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Explorer
972 Posts |
 Posted - July 25 2008 : 04:22:33 AM
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In a little over a month the explorers and their guests returned to Nairobi. Susan paid off the lease on her flat, and was assisted in packing her few belongings while the others stayed in the New Stanley. She closed out her bank account, receiving the often rather jealous well wishes of her former co-workers.
Holly dreaded telling her beau that she had had a change of heart and knew that she could not marry him, although she had had no proposal from Geoffrey Blacklaws.
The matter was solved more easily than she expected. Her beau telephoned her and she agreed to meet at his family's majestic home. There, he led her into a sitting room and told her that his interest in her was ended. He apologized, and was courteous, but explained that in view of her "situation" having become public knowledge, he of course could not entertain ideas of marrying her. People supposed that she had probably "done things" that girls "such as she" would be forced to do while in chains enroute to an Arab dhow. He even had the audacity to ask eagerly if she would tell him what acts had been compelled from her. It was clearly a matter of lewd interest, and she was disgusted. She left in a huff, driven by her father's chauffeur.
On arriving home, she found a message from Blacklaws, asking if he might call on her. Although not in too charitable a frame of mind concerning men just then, she had rung back, and Backlaws took her to dinner at a restaurant as good as colonial Kenya afforded. He treated her not as "soiled goods", but more like a princess.
And he did a rather good job of trying to sell her on his prospects and on his potential as a father. He pointed out that he was well off, if not truly wealthy,and that he could show her more adventure than most men might. He apologized for not having known her better over a period of time. and then, he asked if she would consider marrying him.
"You'd meet some interesting people," he promised. "And I can offer you a life less dull than if you marry that auto dealer's son whom I've heard about. Will you at least think about my proposal?" He looked anxiously at her over the rim of his wine glass.
Holly said that she would need to think about this, and hoped that he would understand. He assured her that he would and asked when she might have an answer for him.
"Soon," she said. She motioned for him to wait, and studied her wristwatch. She held up five fingers, then lowered them one by one. When she was out of fingers, she said, "All right. I took time to think about it. Geoff, if you were serious, you are now officially an engaged man. Yes, I'll marry you! I have been hoping that you might ask, for I have dreamed of little else since you came into that room where you saw me in such humble circumstances and showed me so much compassion...not to mention staring at me like I was a goddess. I felt more like a whore, but you looked at me with respect and pleasure as well as with lust. Don't say that there was no lust, but I liked the way that you handled it. I felt desirable, not like a fallen woman. And you have always been such a dashing figure! I think I have been a little in love with you for years. You seemed so glamorous as I watched you lead your safari clients and read of your exploits in the papers. Are you sure that I am what you want? I now have a certain reputation in some circles, and many men might find that unacceptable. You saw me and what I was about to become. Can you live with that?"
He shrugged. "I asked, didn't I? The Sultan of Amarrah's loss is my gain. If you'll have me, I'll be proud of you. And any man who sullies your honor will have to answer to me."
"Oh, Geoff! Then, yes, I will marry you! May I tell my family that we are engaged?"
"Unless you want us both to tell them," he grinned. "But first, I suggest that we order a bottle of champagne. I think we have something to celebrate."
Holly thought that champagne had never tasted better.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - July 25 2008 : 05:12:32 AM
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Two months later, everyone was settled back in Britain, Susan happily helping Finn to prepare her next book and edit the film that she had exposed of wild animals. She found that Finn's comment about the Challenger family cook was true, and she loved walking the estate in Kent. It was beautiful, and soothing to the soul.
She told Finn, who said, "We planned it that way. My soul needed some soothing, and between George Challenger and this place, it feels a lot better than it used to."
The Roxtons were also glad to be home, but Roxton was concerned for his wife's safety. The couple went armed, at home and in London. This was not technically legal off of their estate, but few policemen would have the temerity to search the Earl or the Countess of Avebury. And armed members of their staff were always with their children, lest they be kidnapped.
The Malones returned to Brazil, where distance, at least, precluded the long arm of Amarrah from easily reaching out to menace them. But Ned sometimes woke to find Veronica sobbing, shaking as she fought nightmares about being disciplined for failing to satisfy the Sultan.
"That's ridiculous," Malone told his wife. "You'd be able to satisfy any man who ever lived. And make him feel lucky to have had you."
He held her while she got control of herself, and in time, the dreams became less frequent and less vivid. But she admitted in letters and in radio calls to her "sisters" in Britain that she was uneasy. That whipping in Kenya and what she'd done afterwards had taken some starch out of her. She was made a woman afraid, not the brassy jungle princess who would face anything with confidence. It would take time to recover and regain all of her self respect, although she loved the way that Ned nurtured her. She began to understand some of what Finn had felt for Challenger when she had poured her heart out to him in this very Treehouse, in the early days of their love.
But if she had nightmares, she was brought closer to Ned, and found that she loved him more fully and with less reserve than ever before.
Xma'Klee, the Zanga Indian shaman, came and told her that he had seen her imbalance with nature. He cast a spell and told her that she would heal, and to be grateful for her husband and children.
Assai, the Zanga chief Jacoba's daughter, and Sa'eera, the chief's youngest and preferred wife, came and Veronica told them what had happened to her. They clung together and cried and then they told her that she must heal, for the sake of Ned and their children. Then, they insisted that she tell them about their friends and what else they had done together. They loved seeing photos of strange animals and of the Roxtons and the Challengers and their children. Veronica showed them souvenirs that she and Ned had brought home. And she began to heal
But she continued to be very glad to have Ned at her side, especially at night, when what walked below the Treehouse might not frighten her as much as what lurked in her head.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - July 25 2008 : 05:32:49 AM
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The Roxtons went to the Challenger estate in Kent and were relaxing over brandy after a meal to remember. Roxton mentioned the stress under which they were living, never knowing whether the Sultan might have Marguerite seized again or simply killed. They were also afraid for their children.
"Finn may be on their list of women to acquire, too, after having escaped their clutches in Kenya," said Challenger. "Only having been with us in the car that day saved her then. And the Sultan can easily learn where we live. I am one of history's greatest scientists, and every blasted newsman in the kingdom knows where we live, or can learn. But I am taking steps to see if something can be done about our shared situation. Tomorow, after breakfast, we will host a guest who thinks that he may be able to help. You two need to stay over and talk to him."
The following morning, at ten o'clock, the butler announced gentleman callers. He was used to important guests, but he seemed a bit in awe of these men.
"Sir," he said to Challenger, "it's Mr. Churchill and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords!"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - July 25 2008 : 06:06:23 AM
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On a sunny day in August, His Majesty King George V looked out of a balcony window at Buckingham Palace. He raised a binocular and studied the faces of the crowd gathered along Horse Guards Parade as the Changing of the Guard began. The band began playing, "The British Grenadiers", that most imposing of marches.
A Naval aide came quietly into the room as tea was served, and announced, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is here."
The King nodded, and the aide showed in the political head of the nation.
After obligatory talk over various matters, the King mentioned the Sultan of Amarrah.
"Have you finished talking with the Privy Council and your other advisors, Prime Minister?", inquired the King-Emperor, ruler of what was then the mightiest nation on Earth.
"We have, Your Majesty, and we feel that it is unacceptable to have the Earl of Avebury and his family ill at ease over the possibility that they might come to harm at the hands of a savage and pompous Middle Eastern ruler. I am told that Professor and Mrs. Challenger, the famous scientist and inventor and his wife, are also in dread of foul deeds by this Arab despot. Both couples have children, as well.
"And you are agreed that the action that we discussed last week is appropriate, and necessary, if the whole of the Empire is not to lose face?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have come to tell you that I will address both Houses of Parliament this afternoon. If the resolution that I will put before them passes, I will announce on the radio this evening that a state of war exists between the Sultanate of Amarrah and the Empire, and that you, Sir, are in full accord with this decision."
The King nodded. "And there will be no problem in removing the Sultan and sending him in chains to prison in India, and making Amarrah a British Protectorate?"
"I feel certain, Sir, that the concept will be popular in both Houses. A fleet is being readied to sail from Portsmouth as soon as may be practical, and one will also depart Calcutta in time to arrive in the Gulf of Amarrah with the first. Amarrah and its oil will soon be in British hands, and the highway robbery prices from there will subside."
The King nodded and pressed a hidden button. The Naval aide came in and the King said, "Commander Benton will show you out. We shall listen for your radio address today with eager anticipation."
"Good day, Your Majesty" said the Prime Minister. "Thank you for seeing me."
The King walked over to the large globe in its wooden rack which dominated one corner of this splendid room.
He put a finger on the Sultanate and began singing, "Wider still and wider, shall thy bounds be set..."
The End
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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