A/N Thank you to LadyLizaElliott for your review. It is good to know that someone is reading and enjoying. Here is the final chapter.

Chapter 6

Marian re-entered the inn foyer she had vacated only that morning. It was the same man that came to greet her. He looked startled.

"Has Madame forgot something?"

Marian hesitated for a moment before drawing herself up to her full height and trying her best authoritative voice.

"Yes, I believe I have. Is Count Fosco still in residence?"

The owner raised his eyebrows before quickly wiping the sly expression off his face.

"He is partaking of dinner in the private room."

Marian felt the relief weep through her and then a sickening feeling.

"Is he alone?"

The man studied her closely and then nodded. Once again came the almost strength robbing relief.

"But I do not think he wishes to be disturbed..."

Marian feigned a serious expression.

"Yes, yes, I quite see your point." She slipped some money onto the table and looked hard at the man. "You never saw me come in."

He scooped up the coins on the table and winked at her. "Aye." Then he turned and walked away. Marian immediately made a bee line for the private room.

Once again she found herself approaching the ominous door that she had entered yesterday, a completely different person with a completely different attitude. The man on the other side was the same. This time Marian did hesitate and steel herself. Resolutely she twisted the handle, stepped through and closed it behind her.

Fosco looked up from examining his dinner. He had been lamenting the poor English food and regretting the choice to stay one more night in this forsaken inn. He knew he would not sleep again. He yearned for the sun and food of Italy, the pleasures and entertainments and comforts he could lose himself in. There he would be on his home turf and everything could begin to settle again. That was the plan at least. He had decided long ago that no endeavour was a catastrophe as long as you escaped. There was a nasty feeling that lurked, however, which told him that a simple removal to the continent would not equal an escape this time.

When the door opened and shut his eyes eyes flew to the source as his hand reached for he knife. It stilled. Marian stood there, looking radiant and on fire with eyes burning in determination, whilst her hand twitched nervously. For a moment Fosco could not help the admiration shine on his face before he schooled it back into cold indifference. Marian caught the look before it vanished and her heart leapt hopefully.

"What is it that you want now Miss Halcombe?" he asked with steel in his voice. It brought her down to earth. This was not going to be simple or easy. The same confidence that had flooded her when she had gone to seduce him that first time revived itself now. Slowly she let out the breath she was holding.

"Remember when we met in Paris and I asked you for a favour. As a payment in kind you told me what you wanted could only be freely given." She paused significantly and levelled her gaze at him. Fosco merely looked right back with no expression, but she knew he remembered. "I told you that if you required something else I would give it," she continued.

"Yes, and it has been fully paid, as I have told you Miss Halcombe." There was a small frown wrinkling his brow as e tried to work out why she was there. Marian gave a small smile before quickly wiping it off her face and continuing with a serious expression.

"I have another favour to ask..."

Fosco interrupted with a loud snort of disgust, getting abruptly to his feet.

"I see. You have just departed from your sister. Maybe she goes abroad and you wish me to avoid her."

Marian blinked and thought about this for a moment.

"Well yes, I guess so actually. It wouldn't be too difficult to get hold of her schedule." She shrugged and met Fosco's furious gaze. "But what I was going to say was that the payment for this new favour I have to ask would be different from the last."

Fosco waved a hand airily and scooped up his wine in a dismissive gesture.

"You feel you are in a position..."

She continued to talk regardless of his voice over her own.

"I will give you..."

"...to make this request..."

"...that which can only be..."

"...of me, Miss Halcombe."

"...freely given," she finished.

Fosco's eyes had lifted from the wine and were staring at her. Slowly he placed the glass on the table with a dull thunk and approached her until he was looming intimidatingly over her and she stared up small but defiant.

"You play with me Miss Halcombe." There was thinly veiled danger in his tone. Controlled anger vibrated through every word and slight shift of weight. He grasped her upper arms, firmly but not ungentle, and his voice hissed, "You would sell yourself for your sister."

Marian's eyes flashed with the only anger she'd had since she stepped in the room.

"I told you I am not a whore Fosco," she spat.

"And I said what am I supposed to think," he replied cuttingly. He released her arms and turned away. "Forget it Miss Halcombe."

Marian dropped her voice.

"You haven't heard the favour yet."

He froze with his back to her.

"Very well. Speak it."

Now Marian knew was the moment. This was when she would or would not convince him.

"You are right in saying I saw my sister and she is going abroad, but the important thing is that she forgave me and she released me. She found out why I never leave her side and she told me to live my own life." Marian paused, feeling the still fresh tears threaten again. She pressed them down. Fosco still hadn't looked at her.

"You have to understand, I couldn't stay. I had to pledge allegiance to Laura first. Mine was the worst kind of betrayal. I thought I'd killed her. Now she has let me go and I can finally make amends for my second betrayal."

Fosco turned to look at her now and his eyes were empty and remorseless.

"What is your favour Marian?"

Her courage failed her and she dropped her eyes again.

"You asked me to stay with you, twice, and twice I hurt you, turning from what I wanted and what you wanted. My favour, Fosco, is this..." she took a deep breath and met his eyes, "...will you take me with you this time?"

Complete silence fell over the room like a blanket. Neither Fosco nor Marian moved physically but minds raced. It occurred to her that if this man rejected her as she had him, like she justly deserved, then she had no back up plan. The thought was swept aside with the revelation that she didn't want a backup plan. She wanted Fosco. Still he had said nothing. Still he stared at her with an unreadable face.

"Fosco..." left her lips quietly, brokenly.

In two steps he was in front of her, gazing down.

"Marian."

She smiled then. "Is that a yes?"

He returned her smile with one of his own.

"Yes."

Then his hand cupped her head, tilting her to him and his lips covered hers with a dizzying ferocity.

My dearest Laura, I hope you are doing well and the sights of the continent agree with you. Europe agrees with me very well and I can't thank you enough for releasing me. I am currently in Italy but will soon be moving onto France and then Spain! Keep well and give all my love to Walter and Anne. You loving sister, Marian.