Chapter Nine
A Cry in the Dark
Part One
Marguerite was bustling in her room, trying to soothe her nerves from her argument with Roxton. The man could be so maddening, but…but she loved him anyway. He was usually such a gentle, kind, compassionate man, but ever since Adam's death he had pulled into himself. Roxton had even sat impassive during the funeral, shock preventing him from properly mourning. Feeling that it was the only way to cope, he continued to bottle his anger inside, allowing it to fester. In truth, she hadn't seen him cry since the night their son died. And yet, now, through the thin walls, she could hear the distinct sound of whimpering.
Lord John Roxton was crying.
If there was one sound in the world that sliced her heart it was the agonizing sound of her husband crying. He'd buried is pain so deep that now his tears were unbearably heartbreaking. He was crying…sobbing…
Wailing…
Her instinctive urge was to rush over to him and gather him up in her arms, but he had specifically requested that she leave him alone. Would he be angry with her if she intruded while he was grieving? Throwing caution to the wind, she slipped out of her room and into his.
He tensed as his senses picked up her presence. "Leave," his hoarse voice ordered.
"Not a chance in hell," Marguerite retorted, climbing into bed with him and wrapping her arms around his chest.
Roxton was silent for a tense moment before breaking down once more. "I killed him," he wailed, burying his face into her bosom. "I can't live with myself. I don't blame you for hating me. I killed our baby boy. What kind of parent kills their child? I'm a horrible father."
A lump lodged itself in her throat. Tears streamed unheeded down her face. She bit her lip until she felt blood flowing into her mouth. "That's not true, John. You didn't kill him. It wasn't your fault. That drunken bastard took our son away from us. Not you. You were a wonderful father. The best any boy could ask for."
"I miss him so much, Marguerite."
"I know, love, I know. I do to. He was such a charming little boy so full of energy and life. And you aren't the one who took that away. You're innocent, John." She rubbed her hands up and down his back soothingly. "You really are." In the back of her mind there was a little doubt lingering. If he had used the car seat like I'd asked…
As his tears subsided, he drifted off into a fretful sleep, but Marguerite remained wide awake, thinking back to the time her world had shattered.
Part Two
Flashback
Glancing at the clock, Marguerite felt her irritation level raise another notch. He had promised to be back to help her with the invitations for his mother's party. Shoving the last letter into its envelope, she glared at the doorway that led to the foyer. Don't think I'll let you have the hook, Lord Roxton. After all, there was still the matter of decorating detail. Not that I want to trust him with that.
She glanced over as one of the maids entered the room and smiled sweetly at the young Spanish girl. "Diana, pongalas alli, por favor," she instructed her, pointing to the coffee table.
Diana placed her armful of crystal vases where the Lady had requested and stepped back, peering at them oddly. "Want me help," she asked in broken English. She had never worked in a home where the Lord and Lady did so much for themselves. It awed and confused her.
"No, no, Diana, muchas gracias." Marguerite picked up her notepad and scanned the list, then glanced back up at the maid. "That's all, Diana. Gracias."
Diana scurried off in search of other work.
Marguerite scowled at the clock and tapped her pen angrily against the paper. Where the hell was he? It was way past Adam's bedtime and the child still needed his bath. Fuming, she bitterly rose to her feet and headed out of the room. Passing the foyer she paused, something catching her eye from outside. Shrugging it off, she was about to continue when a sharp rapping on the door startled her.
Marguerite swung the door open and gasped at the sight of the police officer. The blood in her ears pounded relentlessly and her breath caught in her throat. Shaking she stepped back, begging for the man to go away so she wouldn't have to hear his dreadful news.
"Lady Roxton?"
"It's my husband isn't it?"
The officer nodded grimly. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's been an accident. I'm afraid that…"
"Take me there," Marguerite insisted, pushing passed the officer.
The short ride was bleak, her prays almost feverish. As they approached the scene, Marguerite's face drained. She stumbled out of the car, her eyes fixed on the devastation. Two vehicles were crushed, one of which was plastered to a tree: a black Roadster. Her eyes fell to the ground beside the wreckage and she forgot how to breathe.
Roxton was on his knees, cradling a little body to him and sobbing. He was rocking back and forth, ignoring the paramedics that swarmed around him. From her distance, she could see the pools of dark blood shimmering in the glow of the officer's headlights. Oh dear God.
Marguerite rushed forward in a daze, collapsing onto her knees beside them and tentatively reaching out to stroke her lifeless baby. Words couldn't describe the utter despair she felt embracing her breaking heart. Tears blurring her vision, she fell forward at the waist and howled. Her wails turned into shrieks of anguish and she pounded her bare fists into the snow, scraping her knuckles against the cobblestone underneath.
"Nooo," was torn from the depth of her heart. How could this have happened? Why must her little boy die when she was so willing to give her life in exchange? She peered up, her eyes falling on the crinkled automobile and to her horror she noticed in the midst of her suffering that something missing. She glanced over at Roxton, her heart turning to stone. "The car seat," she murmured in disbelief.
Beside her, Roxton went on rocking.
End Chapter Nine
Velma-Kelly-online: Ah, my ever wonderful reviewer. I ended up posting two chapters after your Chapter Seven review. Anyway, let me know if you needed that box of tissues after all. Like I said at the end of Chapter Eight, I don't think it was sad enough. TheChosenOne3: That has got to be one of the sweetest reviews I've ever gotten (referring to your Chapter Six review). "I don't think the TLW community is ready to let you take a break…" was very touching. I never imagined people would like my work enough to care. Steffi: Yes, I myself liked the addition of Adam's 'Dada.' I felt that it really set the scene. I'm glad you thought so, too. Anyway, I'm still debating over whether there will be a true happy ending or not. So be prepared. Spirita: It means a great deal to me that you like my work so much because I've adored everything I've read of yours thus far. And I'm thrilled you find this story sad. That was what I was aiming for. EVERYONE: Thank you all so much for welcoming me so warmly into the TLW fanfic! Since writing my premiere, Trusting Danger, I've been getting so much support. THANK YOU!