Page 37 of The Thief
“Ragan already let Bard know,” he said, peeking his head in the door.
Alastair just laughed and waved him off, Ronald shutting the door behind him.
Scarlett walked up the stairs, Ronald and Ragan behind her and her arm tingling from Alastair’s hot kiss. Although they had not physically repeated that interlude they had in her room a month ago, her mind had replayed that night many times over. At night, she would lay in bed and dream of his hands on her, bringing her to that peak over and over again.
She mentally shook her head to remove those thoughts, hoping to get some sleep tonight. With this new threat, she doubted that sleep would come all easily, if at all.
Scarlett sighed and turned around quickly when Ronald asked, “My Lady, are you all right? Is something troubling you?”
A slight blush came to her face when she replied, “None other than the threat to my life. I am just worried about that.”
He nodded and she smiled when he said, “Ragan and I will do our best to protect you. Lord Alastair is also very concerned for your welfare and I doubt that he would be willing to let anything happen to you.”
“I know, Ronald. Thank you for making me feel safer already.”
He nodded and she turned, heading back up the stairs.
Scarlett helped Melody and Bard pack up her room and move it, taking the short walk to the family rooms and moving her into the princess’ suite. Her new room was decorated in jewel tones and knowing the previous occupant was Alastair’s mother, she was proud to reside in that room. The bedspread was a dark purple, a stunning contrast to the light wood of the bed. The room had white wallpaper that looked like it had been stamped with a purple floral pattern.
She walked over to the walls and ran her finger over the roses, tracing the flowers softly.
“My Lady, I am surprised to see you in here. I thought you were in the guest wing.”
She turned and looked at the man who had spoken to her, the man tall and dark but also very handsome. Scarlett couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt something was off about him.
“I have moved myself to this room; it is more richly furnished than my other room. I felt that it would be better for me to stay here.”
He gave no reaction, just commenting, “I hope you will find this room better to your liking, Your Grace. It has been well cared for.”
“Thank you. What was your name?” she asked.
He smiled handsomely and said as he headed back out the door, “Edward Holmes, My Lady.”
Scarlett stood in the middle of the room for a few minutes, slightly disturbed by that man just walking in on her like he did. A shiver crept up her spine but she tried to suppress it, almost succeeding before Ragan and Melody walked in.
“Scarlett, are you all right?” Melody asked.
“A man named Edward Holmes just came in my room. I was surprised by him. He asked me what I was doing here but he didn’t look surprised. Does that mean he knew?”
“What did you tell him?” Melody asked her.
“I told him I was moving because this room is better than the one I was in. I don’t think he believed me.”
Melody and Ragan exchanged glances and Scarlett looked at them in confusion.
“Is there something I should know?” Scarlett asked, looking at both of them.
Neither one of them would look at her so she slowly walked over to Ragan; the room was silent except for the soft rustle of her skirts.
“I will go ask Alastair; both of you have sworn to keep the secret.”
She headed out the bedroom door and ran into Bard, asking him where Alastair was.
“He is in the front courtyard, on the front drive. Why do you need to speak to him?”
“Something I just remembered and I need to tell Alastair about it.”
He nodded and bowed as she walked down the stairs, stopping to turn around and say with a smile, “Thank you for everything you have done for me, Bard. You have made me feel happier and more comfortable here than I have anywhere else.”
