The Love of a Wielder (Book Two of The Wielders Trilogy)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Maren intended to meet her parents in the drive, alone, and she would have, had they not arrived several hours before Maren expected them.

They had sent a telegram from Blackstone the day of the War Council saying they'd arrived and would be leaving for Worthingham in the morning. The Duke told her it was about the same distance to Blackstone as the Capitol so she assumed they'd arrive sometime after tea two days later. But apparently, they'd driven a few hours extra on the first day so they arrived before tea.

She had gone down to the beach with Alec and Donovan as a distraction after luncheon. They had had a great bit of fun and had gotten thoroughly sandy and more than a bit wet (part of the fun had been trying to see who could stand on the edge of the water the longest without getting wet, which had predictable results). After a time, Maren announced that she needed to get cleaned up before seeing her parents so the three of them went back to the house where they ran straight into Maren's parents who had just arrived in the drive.

Bedraggled from a beach excursion was not how she hoped to greet her parents. However, her appearance rapidly became the least of anyone's concern because before she could even say hello to either of her parents, her father recognized Donovan.

"You!" he shouted. "What are you doing here? How dare you show your face to me!"

Maren was very surprised. Her father was not the sort of man who lost his temper.

"Father, wait just a moment -"

"I ought to get my pistols!"

"Father! You cannot challenge the Prince to a duel!" Maren shouted, unable to believe she actually had to say that.

Her mother apparently had not known who her father was shouting about and suddenly went very pale and curtsied, which apparently annoyed her father.

"Helen! He doesn't deserve an ounce of your respect!"

The only positive thing about the situation was that Donovan was apparently too surprised to take offense. It wasn't every day people spoke to him that way.

"Father, really, just let me explain. This isn't what it looks like -"

"Really, Maren? Because it looks like you were just cavorting on the beach with the man who stole you from my home and, and...I don't know who that is!" he yelled, gesturing at Alec.

"Ah, this is Lord Alec, he is the Duke's son and the Court Physician," Maren said, choosing to ignore the first part of her father's accusation.

Her father's eyes blazed.

"Maren! Are you trying to ruin your engagement? Running off alone with two men! You are very lucky the Duke is not here to see you behave so wantonly," he snarled.

Apparently, the implication that Maren had somehow slighted her own honor by running off alone with two men stirred Donovan out of his surprise.

"Now, see here -"

"Not helping!" she hissed at him.

And then, to make matters more interesting, the Duke arrived. Maren thought it likely someone on the staff had summoned him to diffuse the situation.

"Ah, my lord and my lady, I'm so glad to see you've arrived," he said.

Fortunately, the necessity of greeting the Duke seemed to have taken Maren's father's temper down a few notches. Maren took the opportunity to come closer to her parents, as she no longer thought she might need to restrain Donovan. He, most helpfully, remained behind.

"I understand there's something of a concern regarding my other guest," he said quietly. "I want to assure you that there is nothing at all to be concerned about and there's no risk whatsoever to your daughter's future. I can promise you her well-being and reputation are both in very good hands."