cute love it !

I have mixed emotions about this truly excellent story.

I certainly see a certain relationship between Marguerite and George, which I have expolited in my own Fics, not published on this board. (Can't list addresses here, but if you want to read them, try to find the Rachel Blakely Board, and the two David Orth boards founded by Caroline. Older ones on the Rachel board are on page 4 of Fiction there. There are some 20 such Fics on those three boards.)

I once had George and Marg. discuss Finn, as they sat over coffee after dinner. Finn and her best pal and hunting partner, "Johnny" Roxton and Sa'eera, Jacoba's youngest wife, were cleaning guns in the next room: laughing, telling jokes, and hearing Roxton's hunting stories. Challenger said to Marg. how much happier she had become since leaving New Amazonia, and he regretted the stresses that she had encounterd in "her long, short life."

Finn is one of my favorite TLW characters. Much of my Fiction revolves around her and Challenger, to whom she became a devoted wife in the Fics. (Jessie had died of flu in 1921.)

I've caught some flak for that pairing, although many who initilly objected came to really like the way that the couple is written. There is much more to them than a cursory glance would imply. I write all of the Treehouse group with much greater depth than they had on TV.

I see Marg. as a sort of great friend to George, maybe a younger surrogate sister. They aren't that far apart in age. Challenger was probably younger than some think, from what I read in others' Fics. Marguerite was already in her mid-30's. George was probably in his 50's, maybe early 60's. He was still a big, powerful man who got around quite well.

I think he and Roxton are best friends, and share many confidences. Malone is a little less a good fit, but still a warm companion. I do see him marrying Veronica, and portray them that way. Of course, I also see Marg. becoming Lady Roxton, the Countess of Avebury.

I think Challenger may well see Vee as a sort of daughter as well as a close friend. But I don't think he'd really see any of their group as a daughter. In my view, Finn began that way, but beyond the Third Season (I prefer to ignore the cancelled Fourth Season), they became much more.

I could not bear to see Finn killed off, as has evidently happened in your excellent tale. Of course, you are free to write her as YOU see her.

Your dialog is superb, very authentic for George and Marguerite! I LOVED it!

One note that applies, no matter who is writing a Fic...You speculated that Roxton might have been closer to the front in WW I than his rank suggested. It was stated on the TV show that he had won the Victoria Cross! He would have HAD to be at the front. That is your nation's highest award for gallantry in combat. I have read accounts of real soldiers who received that honor, and what they did was truly brave. And Roxton wasn't always a Major. I tried to think what he'd done, and had him wipe out three German machinegun emplacements, turn the Maxim gun in one on the enemy, and in spite of wounds, refuse evacuation and retain command of his rifle company until he passed out from shock and loss of blood. I had Field Marshal Lord Haig read an impressive letter about his courage as he received the Cross. I can totally see Roxton doing that, partly because for a time, he wanted to die, out of anguish over killing his brother. I have a whole Fic based on his recollections of that. But I should be addressing YOUR story. I'm just saying that it was stated on the show that he received the Victoria Cross, so he WAS at the front, and distinguished himself, in a particularly bold manner. I hope that interests you and others who read this. I admire Roxton as a character, very much.

I also like the way that you portrayed Marguerite's cooking. That is a fun subject to play with, and I've done that, too. (Pretend that there's a winking Smilie here.)

Sorry to go on for so long, but this thing of George as a father figure seems to be on the minds of many fans of the show. I see him as one to a degree, but I really see John as his best friend, and there isn't but about 12- 15 years difference in their ages. The beard just makes him seem older. I have Finn trimming that beard and cutting his hair, so he looks younger and better. Remember him from the introductory movie, where he was well groomed? Looked much better than in later seasons!

I'm sorry to have gone on for so long, but you touched a nerve. I am pretty close to George and Finn as a couple, and they click better as I write them than one might think. I can see George being emotionally devastated if Finn was to die. So, I almost didn't read this story. But you handled the material really well. Again, although I would never kill off Finnykins, you wrote this extremely well. It was a privilege to read it, Thank you for posting it!

Gemini explorer
(I post on other boards as just Explorer)

Aw, that was gorgeous. Well done!

While the story was written well, I rather disagree with the concept of Marguerite in a father/daughter relationship. She, Roxton, and Challenger seem to be friends, more on an equal footing rather than a paternal relationship between either Challenger & Marguerite or Challenger & Roxton. Friendship between the three seems to be the relationship that is portrayed on the show.

I could definitely see a paternal relationship for Challenger/Finn, Challenger/Veronica, and Challenger/Malone. And definitely for Finn & Veronica, Challenger was portrayed on the show as a father figure.