Page 54 of The Thief
He walked over to her and took her hand, kissing it softly then releasing it.
She had to resist the urge to rub the spot he kissed, the area tingling.
“I came down to speak to you about the thing that was found in the stable today. Melody told me. The poor girl couldn’t help herself; she was so nervous.”
He frowned and then sighed.
“I should not be surprised. Melody would never be able to keep anything from you.”
She shook her head with a soft smile.
“She never has been able to. When we were younger, we would always spend time together and shared everything. I knew I was going to be a big sister before my parents told me because Melody heard her mother tell her father.” She giggled. “My parents were not upset. They understood how excited children could get.”
After her mother had lost Sedrick, Melody’s mother had gotten pregnant with Melody’s younger brother and Melody hadn’t said a word to her, knowing that Scarlett was grieving for her brother.
Babette told Melody’s mother that she was absolutely delighted for her and refused to accept the resignation she had given her; she had not wanted to cause Babette any more upset. So, Melody’s mother had stayed on as her lady’s maid and Melody and Scarlett stayed friends.
She was drawn from her memories when he asked her, “Scarlett? Are you all right?”
She smiled at him. “I’m sorry; sometimes memories have a way of sneaking up on me.”
He nodded. “I find myself doing that more often as of late.”
When he looked at her, she blushed, knowing the heated look he wore was because of their previous encounter.
A few awkward moments ticked by before he cleared his throat and asked, “Are you worried about being poisoned again?”
Scarlett sighed in frustration.
“I am, but I am more worried that we will not find Catriona. Don’t mistake that I’m not concerned for my safety, but if we do not find her, my life will be in danger long after she is officially declared dead. Of course, my selfishness puts her back into the fire and another attempt on her life.” She scowled. “Why must politics be so dangerous? There always seems to be someone’s life is in danger.”
“I agree. It would be easier if everyone could just get along, but that is not how it works.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes.
“I have known that since I was born. My parents were both associated with royalty and all the politics associated with the position.”
“My parents were as well. Especially my father, who ended up caught in the middle of some very bad situations,” he said, looking at her.
“My father was fortunate to have never been in that position. As the queen and king’s brother-in-law, they always protected him from being involved in things potentially traitorous. My uncle didn’t want him to end up in something they would both regret later. Especially as my uncle had to take action against him.”
She smiled then.
“I was very proud of him though; he did stand up to my uncle a handful of times when it was something important to him. Do you remember when the doctors went on strike because they were not able to leave the island to tend to other patients who couldn’t get there?”
He nodded.
“My uncle fought my father on it, but my father finally convinced him to let a team of doctors go off the island and take care of patients that couldn’t come to the island.”
“That’s great to hear. I didn’t know that he was influential in getting the doctors off the island.”
She smiled again.
“I’m so happy about that. I knew he could do it if he tried, and he did. I have no doubt that my mother was just as happy as I was in knowing he stayed true to himself and fought for what he believed in.”
He looked over at her in understanding.
“That is why you are determined to find Catriona, dead or alive.”
