The Sheik's Son

by Nicola Italia

  “What are you trying to accomplish?” He eyed her.

  She took a deep, shaky breath. “I lied to you before about the inspector. His visit to our home this morning frightened me more than I wanted to admit. I have been reckless and foolish.”

  “I agree.”

  She paced in front of him and eyed the door. “I don’t know if my father can keep me safe. But with your ties to the duke, I trust you. You are an honorable man.”

  “And?” He probed.

  “As your wife, I would be safe from the inspector.” There, she had said it. Marriage.

  Sebastian watched the rise and fall of her breasts as she inhaled deeply in her distress. He knew already what she was thinking.

  “You don’t think he’s capable of using any means at his disposal?” she asked.

  “I watched him this evening. He doesn’t just want to find the writer. He knows it’s you. He needs proof. He wants to break you. I think he will use any means at his disposal.” He replied.

  “Any means?” Sophie asked.

  Sebastian sighed. For all her intelligence, Sophie was so very innocent in the ways of the world. She had no idea how far a man like the inspector would go. Not only to prove himself, but to break a woman he could never have.

  “Anything, Sophie. Coercion, pain, rape.”

  Sophie felt an icy finger draw along her spine.

  “Yes. He’s a man who enjoys inflicting pain. I think he would take great pleasure in breaking a lady of your class. Ironically, though, your writings benefit the people.”

  “I never thought it would be so bad,” she admitted to him.

  “He is ambitious. Bringing you to heel would be the beginning,” he said softly. “But I can and will protect you,” he told her.

  Sophie felt such relief and that she moved to embrace him and flushed pink. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

  Sebastian felt a huge sense of relief as he looked at her. “Then it is settled.”

  “But I would ask that it be a marriage of convenience,” Sophie explained. “I know this marriage is not what you want. I know I am asking much of you. But once the danger has passed, the marriage can be annulled on the grounds of non-consummation.”

  Sebastian had not expected this. “A marriage of convenience.” He pondered the words.

  “Let us at least have honesty. This is not a marriage of love, but you are helping me, whatever your reasons. We will live together but lead separate lives. I will not burden you in any way. I promise,” she said.

  Sebastian knew that she needed him. That they both felt something for each other was obvious, but she wanted to deny it. He knew the danger the inspector posed was real and grave. He would protect her. If she wanted to keep a pretense of nothing between them, then so be it. He would accept the terms, though living with her day and night would be a form of torture.

  “I accept your terms,” he said.

  “I don’t think we should tell anyone the truth behind the marriage. Everyone must think it is a real marriage. If too many people knew, it might get out,” she said.

  He nodded. “I agree.”

  The couple returned to their families in the small salon and both were united in their desire to wed.

  “Monsieur, I request permission to marry Sophie,” he asked Jean Pierre formally while his parents looked on.

  Jean Pierre watched his daughter closely. “Sophie, is this what you want?”

  “Yes, Father. I want to marry Sebastian. I am not under any pressure,” she assured him.

  “Then if my daughter accepts, I cannot stand in the way. Though she must be married in the Church.” He turned to Mohammed and Katharine.

  Katharine knew that this would be coming, though Mohammed remained silent throughout the entire scene.

  Mohammed spoke to his son in Arabic. “I would speak with you alone.”

  The two men left the room, leaving Katharine to speak with her soon to be daughter-in-law.

  “Madame.” Sophie smiled.

  “Sophie,” she returned and smiled. “I am so pleased that you and my son are to marry.”

  Jean Pierre left the room to give the women privacy.

  “Your son is very special,” Sophie told her.

  “Yes. He had many admirers back in Arabia but none of them tempted him. I think he was waiting to come to Europe to find his bride. And so he has,” she said graciously.

  “I will do my best to make him happy,” Sophie assured Katharine. Though the marriage was false, she wanted his family to like her. She would never want to be the cause of a rift between them.

  “I never thought to see him marry for some time. That you have managed it so soon is an accomplishment in itself.” Katharine smiled.

  “Thank you, madame.”

  “And you are young and beautiful. I expect to have beautiful grandchildren.”

  Sophie smiled and looked away.

  ***

  “What is going on?” Mohammed said bluntly.

  “Father?” Sebastian questioned him.

  “First we send Leila to you, and she has fallen in love with a Frenchman and is to be married. Fine. Leila may marry as she wishes.”

  “But?” Sebastian waited.

  “But you are the next sheik. You don’t have the luxury of marrying where and whom you choose,” Mohammed told him angrily. “You will take over when I am gone and rule over the people of Arabia, settle disputes and see to their safety and well being. It was what you were raised to do.”

  “Really? You chose your bride,” he countered.

  “That was different.”

  “Why? Because it was Mother?”

  “The people have accepted your mother over time and with great patience. Your mother is intelligent and adept at winning people to love her. I sacrificed her safety to marry outside of Islam and it caused a great dissension at the time. You recall she was threatened and almost killed.”

  “Then Mother has paved the way for another foreign woman to sit beside and counsel a sheik. Sophie will be the same. She is intelligent and gracious,” Sebastian said, defending her.

  Mohammed shook his head. “I did not expect this of you.”

  “Am I to choose where I love?”

  Mohammed knew there was something else going on between the two young people but he would not press it. He knew that if his son had set his mind to something, he would not be swayed.

  “Your sister will marry in the church, and I assume it will be the same for you.”

  “I have never been very religious, Father,” Sebastian replied.

  “That is not the point. A sheik cannot be an infidel. You know that.”

  “We can marry quietly. I will find a priest who will marry us without my converting.”

  Mohammed seemed satisfied. “Good.”

  “Father. She is a good woman, much like Mother. She is educated and of a good family.”

  “I am not against Mademoiselle Sophie. I am afraid of losing my only son to France.”

  At this Sebastian finally smiled. “That would never be possible. I know my duty. I know my duty to you, and to Arabia.”

  Mohammed nodded. He smiled as well and clasped his son on the shoulders. “Let us join the ladies.”

  Sebastian was not concerned about the marriage ceremony or converting to Catholicism. In any case, he would only be married long enough to safeguard Sophie and then the marriage would be annulled.

  There were no announcements made that evening at the ball, though two women were about to be married.

  ***

  Etienne’s parents met with Katharine and Mohammed the following day and there were no objections to the marriage. The church wedding was discussed and the dowry was accepted. Leila and Etienne were to be married in the Catholic church nearest Etienne’s family home, as was the custom.

  It was a happy time for the young couple, and Etienne was relaxed and enjoyed the attention as a soon-to-be groom and husband. Leila needed help planning the wedding and banquet after, a
nd Sophie was glad to be included.

  Sophie was another matter entirely. She knew she would not have a large wedding, but that didn’t bother her. Her ceremony would be quiet, with only close family and friends.

  She didn’t worry about taking her marriage vows for life because they would be spoken to save her own life. She worried about her life after the ceremony, when she would share a home with Sebastian. She worried that she had forced him into a corner and she wondered why he had agreed to help with nothing in return. She was wracked with guilt and wanted to smooth things over between them but didn’t know how to do it.

  The next morning she occupied herself by writing thank-you cards to everyone who had attended the ball. Each card contained only two lines, thanking them for attending and saying that the family had enjoyed their company.

  It was tedious but her grandmother insisted on these things. She had made a list and Sophie diligently sent a simple card to each name on the list. Her mind wandered most of the time and when the task was completed, she placed several small stacks of letters in the front hall to be delivered by their footman.

  ***

  After she placed the small stacks of letters in the foyer, she went upstairs and pulled her cream-and-gold gown from the night before out of the armoire. She laid it upon the bed and felt the silk underneath her hands. There would be no time for a new gown, and though everyone else was excited about the marriage, Sophie knew the truth.

  She would not have her father burdened with purchasing a new gown from Madame Darbonne, and in truth, the sooner she was married, the sooner she would begin to feel safe.

  She knew her father was a powerful lawyer but she felt a husband would protect her better, which was why she had ambushed Sebastian.

  She would make sure that she did not add any stress to his life and allow him to live as he had before they married. She would not hurt the one man who had placed himself in peril to protect her.

  ***

  A week later, Sebastian and Sophie married in a small ceremony on the outskirts of Paris. The priest had been paid to perform the ceremony and Sophie wore the gown of cream and gold while Sebastian wore a dark coat and breeches of royal blue.

  Her grandmother, father and Lizette were in attendance, as well as Leila, Etienne and Sebastian’s parents.

  The tiny church was filled with flowers and incense, while Leila had laid laurel leaves outside the church for the bridal path.

  The vows were simple and the couple exchanged rings. Afterwards they returned to Jean Pierre’s home for refreshments and toasts.

  Leila teased her brother about his new status as a bridegroom and Etienne said not to worry, that he would be joining him soon as a married man.

  The couple toasted each other with a two-handled cup and everyone enjoyed the croquet-en-bouche, a mound of bun-like pastries stuffed with cream and shaped like a pyramid.

  Katharine was gracious to her new daughter-in-law while Mohammed kissed her hand and welcomed her into the family.

  Jean Pierre had already engaged the footmen to send all of Sophie’s clothes and belongings to her husband’s home so that she would be comfortable with her surroundings. She had asked her maid, Marie, to accompany her in her new home, and she had agreed.

  Eugenie had been first shocked and then delighted to hear the news of her granddaughter’s impending marriage. Though Luc had seemed interested in Sophie, there had never been a formal engagement. Eugenie was more than happy with the choice of Sebastian, who was handsome, of a good family and could provide for Sophie. Now that the day was upon them, Eugenie spent much of it dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief and sighing.

  As the well-wishers departed, Sophie and Sebastian made their way to their new home. To give the newlyweds time to themselves, Leila had joined her parents in their rented home while the new couple had Sebastian’s house to themselves.

  Chapter 20

  Sebastian had ordered the fireplace in the front salon lit for their return home. It was a warm, comfortable room with several bedrooms upstairs. He had not chosen a room for Sophie but instead left the decision up to her.

  The day had been long, with the small ceremony in the mid-morning followed by the wedding reception at Sophie’s father’s home. The long rounds of toasts from everyone had been exhausting and he could tell she was fatigued.

  Sebastian removed the long cape from Sophie’s shoulders and handed it to the butler. She shuddered and he ushered her to sit before the warm fire.

  “Come. You’re cold,” he said.

  She felt his hands upon her neck, massaging it gently, and she closed her eyes. She was tired. Today had been a long day. Though they had married for convenience, everyone around them had been thrilled for them so she had had to fake an excitement she had not felt. It had been draining. The day had lacked the joy she had hoped one day to feel on her real marriage day, and it saddened her.

  “Thank you.” She looked up at him; his eyes were dark and his face devoid of emotion.

  He turned to stoke the fire and then poured two small brandies, handing her one glass and taking the other for himself.

  “Well, today is over,” he said with finality, sipping his drink.

  “Yes.”

  He watched as she began to take out her hair pins, one after the other. As each coil of auburn hair fell down her back, he remembered that morning at the chateau when he had touched her hair with his fingers. The texture was soft as silk. He swallowed and looked into the fire.

  “Are you happy or sorry it’s over?” he asked absently. It was suddenly sinking in that she was his lawful wife.

  “Happy or sorry?” She pondered the question. “I’m neither. I’m grateful.”

  “Grateful?” he asked, startled.

  “Yes. Not many men would marry a woman to keep her safe, receiving nothing in return.”

  Sebastian smiled. “Your safety is my reward. And it won’t be forever, Sophie. Only until the madness with the inspector dies down.”

  She smiled at him. “Yes, I know.”

  “Come. I’ll show you the rooms and you can pick the one you like best.”

  They made their way up the staircase from the downstairs foyer and onto the landing of the second floor. The house was quiet, as early evening had set in. The shadows along the walls from the sun reminded Sophie of the days she had spent at the chateau and the night she had accidentally spent with Sebastian.

  “Do you ever think of that night at the chateau?” she asked him.

  Sebastian almost smiled, as he had just minutes before remembered it. “Yes,” he said, but didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask him to.

  One room was decorated in cool blue tones and another in gold. A room at the end of the hallway was decorated in peach and green, which was pleasant, but she liked the blue room the best.

  “The blue room,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes. Why?”

  “No reason.”

  Sebastian’s room was next to the blue room and the rooms had an adjoining door between them. He had Sophie’s trunks brought into the room.

  “This room adjoins with the next room. You can lock the door easily.”

  “Do I need to lock it?” She looked puzzled.

  “I’m in the next room,” he said simply.

  “Do I need to lock you out?” she asked. “I trust you.”

  You shouldn’t, he thought.

  “Good night, Sophie.”

  “Good night, Sebastian.”

  ***

  Sebastian slipped into bed naked, his warm skin a sharp contrast against the cool bedclothes. He was a bridegroom and this was his wedding night. But he would remain alone in his bed and Sophie would remain untouched in the next room. He was not bitter. He had not married her to gain a bride in the traditional sense.

  Still, he keenly felt the sense of wanting her yet not being able to have her. He had not visited Juliette in some time, so the desire for Sophie was high
. It was a strange sensation to be a married man yet be completely removed from his bride. He knew the attraction between them was strong but he knew equally that Sophie had set the terms and he must abide them. He also felt strongly that their attraction went beyond the bounds of mere sexuality. He wanted her, but he also wanted to claim her as his own and protect her.

  He knew that as long as the inspector eventually learned that she was married and that she was not to be trifled with, she would be safe. That was all that mattered.

  ***

  Sophie changed into her simple linen shift with a drawstring neck and sat before her vanity table. She gazed into the mirror as she combed her hair free of tangles. She glanced briefly at the door that separated her room from Sebastian’s but she heard nothing. He would not come into her room without knocking, and he had no reason to visit her.

  She had been completely up-front about the terms of their marriage and he would not expect anything more. She set the brush aside and moved toward her bed. Once she settled under the bedclothes she turned on her side to face the door that connected her room to her new husband’s. What would he do if she entered the door and went to him? She almost laughed at the thought. What would she do? She watched the door silently for what seemed like an hour before she drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  The next morning, Leila and Sophie went shopping. Leila spent much of the time chattering about her upcoming wedding while Sophie listened. She was happy for her sister-in-law, whom she found to be lively and easy to talk to. She knew that she was in love with Etienne and that they were marrying to create a life together.

  “You seem out of sorts, Sophie. Is my brother that demanding at night?” Leila asked.

  “Leila!” Sophie gasped in outrage.

  “Oh, Sophie. I’m not an innocent. My father breeds horses and I’ve been with Etienne.”

  “You have?” she asked, shocked.

  “Yes. I always wanted Etienne. Since the first time I met him, I loved him. I knew if I compromised myself that I would have him. I didn’t dare hope that he loved me as well. But he did.” She smiled happily.

  “I’m very happy for you, Leila.”

  “Don’t let my brother bully you. He’s been raised to rule after my father. But he can be kind and generous.” Leila spoke fondly of her brother.