The Sheik's Son(70)

“If you like.” Sophie followed him out into the darkened garden. They passed another couple enjoying the moonlight.

Lanterns had been placed outside, creating a romantic night.

Once they were alone, Sebastian was blunt. “I had Etienne look into the inspector’s background.”

Sophie was puzzled. “Yes? Why?”

“I’m concerned for you, Sophie.”

Sophie sighed. This tired subject. “You needn’t be, Sebastian. I’ll be fine. No matter what the inspector discovers, he won’t harm me. You act as if we are living in the wilds of America!”

And you seem to think we are living in a novel that will have a happy ending, he wanted to tell her. He wanted to make her see reason, but he saw his sister beckoning to him from inside the ballroom.

“There’s my sister. I’ll be right back. Please excuse me,” he explained before hurrying off.

Sebastian joined his sister inside the ballroom. “Bash, don’t be angry. Please don’t be.”

“I’m annoyed, not angry,” he admitted.

“I’ve loved him since the first moment I saw him. Truly. I’m not proud of it, but I chased him. He told me many times that it was a mistake. That he felt obligated to tell you. He’s a good man,” Leila pleaded.

Sebastian nodded. He had expected as much. His sister would have pursued Etienne. “I know. He’s a good friend too.”

“Be happy for me,” Leila begged.

“I am. If you love each other, I could do no less.” He accepted her hug as she squeezed him and then joined Etienne with a glass of champagne.

***

Sophie had wandered a little further into the garden. It was cool but not cold and she could smell the plants and earth.

“Mademoiselle Gauvreau.”

Sophie turned to see the solemn inspector standing before her. She nodded. “Inspector.”

“A delightful party. Your father was generous to invite me.”

“I hope you are enjoying yourself. Excuse me.” Just as she was about to pass him, he blocked her path.

“I am the youngest inspector in my district and I expect to be the youngest commissioner ever in Paris.”

“A lofty goal,” Sophie countered.

“Do you know how I rose so quickly?” he asked her softly.

She gazed into his cold blue eyes and almost shuddered. “No, monsieur.”

“I have no scruples. I do what must be done, no matter the consequences,” he said softly.

“Indeed?” She met his blue eyes.

“I am under no misapprehension that Marie is the writer of these pamphlets.”

Sophie’s warm hazel eyes stared into his cold blue ones.

“I also do not think your dear grandmother could set aside her traditional views in order to suddenly try and overturn the monarchy,” he continued.

Sophie licked her lips.

“You, however are young and rash and I dare say a little foolish. You would be exactly the sort of woman to sit at her father’s table, eat his bread, spend his money on trifles and then write against the very thing that put that bread in that pretty little mouth of yours.”

Sophie did shudder this time. The cool air and the words lingered. He took a step toward her and his hands were suddenly on her arms.

“If I discover what I believe to be the truth, that you are Jean Inconnu, nothing will stop me. I will use the information I have. I swear it.”

Sophie pulled away from him, almost barreling into Sebastian as she did so. The inspector had disappeared into the garden’s darkness.

“Sophie?”

“Sebastian, you were right.” She trembled slightly and whispered even as Sebastian held her steady. “You were right,” she said, looking behind her into the dark garden.





Chapter 19

“What did he say to you?” Sebastian could see Sophie was rattled and flushed from the encounter.

“The inspector knows the writer isn’t Marie or my grandmother. He knows it’s me. I expect he just needs proof.”

“Bloody hell!” Sebastian cursed.

“He said he had no scruples. That he would do what must be done.”

Sebastian knew it. He had watched the inspector that evening, a man of low birth used to being at the beck and call of others. He would want to bring a well-bred lady down. He would enjoy it.

Sophie thought quickly. She replayed all that had happened with the inspector and knew he would fulfill his threat. She knew that Sebastian’s parents were in the library as he had asked her for its use. She asked that Sebastian join her in the library with his parents. He nodded and she went to find her father.

Sebastian rejoined his parents inside the library, where they had remained together on the sofa.

“We don’t blame you, Sebastian.” His mother tried to soothe him. “Leila can be flighty.”