair away from hers and she watched him with eyes like smoldering sapphires.