Hi! I'm here wih the next chapter. It will be a little bit longer.:)))
I got some good advice about my spelling failures. I'm sorry for that, I promise, I will pay more attentionin the future.:))
Chapter 8
The next morning the inhabitants of the treehouse got up early. They had to do a lot. Roxton, Challenger and Malone got known at last Charlie. Marguerite and Veronica thought they could hold the boy with them, to keep their secret. They exclaimed all at once, when Roxton wanted to bring him to a hunt.
- Well well ladies, motherly feelings? - He joked
- I'm sure Lord Roxton's forgotten that not everybody goes hunting at early dawn with a bump on a head. - hit back the heiress.
Before the bottle started, Challenger interrupted them.
- Marguerite is right. The boy is still weak and we have a lot of meat enough for a week. Instead you and Mr. Redgrave could bring back those trunks you've found. Malone and I will go on a trip to collect herbs, and the others can clean up the hours. Is this fair enough?
- Absolutely! Women's and children's place at home! - smiled Malone, until the triumphant grin wasn't cleared from his face by a towel. It was Veronica's action. Charlie, who was in silence laughed heartily at it.
- I'm glad it was entertaining- added the reporter, staring at the "boy".
Roxton opened his mouth to say something, and stepped towards, when he noticed a knife in her hand, and stopped.
-Before you agree with Malone, you have better your lordship to get ready. - She offered
-Your wish is my command! Come on Richard! - He winked, took his guns and went to the elevator. Richard followed him and they disappeared.
When they were alone, Charlie changed to Charlotte
-What a good feeling being a woman! - She sighed as she got off her wig, and started to the kitchen- Can I help?
-We haven't thought about it-said Veronica – You're not seemed like a cook or a housekeeper…
- This doesn't mean anything. In the jungle you are forced to do a lot of thing.-said Merguerite
-Like eating what you cook?
- Just if you have no taste.
Charlotte laughed again:
-What? - They asked
-I'm sorry. It's just so funny when you do this. Like at breakfast with the lord and Mr. Malone. I've never thought…-she stopped- Does it go like this every time?
-You have better to get accustomed to it. - Said Marguerite- But the question is still here.
- The garden! –Shouted Veronica.-You can look for the vegetables.
- Ok. If you show me how...
-And who will cook the dinner?
-Well Marguerite, today you can début before our new friend with your cooking skills- grinned the jungle girl before stepped into the lift with Charlotte.
-Now there is a good occasion! - said the lord, and sat down next to Richard.
-For what? - asked Richard
- To tell me why you wanted to go to Atlanta.
-There's nothing I can…
-Richard! A good hunter knows better when a …
- Well, yes yes, just don't give me hunting lessons, please.
-So? I'm listening.
Richard inhaled a deep, than leaned his head to the tree behind him, and started to speak.
- The story is started, when after the war I finished my educations and in London met a man, who worked with planes. I stayed as a guest at his house for a little, and he showed me many interesting things about these machines. I bought a plan for my own, and started to develop it in Startfass. My father didn't like it, and one day…
-Mr. Richard, your father sent for you- said a voice from the door of the workroom. Richard not lifting his head shouted back
- Thank you Watson! I'm coming! Just...one…more…minute…and…
-I'm sorry sir, but his lordship has emphatically ordered to come urgently. And if I'm allowed to say, that his lordship is not in a good mood today.
Richard didn't have to look at the butler to know, what he meant. He cleaned up, repaired his clothes, and in a few minutes he ran across the field to the estate, and went to the salon. Lord Redgrave stood before the window.
Sit down my son! I want to speak to you.
Richard sat down in the nearest armchair and crossed his legs. His father turned and suddenly burst out.
It can't go that way anymore!
What?
What you're doing. Whole London speaks about the silly Redgrave. I'm tired of
Excusing you in every party and ball. I always have to say you have duties, but everybody knows that you are at home repairing one of your silly … things. – He got one big breath and continued- Your mother and I thought you should have to get married.
-Marriage? - Laughed Richard- That would be the solution?
- Please, it isn't a joke. I've decided it. It's high time you to settle down.
- So you have decided it. But you will have to convince another person for it. Am not I right? - Asked with a sardonic smile- And I don't know at the moment any …
-It's not a surprise you don't know anyone. You're always with your planes. And when you're not playing with them, you only play with cheap women.
-It's a fact. But it can't solve your problem, and if you allow me- he got up, and started for the door.
-But I solved it.
-And how? - turned the man
-I've found the perfect woman for you!
- I'm glad that I can always lean on you. So I have nothing more to do just wed that girl.
- As you're saying
-No
-WHAT have you said?
- I've said NO. - He was serious – I don't merry with anybody.
-I can assure you, my choosing is perfect. She is from a nice family; she's intelligent, and pretty…
- Have I ever met her? Just by accident?
- You've met with her father last month. If I recall it well, you had a good opinion about Mr. Dunn.
-Mr. Dunn? And with that it's solved?
- Of course not. But this evening you will get known your fiancée. Please behave. Miss Charlotte Dunn is one of London's best parties.
-But…
-I will not discuss it.
-You don't have to-and with that he stormed out of the room.
The lord turned again triumphantly.
Out of himself Richard stormed through the manor, until he accidentally crushed to somebody.
-Pardon- said automatically
- It's a rather new way of greeting.
-Thomas?
-Yes.
-I'm glad to see you- he was surprised, and shook his old friend's hand.-What are you doing here?
-I wanted to speak to you.
- Than shall we go to the library? - Richard showed the way.
After both of them took seat and poured brandy, Thomas started to speak:
-I came for business. One of my American acquaintances wants to open a new business in Atlanta. He wants to develop aircraft technique. He is need of pilots and experts.
- And what can I help? Maybe offer somebody?
- To tell the truth, it's already unnecessary. He sent me to persuade you to help him. He heard a lot about you, and he wants the best. What do you think about it?
For a minute he stared surprised, than answered:
-It would be an honour! - And shook his hand, he already felt is broke.
-I'm also glad. - Thomas started to rub his injured hand.
-When can I start?
-Anytime you want.
-Tomorrow.
-It's not necessary! You can wait for the next month. It's a long journey.
-No. I can't spend here more time.
-The next morning I wrote a letter to my parents, and ordered the butler to give them after I left. I didn't go to the ball.
-Good old Uncle Geoffrey. He always was a stubborn man.
- Do you speak this?
For a minute there was a silence.
-Yes, John I escaped, but I have no alternative. Merry with that... Miss…Dunn?
-I can understand you.
-Would you have done the same?
-No
-No?
-No. – He answered- Before it I would have seen that girl. - And made that well known Cheshire cat grin.
I truly hope you liked it. Please R&R!