Evil Irish Eyes: Feel free to use the hat scenario, and thanks for the great review

Dragon: There are reasons for the way I'm writing it, so just bare with me, and also in my own defense, I didn't even really learn to talk until after I turned four, but that sometimes happens when you're the oldest kid.

Courtney, Michi, brainfear, and Sabrina: Thanks for dropping me a line. I appreciate it.

Pam: Thanks for the shameless plug on my Chance Encounters Series, I'm glad you're enjoying them, and I hope this one lives up to them.

Lady Primrose Roxton: What big nasty got Marguerite? I'll leave that to your imagination. Who would've won the race? I'll leave that one to your imagination as well. As for your last question, Lassie decided Timmy was way too much trouble and went to find Jody.

Now, on to the next chapter.

***

Challenger, Finn and Roxton sat around the table staring at the staircase, waiting for Veronica to come up. It had been pretty quite for about an hour now, and all were wondering what was going on.

Finally they heard footfalls as Veronica ascended to the main living level and everyone rose to meet her.

Everyone started asking questions at once. Veronica held up her hands for silence, and when they finally complied she pointed at Roxton, "You first."

"Is she OK?"

"That depends on your definition of OK. Physically, I think she is going to be fine, but Challenger will need to have a look at her before we can declare her out of any kind danger zone."

"I feel a 'but' coming on," Roxton commented.

"She is a little confused about where she is and who we are."

Roxton looked at Challenger then back at Veronica, "What do you mean 'a little confused?'"

"Well, she thinks that you are Lord Richard Roxton and that this is your estate back in England."

Roxton's perplexed expression deepened, "But Richard Roxton was my fath.Oh no." Realization dawned on him and he looked to Veronica for confirmation, "She doesn't, does she?"

With her nod of affirmation Challenger caught on, "Utterly fascinating, I must go examine her right away."

Challenger moved to pass Veronica, but she jumped in his path. "Not unless you want a repeat performance of what happened earlier. Right now she is scared witless and your not going near her without me, do you understand."

"But Veronica, the scientific implications of this must be explored."

"Then you can explore them later," she stated.

Finn had watched the older residents go back and forth, but could not make heads or tails out of what they were saying. Finally, out of exasperation she demanded, "Will someone please tell me what you're talking about?"

Veronica turned to her, "Marguerite thinks she is 6 years old."

Finn stared at her for a moment soaking in the information, and then answered, "Well, I'm not babysitting her. As bad as she is an adult, I hate to think about what she was like when she was a kid."

Roxton went out on the balcony as he heard Veronica field Challenger's questions, which was no easy task, knowing him.

It was getting dark by now and Marguerite was probably asleep downstairs. Finn was assigned to make dinner tonight, and he could hear her in there now clanging dishes.

Challenger was finally quiet, and a quick glance told him that Veronica had talked him into checking on Arthur the Beetle or something similar.

With a deep sigh he wiped his hand across his face, trying to rub the exhaustion from his vigil away.

A voice behind him made him jump, "You haven't said much, are you alright?" Veronica asked.

"Yeah, I was just thinking."

Veronica looked at him thoughtfully, "Can I ask what about?"

Roxton shrugged, "I once asked Marguerite what her childhood was like and she got very upset, telling me that dredging up the past would bring to much pain. I had hoped she was only exaggerating, but the way she reacted earlier to all of us, like she thought we were going to hurt her, the true fear in her eyes when she saw me, it wrenched my heart."

Veronica nodded in understanding, "There are some things that she's told me that I have no right to tell you, but I can tell you that her Uncle Francis," Roxton gave her a funny look, not recalling an uncle ever being mentioned. "That would be Francis Beaumont. He used to tell her that if the Roxton's ever caught her on their estate they would whip her."

"That would be why she was so frightened of me, and kept darting away every time I got close."

"Exactly, I tried to explain to the best of my ability where she was, and that we won't hurt her, but I don't think she is very trusting of adults, and it is kind of hard to grasp why you went to bed yesterday in England and woke up in the middle of South America, especially when you are so young. Right now she either thinks I'm Lady Roxton or one of the maids at Avebury Manor. She thinks you are your father, and nothing I've said can convince her otherwise. She is just sure that if I leave you or Challenger alone with her you are going to whip her within an inch of her life."

Roxton's shoulder's slumped, "What kind of childhood must she have had to believe anyone would do that to her? It's just unimaginable."

Veronica nodded in agreement, "Yeah. To be so scared all the time." Suddenly Veronica brightened, "Maybe this won't be so bad after all."

"What are you talking about?" Roxton asked, bewildered.

"Well, as long as Marguerite thinks that she is 6, maybe we can make this the childhood she should have had. She may not remember it when we get the old Marguerite back."

"If we get her back," Roxton interrupted.

"Hey, you have to think positively," Veronica scolded.

Roxton smiled at her, "Now your starting to sound like Malone."

"Maybe I am, but there is nothing wrong with a little optimism, especially at times like this. So, what do you say, should we give Marguerite a second childhood to remember."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

***

Alright, it's your turn again, please leave me a little note to let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is excepted, just please don't flame me.

Thanx,

Erica