Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me

Chapter 4

Veronica confides her suspicions in Roxton about Jack Farrell. Marguerite tells Roxton about Barnaby.

Marguerite had no time to revel at how good it felt to be in Roxton's arms again, or feel his lips on hers. She broke off the kiss, touching his cheek briefly, before looking over at the smiling Elizabeth Thomas, who by now, was teary eyed.

'Oh...this is just so beautiful...it breaks my heart...' she sniveled.

Marguerite eyed her. She had lived next door to Mrs. Thomas long enough to know that this whole event would be in the society pages by tomorrow! She didn't have time for this! She had to get Barnaby his money tonight.

Marguerite walked over to her and touched her arm.

'Thank you for stopping by, Elizabeth, I will be in touch.'

Marguerite tried to move her arm, but Elizabeth, stood stock still, and had seemingly planted her feet on the carpet.

'Oh. Yes, of course, this is a family moment, and you have so much to catch up on...'

Roxton walked over to Elizabeth. He put a hand on her other arm.

'I'm glad you understand. Please excuse us.'

The woman had no choice but to move, when Roxton exerted pressure and pulled her towards the front door. Marguerite snuck Veronica a glance. Veronica shrugged, but smiled like a cheshire cat. Marguerite waved a finger at her, then stared after Roxton and Elizabeth.

Good God! Had Roxton really done what she thought he had? Had he made himself known as her presumed dead husband? And how did Roxton know that that had been her cover story?

Marguerite looked over at Veronica again. Oh damn!

Veronica walked over to her. 'Finn is back.'

Marguerite's eyes widened. 'Just Finn?'

Veronica cast a look over at Roxton and Elizabeth, who he was now literally shoving out of the door!

'I'm sorry. Challenger, Jessi and Ned are up with her now. It looks like she was able to escape somehow. Funny, she's dressed kind of like she used to be on the plateau.'

Marguerite's eyes moved from Veronica to Roxton. She overheard Elizabeth saying something about throwing a welcome home party for him. Roxton smiled at her and said that would be lovely, then managed to get her out of the house, once and for all. He closed the door firmly after her, before turning and heading back into the room Marguerite and Veronica were in.

'I think I'm going to go check on Finn.' Veronica said. Marguerite grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

'Veronica,' Marguerite said with clenched teeth, 'don't leave me alone with him.'

Veronica removed her hand. 'Now you're being silly. He's Roxton, remember?'

Marguerite watched as Veronica passed Roxton, patting him lightly on the arm as she passed him. Marguerite turned away.

Roxton walked past Marguerite and picked up the picture of Greta on the fireplace mantle. Marguerite peeked over at him. This was ridiculous! Veronica was right. This was Roxton!

'I know who kidnapped our daughter.'

Roxton walked over to her, still clutching the photograph.

'Who? And when did you receive the ransom note?'

'Ransom?' she asked.

'Yes, Veronica said you were expecting one. Did you recognize the handwriting? Have you been to the authorities?'

Marguerite put a hand up in a halting motion.

'Whoa! Okay, no I have not been to the authorities. This man only wants to settle a perceived wrong. I'll give him what he thinks is his due, and he'll give us Greta back.'

Roxton's mouth tightened. So, this was some past vendetta from someone who was displeased with Marguerite.

'Who is this man, Marguerite?'

Marguerite had to refrain from sighing. She recognized the beginnings of a 'Roxton patronizing tone'. It had always been one of his least attractive qualities.

'Marguerite?'

'Alright, alright! His name is Barnaby Krux.'

Roxton glanced at the photograph again, before gently setting it down on a table.

'Krux? Any relation to your deceased husband?'

'His son. His only son.'

'Alright. Well, what problem does this man have with you?'

Marguerite rubbed her face briefly.

'He is under the delusion, that I stole or cheated him out of his inheritance. So, I'm going to get the amount that he thinks he was due, and he's going to give us Greta back. There!'

Roxton folded his arms. 'Was he deluded, Marguerite? Or does this man have a legitimate gripe?'

Marguerite backed away slightly, looking him up and down.

'I have done nothing to him, that justifies his kidnapping my child!'

'I'm sorry, I know,' he said in an oddly gentle tone. 'But I need the truth here.'

Marguerite rolled her eyes. 'Okay! I sort of lied to his father and told him that Barnaby was making passes at me. It wasn't true, but, Harry believed me and cut his son off. He's still a little testy.'

Marguerite waited for the other shoe to drop. She waited for a rebuke, a chide, a reprimand, a lecture...something.

But Roxton reached for her hands.

'Where are you supposed to meet this man?'

Marguerite stared at him.

'Uh, he didn't say. I'm going to assume the park, since he found me there earlier. That's all? That's all you're going to say?'

Roxton squeezed her hands.

'Emma is gone. I'm here now. We will get our daughter back. Nothing else matters.'

Marguerite nodded. She knew tears were welling up, but she didn't care. She allowed him to pull her into his arms. He began to whisper against her hair.

'If you think I'm about to let anything come between us again, then you've lost your mind, do you hear me?'

Marguerite nodded against him. She sniffed, then reluctantly pulled away.

'I have to get the money.'

'You're not going alone.'

Marguerite was about to disagree, but she knew by the look he gave her, that he would brook no argument.

'Barnaby is injured, so there's that for an advantage. Finn must've wounded him when she got away. How did she look?'

Roxton pulled her closer to him.

'Challenger said she's exhausted, probably from trying to make her way back here.'

Marguerite nodded. She knew this was not the time or place to ask, but she had to know.

'Did Emma die peacefully?'

Roxton just nodded. Marguerite stared up at him.

'What?' he asked.

Marguerite shrugged.

'I was just thinking how hard it had to have been for you. Watching someone slowly waste away...did you tell her parents about Nigel?'

Roxton shook his head.

'I couldn't. Their suffering was great enough as it was.'

Marguerite continued to stare at him. Roxton pulled on her lapel teasingly. He smiled down at her.

'Why are you staring at me like that?'

She smiled back, sadly. 'You did the right thing, John. If I had it to do over, I would've insisted you go to her.'

Marguerite suddenly pulled away from him.

'I need to get the money.' she said, before leaving the room. Roxton stared after her for a long while, before picking up Greta's photograph again. Marguerite's words had meant a great deal to him, but, she had not said that she was ready for the three of them to be a family. He smiled. Even if their daughter had not been abducted, Roxton had anticipated some resistance from Marguerite.

There were three things that he intended on doing once Greta was back, safe and sound. First and foremost, was getting to know his little girl. Secondly, was clearing Challenger and his names, and lastly, Roxton decided to take Mrs. Thomas up on her offer to throw him a welcome home party. Marguerite would just love that!

****

Ned sat next to Finn's bed. When her eyes finally closed, he looked up at Jessi and Challenger, who were standing beside him. Ned stood up.

'Poor thing,' Jessi said, 'she kept insisting she was fine and wanted to look for Greta.'

Challenger nodded. 'She can't fight her body's alarm clock. Her trek to get back here took a lot out of her. Let's let her rest.'

The three of them began to move away, when Finn's eyelids fluttered. They then opened. She looked at the three of them, then kept her eyes on Ned.

'Ned?'

Ned walked back over to her. She reached for his hand. Ned grasped it.

'You need to get some rest.' he whispered.

'Stay with me for awhile. I really need to tell you something.'

Challenger turned when Veronica suddenly entered the room. But Jessi did not notice. She was frowning at Ned and Finn, specifically Finn. A woman could read things better then most men. Specifically, body language. Finn was acting in a way towards Ned that was very proprietary in manner. Jessi understood Finn had been through quite an ordeal, but it was at these times, weak moments such as this, that a person was liable to forget one's self.

Jessi turned when she saw Challenger put an arm around Veronica. Ned turned from Finn momentarily. He saw Veronica and smiled. He then looked back at Finn.

'Get some rest. You can tell me what you need to tell me, tomorrow.'

'No!' Finn cried, reaching out for him. Veronica raised a questioning brow. Jessi slipped Challenger a look. He returned it with an expression that told her he understood her concerns. Challenger decided to step in.

'Listen you two, Jessi and I will stay here with Finn. Why don't you see how Roxton is doing?'

'Well, I don't hear any glass breaking, so I'm going to assume he's fine.' Veronica said, smiling.

Ned smiled back. 'What's going on?'

'Marguerite came in and found out that Roxton has made himself known as her 'long-lost husband'. I told her it was a stupid story!'

'Ned!' Finn cried out again.

'What's the matter with her?' Veronica asked, looking around. 'Challenger, I thought you just said she was exhausted?'

'She is.' Challenger said quickly. He nodded at Jessi, who in turn, touched Ned's arm.

'Really, Finn will be alright. Veronica and you go and get some fresh air or something.'

Ned nodded. He then put an arm around Veronica and they left the room. Challenger cast Finn a sly glance. Her expression was unreadable, as she slowly closed her eyes and appeared to fall into a deep slumber.

Jessi waited until Ned and Veronica had safely left the room, before speaking her mind to her husband.

'What you feared would happened has happened.' she noted.

Challenger nodded. 'I'm afraid it has. And Ned and Veronica don't see it. Not yet.'

'Do you think Marguerite is aware of Finn's attachment to Ned? I mean she's lived under her roof for all of this time.'

Challenger shook his head. 'I doubt it. With all that she's had to worry about, plus keeping up this elaborate ruse of being a recently widowed woman, I doubt Marguerite would've noticed.'

'George, we have to take Finn back to London with us. It's the only way.'

Challenger stared down at Finn.

'I don't know dear, do we tell her why?'

'No. And of course we can't make her come with us. But I wouldn't feel right leaving here if I didn't get some sense that the poor girl realized that Ned and Veronica are going to be married, and that there is nothing that she can do to change that outcome.'

'Let's let her get some rest. We'll find out how Marguerite and Roxton are making out.'

Challenger put an arm around Jessi's shoulder. They walked to the door. Jessi looked back at Finn.

'Good night my dear.' she whispered, before closing the door. As soon as the door closed, Finn's eyes came open.

****

Ned and Veronica listened in stunned silence, as Roxton repeated what Marguerite had told them about Barnaby Krux.

'Well, at least Finn got in a few good licks.' Veronica said.

'I don't know Roxton,' Ned said, 'I think you should involve the police.'

'I thought that at first too,' Roxton admitted, 'but after hearing Marguerite's account, I don't want to take the chance that he might do something to harm Greta. We'll handle this Marguerite's way, but I'm going with her.'

'Well I'm going too.' Ned insisted.

Roxton shook his head. 'It's far too dangerous.'

'He's wounded, Roxton! You'll probably be able to snatch Greta back and overpower him. Take Ned with you, just in case.' Veronica predicted.

Roxton shook his head. 'No, and that's final.'

There was a knock on the door. A servant was about to answer the door, when Marguerite came from another direction, carrying a leather duffle bag. She waved the servant off, dropped the bag by the stairs, then answered the door herself. She smiled with surprise.

'Jack?'

Jack Farrell stood on the other side of the door carrying a big, bouquet of flowers. He smiled back at Marguerite.

'Marguerite. I heard about Finn and Greta. Are there any leads?'

Roxton stood up and looked at Ned.

'Who is he?'

Veronica frowned. 'Just some creep that works for Ned.'

'Veronica!' Ned whispered.

'It's true, Ned. He wants your job. I wonder who is rotten flowers are for?'

Marguerite and Jack walked in to the room Roxton, Marguerite and Veronica were standing in. Marguerite looked up at Jack.

'Ned, Veronica, Jack is here. These flowers are for Finn.'

Veronica raised a brow. Ned looked surprised. Roxton watched their reactions, specifically Veronica's.

Jack smiled at Veronica, who gave him a look of disdain in return. He noted the stranger standing apart from them. He held out his hand.

'Jack Farrell. I'm Ned's Assistant Editor.'

'I'm Lord John Roxton. I'm Marguerite's husband.'

Marguerite balled up her fists briefly, ignoring the smug look on Roxton's face. Veronica's lips twitched. Ned looked embarrassed.

Jack looked at Marguerite. 'Your husband? I thought you said he was killed by savages on some business trip?'

Roxton's mouth dropped open and he looked directly at Marguerite.

'Savages?'

Marguerite gave him a coy look. 'That's what I was told. For the longest time, all I had of him was a bloody shirt.'

Roxton matched her expression. 'Now you have the real thing again, darling.'

Marguerite looked away from Roxton quickly, returning her attention to Jack.

'I will make sure Finn gets these.'

'If you don't mind, I would like to give them to her myself. Please. She's grown to mean quite a lot to me.'

Marguerite's eyes widened. Yesterday, she had been contemplating fixing Finn up with Jack. But now it seemed as if something must have been going on the whole time. If that was so, then why was Finn mooning over Malone?

'Jack?' Ned asked.

Jack turned from Marguerite to him.

'Yes?'

'How did you know anything was wrong at all?'

Jack refrained from rolling his eyes. The paper has a police reporter, you idiot!

But Jack put on his poker face. 'The guy on the police beat, Henderson, told me of a call made out here. I was so sorry to hear about Greta, do the police have any leads?'

Ned walked up to him. 'These are my friends, Jack. This is not a story. And I've never seen you anywhere near Finn.'

Marguerite stepped in between them.

'Jack, go and give these to Finn. I'll show you her room.'

'Thank you, Marguerite.' Jack said, still staring at Ned. Veronica glanced over at Roxton, who had a brow raised. Marguerite then walked out of the room with Jack. As they walked up the stairs, they ran in to Challenger and Jessi. Marguerite briefly hugged them both, then told them she would be right back. Ned walked over to Challenger and Jessi, when they reached the bottom step.

Meanwhile, Roxton walked over to Veronica.

'What was that all about?'

Veronica turned to look at him.

'Roxton, I am so glad you are here!'

Roxton put his arms around her briefly. She let go of him.

'That man, Jack Farrell, was running the paper when Ned was on the plateau. I don't think anyone expected to ever see Ned again. When he returned, wanting to run his father's paper, Jack acted as if it was alright, but I knew from the start it wasn't. God! Whenever I see that man, it makes me want to pull my knife out of my boot, if I still carried one!'

Roxton smiled. 'Now, now. Malone's a big boy. And I think he's watching his back.'

'Well what about Finn? God, I hope what Jack said isn't true!'

****

Finn was awake, when Marguerite and Jack entered her room. Marguerite hugged her.

'I'm sorry. If I could've found Greta....'

'Never mind that. Roxton and I are getting her back tonight.'

Finn's eyes met with Jack's.

'You know who the kidnapper is, Marguerite?' Jack asked.

Marguerite glanced at him.

'I'm sorry, Jack. As much as I like you, I really don't want to be an early morning story.'

'I was just...'

'You'll know everything, when we know everything, okay? I'm going to leave you two lovebirds alone.'

Marguerite smiled at them both and left the room. She closed the door behind her. Finn sat up straight.

'Why did she refer to us as 'lovebirds'?'

Jack flung the flowers on to the ground!

'Because I had to make it look that way to get up here to see you! Our plan doesn't seem to be progressing, my dear!'

Finn sighed. 'Look, Marguerite didn't rise to the bait! I had hoped she would tell Veronica and that would be it!'

Jack pointed a finger at her. 'You know, she was at the Journal the other day. She might've been planning to tell Ned instead.'

'Oh great!' Finn hissed. She got up unsteadily. Jack didn't offer to help.

'Just let me faint, why don't you?'

Jack put both hands up in a defensive posture.

'Getting yourself kidnapped was not part of the plan. You tell Marguerite that Ned came into your room and had relations with you, she tells Veronica, Veronica calls off the wedding, Veronica becomes mine.'

'She doesn't even like you! Finn hissed again, rolling her eyes. What a stupid plan this had been! It didn't accomplish anything and now she just looked desperate and pathetic, to not only Marguerite, but to Challenger and Jessi. Maybe she should return to London with them.

'She'll learn. I can be very charming.'

'Ha! Listen, I'm through with this.'

Jack walked over to her.

'What the hell does that mean?'

'It means what it sounds like.'

Jack folded his arms. 'You don't want Malone anymore?'

Finn frowned. 'I'll always want him. But taking him away from Vee like this...it's underhanded. If we did happen to get what we wanted, if they ever found out, they'd just get back together again. I want him willingly.'

'That will never happen.' Jack said flatly.

'Whatever! Get out!'

'We can always think of something else.'

Finn grinned. 'Have you met George Challenger? Because maybe he can invent something to help you get a clue!'

Jack froze! Good God! He knew he had recognized George Challenger on the stairs! That meant that Marguerite's 'long, lost husband' was Lord John Roxton! God! Now he knew why that man's name had seemed so familiar when he had heard it just now!

Finn saw something in his eyes. 'What?'

'You'd better help me come up with a plan to get Veronica, Finn.'

Finn squinted at him. 'Are you deaf? I told you no!'

Jack smirked at her. 'Walk me out, Finn.'

Finn looked him up and down.

'Have you not wondered why you're friends are suddenly here? No, of course. Having been kidnapped, you might not be up to speed. Challenger and Roxton are wanted for murder in London. Now, walk me out, Finn. I don't think we should discuss our plans in the house. Our voices might carry.'

Finn felt sick to her stomach! Challenger and Roxton wanted for murder?! She nodded and walked over to her door. She opened it and Jack followed her. They walked down the hall, then down the stairs. They were halfway down, when Finn saw Roxton and Marguerite walk out of the front door. Marguerite was carrying a black duffle bag. Finn hurried down the rest of the stairs.

'What's going on?' she asked.

Veronica eyed Jack. 'Roxton and Marguerite are meeting the kidnapper so they can get Greta back.'

'I cut him with a pair of shears, so they should be able to get a jump on him.' Finn said.

Jack suddenly took Finn's arm.

'Finn and I are going for a short walk.'

Challenger stood up. Jessi was giving Jack a suspicious look.

'Finn needs her rest.' Challenger said.

Finn put a hand up. 'I'll only be gone for a minute.'

'We'll only be gone for a moment.' Jack confirmed, pulling on Finn's arm and pulling open the door. They walked down the drive a bit. Then Jack pulled her over onto the lawn. He shoved her against a tree. Finn scratched him. Jack yiped!

'Get the hell off me and tell me what you know about my friends!'

Jack gently fingered his scratch. 'Challenger and Roxton are wanted for some sort of animal murders.'

'Animal what?'

'The point is, my dear girl, if you don't want me to call the authorities and tell them that Marguerite is hiding two fugitives from another country on her estate, then you'll find a way to take Malone away from Veronica. Then I will woo her and...'

Finn stopped listening. She had heard something rustling in some shrubs a few feet away from them.

'And before we know it, Veronica will be my wife and Ned and you will live...'

'Did you hear something?' Finn interrupted.

Jack sighed. 'No. Now I'll give you a day to come up with something, before I turn in your friends. And what an ugly story this will make for the Journal. Malone will be into trouble for hiding Challenger and Roxton, Marguerite, oh poor Marguerite! To have her baby kidnapped, then read a nasty story about how one of the men she's been hiding, was the father of her illegitimate baby...and maybe half ape at that! Why I...'

And that was when Finn saw it. The moon was bright and full and she saw the ape come charging out of the shrubbery and right towards them! She had spent too much time on that plateau to mistake it for anything else!

'JACK LOOK OUT!!!'

Jack turned as the ape buried it's teeth in his neck, savagely biting and mauling him at the same time. Finn ran back towards the house, screaming all the way.