Page 69 of The Thief
“Don’t worry about it.”
She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “I know that you were saying that for Ragan’s benefit.”
She pulled away as he chuckled.
“I can only guess I missed an amusing moment?” Scarlett asked as she walked down the stairs, Alastair’s breath halting in his chest.
She was dressed in a scarlet satin gown, rubies at her neck and earlobes, a dark red flower in her hair.
Her hair was half up but completely curled, a large red rose placed there.
The rose and jewels matched her gown, the red reminding him of the day she had arrived at Ashaven, and now it changed his life.
It wasn’t a dramatic change; in fact, it was quite a small change, just to the everyday things.
From breakfast in the morning together, to sitting in the parlor together before they went to bed; they now had a routine, and it was very comfortable for them. Alastair couldn’t help but hope that it wouldn’t change after they were married.
Well, with one exception—she would share his bed.
With a cough, Ragan brought Alastair’s attention back to the present.
“Does Scarlett not look lovely tonight?” Ragan asked, inclining his head towards her.
“She looks radiant,” Alastair whispered, a soft pink blush working its way up Scarlett’s neck.
“Are we ready?” Antoinette asked, peeking her head out the parlor door.
“I believe so, madam,” Ragan replied, taking Melody’s hand in his.
“Bard, would you call the carriages please?” Antoinette directed.
“Of course, madam. I will also have the maids fetch your wraps.”
“Thank you, Bard.”
“The carriages are ready,” Bard announced, their parents coming out of the parlor, two maids arriving a moment later to help the ladies with their wraps.
Once everyone was ready, they opened the doors, revealing the carriages.
The footmen were dressed in their finest tonight, the carriages dressed in their finery as well.
Antoinette, Beauregard, Graham, and Babette headed to their first carriage. Melody, Ragan, Scarlett, and Alastair in the second. Once they were settled in the carriage, Alastair knocked on the roof, signaling the driver to go.
Scarlett tucked her plush scarlet mink wrap further around her to ward off the slight chill of the evening. She wished she had decided on her bolero instead of a wrap, but thought the wrap would look better.
“Are you warm enough?” Alastair asked.
She looked across at him and smiled.
“I am warm enough. With all four of us in here, the cold is not able to get in.”
He nodded and turned to look back out the window.
Before she looked out the window again, she looked at Melody and Ragan, the two of them leaning in and whispering to one another. They were open to their feelings for one another and they were not yet even engaged. She technically was, and her and Alastair never showed affection that way, except for the occasional arm holding thrown in.
With a sigh, she looked back out of the window, watching as the countryside went by.
They arrived at Lord Dundamear’s estate almost an hour late, the ride longer than Scarlett expected. They pulled into the drive and Scarlett was pleasantly surprised by the home.
