The Ambassador's Daughter

Chapter 23

Louise barely made it home from the palace in time for her curfew. She slipped through the door just as the large grandfather clock in the hall began chiming eleven o' clock. With a sigh of relief, Louise began to tiptoe up to her room. "Louise," Her father's voice brought her up short, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up at the top of the stairs, where her father stood glowering down at her.

"Dad!" Louise gasped, "I didn't see you there!" She tripped lightly up the stairs to his side. "What are you doing up so late? You should be in bed. It's been a very busy week." Brandt glared at her. She swallowed, "Seriously, Dad, what are you doing up?"

"Waiting for you to come home, obviously."

Louise sensed a trap, so her next words were said slowly, as if afraid of spring the trap. "Why were you waiting for me?"

"Like you said it has been a very busy week with much revelry. That makes the streets dangerous after dark. Especially for young women of status." Brandt forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I was only looking out for the safety of my only child."

Louise doubted that very much, but she didn't argue. "Thanks, Dad, but Gordon takes very good care of me when we go out. I'm home safe and sound." She kissed her father's cheek, "Good night, Dad, get some sleep." Louise began to brush past her father.

Brandt grabbed her arm in a vice like grip. She gasped in surprise and pain and glanced up into his eyes, fighting to keep the panic out of her eyes. Just as suddenly, Brandt dropped her arm and let her pass. "Good night, my dear." Louise walked quickly to her room. She then locked her door. It was a habit she had gotten into ever since her father had moved her room closer to his. She slipped into her pajamas and then into her bed.

She felt like her eyes had barely closed when there was an insistent banging on her door. She stumbled across her room to the door. She unlocked it and pulled the door open. She was surprised to see T'Challa's chief of security standing on the other side. Louise's parents poked their heads out of their room. "What is the meaning of this?" Brandt demanded, stepping into the hall. The security chief looked at Brandt then turned back to Louise.

"Miss Louise, your presence is urgently required at the palace." The security chief reached out and grabbed Louise by the arm, pulling her into the hallway. Brandt grabbed his daughter by the other arm.

"She is not going to the palace at this time of night. She may be of importance to the king, but she is my daughter, and I say she is not going!"

"Dad, please. You heard her, my presence is urgently required. It may not wait until morning." Louise pleaded, "Please let me go."

"No."

"Enough of this." The chief snapped. "The girl comes. Either she comes with your blessing or I take her without it. His Majesty, King T'Challa, has ordered her to be brought." Louise pulled her arms free. She turned to her father.

"Dad, I would love to have your blessing, but I have to go. I'm going." She walked away from her father. The chief of security followed and caught up to Louise. When they were in the limo on the way to the palace Louise turned to the tall woman across from her. "What's going on?"

"The patient is acting up."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Concern tugged at Louise's stomach.

"It is not my place to discuss this with you, Miss. The king will give you details when you arrive at the palace." The limo pulled up in front of the palace and Louise launched herself out of it before the driver even got out of his seat. She ran up the steps and met T'Challa and Steve just inside the door.