Page 6 of The Thief
Bard peeked in and a look of concern came across his face.
“My Lady, are you all right?” he asked, walking over to her and resting his hand over hers.
“I… I am all right. Is Lord Alastair at home right now?” she asked.
Bard nodded.
“My Lady, he is downstairs in his study. I will be happy to get him for you. Do you want to speak with him in the study or the parlor?”
Scarlett thought about it and said, “The parlor, please, will be fine, Bard. Thank you. I will head down in just a moment.”
He nodded and left the room.
Scarlett sighed and took a deep breath, holding it for a moment and then letting it out. She stood and composed herself and headed out the door.
Scarlett walked into the parlor and went to sit, arranging her skirts around her and settling in to wait for Alastair.
She looked around the bright room and stood, walking over to the paintings on the wall.
The first one she looked at was a man riding a giant white charger, leading a battalion of men towards another large group of men.
“Good luck,” she whispered to the painting, moving on to the next one.
She stared at the tall blond woman in the picture for about five minutes, taking in all the flowers in the garden, the color of her dress and even the look on her face.
What’s your story?She smiled as she began to make one up.
She was halfway through the blonde’s life when Alastair came into the parlor, clearing his throat to let her know he was there.
Scarlett jumped and whirled around, her hand on her heart.
Alastair raised his hands and said, “I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Scarlett glared at him and went to sit, Alastair following suit as soon as she was seated.
“Bard said you wanted to speak with me?” he asked, leaning back and getting comfortable.
She sat straight in her seat and looked around, shifting uncomfortably.
They sat for a few awkward minutes before Alastair said, “So I saw your uncle come down a while ago. Did he say something to you?”
She nodded. “He spoke with the Counsel of Electors and they agreed to give me the time I need to find Catriona, or at least proof of what happened and if she is still alive or not.”
“That is a good thing though. It gives us the opportunity to find her.”
She looked him straight in the eye and said, “He will be interim ruler.”
Alastair could feel his jaw drop open, unable to hide his shock.
“He can’t be king again,” he said.
Scarlett nodded again.
“He can’t be king again, no, but the Counsel of Electors agreed to let him stand in for Catriona and me while we work on this whole situation. The Counsel gave me some time but if I don’t take the throne when they say to, then I will not be the ruler anymore and they will hold elections. There have not been elections in over one hundred years.”
“Art still can’t be king, right?” he asked, standing and going to the window.
“I’m not sure,” Scarlett replied, standing up and starting to pace.
