Chapter 18 Revelations
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Christmas time at Wardlow continues to be a plethora of activity and Phryne's sharp ears hear a lot of whispering and scurrying around, but no one is saying a word. She is busy with her own final preparations for the others though – "Amazing what a determined woman can accomplish by telephone," she muses softly a slight smirk gracing her softly pink unpainted lips.
Since her birthday a few days previous Phryne's concentrated effort to hide her blue feelings from the others is working. She pines for a long soak in the tub, the warm softly scented water lapping against her chin and Jack joining her, at this thought a very wicked glint fills her cerulean blue eyes and she sighs, imaging his hands gliding over her skin. As she thinks about what she and Jack can get up to in their bathtub, she remembers the first time she bathed in a real soaking tub and not using a chipped enamel wash basin in the middle of the kitchen. She jots it in her journal for Jack's reading pleasure wondering as she does if he too has such an experience to share.
Today I am longing to soak in a hot bath with you beautiful man. I still remember my first bath in a soaking tub. Previous to this the only experience I had with a tub was using the leaky one in the backyard as a ship; she smiles as she writes this a faraway look in her eyes. Janey and I sailed all over the world in that tub. We were Ulysses on the Odyssey, explorers in the jungles of the Amazon and cowgirls in America. We did this all using a sail made with a stick and one of Father's oldest shirts. The Pirate Girls of Collingwood ruled the waves for many an hour in that leaky old tub! My first real bath memory is at Aunt P's (of course!) and she had various bath salts and fluffy towels and hot water – it was almost as good as swimming in the pool and we bathed until the water was stone cold. It great fun – I expect we splashed a great deal of water onto the floor such that Aunt P's maid Emily created a few new names for us. I'd like to spill a great deal of water on the floor bathing with you Jack. Perhaps we could discuss it over supper?
She snaps the journal shut simpering as she wonders if Jack will say anything to her when he reads this particular entry, her mind still full of the images that might cause warm bathwater to sluice over the edge of the pristine white porcelain and onto the floor.
On Christmas Eve Jack helps prepare Phryne for the day and then produces a scarf and deftly covers her eyes with it.
Phryne's protests are cut short, "Not a word more if you want the scarf off," he breathes against her neck. Her scent, as it so often does, causing his body to tingle.
"But Jack…"
"That's it Miss Fisher, you will wear this scarf even longer now," Jack grins knowingly at the frown on her face and the compression of her lips as she tries not to respond.
He scoops her up and moves down the hall and stairs continuing to breathe into her ear to be quiet, his breath tickling her ear and causing her to shiver slightly in his arms.
When they get outside, Phryne instinctively turns her face toward the sun, its warmth in the early morning not yet harsh.
Jack is breathing slightly more heavily than usual by the time they get to his destination. He deposits Phryne into something soft that sags under her weight. She isn't sure what it is and she uses her other senses to try to figure it out.
"Careful Phryne, it's a hammock – you don't want to dump yourself out. I thought you would enjoy the weightless feeling for a bit."
"Why am I wearing a blindfold Jack Robinson?"
"Ahh, patience Miss Fisher," Jack smirks as he moves away.
"Jack?" she asks tentatively.
He doesn't answer, so Phryne concentrates, knowing she can't move much, listening hard, hoping for clues as to what is going on. Her fingers itch to remove the blindfold, but Jack has obviously gone to some trouble so she refrains. They are having a large gathering this evening and Dr. Wilson declared last night after his exam that she could come down to the chaise for the evening so she is really having a hard time figuring out what on earth he could be up to. Finally, as nothing seems to be happening, she relaxes and just lets herself feel the warmth of the sun, the babies kicking mercilessly, and the feeling of being somewhat weightless. It reminds her of floating in Aunt Prudence's pool and in the Yarra. Her ears pick up the sounds of various birds singing and bees buzzing and she amuses herself with seeing if she can distinguish what bird and which bee is making the sounds. Finally she detects the sound of footsteps returning and the sound of something being set on the ground.
"I see you have managed to keep your hands off of the blindfold," Jack says drolly.
"Can I take it off now?
"Not quite yet," he says a devilish gleam in his eye.
Suddenly she hears the sound of giggles and additional footsteps approaching. Both Jane and Dot are giggling like children as they come closer.
"Good Morning," they say in unison, the delight and eagerness in their voices palpable to her straining senses.
"Good Morning Jane, Dot. Do either of you know what is going on?" she asks attempting to get more information.
"Of course we do," says Jane, "but we aren't telling you yet."
"Well, of all the…" Phryne huffs, but she is smiling, enjoying the trouble they have gone to this morning. There is more scurrying and noise and then silence.
"Ladies, are you ready?" Jack asks in his most formal, deeply smooth voice.
"Yes, Jack," Jane says.
"Yes, Inspector," Dot answers with a small smile.
"I was born ready, Jack."
"Very well," She feels Jack move across her, and he unties the blindfold, allowing it to slip smoothly down her face to drape softly at her neck.
Phryne blinks, the sudden light blinding her momentarily. Once she can see again her gaze moves from face to face observing the excitement she sees there and then, Dot, Jane and Jack move and she can see the objects of their enthusiasm.
Resting there on the ground are an intricate iron cradle and a large pram of mahogany with an open weave design and a swirl pattern. Both the cradle and the pram are dressed in cloud-like white cotton with delicate embroidery Phryne knows instinctively that Dot created.
She is momentarily speechless and when she is capable of speech her voice is nearly inaudible. "These are lovely. Dot, Jane, did you sew the bedding? And Jack, did you pick these out?"
The other three answer all at once a jumble of happy responses that Phryne can hardly decipher, but she doesn't mind. It gives her time to surreptitiously wipe her eyes.
"Look, Mama," Jane says showing Phryne the smooth action of the pram's movement rolling it to Phryne's side, the pet name, though not often used, falling easily from her lips and causing the additional sheen of more tears in Phryne's eyes that she blinks rapidly away.
"I see. It will be delightful to be able to stroll with you and the babies after school Jane."
"Dot what fine work you have done," Phryne says fingering the bedding gently. "You truly have a gift. I don't know when you find time to create such beautiful things with all of the activities you are involved in."
Dot blushes a pretty pink, "It's easy when it's a labor of love. Hugh gave up the pictures to listen to the wireless while I did the sewing."
"Remind me to thank Hugh for his gallantry," Phryne grins broadly knowing Hugh likely enjoyed the radio serials and Dot's company just as much as the pictures.
Jack waits patiently the half smile he wears as he listens to Phryne's careful attention to Dot and Jane evidence of his delight in her pleasure in the surprise. The sultry look Phryne sends his way as she thanks him again for his part in the surprise lets him know her appreciation will be much more specific later, and his stomach tightens in anticipation.
After a bit more time in the hammock and going over the evening plans with Dot and Jane while Jack takes the pram and cradle to the nursery, Phryne needs the loo. They return to the house, Phryne's face buried in Jack's neck breathing in the warm, Jack smell and feeling a bit sleepy from the time in the sunshine.
When they get to her room, Jack gets a call from the station and dashes off to see what exactly is going on. The timing is not good with his family and Phryne's all coming to Wardlow this evening, but he knows Dot and Mr. Butler, along with Cec and Bert, will handle getting things ready and their guests as well until he can get home. And he expects Phryne will be so delighted to be out of her room and with company that he will barely be missed should he not make it back.
After Jack leaves, Dot brings Phryne a snack of chicken salad croissants and fruit along with a large glass of milk. While Phryne munches on her snack, Dot removes the dress that the Fleuri sisters created for Phryne for Christmas and just delivered yesterday from the dress box. The dress is white cotton and sleeveless. It has a sheer lace round neck overlay and a sweetheart bodice that nips in at the bust. The bodice is embroidered lace on lace with a Mistletoe pattern (how did the Fleuri's know that Mistletoe is special to Jack and her?). The long skirt is sheer below the knee with a three inch wide open embroidery and mistletoe pattern strip just below the knee and another at the hemline.
"Oh, isn't it beautiful Dot?" Phryne asks her hand brushing the skirt.
"Yes, Miss Phryne. It is very pretty. You'll be the belle of the ball. What shoes and jewelry do you want to wear with it?"
They talk briefly about options and Phryne decides that less is more with the dress so she will wear her wedding ring on a thin chain as she can't get it on her finger any longer; that along with her ruby tear drop earrings and satin ballet flats will complement the dress. Dot takes the dress to iron it and lays out the other items that will be needed.
Phryne falls asleep with her mind full of the morning's activities and baby paraphernalia. Initially her sleep is dreamless. Then she dreams of riding horses with Janey and the feeling of freedom and speed and the tricks she taught herself to do, then the dreams turn darker and she mutters in her sleep.
She is at the circus watching the show in fascination, committing every detail to memory. This time though she feels Janey leave her side and calls to her, Janey doesn't stop. Phryne follows her trying to keep up. Janey leaves the circus tent. She's scared of the box trick, but Phryne was mesmerized and impervious to Janey's pull on her dress, so she leaves her there. She takes deep breaths of the cooler air as she pauses outside the tent. The air is heavy with a sugary scent that permeates each breath causing her stomach to rumble. Her eyes are drawn to all the sites and she walks around moving farther and farther from Phryne like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. Suddenly a man appears offering her a toffee apple, "Jane, the apple is really quite delicious. I'm taking one to my little girl." Her mouth waters, her meager breakfast is long gone. She squints up at the man who knows her name, taking in the work pants and leather vest. He has a kind look and he talks with an educated, cultured voice – like Uncle Edward. "Don't you remember the toffee apples I shared with you and your cousin Arthur a while back?" the man asks and though she doesn't really remember him she remembers the taste of that toffee apple. So when he offers her the apple again she takes it, and then she takes the hand he proffers to her. He asks questions about school and tells her stories of Egyptian Kings and Queens as they walk along. Janey walks on as she munches the apple and chatters with him not realizing how far from the tent they have strayed. The Phryne in the dream is shouting for Janey to stop and the Phryne in the bed moans and tosses, but she doesn't wake.
Eventually the man asks, "Would you like to meet my little girl?"
"Oh yes, just let me tell Phryne."
"There is no need; she's just a little further along the path."
At this Janey glances around and gasps. They are in the woods and she can no longer see the tents of the circus. "I have to go back. Phryne doesn't know where I am."
"All in good time my dear. I don't want to disappoint my little girl. She really wants to meet you."
"No, I can't. I'll be trouble. Phryne will be angry with me." Janey's voice is small and agitated. The Phryne following along can hear the sudden fear and screams that she is coming, but it is like moving in quicksand – she can't get to her.
"Everything will be alright. We'll get my little girl and take her to meet Phryne, and I will explain everything."
When they have gone just a bit further and can't even hear the sounds of the carnival any more, they came to a clearing where someone has been chopping fire wood. She notices there is an axe resting against a stack of freshly cut wood. The man suddenly picks her up. and the half eaten apple flies from her hand as he places a sweet smelling handkerchief over her mouth and nose. She struggles slightly, whimpering and then goes still. As he throws her over his shoulder and walks quickly on, low hanging branches pull at them and one of her blue hair ribbons flutters to the ground. The Phryne in the dream is running, but she can't catch up, and she watches in horror as Foyle picks Janey up and the ribbon falls silently to the ground.
In his hurry, the man fails to see the boy watching from a bench nestled into a hollow made by the roots and trunk of a giant tree. Where is the man taking his Janey? She seems like she must be sick because the man picks her up. Maybe he better get his mother. The boy climbs off the bench with a bit of difficulty because of his weak arm and leg. He walks as quickly as his slow gait allows to where the dropped apple is lying in the leaves. It's the same kind the Woodcutter had given him earlier that day when he asked him to play elsewhere – the same as the man at the circus had given them. Clutching the apple in his hand Arthur lumbers back through the garden gate and along the path to find his mother.
With a cry like a wounded animal Phryne jerks awake tears drenching her face, her body trembling all over. Slowly her room comes into focus, sunlight streaming delicately though the curtains at the window and she realizes that it is just a dream, but she can't stop the tears from falling for her sister.
Thinking that it may help her, she records the dream in her journal, calming as she writes the details that she remembers. She finds that the nightmare has brought additional closure to the unknown hours and years between Janey leaving Phryne's side at the circus and the realization that she was missing to Murdoch Foyle's assurance that she had died gloriously with no fear.
Once Phryne completes recording the dream, she pushes the sadness away calling for Jane and they spend some time wrapping gifts for their guests, Jane wisely not commenting on the redness still lingering in Phryne's eyes.
Thankfully Jack is able to wrap up the murder - it was a simple case and easily solved and he got home in time to help Phryne dress slipping his hands along the silk of her undergarments as he helps her pull the dress over her head. He takes time to run his hands along her calves as he puts her shoes on and as she put her earrings on he places soft barely there kisses on each side of her neck. He notes that she looks a trifle sad, but her eyes begin to sparkle as he kisses her neck.
"I am really glad Dr. Wilson and Mac are allowing me to come downstairs this evening."
"As am I," Jack whispers as he nibbles at her delicate earlobe. "I shudder to think I might have to entertain everyone without you!"
Phryne smiles at Jack in the vanity mirror, giving his leg a playful slap.
He takes her to the loo on their way down and then gets her situated just as their guests begin arriving.
They have a lovely evening with the family. Jack plays the piano and they sing all their favorite carols. Jane and Robert have quite a lot of fun with the Mistletoe, and there is a great deal of laughter as they open presents.
As the evening winds down everyone goes to the nursery to see the cradle and pram leaving Phryne on the chaise, but they come back by to say their good byes. Jack's family is staying with them a few more days, and his parents retire to their room, while Robert and Jane along with Dot and Hugh go out to see the Christmas lights and hear the carolers.
Jack and Phryne are left alone. "Will you play something for me Jack?" she asks softly her blue eyes soft and mysterious, drooping a little with tiredness.
Jack sits down at the piano bending his lanky frame gracefully his large hands spanning the white and black keys with ease. He runs his fingers over the keys contemplating his choices. His fingers move smoothly into "I Can't Believe You're In Love with Me".
Phryne listens to Jack's smooth bass singing the lyrics of a song she hasn't heard before; her eyes turning dreamy as she listens.
"Your eyes so blue; your kisses too; I never knew what they could do; I can't believe you're in love with me.
Yesterday you came my way, and when you smiled at me, in my heart I felt a thrill you see, that is was love at sight and I was right to love you as I do. Still I never dreamed that you could love me too…." Jack's voice trails off as he glances over at Phryne to find her eyes are closed now and her breathing is rhythmic. He hums and continues playing until he is sure she has dozed off.
He thinks of the package for her in his pocket, but knows it will keep until the morning if need be. He decides it might be wise to get Phryne ready for bed while Jane and Robert are out. He knows Hugh and Dot will take good care of the two teenagers and they are unlikely to want to go to bed quite this early on Christmas Eve.
Leaving the piano he moves quietly over to the chaise to pick up Phryne. He scoops her up into his arms and nestles her close to him. "Jack I'm sorry I fell asleep. It was lovely listening to you play and sing," she mumbles.
"No worries my darling. It's been a very busy day for a lady who is carrying triplets and hosting our families for Christmas Eve."
Phryne sleepily cleans her teeth and face, scrubbing her lipstick off and using the loo. Jack makes his preparations as well, and then he helps her out of the dress and into bed before hanging the dress up on a padded hangar. Seeing it up close he realizes it has Mistletoe embroidery – something he didn't notice earlier. Smirking he hangs the dress on the changing screen and put on his pajamas.
As he approaches the bed he sees Phryne is sleeping again so he quietly slips into the bed and pulls a sheet up over them, snuggling close to her.
Suddenly Phryne rolls over and in the glow of the moonlight he can see she has a sprig of something in her hand. "Phryne, what's got into you? I thought you were asleep."
"You've gotten into me Jack Robinson. Singing and playing that delightful song and I do believe I promised you a more appropriate thank you for your kindness this morning." She twirled the spring of Mistletoe over his head before leaning in to kiss him until they were both breathless.
"You have on far too many layers, Inspector," she says as she unbuttons his pajama top kissing her way down his body her movements slightly awkward as she attempts to balance the weight of her pregnant belly with her desire to ravish Jack.
"Phryne, what can I do to help?" he grinds out as she reaches the drawstring of his bottoms.
"Shush, Jack. I can do this. Just let me make some adjustments." Phryne tries a couple of different things, but she can't get quite where she wants to be and after a few minutes struggle and growing frustration on Phryne's part, Jack has an idea.
"What if I stand beside the bed so you can stretch out and we can put pillows under and around you for support; then you can ravish me to your hearts content?"
"An excellent suggestion Inspector. I do love a man with a plan." And she proceeds to do just that.
Later when they are cuddling together both sated and whispering sweet words in the dark, Jack remembers Phryne's present. "Since you are still awake would you like your Christmas present?"
"I have another present?" she asks still a bit breathless from her exertions.
"You do indeed. Let me get it for you."
Jack gets up and pulls his pajama bottoms back on before he moves to get her gift out of his pocket. Snapping on the light he hands her the small package.
Phryne opens it and gives a small gasp pulling a ball locket pendant from the box. "Jack, it's lovely." She opens the sterling silver locket on the 30 inch chain and sees that it has a picture of Jane and a tiny sketch of Janey and there are spaces left for pictures of the triplets. "This is the perfect ending to a delightful day. I love you Jack."
"I love you more. Merry Christmas Phryne," he whispers.
"Merry Christmas Jack," Phryne whispers back before snapping off the light and snuggling back against him, sleep claiming her almost immediately.