| Marguerite was sitting near the window and looking out on the snowfall. The first snow this year, she thought. It was about 7 o’clock in the morning when Marguerite woke up and realized that she wasn’t able to sleep any longer. She went to the kitchen and made a coffee. All her servants were still asleep and making coffee by herself took Marguerite back to her life on the plateau. Thoughts about the plateau brought her to the thoughts about the handsome hunter with tender eyes. She sighed and threw them away. It was easier now, in a year after their coming back to London. Marguerite thought now that this year in London seemed to her longer than two years on the plateau. These two years in the real family were the best in her life and now in cold London she felt so lonely that she wanted to cry. She had a lot of reasons to be happy. She finally had everything she always wanted to have – money, honor, and big house to live in. But it didn’t make here happier; she didn’t have love; she didn’t have the man she loved by her side. Summerlee and Challenger also got everything they wanted. They became really popular and had a tour around the world with the lectures about the dinosaurs and the evolution on the Earth. Malone had came to London only for several weeks. Then he packed his things and moved to the treehouse where Veronica waited for him. They married in London three months ago and now lived in the treehouse. Marguerite looked on big snowflakes and closed her eyes. She missed them, really missed. Yes, sometimes she met Challenger or Summerlee in the lab. But the spirit of their little family was lost now. They were just scientists that thought only about the bones of raptors and wings of pterodactyls. Most of all she missed Roxton but every time when she closed her eyes she saw him kissing Caroline McGregor on the party that was made when they came back from their trip. She came into the library in search for Roxton and saw him kissing this woman. When he saw her standing in the door he tried to apologize and to explain something but she didn’t listen to him. She just left the room. And his life. He came to her after that a million of times and called her on the phone every five minutes but she didn’t talked to him for more than 10 months. They had nothing to talk about. Loud phone call brought her back to the reality. - Yes? – She said, thinking about who could call her in such an early time. - Marguerite? – Asked the familiar voice. - Yes, George. – She smiled. She didn’t talk to Challenger for a couple of weeks and even began to miss him and Summerlee, though Arthur called her more often. - Nice to hear your voice, Marguerite. – His voice was warm. – Why didn’t you come to visit us? We missed you. - I’m sorry, George, but I just decided to have some rest to put in order my thoughts and life. I needed it after… - I know. – Challenger interrupted her, as he knew perfectly how hard it was for her to talk about Roxton. – I call because we need your help. - We? – She lifted her eyebrows. Challenger cleaned his throat, trying to find correct words. - Summerlee and me. – He laughed shortly. – And others. Marguerite singed. - George, stop speaking in riddles and tell me EVERYTHING. He kept silent for a moment. Then he understood that he had no other way but to tell her the truth from the beginning. - We’ve got a letter from Veronica and Malone… - Since when they have a post office on the plateau? – Marguerite smirked. - It’s not difficult to come down from the plateau to the nearest village. – Challenger explained. – Well, they wrote that they found a new cave with the wonderful paintings and some hieroglyphs and they want us to come to see it. Malone told us that this discovery can make a great sensation in scientific society. Marguerite understood everything immediately. Challenger knew perfectly that she would never refuse to help them. He just tried to tell her in soft words that Roxton would go there too and to see her reaction. - And what do you want from me? – She tried to play till the end. - We all know your amazing knowledge in speaking different ancient languages. – His voice was encouraging. – And I think we have no need to go there without you. - George, - she began, - just say me if Roxton go or not. Challenger kept silence for a moment, and then replied: - No, he won’t, I think. He was too busy and Summerlee couldn’t call him. He even wasn’t in London for the last couple of months. Challenger waited for several long moments, while Marguerite kept silent. He hoped that some day she’d forgive him his little lie. And he hoped he wouldn’t understand his lie immediately. - Well, as I have no plans on the nearest… How long we’ll be there? - Two months, not more. – Challenger couldn’t refrain the sigh of relief when he heard her words. – I promise. - Well, I have no plans on the nearest two months so I can only express my sympathy to Malone and Veronica and to you and Summerlee, of course, because I go. - Thank you, Marguerite! – Challenger exclaimed. – I knew you couldn’t refuse. - So, when do we leave? - Tomorrow in the morning. She jumped on her chair. - What?! Are you crazy?! – She exclaimed. – You’re in your style, George. I wouldn’t be surprised if you called me tomorrow and said to go. - See you tomorrow, Marguerite. – He hung up the receiver. Marguerite really missed her friends and wanted to see them as soon as possible but to spend two months on the plateau where were a lot of memories about Lord Roxton was difficult for her. If she saw something memorable for both of them… And besides that she hoped that now Challenger was a better liar now than a year ago. She sighed deeply and asked God to help her. ? * * * œ Marguerite met Challenger next morning when he came to her and they both rode to the airport. Summerlee wasn’t with them because, as Challenger explained, he was already on the plateau with all the equipment. He wanted to start everything as early as it was possible. - Was it so difficult for him to wait for us? – Marguerite wondered. Challenger laughed. - Oh, you don’t understand the wish of a scientist to see something interesting! - I don’t understand his wish to spend several more days on the plateau inhabited with the prehistoric hungry creatures. – She explained. When they came back from the plateau a year ago they told no one about the entrance on it and swore to keep this secret till the end of their lives. So that moment only six persons in the world knew the location and the entrance on the plateau. That was one of the things that united them and made them closer to each other. Each of them had their own reasons to save this place in secret. Challenger and Summerly didn’t want the evolution to touch the dinosaurs. Roxton still thought that it would be his secret place for hunting. Veronica and Malone didn’t want someone from the world to interrupt their calm life in such a paradise. And Marguerite… She still wanted and hoped to find a big treasure on the plateau. She even promised herself to make expeditions on it from time to time. - You seem to be a bit nervous, George. – Marguerite noticed when their little plane rose in the sky. - Well, you know I don’t like height. – He mumbled. – And I hope no one had an idea to spy on us to find a way on the plateau. - Don’t worry. – She touched his hand. – Only the last madman could have a wish to get to the land of the dinosaurs. ? * * * œ They arrived to the plateau in four days. And tree days took the road to the treehouse. Marguerite was in her style. Always tired and complaining. Challenger even thought that if she didn’t make breaks every hour they would have gotten to the treehouse on two days earlier. But every time she had forcible arguments – her legs, head and other parts of body were terribly aching – and Challenger had nothing to do except sighing heavily every time she stopped. When in a week after their leaving London they got to the treehouse both of them were dirty, tired and hardly could bear each other’s company any longer. - Marguerite! – Veronica hung on dark-haired woman’s neck. – How I missed you! Marguerite embraced the jungle girl. - You won’t believe but I missed you too. – She laughed happily. – Ned. She embraced the journalist. - How are your stories? - Better then my arms. – He smiled. – I have so many ideas that my poor arms are so tired to write them on the paper! - Poor little Malone. – Marguerite teased. – But you look really great. Does Veronica feed you well? - Only when he’s a good boy. – Veronica embraced her husband. – Am I right, honey? - Always, sweetheart. – He kissed her cheek. Marguerite smiled. It was more then obvious that the young journalist and his wife were very happy in their treehouse. It changed a lot for last year but anyway it was the only place that Marguerite could call her only home in the world. - Well, well, well. – A familiar voice broke the silence in the living room. Marguerite almost jumped when she heard it but was unable to turn around and to look at the man she loved. – Who is it here? You wouldn’t believe, ladies and gentlemen, it is legendary Miss Marguerite Krux in person. Marguerite forced herself to turn and to see Lord Roxton standing on the stairs. His hands were crossed on his chest and a sly grin plying on his face. He was handsome as the year ago and even stronger, but a bit thinner. In his favorite travelling suite and lovely hat. - What made our sleeping beauty to leave her soft and warm bed and to came back to the plateau again? I hope this outstanding event won’t bring a tornado here. – Roxton smiled, but his eyes were full of pain and it seemed that the words came from his lips accidentally and he wanted to say absolutely another thing. Marguerite made a big breath and forced herself to smile, planning what would she do with Challenger and his lying to her. - Hello, John. – She said dryly. – Nice to see you. And, as always, you found the wonderful words of greeting. It is really great to see how you missed me. - And you? – He rose his eyebrows. – Did you miss me? Marguerite was going to answer when Summerlee appeared in the room. - Oh, I see you met each other already. – He exclaimed. – I wanted to say you, Marguerite, that John would go here too, but I had absolutely no time to do it. “You didn’t have any sympathy to my broken heart!” – She said to herself but anyway came to Summerlee and embraced the older professor. - It’s OK, Arthur. – She smiled. – I understand your wish to see new discovery as soon as it possible. Summerlee rose his eyebrows in amazement. So did Roxton, but none on them said something on this matter. Roxton just cleaned his throat and went to the kitchen being followed by Veronica and Malone’s dissatisfied gazes. Unlike Marguerite he knew perfectly that she would come with Challenger but promised himself to be as far from her as it would be possible in not very big treehouse. And that moment when he saw her beautiful eyes, her slim figure and gentle smile again he was ready to send all his promises to the hell and try to be with her. After that damn evening when Caroline McGregor kissed him everything between Marguerite and him had changed. But she didn’t believe that it wasn’t his idea. And now he had a perfect opportunity to correct everything. All he needed was to stay with Marguerite alone for awhile and explain her everything. Even if she would want to kill him during the process of explanation. - What does it mean, Challenger? – Meanwhile Marguerite rushed in the lab where Challenger was making his experiments. – Do you think it’s funny?! - What do you mean, Marguerite? – He seemed to be absolutely calm working with the testing tubes. - Stop it! – She ordered. – What does HE doing here?! Why? Why did you do it with me? Do you think I suffered too little? And now I have no way but to spend two more months with Roxton! Are you crazy? Challenger sighed and looked at the woman whose face was so frightened as if he had offered her to spend two months with T-rex. And his was sure that if she had a choice she’d choose two months with T-rex. - Listen, Marguerite, when Arthur told me that Roxton wasn’t in London for two months I couldn’t imagine that he was here. - Like hell you didn’t know! But… – Marguerite smiled and pulled herself together. – I lived with Roxton for two years. And we are adult enough to live with each other for two months more. - Good girl, Marguerite. – Challenger nodded. - But I promise you, George, you will regret of this act till the end of you life! Especially when we come back to London! With this words and proudly risen chin she left the lab. Challenger’s gaze followed her until she disappeared round the corner. Then he smiled to himself and quietly said: - We’ll see who’ll regret, Marguerite. We’ll see. Marguerite went to her old room. It remained almost unchanged. Like in old times, she thought. Only now she began to realize how she missed this lost world living in cold and unfriendly London. Here, in treehouse, far from civilization, she found her real home. But with this feeling the anger grew in her soul. How dare Challenger and Summerlee did it with her?! It was more than obvious that they both knew that Roxton would go to the expedition but didn’t tell her on purpose! With these thoughts Marguerite took a vase from the night table and threw it to the nearest wall. She just regretted that she couldn’t throw it in Roxton’s head! The next moment John appeared in her room with anxious face. His eyes showed that he was worrying. - Marguerite? What happened? Are you alright? - Everything’s fine! – She answered abruptly. – And, Roxton, I hope this was your last appearance in my room without a knock. Her voice and eyes were cold, but he could hear that it was not more than a game. - I hope you won’t enter the kitchen in such a perfect mood. – Veronica noticed entering the room. The broken vase told a lot about Marguerite’s mood. - I’ll try. – Marguerite promised and rushed from the room. Malone followed her with an amazed gaze. Marguerite’s mood was a familiar to him. Especially when it was because of Roxton. - What happened here? – He wondered. - Hell if I knew. – Roxton shook his head and went to the lab. ? * * * œ The evening and next several days were not less tense. Marguerite argued with Roxton on any occasion. Sometimes she even didn’t need the occasion. Roxton wasn’t better and three days after Marguerite’s arriving there were heard only loud rude replies in the treehouse. And with this almost all the dish in the kitchen was thrown to Lord Roxton. He tried to be polite and intelligent but his patience wasn’t endless and sometimes Marguerite got very ‘nice’ replies. In the end of the week everybody including Malone and Veronica could hardly bear Marguerite’s or Roxton’s presence in the room. Especially when both of them were there. But what could they do? Challenger and Summerlee’s work went perfectly. The cave was really wonderful and the paintings were made about 13-15 centuries ago. Marguerite translated it quite easy and it turned out that this cave belonged to the king. Actually, it was his tomb. But it wasn’t cursed as most of the tombs they’d met on the plateau. Challenger and Summerlee spent all the days in the cave avoiding Marguerite and Roxton. The feeling of the blame didn’t leave them. But poor Veronica and Malone had to stay in the treehouse with an arguing couple. They couldn’t stay in Zanga village all the time! That day in the morning Marguerite and Roxton argued again about whose turn was to wash the dishes after the breakfast. Roxton failed only because Veronica came to the kitchen and answered to both of them in sharp words. Marguerite went to her room and was going to cry again but Veronica came there next to her and her plans failed. - Marguerite, stop it! – She said without any preferences. - What? – Marguerite looked at her with wide opened eyes. - This situation with Roxton! – A young woman sat to the Marguerite’s bed. – If you didn’t notice only one week before Christmas left and I hope we’ll celebrate it normally and peacefully. - And what do you want from me? – Marguerite couldn’t catch Veronica’s thought. - Roxton and you… Both of you behave like small children! I think it’s already time to open a kindergarten in the treehouse. If both of you wouldn’t behave like adult people you’ll celebrate the Christmas in you rooms. Alone! - Tell this to Challenger. – Answered Marguerite and turned away. – It was his stupid idea to bring me here without telling that Roxton would be here too. - I know. But also it was his idea to send both of you back to London until you destroyed the treehouse. And I’m sure you could guess that Challenger’s words must be understood in opposite meaning when he said that Roxton wouldn’t come. And… We already have almost no dish. I hope you won’t do the same with the furniture. - We won’t, I promise. – Marguerite looked at Veronica and smiled. - Good. – The younger woman stood up going to leave the room. – Now, what will you do to the Christmas? Marguerite smiled and shook her head. Veronica was in her style. But it was so nice to feel that somebody cared about her. - I… I’ll help you and… I even make some gifts. - That’s wonderful! – Veronica came closer to Marguerite. – And… Marguerite, just know that I always ready to help you. - Thank you. – Marguerite squeezed younger woman’s hand. - And you’ll be happy with John! - Veronica! On the next day Challenger sent Malone and Veronica to hunting because their food supplies almost went off. And Marguerite and Roxton were sent to Zanga village to take some medicine plants and other things. - Would you mind to hurry up, Marguerite? – Asked Roxton irritatingly when he noticed how Marguerite bent and picked a flower from the ground. – Is it necessary to pick flowers now? - Would you mind to leave your orders in the treehouse? – She asked in the answer. He looked at her for several moments. She was so beautiful in the rays of morning sun with the cloud of silky raven hair around her head and a little red flower in her hand. She reminded him an angel. - If you want to came back home till nightfall we have to go faster. – Roxton’s voice didn’t change. Marguerite stopped and crossed her hands on the chest. - If you’re about to run, Lord Roxton, go ahead. And I’ll go, as I want. – Her voice was cold and Roxton understood that she didn’t joke. – Meet you in Zanga village. Roxton sighed and turned to her. His voice was steely. - Listen, Miss Krux, if you think that it was my idea to go with you, you’re deeply mistaken. I have no wish to bother you but if you don’t hurry we’ll have to spend the night in the jungles near the fire. As for me, I’m against it. If you want you can go back to the treehouse. No one made you to go with me! Actually, he didn’t like the idea to spend the night with Marguerite. - As you wish! But I can’t make you so happy and I go with you. She passed him and went before him. “Great!” She thought, “he even doesn’t want me to be here. Well, I’m sure he would be much happier if Caroline was on my place! Is it so difficult just to pretend polite? I don’t ask for more!” Roxton was going to kill himself. How could he say something like that? Now he was sure that she would never forgive him. Well, she wouldn’t forgive him anyway but his words several minutes ago made everything even worse than it could be. They came to Zanga village in two hours. And during those two hours they didn’t talk to each other. Several times Roxton just caught Marguerite’s hand when she almost fell down. But the same moment they jerked their hands back. Assai was really happy to her friends again. - Marguerite! – She embraced the woman. – How I happy to see you! - And I. – Admitted the heiress. - John. – Jarl shook his hand when Assai embraced him too. – How are you? Both of you I mean. - As always. – Marguerite smiled ironically. – What interesting could happen? Just one year passed. Assai smiled. She got used to woman’s ironical sense of humor. It was Marguerite. Elegant and charming. Assai saw that nothing changer between her and Lord Roxton and as a year ago they both denied it. Situation even became worse. - Well, what made you to visit us? – Assai led Marguerite to her house. Marguerite smiled as she saw a little daughter of Assai and Jarl. The child was so beautiful that she wanted to hold her in her arms! So she did. - First of all, it was Challenger’s stupid idea to get Roxton and me as close to each other as it’s possible. – She laughed. – Then, we wanted to see you and tell how we missed you. And third, and the most important reason is that Veronica want to make a little celebration of Christmas and she needs some herbs or something like this to the cake. She made a list of what she needs but I don’t know a half of it and… And she handed Assai a piece of paper with a long list of some plants, herbs and other things. - I’ll prepare everything in a half an hour. – Promised Assai and noticed how Marguerite looked at her little daughter. – How is your relationship? I mean you and Roxton. - Fine, not taking into account that there is no “we” between us. He has his own life and I have my own. - Why? Both of you dreamed so much about coming back to London! Why aren’t you together? Marguerite smiled ironically and looked at the opposite wall. - Lord Roxton and I didn’t meet each other for ten months. – She answered finally. – I think during this time he had enough women in his life and had a lot of fun. Without me. Assai smiled understandingly. - Don’t be stupid, Marguerite. John loves you as a year ago. And even more. During all this time that you didn’t see each other nothing change. You both are like children! - Veronica said it, too. – Marguerite sighed. - We think in the same way. – She agreed. - But everything’s impossible! Roxton hurt me. Hurt me even more than all the men ever did. I believed no one except him. And he made me to feel so stupid. - Did you talk to him? - No, of course! We have nothing to talk about! - And you just left him? Without letting explain everything?! – Assai shook her head as if she was talking to a little fool child. – May I say that you broke your life? - Thank you but I had heard it for… - She thought for a moment. – For 25 times from Challenger, 37 from Summerlee, 16 from Veronica and 10 from Malone. So, you say that I can open your “account”? Assai laughed and went to the main house to bring all the things to Marguerite. According to the list Veronica decided to make the greatest family holiday that was ever held in the treehouse. Roxton saw Marguerite leaving the house next after Assai. She was thoughtful and seemed not to notice the world around her. But she was so beautiful that he wanted just came to her and kiss her and then to press her to his chest and never release. Marguerite went to the other edge of the village. What if Assai was right? What if she made the greatest mistake of her life? No, impossible! Marguerite was still angry with Roxton’s behavior and it was very difficult for her to forgive him even after so long time. But the words of Assai made her to think about the whole situation that was very difficult for both of them. Sometimes she could swear that she saw the pain in his eyes and pleading to forgive him but other time he comment her actions and laughed at her. And she wanted to kick him. But now she had another thing to think about. She would think about it later. Now she had to think about how to spend several next hours in Roxton’s company. - Will you stay for the night? – Jarl asked giving Marguerite the parcel with all Veronica had asked to bring. - Happily, but… - she smiled a bit. – Veronica asked us to come as soon as possible. May be next time. - We’re always glad to see you. – He replied and embraced Assai who came up to them with their daughter in her arms. – We send many greetings to Veronica and her journalist. - I’ll tell them. – Marguerite promised. – Well, bye. She kissed Assai, her daughter and Jarl. Roxton shook their hands and went to the jungle before Marguerite. She sighed, rolled her eyes and followed him. Assai waved her hand to them and asked her husband: - What do you think about them? - They are as unbearable as a year ago. – He smiled. – But they will be together. They both are deeply mistaken but I’m sure they will understand it soon enough not to miss their happiness. Marguerite felt that Roxton didn’t went normally, he was running already. And she was sure that he did it on purpose because he knew how difficult it was for her to move up quickly in the jungle. But he wasn’t rude or irritated when she asked him something. He just didn’t go slowly. - Did you miss them? – Roxton wondered in about an hour after they started their way. - Missed whom? – Marguerite breathed heavily but she promised herself not to ask Lord Roxton about something. - Assai and Jarl. – He explained and looked at her over his shoulder. Marguerite met his eyes and looked quickly on the nearest tree. His eyes were so warm, so filled with love that she could hardly refrain herself from hanging on his neck. - Oh, them. Of course I missed them. I… I thought a lot about them, about Veronica and Malone while I was in London. And… there were a million of times when I wanted to come here. - Why? – He smiled sarcastically. – During two years that we had spent here you’d told a million of times that you hate this place. Marguerite kept silence for a moment and then decided that nothing bad could happen if she told him the truth. She felt that she could tell anything to this man and whatever she said he would always understand her. - In London was everything I wanted – comfort, money, power and… rest. But it was like a prison. I had to visit receptions, had to talk to people about the weather that is changing once in a year and I always had to pretend. But here I could be myself. – She shook her head and suddenly noticed that they stopped and were standing under the old green tree. – Not always, of course but in some way this place, the treehouse was the only home I ever knew. That’s why I missed it, I missed everybody. - Everybody? – He lifted his eyebrows. – Even me? Marguerite felt that he caught her, but she always knew a way from any situation. - Everybody. Except you. She looked in his eyes and tried to make her voice cold and indifferent but it was difficult. Though he believed because a shade of pain appeared in his eyes but disappeared in a second. Marguerite stood with her back to the tree and Roxton hand was on the tree on the level of her head. He looked on her face, in her eyes, on her lips and couldn’t say anything. He was ready to say and do everything to make this woman to believe him. He leaned closer to her, his lips in several inches from hers… Marguerite suddenly went away from him. - We… we need to go. – She smiled a bit nervously. – You told you have no wish to spend the night in the jungle. Neither have I. So… Roxton felt her tension but it was better than their relationship several days ago and he was glad that they made a step to each other. - Oh, sure. We’d better go. And he led his way again thinking about what had happened several minutes ago. As Marguerite told she was in London like in the prison but several minutes ago she was herself. She was free. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! – Marguerite thought. – How many times you must be hurt to understand that you have to take distance with the men?! Especially with Roxton.” She was angry and disappointed because she hated feeling like this. She was ready to kiss him; she was ready to do everything he would ask her to. No one even made her to feel like this. She had enormous amount of men in her life but they were nothing in compare with Lord Roxton. But all her experience made her not to believe to the men. She couldn’t say that she didn’t believe to Roxton. She believed in his help if she needed it, in his support. She believed that he would never left her in trouble. But it was so difficult to believe in his feelings. Sometimes she thought that it was easier to believe in that the earth was flat than in his feelings. And he showed his feelings to her quite clearly when he had kissed Caroline McGregor on the reception! Even if it had happened a year ago! Roxton sighed. He could do nothing. He remembered all these days that he had spent in front of the door of Marguerite’s house. But she didn’t want to listen to him. Everything between them was lie now. They lied that they were indifferent to each other, that they were just friends that met after a long time. He loved her but didn’t try to prove it because he knew that all his words and actions she would understand wrong. And everything could become even worse than in was that moment. They came back to the treehouse late in the evening when the other part of the group was having the dinner of the fish and potatoes. - You came back so early? – Challenger lifted his eyebrows. - And both alive? – Veronica smiled ironically. – That was really difficult time for both of you if you even didn’t try to kill each other. Marguerite crossed her hands on the chest. - Very funny. – She commented. – No “thank you” for brining those stupid herbs, no “How are you?” Home sweet home. - Why didn’t you stay in Zanga village? – Veronica wondered. – It’s dangerous to be in jungle at night. - It was her idea to go. – Roxton waved his head to Marguerite’s side. She stared at him with wide opened mouth and eyes. - Mine?! How you… And who said “Hurry up, Marguerite” every five minutes?! Who told me that we have to come back till night?! - And who talked to Assai for two hours? – He wondered in the same tone. - Two hours! We talked for just a couple of minutes! - Yeah, a couple of dozens of minutes! Marguerite showed him a tongue and turned away from him. Now she didn't want to know that they lived on one planed, not mention one house. She even forgot how unbearable he could be if he wanted. But understood quite clearly how unbearable he could be. - If you finished, - Veronica started, - let’s speak about the problems that are important to everybody. Marguerite looked at her with killing gaze but didn’t answer anything. - What do you mean? – Roxton joined the group at the table. - I mean your reason for coming here – the cave that we’d found. – She explained. - I just wanted to ask if you found there something interesting. If would be pity if we called you here just to bare your argues, - she looked at Marguerite and Roxton, - without any reason. - Nice to hear! – The heiress pointed. - The cave is very interesting. – Summerlee replied. – According to Marguerite’s translations it consists of several small caves but we couldn’t find the entrances yet. The main cave is the tomb of a king. And also there must be a Cave of Health, A cave of Youth, the Cave of Wisdom and the Cave of Richness. - It is like a puzzle. But very difficult because we couldn’t translate some words. – Challenger added. – And we can say that this cave can make a revolution in the world of science. - Yes, there could be the fountain of youth, some ancient books with manuscripts about the history of the tribe and a cave full of gold, diamonds and other nice things. – Marguerite said, her eyes shining. - Very important thing for you. – Roxton noticed meaning her last reply. – And I thought what made you to come here. How couldn’t I see such an obvious reason? Marguerite looked directly to his eyes. It was like a fight between a hare and a snake. His eyes were attractive. But if you followed them you would die. - There is the only one reason that made me to come here – I didn’t know you would be here. If I knew, I wouldn’t come here closer than on 20 miles. Roxton nodded and smiled ironically. He got used already that all the words of this woman he had to understand in opposite meaning. If she said that she didn’t want to see him, it could mean that she wanted. - And what made you to stay here when it tuned out that I was here??? – He looked at her attentively. - Of all the qualities I have, the one is constant – if I promised to do something I would do it in spite of everything. I promised Challenger and Summerlee to help with the translation of the hieroglyphs in the cave and I did it. And… you’re the one I don’t want to see. But I was really glad to meet Veronica and Ned again after a year. - Since when you became so sentimental? – His eyebrows lifted. “Since I saw you kissing other woman” – She wanted to answer but didn’t answer anything. To show her pain to this man would be the most stupid thing in her life. Other part of the evening was quiet enough. But only because Marguerite was too tired and left her friends immediately after the dinner. ? * * * œ - Wake up! – Veronica shouted to Marguerite’s ear. Marguerite opened her eyes with great effort and looked around. It was still dark and she thought that she had closed eyes only a few minutes ago. - What the hell? – She mumbled and covered herself with the blanket praying that it was just a bad dream. – Do you have nothing to do, Veronica? - Wake up, Marguerite. – Veronica pulled the blanked off. – We have to do a lot of things today! Don’t you remember? It’s Christmas! Yes, she remembered but wanted to forget. - And what time is it now? – She yawned. - 6 o’clock. - Great! And what do you want from me in such an early time? – She looked out on Veronica. – Honestly, Veronica, don’t you want to sleep a bit? And let me sleep? - No! If you don’t appear in the kitchen in five minutes I’ll wake you with my favorite method. Marguerite sighed and sat on the bed. She remembered perfectly Veronica’s method – she took a bucket of icy-cold water and poured it over the victim. Marguerite had her own experience in this thing and didn’t want it to repeat. - Ok, I’m awake. You see? Veronica nodded with satisfaction and went to the door. - Five minutes. – She reminded leaving the room. Marguerite refrained the wish to throw the pillow to her friend but left the warm bed to meet cold morning. It was much colder than the day before and she couldn’t decide what to put on. All her clothes were not suitable. “It’s the same as yesterday” – she told herself. – “You just woke up on five hours earlier than usually”. When she came to the kitchen everybody were there already. But it wasn’t difficult to guess that they were woken up the same way. Malone and Summerlee were half-asleep with their cups of coffee in their hands. Roxton and Challenger were yawning and trying to understand what was going on. - Nice to see you awake in 6 o’clock. – Roxton smiled a bit and handed Marguerite a cup of coffee. – Could anybody explain what the hell are we doing here in such an early time? - It wasn’t my idea. – Ned opened his eyes. – I tried to prevent it, even switched off the alarm clock, but… - Stop complaining all of you! – Veronica looked at them angrily. – You behave like children. Today is so wonderful day and… - And it could be better if we slept as always, - Marguerite closed her eyes and tried to imagine that she was still in her bed. Veronica sighed and sat next to Malone. - If you remembered we decided to make a special Christmas dinner. And before it we have to do a lot of other things. - If you don’t want all of us to fall asleep at the table you should let us do it how. – Roxton looked at Marguerite who seemed to be far asleep. – Or you had to warn us about waking up early so we could go to sleep earlier. May be we’ll do it now? - No! We have to prepare everything perfectly! - Ok, what do we have to do? – Challenger submitted the idea that he wouldn’t see his bed for nearest 14 hours and decided not to struggle. – And, by the way, did any of you noticed that it is very cold today? - Yes, - Marguerite woke up for the second time for the last 20 minutes. – Is it bad? - I don’t know if it is bad, but it is quite strange. – He shook his head. – And honestly I don’t like it a lot. - May be it is just because we never woke up at 6 o’clock? – Marguerite asked sarcastically. – I think that the nights are always cold even here. - Not so much, my child, - Summerlee looked at her. – Several times I had to wake up early but never I had a wish to put on a winter coat. The temperature outside is only about 5oC. Here’s a bit higher but not a lot. Roxton looked at Marguerite who tried to get warmer wrapping a warm rug. He wanted to hold her in his arms and warm her, to kiss her and to say that he would never leave her. She was so beautiful. And her hair unruly as always. He saw the gleams of the fire in her eyes and they were even more beautiful than before. - I hope we didn’t get in the era of freezing here. – Marguerite chuckled. – I have no wish to die as all the dinosaurs on the planet millions of the years ago. Summerlee laughed softly and looked at Marguerite. Long ago he considered to think about her as about his daughter and now he even regretted a bit about his idea to bring her and Roxton here. Well, it was Challenger’s idea but he shouldn’t accept it. - It is not so serious. I’m sure that the temperature will rise in several days. It is just because of the winter. Even in Africa you can feel cold in this season. - I hope you’re right, Arthur, - Roxton nodded and smiled. – I don’t want somebody to find my frozen body in the next century. - They won’t. – Malone laughed. – We didn’t tell anybody about the plateau, remember? If you don’t came back the society will decide that you like the life here more. As we. - Great plan, Ned. – Marguerite replied dryly. – Your imagination must be destroyed. Veronica distributed all the duties among the members of the group in several minutes. At first Marguerite had to help her in the kitchen, then it would be Ned’s work and Marguerite would go with Summerlee and Challenger to the cave to finish the work. Meanwhile Roxton and Malone had to go to the stream and bring water, then it would be great if they caught something tasty for the dinner. And in the evening Roxton would go to the cave and help Marguerite, Summerlee and Challenger bring equipment back to the treehouse. And Veronica would clean up the treehouse and then decorate it with the banners, bows, balloons and flowers. - And what about white Christmas? – Marguerite asked sarcastically. – And Christmas tree? - If you found one somewhere here, it would be great! – Veronica answered in the same way. They both cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. But during doing this they quarreled for about five times. So Marguerite was almost happy when the time came to go to the cave. And Veronica breathed freely when her elder friend finally left the treehouse. But Marguerite felt the other way. Yes, in the treehouse she quarreled with everybody but there was warm, but here, in the jungle it was so cold and she felt as if she was in London again. The sky was low and gray and the cold wind rushes chilled to the marrow. Challenger and Summerlee were in their warm coats but Marguerite didn’t think that it would be so cold outside and now regretted about it. - I think it will rain. – Challenger noticed when they came to the cave that saved them from the wind rushes. - I hope it won’t start until we leave this place. – Marguerite voice was trembling and Summerlee heard how her teeth were chattering. They started their work though they didn’t research something new. Some words remained untranslatable. This obstacle made Challenger and Summerlee sad and Marguerite was angry. She got used to achieve everything and failure made her feel stupid. - Did you understand anything? – Asked her Challenger for the 10th time for last 40 minutes. - I understood only that you have to push something to open the doors, but can’t understand what you have to push. - May be some stone? – Summerlee guessed. - If you’re going to push every stone in this cave, Arthur, you won’t come back to London in the nearest 5 years. – She replied. – And I have no wish to stay here any longer. I’m tired, I’m hungry and I’m cold. And if both of you ask me about these scripts for one more time I’ll go back to London today! - And celebrate the Christmas in the plane? – She heard Roxton’s voice behind. - I think there would be much warmer than in this tomb. – She replied. – What are you doing here? Why don’t you on the hunting? - Veronica asked to help you to take the equipment, remember? – He looked around. – Great place, and so romantically lit with the torches. - What time is it now? – Challenger packed his things. - About 6 o’clock, or so. Well, when I left the treehouse it was 5. And Veronica asked you to hurry. The dinner is almost ready. - I refuse to eat it if Malone cooked it. – Marguerite lit the scripts again. - If you don’t hurry up there will be nothing to eat. – Roxton teased her. She looked at him in such a way that if the gaze could kill Roxton would be dead long ago. - But he’s right, Marguerite. – Challenger said. – All the day you said you wanted to go home and now you are the only one who want to stay here. - One minute, George. – She didn’t look at him. – You wanted to know what is written here and don’t want me to read it? Challenger sighed and looked at his watch. It was 18.30 already and Veronica had to be angry. She really hated when everybody was late. Especially to such a great holiday as Christmas. Roxton saw his gesture. - Challenger, you and Summerlee may go. I’ll wait for Miss Krux and we’ll catch up with you in several minutes. - Good idea, John. – Summerlee nodded. – We’d better to start earlier not to retard you then. - Do you need some help with equipment? – Roxton suddenly remembered for what he was sent. - Oh, no, everything’s fine. – Old professor smiled. – Just be careful with Marguerite. The last phrase he whispered and Marguerite pretended that she didn’t hear it. She finally found an appropriateness in which the letters were written and now could understand some more pieces of the puzzle. Challenger and Summerlee left in five minutes. And she stayed alone with Lord Roxton. In the cave lit with the torches. She felt her heart started to beat faster and became angry with herself. She reminded herself that she was just working here, not more. But it was easy to say this to her mind, but her heart had another opinion. - How much time do you need? – Roxton asked sitting on the stone next to her. - Not much. – She tried to concentrate on the letters and paintings. – Look, here goes horse, then flower and then the bull. And here, - she pointed to the place in a half a meter from the first one, - is the same. I think these three symbols must be one word, or they must have one meaning. And this arrow, - she showed the symbol above Roxton’s head, - must show something important. May be the direction of the way to the better world. When she finished her explanation she found herself almost in Roxton’s arms. Speaking about the scripts and paintings she didn’t notice how close she moved to him and now only several inches were between their faces. She looked into his eyes for several moments, then cleaned her throat and stood up quickly. - Well, I finished. We may go. I just pack the equipment. – She said a bit nervously and smiled. – Challenger and Summerlee must be waiting for us. They hate it. - Great. – He replied. – I’ll wait you outside. - Great. – She smiled again and was going to shoot herself for being so stupid and funny. “You never was so stupid as a moment ago! – Marguerite told herself. – It’s too dangerous to play with this man and you…” She packed all the equipment in several minutes when she suddenly felt the cold wind rush and heard a sound of steps behind her back. When she turned back she saw Roxton. And he wasn’t happy. It couldn’t mean something good. - What? – She asked. – Don’t say that you have a bad new. - I won’t. – He promised. – Because I have not one but four bad news. First, you won’t believe, it’s snowing outside. Greatly snowing. Second, it’s too dangerous to go back in such a weather and third, that we have to spend the night here. But it’s not the worst. The worst is what will do Veronica with both of us when we finally came back home. Marguerite listened to him with wide opened mouth couldn’t say anything. She even couldn’t understand the meaning of his words in the first moment. Well, about veronica she understood perfectly. And when she understood… - Don’t be ridiculous, John. It couldn’t be snowing outside. – She laughed. – It’s your joke, isn’t it??? The plateau is situated in the subtropical zone. It’s almost Africa. Saying it she went to the mouth of the cave. - It couldn’t be… Snowing! – She moaned. – Roxton, it’s really snowing! How could it be? - Is it so difficult just to believe me? – He asked in answer. - Not in such a case! – She replied. – What are we going to do? I mean I have no wish to stay here any longer. Roxton sighed and looked at her attentively. He needed to explain everything to her. Or he was sure she would go to the treehouse if he wanted it or not. - We can’t go. – He started calmly. – Firstly, because the snowfall in too heavy and we won’t see a lot. That means that we can get lost. And secondly, your coat is not very warm, and by the way mine, too, and we’ll freeze in several minutes. And I can’t say that we’ll come to the treehouse. Well, you wanted to have a white Christmas. Marguerite moaned. There were a lot of times in her life when she thought that the situation couldn’t be worse. When cannibals wanted to cook her for the dinner, for example. But now she understood that all these experiences were nothing compared with what was going on now. And the worst thing was that she had to spend the time with Roxton. Alone. The whole night, or even more. Who know when the snowfall would finish? - So, you want to say that we – you and me – will celebrate Christmas here? – She tried to sound calmly. – Do you imagine what Veronica would do with both of us when we coma back? As for me I prefer to go to London than to the treehouse. - Don’t exaggerate. – He advised. – Well, she’ll be angry and may be she won’t talk to us for several days, or something else. I don’t know. But she’ll be happy that we’re still alive and no one will find our frozen bodies in the next expedition to the plateau. Anyway, it’s not our fault. - You’re so optimistic! – She smiled ironically. - I must be if I have to spend some time with you. – He answered in the same way but then smiled and his eyes became warmer. Marguerite turned away from him. Well, if she had to spend some time with Roxton she would try to spend this time as far from him as it would be possible in such a small cave. Before he came to the cave it didn’t seem to be so small. Marguerite even thought it was quite big for the tomb. But when Roxton came it seemed to become half as much smaller. For not thinking about him Marguerite decided to continue her work with the scripts. She took a small brush and began to clear away the dust from the paintings. If everything would be clean it would help to understand more. All the symbols were covered with a thick layer of dust and moss. And that’s why they were almost unreadable. ? * * * œ - How could it be? – Veronica went to the balcony again, for the 5th time for last minute. – Challenger! Could any of you explain me what’s going on? - What do you mean? – Challenger pretended that he had no idea. That made Veronica angrier than she was. - I mean snow! How could it be that it is snowing? – She sighed. – And where the hell Marguerite and Roxton? Summerlee came to them and heard the last phrase. - As for the first question, it is simple. – He shrugged his shoulders. – It’s very rare natural phenomenon but it’s not impossible. We’re here for a long period of time and… there are a lot of factors in the world that can influence on the weather. May be it was a solar or lunar eclipse. Or just a storm front came from the Pacific. He kept silent for a moment. - I just hope it won’t be long. – He continued then. - Well, I understood with the weather. – Veronica took Malone’s hand when he came up to her. – And what about my second question? I’ll kill them! - I’m sure they know it. I think Marguerite and Roxton must be still in the cave. If they didn’t leave it before snowfall started. – Challenger supposed. – And even if they left it after I think John was smart enough to come back. If they didn’t do it they had all chances to get lost. - Nice news! – Veronica exclaimed. – How could they… She couldn’t finish her phrase and a sly grin appeared on her face. What for they both came to the plateau again? To solve their problems and be together. And what was the best way to do it? Just to stay alone with each other for some period of time in a limited space. Such as a cave! The plan was working perfectly, Veronica thought. Nothing could be better. After all their quarrels during the last days she was going to lock then in the pantry for a couple of days. - What are you smiling? – Ned wondered as he noticed her expression. - Nothing. – She looked at him with innocent gaze. – If Roxton and Marguerite are not with us it is not a reason to cancel our celebration. Christmas is just one time in a year. - Marguerite won’t be happy. – Challenger shook his head. – She prepared for it. - Oh, I’m sure she won’t be against. ? * * * œ In forty minutes of absolute silence Roxton made a fire and began to whistle his favorite melody. - Would you be so kind to shut up? – Marguerite asked in irritating voice. - You’re not alone here, Marguerite. – He reminded her. – If you can do what you like why can’t I? - Why can’t you do what you want in any other place? I try to concentrate and to read the words. If you can’t help me in it just shut up and let me work. - Thus you want to spend the Christmas night? – Roxton lifted his eyebrows. – Not very romantic. - The last time I’d celebrated a romantic Christmas night it finished with my third marriage and I regretted about it for two years. - May be it’s time to try again? I don’t mean marriage… - he was a bit nervous, - I just… I mean… is it so bad just to be happy? - I never said that. But the night is long and I have nothing to do except reading the scripts. And talking to you. And honestly the first is more interesting. - Why? We didn’t see each other for about a year. I think we have a lot of things to talk about. – Roxton shrugged his shoulders. - I think we communicated enough for last several days. – She smirked. – Don’t you think so? He made an innocent air and looked on the opposite wall. - Well, it wasn’t my fault. - You mean it was mine? – She exclaimed turning to him with a heavy gaze. He smiled to her. - Not all the time but… there was several times when you started the quarrel. - Only if you forced me. – Marguerite pointed thinking about his words. Suddenly she touched a little stone that was a part of a painting and heard a strange muffled sound behind her back. Marguerite felt her heart began to beat faster. That was the moment she waited for a long time. - Oh my God. – She whispered as she turned back and saw the opened door to the nest cave that had to lead to the Four Caves of Life. It was not very big and lit with torches. And there were four levers on the absolutely flat stone wall. Marguerite touched one of them and another door opened. It was like a small library with a very ancient books and manuscripts. - What is it? – Roxton appeared in the library. - The Cave of Wisdom. – Marguerite smiled. Then she left the room quickly and touched other three levers. In the cave of Health she saw the lab that looked like Challenger’s. There were a lot of different test tubes filled with the liquid of all colors and all types of medicines. - It is amazing. – Marguerite heard Roxton’s voice. It was so wonderful feeling of the victory. And he was with her. Then they went to the Cave of Youth. Marguerite expected that there will be a fountain but the ancient scholars named other thing with this name – the sulfur spring with a disgusting smell. She was happy that she didn’t have an allergy on the sulfur. - All the women want to be young forever. – Concluded Roxton putting his hand on Marguerite’s shoulder. – Now you have an opportunity to achieve it. - I’d better become old than will bath here. – She coughed and left the room. She rushed to the next room – the Cave of Richness. There were several trunks filled with different treasure. Gold, diamonds, pearls. Everything she could even imagine. She knelt near the one of them and carefully touched the emerald necklace. Marguerite was afraid that it was just an illusion. - I think you found the best Christmas gift for yourself. – Roxton grinned as he saw her sitting hear the trunk. - You are right. – She smiled. – That is really great! And Summerlee and Challenger will be happy when they know that we opened the doors. - You opened, you wanted to say? - Well, of course. But I won’t forget that you were here, too. - Thank you, your Majesty. – Roxton smiled ironically. - You are welcome, Lord Roxton. – She replied. He came up to her and bent to the trunk trying to understand what was interesting in it what attracted all her attention, except diamonds, emeralds and golden chains. - Well, it’s Christmas night now. Why could we make peace for some time and celebrate it how we can? - Why not? But where is champagne? – She smiled and looked at him over her shoulder. – And a Christmas tree? - Let’s imagine that they are here. – Roxton took Marguerite hand and pointed to the corner of the cave. – Let’s imagine that we sit on the sofa in the warm room. And we see illuminated Christmas tree in the middle of it. Intuition tried to warn Marguerite not to do the things about what she would regret then but Marguerite sent it to the hell and decided that it wouldn’t be bad if she just imagine celebration of the holiday. - What then? – She asked sitting next to him and trying to imagine what he said. - Then we wish all the best to each other, drink champagne and made our wishes. – She looked into her eyes. – What is your wish? She kept silent for several seconds. - If I tell you it won’t come true. – Marguerite whispered finally. - What if I help it to come true? – He leaned forwards and toughed her lips with his own. Marguerite wanted to pull away but then she just slipped her hands around his neck and decided to have the best Christmas ever. Roxton embraced her and pushed her tighter to his chest. She didn’t struggle and that made him to hope that everything was not so bad as he thought. Marguerite couldn’t even imagine how she missed him, how she wanted to be with him, to feel his hands on her body and his lips on hers. All the passion she kept inside for so long time could release now… But the memory of Roxton kissing other woman was like a cold shower for her. She pulled away immediately. - What happened? – Roxton’s voice sounded anxious. - Nothing. – She was cold again. – Nothing happened between us. He couldn’t understand what could happen but didn’t say anything. He was sure that if he said something there would be a big quarrel again and it won’t stop ever. Marguerite went to the cave of Wisdom to read the manuscripts. It would occupy her mind for some time. She took the old book and opened it in the end. Stupid habit. “Dream what you want to dream,” she read, “go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. If you feel that it hurts you it probably hurts the other person too. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lives for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have touched their lives. The brightest future will always be based on a forgiven past, you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failure and heartaches. When you were born you were crying and everybody around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying…” Marguerite closed to book and stared on it for a long time. It seemed that the eternity passed until she understood that she was standing near the table and looking on one point on the wall. She thought about the book, about the words that destroyed all her inner world and made her to think in another way about everything. All the fences that she had built around her heart, around her soul crashed down in one second. All her striving for gold and richness were noting but an illusion. The book was right. Rich people never can be really happy. Only feelings were important in the world. The real world was cruel but Marguerite knew she could build her own world and be happy. The world of love and happiness. With the man she loved. “How I was mistaken! – Was the only thought that was in her mind. – I broke my life. Assai was right.” She looked out of the Cave of Wisdom and saw Roxton sitting near the fire. He was so handsome… and sad. She could feel his pain physically. And understood that she was the only reason of it. - John, - Marguerite called quietly and approached him. He looked at her with amazement trying to understand the cause of changing in her mood so quickly. - I… - she started. – I want to apologize for my behavior. I hadn’t say… all this things. - It’s okay. – All he could answer. It wasn’t like her. She rarely apologized for anything. And especially for her behavior. - I want to ask you one thing. – Marguerite was nervous and her voice was trembling. – And want you to answer me honestly. - Anything you want. – Roxton tried to figure out what made her to behave like that. - Just say me – did you kiss Caroling McGregor? I saw you did, but… I feel I was wrong and… Roxton came up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked tenderly into her eyes and then touched her cheek gently. - I never kissed her. – He said and Marguerite believe he didn’t lie. – We were just talking about the plateau and all out journey. And then suddenly she leant forward and kissed me. And then we saw you standing in the doors. I think she head you coming and… She didn’t let him finish. There was no need in it. She just slipped her hands around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Marguerite was so happy. She could feel butterflies in her soul and she was afraid that it was just a dream and once she could wake up and be alone again. - Wow, why didn’t you start with this? – Roxton smiled and kissed her nose. – Why had we to go through all this horror? Marguerite touched his face with her fingers. - Well, it’s quite unpleasantly to admit but I was stupid. – She couldn’t take her eyes off his face, so lovely and beautiful. – But if you tell somebody about it I’ll kill you. - I’m sure you will. – Roxton pulled away and looked out of the cave. – And I have a wonderful new – the snowfall finished. If you want no longer stay here we may go. - Great! May be we even get some dishes from our Christmas dinner. – She took her bag. – I’m starving! - Why didn’t you tell me? I could cook something. - I didn’t feel it… until the last minute. And… I’d better eat what Veronica cooked. ? * * * œ Marguerite woke up almost in the noon. Roxton and she came back to the treehouse after midnight and the celebration of Christmas lasted till 6 o’clock. Before that they played snowballs along all their way home and when the finally got home they were both happy and covered with snow. The dinner was great and it was se sweet to get Christmas gifts from her friends. Most of all she liked the golden earrings with pearls that Veronica presented to her. Ned presented her the book, Challenger – the tooth of the T-rex for the good fortune and sweet postcard from Summerlee where he wished her to find her happiness. With Roxton. She also left some gifts to them before going to bed. All the treehouse was silent. Marguerite was sure that everyone was still asleep. They were tired but happy. And they all thought that it was the best Christmas in their lives. She opened her eyes lazily and first she saw was a little box with a bow on its top. And Marguerite could swear that it wasn’t on her night table in the morning. She took it and opened. The biggest sapphire she’d ever seen rose on the golden ring. The san rays played with it and it was like a dream. - John! – She turned to Roxton sleeping peacefully next to her. – John, wake up! She kept silent for a moment as she saw his face in several inches from hers. She felt like she woke next to him everyday and it was so familiar to see him sleeping. - What? – He didn’t open his eyes. - What is it? – She handed the box with the ring to him. Roxton looked at the ring, then to her and then smiled. - A wedding ring. – He pulled her to him. – Did I ever tell you that you look like an angel in the morning? - No. But we didn’t finish with the ring. Where did you get it? I mean, is it for me? - Of course it is for you! I made it in London and that evening when you saw Caroline and me I was going to give it to you. – He kissed her before continuing. – I thought it wouldn’t be bad if I took it with me here. But I wasn’t sure that it’s of your size. Marguerite put the ring on her left hand and now looked on the sun playing with it. It looked like a little star fallen from the sky to make her dreams come true. - It fits perfectly. – She said and then stared at him with amazement when she finally understood what did he mean. – A wedding ring? It means that you want to marry me? - Sure. What else could it mean? – He touched her cheek. – I love you, Marguerite Krux. I love you from the fist minute I saw you and I want to be with you forever. And it would be really funny experience to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. - Funny? – She lifted her eyebrows. – Good word. But… I love you too. I think I always loved. From the first moment. - So, it means yes? She nodded and leaned forward to kiss him. - I always wanted to have a family, my house, and children… - You wanted to have children? – He caressed her cheek and kissed her on the forehead. - Yes. – She smiled. – Little Lord Roxton… Sounds attractive. She slipped her hands around his neck and kissed him. - Do you like my Christmas gift? – Roxton asked after the kiss. - It is the best… |
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| Continued in Sweet Moments ! |
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