Druid's Daughter by Jean Hart Stewart Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t know any of
this. I only know a girl who has helped me immeasurably with what she calls her
psychic powers has caught my interest. In spite of the fact she talks to
stuffed animals.”
    His wry grin did not conceal to his parents how important
this conversation was to him.
    “Of course,” the Duke said. “Perhaps you’d best study Druid
lore, Lance. Druids believe trees, plants and animals have feelings of their
own. They often talk to them. I can see how the lady might extend the premise
to a stuffed animal. I find the thought charming, myself.”
    Lance raised his eyebrows. “Now that does surprise me.”
    His father only grinned back at his son. “But many think the
Druid teachings are beyond ridiculous. It’s generally acknowledged to be a good
thing civilization stripped Druids of most of their powers, although I’m not at
all sure that’s true. They might have produced a more peaceful world, as well
as a most interesting one.”
    Lance sat looking at his parents with eyes that seemed to
see them for the first time. True, he had always known, growing up in the rigid
world of British aristocracy, that his parents were remarkable for their care
and communication with their sons. Still, the fact his father had been friends
with Viviane McAfee and found Druid lore admirable amazed him.
    “I’m astonished,” he said.
    His parents looked at each other and as was often the case,
an unspoken communication seemed to take place.
    His father cleared his throat. “Make no mistake, Lance. I
realize your questions are tentative. But being interested in a girl like
Morgan McAfee has untold complications. She would not advance your career at
all.”
    “I know,” Lance said quietly.
    He kissed his mother and shook his father’s hand. On the way
out he turned back.
    “Life is interesting, isn’t it? Did you know Commissioner
Randall is quite familiar with Viviane McAfee, to an extent that surprised me?
They seem the best of friends.”
    With a smile for them both, he again started out.
    “Lance,” his mother’s voice called him back.
    He wheeled slowly and faced her.
    “Don’t flirt with her, Lance. I know you’re not the type to
trifle, but I would imagine she is unsophisticated and unspoiled and very
tempting. She might not understand a flirtation for what it is.”
    Lance looked at his mother, thinking she was wise as usual.
But he’d already given himself the same advice and he wasn’t sure it was
working.
    “I know,” he said and continued out the door.
    Was the Commissioner jeopardizing his career by his
relationship with Morgan’s mother? Did his parents feel their son should be
wary of a relationship with Morgan solely for her sake? No, they were concerned
for him, too.
    How had meeting and knowing one slight girl so thoroughly
upset his deliberately circumscribed existence?
    * * * * *
    Lance went to Scotland Yard the next day, determined to
attack this personal problem with his significant intelligence. He called in
one of his constables, a lad new to his division. He did not want anyone who
might have seen Morgan to put pieces of a puzzle together. Shriver would catch
on immediately.
    He’d just ordered Constable Madison to go to the nearest
library and bring back any books he could find on Druids, when Constable
Rainley burst into the room as Shriver threw the door open for him.
    His face white and his eyes staring, Rainley stood just
inside the door, obviously in a state of semi-shock.
    Lance immediately rose to his feet.
    “What’s happened, Rainley?”
    Rainley gulped and then gulped again, an obvious and arduous
effort to keep himself from casting up his accounts on his chief’s valuable
Persian rug.
    “I’ve just gone out to see about a note a boy brought into
the office, Sir. It’s horrible, Sir, horrible.”
    Rainley shuddered from his tow-blond head to his serviceable
boots and Lance swiftly came around the desk and pushed his constable in the
nearest chair.
    Rainley was one