Spargo lifted the cases from the boot of the car and passed them to the station worker. There was a low early morning mist hanging over London, and Agnes tucked the blankets more securely around Veronica in her pram.

"Mummy, I can hear the train!" Hector exclaimed excitedly.

Blanche smiled down at him. "Why don't you go ahead with Spargo and find our carriage."

She watched fondly as the boy raced ahead. Hearing Agnes sigh, she turned to look at her.

"We can still change our minds you know".

"No Blanche, I won't let him take my children, and I won't let him treat you in that way again."

Blanche took a breath, "Very well. Connie will be thrilled to have the children in the house. She's felt quite alone ever since her daughter flew the nest."

"And you're sure she won't mind, you know, us?"

"Oh Agnes! Connie is a champion of the cause, and my dearest friend. She will adore you, just as I do."

"And we can trust her not to reveal where we are to anyone."

"I would trust her with my life, Agnes. And actually, I have on one occasion! Hallam will not find us. And it will hopefully give him time to calm himself whilst we try to decide on what to do next. Now come, let's get Veronica out of this damnable mist."

Agnes nodded and started forward, watching as Blanche limped slightly. Her face crumpled in worry. "Blanche! I can't bear that he hurt you!."

"Shhhh dear, he didn't mean to do it, and it's nothing that won't heal in a few days. I'm as tough as old boots!"

Agnes smiled, "That's not the way I would describe you. Strong and wonderful is more apt."

Blanche touched her arm. "As are you, my darling." Agnes smiled at her, her face full of love and as they walked slowly through the mist and towards the train which would take them away from London.

"Oh yes, so good, there, there! Fuck! Mmm Agnes, oh, I love, you! Oh God, I'm –"

Agnes panted, "Me too. Oh, I love- love -, oh Blanche, Blanche, dear god!"

Agnes grasped the back of Blanche's head and pulled her face to her own for a fierce kiss, tongues entangling together, the noise of their passionate joining sounding out through the bedroom. Their bodies started to jerk from where they were pressed together intimately, and Blanche frantically circled her hips, clamping her thighs around Agnes. Moans and high pitched cries spilled out from them both as they peaked at the same time, shuddering together from their shared release. Finally they slumped forward against each other, breathing hard, and stroking hands over damp skin in loving, comforting gestures.

"Oh, God Blanche, we are definitely doing that again. And then, again."

Blanche laughed at her lovers words. "It seems that Latin and road building are not all we have to thank the Romans for."

Agnes chuckled. "Always the historian." She teased and leaned forward to kiss her lofor a kissver.

Blanche purred into her mouth, returning the slow kiss, while pulling Agnes down with her to lie entwined together.

"Archaeologist, darling, not historian."

Agnes rolled her eyes, "Oh yes, my love. I do apologise."

Blanche kissed the tip of her nose. "I forgive you, this time."

Agnes snuggled in closer, "I must say you really have been wonderful at educating me on the social aspects of ancient culture. "

Blanche snickered. "Well you're such an enthusiastic and responsive pupil. It's been my pleasure."

Agnes circled a dusky nipple with her finger and watched as it stiffened in reaction to her touch. "Not just your pleasure, my lovedarling."

Both women's hair was plastered to their faces and the sweat cooled on their skin, making Agnes shiver and pull the covers up over them. She toyed with a stray curl that had flattened itself against Blanche's cheek.

"What a state I must look", her lover stated wryly.

Agnes shook her head, her eyes full of love. "You look beautiful. You always look beautiful. I'll never tire of watching your face as you give yourself over to me."

Blanche traced a finger across her lover's pretty lips. "Sometimes I still can't believe this is real. Agnes, you've risked so much for me. Given up so much. It overwhelms me at times."

"Blanche, you make me incomparably happy. We complete each other. Everything feels so right when I'm with you. Our long chats, how much we learn from each other, how excited my body feels around you; and how I never realised what love could be like until you showed me. I cherish you. I could never be without you again."

Blanche felt her throat tighten.

"I never thought that someone would put such faith in me, and love me so completely. Never, Agnes. My Father told me that nobody would ever want me, that the devil had cursed me, and that my sins would ensure me an unhappy and lonely life."

Agnes lifted her head up to stare into Blanche's eyes. "Your father was a wicked man! I will never let anyone speak to you in that way again. You have a beautiful, true heart, and it belongs with mine now. If this is sin then let us pay for it in the next life, because I won't be without you in this one. I love you Blanche."

A tear trailed down Blanche's cheek and Agnes kissed it away softly. "And I love you Agnes, with my entire being."

Silence fell in the room as they held each other close, relishing the warmth and softness of each other's bodies.

"Oh, and apologies for the rather strong curse word that may have escaped my lips before."

Agnes smiled slyly. "Oh, don't be sorry, Blanche. I rather enjoy it when you curse like that. I may even like for you to do it more often. It excites me to hear you lose control in that way."

Blanche raised her eyebrows. "You never fail to surprise me Agnes. Well, I shall endeavour to excite you repeatedly in the future then."

Agnes smiled, stretched elegantly and yawned. "What time will Connie be back with the children?"

"We have a few hours yet."

"Bless her for giving us the day to ourselves. She really is a good friend to us."

"She is. And her taking on Hector's tutoring whilst we are here has been a god send. But we must think about what we are going to do Agnes. Hector cannot be home schooled indefinitely. And Hallam is certain to find out where we are the moment we enrol him somewhere."

Agnes spoke cautiously. "I have been thinking. And I have had an idea. But it's very drastic, and I'm not sure how you will feel about it." She paused. "I thought, that, maybe, we could go far away. Start a new life somewhere where we don't have to be afraid of looking over our shoulders. Somewhere like, America?"

"America! Agnes! It's so far. The children would never see Hallam."

"I know. I know Blanche! But I don't see what choice I have? I can't hide forever in England. And he is right; the law will be on his side. It's a man's world Blanche! In America we could make a life for ourselves. I could start up the dressmaking business I talked about, you could teach, or dig up Mesa Verde, or whatever you wanted!"

"Agnes, slow down!" But Agnes continued, nerves pushing the words from her lips in a flurry.

"Could you do it though Blanche? Could you be happy in a small town with just me and the children? No British Museum, no flitting off to Egypt?"

Blanche cupped her face tenderly. "Agnes I would be happy with you in a tin shack in a field. But this is a huge decision. And not one for us to rush in to. So let us approach it logically and with care."

Agnes nodded her head, relieved, and spoke. "But not today! Today is for us to enjoy each other for a few hours while we have the opportunity. Now, how about a bath? You can wash my back."

Blanche kissed her softly, "Nothing would delight me more."

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky. And Agnes pulled Blanche into the house behind her. Both women were out of breath after a walk in the countryside had turned into playful chases and stolen kisses behind trees. As they pulled their coats off, Blanche called out for Connie.

The woman walked into the hallway slowly.

Agnes smiled widely."Ahhh you are back! How were the children? Did Hector behave?"

"They were fine."

Blanche noticed the serious look on Connie's face. "Connie, what is it? Is one of the children ill?"

"No, no, the children are fine. Agnes, dear, we arrived back about thirty minutes ago and shortly afterwards there was a phone call."

Agnes looked worried. "From whom? Was it Hallam? Oh god has he found us?"

"No, Agnes, not from Hallam. From your friend. Mr Amanjiit. Oh Agnes, there is some bad news I'm afraid."

Agnes paled and Blanche reached a hand out to her shoulder. "Just tell me", she whispered.

"Blanche, it concerns you also. There, there has been an accident. A motor vehicle hit Hallam earlier today."

Blanche gasped. "Oh Lord, no."

Connie struggled to continue. "He was taken to hospital, but Agnes he was very badly hurt."

Blanche felt herself go cold and gripped Agnes's shoulder harder.

Connie continued, forcing the words out. "He didn't survive. I'm so so sorry."

Blanche gasped, and felt the air in the room still.

"Agnes", she whispered. "You should sit down."

Agnes stiffened and turned towards her, tears brimming in her lovely eyes. "No Blanche. I must tell Hector immediately. "

"I'll come with you."

Agnes nodded and took a shaky step towards the staircase. Blanche's heart felt heavy. Whatever anger there had been between her and Hallam, she was broken by this news. He was her nephew after all, and she would never have wished him harm.

An hour later and Hector had cried himself to sleep on Agnes's knee. 'Daddy is in heaven now', Agnes had told him. 'With Grandma Holland.' Standing up she carried him to his bed and gently laid him on it. Blanche watched as she tenderly kissed his forehead and turned to her. "At least Veronica is too young to understand."

Blanche nodded. "A blessing maybe? Come Agnes, you're exhausted."

They made their way to the room they had been sharing and Agnes sat slowly on the bed. Blanche sat softly next to her, and Agnes leaned into her embrace. Blanche felt tears wet her neck as Agnes sniffed. "Oh Blanche. I never wanted this for him. He was a good man, and I loved him once. Oh God." The dam broke and sobs began to shake her body. Blanche felt her heart constrict and she let her own tears fall as they wept together.

The mood on their journey back to London was sombre. Although Agnes was stoic and efficient in handling the funeral plans, the strain on her face was apparent to Blanche. Spargo met them at the station and offered apologies before taking their cases and driving them carefully back. Once home Mr Amanjiit brought them up to speed with the details of the accident. There was nothing sinister behind it. After all of the dangers that Hallam had faced over the last year, his death was due to nothing more than an intoxicated driver who had mounted the pavement as Hallam walked back to the house he had been renting. Blanche took Agnes's hand, noticing that there was no reaction from the man talking to them.

"There was one more thing Lady Holland. The nurse, in the hospital he was taken to, she told me that he spoke to her before he died."

Agnes took a sharp intake of breath. "Go on", she requested nervously.

"She said that he asked her to 'tell them I'm sorry'."

"That was it?"

"Yes. That was all." He stood up to leave and then hesitated. "May I enquire if you plan on staying here after the funeral?"

Agnes looked at Blanche. "We hadn't really discussed it; everything has been so rushed and confusing." She rubbed her temple.

Mr Amanjitt continued softly. "Well, if I may say, the staff have missed you, both of you, and the children. The house has been very empty, and lacking in life."

"And what else have the staff been saying?" Agnes asked softly.

He met her eyes and spoke. "Rest assured that you and Dr Mottershead are very much respected. And you both have the unwavering support of all of us in whatever path you choose to take."

Agnes looked close to tears again and Blanche smiled at him warmly. "Thank you, that means a lot. To both of us."

He nodded and excused himself.

Agnes turned and took Blanche's hands in her own. "Should we stay? Would you want to?"

Blanche leaned forward and rested their foreheads together. "You already know I'm happy wherever you are my love. But let us get this terrible week over with and then talk. You know us being together in London may be quite intrusive and public."

Agnes sighed. "I don't care about it being public Blanche. I'm proud to have you by my side."

Blanche rubbed their noses together, "No, but as Hector gets older, he will knowhave to know. And I'm sure that he….."

Agnes cut her off. "Blanche, that is in the future. We shall deal with it when it happens. This week has taught me that nothing is certain outside of our own feelings and actions. The one certainty I have is that I belong with you. Wherever that may be. At least here we now have the comfort of knowing that we have friends within these walls."

Blanche captured Agnes's lips with her own, kissing her lovingly before pulling back and looking into her eyes. "Then we shall stay. And weather the storms together."

Agnes leaned forward, "Together", she whispered before returning the kiss.

Blanche felt love flowing through her entire body. She believed in them, completely. Together they would get through anything. Agnes Holland was her life and her future. She'd never been one for sweeping romantic statements. But Agnes made her feel so alive. A soul mate. The person she would confide in, laugh with, cry with, make love with; and finally, grow old with. They would get through this tragedy, and they would be happy again. She was loved and wanted and cherished. Blanche smiled against Agnes's mouth, and pulled her closer.

Around them the house seemed to come to life, daylight streaming into the room and lighting the wall with patterns and warmth.

Blanche finally felt like she belonged.