Page 66 of The Thief
Chapter Fifteen
Scarlett sank into a chair in the parlor, propping her feet up with a sigh. She, her mother, and Lady Brannigan had just arrived home from shopping in town, the gentleman having stayed behind to do other things.
It had been three days since their parents had arrived and Scarlett and Alastair had been busy with keeping their parents entertained. They had seen two hospitals, one being Elfyre Memorial Hospital and the other a smaller one across the island.
Alastair wanted to explore the hospital that Edward Holmes had previously been employed at and see if they could find any information. Unfortunately, they were unable to turn up anything that day, frustrating everyone involved.
Alastair had implied that the smaller hospital was an important place that both he and his father needed to go, so they had. While Alastair and his father had taken her father with them to speak to the hospital staff, Scarlett had taken their mothers to the children’s ward. Scarlett was pleasantly surprised when both women were more than eager to play with the little ones.
She watched them play and couldn’t help but think of them as grandmothers, playing with her and Alastair’s children that they would one day have. She had gotten so excited that she almost blurted out that she and Alastair were engaged. Clamping her lips tightly, she went to play with two little girls that had called her name, keeping her secret for the moment.
Scarlett looked up from where her eyes rested on the ottoman when Lady Brannigan walked into the parlor.
“Excuse me, my dear. I’d assumed you’d gone to take a nap before the ball this evening.”
Scarlett shook her head, sitting up properly before she spoke.
“I did not. My mother did, but I was not too overtired. I decided to relax in here for a bit. Would you care to join me?”
Antoinette smiled and sat down on the chaise across from Scarlett’s chair.
“Thank you,” she said, adjusting her skirts around her.
Scarlett relaxed back against the chair, falling into a comfortable silence with Lady Brannigan.
“May I ask you something?” Antoinette asked, making Scarlett sit up straight and look at her.
“Of course,” she replied, her heart filling with anxiety.
“What is your relationship with my son?”
Stunned by her direct inquiry, Scarlett hesitated a moment before answering.
“I enjoy your son’s company and have had the pleasure of it quite often as of late. He has been a wonderful host and help to me for as long as I’ve been here.”
Antoinette regarded Scarlett with such a hard stare that Scarlett became uncomfortable and had to look away.
“I think that there is more than just friendship between you. Has my son made a commitment to you? I see it every time he looks at you, and when you look at him it is the same.”
Scarlett was nervous now, unsure of how to reply. She silently chastised herself.
She told her father freely and without a second thought, yet she was afraid to tell his mother.
“Yes, madam, he has. He asked me to marry him only the day before you arrived.”
“I see.”
When Antoinette said nothing else, Scarlett sat waiting, her nerves pulled taut. When Antoinette did finally speak, Scarlett jumped at the sound of her voice.
“Over the last few days, I have been able to see you and my son together. This is the happiest I have ever seen him, and that is very appealing. I want nothing more than to see my son happy. My only issue is that you are to be queen if your cousin is not found. I am not sure how he would feel, being Prince Consort.” Scarlett listened carefully, unable to make out whether or not she should be upset or not. “However, if my son is willing to put his life on the line for you and do all this to help you, I can only assume that he has already been over all the possibilities. I approve.”
Scarlett had to hold her jaw taut to prevent it from falling open.
“Thank you, Lady Brannigan. I am glad to know that you approve. I don’t think Alastair would have been willing, which I would have understood, if we did not have your blessing.”
She smiled sweetly.
“Call me Antoinette, darling, as we are to be family soon.”
