Although she did her best to clean all the blood of her face, Roxton saw the unmistakable red color at the corner of her mouth and glanced coldly at the other man. What the hell is going on here? He walked over and stood behind her, sending a signal to the stranger that if he touched her again, he would have to deal with him.
So Lord Roxton isn't as dumb as he looks . . . too bad really, I would have enjoyed his company, Hannah thought fleetingly before she gracefully settled herself between Malone and Veronica.
"My child, you really must introduce your friends," Summerlee said to Marguerite.
"Douglas, Hannah, this is Professor Arthur Summerlee, Professor George Challenger, Lord John Roxton, you've met Malone, and this is Veronica," she said pointing at everyone while saying their name.
"It's so nice to be among good decent people again," Hannah said with tears threatening to spill out of her large green eyes, "We hired the best to help us find our darling Marguerite but we were so unprepared." The tears that were just a threat a few seconds ago came flooding down her lovely face.
"It's okay Hannah, you're safe now," Malone said, handing her a cloth to wipe her tears. Instead of taking it, she simply turned her face towards him and closed her eyes, waiting for him to wipe them away for her. Malone looked around awkwardly before gently cleaning her face.
"How do you know Marguerite?" Veronica asked Douglas in an attempt to keep from hurting the annoying Miss Hannah.
"I used to work for them," Marguerite said in a voice that warned any questions about her statement would not be answered.
"Now now, Marguerite. Don't lie to your friends," Douglas said as Marguerite's eyes narrowed. What is he up to now?
He looked straight at her and she knew that whatever he was about to say would not go well for her. "I now know of your feelings for Lord Roxton," he said looking at the man towering behind her, "but that doesn't change the fact that I came here looking for you so that I could ask you to marry me."
Marguerite gasped as the others stared at her and Roxton. He would have to make things so much more complicated, she thought as she nodded her head at him ever so slightly to acknowledge he had won this round.
Roxton had stiffened with every word the man spoke and although indescribable joy flooded him at the possibility that Marguerite had feelings for him, he didn't buy the man's story. "I don't believe you."
Douglas stared at Roxton and the threat of violence filled the air. Marguerite knew she had to do something before they got into a fight, one that Roxton would most surely lose. Oh well, nothing like a good argument to change the subject, "Is it so impossible to imagine another man finding me attractive Roxton?"
"Of course not, but he's lying."
"I just think you're jealous."
That, of course, got his attention and Marguerite knew she had avoided another disaster. "Oh don't even bother to deny it, I'm going to bed. I suggest all of you do the same."
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It was decided that Douglas would sleep in Summerlee's room. Since Roxton had already indicated he would sleep in the living room to keep a close eye on Marguerite, Hannah would take his room. Summerlee would get the hammock out on the balcony.
Douglas had gotten a private moment with his "sister" before turning in to make sure their plan was in place. Roxton sleeping in the living room would make it more difficult but not impossible. A good knock on the head or a distraction provided by Hannah would give him enough time to put their plan into action.
Marguerite spent most of the night pacing. Finally growing tired of hearing her nervous footsteps from his seat by her door, Roxton knocked and let himself into her room without waiting for permission. She stood by the window fully clothed and deep in thought . . . so deep that she hadn't even heard him come in. He took advantage of the opportunity to just stare at her. He wondered what was going through her head. Just a little more time, if I can wait just a little longer, she might open up and I can tell her how I feel. John knew that the strangers had set her back. She was more withdrawn than she had been in months.
It was then that she became aware of his presence and she demanded, "What are you doing in here?"
"It's hard to sleep with you dancing around your room."
"Dancing? You can hear me all the way from your room?"
"Hannah's in my room, I'm sleeping outside your door."
"So close, yet so far away . . ." she said with a suggestive little smile.
"I'm working on it, you'll come around to my way of thinking sooner or later . . ."
"And what, Lord Roxton, is your way of thinking?"
He moved in slowly and gently cupped her face in his large hands. As he leaned in to kiss her he whispered, "Well it starts off with something a little like this."
They were both so lost in their kiss that they didn't hear Douglas sneak out of his room and knock Summerlee unconscious. Nor did they hear Hannah grab their things and help him with their prisoner as they disappeared into the night.
As the kiss ended, Roxton simply held her in his arms and murmured, "Now that wasn't so bad was it?"
"Just as nice as I remembered it but I really do need to get back to sleep, Roxton."
"We both know you weren't sleeping Marguerite. And I know you aren't being honest about our guests. What are you up to?"
A look of sadness crossed her face so quickly he wasn't even sure he had seen it. "Why must you always assume I'm up to something?"
"Because my dear, you usually are and normally I end up being shot at before it's all over. I'd like to have some warning this time because I don't think Douglas is the type who misses his target often."
She turned away and thought, Damn him! Why does he have to know me so well? "I'm tired. It's time to go to bed."
Knowing that she had no intention of discussing her problem with him, he decided to make the most of the situation, "Did my ears deceive me or was that an invitation?"
Looking at his wide innocent eyes and his devilish grin, Marguerite threw her pillow at him and said, "Go away!" He laughed and then winked at her and left, leaving her wishing she could call him back.
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The next morning Marguerite was the last to join the breakfast table and was immediately alarmed to see three notable absences . . . Summerlee, Douglas, and Hannah. This just keeps getting better and better.
"Good morning Marguerite, I think it's about time for that interview you owe me," Malone said with a smile, already getting up to gather is journal and pen.
Trying to remain calm, his comment barely registered and she asked, "Where's Summerlee?"
"Oh, he took Douglas and Hannah out to explore a little around the treehouse. Don't worry, he remembered to bring a rifle with him," Veronica said, barely looking up from her breakfast.
Oh yes, thank goodness he remembered the rifle . . . Marguerite thought sarcastically as she wondered how any group of people could possibly be this trusting. "Did you see them before they left?"
Despite the casual tone she was using, Roxton could tell Marguerite was worried about something. "No, they were gone before we woke up."
"I think I might go try to find them. After all, they are my guests and I've not been a very good hostess." She grabbed her hat and was about to leave the table when Malone reappeared with his writing supplies.
"Not so fast Marguerite, they'll be fine. The animals have all moved to their breeding grounds. Besides, Summerlee loves to show off the plant life around here and they left a note saying they'd be back by tomorrow. You promised me an interview so get comfortable."
She knew she was trapped as four pairs of eyes glued her in place at the table. To leave now would just arouse suspicion. Suddenly, she felt very ill. She answered the questions automatically, her sense of dread growing with each passing moment until he caught her rapt attention by asking, "So why did you come on this expedition in the first place Marguerite?"
All her friends were staring at her intensely and she calmly blurted out, "Why, to kill you Ned."