A/N: Thanks to Clux, LadyKim and JessieGirl for their reviews. I appreciate it immensely! Well my muse is on time this week and work is slow... Hence a new chapter... Not really long, but hopefully good.

See Chapter 1 for disclaimers

Chapter 4- The Trouble with Roxton

Two weeks went by since Marguerite's return, but she had yet to figure out what was going on with Roxton. Her instincts and heart were telling her that all was not fine. She could not put her finger on it, but something was just not right. On the outside, he seemed perfectly fine and happy that she was back, but his eyes did not reflect complete happiness. She wondered if he was feeling fine physically, if he was just tired or if it was another matter entirely. He avoided all her questions and she was somewhat reluctant to use covert means on him to find out what was going on. Time, though, was not on her side as the wedding date drew closer. She needed to know what was wrong before then. Not for the first time, she realized she missed Veronica more than ever. Her sister by circumstance would have been able to help her sound out her frustrations and help with her own fears. Regardless, she vowed to find out exactly what was going on even if it killed her.

Roxton was sitting in on yet another dull and purportedly important meeting. As he half-listened to the solicitor, manager and his uncle go on and on about the estate, the seat in Parliament and a great number of other things he was not inclined to care about, his mind wandered again about his upcoming marriage and life. Ever since coming back from the "Lost World," his life was bombarded with responsibilities. While he was not one to abandon duty, he had never wanted to be Lord. He had always known it was his brother's right and that had always suited him just fine. When William died, he lost a part of himself and unintentionally ran from the duties that were now his responsibility. The "Lost World" trip being the last in a long line of diversions. He knew it was time to settle down and take care of the family, but a part of him felt as though doing this meant he was leaving William behind. Of course, another part of him was also feeling as though he was being caged and that was a feeling he did not like at all.

Roxton was also tired of all the social functions. He had been to so many parties, teas and other tedious gatherings, that he thought he would go insane. At each one, dozens of ladies practically assaulted him, paying no attention to the fact it had been announced he was to be married. Apparently, no one cared. At least, the vampish socialites did not seem to care. Others did care. His uncle, for one. He endured numerous lectures from Phillip on a daily basis. Phillip did not think Marguerite was the right "fit" for the family and was constantly pressuring him to break off the engagement and take a more suitable wife. He was not the only one. All the people he had considered friends before being lost a world away seemed to agree with his uncle. Although all of them, even his uncle, agreed that Marguerite was charming and beautiful, they believed her background (and they did not even know half of it) did not lend itself to being a Lord's wife. He was extremely tired of defending his choice. In their opinion, love was not really a part of the equation. The only one who seemed to genuinely care and approve of Marguerite was his mother. But he wondered if it she would be happy with anyone, as long as he married.

Roxton ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled a large sigh. Through all his musings, the meeting had adjourned and he wandered through the manor until coming into the library. His body seemed on autopilot as his mind still contemplated his life. When Marguerite and himself first arrived back at his home, he was amazingly happy. Regardless of the perils and dangers of the Plateau, he had loved it there. But in honesty, he loved Marguerite more and happily left with her to come back to London. It had been exciting when first back, everything new and fresh. Then Marguerite left to work out issues from the past and as his duties took hold, life was distinctly less fresh and new.

Marguerite was now back safely and he was thankful for that. He had worried every day that something would go wrong and she would not make it back. He berated himself every day as well for not going with her. She would have let him come with her after some persuasion, he knew, but his uncle and mother convinced him that he need to start working on the estate and getting everything else moving along.

Marguerite. He did love her, he was positive about that, but all the misgivings about his duties, his life, his marriage and even other people's views on marriage were causing him nothing but heartache and headache. Was love enough? Did she feel trapped? He was feeling crowded, surrounded by everyone and everything. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. At times he could feel the walls closing in, especially at wedding and estate plans. He just did not understand. Everything was so right on the Plateau. He loved Marguerite and she loved him. That was enough. Now the thought of his wedding alone made him want to run. Had his feelings changed? Was his uncle and peers right? Did he just settle in the Plateau? Perhaps life was not without a sense of irony. He fought so long to break through to Marguerite and counter all her doubts and now he was the one with the doubts. He had promised forever, how could he take that back? Did he really want to? He knew he was being sullen and distant to both his mother and Marguerite. He was not sure how much more he could take.

He rubbed his temples and for the millionth time, wished Ned or Challenger was here to give him advice. He had a feeling he desperately needed it.

Another week went by and Marguerite could take no more. John had not only grown more distant, but alarmingly irritable as well. Marguerite took a deep breath and steeled herself. She knew Roxton was in the study. This was it. He WAS going to tell her what was bothering him. She was hopelessly in love with him, but that did not give him the right to act like this. She needed answers and wanted to help him deal with whatever was bothering him. She opened the door and crossed the room. She stopped a few feet away from him and their eyes met. At once Marguerite knew this was going to be a long and unhappy day that could change everything.

TBC in Chapter 5: All Good Things Must...