Page 70 of The Thief
It was large and white with many windows on the front.
The home was unique in its design; instead of the front being flat, it looked staggered. The front door was the point and then there were sections set back from there. They were halted at the large, black, iron gate to wait for the carriage ahead of them to be emptied and taken to the stables.
Their carriage pulled up to the door and a footman opened the carriage door, Alastair and Ragan descending first, then the two men helping the ladies descent.
They joined their parents at the door, heading to join the others in the ballroom.
While they waited, Scarlett looked around, taking in the interior of Lord Dundamear’s home. The walls were white, but covered in precious art. Scarlett was impressed by the tasteful decor, and she loved the dark blue flooring that was inlaid with a soft white.
As she was admiring the home, Alastair watched her.
She looked lovely tonight in her scarlet gown, her hair in curls and decorated beautifully with that large red flower. Her dress was cut tastefully, but the front was cut below to reveal her perfect breasts. When she’d come down the stairs, his mouth had gone dry.
He swallowed and looked elsewhere, trying to focus on anything else. Unable to get his mind off her, he turned to his father, who was occupied in conversation with his mother.
“Father, Mother,” he said, sidling up next to his mother, keeping his hands behind his back.
“Hello, son,” Beau said, turning to face him as they moved forward in line.
“This line is dreadfully long. I wish that Lord Dundamear had considered setting out a table of refreshments,” Antoinette complained, fanning herself with her small clutch.
“Would you like me to speak to someone?” Alastair asked, looking around over the crowd for a footman.
“If you be a dear,” she said, her son heading off to do just that.
He was all right with gleaming Scarlett for a few minutes because she was with Ragan and Melody, and he was certain she was safe.
A few minutes later, he arrived back in line, two footmen with him.
“Mother, Father, Ragan, Melody, Scarlett and Lord and Lady Kensington, we have been invited to go to the ballroom. Lord Dundamear would like to meet the interim queen and does not want to keep her waiting in line.”
At Scarlett’s eye roll, he smiled, taking her arm and leading everyone to the ballroom. Scarlett let out an audible gasp when they walked into the double doors leading into the ballroom. It was large and beautiful, the ceiling vaulted with a giant chandelier placed in the middle. The ballroom was a very particular shape as well.
By the stair leading in the building was square, the large bank of windows across from them was rounded off, giving off a wonderful view of the gardens outside.
The staircase was magnificent and white, the railings carved exquisitely.
To her right at the top of the stairs was the large balcony that held a seating area, the other side a smaller, more intimate area. From what she could see, there was a large refreshment area underneath the balcony, next to a small stage that held the musicians.
There were windows placed sporadically on the walls bringing in more light.
On the left, as she walked down the stairs, there was the entrance to the garden.
She heard her name announced as “Her Majesty Queen Scarlett Kensington of Ciomodors Garden” and she had to resist the urge to deny that she was queen.
Alastair squeezed her hand as he was announced as her escort and he watched together as a whole ballroom bowed, the musicians halting the music as they stood and bowed.
Alastair smiled and nodded his head to the small orchestra conductor and he tapped on his stand, bringing the attention back to the music, the musicians picking up their instruments and beginning to play once again.
Once the music picked back up, the ballroom returned to normal and they walked down to greet their host as her parents and Ragan and Melody were announced.
As they made their way down the stairs, Scarlett was able to get a better look at the refreshment table. At the sight of the food, her stomach grumbled slightly, causing Alastair to look at her.
He leaned down and asked, “Did you not eat the lunch I had set up?”
She shook her head and blushed.
“I was too nervous.”
