This is the second chapter posted today, so do please make sure you've read chapter 7 first.

Last chapter for this story. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, said kind things, made helpful suggestions etc. It's really helped, especially when I haven't been quite sure where this was going!

And now, because we all want a happy ending...

It occurred to Lucien that, now most of their friends and acquaintances knew they were courting, they could actually go out together. They could perhaps go to the pictures, or out for a meal.

He suggested it to Jean one evening, after they pulled up in the car outside the hotel. In the darkness he kissed her good night in the car as usual, but when she climbed out of the car he got out too, and came and stood with her in the darker shadows at the foot of the steps. Jean looked at him in surprise as he put his arms round her; they never did this in public.

"People might see us, Lucien," she whispered. He nodded and kissed her cheek.

"I rather hope they do," he replied. "We have nothing to be ashamed of. The divorce is going ahead nicely, we live separately now, we've done our best to do the right thing, why shouldn't we be seen together sometimes? In fact, I want us to go out together - come out to dinner with me tomorrow."

She tilted her head and looked at him quizzically. "You're asking me on a date?"

"Yes, if you'll agree."

Jean pretended to consider for a moment, but a smile kept appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Yes, I think that would be alright."

Blake grinned back at her. "Well, there should be some consolations for us having to live apart. Going out together is one, and kissing you goodnight is another."

He kissed her more urgently, and she responded, putting both arms around his neck, and using one hand to ruffle the hair at the back of his neck. Lucien started to pull her closer, and she took half a step forward into him, pushing her hips against him. They were both breathing faster, and Lucien could feel Jean trembling a little. Suddenly he chuckled and relaxed away from her.

"Perhaps we've treated the hotel guests to enough of a view for now." He reluctantly broke away so he was just holding her hand. He looked at Jean lovingly and pushed some stray hair behind her ear.

His eyes were drawn to her lower lip, slightly swollen from where he had kissed her. He promised himself he would do that again in the morning, but for now he would have to go home.

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They arrived at the Colonists' Club the following evening , and looked at each other for a moment.

"Ready?" Lucien asked. Jean nodded and slipped her arm through his. She was determined to look confident about this, but she was actually trying to remember if they had ever been out anywhere, just the two of them together, that was not to do with a case or some household matter.

This definitely felt different, and she could tell that Lucien was trying to make it different. As he took her coat he slid his hand around her and pulled her for a moment to his side, in an encouraging gesture. She smiled up at him, and they headed to the bar.

Cec's eyebrows may have risen just a fraction at seeing Lucien in his best suit and his housekeeper in a rather smart dress, but he was far too professional to comment, or even to give a second glance. Lucien however had noticed and tried to smother a smile.

They found a table in a quiet corner, and sat half facing each other. Lucien reached out under the edge of the table, and as his hand closed over hers, he looked at her in surprise. She laughed and lifted up her hand to show him his mother's ring on her finger.

Lucien stared at it for a moment. "So we're engaged, then?"

"Yes. If you still want to be, that is. So far, everything we have done has been about protecting my reputation, but this is about yours. I want people to know that you want us to get married, that you're not just stringing me along. Is that alright?"

"Of course it is!" He kissed her hand and his eyes twinkled at her. "I couldn't be happier about it."

Then he looked at the ring on her finger. "It looks beautiful on you. What have you done with your wedding ring, though?"

She pulled a face. "It's in my jewellery box at home. Maybe one day I'll give it to Amelia, when she's older."

"I wouldn't mind if you wanted to carry on wearing it, Jean. You could put it on the other hand."

She nodded. "Maybe I will in time. But for now I want to think about you rather than Christopher." He kissed her cheek, knowing how much that meant, coming from Jean.

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And so, three months later they lay together contentedly, just as the birds started to sing outside their bedroom window. "Welcome home," Lucien murmured to Jean.

She looked at him in surprise. They had been married for a week, so this was not her first night back home. It had been a relief to be back in their house for good, though.

"I was just thinking about all we went through to get here." Lucien tried to explain what he meant. "Three years ago we had never met, but now that seems so long ago."

Jean smiled and ran her fingers down his side. "So, when did you know?"

He paused, wanting to be honest. "Maybe when you went out with Richard? But I was certain when Jack left. Once I'd held you like that, I just wanted to hold on forever." He looked sidelong at her. "What about you?"

"When you went to China, I think. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! But it was too soon then."

He was surprised by her again; he would not have guessed she loved him then.

"Well, however many years I've got left, I want to spend them with you. And I suspect they won't be quiet years." Lucien kissed her tenderly.

"Mmm, good..." She replied sleepily. She knew a quiet life wouldn't suit either of them, but this particular quiet moment was precious, and they cherished it.