Captive Splendors by Fern Michaels

“This is the last I’ll see of you, Sara, unless, of course, you attend my wedding. But perhaps your father will have something to say about that. He seems to consider Wren a bad influence on you.” Malcolm laughed aloud, the sound so derisive to Sara that she clamped her hands over her ears to block it out.
    The phaeton took the return trip to the Sinclair home while Sara begged and argued and pleaded with Malcolm. But in the end she was left standing at the edge of the drive, near the stables, reluctant to go upstairs for fear her racking sobs would awaken her parents.

Chapter Six
    As he had been asked to do, Caleb had come to Tyler’s house for an early breakfast with Regan in order to discuss the latest events within the Dutch East India Company, for whom they were both representatives. Caleb sensed that it wasn’t business which had inspired Regan to summon him for this quiet breakfast, nor was it a desire for a renewal of their relationship. Regan had something very definite on his mind, and he would take his own good time to reveal it. Whatever it was, Caleb didn’t think he was going to like it.
    On and on, late into the morning, Regan spoke of the Company, his home on Java, the four young sons who were impatiently awaiting their parents’ return. He and Caleb caught up on news of common acquaintances and spoke of the looming civil war in England. Still Regan eluded the point of this meeting with his eldest son.
    At last, when the maids kept interrupting them to clear off the table so they could prepare it for luncheon, Regan beckoned Caleb into the library. He poured himself and Caleb a healthy measure of rum and settled into an oversized leather chair. “What do you think of the young man Wren has chosen to spend the rest of her life with, Cal?”
    No answer was necessary. Caleb curled his lip and drank deeply from his glass.
    Regan laughed. “I thought as much. Sirena and I share your astute opinion, but Wren is another matter. She’s positively smitten with him.”
    â€œWorse luck for her,” Caleb muttered. “Surely you and Sirena aren’t going to allow this marriage?”
    â€œWren is headstrong, as you know. Regardless of Sirena’s and my protests, she’ll do as she pleases. Sirena is quite distressed.” Regan watched for Caleb’s reaction on hearing of Sirena’s concern. The lad was always sensitive to his stepmother and usually sympathetic to her feelings.
    â€œWhat do you plan to do?”
    â€œNothing. What can we do? To forbid her to see him would only make him a more romantic figure in her eyes. Wren has to want to break this off on her own. She’s always been sheltered. First with Sirena and myself, living on Java, where, you must admit, society isn’t nearly as dazzling as it is here in London; and secondly, at the academy. I think our little Wren has fallen for the first man who has paid her court.”
    â€œA likely assumption,” Caleb agreed. “You still haven’t told me what you plan to do about it.”
    â€œWhat Wren needs,” Regan continued, ignoring Caleb’s remark, “is to know that she is desirable, beautiful and wanted by men other than this Weatherly.”
    Caleb raised his brows. “I would say you haven’t enough time for that. From what I understand, Wren wants to be married before you and Sirena leave for Java.”
    â€œExactly! And I can’t tell you how happy I am that you agree with me. It’s settled, then. You will be the man to show her that Weatherly isn’t the only one who finds her attractive. Wonderful! Sirena will be delighted to hear you’ve brought yourself into our little scheme.”
    Caleb nearly choked on his rum. “I haven’t agreed to anything! Do you mean to tell me that you and Sirena want me to pay court to Wren so she’ll forget about Weatherly?”
    â€œExactly!” Regan repeated. “It’s