Page 13 of The Thief
“I’m fine actually,” he said, taking a sip of his still full glass.
When Melody looked at him and winked, he felt his face heat. The little snitch had told her about the kiss in the courtyard. He leaned his head toward her and she curtsied, leaving the room with the tray. Alastair sighed and looked around the room, his mind going back to the scene in the courtyard for the second time today.
He couldn’t shake this attraction to her and it bothered him somewhat. If she was going to stay here, then Alastair was about to get infinitely more uncomfortable.
He growled in frustration.
“Are you all right, My Lord?” Bard asked, reminding Alastair he was not alone.
“I am, Bard. Just a little frustration about the whole situation.”
Bard nodded.
“It is quite distressing that the queen has been taken and there is no information about her at all. Suspicion is everywhere, and no one knows who to trust anymore.”
“Well, Bard, don’t worry. You can trust me. So, can Scarlett,” Alastair said, a smile coming to Bard’s face.
“Of course, I can, sir,” he said matter-of-factly.
Alastair laughed.
“My Lord, the hospital sent a messenger over to inform us they are in need of your assistance still. Should I ready the carriage for you?” Bard asked, walking over to him and handing him the missive.
Alastair read it and stood, his smile turning into a frown. “Yes, please. I must go as soon as it’s ready.”
Bard went to leave and Alastair stopped him.
“Bard, would you check on the queen please? I don’t want to have to take her to the hospital with me.”
“Absolutely, My Lord. I will check on her after I make sure the carriage is ready.”
“Thank you, Bard.”
With a small bow, he walked out the double doors of the dining room to ready the carriage.
Scarlett looked out the windows facing both the side and front of the castle as Alastair left, enabling her to see out both sides. She stepped back when he looked up at the window, knowing she was watching him as he left. She wondered where he was going for a split second and then decided it was better if she didn’t know.
Noticing that his carriage had left, she walked away from the window, going to sit on the bed next to her lunch tray. She wasn’t all that hungry, but she supposed she would eat something, when a knock came at the door. She walked to the door and opened it, finding Bard standing behind it.
“Bard, how can I help you?” she asked.
“My Lord Alastair asked me to come up and check on you to make sure you were not in dire need of medical attention. Melody was not specific in what was ailing you so he wanted to make sure you were all right.”
Scarlett blushed a deep red, guilt filling her heart.
“I am fine, Bard. My stomach is not feeling well right now,” she said, resting her hands on top of his. “I am not in dire need of medical attention, just a little bit of rest.”
Bard looked relieved.
“If you need anything, My Lady, please just let me know and I will personally see to getting it done,” he said.
She nodded. “Thank you, Bard, I will let you know at once if I need anything.”
He bowed slightly and headed back down the hall, Scarlett closing the door behind him.
He was such a sweet man, and Scarlett felt a little guilty about deceiving him. She was certain that Alastair had sent him up here to guilt her because she was hiding in her room instead of coming to face him.
Scarlett knew she would have to face him so she resolved to do it tomorrow since she had already excused herself from lunch and dinner. She looked back at her lunch tray and smiled, suddenly hungry. With a small humph sound, she walked back over to the bed and sat down to eat.
