Chapter Five
Prank…Or Not?
It had been a week since they declared their truce and Roxton was feeling comfortable with the situation. He soon released his suspicion on Marguerite and relaxed back into normalcy, content with their usual banter and friendly teasing. She, too, seemed to ease up, her trust in his statements and actions returning with each passing day.
Roxton sat at the table performing one of his favored past times: cleaning his weapons. He glanced up when Marguerite floated into the room, her face beaming and her hand clasping a cup, which she sat in front of him. "John, I made you something…with Challenger's help of course."
He tilted his head slightly to the side, his eyes twinkling and mouth curved in a rugged smile. "And what, my darling Marguerite, is it? The last time you attempted to make anything, I lost my sense of taste for a week."
"Oh John," she slapped him on the shoulder. "You did not. You only lost your sense of taste for two days. And that was because you burnt your taste buds…not because of my cooking."
"Well, darling, it was you who cooked the rather burnt…er…whatever it is you want to call what you made. Boiled dung perhaps?"
Her eyes narrowed and her mouth formed a tight 'O'. "Oh, John, you can be so cruel. I tried to do a simple thing as to make my husband breakfast and this is the thanks I get for it?" She shoved the cup closer to him, the dark liquid spilling over the sides and soaking the table. "Just try it, John. For me?"
He scrutinized it with distain before gingerly picking it up and sniffing it. "Well, it smells all right."
"Of course it's all right. Challenger and I already tried it. It's called hot cocoa. Made from boiling water and crushed cocoa. It's delicious, John. Now take a sip."
Roxton tentatively brought the rim to his lips, took a deep breath, and gulped a mouth full. His eyes watered from the scorching liquid, but it was scrumptious nevertheless. "Mm, darling, this is divine. My congrats to the chefs."
"See, John, would I ever lead you astray?"
"Well, indeed you have, my darling." He took another swing.
"Well, only when you want to be led astray, Lord Roxton." She pecked his lips, then, leaned back. "Veronica and I are going to go to the water hole for a little bit. We'll be back before lunch."
Roxton nodded, taking another gulp. "Have fun, darling." He took his last swing and smiled. It really was favorable and sweet. He felt something strange stirring in his mouth…something hard. Roxton spewed the rest of the hot cocoa and gagged. He peered down at the table and to his horror saw a dead beetle among the drops of liquid. He flashed his attention to Marguerite who peered in shock at the bug. "Marguerite!"
She snapped her attention to him. "What? I didn't have anything to do with this! My god, Roxton, you could've swallowed and choked on that beetle!"
"I thought we called a truce, Marguerite."
"We did!" she exclaimed righteously. "And I've kept up my end of the peace. I didn't put that beetle in there."
He looked at her oddly. Sure, darling, he thought sarcastically, it just happened to jump in there between Challenger's lab and here. "If you say, darling. I don't doubt you." I guess it's my turn to get even.
End Chapter Five
Isla: You were my first reviewer: thanks so much for discovering my story and liking it! LoveMR: You've always reviewed me more kindly than I deserve. Thank you for enjoying my hard work. Wishes: You got your wish: I kept going because of reviewers like you. Spirita: You are one of my loyal reviewers. Thank you so much for keeping me going. I appreciate it so much. NLD-diva: Thanks for viewing this story as cute. I was trying to give that impression. A. Windsor: I'm thrilled you find this hilarious. At least I'm reaching some people! Mary S.: Not that I think you continued reading this, but on the off chance you did: I appreciate that not everyone will like my work. I hope you do find something you enjoy. Fab: You are so right: this story does have lots of potential. Who knows where it will go? Enchanter: I love how Roxton thinks one thing and says another, too. Personally, I find it one of the more amusing aspects of the story. Thank you for your review! Fran Thurston: Thank you for the compliments and persuasion to continue on. SierraSunshine: You are so right about Mary S., but she is entitled to her opinion, even if she comes off sounding a bit cruel. Thank you for thinking I got M&R down. LadySammyMRoxton: I totally agree with you. It's great that they kept their teasing even after marriage. That stuff usually dies down after the ring is on the finger. Everyone: I'm sorry if I missed you, but these are the reviewers I had at the time I wrote this. Thank you all so much.