The Grand Illusion - Sevenp

(Disclaimer: Characters from The Lost World belong respectively to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Telescene, et al. This is for entertainment purposes only. Any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used without permission.)p

The ball was in full swing and it seemed to Summerlee that all of London attended. Much attention was lavished upon the Laytons and also upon their upcoming 'return' expedition. All in all it was turning out to be a gala display indeed. p

He only hoped ruefully that his feet would not bother him by evening's end..p

"Dr. Summerlee.." a voice said. p

He turned and there was Veronica, smiling widely. p

"My dear child!" Summerlee gave her a grandfatherly hug, ignoring the curious looks of other people.p

"It's so good to see you.." Veronica closed her eyes briefly. This man had been like a father to her on the plateau, and dream or no, he was still one that she looked up to. p

They parted and Summerlee said, "You look radiant, Veronica. I am sure that the swains are following you about this evening." p

Veronica blushed. It was true. It seemed as if she were surrounded by young men at every turn. It was something she was not used to at all. Her eyes had searched out for Ned, but could not find him in the throng of people.p

"It's nothing I can't handle.." She shrugged a little. p

"Ah, my dear. You'd be surprised." Summerlee smiled kindly. "Sometimes the human male is more formidable than the most fierce raptor.."p

"But then I've seen you handle raptors, Veronica.." A smooth voice interrupted. p

"Roxton!" Veronica smiled and gave him a brief hug. "Where's Marguerite?" p

Roxton raised a brow. "You're asking me?" p

"You'd usually know, dear boy." Summerlee gave him a knowing look.p

Roxton flushed a little under his tan.p

"I suppose she is going to be fashionably late.." Roxton glanced at the stairs.p

The band struck up a tune and just when Roxton was going to ask Veronica for a courtesy dance, Challenger beat him to the punch.p

"May I have this dance, young lady?" Challenger smiled and bowed. He looked so different in his formal suit. They all did. Veronica thought that they all looked dashing.p

"You may, sir.." Veronica said and Challenger swept her into a waltz. p

Summerlee commented, "I didn't know he had it in him.." p

Roxton refrained from chuckling.p

"Hey.." p

Roxton turned. It was Marguerite. p

Oh but what a changed Marguerite! His breath caught in his throat. She wore a low cut gown made of heavy silk. The color was a deep rich burgundy as if she wanted to announce that she was a woman of the world and past the weak pastels of the uninitiated girl. Her dark thick hair was pulled up with jeweled combs and Roxton's fingers wanted nothing more than to let her hair out of it's confines, just to watch it fall. Upon her neck she wore a delicate circlet of diamonds and earrings to match. To Roxton they were rather familar.p

"Did I give you permission to wear the family jewels?" Roxton asked. p

Marguerite smirked back at him. "You really should have sturdier locks, Roxton." p

Roxton laughed. p

Maguerite merely smiled, looking like the cat who ate the canary.p

"Care to dance?" Roxton asked. p

"With you?" Marguerite's dark brows lifted.p

"No, with an ape-man.." Roxton said with a sardonic grin.p

"Oh, so you DID mean with you." Marguerite countered.p

Summerlee nearly choked on his punch! The two looked upon him with alarm, but he waved them away.p

"Go on, you two! You know you wish to dance with each other, now go on and leave an old man in peace.." Summerlee grinned. p

Those two were made for each other - if they didn't kill one another first! p

*****p

Ned made his way through the throng, he had thought he had spotted Veronica. He elbowed his way through as politely as he could when a familar voice called out to him. p

"Ned! Oh Neddy!" p

He froze and then he turned, his eyes wide with shock.p

"Gladys!" p

"Surprise!" She smiled winningly at him, her brown eyes sparkling.p

"I - I am.." Ned stammered.p

"I knew you were going away on that expedition, so I thought I should see you off before you go." p

"I - wait." Ned's eyes narrowed. "You told me that you and Harry - "p

"Oh - that." Gladys said. "I was a fool, Ned. I shouldn't have thrown you over for him."p

"I see." Ned said coolly. p
He remembered that night when Gladys had tearfully said that she was in love with another and she simply couldn't give her heart to a man who would drag her from pillar to post in wandering. Harry was stable. Harry was going up in the world, not chasing after mythical lost worlds. p
"Aren't you surprised?" Gladys said. "I came all the way over here. Took some of my savings and - " p

"Gladys, I - " Ned started to say.p

"Oh Ned, I'm so glad we could have this second chance!" Gladys gushed and suddenly put her arms around him before he could stop her. p
p