Chapter One
Scarlett opened her eyes and looked around, the sunlight streaming in through the open curtains into the room. When she realized she was in a bed, she looked around, disoriented. The last thing she remembered was her uncle yelling at her that she was going to be queen and that she got so upset that she had yelled back at him.
The stress of yesterday must have gotten to me.
She sat up and looked around the room.
The bedroom was large and tastefully decorated with long beige curtains that matched the beige walls. The large four-poster bed she lay in was a dark wood and very sturdy. The wall across from the bed had a vanity and large armoire in the same dark wood as the bed.
As she looked around the room, she noticed also a writing desk between the two windows and that the theme of the dark wood was prominent among the furniture.
Scarlett stood up and realized with a start that she was only in her shift. Looking around for her dress, she located it on the stool that accompanied the vanity. It was folded neatly, waiting for her to put it on. She walked over and picked up the dress, smiling as she rubbed the soft silk between her fingers.
This was one of her favorite dresses.
She slipped it on and checked herself in the mirror to make sure it was on correctly, smiling at how cheerful she felt now. The bright color had always made her feel better.
She remembered Catriona’s words and had to laugh, knowing that if she didn’t, she would cry. Looking in the mirror once more, she went to leave, stopped by a knock on the door.
“Come in!” she called, sitting down on the stool she had just removed her dress from.
She waited patiently for her guest to come in and when the door finally opened, her uncle walked in. Scarlett immediately stood and looked at her uncle, feeling fear rising in her stomach.
She curtsied and said as she stood straight again, “Uncle, what can I do for you?”
Art’s expression didn’t change, but he replied, “I have spoken to the Counsel of Electors and they are in agreement with me.”
Scarlett waited for him to continue, but when he said nothing else, she asked, “In agreement about what?”
Without blinking, he said, “You are going to stay here on Elfyre Hollow until Catriona can be found or it is deemed safe for you to return to Ciomodors Garden. I have already had Melody pack your things and she is on her way with them now. If you need anything else, send word and Melody can come and get it for you.”
Scarlett stared at him, what he said sinking in.
“If I am not to rule, then who have they named?” she asked.
“Myself. I am the only one fit to do so and as I have already run this kingdom, I am the only one suitable.”
Scarlett shook her head. “You are not able to—”
He scowled at her and interrupted.
“The Counsel and I have agreed. You wanted time to find proof; well, girl, here is your time. The kingdom, however, needs a ruler.”
Scarlett flushed red at his patronizing tone as her temper rose.
“I will find proof, Uncle, and I will find her and bring her home. She is the queen and she will rule over the kingdom that you abandoned.”
Art flushed a dark red and took a step towards her, making Scarlett grab the edge of the vanity but standing her ground.
She felt her entire body shake as she waited for Art to do something.
“Mark my words, Scarlett. You better find her before I can convince the Counsel to force you to take over the throne or hold an election. If you don’t find her, you might give the person you are trying to stop all the power he wants.”
Scarlett felt her stomach drop.
Art laughed as he headed towards the door. “Enjoy your stay,” he said, shutting it behind him, the echo of his laughter in her ears.
She collapsed on the stool and took a few deep breaths, trying to steady her frantically beating heart. When the door opened again, she jumped up, her heart speeding up uncontrollably.
Bard peeked in and a look of concern came across his face.
“My Lady, are you all right?” he asked, walking over to her and resting his hand over hers.
“I… I am all right. Is Lord Alastair at home right now?” she asked.
Bard nodded.
“My Lady, he is downstairs in his study. I will be happy to get him for you. Do you want to speak with him in the study or the parlor?”
Scarlett thought about it and said, “The parlor, please, will be fine, Bard. Thank you. I will head down in just a moment.”
He nodded and left the room.
Scarlett sighed and took a deep breath, holding it for a moment and then letting it out. She stood and composed herself and headed out the door.
Scarlett walked into the parlor and went to sit, arranging her skirts around her and settling in to wait for Alastair.
She looked around the bright room and stood, walking over to the paintings on the wall.
The first one she looked at was a man riding a giant white charger, leading a battalion of men towards another large group of men.
“Good luck,” she whispered to the painting, moving on to the next one.
She stared at the tall blond woman in the picture for about five minutes, taking in all the flowers in the garden, the color of her dress and even the look on her face.
What’s your story? She smiled as she began to make one up.
She was halfway through the blonde’s life when Alastair came into the parlor, clearing his throat to let her know he was there.
Scarlett jumped and whirled around, her hand on her heart.
Alastair raised his hands and said, “I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Scarlett glared at him and went to sit, Alastair following suit as soon as she was seated.
“Bard said you wanted to speak with me?” he asked, leaning back and getting comfortable.
She sat straight in her seat and looked around, shifting uncomfortably.
They sat for a few awkward minutes before Alastair said, “So I saw your uncle come down a while ago. Did he say something to you?”
She nodded. “He spoke with the Counsel of Electors and they agreed to give me the time I need to find Catriona, or at least proof of what happened and if she is still alive or not.”
“That is a good thing though. It gives us the opportunity to find her.”
She looked him straight in the eye and said, “He will be interim ruler.”
Alastair could feel his jaw drop open, unable to hide his shock.
“He can’t be king again,” he said.
Scarlett nodded again.
“He can’t be king again, no, but the Counsel of Electors agreed to let him stand in for Catriona and me while we work on this whole situation. The Counsel gave me some time but if I don’t take the throne when they say to, then I will not be the ruler anymore and they will hold elections. There have not been elections in over one hundred years.”
“Art still can’t be king, right?” he asked, standing and going to the window.
“I’m not sure,” Scarlett replied, standing up and starting to pace.
“May I ask you a question?” he said, halting her pacing.
She stared at him, waiting.
“Do you think your uncle had anything to do with your cousin’s abduction?”
Scarlett stood still for a moment, thinking about what she would say.
Did she truly think her uncle had anything to do with it?
Slowly, she shook her head. “I don’t think that Uncle Art had anything to do with it.”
Alastair looked at her curiously.
“Are you sure of that?” he asked.
“If he had anything to do with it, he would have fought harder to prevent me from even looking. When he doesn’t want you to know something, he will do anything he can to keep you from figuring it out.”
Alastair shook his head. “Such manipulation,” he said, making Scarlett crack a smile.
“Well, that is my uncle. He has never been subtle about such things. It is how he has always been. Even with Aunt Olivia and Catriona.”
She sighed and sat down.
“I have always been afraid of becoming queen unless Art had passed away first. There have always been lingering fears that should I become queen before that, Art would try and control me. It seems to me that it is the situation.”
She plopped back against the pillows.
Alastair watched her and couldn’t help but be enchanted by her.
She exuded an innocence that he found irresistible, but she had knowledge of the world rarely found in people younger than thirty.
He smiled at her and said, “Well, I for one am sure that it will not end up that way. We will find her. I have sent out many messages to people I know I can trust asking about it. It is going to take some time though, so we will have to be patient.”
“Have patience,” she said, resting her hands on her stomach.
Alastair chuckled and went to leave.
“Please excuse me, I have some paperwork for a new hospital to fill out. I’ll see you at lunch.”
She smiled and waved goodbye to him, watching as he walked out.