Author's Notes: Okay, I think I will be kind enough (for once! ;) ) to post (quite) a lengthy chapter today. As much as I'd love to leave another cliffhanger, I'm pretty sure TLWROX will have my head for that… and mind you I do like to keep my head on! *wink, wink* Anyways, remember, this is a one-time deal only!!!
And one woohoo! for the return of the board! You just can't imagine what trauma I had to go through when I tried to access it and I got a 'Please note the Lost World Message Board will be down for a few days while we move servers' note, I very nearly screamed!!! Anyways, yes, doing the happy dance again for the return of the board. Hoo-ray!
WAIT!!! Just before you read, I want you all to know that I love the fact that you're reading (and hopefully reviewing) this. The thoughtfulness of those who do touches my heart beyond words… thankies! Personal notes are, again, at the very bottom :) Special people like you guys deserve special space… mushy much?!
Strap your seatbelts on, people… so you won't fall as you sit at the edges of your seats! LOL!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to 'The Lost World'. No infringement is intended, no profits are made.
Behold the Façade
Chapter Eleven
"I'm sorry."
Marguerite turned her head towards the one who spoke, her eyes meeting his through the mirror that hung before him. They were still inside the car and still more than a few meters away from the church. "I told you, Jerome—"
But he only shook his head and dismissed her words. "No, no, you don't understand. I—" He paused, seemingly unsure of what to say next. Marguerite wondered in the few seconds that he was silent where in the world was the confident, brazen spitfire that was Jerome Duncan? Where was the 'untypical radical'? The man before her was suddenly lost, afraid… she could see it in the dejected slump of his shoulder, the tired lines around his eyes. Was he having second thoughts about this as well?
All these thoughts of hers, all these hopes, were lost when he continued. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this, Marguerite." He said. "I should never have hired you. I should've gotten someone else."
Marguerite glanced away and affixed her stare at her bouquet. "I know what I was getting into when you paid me," she stated, her tone almost detached. "I was paid to do Challenger's bidding, remember? And if this was his wish…" she exhaled sharply, "so be it. I was paid. Now I will perform. That's all there is to it."
Jerome continued, as if she hadn't spoken. "I'm sorry… for Evelyn." His voice was soft, but in the ominous silence in the car the words were almost deafening.
You should be! Her heart screamed. But she said neither a word or breathed a syllable in response.
"But I'm not sorry for what's going to happen to them. To him."
There was something in his voice that made her look at him again, something that forced her to meet his eyes for a second time. Steel, loathing, anger… all these infused themselves in the cold tremor in his tone, in the dangerous flash in his eyes. "He's your friend, Jerome." She told him softly, almost accusingly. "Your friend might die today, and you're not sorry for that?"
The young Lord seemed to bear the weight of the world on both his shoulders as they further slumped. "William is just…" he paused again. Then the steel, the anger returned, brushing away all semblance of emotion except hate. Resignation. Acceptance. "He's a necessary casualty to all of this. He's the key to this plan's success… his death is important. He needs to die."
"All for the sake of revenge." Was there an insinuating tilt in her voice when she said that? "You could choose to not do this, Jerome. We can save Jerome; we can save them all from Challenger! All we have to do is--"
"Oh, but I choose to do this, Marguerite! Revenge is the only thing I can do! The only way I can make Lord John Roxton—" was there a sneer when he mentioned his name? "—pay for what he had done."
"And what did he do, anyway?" Marguerite finally demanded from him. In any other normal circumstance, she wouldn't dare question the need or the reason for her action, just the way to do it. Always ask the how, never ask the why.
But this… this was beyond normal.
This was beyond normal, because in this… she actually cared enough to ask.
She was almost sure that her question was going to go unanswered, when she heard him speak.
"She was my love." Jerome declared quietly.
Marguerite frowned, not understanding what he was saying.
"Liezl… she was my betrothed. We were to marry, but John… he stole her from me. She fell in love with him." A dry, calloused laugh escaped from his lips as he continued. "And as if losing her love to someone like him wasn't enough! He killed her, Marguerite. Do you understand that?"
Jerome never turned towards her, but she could almost picture the pain in his face when he spoke, because she could definitely hear it in his voice, because she could see it in his eyes.
"John killed Liezl, Marguerite. Drove her to her own death. Sir Challenger is right… her father is right. A life for a life is definitely a more worthy credo. John took her away from us… now we're going to take William away from him." At that, Jerome finally turned to pin her with a frighteningly serious stare. "William needs to die. That's all there is to it."
The chapel suddenly loomed before them, its presence halting any more conversations, and before he or she could speak they were already pulling to a halt in front of it.
Marguerite winced at the sight of the people, with their smiles, their laughter… so innocent… so frighteningly innocent they were, so completely clueless on what was going to happen. The guilt she suddenly felt was almost overwhelming… can she, should she actually go through this?
The lives of these people… or the life of her daughter?
Before she could take another breath, Jerome spoke again. Quietly, seriously. Deathly threatening. "If you want to see your daughter again, Marguerite, then I suggest that you do not as much as think of not doing this. Speak about this to anyone and you are sure to never see her again." And at that he stepped out of the car.
Then Jerome appeared at the side and opened the door for her; he offered his hand, his handsome face already twisted into a beautiful smile… where was the man who had so coldly threatened her with her daughter's death? Where was the man who had spoken with so much pain, so much hate?
"Marguerite, the time has come." He said, his smile ever so sickeningly charming.
Expertly masking her newly-founded hate towards him, Marguerite accepted his hand and climbed down the car, her face already wearing a happy expression, that of a beaming bride.
She saw a lot of eyes study her, watch her; did they or did they not like what they saw, she did not know. All she knew was that when she met William's eyes she saw approval; when she met Lady Roxton's gaze she saw acceptance.
She glanced at Jerome's eyes and she saw death.
Quickly pulling her hand from his hold, Marguerite turned around for she felt the urge to escape even for only a second. Her eyes wandered around, and for a moment a flash of red hair behind the elm tree caught her gaze. She almost froze.
So, Marguerite thought as her lips parted again into a wide, forced smile, Challenger's here. To check on her, to see that she will indeed fulfill her half of the bargain? Or perhaps, to see firsthand the demise of the Lord? To gloat that his desire for revenge has finally been satiated?
Perhaps one, or two, or quite possibly all of the reasons mentioned were true. But would the reason really matter? As long as she does what she was supposed to, then all will turn out the way they should be.
Just as Jerome had chosen to forsake the lives of everyone for his revenge, she had also chosen to forsake their lives for her daughter.
It wasn't the first time that greed, that selfishness won over the good of all.
The guests were already being ushered into their seats, and those with roles to fulfill were already told to occupy their places. She herself was told to stand at the very entrance of the chapel, the place where the bride should be at the very beginning of the ceremony.
As the eager guests rushed into the chapel, Marguerite noticed that one man was left outside, seemingly too involved in his own thoughts to even care about the world.
Lord John Roxton, she thought, her eyes affixed on him, have you any knowledge that this… all these deaths are also yours to bear? That this wedding, this disaster wouldn't have to happen if it weren't for your own foolishness?
And, as if feeling her eyes on him, he turned towards her, met her stare with one of his own.
As they stared at one another, their eyes dueling, mocking each other, one thought entered her brain. This one thought, irrational it may be tugged at her, teased her with its possibilities, taunted her with its promises.
Tell him!
Could she?
Tell him! He might be able to do something to help! He's the one responsible for this, anyway!
But before she could move her feet towards him, she saw Jerome approach John and practically drag him into the chapel. The older Roxton offered no resistance, but he did give her a parting nod. Jerome, however, was another story. He glared at her, his burning eyes telling her that he knew what she was thinking.
Marguerite felt disappointed at having lost her final chance, her final hope. Now, there was truly nothing left to do except what she was paid to do. It was time for her to perform, to start the dance of death that would be the last thing these people would ever see.
And before long, the wedding march started, and soon the procession began.
Fear, a feeling so unfamiliar and frightening to her, began to grab at Marguerite's heart as she took her first step.
*
"Where's Mother?"
Challenger looked down and met the blue gaze of the child that he brought with him. He told her, not unkindly of course, "She's… away for the moment. But don't you worry," he tapped her little nose, "She'll be back for you soon. Such a beautiful child like you won't just be abandoned, you know."
Evelyn nodded, and then looked ahead of her. "That's a pretty church." She said, her voice childish and light, normal to all five year-old little girls like her.
"It is, isn't it?" Challenger mused as he squeezed her hand. He took note of the ornaments that decorated the place. He pointed at one and asked, "Do you like the flowers?"
She nodded again as a smile graced her lips. The flowers have already attracted her attention long before he had pointed it out for her. "Oh, yes. They're pretty, too. I like them very much."
Then, the older man kneeled in front of her until their eyes were staring into one another. "Tell me, Evelyn. Do you like fireworks?"
"Why? Are there going to be any fireworks today, Uncle George?"
George Challenger then stood up and faced the church again. "Yes. There's going to be a huge fireworks display today, Evelyn. I'm sure you're going to like it."
Evelyn looked up at him, and then at the church. She grinned. "I can't wait."
*
John repressed the urge to grunt at Jerome as he was 'shown' his place inside the chapel. "Thank you," he croaked out as the younger man deposited him in his seat, his position as far away from the altar as it was possible. When he noticed that fact, he called him. "Wait. I'm the brother of the groom… shouldn't I be… oh, I don't know, near where they are?"
Jerome just patted his back. "I'm sorry, John, but this wedding has been arranged long before you arrived. Everybody's now in their proper places. Believe me, if I could have my way I would've placed you in the middle row, near the aisle, so you could see everything from there, but…" he shook his head. "this is the only place available for you. I'm truly, terribly sorry."
John shrugged. "Oh, well, I guess this is what I get for dropping by unannounced." He said with a wry grin. Then he gestured at the altar with a nod of his head. "Go now, Jerome. You should take your position as the best man."
Before the younger lord left, he turned to him and said, "I am glad that you're here, John. Truly glad."
The older Roxton wasn't quite sure what to make of what the best man said…
… just as he wasn't sure what to make of the fact that he caught the bride staring quite fervently at him earlier.
He looked at the entrance of the chapel, just in time to see Marguerite began her walk towards the altar. Her steps were deliberately slow, her face uncharacteristically ashen. John's brows knitted closely together in concern, then chided himself for such an overly reaction. For God's sake, John! He scolded himself. There's no need to be quite the melodramatic! She's not even your wife for you to worry over her like that!
Despite his inner thoughts, John continued to watch Marguerite like a hawk; his sharp eyes noticing every little detail. He feasted on the sight of her body; she was truly a sight to behold. The gown was fitted only for her; it matched every curve, every slope of her body. But there was something… odd… about the way it hugged her waist, as though whatever she was wearing beneath the gown was—
Then, all his thoughts halted when she stopped her procession, and stood as still as statue at the middle of the chapel.
Confusion reigned among the guests, and they were all wondering…
What in the world is she doing?
*
Challenger checked his watch, then smiled to himself. "It's time." He muttered. He kneeled down in front of Evelyn again. "Evelyn, would you like to see the fireworks now?" He asked her.
The child eagerly nodded. "Oh, yes Uncle George, I'd like to very much."
"Good. Now," He took out a small switch from his pocket and handed it to her. George pointed at the black button at the center. "I want you to press this down for me, okay? That way the fireworks will start."
Evelyn took the gadget from his hands and looked at him, delighted that he was trusting her to do this big a role. When he nodded, she pressed the button firmly…
… and in an instant the small chapel was engulfed in flames, the result of an explosion from within it.
To be continued…
Well, I'd say compared to the other chapters, this one is quite longer… :)
To those who reviewed Chapter 10:
Smiley – you were out of town and you dare forget to bring a present for me? *pouts* hmph, hmph. But, oh well… I guess the review did make for the lack of a certain gift for me… I sure could use a night with Roxton or two… *eep!!! Dirty mind alert!* heeheee :) And please, feel free to bug me all you want! But seriously, I am the one who feel privileged because of your reviews… thank you very much!
Mags968 – Hope you have some sort of parachute with you… *grin* Anyways, sorry, dear… can't send Roxton for you because, well… I have him chained somewhere around the house, and I absolutely will NOT share!!! I'm selfish (not to mention delusional!), I know… *weg*
Michi- That's great, great news! Well, we certainly DESERVE some sort of treat for a job very well done. I hope you do fine when you go to college… no, scratch that, I KNOW you'll do fine!!! It's a pretty exciting world out there, so better prepare. Anyways, thank you for the lovely review!
AerinBrown – I'm the mistress of pain… heh, that's me, EVIL with a capital EVIL… *weg* And, yes, Challenger does make a scary villain, doesn't he? I just watched 'The Elixir' yesterday and, well… he's pretty yummy when he's evil. But is he insane? Quite. Insane with thirst for revenge… *spoiler!* Anyways, thankies for the review!
Beckers – No, I really don't want to be the source of your migraine… though I am known to be the source of other people's headaches as well (just ask TLWROX!) hehehe… thank you for the review!!!
TLWROX – What can I say? I LIKE torturing people. It's my gift. It's my curse…. *insert evil laughter here* thanks for the review, hon. You do know I always enjoy reading your reviews, right? ;p
A. Windsor – thank you for the complement for the last chapter ;) I admit, I am a bit known to throw people off course several hundred times… but the question is, are you enjoying this joy ride? *crosses fingers* I REALLY hope so!
Veggie5 – Ah-hah! So you admit it, you've been too busy you've neglected all your TLW friends… *wipes a tear* but yes, sad as it is I understand you completely. Really, I do! Anyways, thanks for the congratulations. Actually I do enjoy my experience as a 'working-without-pay' girl… ;) Speaking of working, are you writing your next fic, missy? Huh? I DEMAND that you post another one at once! Just so because I'm greedy and all that ;)
Cara – Shameless as I am to admit it, yessss…. I was born to torment and torture… *wink, wink* hehe. And you've become addicted to this story? That makes me sooo happy… really! Anyways, thanks for replying to my post at the board! That's so sweet of you :)
Wishes – I know what you mean… I always like the bad guys' role, too, because personally I think fulfilling the role is more satisfying.. hehe :) ;) And I just can't resist making Challenger the bad guy… in an AU story, practically anything is possible … Anyways, thanks for the review!