At first, Marion felt very uncomfortable at the idea of living with Holmes. Still, after a week, she became content with her new lodgings.
One night, Marion was dressing for bed, when the window suddenly opened and a gust of wind nearly knocked off her feet. Not want a draft to come in, she fought against the ongoing breeze and was able to shut the window. She then finished dressing and crawled into bed; after saying her prayers, she blew out the candle and tried her best to fall asleep, though this was not an easy task considering the guilt that was weighing heavily on her mind.
"Marion..." A voice whispered.
Marion sat up quickly and darted her eyes around the room; there was no one there, and the bedroom door was closed. Thinking she was imagining things, she laid back down and tried to fall back asleep.
"Marion..." The voice whispered again, this time in a louder tone.
Knowing that she wasn't hearing things this time; Marion quickly put on her robe and stumbled in the dark, and over towards the door. She opened it quietly, and looked up and down the darkened hallway: there was no one there. She gave a sigh and closed the door, only to be grabbed and pushed against a wall; a hand came over her mouth and a match was lit, revealing Lord Blackwood.
"Don't scream, I'm not going to hurt you." whispered Lord Blackwood.
Slowly, Lord Blackwood uncovered Marion's mouth and released her; he backed away and sat on the bed.
"I should call for Mr. Holmes." said Marion.
"But you can't." said Lord Blackwood.
"No, I can't."
"Because you care for me?"
"I do not care for you...but I do care for Mr. Holmes, and I know that he has been longing to have your blood on his hands. I simply won't allow a man of good character to be arrested for the murder of a madman."
Lord Blackwood held the match over a candle and lit it; putting it a bit more light into the room.
"I came to thank you." said Lord Blackwood.
"For what?" asked Marion.
"For your honesty, amongst other things. Most people, knowing of my background, would find it easy to frame me for the murder of good men like Kennedy. Instead, you're willing to risk your life and take full blame for the murder, only giving mention to the threats I made against you."
"I was the one who killed Mr. Kennedy and helped you escape from Scotland Yard; I'm mostly to blame, and therefore should take full responsibilty."
"Why do it? I've killed your cousin, your father, your housekeeper, and many more before them. It would be easy for Scotland Yard to accuse me of the murder of Kennedy, and plotting my own escape. You should want me dead, Marion; you should be screaming for Holmes and telling him that it was really me who killed Kennedy. Instead, you're being honest and choosing to let me live."
Marion gave another sigh and went to the window. "I had a nightmare not long after you killed Mrs. Hamilton. I was at this altar, and saw Lucy; she was bleeding everywhere, and was strapped to some sort of table. Some of the blood dripped onto the floor and spelt out the word "trap;" your reflection appeared in a mirror across the altar. When I woke, I thought that it was a warning of things to come, that you were planning to kill me. It took me awhile to realize what it really meant: I'm in love with you, Lord Blackwood...I'm hopelessly in love with you, and I'm not even sure if I'm able to stop. I love you, Henry. God help me, I love you."
Marion buried her face in her hand and began to cry. Lord Blackwood, slightly stunned by Marion's confession, stood to his feet and approached the window. He lifted Marion's chin and then gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. Once they broke apart, Marion grabbed onto Lord Blackwood and hugged him tight; she could feel his warm hand press against her hair, and hear his heartbeat as she pressed herself against his chest.
"So, I was wrong." said Marion, drying her tears.
"About what?" asked Lord Blackwood.
Marion looked up at Lord Blackwood and gave a smile; she placed her hand over his chest and placed her other arm on his shoulder.
"You do have a heart." said Marion.
Lord Blackwood smiled and gave Marion another kiss and hugged her close once more. Both he and Marion were startled when a knock came to the door.
"Henry, what do we do?" whispered Marion.
Before Lord Blackwood had a chance to speak, the door slowly began to open.