The gift (3)

"Scarlet! Dear?"

Scarlet sighed upon hearing her mother's voice. She had made the mistake of not calling her mother to tell her about Ian and now her mother was here. "I am in the study," she answered. 

"Working yourself away when you should have been on your way to tell us about the man you are going around town with. I bought you a gift and something from your father," Samara said, raising the two boxes she carried. "I think mine will be what you enjoy most."

Scarlet decided to take a break from work to entertain her mother. 'Thank you. I would have made the trip to you if you told me there was something you wanted to give me. Where is father?"

"He went to see an old friend so I came to see you. Now, must I start us off or will you?" Samara asked, speaking of Ian. "If not for seeing you with him at the ball, I would have thought that new liess started. It is the same man right?"