Page 76 of The Thief
She walked over to his couch and gently shook him awake, whispering, “Alastair, it is time for lunch.”
He shifted, waking up slowly. When he realized she was standing over him, he woke up fully.
“Scarlett?” he asked, looking around. “Did I fall asleep?”
She nodded with a chuckle. “You did.”
He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sliding his shoes on as he did. Scarlett was forced to take a step back when he stood, his large body suddenly filling the space she occupied.
She went back to her couch and slid her shoes on, taking his arm when he offered it to her. “Do you think our mothers will ask us where we went?” he asked.
Scarlett thought for a moment. “I think so. However, we should not tell them we were in the library, for I fear we will lose that sanctuary.”
He laughed heartily and replied, “Then we shall tell her we went somewhere else.”
“Excellent idea.”
They headed to the dining room to join their parents, already waiting for them.
“Hello, dear,” Babette greeted her daughter as they walked through the door.
“Alastair,” she greeted him with a huge smile, one she had been wearing since they told them of their engagement.
“Hello, Mama,” Scarlett replied, greeting everyone else as well.
“Lady Kensington, how are you this afternoon?” Alastair asked, bending over and kissing her hand.
“I am lovely, thank you.”
Satisfied, she looked back down at her food, Alastair heading to the sideboard to get some lunch. When he was finished, he headed to his seat, saying hello to his parents as he did.
They fell into companionable silence as they ate. Alastair could not have asked for anything more, grateful that they were not talking about the upcoming wedding.
Upcoming? It does not even have a date yet.
He mentally rolled his eyes.
They were no closer to finding Catriona and that was unsettling. What would happen between them if they never found out what happened to her?
Scarlett had said numerous times that she did not want to be queen, but if Catriona was not found and they could find this poisoner, then she would rightfully be queen. Unless Art was able to rally support for his cause to become king again.
Alastair was surprised he had not come back to Elfyre Hollow yet, bragging about how well it was going for him. He had sent numerous letters, but they were never more than letters of political matters that needed Scarlett’s attention. Art never mentioned Catriona, or his campaign.
That was what worried Alastair the most. It was always better to see his enemy in the light; instead of him planning behind his back in the darkness.
Certain now that Art was not the poisoner, that meant they had another unnamed enemy, hiding somewhere where they could not see him. That person was the one who set the events in motion.
The islands were in danger and they had to figure out who was causing it.
But how?
That was the question that had been plaguing him constantly.
With no word from Everett, they were losing hope, wondering if the danger would come and no one could stop it.
The was the most frightening thing of all.
He wanted to keep Scarlett and his island safe, but he was defenseless, and had no way to fight back.
