Page 73 of The Thief
Alastair looked down at his second drink and sighed, tossing it back.
“You don’t seem surprised by what I said. Did she tell you that she told me?” he asked, taking a small sip of his drink.
Alastair shook his head.
“My mother told me earlier this evening. I don’t mind that she told you. We have to tell my father and your wife about it and then everyone will know.”
He turned to face Graham.
“You must not tell anyone about it until this business with Catriona is over. There could potentially be even more danger if it is to be discovered.”
“Don’t worry, my boy. I have no intention of telling anyone until my daughter says.”
“Thank you, sir,” Alastair replied.
He looked back up at the balcony in frustration. They were fine and then Alastair could feel her shutting down, as if she had constructed a wall between them.
“Did you and Scarlett have a falling out?” Graham asked. “I might be able to help you, you know.”
“It’s nothing,” Alastair said, crossing his arms as he leaned up against the bar.
“It is never nothing,” Graham said with a wry chuckle.
“We were dancing and having a wonderful time, and then she pulled away from me. I have no idea what would make her so cold so suddenly.” Alastair sighed in frustration for what felt like was the hundredth time that night.
“Stay here,” Graham stated, heading towards the stairs.
Alastair made a move to stop him but something told him to stay where he was.
With resignation, he turned back to the bar and ordered a third drink.
Graham walked up the stairs and looked around, finding his daughter sitting neatly on the settee, her dress carefully arranged around her and her ankles crossed elegantly.
For a moment, he could see his wife sitting there, not his only daughter.
“My darling,” he said, taking the seat next to her, making sure to avoid her skirt as it would cause a fuss.
“Hello, Papa,” she said, a smile coming to her face and she leaned over to kiss his cheek.
He smiled at her and leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, “I daresay you have upset your young fiancée.”
Scarlett looked down at Alastair, admiring how handsome he looked in his finery tonight.
She drew her face back to her father.
“What do you mean I have upset him?” she asked.
“He is upset by your sudden rejection of him. He said it happened while you were dancing.”
She stiffened and looked away, twisting her hands in her dress.
“I am all right,” she whispered.
Graham rolled his eyes, reading his daughter like the books she loved so much.
“I know you are not telling me the truth,” he stated, taking a sip from the drink in his hand.
“I don’t know how to feel right now. I am so confused. I feel so dependent on him. Is this how it will be for the rest of my life? I feel so trapped by something I have no control over.”
