Anthony hastened me to the flat he had rented on the further side of London to Fleet Street. We barely spoke a word as we went, but our hands never left each other, and our lips were constantly in yearn of each other.

The moment we passed the threshold, I was in his arms again. We smiled, the idea never leaving us. I dared not let my lips drop. If I did, there were fears that I should remember all too clearly what I had just escaped from.

"I don't know how you did it," Anthony murmured in my ear, "but I'm glad you did."

"I barely know myself how I did it."

We needn't have even said what we were talking about.

"Where are we?" I queried.

"I knew I'd never get away with being close enough to you, so we're on Baker Street."

"You mean-"

"Two streets down from the Judge's house." I smiled, not even correcting the name.

"What now, then?" Anthony's smile faded slightly.

"I didn't really think about it."

"We must have had a plan before."

"Johanna, I'm afraid I all but remember it."

"I too have lost the ideas we once had. Mr Todd's- or even this Benjamin Barker he spoke of, I am still not clear about- has completely wrecked the plot, and I can not even remember it."

"Who is Benjamin Barker?"

"I know not. Mr Todd seems to have said he has lied to even you about his name."

"He wouldn't."

"How can you do anything but doubt him now?"

Anthony nodded, his face more sullen all of a sudden. I could barely stand it. This was not the way I had dreamed of our reuniting becoming. I had hoped for a smile forever to be between us, and for there never to be another cloud to faze it. I grabbed at Anthony's lapels in earnest, my breath more rapid.

"I can not stand it, Anthony! I waited so long to find you again, and all of a sudden we don't know what to do with each other. What sort of saviour can you be for me if you haven't a clue what to do with me, and what sort of wife may I be if I haven't a clue what to do with you?"

Suddenly, Anthony smiled.

"Ah, miss! Look at me, look at me, miss, oh look at me, please. Oh, favour me, favour me with your glance."

He took my chin in between his finger and thumb, pulling it gently to stare up at him.

"Ah, miss! Soon we'll be, soon we'll be sailing the seas. And happily, happily wed in France."

"And we'll sail the world, and see it's wonders," I sang, my voice adjoined with his. "From the pearls of Spain, to the rubies of Tibet."

"And then come home to London…" My face turned pale at these words, my head shaking.

"No! We shan't step another foot in London if I have my way with it."

"It's our home," he said gently.

"We can make a home in France. I should think we'll be happy enough there." Anthony smiled.

"You're going to be stubborn about this, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't dream it any other way."

He chuckled to himself, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Then we shall be wed the moment we arrive in France. We shall leave tomorrow."

"No," I said firmly. "Leaving does not matter to me, as long as we don't return. But we must be wed as soon as possible."

"Why the rush?"

"As long as we are married, and I belong to you, I can not be taken by any man who claims me without the marriage certificate." He nodded slowly.

"We can only hope."

"If you hope enough, it has to come true. It worked for me."

He smiled again, cupping my cheek in his hand. It was surprisingly warm, and I buried my nose against it, inhaling the scent.

"How about tonight?"

I looked up immediately.

"Tonight?"

"Why not? What else may we do through the night? I shan't be able to bear simply knowing you are with me without that being verified by the church."

"I don't think the church would look very kindly on the situation," I said sadly.

"Then we are simply to be wed, with no questions asked."

My smile started to brighten, and my arms flung themselves around his neck.

"Of course! Yes, tonight! We shall go this very second!"

"And not a moment less," he said intently, pulling my arm and taking me through the door again. I don't even remember if he locked the door he was that excited. I did not remember until later on either. I barely cared that my skirt was still muddy from the fall when Anthony found me. My smile still shone on, and my eyes never left Anthony.

It would only be another hour before I would be able to call him my husband.

The little church nearby did not seem at all suspicious at first of us. Perhaps it was because I did not even look at the priest as he gave the ceremony, or even before when Anthony spoke to him, trying to find us ten minutes for the wedding. I could not take my eyes off him while he spoke.

Our ceremony was short. I only noticed it had finished when I finally said 'I do'. Anthony's lips pressed against mine, and it was all over.

"How…" I could not finished my sentence, even after we had left the church.

"What is it, Johanna?"

"I barely understand it."

"There is nothing more for you to understand," he said soothingly, wrapping his arms around me. "We are married. We have nothing but each other, and that's the best of it. Soon enough, we shall be gone from London, and shall never return. As you wish."

I leaned my head against his breast, thinking.

"Maybe…maybe we don't have to leave tomorrow."

"Why not? You wanted it."

"I do. And I never want to return. But I know that you would do that for me, and I know how much you love London. It's more of a home for you than it ever was for me."

"So?"

"So I want you to take in the atmosphere as much as you can. I know it sounds selfish of me to forbid us returning, but I can not help it. After leaving, I may never return lest I should go mad, lest the memories come rushing back to me. I can live with them for another week. Until then, you shall enjoy your last time here."

There was silence between us for a moment. All of a sudden, Anthony span me round, whooping with joy.

"Johanna, my pretty little Johanna! Not only have I married the most handsome girl in England but also the sweetest."

"I'm sure you'll find a better woman than me," I said, laughing.

"Then be sure I don't find her, for the idea is impossible enough to entice me."

"You are far too late," I said seductively, bringing my face close to his. "You are mine now."

He smiled again, pulling me closer to him as well.

"Now where's the fun in that? I've had finally an objective for the past few months and you've ruined it by loving me back."

"You're bored already?"

"Anything but bored. Simply…without anything to do. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

His smile became more coy as he pressed his lips upon mine, running his fingers through my hair. I beamed.

"Oh…"