Colin opened the door, took one look at Marion's face and decided on the spot that a firing squad was more mercy than that bounder, that bastard, that utter whoreson Jones deserved. Hell-keelhauling was too good for the son of a bitch. But that wonderful little woman was trying so hard to be brave, the least a decent chap could do was play along. And hope that he'd be the one there to hold her when she finally broke down.
So instead of taking her in his arms he put on a cheerful face and said "We rang Brody's office while we were out, Tuppence."
Ox gave a quick sideways glance at the nickname, but held his peace.
"He's expecting a delivery tomorrow-I thought that one of us could bring your package and have Brody or his secretary sign for it. They do that all the time at the Museum- I've flown artifacts in for them before. Then you put the receipt in the trunk with Indiana's things, or mail it to him, and Bob's your uncle."
Marion nodded approvingly. Col did have a knack for rescuing –well not exactly damsels in distress, but certainly women and children. Even if the children in question had yet to be born.
"I could bring it over there," Ox offered.
"No, "said Colin decisively. "Best someone else does that. You'll meet Brody professionally, Ox, you don't want to leave yourself open to questions. Marion's plans aren't any of his affair, or Jones', after this. Unless you choose to make them so, of course," he added politely to Marion.
"Not bloody likely, Col" she answered.
"Right then", said Oxley. "But, my dear, you will need to explain the contents of the package and your intentions in some way. If you are being magnanimous enough to return the ring and Henry's effects, you deserve to not be maligned as a 'gold-digger.' I suppose you could ring Brody and tell him yourself…"
Marion shook her head "No. I haven't spoken to any of Indy's friends-present company excepted, of course ." She smiled wistfully, with a significant look at Colin. "Starting as I mean to go on, I guess. If I say nothing, they all have the same information…"
"Or lack thereof," interjected Ox.
"Exactly. If I open my mouth and give them-especially those old-bat faculty wives- something to gossip about, our story will make the rounds of every departmental party that's thrown over the holidays. On the other hand, if there's no grist for their mill, Indy and I are a nine-day's wonder that's forgotten by Christmas. "
"You're one smart little cookie," said Colin approvingly.
"And she's absolutely right" Ox added.
"Well, I did start out as a professor's daughter. I know how they think. "
Colin snorted. "Though you're wrong about one thing, Tuppence. You still haven't spoken to any of Jones' friends. You've spoken to Col and Ox-who are no longer numbered amongst that select company."
"Oh, you two" Marion reproved. "I'm a big girl, really, and I can take care of myself. Why don't I just write Marcus a note?They seem to be popular lately" she added, a little bitterly, "and it would be a damn sight less awkward."
Ox looked thoughtful. "It would be kinder to Brody, who's done nothing wrong, to avoid putting him in the position of either apologizing for something he hasn't done, or excusing Henry's behavior, which no decent man could."
"I agree," said Marion. "Marcus is an innocent bystander. But I think Emily Post is out of ideas for this one. Ox, can you help me compose something?"
Marion and Ox sat by the coffee table, heads together, while Colin excused himself to make phone calls.
Finally Marion looked up from her tablet and asked "All right, boys, tell me how this sounds?" She cleared her throat and read:
December 1937
Dear Doctor Brody,
As you know, Indiana Jones and I have parted ways. I have made other plans for my future, and regret to say that it's unlikely you and I will meet again. Please accept my best wishes, and my thanks for your friendship. I will remember you well.
I am also writing to ask a favor. I would prefer to return the ring Indiana gave me, since it was his mother's. To the best of my knowledge, however, he is not presently in-country. I do not know when, or if, he will return. I am therefore sending the ring to you for safekeeping. I also include some small personal items that Indy left behind. I believe they have sentimental value. Thank you very much for your help.
Kindest regards,
Marion Ravenwood
"Nicely done, both of you," said Colin. "Gracious, dignified and to the point. You've certainly taken the high road these past few days, Marion" he added approvingly
Marion, who had been heading toward her desk for an envelope, turned on one hip and gave him the ghost of her old sassy grin. "I lived in Nepal for a while, Col. I really believe that karma comes back because I've seen it-a few too many times. And I'm telling you, She can be a bitch when it's time to collect. Jones can pay the tab on this one all by himself. "
And he will, she thought to herself. Marion knew that she had far too much on her plate to waste time worrying about the man who'd gotten her into this mess. Nevertheless, her heart hurt and her eyes prickled at the thought of her Indy as a lonely old man. She tossed her head. Damn hormones…
A moment of silence stretched out a little too long.
"So, said Oxley, rather too cheerfully, I think we've put in a long day and deserve some relaxation"
"I agree, said Colin. "We could go to the cinema. "
"Or the theatre", said Ox
"I'd like the theatre," said Marion after a moment. "I don't know exactly where I'm going, but I know I'll be leaving New York. They have cinemas everywhere..."
"But there's only one Broadway!" Colin grinned. "What do you want to see, Marion?"
"I don't know- something cheerful, though"
"Dinner and the theatre it is, then. Why don't you get changed and I'll see what I can do about reservations."
The two men eyed each other after Marion left the room.
"Anything to take her mind off," said Colin quietly.
"Should I leave?" asked Ox.
"Good God, no! If any of Jones' friends see Marion in public with me, it's a short stop to the type of scandal she's tried so hard to avoid. I If they meet her with you, it's an unexceptionable evening with an old family friend. And if a mutual acquaintance happens to join you for a drink, well…"
"I had heard of some …rivalry… between you and Indiana for the affections of his fair lady."
"Not in the least, Ox. You can't have a rivalry where there's no competition. Now I won't deny that I've had feelings for Marion for some time-damn woman stole my heart the day I met her. "
Colin lowered his voice and looked earnestly at the other man. "But Ox, you must understand that, little though he deserved it, Marion was absolutely faithful to Indiana. She never gave me the slightest sign that she felt more than friendship for me. Hardly fair if she's …besmirched…by idle tongues that say otherwise."
"You certainly rushed to her side…"
"Can't blame a chap for trying, can you? And one can't ask a decent man to stay idle when a woman he cares for has been left in such…straits."
"No", said Ox, "I don't suppose one could".
Further conversation was interrupted when Marion came out of the bedroom, dazzling in a beaded black cocktail dress and fur wrap. She'd swept her hair to one side with a jeweled clip, her only ornament besides a pair of pearl earrings. And her eyes.
Both men rose at her entrance. Colin smiled and took her arm. "You're a vision."
Marion inclined her head at the compliment. "Thank you, Col. So gentlemen, where are we going?"
"Well, dinner first. Then to Babes in Arms at the Majestic. It's a musical-Rogers and Hart- no plot whatsoever, but the score is brilliant. Just the thing to put us all in a good mood"
Several hours later they stepped out into the chilly air outside the theatre on West 44th street. Colin was singing softly "We looked at each other in the same way then, but I don't remember where or when…"
Marion almost laughed. "Do you always sing the score, Col?"
"I've been told it's one of my least endearing traits, but, yes, usually."
"I suppose as annoying traits go it's not so bad..."
"I sing in the shower, as well..."
Marion looked up from under her eyelashes with the faintest spark of a flirtatious glance. "Well, I don't know about that…"
Ox stepped out to the curb and hailed a cab. When they all piled in he gave the address of his hotel.
"I'm all in; I'll see you both in the morning. Will you escort Marion home, Colin?"
"Of course."
When they reached her apartment building, Colin gallantly walked Marion to her door.
She paused and smiled at him "This is strange, Col, she said "We haven't exactly been on a date, and most all my glasses are packed. But would you like to ...come up, for a drink?" Colin knew it was too soon, but that didn't stop his heart from beating faster.
"I would" he answered. He paid the fare, tipped the cabbie generously and said, "There's more where that come from if you can be back here in, say, an hour and a half?"
"Looker like her?" Said the cabbie. "An hour and a half?" Colin pressed another bill into his hand. "Suit yourself, Mac, I'll be here."
Marion let Colin into the apartment, and switched on the light in the living room. Then she licked her lips and turned to face him.
"Well, Col" she said softly.
"Well, Marion."
"Is this when I get you thank you very nicely for your kindness and help?"
Colin closed his eyes as several dizzying possibilities occurred to him… But his desire was quenched by a spurt of fierce anger at whatever useless excuse for a human being had taught her to expect this.
He took Marion's hand and gazed down at her, love and dismay in his eyes. "Is that what you think? That I've only been skulking about waiting for you to pay up on your back? Good God, Tuppence. What kind of man do you think I am?"
He lifted his hand to her cheek. "Marion, you're a wonderful woman, and a very lovely one. Can't blame a man for wanting to be with you 'that way.' But I'm beginning to think that there's been a severe shortage of decent blokes in your life." Colin shook his head in disbelief. "You surely can't think that I'd…take advantage…of a defenseless woman in your condition who's been left in these circumstances."
"Why not?" She asked. "There are men who would…"
"I know", said Colin. "And plenty of them. But none of those chaps are Stephen Williams' son, I can tell you that. And as to why I wouldn't- well. I won't deny I'd be happy if you came to me someday. But if you do, it should be because you want me, Colin, not because it's 'any port in a storm'.
Marion closed her eyes and blew out her breath "Thank you, Col. I don't deserve this."
"I don't need any thanks for being a minimally decent man. As to what you deserve, it's obviously far more than you've been getting, I'll say that much. "
Marion headed for the cupboard "I'd still like to get you a drink."
Colin sat on the sofa and watched her "Whiskey?"
Marion brought a whiskey for Colin and a very un-Marion-like glass of water for herself.
"Nothing for you?"
She kicked her heels off and sat down next to him. "Can't hold it down, sadly. That's what made me suspect in the first place."
Colin took a thoughtful sip of his drink. "So tell me. When is the baby due? Have you a doctor here?"
"I went to a doctor here, to but I don't plan on staying in New York. And I won't give birth at a hospital in any case." Unconsciously, her hands cupped her belly, sheltering and protecting, and she set her jaw determinedly.
Must be a story there, Colin thought. And I'll wager it's not a pretty one.
"So I've given all this some thought and I've decided what I want is a midwife who speaks Hindustani or Nepalese. I saw a few births when I lived in Patan. I liked the way they do things there-, it seems to be easier and a lot less fuss, and the babies do just fine."
"Mostly they do" said Colin "but sometimes in those countries , they die. And a lot of the women die as well"
"Women can die in any case. That's why I'm glad someone knows who fathered my baby", she said somberly. "I've no family, really, just an aunt on my mother's side that I hardly know."
Marion's hands gripped each other tightly. "Colin- I've no right to ask this, but would you do something for me?"
Anything, darling... "What?"
"If something does happen to me, would you tell Indy he' s a father?" Marion's chin started to tremble and her sweet, husky voice held a frightened note. "I know Indy doesn't w-want me and he wouldn't want to raise our-our baby. But don't you think he'd make some provision for his own child if he had to, surely he wouldn't let the baby go to an" –she choked-"orphanage……" Blue eyes looked at Colin appealingly.
That's the most goddamn pathetic thing I've ever heard, Colin thought. And she has no idea. Rot in hell, Jones. Rot in hell.
Colin slid over on the sofa and put his arm around Marion. His gesture was friendly rather than sexual and his words were almost brotherly. "Now, now, Tuppence, nothing like that is going to happen to you. It's the pregnancy I daresay. You're getting wound up and borrowing trouble, my sister Vicky was the same way. Here, blow your nose, and you'll soon be right."
Marion took his offered handkerchief, and wiped her face.
Colin patted her back and spoke gently. "Even if something happens to you, your baby has friends and we'll make it come right. Indiana may be impervious to shame, but I imagine his father is not. Ox was telling me that most teachers nowadays have a morals clause in their contracts. Both of those men have plenty to lose if this story gets out. If you're not there to care for the child, Ox and I can hold that over their heads. We'll make damn sure that the good Doctors Jones provide for their own flesh and blood. You needn't worry."
"Ox doesn't know about the baby."
"Ox may suspect- Ox is no fool."
Colin thought about drawing her closer, but he settled for giving her should a squeeze. "Marion, what I actually came up to talk with you about is –I'm leaving soon."
Marion's heart sank. Men leave. Always they leave…
"So I wanted to ask you if you've ever considered going to England. You met my friend Nigel; he's doing the Blighty run day after tomorrow .."
"Blighty run? He's flying to England?"
"Yes . There are four stops-New York to Newfoundland, then to Ireland and England. It's mail and freight , not passengers. Nigel's crew is short a man and he offered me a chance to fill it out. I spoke with him on the 'phone earlier while you and Ox were writing."
Marion looked inquiring.
"If you have a passport"-she nodded-"and you really don't want to be found, this would be one way to leave the country without a trace. There would be no ticket in your name, and you wouldn't appear on any passenger manifests. "
"You're right, I hadn't thought of that".
"Tuppence, I've known Indiana for years. He'll come back at some point expecting to find you. When he sees you're gone, he'll likely go on a bender. But when he sobers up, he'll start looking. And whatever else he may be, Jones is damn good at finding things."
Marion's chin came up. "He can start in Hell- I won't be there, but it should suit him."
Colin smiled tenderly. "There's a brave little Mum. But seriously Marion- Indian expats are thick on the ground in London. I'll wager you could get your midwife with no trouble at all. And-well, there's 'Clan MacWilliams'.
"Clan MacWilliams?"
My family and friends. I've told you I think you and my Mum would get along like a house on fire. Mum's, well, not my story to tell- but she's walked a few miles in your shoes. And the rest of us would come to like you as much as I do. You'd be safe and among friends. And far, far, far away from Indiana Jones."
Marion swallowed. Start as you mean to go on… she thought.
"That's a remarkable offer, Col. Do you mind if I sleep on it?"
Colin rose. "Not in the least. Now I'd best be going- the cabbie will be back anytime."
He put a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight Tuppence. I'll be back in the morning to get the package for Brody. Sleep well."
"Good night, Col."
Marion stayed awake on the couch for a long time.