“Yes, my Lord. We must follow her without a moment’s hesitation. Perhaps with a swifter ship we may even arrive before her.”
Mohammed’s thoughts raced. They would book passage immediately and race back to his land. Soon she would be safe and in his arms.
“Let us go talk to this Jean Baptiste. Lead the way,” Mohammed said.
Abdullah had not expected this, and had to make up an excuse not to do as Mohammed asked.
“Sire, he is a mercenary and very violent. We should not make contact with him again,” Abdullah explained.
“What are you talking about? I must speak with him before we go. I must find out exactly what he knows,” Mohammed said.
Reluctantly, Abdullah took Mohammed from the coffeehouse to the inn where Jean Baptiste’s room had been. When they reached The Mucky Duck, a crowd had gathered outside the inn. Inside, groups of people were talking in hushed voices.
Mohammed heard the words “murder” and “foreigner” and discovered that Jean Baptiste was dead.
Mohammed shook his head and pulled Abdullah aside.
“This is unfortunate. We must book our passage, as you suggested, quickly. Go now. I will visit Lord Fairfax and tell him of this new development,” Mohammed said.
Abdullah breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was falling into place. Soon they would be home, and this would all be a distant memory.
***
Mohammed visited Lord Fairfax in his London townhouse and was warmly welcomed. Edward ushered him into his large sitting room, which featured a large sofa, chairs, books lining one wall, and a fireplace.
“Tell me, what news have you heard of my daughter?” Edward asked.
“Lord Fairfax, I am more than pleased to tell you that Abdullah, my advisor, tracked down the savage who kidnapped Katharine. She has been placed on a ship to Arabia, so we are in pursuit of her even now. Unfortunately, the mercenary was killed before I could personally question him, but I swear to you that I will bring Katharine home.”
“God bless you, my son. This is the best of news.”
He smiled and poured them both a brandy.
“I know your faith does not allow alcohol. But perhaps a toast to my daughter?”
“You are most generous,” Mohammed replied.
“I will see if the Bow Street Runners have discovered anything else while you are gone. God give you safe journey to your land and that you return to England soon with my daughter,” Edward said. He handed the younger man a glass, while cradling his own in his hand.
“To Katharine’s return,” Edward said.
Chapter 18
The journey to Arabia was as it had been before: long and exhausting, with high seas, bad food, and almost intolerable drink. Several of the sailors had fallen ill, but Mohammed remained healthy. Abdullah was sick halfway into the journey, but regained his strength. Once the two men arrived in their native land, Mohammed set about looking for Katharine. All the ships that arrived were questioned and his high rank in the land allowed him even more access to their records, but she was not discovered on any of the ships.
The ships logs were kept for each ship, but he did not discover her name as being among the passengers. He began to grow discouraged and wondered if the captain of the ship which transported her and been paid to keep her identity hidden.
Daleel accompanied him as they searched several of the ports for her whereabouts. No one had transported her to Arabia.
***
Meanwhile, Abdullah began to put his plan into effect. He knew that as a man in his prime, Mohammed would not be long without a woman; he would want the comfort they afforded him. Abdullah plotted his next move carefully.
Safiya was the 16-year-old beauty and the daughter of a neighboring sheik who very much wanted to make a great match for his youngest daughter. Safiya was beautiful, yet simple. Her older sisters had spoken to her of Mohammed’s wealth and intelligence, and Safiya had become entranced with him. She had wanted Mohammed for herself and told her father that should he want a match, she would readily accept to be a second wife. Later, wh
en it became known that Yasmeen had been sent back to her family in disgrace, the entire region buzzed with the gossip.
Mohammed was an attractive, wealthy man and would not be alone for long. Though his harem was filled with beautiful women, even his Egyptian mother Tuya approached him and urged him to remarry. She had never interfered with his life in this regard, but wanted him happy and settled.