The grand dining room of Kenneth Castle was set for an evening of aristocratic elegance. As Marguerite and John Roxton entered, they were greeted by the familiar faces of Challenger and his wife Jessie, along with Marguerite's recently reunited family: her parents, Robert and Catherine, and her sister, Emily. The Carnahans were keen to nurture a close friendship with the Challengers, recognizing the unique bond shared by the three families, who were united not only in friendship but also in their knowledge of the Lost World.

The dinner began with polite conversation, the clinking of fine china and the murmur of small talk filling the air. However, as the courses were served, the conversation gradually shifted towards the personal.

Robert, with a hint of disapproval, commented first. "Emily has quite a London life these days."

Catherine chimed in with a tone of critique. "Indeed, she even turned down a marriage proposal from a marquise, a match that would have been the most advantageous, in our opinion."

Robert added, "Now, she's involved with some publisher. Quite the departure from our expectations."

There was an awkward pause as everyone absorbed this information. Emily, feeling cornered and discussed rather than included, spoke up, "I am right here. Why are you talking about me in the third person?"

Catherine responded in a tone that sought to maintain decorum. "Just be polite, Emily. Be polite."

Emily, her patience thinning, replied sarcastically, "I am being polite. You are the ones not being polite by talking about me as if I'm not here."

"Let's not make a scene, shall we?" Cathrine said, her voice calm but firm, signaling her desire to steer the conversation away from potentially unpleasant territory.

Emily retorted, "Mummy and daddy are keen on putting on a play in front of you, Marguerite. They want to present us as a sweet, happy, perfectly behaved family. I disagree, though. I think you should get to know us for exactly who we are."

Marguerite, sensing the raw emotion in Emily's words, responded with warmth and understanding. She looked at Emily with a gentle, reassuring smile.

"Actually, I agree with you, Emily. I would hate it if you all felt the need to act a certain way around me. It's important for me to know the real you, flaws and all."

Emily, feeling empowered by Marguerite's support, continued with renewed confidence. "There you have it then. I am wholeheartedly embracing the 1920s, while mummy and daddy seem to be stuck in the 19th century."

Robert countered, "Oh, hardly. I believe you are the one who is clinging to 19th-century ideals."

Emily looked puzzled. "How so?"

Robert elaborated, "You seem to believe life is like a romantic novel. That there's a grand, destined romance waiting for everyone. While that's a charming notion and all well in novels, it's not always grounded in reality."

Emily, quick to respond, pointed out, "Really? What about Marguerite and John then? Aren't they real?"

Robert, with a slight smile, replied, "They are an exception that proves the rule."

Emily, with a determined spark in her eyes, firmly stated, "Well, I am going to marry only when and if I am completely, absolutely, 100% in love. Nothing less will do for me."

Marguerite asked curiously, "And I suppose the marquise isn't the one?"

"Oh, God, no. He was far from it. I'll fill you in on the details later. He's a ridiculous little man."

"What about that publisher you've been seeing?" John asked.

Emily, clarifying her relationship, replied, "Tony is just a friend. We've dined out a few times, nothing more than that."

"But you have been seen in public, together." Cathrine noted.

Emily responded unapologetically, "That might have been a scandal five years ago, not to mention ten. But today, it's perfectly acceptable."

Robert, turning to Marguerite, asked pointedly, "Marguerite, you've experienced quite an adventurous life yourself. You're intelligent, mature and accomplished. What is your opinion on this? Is your sister running too wild?"

"Oh, I am really not the one to talk about wildness." Her response was a subtle acknowledgment of her own unconventional past.

It was Jessie Challenger who brought a fresh perspective to the table. "I think it's wonderful that Lady Emily is charting her own course," she said warmly.

Emily looked towards Jessie with gratitude. Her sentiments resonated with the younger woman's aspirations. "Thank you, Mrs. Challenger. It's so refreshing to see someone adapting to the new age."

Catherine, however, still held onto her traditional views. "Although I value different opinions, I still believe there's a fine balance to be maintained. It's important, especially in our society, to consider the implications of one's actions."

"That's true," Marguerite said, acknowledging Catherine's point, "but a lot changed after the war. The world we live in now is very different from what it was."

John nodded in agreement, reinforcing her viewpoint. "Marguerite's right. The world has seen a lot of change. People's perspectives are evolving, especially regarding personal choices and freedom."

Robert, observing the exchange between Marguerite and John, raised an eyebrow and asked somewhat skeptically, "Are you two progressives then?"

"I wouldn't say we're progressives in the way you might think, Robert." John replied with a thoughtful expression. "We still hold many traditional values close to our heart. But we also believe in keeping an open mind. The world is evolving, and it's important to understand and adapt to these changes, without losing sight of our roots."

"Well, I won't shy away from admitting I do support the progressive values in their full extent," Jessie declared confidently.

Robert asked, "What about you, Professor Challenger?"

Challenger, with his characteristic contemplative demeanor, responded thoughtfully.

"Well, Lord Kenneth, in my scientific work, I'm a strong supporter of progress and new ideas. They're crucial for advancing. Jessie, meanwhile, is a strong advocate for modern social values. In our partnership, we complement each other – she embraces the evolving social landscape, while I delve into the scientific aspects."

Challenger's diplomatic answer made Marguerite smile. He had this charming capability of saying a lot without actually saying anything at all.

Emily took Marguerite on a little tour through the Kenneth Castle. They wandered through the grand hallways, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors, until they reached a particular room.

"This was going to be your room, had you grown up here," Emily explained, opening the door. "With Claire now in America, it's been left empty."

The room they entered was spacious. The walls were adorned with a subtle floral wallpaper, giving the room a calm, welcoming feel. The furniture was classic and elegant, with a large, beautifully carved four-poster bed and a cozy armchair by the window, perfect for reading or daydreaming. Marguerite's gaze swept across the room, taking in every detail. The room, elegantly adorned and bathed in soft light, was a tangible representation of a life she might have lived. The fine furnishings, the soft hues of the walls, the view from the window overlooking the expansive grounds. It was a room filled with the potential of memories never made, a childhood never experienced in these walls.

Would she have looked out of these windows dreaming of faraway places? Would the walls have heard her laughter, her hopes, and her fears? The thought of what could have been mixed with the appreciation of the life had today. It was a bittersweet feeling.

Seeing Marguerite lost in thought, Emily asked gently, "I'm sorry. Is this too much for you?" Her tone was filled with concern, wanting to ensure she hadn't stirred any unwanted emotions in Marguerite.

"No, not at all, Emily," she replied softly. "This room is beautiful, and it's touching to see it. It's a part of the family history I'm still learning about."

With a hint of mischief, Emily said. "No one comes in here anymore, so it's a safe place to keep secrets."

She walked over to a cupboard and opened a drawer, pulling out a cigarette. "Want one?" she offered, turning to Marguerite.

Marguerite declined politely, "No, I don't smoke. I find it to be a rather disgusting habit."

Emily chuckled, "Oh, it really is. I don't smoke regularly either. Just helps to ease my nerves sometimes." She lit the cigarette and took a puff, her demeanor changing slightly as she delved into a more personal topic. "You know what's ironic? Mother was quite the wild one in her youth. She sang opera, even performed on stage a few times, under an alias, of course."

Marguerite looked intrigued by this revelation. Emily continued, "She fell in love with her opera partner. She never said it, but I suspect they were lovers. Then she left him to marry our father, whom she didn't love at first. She told me that story as a lesson in duty over heart's longing."

"That's surprising," Marguerite responded, genuinely awed. "I never knew. Does she still sing, for the family?"

"Sometimes she does," Emily replied. "You mentioned you sang in Paris. I myself have a love for music, too, though not opera. I'm more inclined towards jazz. Come on, let's ask her to sing something. I'll accompany her on the piano."

Emily put off her cigarette and they made their way to the smoking room to invite John, Challenger and Robert who were enjoying cigars, brandy, and their own conversations.

Initially, Catherine hesitated at the suggestion of singing. "I haven't had the chance to prepare my voice," she said, a touch of reluctance in her tone. However, seeing the eager faces around her and feeling the warm, encouraging atmosphere, she decided to indulge them. Her voice, still rich and clear, filled the room with the beautiful strains of "Un bel dì vedremo," from Puccini's Madame Butterfly, captivating everyone with its emotion and depth.

After the applause and cheers, Emily asked. "Do you have a favourite aria, Marguerite?"

Marguerite, her eyes reflecting the glow of the moment, replied, "Many. But since we're enjoying Puccini, I must say I really love 'O mio babbino caro.'"

Catherine, touched by her daughter's request, lovingly accepted to perform the beloved aria. As she began to sing "O mio babbino caro," the room was enveloped in the beauty of her voice.

Marguerite sat, entranced by the sound of her mother's voice singing one of opera's most cherished pieces. The music seemed to weave a spell around her, each note resonating with an emotional depth that was both profound and moving. This a was a surreal experience for Marguerite, hearing the voice of a mother she was only beginning to know. She found herself lost in the music, each note drawing her closer to the woman who had given her life. It was as if, in those few minutes, the aria had become a vessel for their shared emotions, a means of communication beyond words.

This was Marguerite's life now, a series of blesses that filled her world - the loving bond she shared with John, filled with romance, adventure and glamour, the joy of motherhood, the rekindling of ties with her family, engaging in lively discussions, sharing in their disagreements, and experiencing magical moments like tonight's performance, all of it enriched her world.

Marguerite realized that her story was not about the places she had been to or the things she had done; it was about the people she loved and the connections she had made. In the end, it was these relationships – as a partner, mother, daughter, sister, and friend – that truly defined her journey and gave her life its fullest meaning.