3.

An hour later and Agnes was still enthralled with the exhibit. Her eyes lit up as Blanche told her the history of the ancient objects surrounding them. Rounding a pillar they came upon a smaller glass cabinet. Blanche stopped, leaning against the pillar and turned to Agnes in excitement. "This is one of my finds", she stated breathlessly.

Agnes peered through the glass and examined the item. "It's exquisite. What is it?"

Blanche laughed. "It's a cosmetic container! They carved them from shell in ornate designs. I thought it would appeal to you, I know how much you enjoy the pretty things in life!" Agnes frowned at her, "I must seem terribly vain to you Blanche."

"No, that's not what I meant. Only that you always take such pains with your appearance. You are always perfectly turned out and unruffled. The very epitome of elegance." She threw a smirk at her friend.

Agnes shrugged. "I suppose it's inherent in me. I was raised to believe that my looks would ensure me a husband and security."

Blanche pointed to the cabinet, "Egyptian people took great pride in their appearance and hygiene. But the women had huge social standing, in many aspects they were an equal to men. And attitudes on sexuality were much more relaxed."

"Would you have liked to live in that time?"

Blanche paused, "I feel at home in the dust and the dirt, uncovering parts of history. The Egyptians were a vain society. I'm not sure that my unruly hair and lack of finesse would have fit in there entirely well." She snorted. "Not that I fit in much better in my own time. I'm afraid I'll never be what society deems acceptable in terms of feminine expectations."

Blanche watched as Agnes stepped towards her and reached out her hand, taking a few strands of the unruly hair between her fingertips, while speaking softly, "Well, I like your hair, and I think that you are quite beautiful; uniquely and refreshingly so."

Blanche felt a heat creeping up her neck, "Really Agnes, there is no need to be kind. I'm quite aware of my attributes and really, I am quite happy with myself."

Agnes looked down as if gathering her thoughts, and then up again capturing Blanche's eyes with her own and not looking away. "I wasn't being kind Blanche. I do think you are beautiful. Both inside and out. And today you have given me such a wonderful gift. I haven't thought of the awful mess at home for the whole afternoon, and being in your company has made me feel lighter and happy. Thank you so much."

As she finished speaking she leaned forward and touched her lips to the corner of Blanche's. The other woman started, and tried to speak, but as she parted her lips she found Agnes's own pressed against them once more. They were soft and gentle and coaxing. She couldn't do this, it was wrong. But as she made to pull away, Agnes mewled softly against her mouth and rational thought deserted her. Now she was kissing her back, gently, slowly, feeling a slow burning begin in her abdomen. She felt Agnes's hand on her waist and the flutter of her eyelashes on her cheek. Soft breasts pushed against hers and she moaned, only to feel Agnes's tongue push into her mouth to find her own. 'I am lost' she thought, as she felt the urgency increase between them.

A loud crash rang though the room and they jumped apart in shock. Blanche looked around her startled.

"I think it came from outside the room" Agnes offered warily. Blanche nodded her head at her, still looking around wild eyed and confused.

Agnes took her hand and Blanche jumped backwards hitting her head on the pillar, "Shit!" she swore loudly, and rubbed her head vigorously. "Sorry, Agnes, I didn't mean to curse, I…."

Her friend stroked her thumb down her hand, "Shhh Blanche, I'm not that sheltered from the vulgarities of life."

Blanche breathed out and calmed a little before speaking. "I'm sorry, for that, whatever that was, I'm not sure…."

Agnes lifted her mouth in a half smile, "I never thought of you as a nervous stutterer Blanche. Hush, now. We both know that what happened was entirely down to me." Her voice wobbled, "And I wish I could say that I'm sorry, but I'm not."

Blanche gaped at her, "You kissed me. We kissed. Why, Agnes? I don't understand!"

Agnes shook her head, "I'm not sure that I do either. I just, I wanted to kiss you. I think I may have wanted it for a while now. I was so angry with Portia for hurting you, and then there was Hallam and Persie; and we've grown so close, and oh I just don't know Blanche. All I know is I wanted it to happen."

Blanche swallowed nervously, she could feel tears beginning to prick her eyes, and she blinked them back furiously. "You wanted it to happen? Just like Portia wanted me as her puppet. Am I to just to be used as a distraction for bored upper class women?"

Agnes paled, "Oh God, Blanche no. Please, you mustn't think that. I would never…"

But Blanche had turned away and was walking quickly towards the door. Her voice drifted back to Agnes, cold and flat. "It's time to leave. Spargo will be waiting for us."