The Daltons sat at the breakfast table in their sumptuous suite. Thomas and Laura busied themselves with the breakfast platters and serving tea.

"I think we can manage from here Laura. I'll call if we need you." Beth said to Laura.

"Yes m'lady."

After they excited the dining room, Alex looked over the top of her newspaper, watching Beth squirm in her seat, and smirked.

Beth caught her red handed. "Something amusing you my lord?"

Alex folded up her newspaper and lifted her coffee. "Nothing at all my lady."

"You, my lord Dalton look a little too smug for your own good."

"Smug? Me? Well perhaps I have a lot to be smug about? I have the most beautiful wife in the world and the most satisfying marriage." Alex arched her eyebrow, gently teasing Beth.

Beth took Alex's big hand in her own and smiled. "Perhaps you do."

Alex reached over and stroked her wife's cheek. "Seriously, are you alright this morning? Sore?"

"Pleasantly so my lord. So what's first on the list of our sightseeing day?" Beth asked as she made up a breakfast plate for Alex.

"I thought we could start with the Empire State Building, and then have lunch at the Russian tea rooms. After that, well I have a surprise in mind. I'll tell you at lunch."

Beth handed Alex her breakfast. "Ooh I'm intrigued!"

"I hope I can always keep your life exciting little bit." Alex said digging into her breakfast.

"I'm sure you will my lord!"

Billy became aware of two things as she slipped into consciousness. Her mouth was as dry as the Gobi desert, and she felt the reassuring weight of her new love lying virtually on top of her. She opened her eyes and glanced towards the clock. Eight o'clock. I wonder what time Jo has to be at work.

Billy stroked her hand down Jo's back and gently kissed her head.

"Jo Jo what time do you have to go to work?"

"Hmm? Sleep. Tired..."

"Princess? Don't you have work?"

Jo's eyes snapped open. "What time is it?"

Jo gasped. "Oh no! I start at nine! I'll never make it!"

Billy grabbed Jo as she struggled to get up. "Calm down. I'll get you there okay. I have the motor parked outside."

"Really?"

"Yes really, but first I want my good morning kiss princess."

Jo smiled and then leaned over to thoroughly kiss Billy. "Hmm. now that was nice. I love you." Billy said after their lips parted.

"Yes." Jo suddenly felt a little unsure of herself. "I know last night you said..." Billy silenced her with a finger.

"Last night was the best night of my life. I love you with all of my heart, and I will go to bed and wake up with you for as long as you want me." Billy knew that Jo would need constant reassurance for the time being, until she felt more secure."

Jo kissed her love and said. "Thank you for saying that, and thank you for knowing what I needed to hear."

"I'll always know. Now princess, you better get up. You have dresses to design. Billy pinched Jo's bare buttock.

"Aw! Listen cheeky chops you don't want to make me angry!" Jo sat up and put on her dressing gown.

Billy put her best cocky look on her face. "Oh? I'd like to see that princess!"

"I'm sure. Help yourself to anything while I get ready."

As Jo reached the bathroom, there was a knock at the door. "Can you get that while I get washed love?"

"Will do" Billy quickly pulled on her jeans and t shirt. The knocking continued relentlessly.

"Alright! Keep your hair on!"

Billy opened the door to find a very battered and bruised Roberta Whitworth, Flowers and chocolates in hand.

"You! You ruffian! What are you doing here at this time in the morning?"

"Well I just got out of Jo Jo's bed. That's what I'm doing here. You're little plan didn't work out did it Whitworth?"

Roberta looked disgusted and tried to peer over Billy's Shoulder. "Where is Josephine? I want to see her myself."

Billy quietly stepped into the corridor and closed the door quietly behind her. She looked side to side, before suddenly grabbing Roberta, pushing her against the wall with her arm up her back. The flowers and chocolates went crashing to the ground.

"What are you doing you fiend!"

"Listen closely Whitworth. I am with Jo now. She is mine, not yours. She's mine because we love each other and we give that love to each other willingly. I don't want to see you anywhere near my girl again. If I do Whitworth, you won't get back off the floor next time!"

Billy threw her to the floor. "Now sling your hook!"

Roberta scrambled to her feet ran hurried down the corridor. "You'll regret this Boyd!"

Billy smiled, and let herself back into the flat just as Jo was coming out the bathroom, putting on her earrings.

"Who was it love?"

"Em..." Billy stuffed her hands into her pockets nervously. I suppose I should be honest.

"It was Whitworth."

Jo gasped. "R...Roberta? What did she want?"

"To tell you how I attacked her last night no doubt. I didn't stop to ask. She came baring flowers and chocolates. I...uh...got rid of her and made her understand it wouldn't be wise to come back."

The singer wasn't sure what Jo's reaction would be until she found her arms full with the fashion designer.

"Thank you. I'm so glad you were here and I didn't have to face her on my own."

Billy took Jo's face in her hands. "You will never be alone again. I love you princess." After a simple kiss, she added.

"Now let's get you to work!"

That evening Beth sat at her dressing table, Laura putting the finishing touches to her hair. It had been a magical day. Spending anytime with Alex was wonderful, but here on honeymoon, without Alex having the worries and stress of the foundation was extra special. She was as relaxed as Beth had ever seen her.

As her partner had promised they had spent the morning sightseeing. The view from the top of the Empire State building had been truly breath-taking.

True to her word, after a scrumptious lunch at the Russian tea room, Alex had indeed given her a surprise. She had taken her to Tiffany & Co to pick a new piece of Jewellery to add to her collection.

Although Beth tried to insist she had more than enough pieces of jewellery, Alex had been quite firm about it, and said she would explain why later that evening.

Alex always has to have an air of mystery! Beth chuckled to herself.

"That's you all done m'lady. Are you sure you don't want me to put on your new necklace for you?"

"No thank you Laura, Lord Dalton wanted to do that for me tonight. So where are you and Thomas off to this evening?"

"We ' re going to see a show on Broadway m'lady! I never dreamed I could do such a thing." Laura said excitedly.

"Wonderful. Thomas treating you well?"

Laura looked down and blushed. "Yes, he asked me if we could start stepping out together. You know official like?"

"He is a lovely young man. I'm happy for you Laura."

"Will that be all m'lady?"

"Yes, thank you Laura. Could you ask Lord Dalton to join me?"

"Of course. Have a good evening."

A few minutes later Alex knocked and entered their bedroom. Beth stood and smiled as Alex kissed her hand.

"You look exquisite sweetheart." Beth looked down nervously at her pale blue evening gown.

"I hoped you would like it, but I wasn't sure."

"You my wife ooze style whatever you wear." Alex lifted the Tiffany box from Beth's dressing table.

"You will look especially stunning wearing this." Beth watched as Alex took out the elegant sapphire and diamond necklace and earring set, and came behind her to put it on.

The older woman couldn't help, but softly kiss Beth's shoulder as she placed the necklace on her wife.

"You smell delicious."

"Hmm. If you do that more my lord, we won't make it out for the evening."

"Ah, but I can't wait to show New York the most beautiful woman in the world, and she's all mine!"

Beth turned and brushed her hands down the lapels of Alex's dinner jacket.

"So are you going to tell me why I just had to have this beautiful piece of Jewellery?"

"Of course. Come and sit on bed with me."

Once they had settled down Alex took Beth's hand and said. "I'm just carrying on a family tradition. Both my father and grandfather bought their wives a piece of jewellery for every significant event throughout their married lives. That is why I was able to hand such a wonderful collection to you. It's not only for you to enjoy, it's part of our family legacy, that I hope we will be able to pass onto our own children. These pieces of Jewellery, which represent our honeymoon, will be something wonderful to add to the Dalton jewellery collection."

Alex hoped this declaration would open the way to their much needed talk about children.

Beth was quiet and looked thoughtful.

"What's wrong little bit?"

"Would you like children Alex?"

"Of course I would little bit. I would love them with you. Is it something you would like?"

Beth smiled warmly. "It would be a dream. I see how you are with kitten and I would love to see you with our own. I wish it could be ours Alex, really ours."

Alex sighed. "I wish more than anything that I could give you a child with our love."

I have to make Alex feel better about this.

"It will be ours in every way that counts darling. Look at how Poni dotes on little kitten? Do you think Poni would love her anymore if she was her own? If we adopt, you will feel the same."

"I know I would. I would love any child, but I have an idea and wondered what you would think. There is another way. "

"What? You could never want me to be with someone..."

"Some else? Never! I would never let anyone else touch you!" Alex said angrily.

"I know. Calm down, I would never. Tell me your plan."

"Well. Poni and Lotty looked into this before they adopted kitten. There is a doctor working in Harley Street, he helps couples who are struggling to conceive a child."

"I don't understand..."

Alex stood and started to pace nervously in front of her. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

"This doctor... it's very hush, hush. He's been working with childless couples within the aristocracy for some time. It's not a talked about procedure..."

"Alex, take a breath and tell me." The older woman took a breath and stopped pacing.

"You know the biggest worry with landed families is having an heir. As I told you before, you can leave your estate and money to anyone but the title must be inherited by a flesh and blood heir."

"How can a doctor help with that?"

"If the problem lies with the husband, Dr Gerber can take a donation from another man and impregnate the wife with it by simply injecting it within her body. As long as it is done in complete confidence, everyone will think the pregnancy occurred naturally and the child will be seen as a legitimate heir. This procedure is a closely guarded secret. Our situation is a bit different as we couldn't pass the child off as biologically mine, but it could give us a child. Dr. Gerber brought his technique over from Germany; he was forced to leave when the war was starting as he is Jewish. Do you think we should try?"

Beth sat stunned. I could truly be pregnant? It's astounding!

"What do you think sweetheart? Would you like to have our baby?"

"I...never dreamed that such a thing could be done. I would love to have a baby. The man who donates doesn't have any say does he?"

Alex sat beside her wife again. "No, not at all, Dr. Gerber uses anonymous donors who are looking to make some money. They will never know us or our baby. "

"Let's discuss it more when we get home, but in principle I would love to have our own baby."

Alex stood and picked up Beth's fur stole. "Wonderful! Now, are we ready to paint the town red?"

Beth picked up her clutch bag and allowed Alex to place the stole over her shoulders.

"Of course. What is this nightclub like?"

The Glass Slipper? It is a little different to The Alley Cat. It attracts a more mixed clientele and has a variety show after dinner. I believe Billy has performed there a few times."

"Oh my! It sounds wonderful. I do miss our friends. I wonder if Billy and Jo have managed to get together yet?"

"I tell you what. Why don't we call home tomorrow? I wanted to check how things were at the office anyway."

"That would be lovely."

Alex held out her arm for her wife and said. "Shall we?"

Beth giggled at the drag act on stage. She had never seen such a thing and was lapping it up. The couple had enjoyed a lovely dinner and now were thoroughly enjoying the variety show.

Alex sat beaming at Beth, a proprietary arm around the back of her chair. It had not gone unnoticed by the older woman that her wife was the subject of many lustful gazes by the other patrons. Her cold steely stare had been used many a time that evening. The variety show came to an end and Beth said. "Oh darling, that was simply wonderful! I've don't think I've ever laughed so much!"

"I'm so glad little bit. Let me order us some more drinks, you must be thirsty." Alex unsuccessfully tried to signal a waiter.

"Why don't you go up to the bar and order darling?"

Alex looked at her as if she was insane. "Do you think I'd leave you unattended here? Women have been drooling over you since we arrived."

Beth laughed. "Oh I don't think so my lord. I think I would be safe."

She is still so innocent. Alex thought.

Stroking her wife's cheek she said quite sternly, "Let me do my job of taking care of you. I see things you don't my love, because you always expect the best from people. This isn't The Alley Cat. I don't know these women and have no idea, if they will respect my boundaries."

"Well I tell you what, my lord the worrier, why don't I trot to powder my nose and you trot to the bar?"

"And you think my dear that will be any better?" Beth gave Alex a mock glare.

Alex stood and pulled Beth's seat out for her. "Alright! Just don't talk to any strange women! I'm getting soft in my old age!" Alex grumbled.

Beth gave the older woman a peck on the lips and smiled. "You forget my lord; your wife is allowed to boss you about." Beth walked off towards the powder room.

"So I'm learning!"

Rowena Freeman stood shocked looking at the bar. A ghost from her past had been sitting at one of the tables with a beautiful girl.

Dalton! It's Alex Dalton! I...can't... Rowena felt the old cold hatred rise in her throat.

Rowena had years thinking about the moment she would see Alex again, and now it had arrived, suddenly her old training started to kick in.

Right, the blonde went in the bathroom. Let's find out what Alex's latest bit of skirt can tell me.

Rowena positioned herself outside of the ladies bathroom and waited.

Beth retouched her lip stick in the mirror beside a very tall beautiful looking man.

"I love your colour honey!"

"Thank you. You're very kind."

"Oh sweet! You're English! I hope you are enjoying our country?"

The young blonde snapped her clutch bag shut and said. "I couldn't be enjoying it more!"

She turned and walked out the toilets and straight into a passerby. Her bag went tumbling to the floor.

"I'm so sorry! Here let me get your bag."

"Not at all should I have been watching where I was going." Beth looked down at the woman bending to get her bag. Unlike Alex in her dinner suit, she was simply dressed blue suit and striped tie. Her slicked back hair, which had once been black, was now salt and pepper grey.

The woman handed back Beth's bag and held out her hand. "Forgive me. Let me introduce myself. Rowena Matthews, Rowe to my friends, at your service."

Beth smiled warmly and shook Rowena's hand. "Elizabeth Dalton, pleased to meet you."

Dalton? Her second names Dalton? Must be a distant relative. There is no way on this earth Alex would tie herself down. I need to find out more. Thought Rowena.

"Let me escort back to your table, to make up for bumping into you in such an ungentle manly manner.

"Oh no please don't trouble yourself..."

The woman put Beth's arm through her own and said, "I insist! Come."

As they approached table, Alex looked up and Beth saw her first a look of recognition and shock pass over her then her face turned to stone.

It can't be! Rowe Mathews? The last time I saw her... Alex was back there in her mind.

Poni and Tommy struggled to hold Rowe back from Alex.

'I'm sorry Rowe, I had no choice! Don't you see that?'

Poni and Tommy managed to pull her to the door. 'Come on now, be a good chap and calm down Rowe!' Poni implored the raging woman.

Before the two pulled Rowe through the door she fixed Alex with a deadly stare.

'Dalton I swear on my life you will pay for this. I will never rest until you feel what I'm feeling now! I hate you!'

Suddenly back in the present, Alex's eyes zeroed in on Beth's arm through Rowe's. Every hackle raised on the back of her neck raised and she heard herself snarl.

Oh goodness. I hope this isn't because I'm with another woman. Beth knew only too well how jealous and possessive Alex could be.

Hoping to head off any unpleasantness Beth rushed to Alex's side, who immediately pulled her into her side protectively.

"Darling, I bumped into this woman outside the ladies and she offered to escort me back to the table. This is Rowena Mathews." Beth could feel the tension oozing from Alex.

Rowena's face was wreathed in smiles as she said. "Alex Dalton! My my! Who would have thought I'd bump into my old friend here in New York?"

Beth looked up at Alex puzzled. "You two know each other?"

Before Alex could answer Rowe said... "We certainly do! Good to see you my lord."

Rowe offered her hand and Alex had no choice, but to shake. "Rowe? It's been a long time. I see you've met my wife? Lady Dalton."

It was Rowe's turn to be shocked. She got married? You've certainly changed Dalton. Could it be you actually love someone?

"My apologies for not addressing you properly, Lady Dalton." Rowe inclined her head towards Beth with a smile.

"How do you two know each other?" asked Beth.

"Oh we're old comrades from our RAF days." replied Rowe.

Beth was confused by Alex's quietness. What is wrong with her?

"Really? Well do sit and have a drink with us."

"Thank you." They sat and Rowe ordered a drink from the waiter.

What does she want? Why did I have to bump into her now, when I'm so happy? I need to get myself together. Can't let Beth see you like this. Thought Alex.

Rowe knew she had Alex rattled. Oh this is perfect!

"Yes we had great times together didn't we? I expect Alex has told you all about the scrapes we got into during the war?"

"Well no, I..."

Alex interrupted and changed the subject. "No. It's not a time I like to dwell on. So what are you doing here in New York Rowe?"

"Oh I live here now. After the war I wandered around. There wasn't anything left for me in Blighty, so I came here and I was enough to be offered a position with the government."

"Really? How exciting! What kind of work did you do? Are there good job opportunities for women in America?"

"Oh I do a bit of this, a bit of that. It gives me freedom to live as I choose."

Alex knew exactly what she meant by that. After her work in the war, she must have been recruited for secret service work.

Rowe lit a cigarette and took a long drag. "We were a jolly group weren't we? Poni, Tommy and..."

Alex cut her off before she could go any further. "Yes, we were."

Rowe smiled knowing she was making Alex squirm. "So how are old Poni and Tommy these days?"

"Oh there fine. We ' re all great friends. We were together very recently at our wedding. "Beth innocently told Rowe.

"You're just married? You mean this your honeymoon?"

"Yes, our wedding was magical." Beth looked adoringly at Alex.

"Well do forgive me for intruding on your honeymoon. I'll leave you to it then."

Rowe stood and said. "Wonderful to meet you, Lady Dalton and thrilling to see you again my lord, I hope we don't go as long before meeting again. Goodnight."

"Lovely to meet you, Rowe."

After she left, Beth said. "That was good luck to bump into your old RAF chum. She was charming."

"Yes lucky..." Alex said distractedly.

"Did she say anything before you came over to the table?"

"No. She just bumped into me coming out of the ladies, and she picked up my bag and escorted me here. Is everything alright darling?"

"Of course, of course, would you excuse me one minute sweetheart. I just have to ask her something. I won't be long."

"I'll be fine." Alex didn't relish leaving Beth alone, but she had to know.

Alex walked towards Rowe, who was now sat at the bar. The lord's former comrade had to stifle a smile at the look of uneasiness on Alex's face. "Alex? Can I get you some drinks?"

"No. What's your game Mathews?"

Rowe lifted her glass and calmly took a sip. "Whatever do you mean my lord?"

"You can cut out that rubbish with me Mathews. You know how we parted, and I want to know why you are being so civil?"

Rowe opened her cigarette case and offered one to Alex, who shook her head.

"It's all water under the bridge now. The war was a dark time, but it's over now. I've carved out a new life for myself, and I'm content."

"Whatever may be going on in that head of yours Rowe, forget it. I don't care how much you hate me, but my wife is innocent of all that. I love her and want to make her happy. You should understand that."

Rowe chuckled menacingly. "Oh I do my lord. I know all about loving someone and wanting to do anything to make them happy, I just never thought you would. Usually women only last a few hours with you."

Alex leaned over Rowe menacingly. "Well I do now. Whatever you're thinking, don't. I would do anything to protect Beth, and you know better than anyone how dangerous I am?"

Rowe stubbed out her cigarette in an ashtray. "Oh I know Alex. Believe me I know. But as I say, I've moved on, as have you. So let's just leave it at that. Go back to your wife, before someone steals her away from you."

"Remember what I said!" Alex turned and made her way back to her wife.

Beth watched her partner walk back over to her.

She looks really tense. There's something really worrying her.

"Everything alright darling?"

Alex put on her best smile. "Certainly, shall we head back to the suite little bit? I'm a little tired."

"Of course, you do look pale. Perhaps an early night would be best."

As Rowe watched them leave, satisfied with her nights work, she raised her glass and thought.

I think a trip home to good old blighty may be in order!