Chapter Twelve
The next day, Alastair received a reply from Scarlett’s parents letting him know that they would indeed be joining their party.
As he walked upstairs to see Scarlett, he thought about what would happen if she got worse.
They still had an almost full vial and a full vial of the antidote, but if the attempted killer took his time and then gave her a huge dose, the antidote would be gone.
The hospital told him that there had been two bottles of Tapoxon stolen from the hospital, and that was more than enough to continue poisoning Scarlett to the point that it would kill her.
He sighed in frustration.
When he reached the door, he knocked, opening the door when Melody called out for him to come in.
“Good morning, My Lord,” she said with a dreamy smile.
Alastair looked over at Scarlett, very relieved to see that she was not as pale as she was yesterday.
She sat up in the bed, propped up against a battalion of pillows, her hair braided simply but still in her nightgown.
Her eyes were still sunken in and she had dark circles under her eyes, but the sparkle in her eye was back. That alone made him happy.
She smiled back at him and he turned to Melody, a slightly mischievous look in his eye.
“How was your picnic yesterday with Ragan? I heard from him that it was a very lovely afternoon.”
A pink tinge appeared on Melody’s face, the happiness speaking volumes.
“It was, My Lord. Thank you for letting us go, especially given the circumstances.”
She looked over at Scarlett when she said that, receiving a look of reproach from her friend.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, “I was perfectly fine. Alastair is more than capable of taking care of me if you are not here. I am just selfish and want you here to appease any onset of frustration I feel at being confined to this bed. However, I am not so selfish as to keep you from finding happiness.”
Scarlett smiled at Melody, who chuckled.
“So feisty now that she is feeling better. She won’t even need me now that she is.”
Scarlett shook her head.
“I highly doubt that.”
Alastair watched the exchange between the two women and laughed.
Melody looked over at him and asked, “I’m sorry to have delayed you with our conversation. Did you have any news for us?”
He nodded and walked over to the bed, handing the letter he’d received to Scarlett.
She read it and her face lit up. “My parents are coming. They will be here the same day as yours.”
She looked up at him from the letter in her hands.
“That will be exciting will it not?” he asked.
She laughed and shook her head. “It will be interesting to be sure.”
“I have a feeling that it will be lovely; do not worry,” he affirmed, his eyes calm and reassuring.
She looked over to Melody and inquired, “Will you help me get ready? They won’t be here for about two more days, but I’d rather be prepared.”
“Of course. My mother will be coming as well. I wonder if Ragan would want to meet her. Since Papa is going to be home, Mama can tell me what she thinks of him.”
“She never restrains herself when she is not around your father,” Scarlett laughed, making Melody giggle too.
“Neither does your mother,” she giggled, shaking her head.
Melody suddenly looked thoughtful.
“Has Alastair met your mother before?”
Scarlett turned to face him and he shook his head.
“I don’t believe so. I believe that I have met her father once before. At a dinner at Ciomodors Garden. I was much younger then. Only about fifteen or sixteen. My father and I spoke with your father for a few minutes, but no longer than that. I wonder if he would even remember that.”
Scarlett and Melody looked at one another and burst into laughter.
“My father remembers everything, especially meeting a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy he could marry off to his fourteen or fifteen-year-old daughter. He was only at those dinners for that purpose. He has since ended doing so and has left the deciding to myself, and my mother of course. I think he might have tried to start again, as one of the letters I received from her sounded more like him than her.”
Melody scoffed.
“That sounds exactly like something he might do. He once told Scarlett that he would be better at choosing a man because he is one.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes.
“So, he tries to convince you to pick someone?” Alastair questioned.
Scarlett looked at him, her mind racing back to what he had asked her last night.
“Yes, he tried to get me to choose someone. I prefer to choose my own spouse, however. I will choose when I am ready, and not before that.”
A slight nod was his only reply and she sighed mentally, her outward exterior still very calm.
“You must be careful though; if you make someone wait too long, the person you pick might move on.”
“If the person I pick really wants me, he will wait for me.”
His eyes flared for a moment, then assumed their calm once again.
“I think your father would be happy if you set your cap for someone. The rest would work itself out,” Melody quipped with a chuckle, breaking the tense moment between them.
Scarlett chuckled and looked at Melody, breaking the electric eye contact between them.
“You are right, of course,” she said, winking at Melody.
With one last look at both women, Alastair said goodbye to them.
“I will leave you to your preparations. I have a few more things to take care of myself to get ready for our parents’ arrival. If you need to add anything, just send down a list and I will make sure it gets taken care of.”
“Thank you, Alastair,” Scarlett whispered.
He smiled briefly and then headed back downstairs.
Alastair sat in his office, reading through some letters he had received from colleagues at the hospital. He had cut down on his trips so that he could be at the castle in case something happened to Scarlett and he was needed. She had been unchanged until last night when he had received the antidote and given it to her. When Alastair had seen her today, she looked so much better than she had in a long time. Even sickly and pale, she was still lovely.
He brought his attention back to one of the letters and read it, sensing a bigger problem with the patient than the doctor had realized. Reading it a second time just to be sure, he called for Bard to bring his carriage around; he was going to Elfyre Memorial Hospital.
Bard did as he asked and Alastair grabbed his coat, sliding the letter in his pocket, praying he would be able to get there in time. Luckily, the patient had arrived last night so the disaster could be averted if Alastair got to the hospital in time.
When Bard came back to the office to tell him the carriage was ready, Alastair rushed out the door and into the waiting vehicle.
“Make sure there are at least two guards at Scarlett’s door and Melody, you, or Ragan are in there with her.”
Bard nodded and stepped back as the vehicle carried the lord off in a hurry, the vehicle taking off so quickly it kicked up dust.
Hours later, Alastair walked through the door, his jacket in his hand. He was exhausted from the surgery, trying to help save the man’s life. Unfortunately, they had not been able to save him, and he had passed away on the operating table.
Alastair sighed in frustration, leaning back against the door and squeezing the bridge of his nose with two fingers.
Bard walked into the hallway and looked at Alastair, knowing this face he made signaled something had happened
“Welcome home, My Lord. Did it not go well as you had hoped?” Even though he already knew the answer.
Alastair looked at Bard, his eyes red.
“I’m sorry, My Lord. I know how hard it is for you to lose a patient.”
“It’s all right, Bard. I just pray for Mr. McIntyre’s family.”
“As shall I,” Bard replied.
“How’s Scarlett?” Alastair asked, walking over to Bard and handing him his jacket.
Bard put it over his forearm and replied, “She is well. She was even able to make it downstairs for dinner this evening. Sally was so giddy that she made an apple pie for dessert.”
Their cook Sally liked Scarlett very much, and had struck up a relationship with her during the time that Scarlett had been here. The thought of Scarlett being his princess and being here permanently and running his home made him suddenly excited.
He tamped it down and sighed, looking at Bard.
“Is there any pie left?”
Bard nodded, a smile coming to his face.
“I made sure Sally saved you a piece. I know that apple pie is your favorite.”
Alastair clapped his hand on Bard’s shoulder.
“I’ll be in the study.”
“My Lord, Lady Scarlett asked to speak with you when you arrived home.”
“I will speak to her tomorrow. It is late and I’d rather not wake her.”
“As you wish. I’ll get that pie for you.”
“Thank you, Bard.”
Bard bowed at the waist and walked down the hall, freeing Alastair to go into the study.
A few minutes later, a knock came on the door and he called out for them to enter, thinking it was Bard. When he looked up, he was surprised to see Scarlett standing there, holding his pie.
“Scarlett? What are you doing here?” he asked, realizing how informal they had become since she became sick.
He immediately stood and walked over to her, taking the dessert from her, and leading her to the couch near the bookshelves that lined the wall. She let him lead her to sit down and when she was settled he looked at her, noticing she was in her nightgown and robe. His heart skipped a beat when he realized that he could see the top of her breasts through the nightgown, the rounded fullness teasing him.
“I came to speak with you since I was sure you would think I was asleep.”
“All right. What is it?” he asked, slightly frustrated now.
With everything that had happened this evening, he didn’t really want to be this close to her, her breasts tempting him with all the comfort her body could bring.
He was just a man not a saint.
Although, even a saint could be tempted by Scarlett in this state of dress.
He hadn’t even been able to eat his pie yet.
That might have helped.
Alastair mentally chuckled as he thought that.
Even apple pie wouldn’t help resist her either.
“Alastair?” she asked. “Are you all right? You look slightly distressed.”
He turned his attention back to her and pushed away his thoughts.
“I am. I am just upset by something that happened with a patient. He died this evening while we were trying to save him.”
Her face paled.
“That’s terrible.”
He nodded and squeezed his hands.
“I hate when that happens. It was a case where there was something else at work. There was the thing that brought him to the hospital, and after we were able to fix that, something else came into play. I am just very thankful that the family knows we did what we could to save him. I just hate ever having to tell someone that their family passed away.”
Scarlett put her hand on his and squeezed, trying to comfort him in any way she could.
When he took her hand and squeezed it, she smiled.
“It will be all right. That man is no longer in pain, and you didn’t cause his death. His body did. I know it does not make it easier, but it’s true.”
She looked away, then back at Alastair.
“My little brother Sedrick was stillborn when I was seven, and my mother was devastated. She understood that it happened for a reason and accepted it. My father did not. He wanted to blame the doctors, but my mother talked him out of it, and he eventually apologized to them. Sometimes there are people who aren’t meant to be saved.”
He saw the sadness in her eyes and knew that it ate her up inside.
He cupped her face in his hand and she leaned into it, his tongue catching a tear. Leaning in, Alastair looked deep in her eyes, then pressed his lips to hers, her eyelids falling closed as he kissed her, his following soon after. The kiss was not a hot, deep soul-searching kiss, but instead, a soft, gentle kiss, each of them taking comfort in the other.
He pulled away and rested his head on hers, just breathing roughly. They just sat together on the couch for a few moments, reveling in the closeness of each other’s arms. The sound of a branch hitting the window broke the spell. Alastair pressed a soft kiss on her forehead before pulling away from her, leaving her feeling bereft.
He cleared his throat and asked, “You said you needed to speak with me?”
She looked at his blank stare, clearly unable to remember why she had come down there in the first place. He gave her a moment to collect her thoughts and he could tell when she remembered, her face lighting up.
“I came down here to ask you if we could possibly go on an outing. I’d like to walk around, and I mean more than just the courtyard.”
She could see the disapproval in his eyes and she interjected before he could say anything.
“I was hoping we could go when our parents get here. All the protection we could possibly need would be in the carriage with us. What do you think? I’d like to show my parents around.”
He sighed and looked at her face, knowing he would not be able to disagree.
“All right. We will go only when your parents arrived. For now, we must get to bed.”
She looked at him with a smile.
“May we have some of that pie first?”
He looked behind him to the table he’d set the pie down on.
“Absolutely.”
Scarlett leaned over and stretched into the morning sun, the warmth of it on her face, making her happy. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel sick at all in the morning, and her head was clear. She rolled over onto her side with a smile, knowing that tomorrow she would see her parents.
That alone made her so excited. She couldn’t wait to see her mother.
With a sigh, she sat up, ringing for a maid. When Melody arrived, she looked nervous, causing Scarlett to wonder what had happened, but she didn’t ask. Melody tried to cover her nerves, but had to redo Scarlett’s hair twice because she was not focused on what she was doing.
Scarlett grabbed her hand and turned on the vanity stool, looking in her eyes.
“What happened to make you so nervous?” she asked.
Melody looked away, and then back at Scarlett, squeezing her hand.
“They found an empty bottle of the poison.”
Scarlett grabbed her hand a little bit tighter.
“Did they find who it was?” she asked.
Melody shook her head.
“Only the one bottle. There were two bottles taken from the hospital.”
“Two? So, they still have one left,” she sighed and rested her head on her hand. “Lovely.” With another sigh, she looked up at Melody. “I will be all right. We just need to keep looking. Alastair will keep me safe.”
Melody did not look completely convinced.
She leaned down and hugged Scarlett, and said, “I hope you’re right.”
Scarlett returned the hug and said with a smile, “Let us finish with my hair.”
Melody nodded and let go, standing back up straight and getting to work on fixing Scarlett’s hair.
A few hours earlier…
Alastair looked up when he heard loud voices in the hall.
Not a moment later, his door burst open, Ronald and Ragan walking in.
Bard, looking very frantic, followed close on their heels.
“My Lord, we have found something very suspicious in the stable.”
“The stable? What did you find?” he asked, walking around the small table that held a few of his random papers and books.
He cleared a space for them and watched as Ronald took out a handkerchief and put it on the table. Flipping it open, he revealed a little glass vial in pieces, just like the ones Alastair saw at the hospital all the time.
“Is this not one of the two vials that were stolen from the hospital?” Ragan asked, looking at Alastair.
He nodded.
“It is. It was the only one found?”
It was Ragan’s turn to nod.
“It was found in one of the stalls used by the servants’ animals, not one of the family spots. I asked the stable master if he remembered who it was and he told me that he was not there when they left. He had gone into that stall to make it ready for another horse when he stepped on it. It was covered by the hay, but I don’t believe it was left on purpose. I believe it was dropped and then covered by hay when the horse went to leave.”
Alastair looked down at the shards and then back up to the three men standing in front of him.
“We must find out who this person is. Ronald, go back to the stable and find out who was there when that horse and the rider left. Bard, I want you to check with Eloise and see if she knows who left here this morning. Also, ask if any of the maids saw anything. They might have seen something she did not.”
“Ragan, tell Melody not to tell Scarlett, unless she asks.”
Everyone went to leave, but Alastair stopped them.
“Be discreet. Try not to raise too many suspicions. Don’t give any specific details other than when they might have left. Thank you, gentlemen.”
They all bowed quickly and left the room, leaving Alastair to his thoughts.
He sighed and sat down.
His thoughts were now his best friends.
He growled in frustration and headed out of the study to the center courtyard.
Scarlett walked down the stairs, looking around as she did.
When she saw no sign of Alastair anywhere, she went to find someone to help her.
A few minutes later, she ran into Bard, the old man looking nervous and slightly agitated.
“Bard, is everything all right?” she asked, even though she was pretty sure she knew the reason.
“No, My Lady. You must be looking for Alastair, are you not?”
At her nod, he pointed in the direction of the center courtyard.
“You’ll find him there. He will most certainly be surprised to see you.”
She arched a brow at him.
“Why would he be surprised?” she asked.
His eyes darted back and forth as if he was looking for an escape.
“Not to worry, Bard. I will find him.”
Before walking away, she rested her hand on his shoulder.
“Everything will be all right,” she said, offering a comforting smile as he rested his hand on hers and gave it a soft squeeze.
“I hope you are right, My Lady.”
With one last look, she headed down the hall to the courtyard.
A few minutes later, she walked out into the sunny courtyard, looking around for Alastair. When she didn’t find him with her cursory glance, she stepped out of the doorway and fully into the courtyard. She noticed him sitting on one of the benches that lined the area, just staring at the ground.
She stood very still, watching him as she did, wondering if he had noticed her entrance. When he made no motion to acknowledge her there, she studied his face, seeing the worry lines he had gained since she had come to Elfyre Hollow.
She truly felt awful for bringing all this on him, making him take on all her worries as well as his. She felt like a burden to him and that was very disconcerting.
She hadn’t felt like a burden with her parents, as they were her parents and loved taking care of her. When she had moved to her flat in the castle to be closer to Catriona, she hadn’t either.
However, in those situations, it wasn’t the same. Catriona was not missing, and Scarlett’s life was not in danger. She sighed, regretting it instantly when Alastair looked up at her.
“Scarlett, I didn’t see you come out. Is there something wrong?” he asked, standing up and adjusting his coat.
He walked over to her and took her hand, kissing it softly then releasing it.
She had to resist the urge to rub the spot he kissed, the area tingling.
“I came down to speak to you about the thing that was found in the stable today. Melody told me. The poor girl couldn’t help herself; she was so nervous.”
He frowned and then sighed.
“I should not be surprised. Melody would never be able to keep anything from you.”
She shook her head with a soft smile.
“She never has been able to. When we were younger, we would always spend time together and shared everything. I knew I was going to be a big sister before my parents told me because Melody heard her mother tell her father.” She giggled. “My parents were not upset. They understood how excited children could get.”
After her mother had lost Sedrick, Melody’s mother had gotten pregnant with Melody’s younger brother and Melody hadn’t said a word to her, knowing that Scarlett was grieving for her brother.
Babette told Melody’s mother that she was absolutely delighted for her and refused to accept the resignation she had given her; she had not wanted to cause Babette any more upset. So, Melody’s mother had stayed on as her lady’s maid and Melody and Scarlett stayed friends.
She was drawn from her memories when he asked her, “Scarlett? Are you all right?”
She smiled at him. “I’m sorry; sometimes memories have a way of sneaking up on me.”
He nodded. “I find myself doing that more often as of late.”
When he looked at her, she blushed, knowing the heated look he wore was because of their previous encounter.
A few awkward moments ticked by before he cleared his throat and asked, “Are you worried about being poisoned again?”
Scarlett sighed in frustration.
“I am, but I am more worried that we will not find Catriona. Don’t mistake that I’m not concerned for my safety, but if we do not find her, my life will be in danger long after she is officially declared dead. Of course, my selfishness puts her back into the fire and another attempt on her life.” She scowled. “Why must politics be so dangerous? There always seems to be someone’s life is in danger.”
“I agree. It would be easier if everyone could just get along, but that is not how it works.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes.
“I have known that since I was born. My parents were both associated with royalty and all the politics associated with the position.”
“My parents were as well. Especially my father, who ended up caught in the middle of some very bad situations,” he said, looking at her.
“My father was fortunate to have never been in that position. As the queen and king’s brother-in-law, they always protected him from being involved in things potentially traitorous. My uncle didn’t want him to end up in something they would both regret later. Especially as my uncle had to take action against him.”
She smiled then.
“I was very proud of him though; he did stand up to my uncle a handful of times when it was something important to him. Do you remember when the doctors went on strike because they were not able to leave the island to tend to other patients who couldn’t get there?”
He nodded.
“My uncle fought my father on it, but my father finally convinced him to let a team of doctors go off the island and take care of patients that couldn’t come to the island.”
“That’s great to hear. I didn’t know that he was influential in getting the doctors off the island.”
She smiled again.
“I’m so happy about that. I knew he could do it if he tried, and he did. I have no doubt that my mother was just as happy as I was in knowing he stayed true to himself and fought for what he believed in.”
He looked over at her in understanding.
“That is why you are determined to find Catriona, dead or alive.”
She sighed and nodded.
“I won’t give up. Not until I find out what happened to her.”
She looked at him, her eyes hard with determination.
“We will find out something; we just need time,” he said, resting his hand on hers.
“I fear that time might be our enemy. Who knows how much longer they will dangle this in front of us before they give us an answer, if they ever give us an answer.”
He squeezed her hands and whispered to her, “We will find her, regardless of what anyone says. I have faith in us, and Everett.”
“Don’t worry; everything will be all right.”
Scarlett turned to face the new voice in the courtyard, a smile coming to her face when she recognized her father as the man standing in the doorway.
“Papa!” she cried, standing quickly and running over to him, seeing her mother standing behind him.
“Mama!” she said, releasing her father and quickly hugging her mother.
“What are you both doing here?” she asked, looking at them both.
“Actually,” Babette said, stepping aside, “We are all four here.”
She stepped aside to reveal his parents, Antoinette and Beauregard Brannigan.