In their respective rooms, with the doors between them open, Marguerite and John began to prepare for the evening ahead. The atmosphere was filled with a subtle excitement.
Anna had helped Marguerite with the hair, creating a modern and elegant half updo before she left to assist Veronica. Marguerite didn't need help with dressing. John also did not have a valet, which set him apart from other lords. Marguerite would assist him with his bow tie, and that would be the extent of it.
From his room John was stealing glances, enjoying the sight of Marguerite moving around the room in her lingerie as she prepared before slipping into her dress.
Marguerite, catching John's admiring looks, called out with a playful tone, "I hope you're finding the view enjoyable?"
"Immensely. Need help with that dress or are you still insisting on being fiercely independent?"
"Fiercely independent, but I wouldn't mind your opinion once it's on."
Once she was in her dress, he approached her to help her with the zipper.
"It's absolutely delightful." He said and then, gently lifting her hair, he found himself irresistibly drawn to the nape of her neck, where he planted a tender kiss.
"Ah, my favorite perfume." He whispered as he sensed the fragrance.
"I chose it with you in mind." She said as she turned to face him.
He was almost ready, with only the bow tie remaining, which currently hung loosely around his neck. Marguerite thought to herself how this disheveled look was actually very attractive. It was a pity their guest was an elderly aunt. If they were welcoming some younger, more casual guests, he could have greeted them just like that.
After ensuring the bowtie sat just right against his neck, Marguerite softly ran her fingers through his hair, gently rearranging a few stray locks back into place.
"Perfect," she whispered, as she took a step back to admire him.
There came a knock on the door and in came Veronica. She was wearing a blue dress that seemed to capture the essence of the evening sky.
"Veronica, you look absolutely lovely." Marguerite praised her.
John nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The color suits you remarkably well."
"Thank you. And Marguerite, thank you for the dress. I like it a lot."
Marguerite, with a satisfied smile, responded, "I aim to please."
"To be honest, I'm slightly nervous." Veronica admitted. " It seems like you have built this event up a bit."
John gave her a supportive smile. "Don't worry much about it. Aunt Agnes may seem formidable, but at the end of the day, she's family. And let's not forget, she has never faced the combined charm of all of us together. She won't know what hit her."
"Alright." Marguerite hurried them outside with a gentle push. "Let's go down to greet her so we can check that off from our list."
"So, my aunt is an item on a list to be checked off?" John teased.
"Oh, you know what I mean." Marguerite said.
"Yes, I do know what you mean." John replied.
They exchanged a brief smile, a moment of shared understanding with a touch of humor, that served to ease any underlying nerves.
They met Malone at the bottom of the stairs.
"And why are you grinning so much?" Marguerite asked.
"I can't help it. I just love these kinds of scenes." Malone confessed.
"The arrival of an old aunt?" Marguerite asked.
"Yes. It's a classic setup for a comedy of manners, potential misunderstandings, clever retorts, and unexpected alliances. I couldn't ask for a better spectacle." Malone elaborated.
"You have to find yourself a better hobby, Ned." Veronica teased.
When they went outside they saw the car had already approached the house. The chauffeur who had driven Aunt Agnes opened the backseat door and offered his hand to assist her out.
Aunt Agnes's appearance was commanding. Her hair was completely gray, neatly pulled back into a tight bun. The outfit was notably high-end and traditional, echoing the styles of the 19th century, complete with a brooch around her neck.
"Aunt Agnes!" John exclaimed as he approached, kissing her on the cheek and embracing her warmly.
She took a moment to assess him. "I see you've cut your hair and lost some weight. It suits you well. Now you look like a real gentleman."
"Thank you Aunt Agnes. Allow me to introduce you to my wife. This is Marguerite."
As Aunt Agnes turned her curious gaze towards Marguerite, there was a moment of silent appraisal.
Marguerite, for her part, stepped forward gracefully, her voice steady and polite. "Pleased to meet you, Aunt Agnes."
"Let me have a good look at you." Aunt Agnes said, her examination thorough, yet not unkind. After a moment, she nodded approvingly. "Excellent, quite good indeed. You are a splendid lady."
"Thank you, Aunt Agnes." Marguerite replied.
John then presented their friends, Mr Ned Malone and Miss Veronica Layton.
"And what are you two to each other?" Aunt Agnes asked.
"Ahm... Friends?" Ned answered, before Veronica, with more confidence, said, "We're together... In a relationship."
"What sort of relationship?" Aunt Agnes pressed further. "Marriage? Engagement?"
"Just a relationship. Nothing official...Yet." Veronica responded.
"And are you staying in the same room here?"
The admission that followed was enough to draw a decisive line from Aunt Agnes that was clear and resolute.
"Well, that won't do. Not while I'm here. Marguerite, I expect you to find Miss Layton a separate bedroom."
Marguerite nodded, masking her reservations with a courteous smile. Truth be told, Marguerite was not going to do anything about it, but for now, she wanted to keep peace.
"Walk with me." Aunt Agnes requested with a tone that left no room for argument. Marguerite followed, casting a quick glance back at her friends and husband, who offered silent looks of support.
"My nephew said the most wonderful things about you in his letters. He seems very fond of you."
"I am very fond of him, too." Marguerite responded sincerely.
Agnes nodded, her expression softening slightly. "I am glad. Husband and wife should be fond of each other."
As they strolled through the gardens, Agnes seemed to contemplate her next words carefully. At one moment she stopped and looked at Marguerite intently.
She spoke, "I have seen a lot and lived through plenty. It doesn't take me long to assess a person. A quick glance is usually enough. And you, Marguerite, I figured you out pretty fast. I like what I see so I will be straight with you."
"Okay…" Marguerite whispered, readying herself for whatever blunt observation or piece of wisdom Agnes was about to impart.
Agnes continued, "You and John met on the expedition, spent four years in the jungle together, became lovers, conceived a child out of wedlock, and married upon your return. Have I left anything out?"
Marguerite was surprised by her direct approach but she wasn't caught off guard. This wasn't her first rodeo, and she was well-versed in the art of playing along while maintaining her grace and confidence.
"You've pretty much covered the highlights." She replied with an unapologetic stance.
"I've always hated scandal." Agnes said. "But I always admired self-sufficiency and resilience. You have shown a great deal of both. Tell me, how did you manage those four years in the jungle?"
Marguerite thought about it for a second and then said, "By drinking enormous amounts of coffee. Special Zanga espresso, to be precise."
Agnes paused, processing Marguerite's remark with a discerning eye. "Was that a joke?"
"It depends. Do you think it was a good one?"
"It was marvelous. Well done. As you will soon come to realize, I am not without a sense of humor. I love a good wit."
Marguerite found herself pleasantly surprised by the woman's reaction. The rigid image she had constructed from stories started to crumble.
After a short walk Agnes turned her gaze towards the house. "Let's go back. I am craving a cup of tea or a large brandy."
Once they entered the drawing room, John cast a worried glance towards Marguerite. He was concerned that perhaps his aunt might have been too imposing for her. However, when he saw the smile on her face, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Aunt Agnes was delighted to see they had managed to procure her favorite cherry brandy.
"Later I would like to hear more about The Lost World and things you've encountered there. But now, I can't help but notice Elizabeth isn't here. Has she not had the decency to come and greet her old sister-in-law?"
John explained, "Well, Aunt Agnes, your visit was pretty sudden. Mother had already made plans. She went to visit Cousin Margaret in London."
Aunt Agnes, with a hint of amusement in her voice, challenged him. "Cousin Margaret? My dear boy, who do you think is Cousin Margaret?"
John admitted, "Well, I'm not exactly sure."
Aunt Agnes clarified with a slight air of triumph, "I'll tell you. There isn't one. I know all of your cousins, and there isn't anyone named Margaret. We have Marguerite now, but no Margarets."
"You must have just forgotten about her." John said.
But Agnes was quick to counter, "I most certainly have not."
Malone was intrigued. "Lady Ingram… Are you saying Lady Avebury made up a persona, just to get away from here?"
"I am not saying anything, Mr Malone. However, Elizabeth always was resourceful when it came to avoiding situations she found less than appealing."
Marguerite couldn't help but smile. It turned out that Aunt Agnes was a very interesting person, feared, so to speak, only by those of lesser confidence, who had their own reasons to fear. Marguerite was certainly not one of them. She had never had an aunt in her life, and now she decided to claim John's as her own. The successful dinner that followed only confirmed her decision.
In the intimacy of their bedroom, John and Marguerite were changing from their formal attire to the casual ease of the nightwear. They talked about the day's accomplishments.
As Marguerite carefully hung up her dress, John, already changed into his pyjamas, leaned against the dresser. "Today has clearly been a success. Aunt Agnes seemed rather pleased."
Marguerite, slipping into her nightgown, met his gaze. "She did, didn't she? And the Crème Brûlée was a hit. It was quick thinking on your part. I think we managed to surprise her."
John chuckled, moving to sit at the edge of their bed. "We did. It's not every day you get to impress Aunt Agnes."
Marguerite's steps brought her closer, the distance between them closing with a few graceful strides. "I was a bit nervous, you know. But she's not the dragon I was led to believe. Stern, yes, but there's warmth there too."
John, reaching out to take her hand, drew her down beside him. "I think it was your doing. You have this effect on people, Marguerite."
"Oh, I'm not so sure about that. I think she's just not superficial. I think she genuinely appreciates the finer qualities in people."
There was a soft knock on the door, and then Veronica peeked in, dressed in her pyjamas. John and Marguerite turned to her, their expressions shifting to amused curiosity at her late-night visit.
"I came to ask where I'm going to sleep tonight?" Veronica asked.
Marguerite, slightly surprised by the question, answered, "Where else? In your room, of course."
"With Ned?" Veronica clarified, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, if that's not a problem," Marguerite replied with an amused tone.
"Well, it's not a problem for us, but it obviously is for Aunt Agnes."
John said, "Veronica, relax."
"Okay, if you say so. I just wouldn't want there to be any trouble tomorrow morning," Veronica said.
Marguerite joked, "You can sleep here with me if you want... We can kick my husband out."
John, feigning shock, played along, "Sacrificed for the cause, am I? Just remember who's warm and cuddly when you need someone to fight off the night's chill."
Veronica, catching the flirtatious exchange, said, "You two cuddle up and keep each other warm, then. I'll head back to my room. Good night, love birds."
"And then there were two," John said with a gentle humor when Veronica left. "Seems the night is ours again. How shall we spend these quiet hours?"
"I can't think of a better way to end the day than being wrapped up in soft sheets — and your arms." Marguerite said softly.
"Sounds perfect." John said and wrapped his arms around Marguerite, drawing her close. His lips found hers in a kiss full of love and desire, sealing their mutual agreement. In a smooth, coordinated motion, they eased themselves onto the bed.