PART NINE - Queen of the Flowers
Phryne invited Jack to dine with them that night. He had been such an important part in securing this little family, first by introducing her to Jane, then convincing the Welfare to let the girl stay with her. It was his good word that allowed her to have adoption papers drawn, and now, it was through his connections they had found Jane and Mrs Ross in time. It was he who had climbed out the window and saved daughter and mother alike. She really owed him a lot.
Mr Butler showed him in where Phryne sat waiting in the parlour. Jane was upstairs with Dot finding Mrs Ross a nice dress to wear and she was grateful for the chance to see him alone.
The battered adoption papers he had returned to her that afternoon sat on the writing desk in the corner, signed. Jane was hers now, completely. But she had been telling the truth when she told him that Jane's mother would always be her mother. She would find somewhere for Mrs Ross to live, somewhere she would be safe and well looked after.
"Jack," she greeted, standing and walking to him. She leant in close and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "Thank you for coming."
He smiled, a little nervously as she stepped back and put some space between them. "My pleasure, Miss Fisher."
"Would you like a drink?" she asked, moving to the tray and pouring him a snifter without waiting for his answer.
"Thank you." He took the glass with a nod and sat down. Phryne sat opposite, crossing her ankles and adjusting the skirt of her dress.
"I wanted to," she murmured softly, "I want to thank you properly. For all you've done."
Jack tilted his head, "What have I done?"
"You helped me find Jane, helped me save her. None of this could have come to be without you, Jack." She met his gaze, feeling the pinpricks of tears starting to form. "So thank you. From the bottom of my heart, Jack. Thank you."
He smiled, reaching across the space between them to place one of his large hands over hers resting on her knee.
"It's been my pleasure... Phryne."
Phryne let out a laugh that was half sob and turned her hands under his to twine their fingers together and hold him tightly. Watching him carefully, and never once dropping his gaze she raised his hand to her face, dipping her head to press a gentle kiss to his fingers.
"Oh!" said a voice, and Jack hastily pulled his hand away, the pair turning to find Anna Ross standing in the doorway. Her hair had been freshly washed and neatly pinned back, and she was dressed beautifully in a department store dress Phryne had bought for a costume or disguise.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Not at all, Mrs Ross." Phryne smiled, "Do come in, take a seat. Mr Butler will-"
The man himself appeared with a tray. He held it out and with a small nod of encouragement from Phryne, Mrs Ross accepted the glass of lemonade. Jane stepped into the room next, still dressed in her flower maiden dress, and Dot following behind her. They too accepted a glass from Mr Butler and Phryne smiled, raising her own glass to the air.
The others followed suit, and Phryne took a moment to take them all in. Jack with just a trace of lipstick on the knuckles of his right hand. Dot with a kind smile. Jane next to her mother, holding the woman's other hand.
"To Jane," Phryne said proudly. "The most beautiful flower maiden."
"To Jane." Agreed the others, and they all drank.