Chapter Three
Masking Hostility
Part One
Roxton was savagely cutting the fruit, slamming the blade unnecessarily hard through the apples as he clenched his teeth in restraint. The other three had rejoined them today and when Malone had wrapped his grimy arms around Marguerite in a quick hug, Roxton had the urge to rip his hands off. Yet, he had immediately regretted the instinctive thought and felt immense guilt. He loved Ned nearly as much as he had his brother, William, and would never wish harm to come to the young journalist. Besides, Marguerite had told him it was she who had kissed him. Malone wasn't at fault. Furthermore, Malone was madly in love with Veronica.
"Roxton, dear man, you're going to accidentally slice a finger off if you keep that up," Challenger scolded. He strolled over, his hands full of various scientific instruments. "What's troubling you, John?" He indicated the battered fruit with a slight nod. "That's a sure sign something's bothering you."
Roxton gently set the knife down. "Oh, it's nothing, George. I'm just blowing off some excess energy."
Challenger crinkled his eyebrows in disbelief and said calmly: "Did you and Marguerite have a fight while we were away?"
Roxton slightly shook his head. "No, of course not, George. Marguerite and I are fine." He glanced over to where Veronica was braiding his wife's hair out on the balcony. My God, she's gorgeous. His frustration melted away as her laugh reached his ears.
"Veronica!" Marguerite exclaimed, patting the top of her head. "What are you doing to my hair? Haven't you ever braided before?"
"I told you I haven't had much practice," the jungle girl retorted with a giggle. "But don't worry, I can fix it."
Malone strolled out of his bedroom, grinning like a fool. "I wish I had more than my pen and paper. This moment needs a good photo or two." He walked over to Veronica's side and stared down at her handiwork. "Veronica, I advise you to keep your day job," he teased, jerking at the hand that smacked his arm.
"Ned, is it really that horrid?" Marguerite asked, reaching back to feel the rest of her dark hair.
"It would make a great bird's nest," Roxton jibed from the table. He smiled when she sent him a glare and marveled in the moment when her sneer softened into a return smile.
Malone lifted up the braid to "inspect" before allowing it to drop. "Well, Marguerite, it sure detracts from your usually debonair look." He tapped her shoulder soothingly with his palm. "But don't worry. I'm sure Veronica can undo her disaster."
Roxton's eyes narrowed when Marguerite peered up at Malone with one of her glorious smiles and radiating eyes. She reserved those whole-hearted smiles for him. Or, at least she used to.
Score one for me, Marguerite thought gleefully when, for the corner of her eye, she noticed the flash of jealousy briefly cross her husband's features. Should I flirt more heavily? She glanced over at Roxton. No. That would be too cruel. I suppose I should fuss up. She peered around at the faces of her friends. I'll do it tonight.
Part Two
The air was unusually crisp, or at least it felt that way to the explorers who hadn't felt many chills since arriving at the plateau. Challenger had taken the temperature and pointed out that it was still warmer than what it normally was back in London. They had just forgotten how a dip in temperature felt.
Nevertheless, Roxton volunteered to chop some extra wood and was dismayed when Malone followed him into the elevator. "I'll help," he stated casually. "It sure beats getting suckered into cooking detail."
They reached the ground and both set about hacking away at the wood. After awhile, Roxton stole a peek Malone's way and was suddenly assaulted with the need to confess what he knew. "Malone, can I ask you something?"
Malone selected another log to chop. "I don't see why not."
"I know about what happened between you and Marguerite. And I have no hard feelings about it. Well, honestly, I did at first, but I've let it go. I just want to be sure it'll never happen again."
Malone stopped his task and stared oddly at the hunter. "What do you mean, Roxton? Nothing happened between me and Marguerite."
Roxton sputtered a moment, confused. "But…she told me, Malone. And she admitted she initiated the whole thing, so you needn't worry about defending yourself. I just want to make it clear that it never happens again." At Malone's perplexity, Roxton sighed and said a bit hotly: "The kiss, Malone. I know about the kiss!"
Malone's expression turned into a mixture of bewilderment and amusement. "What are you talking about? We've never kissed. I've never even considered the idea. Honestly, Roxton, what are you talking about?"
Roxton gaped at him strangely before shaking his head. "Nothing. Nothing at all." Marguerite, darling, it's time to get even.
End Chapter Three
So far I've gotten one bad review, but ten good ones. My critics, should I continue or scrap this?