Defying the Sheikh (2 page)

"You did not tell me you had such a lovely niece, Baron," Armon was angered that the woman shunned him but demanded himself to remain polite.

"You honor me Sheikh," Edwin smiled in pride. "She has definitely been a great joy." He couldn't understand Michaela's rudeness and hoped to put the Sheikh at ease. He had never known his niece to be undiplomatic and wondered just what he was missing.

"I have heard you will be attending the festivities in my country next month," Armon felt his ire grow as the woman continued to look anywhere but at him, still he forced his upset to remain internal.

"Ah yes, I must say there is great excitement in being invited to such a ceremony." Edwin had been more than pleased when the invitation to the Palace had arrived.

"We will be most pleased to have you and perhaps your lovely niece would enjoy accompanying you as well?"

"I would not even consider...", Michaela uttered the words before she thought and was instantly embarrassed at her bad manners. "Forgive me," she gave him a look that spoke of how much she detested him," what I meant was that Aunt Gertrude could not be without me for such a long period of time." Allowing her gaze to look over his face insultingly she then turned her back on him. "The air is a little tainted at the moment, please forgive me, I must excuse myself." Without thought to decorum she almost ran out of the ballroom and into the huge garden.

"Forgive my niece," Edwin had never been so shocked by such behavior. "She must indeed be feeling unwell." He hoped his shame did not show, he had come to respect the Sheikh and could not understand why his great niece seemed in such a hurry to get away.

"Please, it is of no consequence," Armon said politely but inwardly he was fuming. Never had a woman dared to reject him in such a way and he did not appreciate it in the least. "The hour grows late," he forced a smile to his face, "I believe I shall retire." With a quick bow to the Baron he made his way out of the mansion.

Michaela knew that she would have to walk back inside, but the thought of being faced with the Sheikh again was not resting well in her soul. He was a monster, all of the men from his country were, that was why her heart had raced, she told herself. Anger for the way they abused women, it was nothing more, she was almost convinced.

Armon found his servant and instructed him to bring the carriage around. His rage was growing stronger with every moment and he planned on putting as much distance between him and the woman that had dared insult him in such a way. She needed to be taught manners and shown how to respect those that were above her. When the object of his reflection walked up, he felt as if reality had taken a backseat in his mind.

"I will assume you have come to apologize for your rudeness," he refused to call her Lady, she didn't deserve the title in his opinion.

Michaela was startled as she almost walked right into the chest of the giant she had been avoiding. His tone of voice irritated her and she felt her own ire rise. "Perhaps you should apologize for the horrible way you treat the women of your country," pointing her finger at his chest she poked him deliberately. She had no inclination to back down from this brute.

"You dare instruct me girl!" He was incredulous that this little woman thought she had the right to teach him anything.

"Apparently someone needs to," she glared up at him, her breasts heaving as her hatred for his type overwhelmed her.

"You insult me and my country!" Without thinking his hand reached out and grasped her arm pulling her toward him. "You would be beaten for such an offense, were we on my lands."

"We are not on your lands, you barbaric beast, now take your hand off of me!" She wanted to slap the condescending look from his face and fought to restrain herself.

Edwin arrived outside and was horrified at the commotion in front of his estate. "Michaela, you will cease this at once!" He had no idea what had gotten into the girl and knew that her behavior could fuel a greater gap between the Sheikh's and their country. "Offer your apologies to the Sheikh!"

Armon held up his hand to stop the Baron's word. "An apology will not suffice for the insults she has cast upon me," he glared down at the woman wishing he could take her over his lap for her insolence. "The price I demand is ownership!" He was shocked as the words escaped his lips, and even more so by the feeling that surged through his loins at the thought.

"I will not be owned by you, you overbearing swine, to the devil with you!" Michaela was furious at the man's attitude and even though she knew that she was making a spectacle of herself, she refused to back down.

Gertrude could not believe the change in her normally pliant niece and knew that she had to diffuse this situation immediately. Walking over with purpose she took Michaela by the arm and led her to the carriage. "You will keep quiet until we are away from here," she warned softly. The servant opened the carriage door and she quickly ushered her niece inside. "Forgive me my Lord, I have no idea what has come over Michaela this evening."

Edwin gave a quick nod of his head in acknowledgement, the shame that filled him at having such a disaster happen at his event apparent on his face. He could only breathe a sigh of relief as the carriage disappeared into the night. Turning back to his guests he gave a small smile, "Please forgive the interruption my friends, and enjoy the rest of your evening." He was pleased that the crowd moved back inside but now he was left alone to deal with the Sheikh.

"I cannot beg your forgiveness enough," Edwin's head bowed in shame not knowing how he could fix this terrible wrong.

"The girl has no restraint, Baron," attempting to diffuse his anger he spoke more calmly than he felt.

"She has never behaved in such a way before, you have my word." He knew that his words meant little and could only hope that the Sheikh would be able to forgive him.

"Your niece has dishonored me greatly, Baron." He would not let this end without gaining what he desired now. "I request that you grant her to me."

"As in marriage?" Edwin was shocked. Why the Sheikh would even want his niece after her horrible behavior this evening was confusing to him. He knew that Michaela would never readily agree to such a union. "She would never accept such a proposal, Sheikh."

"And you would allow her the choice?" He was incredulous that the girls' behavior would be allowed to continue and he wasn't willing to concede. "You would put our countries at war over a mere girl," he knew that would never happen but he would have the girl. She needed a firm hand, and he was just the man to tame her.

"Of course not," Edwin was shocked and felt himself overwhelmed at such a thought. He could never allow the events of this night to affect the peace of two nations. "I will grant your request," his voice sounded defeated to his own ears. He knew that Michaela could be headstrong but even she could not wish war.

Armon nodded and allowed his rage to cool. "My ship will be leaving in one week's time; I expect our vows to be said before we set sail." He turned to his servant and waited for the carriage door to be opened. Without giving the man any further words he drove off.

Edwin knew that all hell was about to be set loose. He had no choice but to move forward with his agreement, but how would he convince his niece. Surely she could be reasoned with, he hated to be high-handed with the spirited girl, but she had created this burden on her own. He moved back inside to his guests, his heart heavy with the burden he was to bare.

2 Demands

Michaela was furious as she allowed her servant to help her undress. Her aunt had remained uncharacteristically quiet on the ride home, and she was grateful for the reprieve. It was completely unlike her to forget her manners, but something about the Sheikh's demeanor, and the thought of how her body had reacted to merely being close to him, had her dander up. She would need to write a formal apology for her behavior, and the thought galled her. She would much rather slap his handsome face, she thought to herself. She fell into a restless sleep as her ladies maid left the room and her dreams were filled with a handsome prince of the desert showering her with gifts from his land.

The dawn came too soon and as her curtains were opened she bit back a groan. Her rest had been disturbed to say the least, and she knew that her aunt would demand an explanation for her behavior after allowing her temper to cool. Michaela had no excuse to offer and in the light of day she could only feel remorse for the way she had tarnished the family name. Her uncle must be beside himself with shame, she thought wearily. It would take many months to find herself in his good graces again, but she vowed mentally to do just that.

"My lady, your aunt has requested your immediate presence in the study," the servant gathered her morning clothes and waited for her to leave the bed.

Sliding her feet onto the cool floor, she only nodded, understanding immediately that last nights' events had upset Gertrude more than she had considered. She had never demanded an audience before breakfast, even when Michaela had sold her silver serving set to purchase a stallion without permission. She allowed the servant to help lace her corset and stepped in a pale green dress. She managed to sit at the dressing table patiently as her hair was arranged, something she normally hurried as it took more time than her restlessness allowed. Michaela was not looking forward to the disappointment in her aunt's face.

When she was fully prepared for an audience, she made her way downstairs in haste, not wishing to cause any more discomfort to Gertrude than she already had. She felt her hand shake slightly as she knocked on the study door, something she could never recall having happen to her before. Remorse was not a feeling she was well acquainted with, and it did not sit well on her shoulders.

"Enter," Edwin spoke firmly, knowing that it would take a sternness of character to guide his young niece down the right path.

At the sound of the Baron's voice, she immediately understood that her actions last night had been even more serious than she had imagined. She walked inside the room with her eyes lowered, hoping she was showing the proper amount of respect for the seriousness of the situation.

"Please sit down Michaela," Edwin appreciated that she understood her position and seemed humbled by her disposition at the ball. He could only hope that understanding would make the choices he would deliver upon her easier to accept.

She sat down in front of the large wooden desk and lifted her eyes to the Baron, then noted the sadness in her Aunt's eyes as she stood at his side. Her stomach tensed in anticipation of the news he was about to deliver, for her aunt to seem so sorrowful, she knew immediately that there was an ultimatum about to be issued.

"I will not bother with expressing how disappointed I am in your behavior last night Michaela," Edwin knew that the punishment he was about to deliver would be enough of a consequence. "You have shamed the Sheikh and this family, and retribution must be given to keep relationships between our two countries intact."

"Of course my Lord, I understand the errors of my ways and will be glad to issue a letter of apology to the Sheikh." She hoped the tone of her voice did not show how ill at ease the thought of apologizing to that infuriating man made her feel.

"I'm afraid Michaela that will not be worthy enough to gain his forgiveness." Edwin shook his head at his niece watching her emerald eyes widen in confusion.

"I have no monetary gift to offer my Lord, so please explain how I can make this more tolerable for him." A swift kick in the backside would be her choice, but she wisely kept that comment to herself. Just the thought of having to be in his company again made her physically sick.

"The Sheikh has demanded your hand in marriage, and I have accepted his offer," Edwin spoke the words quickly, not enjoying having to throw such a shock at his own family member.

Michaela tossed back her head and laughed at her great uncle's jest. "I do believe your humor is a little tainted this morning, my Lord." If he wanted to capture her attention, he had certainly managed to do so.

"I am afraid Michaela that this is nothing to laugh about, the offer and the marriage are very serious." He watched the color drain from her face and knew that from the fire brewing in her emerald depths that this was not going to be an easy turnover. Perhaps he had indeed allowed the girl to run wild too long, he thought with a shake of his head. Leaving her with Gertrude had obviously not been the right decision on his part.

Michaela stood up and her hands went to her small waist as she fought for control. "I would never marry that barbaric swine, you may tell him you have made a horrible misjudgment, my Lord!"

"You will sit down at once and refrain from telling me my place again girl, do I make myself clear!" Edwin rarely spoke to a lady in such a way but his niece had indeed gone too far. It was apparent she needed a keeper, and perhaps the Sheikh could tame her rebellious nature.

Michaela found her seat, still fuming at the thought of being pawned off to the demon. She would not meekly walk into marriage with someone like him, no matter how much it offended her family. "Forgive me for speaking so disrespectfully, my Lord, I can only say that you have given me quiet the shock."

Edwin felt his own ire cool at her words. "I understand how upsetting this must be for you Michaela, but we cannot afford to have tensions with the Sheikh at the moment." He was feeling much more secure in her containment, now that she had changed her tone.

It was readily apparent that Edwin expected her to go through with this farce and she needed to divert his attention. "Perhaps I could speak with the Sheikh, my Lord?" She would willingly offer him an apology if it meant her freedom would still be hers.

"You will speak to him at the wedding vows in the morning," he saw the anger fill her eyes again and knew she was preparing for another argument. "There is no room for discussion here Michaela, you have dishonored him and now must suffer the consequences." He took a deep breath and shook his head before speaking again. "The minister will arrive at first light and you shall become his wife."