They anchored in and got out amidst the cheering which Roxton thought was all nonsense. But there he saw her, pretty as she always was, waiting for him. He walked ahead of the group and she ran towards him.
Lady: Oh Richard!
She threw her arms around him and hugged her son.
Roxton: Ma.
Lady: Oh Richard! Look at you all worn! Oh my boy.
Roxton: I'm okay Ma.
Roxton looked at his mother's face age and worry had made her ragged and weary but in his eyes, she looked so beautiful. He wiped her tears with his thumb and forced himself to smile.
Families of other members were also here including the whole Summerlee Clan. However Veronica just stood there looking at all the happy reunions and wished that she could be a part of it. Melone introduced her to his parents as he nervously inquired about Glades. They knew nothing.
Roxton: Ma I'll go and speak to the commissioner and come. I'll be back.
Seeing this opportunity, Summerlee went to Lady Roxton.
Summerlee: Good Morning Lady Roxton.
Lady: O Professor Summerlee how delightful to have you all back. This
simply IS a miracle...
Summerlee: There is something I need to tell you of about John.
Lady: Oh God is he unwell?!
Summerlee: Only in heart. You see, he got very attached with Miss Krux
during the past two years and they shared more than a friendship. He can't
take the pain of losing her and God knows how he has been holding himself.
Please be cautious Lady Roxton.
Lady: Oh dear...Thank...Ah Richard, Professor Summerlee had been telling me what a responsible person you have been. I'm so proud of you.
Roxton: Well, it was my duty. Well then Summerlee, as promised I landed you all with your loved ones so this is good bye. Where is Veronica?
Summerlee: She will be with Challenger. Don't forget the press conference tomorrow. John...take care.
Roxton: I will.
Summerlee: And don't forget to be human.
Roxton never uttered a word throughout his journey home. Lady Roxton knowing the reason just kept a comforting hand on his and said or asked nothing. He got out to find the housekeeping staff had put up a banner and lined up to welcome him home. Even they were surprised at Lord Roxton's fallen face. Lady Roxton accompanied him to his old room and opened the windows.
Lady: Would you like some strawberries. Caddick sent them all the way...
Roxton: No...
Lady: tea! Tea would be nice! I got it all the way from our estate in
Ceylon...you should go there...I tell you what we will go there together!
Roxton: Ma...
Lady: Look at me I forgot the breakfast...egg?
Roxton: No.
Lady: baked beans, you always liked baked beans...on freshly...
Roxton: Ma...
Lady: baked bread or muffins...
Roxton: MA! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING! JUST...just go...just...I just want
to...rest...just go.
Lady Roxton stood there stunned and flabbergasted by Roxton's attitude. Brushing her gown, she left the room.
Roxton did not go to the press conference the next day but he saw the headlines. 'MIRACLE RETURN OF THE ILL FAITHED EXPEDITION!' it read but he knew that it was no miracle. He did not even read the article just pushed it away. Challenger was also suffering from humiliation from his 'failed' expedition by choice with Veronica grieving everyday.
Everyday for the past week, Lady Roxton was not greeted or talked to by Roxton. He never came down for meals and hardly touched his food, which was sent up. In Panic, Lady Roxton ordered that all the liquor bottles be locked in the cupboard and only she could have the keys to the cellar. But Roxton never requested for anything. Just starred at an empty place and thought of hours. After 10 days, lady Roxton had it all. She checked his plates to see the breakfast untouched and stormed to his room.
Roxton was lying in his bed looking out of the window, holding an envilope when she came in. She spoke to him in stern, fierce words.
Lady: Get up Roxton, GET UP!
Roxton: Leave me alone!
Lady: GET UP I SAID!
Seeing that Roxton did not heed, she dragged him out of the bed and to out to the corridor. His limp body did not even have the desire to fight her. She dragged him to the garden and stood in front two rose bushes- one yellow and the other red.
Lady: Look at this Roxton. You father planted there when you and your brother were born. Red for him, yellow for you. I watched there bushes grow, just as you two grew and I watched them whither just as you two did. I suffered the death of one son and a husband. And I thought I lost another. Everyday, I will look at there two bushes and wonder about you. Wonder how you were, praying for a return. You returned, but look at you, you are good as dead.
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Roxton still gawking at the empty place, the place where once Marguerite was.
Lady: I do not want two rose bushes to remind me how many sons I had! I need you! You are my son! You are my baby boy! I carried you for nine months and watched you grow for thirty-eight years! I watched you burn in guilt for William, drink your life away, dance with cheap women. And give away two years of your life! Why Roxton?! Why are you doing this?!
She shook Roxton hard.
Lady: ARE YOU LISTENEING TO ME?!
As She had no response from Roxton. Fury burned in her and she dragged him back to the room and threw him in.
Lady: Now you stay here and suffer and I'll pretend both sons are dead!
She turned and made her way to the door when Roxton spoke.
Roxton: I miss her Ma.
Lady Roxton turned and sat beside Roxton.
Roxton: I miss her so terribly and I love her so much! I'm so shocked and in so much pain...it is so hard...it's just so terrible...
And for the first time, Roxton talked about Marguerite. He rested his head on her shoulder and cried, as if a child would, telling about how Marguerite was lost. They stayed like that till late afternoon with Roxton's tears now dried on his face. Lady Roxton straightened his face and looked him in the eye while she cupped his face in her delicate hands.
Lady: Listen to me Richard...Both of us are going to find Marguerite! We are going to study about the plateau and Atlantis and we are going back to the Amazon and we WILL find her. We will!
And just as she had promised, they researched and decided that they would go there for a small visit. It was mid July when Roxton went back to the cave near the factory. It was almost as if a replay of his loss. He explained what happened to his mother with each step. Of cause Jack was there to greet them and with him, Roxton went to the cave. He looked around for his ring but it was no where to be found. 'Workers must have bagged it,' he thought as he touched the walls.
Jack: What is it with this rock and people! After you folks left another lady arrived! Some kind of gateway or something?
Roxton: well it's...ANOTHER LADY ARRIVED?!
Jack: well yes! About a week after. Nice she looked!
Roxton took out a picture of Marguerite and showed it to Jack.
Roxton: Is this the lady?!
Jack: Hit the jackpot, yes she is!
Roxton stared in surprise. Marguerite was back! She was back! Straightening his mind, he asked him the details of the arrival.
Roxton: then?
Jack: Then she left to the city and from there, I do not know!
The news was telegraphed back to England where Ned checked for Marguerite in the passenger lists of the ships that harbored those days but no match was found. No one even with the same route was found thus Roxton returned back in disappointment. But he had something he did not have earlier - hope! And he promised himself that no matter how long it took, he will find her.
The leaves began to fall in autumn creating a carpet of gold in the garden as Roxton and his friends had tea.
Tresscottic: And what about you John? Marriage on your mind? Roxton: temporarily not! Haven't found the correct girl yet. Mrs. Tresscottic: that's surprising for a man like you! I can name plenty of girls who would love to be Lady Roxton you know. Want me to fix you up?
Roxton: That won't be necessary at all! Look what you have got yourself into!
Tresscottic: hey I'm a fine man! Even got her a trip to Paris!
Mrs Tresscottic: Talking about Paris, I got some pictures I took.
Mrs Tresscottic showed the pictures of the Eiffel tower as Roxton looked at them, trying so hard to look interested. And then there she was! Sitting on a bench... IT WAS MARGUERITE! He FOUND her! She is in Paris!
Once again, Roxton started his chase all the way to Paris with the help of Melone. He always held the letter close and with each unsuccessful day and he knew he must fight for her.
Weeks passed with no finding and it was concluded that she must have left Paris. Melone and Roxton got on to the automobile and left toward the harbor. No one was on the road this gloomy September evening.
Roxton: stop here. I want to walk to the church alone.
(The car turned to a corner and at that point, a girl also turned toward the church, away from Roxton's view. Roxton walked towards the bend and at that moment, the girl entered the church once again not spotted by Roxton. Just as Roxton entered the church, she took the side exit out. She stopped a taxi and got in and as the taxi pulled away, Roxton came out of the church. But then she saw that she had forgotten her hat and asked the taxi to stop. In the pouring rain, which now fell like crystals from the sky, s he ran towards the church, head bent. Roxton clumsily dropped his umbrella as he tried to open it and bent to pick it up while the girl passed by him. The girl went into the church and got her hat and dashed back to the road.)
Roxton decided that he wanted to take one last look and turned towards the church when a woman knocked on him.
Roxton: OH I'm so sorry!
Woman: No, it's fine...
She lifted her face to Roxton and Roxton's heart leaped at the sight.
Roxton: Marguerite!
