Lady Thief: A Scarlet Novel (31 page)

The past few years have been really hectic for me, and I wouldn’t have made it through without a lot of support from my workplace. Thank you to Meghan, Amy, Paloan, Keith, Alex, Stevi, and especially Paul—you’re the best boss ever. Thank you for being so supportive. To Risk, especially Mike and Matt, who have kept me sane on overnights for years. I’ll even thank the guys from Engineering (Jason, Scott, and Ermin)—just don’t let it go to your heads. And of course, Andrew, we’re going to have ants.

There are workplace families, and then there are families that come from working together without money—which I think is more meaningful. To my GLOW girls, you have proven to me that we can do anything (like, literally, anything) and that we can turn around and show young women that they, too, are capable of greatness. Emily, Jenna, and especially Leah, thank you for inspiring me to dream greater, to achieve greater—in a word, glow. (And, you know, for ignoring those 6 a.m. e-mails when I decide to communicate mid–panic attack.) And since I can’t miss an opportunity for nonprofit promotion,
www.bostonglow.org
.

Then there are friends who have always felt like family. Ashley, I would not have survived without that week in Montana, and Gisbourne wouldn’t be half the man he is today. Renee, Nacie, Iggy, and Alex, I would cut off my fingers for you. But please don’t make me, because they’re helpful with the writing.

To Mikey, who wanted to call this
Scarlet 2: Scarleter
, or
Scarlet 2: She’ll Cut You
. I’m sorry we didn’t go with your titles, but you’re the best brother ever. And Kev, who still buys a new copy of my book every few weeks just because. You’re the best brother ever. (See what I did there?) I love you both so very much!

Daddy, you’ve given me everything—including your awful sense of humor. Thank you for hoisting me up on your shoulders and showing me what the world looks like from such a height. I hope this book is a small gesture of my love and gratitude.

To my mum, you and I probably have a little too much fun together. Thank you for always being there for me and for listening to me rant and cry and rant some more. I love being your daughter.

Scarlet

Copyright © 2014 by A. C. Gaughen

All rights reserved.
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce, or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

First published in the United States of America in February 2014
by Walker Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.
E-book edition published in February 2014
www.bloomsbury.com

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to
Permissions, Walker BFYR, 1385 Broadway, New York, New York 10018. Bloomsbury books may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at [email protected]

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gaughen, A. C.
Lady thief : a Scarlet novel / A. C. Gaughen.
pages       cm
Sequel to: Scarlet.
Summary: Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed and she has been forced to marry Lord Gisbourne and participate at court, acting the part of a noblewoman in hopes of helping her beloved Robin Hood’s cause and forging a future with him.
1. Robin Hood (Legendary character)—Juvenile Fiction. [1. Robin Hood (Legendary character)—Fiction. 2. Courts and courtiers—Fiction. 3. Love—Fiction. 4. Adventure and
adventurers—Fiction. 5. Middle Ages—Fiction. 6. Great Britain—History—Richard I,
1189–1199—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.G23176Lad 2014          [Fic]—dc23           2013024938

ISBN: 9780-8027-3615-4 (e-book)

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