Arland glanced at Helen. His eyes darkened. “Who?” “It was a formal challenge,” Maud said. “I’m getting ripper cushions,” Helen told him. Arland turned to Maud. “Lady Helen challenged someone in the nursery, was warned not to fight, and did it anyway. Now there will be repercussions.” “Did you win?” Arland asked. Helen nodded. “All is well then. If you go through life never doing anything deserving any repercussions, you’ll never know victory.” Helen grinned. “That is some fine parenting, Lord Marshal.” Maud loaded enough sarcasm into her tone to sink a space cruiser. “I try,” Arland said.
