NOTES: I am so sorry about this chapter being so late! For some wacko reason I kept thinking that I had already finished it!
Chapter Seventeen
Shoving Her Off
Roxton trekked through the jungle, fury driving him further and further away from his intolerable wife. Ah! Intolerable indeed! Not too mention infuriating, devious, clever, charming, beautiful…Roxton smacked a low hanging branch out of his way. I'm losing focus here.
Roxton refused to allow her to sweeten him into forgiveness. This time she had gone beyond too far. She had been stretching the outer limit for days, but now she'd charged right through it. He was enraged. He was bitter. He was…hiking through the forest. What am I thinking? Running away won't solve the problem.
"Oh, but it damn well bloody help me cool down," he reasoned with himself aloud. "If I tried talking to her now…" he chuckled "…things won't be pretty."
From somewhere behind him, he heard a shriek. Roxton jerked, quickly bringing his rifle up in front of him. Cautiously, he backtracked, his eyes scanning the thick underbrush. Great. I'll be killed by a raptor. Save Marguerite the time. Though it is her fault I'm out here. If she could have…
"Marguerite?" Roxton lowered his rifle, eyeing his wife strangely. She was sprawled on the ground, her hands covered in mud. Looking more closely, Roxton laughed. It wasn't mud.
Marguerite glared up at him. "You could try being a gentleman and help me up you know! Instead of just standing there with that bloody smirk on your face!" She sniffed, her nostrils flaring and her face cringing. "Ahhh-yuck!"
Roxton relented, reaching a hand out and grasping her upper arm. Pulling her up, he crinkled his nose. "We better find a water hole or spring to wash you off in." He marched off, not bothering to see if she were following.
She trudged up to his side, struggling to keep up with his long strides. "John, slow down! I didn't come out here to fight with you!"
"Then why did you," Roxton snapped.
"John, please, I know I went to far – even for me. I'm sorry. I really am."
They reached the river and without warning, Roxton pushed Marguerite off the bank. Her scream was cut off when she submerged under the rippling water, making a giant splash. When her head popped up, her eyes went wide and her mouth agape. "Lord John Roxton!"
He stood on the edge, one leg propped up on a tree stump. He looked pleased with himself, smiling down at Marguerite with unashamed glee. "I forgive you."
Marguerite laughed. "Then I forgive you for anything you've done. Or anything that I think you've done and held you responsible for. I don't even care about it anymore."
Roxton rolled his eyes. "Right. You're a woman who forgets nothing, especially if you think it was a crime against you."
Marguerite only grinned and then dipped back under the water.
End Chapter Seventeen
END STORY
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