Page 28 of The Thief
Chapter Seven
A knock sounded on the door the next day, and Bard went to answer it, a look of surprise coming to his face when he saw a rather large royal guard standing in the doorway.
Bard took a small indiscreet step backwards before asking, “How can I help you, my good sir?”
With an intimidating smile, the guard replied, “I have a card for Lord Alastair. My Lord Art has come to see him and his niece, acting Queen Scarlett Kensington.”
He held out a beefy arm and handed the card to Bard.
“I will let the Lord and Lady know of your arrival.”
He called out for a maid to come and assist in making the Lord Art comfortable.
“Liza, would you please bring them anything they need?” he asked her.
With a slightly sly smile, Liza bowed and said, “Worry not, Bard. I will make sure they are welcomed properly.”
Bard took one last glance at the maid before heading to find Alastair and Scarlett.
Scarlett giggled and covered her mouth to avoid spitting out her lunch.
“Mind you, I did not break the vase on purpose. I was trying to avoid hitting it and knocking it over. The maid just happened to come out of the door at just the right moment.”
Alastair sighed as he recalled his mother’s anger at him for breaking her favorite Mizet vase.
“I don’t think Mother quite ever got over it.”
Scarlett swallowed the food she had in her mouth before gasping, “I did the same thing when I was younger, but I broke two things: the vase and the table it sat on. Both priceless pieces and made my mother very upset.”
Alastair smiled brightly at her and she giggled again.
“I love my mother and very glad she forgave me,” Alastair laughed.
“She sounds very lovely. When was the last time you saw her?” Scarlett asked.
“I think it has been at least three or four months ago. A few days before you came to us, I believe. I receive letters from her at least once a week, however. I am thinking of asking her to visit. I think my father has business in town in a few weeks and my mother always accompanies him. Would you be all right with that?”
His question made her stomach drop and she got very nervous about meeting his parents, but she kept smiling and replied, “That is fine with me. I’d like to meet them.”
Alastair’s smile got even brighter and excitement filled his eyes.
“Wonderful. I’ll make sure to write them and let them know they are invited.”
Scarlett nodded. “I saw my parents the day Catriona was abducted. Our parents were at the dock to wave us off when we left.” She sighed and her smile faded. “I miss them. I know they are all right because my mother has also been writing me.”
Alastair mulled that over for a minute before replying, “Have you received any useful information about what is going on there?”
She shook her head. “Not that I am aware of. I can take a look when our lovely picnic is over.”
Her smile brightened again.
“How long have you been working on this picnic?” she asked, laughing when he blushed.
“Only a few weeks. I wasn’t sure that you would join me, but now I am glad I asked.”
It was her turn to blush.
“I am glad you did as well.”
