Page 3 of The Thief
Scarlett sighed, fear and worry mixing together in her chest.
“I hope you are right, My Lord.”
He sighed and walked back over to the couches.
“Bard will bring us some tea in a few minutes. Why don’t you come sit down and rest a bit?”
Scarlett nodded and took one last long look out the big bank of windows before coming to sit down.
Alastair watched Scarlett out of the corner of his eye, curious about her. Her olive skin was pale from the shock of her ordeal, and the paleness extended to the rose of her plump lips. He had known that she was coming with the queen, but he had not expected her to be so lovely.
Her face was narrow and long but not overly skinny; her eyes amber and deep set, the set of her eyes balanced by her high cheekbones.
“I sent a message to your uncle and let him know what has happened,” he said, bringing her amber eyes to him.
“Has he responded yet?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“No word has come yet. There is also no sign of the queen. I sent men out to look for her and have not been able to find her. We did find the abduction site. There is evidence of a struggle taking place and multiple hoofprints and footprints from the horses and the queen.”
Scarlett sighed and looked down at her hands.
“I am so worried about her. I have never been this long without her. It’s very frightening that Catriona was right about something happening to her.”
At Alastair’s puzzled expression, she explained.
“Before we left, Catriona was worried something might happen to her. Right before we were ambushed, she told me that if anything were to happen to her, to get down and avoid being seen. She said they would only need her to accomplish any task.”
Alastair shook his head.
“I think it might have been more advantageous to take both of you instead. That way they would have had both potential rulers to accomplish their goals. Having her would leave you to take over the throne.”
Scarlett frowned and clasped her hands tightly in her lap, knowing that what Alastair said was true.
“However, it is a good thing that they did not get you as well. This way we still have leverage to use.”
Scarlett blushed red in fury.
“Leverage? I am to be used as leverage now?” she asked through gritted teeth.
Alastair flushed.
“I’m sorry, My Lady. I didn’t mean to—” He stopped when he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“To offend you,” he said, standing and going to the door.
Bard walked in with the tea and set the tray down on one of the side tables next to Alastair who had resumed his seat. He made Alastair’s tea the way he liked it and then walked over to Scarlett, asking her how she liked her tea.
She told him and he went off to make it for her.
When that was completed and Bard had left the room, Alastair looked at Scarlett who was still very flushed.
“I do apologize but now, you will be used as some leverage. It is because you are now the acting queen. I would not be surprised if Art does not send the necessary people to make sure you get your coronation quickly.”
“I do not want to be queen. Catriona is the queen. She is going to come home and when she does, I will not be in that seat. That would look like betrayal of the deepest kind,” Scarlett replied, setting her cup down after taking a small drink.
“She will understand, Lady Scarlett, that it was only a brief interim rule. The kingdom has to have someone take care of it and right now that person is you.”
