Chapter Seven

Phryne had no idea how Jack spent his days off. They obviously never met during those apart from the visit to the Luna Park. Of course, it was rather convenient to dial the number of the City South and be passed on to DI Robinson no matter what time of day or night it was. At some point Phryne thought that Jack was always at the station.

But today was his day off and Phryne was intrigued as what he was going to do. Read a book or go on a bike ride or... shopping? But now they could do something together, they should do something together. But what? With all her want to socialize in public with no repercussions she had no plans as to what actually do. Go for drive? Possibly. But it was rather unimaginative...

The mystery over Jack's day offs started to unveil with the fact that he did not sleep in. When Phryne unclasped her eyes open, she was the only occupant of the bed. She smiled, hearing the sounds of running water in the bathroom. Feeling giddy as a little girl, she rushed to her boudoir to finish her morning routine as quickly as possible to get back in time to not pass the chance to witness her husband walking out of the bathroom. She wondered how he managed to move so quietly without disturbing her in the morning before leaving for work. Years of practice?

When Phryne returned to Jack's room, she was surprised to find the door to the bathroom half open. Intrigued beyond measure she quietly stepped closer to peek inside, but then stopped herself. Phryne was quite aware that Jack Robinson was a very attractive man and she would not deny imagining quite a few times how he looked under all his suit layers. Now she had an ample opportunity to see him in the flesh so to speak. She wore his ring on her finger, certainly that gave her the right- But she knew that Jack was an extremely private person. She did not want to demolish the shaky foundation that they started to build mere week ago.

Phryne was amazed at how few physical contact occasions they had through the years. Usually it required for her being in danger or wounded. Or he allowed her to take his arm while walking since it was the society norm. And there were… moments of… intimacy for the lack of the better word. But they were so far between… He never improved on that romantic overture… And she did want it more than anything. She was used to taking the men she wanted, not that they strongly resisted, but Jack always did, very gracefully.

Phryne understood his reasoning, at least at first. He was married, then he was newly divorced, but it was clear they were moving somewhere. But now they reached the ultimate destination and still… Though he was not unresponsive or pushed her away while she forced that kiss on him the other day. Her relationships with other men were not only physical and she cared a great deal about some of them, and she cared enough about Jack not to push him. More than usual.

"Jack? Can you assist me with something?" she asked, hearing the water stop.

"What is it, Phryne?"

"Today is Dot's day off and I need help with buttoning up my dress."

"I am sure you have dresses that do not require any assistance."

"I do, but this is the only dress into which I fit without stretching it in a rather revealing way."

"Wait a minute."

And Phryne waited in anticipation, standing with her bare back towards the bathroom door. She did not know what she was expecting out of her cunning act (since she obviously could find herself an outfit with no buttons on the back) and she actually knew that Jack saw through it all, but honorable Jack Robinson could not leave a lady in distress, could he?

"With all advancements in modern technology it is strange that it is not easier for women to dress," came from Phryne's back, while Jack's nimble fingers fixed the buttons on the dress, barely touching the skin.

"You surely mean 'to undress', Jack."

"That too."

"I was thinking, Jack… What did Rosie call you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Husbands and wives address each other with some form of…"

"Endearment?"

"Yes, so I want to know what I should not use."

"You do not need to put us into some stereotype or mold, do something just because others are acting this way. There is nothing wrong with 'Jack'."

"But I want to… I just do not want to say the same words you heard before."

"It is doubtful that I will confuse you with Rosie, Phryne."

"But still…"

"To satisfy your curiosity… There were 'dear' and 'darling' generally present, but she called me 'husband' when she was particularly peeved."

"And why is that?"

"I suppose, her disgruntled mood was connected to times when I failed to fulfill the duties of the husband she wanted me to be."

"And those duties were?.."

"Forgetting birthdays of her relatives or our arrangements to go out, refusing to go to social gatherings due to work, the calls in the middle of the night…"

"But was she not ready for that while marrying a policeman? Her father had the same lifestyle, surely she was used to such circumstances."

"Yes, but maybe she hoped for our family to be different. And she was brought up mostly by her mother who, as I came to understand, was not disturbed to be seen in society alone. She lived her life separate from George. George inherited his fortune, so was quite en eligible bachelor."

"So a marriage of convenience to a point. Do you think, I will be the same? Spend my time at parties, leaving the baby in nanny's care and then send him or her to a boarding school like I did with Jane? And you will spend all your time at the station, doing paperwork?"

"We cannot know what the future brings."

"But have you entertained such thoughts?" Phryne wanted to know the answer so much (she had no idea why it bothered her so) that she turned her head to see the expression on Jack's face. At that precise moment Jack was trying to locate the tiny hooks on Phryne's shoulder and their heads almost collided. Phryne's fast reflexes made her stop at the last moment, but not fast enough not to feel that strange tingling sensation she could not place so far.

"Sorry, did I scratch you?" Jack asked, seeing Phryne recoil and hold onto her cheek.

"No, I just…" Phryne was shocked by the simple explanation. When was the last time she allowed a man to spend the whole night in her bed and feel his stubble in the morning? A very long time ago. Despite his limited financial resources Jack Robinson always kept his appearance immaculate, Phryne has never seen his clothes unclean or face unshaven, every hair in place. But she was quite aware of routines men and women did to reach the appearance they have in public. She allowed Jack to see her without her make-up on numerous occasions, but till that morning she had not received the honor of seeing Jack before his battle armor was slipped on. The wet curls falling to the forehead, the dark stubble on his cheeks, the half buttoned shirt… A very enticing picture indeed. "You have not answered, Jack," Phryne said, finally getting her thoughts in order.

"I did neglect Rosie after the war. I did not want to go to those parties because I did not want to pretend that everything was right in the world, because there was not. Every day I saw the remnants of the war in the veterans that were pushed to commit crimes because of the unresolved issues that nobody could help them with. I also did not want to go, because I did not want to see who was supposed to be present but was not. I lost several of my classmates and friends to the war.

"But I should have not shut Rosie down like that. Should not 'hide behind the case files' as you put it. I apologize for my behavior this last month. I just need time…"

"Do not worry, Jack. We both do. But today we have time to discuss things, do we not?"

"Yes. I just need to get ready."

"Well, you look quite ready to me."

"No way I am going out of the house in this state!"

"I jest. But I do not mind seeing you like this more often."

Jack smirked at Phryne's flirty comment and left for the bathroom, closing the door this time. He was surprised, now shaved and hair pomaded, to find Phryne sitting on the bed upon his return.

"I wanted to finish our previous conversation, Jack. I most certainly not going to call you my lord, my life, my keeper, my head, my sovereign*, but I would like to address you in some kind of… special manner."

Jack sat down onto the couch, joining Phryne on the bed was not advisable, especially after doing everything not to look at the expense of her back, presented to him in such typical Phryne's fashion. It was such a familiar sight, but never in the flesh.

He was glad for his wife wanting to use endearments, but that implied that they were dear to each other. Implied certain feelings between them. Using words that are empty is even more painful than using none at all.

"If you insist, then what about 'cheri'? If it does not have any unpleasant memories attached to it?"

Phryne smiled at Jack's suggestion. The word could be used between friends and lovers, women and men, it was a relatively neutral form of address in France, so technically there were no deep romantic feelings behind it. It can be interpreted in all kinds of ways in English speaking community. A very smart choice. "You are full of surprises as always,.. cheri."

"But never in public, particularly in professional settings."

"Yes, Jack, only in intimate ones."

…...

Jack's days off were cut short by a call from the East Station just before dinner and he had to leave to address the matter, but he and Phryne managed to have a relaxing walk in the park the previous day and discussed needed family problems. A lot of things were left unsaid, of course, but they were on the right track this time.

Jack managed to find time to join the party to meet Jane's ship. The young woman took in stride the new situation in the household. She was previously telegrammed about Phryne's marriage and pregnancy and declared upon arrival that she would stay and help to care for the baby.

….

*Phryne quotes Katherine's final monologue from "Taming of the Shrew" where she describes who is a husband to a wife (among other things).