Roxton regained his strength quickly and was up and about by the end of the
day.
Deanna invited them to stay as long as they like especially considering they didn't know how to get back to the tree house yet and she's be damned if she let Marguerite break her leg again.
So they all agreed, and tried to relax in their new surroundings. But one thing was bothering Ned, something was just not right.
Marguerite actually snickered, trying and failing to contain her amusement.
"What is so funny I'm serious? Who is she!?" asked Malone
"Our secrets out" Marguerite laughed
"What?" said Roxton looking at her.
Deanna smiled. "I am quite surprised you haven't figured it out, Especially you professor one whom I thought to be much more observant. And the fact that my name has as I've heard come up a few times lately."
"I beg your pardon madam?"
"Oh yes and I was a dear friend of-" she hesitated "Professor Arthur Summerlee"
"A friend? Of Summerlee's?" said Veronica
Deanna sat gracefully down in a chair her skirt falling about her legs the slit of the pleat landing away from her leg exposing the fasten and gun, and knife underneath it.
"I am," she said in a most dignified manner with great pleasure in her voice, "Deanna J. Fox" (thunder outside)
They all stood shocked with the exception of Marguerite and Robert, so she continued,"Daughter of the core son of the duke of Ellington, who's father was the son of Sir Demeter of Crete, calling attention to my mother the lady or Dublin, daughter of the Prince of York bringing you to me Madam Lady Deanna Fox!" she finished with triumph.
It was silent a minute or two while Marguerite tried to hold in the laughter that wanted to spill past her teeth. Robert was the same and was losing his composure looking at everyone's faces. Marguerite broke first and burst into laughter, and Robert followed, Deanna chuckled slightly looking away.
Everyone else still in shock didn't understand.
Veronica overall was just confused.
"Miss Fox?" said Challenger
She nodded.
"I should say so" Laughed Marguerite
"You knew?" asked Roxton surprised
"Of course" she said, "It doesn't really matter anyway"
"But-" started Challenger
"But- what? I'm the same person whose house you broke into at the early house of the morning, now I just have a meaning behind my name. It changes nothing. That's why I didn't say anything to begin with."
"But your dead" said Ned
Deanna looked at him (a typical you have to be joking, how long have you been here type of look)
"Right" he said nodding looking away understanding
"How did you get here?" asked Challenger
"Well I take that as a request for my story?"
"If you please"
"And I do"
"OH dear" said Robert smirking
"Shut up" she scolded
"Well Professor, As I am sure most know I was traveling from America, California more specifically and was going around south America back to England after- well that isn't important- I was just on my way back when out of no where came these winds, and the captain a most pompous man I am sorry now to say, told us-me specifically that because the sky was clear that nothing was going to happen. I mean I knew better than that, winds mean something is blowing in."
Robert chuckled.
"Anyway I went back to my room, and about I would say not even ten minutes later, felt the boat shake and my entire room turned sideways and throwing me into the side of the ship. It was most I am not ashamed to say frightening. It then turned the opposite way and the window flew open and I had to hold myself away from it as not to fall out. Then the ship shook again and began I think to roll -after a while something which I think was my dresser hit me and I can't remember what happened after that. When I woke up the room was turned on its side and I stumbled my way to my door. I couldn't find anyone throughout the ship. I climbed out to the surface from a window in the hall and saw the ship stuck into the side of massive beach water splashing up at the sides. I went back to my room and found my gun loaded it and searched the ship for anyone but I still found no one. I climbed out the window and scrambled up onto the beach and talk about not having your land legs. I couldn't walk. It took me some time to make it up the beach to the trees. While I was aimlessly walking through the forest I encountered as you might guess some lovely fellows of the reptilian persuasion specifically and commonly knows as raptors. Let me tell you that was fun," said with a great deal of sarcasm.
"By now it was almost night" she said with even more "delight" at the memory. "So I was wandering around in the dark"
"Smooth" said Marguerite snickering
"You are I know no less innocent I am sure, anyway, so I had to find somewhere to go I wasn't to far into the jungle so I walked back to the boat which by then was impossible to get to without getting wet. I figured this would keep the dinosaurs or then what I called spawn from hell-"
"I thought that was your name," said Robert
She ribbed him not loosing a beat; he bent over a bit in pain but a smile on his face. Roxton moved to get up but he hushed him back down as Deanna continued.
"So I waded out to the boat and climbed in. I stayed there the night. In the morning I ate from the food I found and went back out again, this continued for a few days as I began to explore more and more and get into more and more trouble. At one point I was being chased by these dreadful men colored from head to toe in war paint."
"Cannibals"
"Yes" Deanna sighed at the memory "They had been chasing me all day and it was getting dark again. I was quite far from where I should have liked to be and still had the cannibals chasing me. I eluded them by climbing into a tree and literally dangling above their heads. I then found a cave and spent the night. I awoke in the morning to people shouting and running. I took my gun and peered out the side of the cave entrance in case it was my admirers back again. Well it was but they weren't after me, they had caught a young terrified woman and a group of children-Children! I couldn't leave them to those wretched men. So I went after them, they had been camped awhile making eyes at the woman and I'm sure ridiculing her in their language, when they went after a little boy and picked him up taking him to the block. The woman was screaming, as was the child, the other children were crying and I didn't know what to do. I didn't have much ammo left. So I took as careful aim as I could and shot the man with the hatchet in the neck. They dropped the child-startled -so I came out from the shrubbery. I don't really remember what happened next, I don't know that I ever did remember or that I ever will but there was a little boy attacked to my leg and some cannibals sprawled across the ground, one who I assumed to be the chief. I untied the woman and sat her down because I believe was at the point of faint. Then I looked after the children. Moments later I heard running I only had two bullets left, So I stood in front of the group of people and waited but the people who came out of the jungle didn't look like the cannibals and the woman was very delighted at the sight of them. The children ran at them as for me I looked on in I suppose a very unintelligent manor. The man the young woman had run to was the leader he turned to me and in perfect English said 'Thank you madam you have saved my daughter and our children from sure destruction. We welcome you to our home to our plateau, welcome to the lost world.' And as silly as it sounds I think I passed out right when he finished."
"I can believe that," said Robert
She just looked at him a bit of color in her cheeks.
"So what happened when you woke up?" asked Malone curious
"I was in their village they felt indebted to me. I told them it was nothing, but I stayed with them, I had nowhere else to go. Then one day they were going to build me a hut and I didn't mean to sound ungrateful but I said what I really want is a house, they had a book with a picture of a gorgeous house, they knew what I was talking about! So they made plans and found a spot and told me they were going to build me a house. This wonderful house!" she said gratitude in her voice. "We made it and it's perfect. We used the ship for everything. It had everything and I just can't believe even now that we pulled it off."
"So you've been living here ever since?" asked Challenger
"Yes" she said in a polite cheerful manor.
"And you Robert? Where are you from?" said Challenger then remember their conversation the other night. "Sorry, I mean you are from London? What did you do there?"
He cheerfully explained his history.
"So you are Sir Lord Robert Blake, the inventor?" asked Challenger intrigued at having another of his kind to talk and converse with.
"Oh God!" said Deanna putting her head in her hand shaking her head.
"Well actually" started Robert
"Ah! Please don't –don't get him started" Deanna said teasing getting up and walking out of the room still shaking her head.
"What" Robert said "WHA-AT!!" he walked after her?
Marguerite just giggled the whole time. Roxton watched her surprised.
"I take it they do that a lot?" asked Roxton
"You have no idea," Marguerite laughed thinking of the other things that had happened while she was there.
"Marguerite!"
"What Deanna?" she groaned knowing she wanted something.
"Come help me"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes, come on!"
"Well you want to come and help me up then" Marguerite countered
"You can get up," said Deanna coming to the doorway.
"Help me"
"You can get up on your own"
Irritated Marguerite grasped the arm of the chair and tried to pull herself up, she slipped and fell back into the chair. "Oh!"
Roxton moved to help her.
"No Roxton she has to do this herself."
"I re-ally hate you, you know that don't you" said Marguerite succeeding in getting onto her feet.
"Course, now come on" she said walking swiftly back into the kitchen.
"Hey you could at least slow down!" She complained limping after her.
Robert chuckled.
"What?" said Roxton looking at him
"Nothing" he smiled "It's just nice to see her in good spirits"
"Deanna or Marguerite?"
"Both"
"Why wouldn't they be?"
"Well Marguerite's been ill and injured far from any home she had previously known, all of her friends."
"While Deanna?"
"Worried about her, strange yes, but Deanna and Marguerite I think have formed a friendship that I don't think any of us will ever be able to understand. I certainly don't."
"Why"
"Well Deanna is not very trusting or patient for that matter."
"Marguerite to"
He nodded recognizing Roxton's answer.
A chime suddenly rang,
"Come and get it boys!" Deanna called playfully, "And Madam" she said looking at Veronica.
Robert walked into the kitchen, "Dinning room"
"Right" he said spinning on his heal and out of the room.
Marguerite giggled. "I'll go light the candles"
"Thanks"
Marguerite limped her way into the dining room. The others followed her. It was dark and they couldn't see anything till Marguerite inside the room struck a match and began to light the oil in the makeshift chandelier. It lit the room with a warm glow and sparkled images of the walls having been made of broken glass.
Deanna and Robert brought all of the food in.
"Quite a spread tonight if I may say Deanna" said Robert
"Well I thank but you know I had help" she smiled at Marguerite who simply moved her head.
"Wow" said Ned who hadn't eaten a good meal in several days.
"Thanks I think" Deanna laughed moving a dish of food.
There were fruits of all sizes and colors, raptor and chicken, soup, salad, bread and cheeses.
"Deanna aren't you forgetting something?" asked Marguerite
Roxton looked at her, it was strange it was like she wasn't a guest like the rest of them, she was right at home. It hurt him in a way.
"What-Oh yes!" she walked over to a cabinet and took out a bottle of brandy.
"Courtesy of the shipwreck" she said removing the cap and filling Challenger's glass.
Deanna sat at the head of the table Robert next to her, and Marguerite on the other side, Roxton immediately took his place next to her. Challenger sat at the other and of the table, Ned on his one side next to Robert and Veronica on the other.
"Marguerite I never asked how are you feeling today?" inquired Robert intently.
The question startled Roxton, as over protective as he was of her, especially now.
"Very well thank you, my leg was a but stiff in the morning but it is better now."
"That is good, glad to hear it"
"Yes good show" Deanna joked
"I should look at it though after dinner,"
"If you must"
"I do for-"
"Why?!" Roxton interrupted
"I beg your pardon?" asked Robert innocently
"Why must you?"
Deanna raised and eyebrow
"As I was going to say I think you and your friends would like to get home, and I should see how the leg is coming along" said Robert a bit confused.
"Are you a doctor or something?"
"I was going to be in a way, it was part of my sciences"
Roxton was about to make a retort about him not being educated in medicine when the words came together in his mind.
"What?"
"Yes I was going to be educated in medicine, I was in my third year"
"Oh I apologize then" he grumbled taken of guard
"No harm done I know if anything like this happened to De-"
A thud was heard under the table and Robert tensed a minute and looked at Deanna who just put another peace of food in her mouth and innocently looked around.
"Well yes, no 'real' harm done" he winced looking at Deanna again.
Marguerite was totally mortified. 'How can he be so stupid, could he really be so protective and jealous, oh how I wish my leg was better so I could run' she thought.
Deanna looked at her, and she looked back, both with a groan clearly held between their teeth.
The rest of the dinner went without any problems and some retired to the large sitting room in the back of the house. The back of the room was a large window that Deanna told them had been taken from the windshield of the ship. Veronica and Ned offered to help clean up, but she told them they could sit. Veronica was persistent and Ned went to go and sit down with the other men.
Robert had gone into the sitting room on Deanna's order to be a good host and guard the valuables.
Marguerite sat at the kitchen table and dried the dishes they gave her; while she looked at the things the children had given her the day before.
"So Veronica what is your home like, Marguerite has told me much but I have a feeling it will be different from the Lady of the house." Said Deanna her arms in the wash bin.
"Well-" she looked at Marguerite. Who smiled thoughtfully and nodded her head. "It's nothing like this," she laughed looking around a bit overwhelmed.
"Oh aren't you the modest one" Deanna smiled.
"It's high in the trees by the Zanga village"
"Yes I've been racking my brain to remember where that was."
"Oh?"
"Yes we were going to return miss Krux, eventually" she smirked.
"Well, I think it is beautiful, my father and mother built it when they first arrived on the plateau. But that was a long time ago" she sighed looking at the plate she was washing.
"Yes Marguerite told me you have been looking for them, if you like though I make no promises I warn you-" she looked at Veronica who nodded. "We could ask around here, considering you have never been here before doesn't mean they haven't."
"Well- Thank you," said Veronica a bit surprised.
"Something you like Miss Krux?"
Marguerite looked up a smile on her face. "I suppose-I would bet almost anything Chazan found this one" she showed them a large purple crystal.
"Yes he is very good at scavenging, especially in my cupboards," she added with irony in her voice.
---------
The men were lounging in the sitting room watching the fire Robert had just finished making.
"Robbie!"
"Robbie" Roxton murmured to Challenger and Ned jumping his eyebrows
"Yeah" Robert replied looking up from the fire.
"Catch" and she threw a box at him.
"What-whoa" he said barely catching it, "Oh!" he said surprised and happy, "You love me"
"Yeah" she said sarcastically turning around
"You know it," he said under his breath as she walked out, he heard her laugh.
"Well what is it?" asked Challenger inquisitively
"My dear gentlemen I give you our hostess's rare and rarer" he smiled "Last of the Cuban cigars on all of the plateau."
"Haha well then let's have at them old boy," said Roxton slapping him on the back.
Blake opened the box and they each took one lighting it in turn.
They sat a moment enjoying the luxuries of the house and it's occupants' hospitality when Roxton broke the silence.
"So Blake what is your relationship with our dear hostess?"
He startled at the question surprised but he had expected the question.
"Well isn't that really a question for the lady" he said calmly
"But in your opinion what are your thoughts on your relationship with Miss Fox"
"I could ask you the same of Miss Krux"
"Point dually noted" Roxton nodded puffing on his cigar.
Challenger sat amused by the tone of the conversation.
"Well, then I have a question Sir Blake if I may? What has it been like to live with Miss Deanna Fox?"
"Well" Robert began thinking . . . . ..
------
"You did" Veronica laughed surprised and pleased
"Yes I did- I mean it was very rude of him to-"
"I know but he was the king!"
"So, no one grabs-"
"Ok you think that's bad Veronica you should hear about what she did to the cave men . . . . ."
------------
"She did you must be joking!"
"No Deanna kicked him right in the –"
"Oh!" the men laughed out, imagining the immense pain that would cause
"You should've been there the time when Marguerite found a treasure chest"
"Treasure I can see where this is going" laughed Robert biting his cigar between his teeth.
"Yeah, yeah so she filled it with gun powder and . . . "
They all laughed Challenger slapping his knee when they heard a shriek from the kitchen.
They got up and ran in to find a soaking wet Marguerite in the middle of the room, a completely shocked look on her face.
Deanna was hysterically laughing stomping her foot-leaning on the sink, while Veronica snickered in the corner.
"Well what is this? kind of late for an afternoon bath isn't it Marguerite" Roxton said looking at her.
She just whipped around her hair hitting him in the face soaking it.
"You did that on purpose!" Marguerite fumed although her voice wasn't as angry as most would have suspected.
Deanna stood up more catching her breath. She shook her head still laughing as Marguerite limped closer. Then she nodded her head, "Yeah of course"
"Oh you" Marguerite lightly swung at her; she easily avoided it ducking away.
"You know my aim isn't that bad for it to have been an accident" she laughed running out of the room, as Marguerite grabbed a canteen of water and limped after her.
"Come along tiny Tim!" they heard Deanna tease.
Then there was more shrieking and they were heard running out the back. Roxton ran out to see Marguerite almost sitting on Deanna's back who was sitting up trying to push her away as she poured water down her back. She was soaked.
Robert came out with the others, and laughed with Roxton.
"Oh what's so funny gentlemen?" Deanna said sweetly unknowingly taking the half full canteen from Marguerite.
"Just thinking how attractive the drowned rat look is on you." Robert snickered
"Really, I hear it's become quite popular now a days" she said as she poured the rest of the water over his head.
He had his eyes closed and was nodding his head with an 'I knew this was coming' expression. Roxton backed away trying not to get wet, when Marguerite came over and hugged him.
"Oh Marguerite!" he said for once stepping away. She laughed and flung her hair in his face again.
Deanna had a smug smirk on her face. Robert opened his eyes and looked at her, he nodded "very good" he said in a calm voice wiping his face.
"Oh you think so," she said imitating his tone.
"Yes, but I fear I have the upper hand" he cried as he picked her up around her legs so she hung over his shoulder. She cried out in surprise.
"Ah! Robert put me down Robert- Robert! " she cried out
"Oh!" Marguerite gasped realizing what he was doing "Blake!" she scolded
Robert ran into the garden, and literally threw Deanna into the pond. She screamed as she fell into the water. She had grabbed his shirt and he stumbled into the edge of the pond falling on his knees.
Deanna sputtered a bit as she came back up to the top. She saw Robert standing on the edge of the pond as he went to run for it. She ran splashing up behind him and jumped on his back, causing him to fall foreword onto his face.
He rolled her off of him and they both sat in the shallow water, Deanna pouring water from her hand into his face and he opened his mouth jokingly looking up as the water flowed over his head. She pushed him back down.
"I cannot believe you just did that!" she shrieked standing up her clothes sticking to her thin curved figure.
"Me" he said pulling her back down.
The explorer's stood on the edge laughing.
"Good show Blake!"
"Deanna dear I believe you are all washed up!" Marguerite cried
"Oh, oh really Miss Krux" said Deanna snidely as she stood pushing Robert back into the shallow water. She started to walk toward them.
"OH no!" said Marguerite limping away.
"What" said Deanna mockingly blocking her way.
Marguerite shrieked, like a schoolgirl as Deanna followed after her.
Roxton getting into the spirit, tried to grab Deanna from behind but she turned and stumbled into the water knocking Robert back again.
Marguerite screamed again as Deanna got in front of her.
She stepped back a bit to close to the pond. Deanna went around to her side and as she turned Marguerite lost her balance and fell grabbing Deanna who took hold of Veronica and they all fell into the water, Marguerite fell right onto of Roxton.
Who grabbed her around the waist pulling her farther into the water. She splashed him in the face laughing.
Ned had come over into the water up to his ankles to help Veronica up, which was a big mistake; she and Roxton grabbed both his arms with Marguerite and pulled him into the water.
There was a lot of splashing, and laughing. Marguerite dunked Roxton right under the water.
Robert had tried to make Deanna stumble into the deeper water but she jumped back and pulled him down with her. And they reappeared with her on his shoulders. He then pushed back knocking her off, but submerging himself in the water.
They were laughing and playing making so much noise that Veronica commented that 'if they had neighbors they would be complaining,' then Ned picked her up and threw her deeper into the water.
Challenger had gotten up on some higher ground above the water war below and he watched laughing.
The group had quieted down and Roxton looked up at Challenger.
"Enjoying the view George?"
Marguerite noticed Deanna was gone, and looked around brow furrowed for her.
"Immensely" Challenger commented chuckling
Roxton poked Marguerite and motioned for her to look at Challenger.
Marguerite smiled slyly.
Deanna had silently gotten behind him. She pointed at him jumping her eyebrows. He was still oblivious.
The soaked explorers nodded to her and laughed.
Challenger looked at them confused and stood, then he saw they were looking past him.
He turned around to a smirking Deanna, who them pushed him over the edge with her hip.
He landed with a huge splash and everyone cheered his hat floating on the surface of the water.
He jumped through the surface. Deanna leapt in from the rock and splashed him again. He wiped his bread looking very disgruntled, then looked at everyone and just laughed walking closer to the shore, "I'm getting to old for this"
They all express amusement and began moving in toward the house.
They sat in the large sitting room, a large fire burning in the hearth being the only light in the room, aside from the moon and the stars.
They were changed and relatively dry sitting contently watching the fire.
Marguerite sat lounging in a chair, a blanket over her legs. Roxton sat on the floor below her. She brushed his hair lightly with her fingers.
Veronica was falling asleep on a small couch next to Ned and Challenger.
Robert was sitting on a couch Deanna's head and back leaning against his chest her feet up on the couch, they shared a blanket.
He gently played with her wet hair as it dried in waves of copper.
Roxton reached up and took Marguerite's hand and stroked it gently with his thumb.
This was truly a perfect moment.
Everyone fell asleep content in front of the wondrous fire.
Deanna invited them to stay as long as they like especially considering they didn't know how to get back to the tree house yet and she's be damned if she let Marguerite break her leg again.
So they all agreed, and tried to relax in their new surroundings. But one thing was bothering Ned, something was just not right.
Marguerite actually snickered, trying and failing to contain her amusement.
"What is so funny I'm serious? Who is she!?" asked Malone
"Our secrets out" Marguerite laughed
"What?" said Roxton looking at her.
Deanna smiled. "I am quite surprised you haven't figured it out, Especially you professor one whom I thought to be much more observant. And the fact that my name has as I've heard come up a few times lately."
"I beg your pardon madam?"
"Oh yes and I was a dear friend of-" she hesitated "Professor Arthur Summerlee"
"A friend? Of Summerlee's?" said Veronica
Deanna sat gracefully down in a chair her skirt falling about her legs the slit of the pleat landing away from her leg exposing the fasten and gun, and knife underneath it.
"I am," she said in a most dignified manner with great pleasure in her voice, "Deanna J. Fox" (thunder outside)
They all stood shocked with the exception of Marguerite and Robert, so she continued,"Daughter of the core son of the duke of Ellington, who's father was the son of Sir Demeter of Crete, calling attention to my mother the lady or Dublin, daughter of the Prince of York bringing you to me Madam Lady Deanna Fox!" she finished with triumph.
It was silent a minute or two while Marguerite tried to hold in the laughter that wanted to spill past her teeth. Robert was the same and was losing his composure looking at everyone's faces. Marguerite broke first and burst into laughter, and Robert followed, Deanna chuckled slightly looking away.
Everyone else still in shock didn't understand.
Veronica overall was just confused.
"Miss Fox?" said Challenger
She nodded.
"I should say so" Laughed Marguerite
"You knew?" asked Roxton surprised
"Of course" she said, "It doesn't really matter anyway"
"But-" started Challenger
"But- what? I'm the same person whose house you broke into at the early house of the morning, now I just have a meaning behind my name. It changes nothing. That's why I didn't say anything to begin with."
"But your dead" said Ned
Deanna looked at him (a typical you have to be joking, how long have you been here type of look)
"Right" he said nodding looking away understanding
"How did you get here?" asked Challenger
"Well I take that as a request for my story?"
"If you please"
"And I do"
"OH dear" said Robert smirking
"Shut up" she scolded
"Well Professor, As I am sure most know I was traveling from America, California more specifically and was going around south America back to England after- well that isn't important- I was just on my way back when out of no where came these winds, and the captain a most pompous man I am sorry now to say, told us-me specifically that because the sky was clear that nothing was going to happen. I mean I knew better than that, winds mean something is blowing in."
Robert chuckled.
"Anyway I went back to my room, and about I would say not even ten minutes later, felt the boat shake and my entire room turned sideways and throwing me into the side of the ship. It was most I am not ashamed to say frightening. It then turned the opposite way and the window flew open and I had to hold myself away from it as not to fall out. Then the ship shook again and began I think to roll -after a while something which I think was my dresser hit me and I can't remember what happened after that. When I woke up the room was turned on its side and I stumbled my way to my door. I couldn't find anyone throughout the ship. I climbed out to the surface from a window in the hall and saw the ship stuck into the side of massive beach water splashing up at the sides. I went back to my room and found my gun loaded it and searched the ship for anyone but I still found no one. I climbed out the window and scrambled up onto the beach and talk about not having your land legs. I couldn't walk. It took me some time to make it up the beach to the trees. While I was aimlessly walking through the forest I encountered as you might guess some lovely fellows of the reptilian persuasion specifically and commonly knows as raptors. Let me tell you that was fun," said with a great deal of sarcasm.
"By now it was almost night" she said with even more "delight" at the memory. "So I was wandering around in the dark"
"Smooth" said Marguerite snickering
"You are I know no less innocent I am sure, anyway, so I had to find somewhere to go I wasn't to far into the jungle so I walked back to the boat which by then was impossible to get to without getting wet. I figured this would keep the dinosaurs or then what I called spawn from hell-"
"I thought that was your name," said Robert
She ribbed him not loosing a beat; he bent over a bit in pain but a smile on his face. Roxton moved to get up but he hushed him back down as Deanna continued.
"So I waded out to the boat and climbed in. I stayed there the night. In the morning I ate from the food I found and went back out again, this continued for a few days as I began to explore more and more and get into more and more trouble. At one point I was being chased by these dreadful men colored from head to toe in war paint."
"Cannibals"
"Yes" Deanna sighed at the memory "They had been chasing me all day and it was getting dark again. I was quite far from where I should have liked to be and still had the cannibals chasing me. I eluded them by climbing into a tree and literally dangling above their heads. I then found a cave and spent the night. I awoke in the morning to people shouting and running. I took my gun and peered out the side of the cave entrance in case it was my admirers back again. Well it was but they weren't after me, they had caught a young terrified woman and a group of children-Children! I couldn't leave them to those wretched men. So I went after them, they had been camped awhile making eyes at the woman and I'm sure ridiculing her in their language, when they went after a little boy and picked him up taking him to the block. The woman was screaming, as was the child, the other children were crying and I didn't know what to do. I didn't have much ammo left. So I took as careful aim as I could and shot the man with the hatchet in the neck. They dropped the child-startled -so I came out from the shrubbery. I don't really remember what happened next, I don't know that I ever did remember or that I ever will but there was a little boy attacked to my leg and some cannibals sprawled across the ground, one who I assumed to be the chief. I untied the woman and sat her down because I believe was at the point of faint. Then I looked after the children. Moments later I heard running I only had two bullets left, So I stood in front of the group of people and waited but the people who came out of the jungle didn't look like the cannibals and the woman was very delighted at the sight of them. The children ran at them as for me I looked on in I suppose a very unintelligent manor. The man the young woman had run to was the leader he turned to me and in perfect English said 'Thank you madam you have saved my daughter and our children from sure destruction. We welcome you to our home to our plateau, welcome to the lost world.' And as silly as it sounds I think I passed out right when he finished."
"I can believe that," said Robert
She just looked at him a bit of color in her cheeks.
"So what happened when you woke up?" asked Malone curious
"I was in their village they felt indebted to me. I told them it was nothing, but I stayed with them, I had nowhere else to go. Then one day they were going to build me a hut and I didn't mean to sound ungrateful but I said what I really want is a house, they had a book with a picture of a gorgeous house, they knew what I was talking about! So they made plans and found a spot and told me they were going to build me a house. This wonderful house!" she said gratitude in her voice. "We made it and it's perfect. We used the ship for everything. It had everything and I just can't believe even now that we pulled it off."
"So you've been living here ever since?" asked Challenger
"Yes" she said in a polite cheerful manor.
"And you Robert? Where are you from?" said Challenger then remember their conversation the other night. "Sorry, I mean you are from London? What did you do there?"
He cheerfully explained his history.
"So you are Sir Lord Robert Blake, the inventor?" asked Challenger intrigued at having another of his kind to talk and converse with.
"Oh God!" said Deanna putting her head in her hand shaking her head.
"Well actually" started Robert
"Ah! Please don't –don't get him started" Deanna said teasing getting up and walking out of the room still shaking her head.
"What" Robert said "WHA-AT!!" he walked after her?
Marguerite just giggled the whole time. Roxton watched her surprised.
"I take it they do that a lot?" asked Roxton
"You have no idea," Marguerite laughed thinking of the other things that had happened while she was there.
"Marguerite!"
"What Deanna?" she groaned knowing she wanted something.
"Come help me"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes, come on!"
"Well you want to come and help me up then" Marguerite countered
"You can get up," said Deanna coming to the doorway.
"Help me"
"You can get up on your own"
Irritated Marguerite grasped the arm of the chair and tried to pull herself up, she slipped and fell back into the chair. "Oh!"
Roxton moved to help her.
"No Roxton she has to do this herself."
"I re-ally hate you, you know that don't you" said Marguerite succeeding in getting onto her feet.
"Course, now come on" she said walking swiftly back into the kitchen.
"Hey you could at least slow down!" She complained limping after her.
Robert chuckled.
"What?" said Roxton looking at him
"Nothing" he smiled "It's just nice to see her in good spirits"
"Deanna or Marguerite?"
"Both"
"Why wouldn't they be?"
"Well Marguerite's been ill and injured far from any home she had previously known, all of her friends."
"While Deanna?"
"Worried about her, strange yes, but Deanna and Marguerite I think have formed a friendship that I don't think any of us will ever be able to understand. I certainly don't."
"Why"
"Well Deanna is not very trusting or patient for that matter."
"Marguerite to"
He nodded recognizing Roxton's answer.
A chime suddenly rang,
"Come and get it boys!" Deanna called playfully, "And Madam" she said looking at Veronica.
Robert walked into the kitchen, "Dinning room"
"Right" he said spinning on his heal and out of the room.
Marguerite giggled. "I'll go light the candles"
"Thanks"
Marguerite limped her way into the dining room. The others followed her. It was dark and they couldn't see anything till Marguerite inside the room struck a match and began to light the oil in the makeshift chandelier. It lit the room with a warm glow and sparkled images of the walls having been made of broken glass.
Deanna and Robert brought all of the food in.
"Quite a spread tonight if I may say Deanna" said Robert
"Well I thank but you know I had help" she smiled at Marguerite who simply moved her head.
"Wow" said Ned who hadn't eaten a good meal in several days.
"Thanks I think" Deanna laughed moving a dish of food.
There were fruits of all sizes and colors, raptor and chicken, soup, salad, bread and cheeses.
"Deanna aren't you forgetting something?" asked Marguerite
Roxton looked at her, it was strange it was like she wasn't a guest like the rest of them, she was right at home. It hurt him in a way.
"What-Oh yes!" she walked over to a cabinet and took out a bottle of brandy.
"Courtesy of the shipwreck" she said removing the cap and filling Challenger's glass.
Deanna sat at the head of the table Robert next to her, and Marguerite on the other side, Roxton immediately took his place next to her. Challenger sat at the other and of the table, Ned on his one side next to Robert and Veronica on the other.
"Marguerite I never asked how are you feeling today?" inquired Robert intently.
The question startled Roxton, as over protective as he was of her, especially now.
"Very well thank you, my leg was a but stiff in the morning but it is better now."
"That is good, glad to hear it"
"Yes good show" Deanna joked
"I should look at it though after dinner,"
"If you must"
"I do for-"
"Why?!" Roxton interrupted
"I beg your pardon?" asked Robert innocently
"Why must you?"
Deanna raised and eyebrow
"As I was going to say I think you and your friends would like to get home, and I should see how the leg is coming along" said Robert a bit confused.
"Are you a doctor or something?"
"I was going to be in a way, it was part of my sciences"
Roxton was about to make a retort about him not being educated in medicine when the words came together in his mind.
"What?"
"Yes I was going to be educated in medicine, I was in my third year"
"Oh I apologize then" he grumbled taken of guard
"No harm done I know if anything like this happened to De-"
A thud was heard under the table and Robert tensed a minute and looked at Deanna who just put another peace of food in her mouth and innocently looked around.
"Well yes, no 'real' harm done" he winced looking at Deanna again.
Marguerite was totally mortified. 'How can he be so stupid, could he really be so protective and jealous, oh how I wish my leg was better so I could run' she thought.
Deanna looked at her, and she looked back, both with a groan clearly held between their teeth.
The rest of the dinner went without any problems and some retired to the large sitting room in the back of the house. The back of the room was a large window that Deanna told them had been taken from the windshield of the ship. Veronica and Ned offered to help clean up, but she told them they could sit. Veronica was persistent and Ned went to go and sit down with the other men.
Robert had gone into the sitting room on Deanna's order to be a good host and guard the valuables.
Marguerite sat at the kitchen table and dried the dishes they gave her; while she looked at the things the children had given her the day before.
"So Veronica what is your home like, Marguerite has told me much but I have a feeling it will be different from the Lady of the house." Said Deanna her arms in the wash bin.
"Well-" she looked at Marguerite. Who smiled thoughtfully and nodded her head. "It's nothing like this," she laughed looking around a bit overwhelmed.
"Oh aren't you the modest one" Deanna smiled.
"It's high in the trees by the Zanga village"
"Yes I've been racking my brain to remember where that was."
"Oh?"
"Yes we were going to return miss Krux, eventually" she smirked.
"Well, I think it is beautiful, my father and mother built it when they first arrived on the plateau. But that was a long time ago" she sighed looking at the plate she was washing.
"Yes Marguerite told me you have been looking for them, if you like though I make no promises I warn you-" she looked at Veronica who nodded. "We could ask around here, considering you have never been here before doesn't mean they haven't."
"Well- Thank you," said Veronica a bit surprised.
"Something you like Miss Krux?"
Marguerite looked up a smile on her face. "I suppose-I would bet almost anything Chazan found this one" she showed them a large purple crystal.
"Yes he is very good at scavenging, especially in my cupboards," she added with irony in her voice.
---------
The men were lounging in the sitting room watching the fire Robert had just finished making.
"Robbie!"
"Robbie" Roxton murmured to Challenger and Ned jumping his eyebrows
"Yeah" Robert replied looking up from the fire.
"Catch" and she threw a box at him.
"What-whoa" he said barely catching it, "Oh!" he said surprised and happy, "You love me"
"Yeah" she said sarcastically turning around
"You know it," he said under his breath as she walked out, he heard her laugh.
"Well what is it?" asked Challenger inquisitively
"My dear gentlemen I give you our hostess's rare and rarer" he smiled "Last of the Cuban cigars on all of the plateau."
"Haha well then let's have at them old boy," said Roxton slapping him on the back.
Blake opened the box and they each took one lighting it in turn.
They sat a moment enjoying the luxuries of the house and it's occupants' hospitality when Roxton broke the silence.
"So Blake what is your relationship with our dear hostess?"
He startled at the question surprised but he had expected the question.
"Well isn't that really a question for the lady" he said calmly
"But in your opinion what are your thoughts on your relationship with Miss Fox"
"I could ask you the same of Miss Krux"
"Point dually noted" Roxton nodded puffing on his cigar.
Challenger sat amused by the tone of the conversation.
"Well, then I have a question Sir Blake if I may? What has it been like to live with Miss Deanna Fox?"
"Well" Robert began thinking . . . . ..
------
"You did" Veronica laughed surprised and pleased
"Yes I did- I mean it was very rude of him to-"
"I know but he was the king!"
"So, no one grabs-"
"Ok you think that's bad Veronica you should hear about what she did to the cave men . . . . ."
------------
"She did you must be joking!"
"No Deanna kicked him right in the –"
"Oh!" the men laughed out, imagining the immense pain that would cause
"You should've been there the time when Marguerite found a treasure chest"
"Treasure I can see where this is going" laughed Robert biting his cigar between his teeth.
"Yeah, yeah so she filled it with gun powder and . . . "
They all laughed Challenger slapping his knee when they heard a shriek from the kitchen.
They got up and ran in to find a soaking wet Marguerite in the middle of the room, a completely shocked look on her face.
Deanna was hysterically laughing stomping her foot-leaning on the sink, while Veronica snickered in the corner.
"Well what is this? kind of late for an afternoon bath isn't it Marguerite" Roxton said looking at her.
She just whipped around her hair hitting him in the face soaking it.
"You did that on purpose!" Marguerite fumed although her voice wasn't as angry as most would have suspected.
Deanna stood up more catching her breath. She shook her head still laughing as Marguerite limped closer. Then she nodded her head, "Yeah of course"
"Oh you" Marguerite lightly swung at her; she easily avoided it ducking away.
"You know my aim isn't that bad for it to have been an accident" she laughed running out of the room, as Marguerite grabbed a canteen of water and limped after her.
"Come along tiny Tim!" they heard Deanna tease.
Then there was more shrieking and they were heard running out the back. Roxton ran out to see Marguerite almost sitting on Deanna's back who was sitting up trying to push her away as she poured water down her back. She was soaked.
Robert came out with the others, and laughed with Roxton.
"Oh what's so funny gentlemen?" Deanna said sweetly unknowingly taking the half full canteen from Marguerite.
"Just thinking how attractive the drowned rat look is on you." Robert snickered
"Really, I hear it's become quite popular now a days" she said as she poured the rest of the water over his head.
He had his eyes closed and was nodding his head with an 'I knew this was coming' expression. Roxton backed away trying not to get wet, when Marguerite came over and hugged him.
"Oh Marguerite!" he said for once stepping away. She laughed and flung her hair in his face again.
Deanna had a smug smirk on her face. Robert opened his eyes and looked at her, he nodded "very good" he said in a calm voice wiping his face.
"Oh you think so," she said imitating his tone.
"Yes, but I fear I have the upper hand" he cried as he picked her up around her legs so she hung over his shoulder. She cried out in surprise.
"Ah! Robert put me down Robert- Robert! " she cried out
"Oh!" Marguerite gasped realizing what he was doing "Blake!" she scolded
Robert ran into the garden, and literally threw Deanna into the pond. She screamed as she fell into the water. She had grabbed his shirt and he stumbled into the edge of the pond falling on his knees.
Deanna sputtered a bit as she came back up to the top. She saw Robert standing on the edge of the pond as he went to run for it. She ran splashing up behind him and jumped on his back, causing him to fall foreword onto his face.
He rolled her off of him and they both sat in the shallow water, Deanna pouring water from her hand into his face and he opened his mouth jokingly looking up as the water flowed over his head. She pushed him back down.
"I cannot believe you just did that!" she shrieked standing up her clothes sticking to her thin curved figure.
"Me" he said pulling her back down.
The explorer's stood on the edge laughing.
"Good show Blake!"
"Deanna dear I believe you are all washed up!" Marguerite cried
"Oh, oh really Miss Krux" said Deanna snidely as she stood pushing Robert back into the shallow water. She started to walk toward them.
"OH no!" said Marguerite limping away.
"What" said Deanna mockingly blocking her way.
Marguerite shrieked, like a schoolgirl as Deanna followed after her.
Roxton getting into the spirit, tried to grab Deanna from behind but she turned and stumbled into the water knocking Robert back again.
Marguerite screamed again as Deanna got in front of her.
She stepped back a bit to close to the pond. Deanna went around to her side and as she turned Marguerite lost her balance and fell grabbing Deanna who took hold of Veronica and they all fell into the water, Marguerite fell right onto of Roxton.
Who grabbed her around the waist pulling her farther into the water. She splashed him in the face laughing.
Ned had come over into the water up to his ankles to help Veronica up, which was a big mistake; she and Roxton grabbed both his arms with Marguerite and pulled him into the water.
There was a lot of splashing, and laughing. Marguerite dunked Roxton right under the water.
Robert had tried to make Deanna stumble into the deeper water but she jumped back and pulled him down with her. And they reappeared with her on his shoulders. He then pushed back knocking her off, but submerging himself in the water.
They were laughing and playing making so much noise that Veronica commented that 'if they had neighbors they would be complaining,' then Ned picked her up and threw her deeper into the water.
Challenger had gotten up on some higher ground above the water war below and he watched laughing.
The group had quieted down and Roxton looked up at Challenger.
"Enjoying the view George?"
Marguerite noticed Deanna was gone, and looked around brow furrowed for her.
"Immensely" Challenger commented chuckling
Roxton poked Marguerite and motioned for her to look at Challenger.
Marguerite smiled slyly.
Deanna had silently gotten behind him. She pointed at him jumping her eyebrows. He was still oblivious.
The soaked explorers nodded to her and laughed.
Challenger looked at them confused and stood, then he saw they were looking past him.
He turned around to a smirking Deanna, who them pushed him over the edge with her hip.
He landed with a huge splash and everyone cheered his hat floating on the surface of the water.
He jumped through the surface. Deanna leapt in from the rock and splashed him again. He wiped his bread looking very disgruntled, then looked at everyone and just laughed walking closer to the shore, "I'm getting to old for this"
They all express amusement and began moving in toward the house.
They sat in the large sitting room, a large fire burning in the hearth being the only light in the room, aside from the moon and the stars.
They were changed and relatively dry sitting contently watching the fire.
Marguerite sat lounging in a chair, a blanket over her legs. Roxton sat on the floor below her. She brushed his hair lightly with her fingers.
Veronica was falling asleep on a small couch next to Ned and Challenger.
Robert was sitting on a couch Deanna's head and back leaning against his chest her feet up on the couch, they shared a blanket.
He gently played with her wet hair as it dried in waves of copper.
Roxton reached up and took Marguerite's hand and stroked it gently with his thumb.
This was truly a perfect moment.
Everyone fell asleep content in front of the wondrous fire.