The Sultan's Bride

by Ariadne Wayne

  Chapter 21

  When the carriage came to a stop she woke, smelling the sea air conjured up memories of her childhood, the one the Sultan had stolen from her and Catherine’s eyes filled with tears at the reminder of the last time she was in this place.

  Escorted aboard a ship she made her way to her cabin, it was small and the bed wasn’t the most comfortable but it would do for the journey home. She was weary, now she had somewhere to lay her head she realised just how weary she was and she hoped above everything that the baby did not want to make its appearance while she was at sea.

  Vaguely remembering the seasickness from the sea journey so long ago Catherine feared this return trip, the nausea of early pregnancy had long since faded but coping with the increasing strain that pregnancy was putting on her body was enough without the addition of something new.

  There was a knock on the door and one of the guards from the palace stood in the door. ‘Omar said you would need this when you arrived home, I visited a lady I know near the port to see if she could help. I hope this fits.’ He handed her a gown, the type that a lady in London might wear.

  Briefly she wondered what the fashions were like there now, would she fit in? Then she laughed at the insanity of the thought. She had not touched foot in England for 12 years, and they could all be wearing the flowing gowns they wore in Ajara now for all she knew.

  All the same she accepted the gown from the guard and settled into the cabin ready for the ship to cast off. The envoy had sailed the day before so would make sure they were there to greet her when she arrived.

  Alena had packed several items of clothing for her, several much less revealing than the usual robes she wore but she stayed in the cabin for the duration of the trip and rested. Even being on board was tiring and she wished that she had been able to make the trip after the baby had been born. By the time she arrived home the baby would nearly be ready to be born, if it didn’t arrive early aboard the ship. It would take two months to get there and by then she would be seven months pregnant.

  When the captain told her they would be arriving that day she picked up the gown she’d been given and examined it. It not had been selected for its fit, but was not too tight. Nevertheless it was not what she was used to wearing, not flowing and comfortable, it looked stiff and awkward.

  It was pretty, a deep blue colour it matched her eyes and the trimming in velvet felt soft to the touch.

  Pulling it over her head the fabric flowed down her body and the bump of her baby looked almost hidden by the folds of the skirt. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders she made sure the bed was made neatly and her bag was packed before stepping on deck to see the ship arrive at the dock.

  Waiting at the dock was the envoy, she recognised him from one of the Sultan’s meetings and a couple, looking anxious. The man was tall and thin with grey hair now where once it had been brown, a serious expression on his face. The woman was wringing her hands and her brow was furrowed as she looked over the deck of the ship. For the first time in nearly 12 years Catherine Stanton saw her parents and as her eyes locked with her mother’s the woman stepped forward towards the gangplank.

  Catherine was escorted from the ship by the captain and then led by the envoy to her parents. ‘Catherine,’ her mother exclaimed rushing forward to hug her daughter.

  ‘Mother,’ Catherine said, not really sure what else to say. Tears welled up at the thought of being with her mother again after so many years and she held her tight before Sarah Stanton sprung back.

  ‘You’re with child,’ she said, her eyes wide with surprise.

  ‘Yes, I am,’ said Catherine, ‘My husband is dead mother and this is all I have left of him.’

  ‘Your husband?’ Sarah Stanton asked, a shocked look on her face.

  Catherine turned to the envoy. ‘Did you tell them nothing?’

  The man blinked. ‘I told your parents what the Sultan told me to, that you were taken from them to be his friend and now his father was dead you were being returned to them.’

  Catherine nodded. ‘I was married to the Sultan, his death is what returns me to you.’

  Sarah looked confused. ‘The Sultan? You married Arif?’

  Peter Stanton interrupted, putting a supportive arm around his daughter. ‘Let’s go home and discuss this there, away from all these people.’

  All the way to the house Catherine thought about how to explain it. It was obvious how shocked her mother had been at the news she had shared so decided to take a more diplomatic approach. Once they were settled inside she explained to her mother that while she had been kidnapped as a friend for Arif the Sultan had married her and that the Sultana had died

  Her mother sat with her arms folded, shaking her head and proclaiming Catherine was ruined and no one else would have her now, her marriage would never be recognised in England. People would think she was having a baby out of wedlock.

  A room had been prepared for her and she was told all her childhood belongings were in the attic. She smiled, perhaps there were things there she could use for her child. ‘I’m sure your old crib is up there,’ her father said, ‘Tomorrow I will go up and get anything that could be useful.’

  ‘I appreciate it Papa,’ she said.

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. ‘I am happy you are home Catherine,’ he said kissing the top of her head, ‘We missed you so much. I think your mother is in shock and I can’t blame her. What the Sultan did was reprehensible but now you are here and we love you very much.’

  Catherine’s memories of her father were that he had always been so involved in his business and never as affectionate as this. She buried her face in his chest. ‘I love you both too. I just wish this could be easier.’

  ‘Your mother will come around. She needs time to accept our little girl is now a grown woman with a child on the way. When the child comes she may thaw some more.’ He let go and held her by her shoulders. ‘Now you can make a new life for yourself love, and we will be here for you. Whatever you need.’

  When he’d left she got ready for bed. The bag she’d bought with her had her shifts in but her mother had left out a nightgown for her to sleep in. It was white and stiff and Catherine knew if her mother was to accept her again she would need to make an effort to fit in. She remembered the early days at the palace, crying for her mother and now she did again wishing things were easier, wishing she was back at the palace with Arif. She missed Irina, Alena and even the Sultan.

  Now she cried for the life she’d had, and the one she could have had if the Sultan had let her return home with her parent. The door opened and her mother appeared. She had been crying too and when Catherine looked up at her she ran to the bed and held her daughter tight. That was where Peter Stanton found them an hour later, Catherine wrapped in her mother’s arms, both fast asleep.

  Chapter 22

  Two weeks later Peter’s solicitor called on them. Peter had sent a message and advised him of the situation and Mr Simpson called on the family to let them know he had a plan to request compensation from the new Sultan for the loss of the Stanton’s daughter. ‘He stole your daughter Mr Stanton. Your savings were spent on trying to find her so I think there is a case for us to ask for compensation to cover your expenses.’

  With him was his law clerk. Newly qualified Richard Black had been with Mr Simpson for several years. He had been orphaned in his teens and Mr Simpson had taken care of him as a friend of the family, ensuring that not only did he keep the family house but he was also educated. His plan was for Richard to take over the Simpson law firm. There were only daughters in the Simpson house and no likelihood they would be involved in law and he considered Richard to be like a son to him

  He backed Mr Simpson’s assertion that Arif could be persuaded to give them a sum of money and that it could be enough to keep them comfortable for years to come.

  ‘Those eastern countries have huge amounts of money, they have wronged your daughter and you so I believe if I could go
to Ajara and talk to the Sultan we could get a payment,’ he said confidently.

  There was a tap on the door and Catherine appeared. ‘Papa, you wanted to see me?’ Richard Black held his breath at her beauty, instantly he saw why she had attracted the Sultan’s attention. Her skin was still as flawless as ever, she looked out of those big blue eyes framed with long dark lashes and though her hair was up rogue curls had escaped which he wanted so badly to reach out and touch.

  ‘Mr Simpson, Mr Black, this is my daughter Catherine. I thought perhaps she could give you some more information than I about the Sultan and what kind of reception you can expect if we do this.’ He smiled at Catherine. ‘Please sit my dear, this is my solicitor and his clerk. They are planning a trip to the east to ask the Sultan of Ajara for compensation for your kidnapping.’

  ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I can’t imagine I could be much help. I’m sure Arif will be amiable enough, he is a good man. I can’t answer as to the likelihood of…’ Suddenly she took a sharp breath and putting her hand to her stomach stumbled towards the sofa.

  Richard rushed forward and took her arm, guiding her to sit. Peter sat down next to her and took her hand in his. ‘My dear whatever is the matter?’

  ‘The baby Papa, he just kicked hard. I will sit here just a while and pray it does not happen again.’ She smiled though he could tell she was not comfortable.

  ‘Catherine if you would like to go to your room and lie down I’m sure we can do this later,’ he said, stroking her hand.

  ‘I am fine, please tell me what you need to know.’ She put her hand, still in his on her stomach and he laughed as he felt his grandchild kick. ‘Feisty little thing,’ she said with a laugh.

  ‘As you were my love,’ he replied with a smile.

  She repeated her story to them, that the Sultan had kidnapped her, taken her as his wife and then died by the hand of the Sultana who had also taken her own life. There was no need to complicate matters she thought and now her life felt like it had been so complex that it was hard to get her own head around everything that had happened to her.

  When it was over she closed her eyes as the baby kicked again and her father brushed her hair from her face with his hand. Richard watched enviously, as pregnant as she was with another man’s child she was still more desirable than any other he’d laid eyes on.

  ‘If we are finished I would like to go for a small walk,’ she said, ‘I could do with the fresh air.’

  ‘Are you sure love? Surely you should be resting,’ Peter responded, concern for her written all over his face.

  ‘I am going crazy sitting here Papa, I want some fresh air and I think a walk will do me good. I promise I won’t go too far from the house,’ she said.

  ‘Excuse me,’ Richard said. The pair turned and looked at him. ‘If it would make you feel better Mr Stanton, I’d be only too pleased to escort Catherine on her walk. If anything happens I’ll be there to seek help for her.’

  Peter nodded. ‘I would appreciate it, I worry that the baby could come early or the walking is too much for her.’

  Catherine smiled. ‘Papa, I will be fine. If Mr Black walking with me makes you feel better and he’s happy to do it then please let me out of this house.’

  He laughed and touched her nose with his finger, a gesture he had not done since she was a child. Catherine grinned. ‘You are still very hard to say no to my love, I will agree but you will let Mr Black escort you and no being difficult.’

  ‘Who me?’ she said innocently which made him laugh more.

  Richard offered her his arm and she took it, pulling herself up from the sofa. ‘I am Richard,’ he said, ‘Mr Black was my father.’

  Catherine laughed. ‘Fine, Richard it is, now shall we go?’

  ‘She always was impatient,’ said her father fondly.

  As they walked down the road she thanked him. ‘Papa is very protective of me, I understand why but I’m no longer eight years old. I do appreciate your gesture.’

  ‘You’re welcome, it’s not often I come to the rescue of a damsel in distress and I could see from your father’s face he wasn’t happy with the idea of you going out alone.’

  ‘I suppose it is because the last time he didn’t see me again for nearly twelve years. I’ve just spent so much time stuck inside these last few years that fresh air and sunshine means so much, I don’t think my parents quite realise this.’

  ‘Any time you want to go for a walk and I’m around I will be more than happy to escort you.’ They’d reached the park and he took her to a park bench beside the pond where they could look at the water and see the children playing.

  ‘One day you’ll bring your child here I would think,’ he said, ‘It’s a nice area, my house isn’t too far from here, just on the other side of the park.’

  ‘Do you have children Richard? This little one came as a surprise to me and I certainly didn’t think I would be alone but now I’m looking forward to my baby arriving.’

  ‘Maybe one day,’ he said, ‘I’d need to find a woman that could live with me first.’

  She laughed. ‘The Sultan didn’t try to find that out, there was no choice when it came to marrying him.’

  ‘Do you miss him?’ he said.

  ‘I do, he was so very tender at the end,’ she said sadly, ‘I am sad in some ways but happy in others. To be with my mother and father again means so much.’

  ‘I’m sure it does, I’m glad to see your father so happy. Mr Simpson has done a lot of work for him over the years and this whole business of you being kidnapped and then losing so much of his money he made on that journey really took it out on him.’

  She paled. ‘What happened to the money? We have not talked about his business, I remember when we were travelling that he said the deals he were doing would make us rich. I know the home we’re in now is not the same one we lived in when I was a child but I had no idea he’d lost money.’

  ‘I’m sorry Catherine, and I don’t mean to upset you. I assumed you knew. While your father was overseas a business partner disappeared with a very large sum of money, your father was almost ruined but he came through it.’ He was concerned now, the colour had drained from her face and he took her hand in his and squeezed it to reassure her.

  ‘I am fine,’ she said finally, ‘So much must have happened while I was away but we have all been so consumed with what happened to me, I was completely unaware of what had happened at home.’

  She looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. ‘It is imperative now that Arif compensates my parents for what happened. What happened to my father is his father’s fault.’ He nodded. ‘Please also don’t tell my father that I know, I don’t think he would want me to know now with the baby so close. He’s worried enough about me now.’

  ‘Of course,’ he said and helped her up so they could start the walk back.

  ‘Thank you so much Richard,’ she said when they reached the front door of the house, ‘having some fresh air was good for me and the baby I think and I enjoyed the conversation.’

  ‘You are welcome,’ he said, ‘Any time you want to walk I am happy to walk with you.’

  ‘Perhaps I could even visit you sometime, if I can walk as far as the park by myself.’

  He laughed. ‘You would be welcome any time Miss Stanton.’

  She kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you again then Mr Black, until next time.’ He grinned and nodded, his feet feeling lighter all the way home.

  Their walks became an almost daily routine and Sarah was so pleased to see her daughter smiling more every day and even laughing occasionally. On the days she was too tired to walk Richard would sit with her and tell her about his day.

  When he asked her to accompany him to a dinner party his friends were having she was reluctant. With the baby due any day she felt tired and bloated and while her mother was excited for her possibly finding new friends her mind was on the baby and what was to come.

  Convincing her to go was hard but between Richard and Sarah, Ca
therine finally caved and when the evening came Richard carefully helped her into the carriage that was to take them to Matthew Davis’ house for dinner. It was not too much of a distance from the Stanton’s to the Davis house but too far for Catherine to walk in her advanced state of pregnancy.

  Matthew and his wife Mary greeted the pair at the door and it became apparent to Catherine that Richard had already told them all about her. Being introduced to the other couples in their little group, Clare and John Peters, Beth and Hugh Barrett, she had a warm welcome if not a little wary.

  Chapter 23

  ‘Richard tells us you were widowed not too long ago, I’m so sorry to hear that,’ said Clare while Mary fussed about getting dinner ready to be served.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Catherine, ‘It feels like a lifetime ago when it is just a few short months but it gets easier every day.’

  ‘No doubt thanks to Richard,’ Clare said, looking at him with a grin.

  ‘Richard has become a very dear friend, he has been very kind to me and I do value him,’ Catherine replied.

  He squeezed her hand. ‘As I value Catherine, someone has to look after her.’

  Catherine laughed. ‘Most of all I feel like I can laugh again, even when my child is kicking me in the ribs and it hurts.’ She put her hand on her swollen belly. ‘Soon this one will be here and I will be thankful for the support I have had.’

  She winced as the baby kicked hard and Richard took her by the arm through to the living room where they sat on a sofa. ‘Are you well?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes,’ she said with a laugh. ‘I think someone is making it known they’re no longer comfortable.’

  ‘How much longer?’ asked Beth.

  ‘A week, maybe two,’ Catherine answered, ‘I probably should be at home resting but Richard was most insistent that I meet all of you.’