Chapter Four
"You do know that it is highly inappropriate for a single woman to call on a single man at this hour, Phryne?"
"I know and I do not care, Jack. I thought that discussing your… well, you know, was better in a more private setting of your home. I do not want my staff to overhear us."
"You do not trust them?"
"Of course, I do. But… Just let me in and pour me some tea like a proper host. But not black tea. Green one if possible. I am not comfortable around black tea lately."
"Missis Collins must be devastated," Jack remarked with a chuckle, taking Phryne's coat. She was wearing her usual lowly cut dress that complemented her figure in the most tantalizing way. Jack glanced at her abdomen that did not betray her condition as of yet. Just a couple of months and there will be no way to hide the pregnancy even with a dress from a very skillful seamstress.
"They are getting suspicious."
"Do they now? That couch is very comfortable, I will be back with the tea shortly."
"I am pregnant, I am not an invalid, Jack."
"I am sure, you looked into the mirror today, Phryne. You look unhealthy. And this is normal. So just admit that you are tired and settle on the couch in the way that makes you comfortable. You should not have come, I could have easily met you at your house."
"No, I wanted to come here." The couch was indeed very comfortable and the aroma of Jack's tea so soothing…
"Phryne?"
"Oh, did I fall asleep? How embarrassing!" And there it was, that small smile Phryne has not seen on Jack's lips for quite some time. She could not help but smile in return. "What is that tea? It smells positively divine!" Jack presented her with the cup which Phryne became engrossed in examining from all sides. "What a fine piece of china. Is it also your grandmother's?"
"Phryne…"
"I agree, small talk has never been my forte. So I will get right to the point – I cannot marry you, Jack."
"Why?"
Phryne admired Jack's calmness, she was a nervous wreck. Not because she felt tired or because of the hormones, but because she had no idea how to phrase her answer without destroying the relationship they had. Jack Robinson was not just some random man, he was the constant in her life for the last five years and she wanted him to remain that constant. Which will be easily achievable if she marries him, but…
"I cannot marry, Jack, you know that. And to ruin your reputation in this way…"
"Funny, you mentioned that. My reputation was sullied the moment your name appeared beside mine in papers. Are you aware that at least half of this town thinks we have been having an affair all these years? Even when I was still married? The public will attribute your child to me whether you like it or not."
"But this is utter nonsense! Do they not know you in the slightest? You are an upstanding man of the highest qualities, integrity among them. How can those blabbering fools even suggest that you were unfaithful to your wife?!"
"Calm down, Phryne, it is not good for the baby. And believe me, I am already used to it. My own men in the police station are making bets about… well, us. Every time I have a press conference about a case, at least one of the reporters sticks in a question about you. Remember that photo of us in the newspaper? That was just the start. So you have no reason to worry about my non-existing reputation."
"By why did you not tell me about any of this, Jack? I have connections among the people of the press, I could have stopped this atrocious behavior!"
"People believe what they want to believe. And you are who you are, Phryne. Hardly any man can resist your charm."
"Hardly any, Jack…"
There it was, the 'almost' moment again. The silence full of meaning, unspoken words and desires that remained deep in their hearts hidden, unacknowledged.
"Are there any other reasons? Your parents' disapproval, perhaps?"
The moment was broken. Phryne took a deep breath to steady herself. Somehow she forgot what prolonged Jack's presence did to her. Hardly any woman could resist Jack Robinson if he actually allowed said woman to get close enough. And the current sitting arrangements were not close enough for Phryne. The sudden need to brush the lock of hair that felt onto his forehead was overwhelming. She had never allowed herself such liberties, well, he never allowed her. There were some extremely rear moments, however…
"What can my parents possibly object to? They were dreaming of marrying me off for years."
"Because it will be a socially unequal marriage. You are a daughter of a baron."
"Who could possibly care about such trivialities here, Jack?"
"The old gossiping hags you mentioned. And though she surely is not old, gossiping or a hag, your aunt has never treated me as a peer."
"Aunt Prudence? I do not think she has something against you personally. It is more of her trying to prevent any… inappropriate behavior between us on her watch. I suppose, even she has an impression of our supposed affair. Strange, she is usually very perceptive."
"Indeed… I will bring more tea."
During Jack's absence Phryne contemplated her aunt's behavior. Why did people around them, even her aunt, considered them to be lovers? Of course, there were possible indicators, but they were never public. They even waltzed in an empty hall.
"Phryne? Everything alright? You look even paler than before."
"Not to worry, I was just thinking. Thank you for the tea."
"What is next then?"
Phryne stiffened at the disturbing question. "Next?"
"Next reason of your refusal."
"I… I cannot just… It is me, Jack. I cannot imagine myself… married to anyone. And everyone will know anyway that we are getting married only because of the baby."
"A short gun weddings are not uncommon and since I will claim the child as mine the critique will not be more than usual."
"You will do what?!"
"This is only natural. I am doing the right thing by you and the baby."
"But this way you will be admitting to the affair!"
"There is no crime in that. We are both unattached."
"But I was seen with another man only three months prior! With my… lifestyle having a continuous affair with you would be… I… admitted in my chambers fifty three men during the five years I have known you, excluding my trip to China. For you to share me with them would mean you are-"
"Your boy toy. I was called worse by the reporters of the yellow press."
"But this is… so degrading, Jack. How can you live with that and not tell me anything?"
"Because, Phryne, it is not important and it is not true. But let us return to the important matters. What I propose is not the marriage in its classical sense, but a partnership on certain terms. I did not present those terms yesterday, because you were looking at the box as if it was a giant arachnid creeping towards you."
"I did no such thing, Jack!"
"I know that you are scared of marriage even more than you are scared of spiders. And it is completely natural. I was not scared when I first married only because I was young and naïve."
"You, Jack? Naïve?"
"Yes, but life experience does bring clarity. The terms I suggest are as follows. I do not want you to be a good wife, but I do want you to promise me to try to be a good mother. And being a good mother entails not endangering yourself, especially while you a pregnant. As in driving under the speed limit; it would be preferable for you to be driven around, but I know it is impossible. No independent investigations. I promise to bring the cases to you and you are free to accompany me during the cases and interrogations, but no freelancing. I know that you can hold your own, a good shot-"
"A very good shot."
"Yes, Phryne, a very good shot. But it is not about only you anymore. There is another life now depending on you and you alone. In turn, I promise to be a good husband and father as much as my work duties will allow me to be. As for your… dalliances… As long as you are discreet and every reporter does not point out to me who and when you were with-"
"You are going to tolerate such behavior of your wife?!"
"I am not able and do not want to change your nature."
"But your reputation!"
"Meaning I will be a laughing stock? This is rather… unpleasant, but my male ego can certainly withstand tarnishing for the greater good."
"I do not understand you, Jack. You are prepared to sacrifice your reputation, possibly career, just for my child to have a father and you are not even getting anything in return. You are going to give up your whole life to right my indiscretion."
"I am not as selfless as you are picturing me to be, Phryne. I am getting something, no one but you can give me. An opportunity to be a father."
"But surely, Jack, there is a woman out of there who could… make you happy… in all regards."
"No, there is not."
"Then… you have presented compelling evidence that our union will be mutually beneficial and there are no objections or obstructions from both sides… But can you ask properly?"
"You want me to go down on my knee, do you not?"
"Stop smirking! Cannot a girl have a real proposal?"
"So even you had dreams like this?"
"Do not make me reconsider, Jack… And no, going down is unnecessary."
"Will you, Phryne Fisher, do me the honor of becoming my wife and a good mother to your child?"
"I will. And will you, John Robinson, do me the honor of becoming my husband and a good father to my child?"
"I will."