The rain fell while Edith held onto Thomas and Lachlan and Carter stood next to them. Lachlan had contacted a local priest to perform the ceremony for Margaret, Enola and Pamela and three coffins sat near three graves. The tombstones had their maiden names on them and white roses covered the coffins. He had told the priest they had been friends of Thomas' and they had been killed by Alan when he attacked Thomas.

The service ended as the coffins were lowered into the ground then Thomas, Edith, Carter and Lachlan walked away. Lachlan turned to look back at the graves when he saw Father Fraser standing near the graves and Father Fraser glared at him. Turning back, Lachlan looked straight ahead and he balled his hands into fists.

March - Buffalo, New York

The carriage pulled up to the curb while the driver hopped down from the driver's seat and he opened the door after he put the small steps down. With Bon-Ton tucked in his left arm, Carter exited the carriage as he looked at the front door then he smiled. He headed for the stairs when he turned and he watched Edith help Thomas out of the carriage. Thomas no longer wore a sling, but he still had a sadness in his eyes and Carter wondered if that look would ever go away.

"Easy," Edith said and Thomas nodded. She led him to the stairs as they went up to stand near Carter and Carter gave Thomas a small smile.

"Welcome home," Carter said as the front door opened and DeWitt looked at them. Carter had sent telegrams to explain what had happened and he had sent the small trunk to Buffalo with a request for him to get an infant's coffin.

"Sir," DeWitt said with a nod while they walked by him and DeWitt closed the door.

"Did the package arrive?" Carter asked as he placed the dog on the floor.

"Yes, Sir. It is in the basement along with…the other thing."

"Did you contact Father Davis about the funeral?"

"Yes, Sir. He said everything will be ready once you pick a date."

"Thank you," Carter said and DeWitt nodded. Edith had noticed DeWitt hadn't taken his eyes off of Thomas as Thomas looked at the staircase and she frowned.

"Is there a problem?" Edith asked with a cold tone to her voice and Carter glanced at her.

"No, Miss," DeWitt said with a shake of his head.

"Are you sure?"

"Edith," Thomas said with a soft voice and she looked at him. "May we go upstairs? I'm tired."

"Of course," she said and she helped him to the staircase as the dog followed them upstairs.

"Is there a problem?" Carter asked and DeWitt saw the anger in his eyes.

"I assure you, Sir, there is nothing wrong," DeWitt said.

"Then why were you staring at Sir Thomas?"

"I do apologize, Sir. It's just that I wonder if this is a good idea. There are still people who think he did try to harm you."

"Then those people are fools."

"I understand, but what about Detective Kane?"

"I thought he had closed the case."

"It appears he has reopened it."

"Had he been bothering you?"

"No, but he might start bothering Sir Thomas."

"I see. Well, I will make sure he stays away from Sir Thomas. Is there anything else?"

"It appears Mrs. McMichael and her daughter have left Buffalo."

"When did that happen?"

"It was shortly after Christmas."

"I see."

DeWitt made a small bow as he headed down the hallway and Carter walked to the staircase. He walked up the stairs as he thought about Kane and he lightly shook his head.

Thomas watched Edith opening the door and they walked in the bedroom. He noticed it was the same room they had given him after what had happed at the bath house and he saw his trunks and suitcases sitting near the trunk at the foot of the bed. He walked to the bed while Edith watched and he sat on the edge of the bed. Edith walked to sit next to him and Thomas glanced at her.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Edith asked while she lifted the dog off the floor and she sat the dog on the bed.

"I'm not sure," Thomas said with a sigh. He thought back to saying farewell to Lachlan and his family, the trip back from England and how he spent most of the trip below deck.

"Thomas…"

"Yes?"

"Where did you go?"

"What do you mean? I'm right here."

"Yes, your body is right here. Where is your mind?" she asked while she brushed some hair out of his face and he blinked his eyes.

"It is still on the ship."

She slid her right hand over his left hand as he sighed and she moved closer. He let her place her head against his left shoulder while he glanced around the room with his eyes and his eyes stopped on the trunks and suitcases.

"Will you help me look through those?" he asked and she looked at the trunks and suitcases. She stood then helped him stand as they walked to the suitcases and trunks and he knelt down on the floor. She knelt next to him as he opened the first suitcase and he looked at his clothing. He held up the suit jacket he wore the first time he met Edith and she gave him a shy smile. "Do you remember this?"

"Yes, I do. You wore it the first day we met," Edith said, feeling the warmth of a blush moving over her cheeks.

"I remember it as well." Carter said from the doorway and they looked at him. Bon-Ton hopped off the bed as the dog ran over to him and Carter leaned to pick the dog off the floor. "May I help?"

"Of course," Thomas said with a nod. Carter walked to them as he knelt down next to Edith and he placed the dog on the floor. A short time later, they had unpacked Thomas' clothes, shoes, boots and undergarments, but there was a pile of things which were too worn for Thomas to wear day-to-day without people staring at him.

"Wonder what is in here," Carter said as he looked at one of the large trunks and Thomas knelt down in front of the trunk. He carefully opened the lid as he looked inside and Thomas was surprised to see the journals where he had written down his drawings or his ideas and the miniature clay harvester. He looked at the miniature as he frowned and he bent his legs up, placing his wrists on his knees. "I am sorry about not being able to bring your harvester with us."

"No," Thomas said with a shake of his head. "It's fine."

"You can always build a new one."

"It took me years to build the last one."

"That is because you were building it yourself. Now you will have other people helping you."

"Yes," he said with a nod.

"Oh, I think these are from your workshop," Edith said after she had opened the other large trunk and Thomas crawled across the floor to kneel down next to her. He looked in the trunk as he looked at the wax doll heads carefully wrapped in soft cloths, his tools wrapped in cloth and his harlequin clown magician resting on some cloth. The wooden animals he had carved were sitting in a box and his journal of drawings was wrapped in a cloth.

"Where is my toolbox?" Thomas asked.

"Did you really want to bring that with you? I mean… It is where she kept those circlets of hair."

"You're right."

"I'll get you a new one," Carter said with a grunt as he rose to his feet then he walked to the last trunk. "I wonder what is in here."

He opened the lid of the trunk when he saw the photograph albums, James' journal, the family Bible and some of Thomas' favorite books. Thomas had helped Edith to her feet as they walked to the trunk and Thomas looked down at the books.

"Do you wish me to put these in the attic?"

"No," Thomas said with a shake of his head.

"We could find a nice photograph of your son and put it in a frame," Edith said and he gave her a small smile.

"Sir," caught their attention while DeWitt stood in the doorway and Carter turned then he walked to him.

"Is there something wrong?" Carter asked.

"Uh, yes, Sir. He is here."

"Who are you talking about?" Edith asked.

"I am talking about Mister Holly."

"Where is he?" Carter asked.

"He is in the den, Sir."

"I see. Well, have him wait and….," Cater said then he whispered something into DeWitt's left ear. Nodding, DeWitt walked away and Carter cleared his throat. "I do apologize. I…"

"It's alright, Father," Edith said. Nodding, Carter left the room and Thomas frowned as she saw the sadness in his eyes. She moved closer when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and he hugged her.

Two hours later, Holly stood in front of the window as he looked outside and his hands were folded behind his back. He knew he should have left the country after what happened with Alan, but he had been in situations like this before and he was able to talk his way out of it. The sound of the door opening made him turn as he put on his best fake smile while Carter walked to the desk.

"Hello, Sir. Welcome home," Holly said.

"It is good to be home," Carter said as he kept his face blank. He had kept Holly waiting until DeWitt had returned from his errand and he saw the nervous look in Holly's eyes. "Why are you here?"

"I thought I would catch you up on what has been happening since you've been away."

"DeWitt has kept me abreast of things."

"Ah…. Yes…. Well, he doesn't know everything."

"Like you giving Alan McMichael the gun which nearly killed Sir Thomas Sharpe?"

Carter saw a flicker of fear on Holly's face as Carter walked closer and Holly frowned.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Holly said.

"Of course, you don't."

"I am telling you the truth, Sir. I have…"

"Stop lying!" Carter shouted while his cheeks turned red and his eyes became tight slits. "The only way Alan McMichael could have gotten hold of that gun… The only way he learned things about Sir Thomas' past… The only way those things happened is because you told him."

Holly knew he was caught as he sighed and he slowly shook his head.

"Even if you are correct, you have no proof," Holly said with a sly grin.

"I don't need proof," Carter said while going toe-to-toe with the man and their eyes locked. "What I do have is power and respectability. All I have to do is tell the police about your dealings with him. Maybe include you in the attempt on my life…."

"Wait! I had nothing to do with that!"

"But whose words will they believe? Yours or mine?"

Holly started sweating as his heart slammed in his chest. He knew Carter would be believed if he talked to the police. He also knew Carter would also spread word that he was untrustworthy and that would ruin his career.

"Fine," Holly sighed. "Yes, I was the one who got him the information about Sharpe, but I had nothing to do with the gun."

"I don't believe you."

"Yes, I see that. But I swear…."

The door opened while DeWitt and Detective Inspector Alec Kane entered the room and Holly saw the slight look of shock on Kane's face.

"Hello, Detective Inspector," Carter said.

"Hello. May I ask why I am here?" Alec asked.

"I asked you here because I know what the two of you are up to," Carter said and Kane frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about your involvement with the near death of Sir Thomas Sharpe."

"Someone tried to kill him?"

"He's talking about McMichael," Holly hissed.

"Doctor Alan McMichael? I haven't seen him in months."

"Then you weren't the one who gave him the gun he used to shoot Sir Thomas?"

"No, I didn't. What is this really about?"

"It is about the two of you working with Doctor McMichael to either kill Sir Thomas or find a reason to have him arrested."

"I'm leaving," Alec said when he headed for the door, opened the door then he saw four police officers standing in the hallway. He thought he had seen them outside as he turned to look at Carter and Carter stood a little taller. "I am not saying one more word until I get a solicitor."

A short time later, Holly and Kane were escorted out of the house as the police officers led them to the prison carriage and two men followed close behind them. Carter stood at the top of the stairs while he watched the police officers loaded Kane and Holly into the prison carriage then the police officers closed the doors, locking them. As the carriage moved away, Carter turned to look up at the upstairs windows when he barely saw Edith and Thomas standing at the window then Carter nodded and walked inside, closing the door behind him.

That night, Thomas walked out from behind the dressing screen as he tied the dressing gown closed and he walked to the full-length mirror. He looked at his reflection when he noticed his eyes still looked sad, but there was also a light in them. He moved the dressing gown down enough so he could look at the scar from where they had removed the bullet. It was wasn't very big and he moved the fingers of his left hand over the scar.

"Could have been worse," he said in a soft voice and he moved the dressing gown back up. He walked to the bed when he picked up the nightshirt and he held the nightshirt up. He noticed the soft feel of the fabric against his fingers when he smiled and he placed the nightshirt on the bed. He removed the dressing gown as the dressing gown floated to the floor and he got dressed in the nightshirt. The soft material felt nice against his skin when he picked the dressing gown off the floor and placed the dressing gown on the chair near the bed. He moved the bedding back as he slid under the bedding and he went onto his back. He moved the bedding up while Bon-Ton used the trunk at the foot of the bed to hop onto the bed and the dog headed toward him. The dog settled down next to him as Thomas yawned and he went to roll over onto his right side. He knew he should turn the light off, but he felt better with the lights on and he closed his eyes. He was about to doze off when he heard a soft knocking sound and he opened his eyes. He sat up as the knocking sound grew louder and he frowned. "Who is it?"

"It's Edith," Edith's voice said from behind the door.

"What do you want?"

"I just want to see if you're alright."

"I'm fine. Thank you."

"May I come in?"

"It's late."

"I know. But I would like to come in."

"It's not proper for a young lady to be in a man's room unless they're married,"

"I know that."

He could hear she was becoming frustrated as he smiled, but his smile faded when Bon-Ton started growling at something in the corner. The air had turned colder as Thomas looked at the corner and he pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Uh, I think you should come in. There's something here," Thomas said. Edith opened the door when she walked in the room and she felt the chill in the air. She felt the urge to turn to her right as she looked over at the corner and her eyes slightly widened. "What do you see?"

"It's… It's my mother," Edith said. Elinor looked at her then she looked at Thomas and Bon-Ton stood near his legs while the dog barked.

"Hush," Thomas said as he lifted the dog into his arms and the dog growled. "What does she want?"

"I don't know."

Edith slowly walked to Elinor as Elinor looked at her and Edith realized she wasn't afraid of her anymore.

"Hello, Mother," Edith said.

"Why is he here?" Elinor asked.

"He is here because he doesn't have anywhere else to go."

"He shouldn't be here."

"Mother, please, he isn't dangerous."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do."

"What is she saying?" Thomas asked as he moved the bedding back with one arm and he held the dog in the other arm. He walked to Edith while the dog growled and Thomas looked toward the corner.

"She doesn't want you here."

"Why not?"

"She thinks you are a danger to me and my father."

"Elinor…," Thomas said then he paused. "Ellie…"

"What did you call me?" Elinor asked.

"She wants to know what you called her," Edith said.

"I called you "Ellie". That is what I called you when I was three-years old. Remember?"

"Yes, I remember," Elinor said.

"She remembers," Edith said. Thomas walked to the trunk after he placed the dog on the floor then he opened the trunk, looked through the books until he found his father's journal and he held the journal in his hands. He walked to them when he held up the journal and Elinor looked at the journal.

"This is my father's journal," Thomas said. He opened the journal when he found the letter Elinor had sent and he showed her the letter. "This is the letter you sent, isn't it?"

"Yes," Elinor said.

"Yes," Edith repeated.

"You called me angelic. You said hearing me calling you "Ellie" tore your heart to shreds. That you prayed I wouldn't turn into a twisted monster like my father. Were you lying when you wrote those words?" Thomas asked.

"No, I wasn't lying," Elinor said.

"She wasn't lying," Edith said.

"Then why do you think I have become like my father?" Thomas asked and he felt the air growing colder. "It is true I have done some horrible things, but that rests solely on me not my father. Do I regret what I have done? Yes. I have hurt people and I was surprised when I was told I am forgiven for the things I've done."

"I don't understand," Elinor said.

"She doesn't understand," Edith said. Thomas stood a little taller then he explained and Elinor heard the truth in his words. She saw the pain, shame and sadness in his eyes. She watched him slowly turn to walk away as she reached out her left hand and she placed her hand on his left shoulder. He felt the coolness moving down his shoulder and back as he turned to looked at her and Thomas sighed.

"When I read your letter and my father's journal, I had dreams. Dreams about what life would have been like if your father had allowed me to go with you. I don't really remember what he looked like, but the dreams showed me a man who was proud of me, encouraged me and loved me. He gave me advice when I needed it or reprimands when I did something wrong. He never raised a hand to me nor did he leave me out in the moors to die nor did he throttle me until I passed out," Thomas said.

"Your…? Your father did those things?" Elinor asked and Edith could barely see her shocked look from under the veil.

"She asked if your father really did those things," Edith explained and Thomas nodded.

"The dreams of your mother, who I don't remember very well, showed me love. She would read to me. She would play games with me. She would hold me if I had a nightmare or if I was ill and she would be concerned when talking with the doctor. She didn't ask if I was going to die nor did she look disappointed when the doctor told her I was going to be alright," Thomas said.

"Your mother wanted you to die?" Elinor asked.

"She asked if your mother wanted you to die," Edith explained and Thomas nodded.

"As for you... I had a sister who loved me. I had a sister who not only helped me not be shy, but would also enjoy me doing something naughty. She would also play with me, read to me and she would be there when I was frightened, sad or ill. The only thing she didn't do was try to kill me with poison after I did become ill," Thomas said.

"Is that what that…that demon did?!" Elinor demanded and Edith heard the venom in her voice.

"She wants to know if Lucille really tried to poison you when you were ill," Edith explained and Thomas nodded.

"I would miss my sister when she was away at school and she would laugh as I jumped into her arms when she came home. I would have been proud to be a part of her wedding and I would have welcomed Carter as my brother. As for Edith….," Thomas said when he looked at Edith and she shyly smiled at him. "I would have been ten when she was born. I might have been a little jealous. What child wouldn't be? But, after holding her for the first time, I would have sworn to be her protector. I would have been not just an uncle, but an older brother to her. I also would have allowed her her freedom and I would let her decide who she wanted to marry."

"You would?" Edith asked and he nodded.

"But it wouldn't have been Alan McMichael. I don't think I would have liked him and I would have suggested her not to court him."

"What are you talking about? Alan McMichael is a good man," Elinor said.

"No, he wasn't," Edith said. She explained about what had happened with Alan and she could just see Elinor's eyes widen. Elinor moved by her as she stopped in front of Thomas while she placed the palm of her left hand against Thomas' chest and he felt a coldness moved down his chest. He wish he could see her as she looked deeply into his eyes then she move back.

"Welcome home, Tommy," Elinor said then she vanished.

"What did she say?" he asked while looking at Edith.

"She said welcome home," Edith said. She saw the tears rolling down his cheeks as she hugged him and he held her head against him. She could just hear his heartbeat as they stood in silence and he gently rocked her back and forth.