Note: You didn' t think I was going to let them get together this close to the wedding, did you? Anyway, it is done! I hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for your kind reviews and thoughts on my first multi-chapter piece.

An hour later, with his head sewn up and making sure that the young man hadn't suffered a concussion, George took up residence on Julia's settee with Julia next to him and William sat across from them. Julia insisted that they both drink coffee laced with a mild tincture of opiates to take the edge off their headaches.

George for his part provided a rambling commentary on the evening's events, blathering on about Anadia in great detail and how she had had quite the effect on William with her exotic dance routine that was unlike anything the men had ever seen. He even explained to Julia in exacting detail the exact shade of saffron and marigold her costume had been, the revealing cut (complete with hand gestures to show where the costume was and was not), the gold coin jewelry that jingled most enchantingly, and the exotic fragrance that he just couldn't place, though he was most curious to know what it was, although his aunts could probably place it.

Julia, for her part, had encouraged the young man to talk further, asking pertinent questions such as had William embraced the moment once he'd gotten over the initial shock (indeed he had), what had happened to his tie (Anadia removed it while sitting in his lap), just how long had Anadia sat on William's lap (not very long), and finally, had William enjoyed that as well?

William held his breath. He was going to kill George. As a master detective, he believed that he might just know how to commit the perfect crime, and hide the body where no one could ever find it.

To his credit, George glanced at him before answering the question.

"No, Doctor Ogden, he did not. He seemed quite pained, truth be told. The Inspector and I were most concerned," he replied.

Thank you, George, William thought as he exhaled. Maybe the overly excitable young man had earned a reprieve yet.

But why were they talking about him as though he weren't there? The only concession to his presence were the occasional glances they gave him as they continued their animated conversation about how Anadia and her silk scarf moved as one in the most beguiling way.

It was around 3:30 am when George took his leave with assurances that no one at the station would know about what he'd seen. At least there was that.

After having seen George to the door, Julia returned to the study and stood at the door, looking at William while smiling her evil grin at him as he squirmed under her gaze. He closed his eyes, waiting for the anger.

It never came, instead she just laughed at him, and crossed the room, sinking onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder.

For the first time all night, he truly relaxed, and closed his eyes, reveling in her embrace as he told her about the exotic dance from the Middle East, and the effect it had on him and how surprised he'd been at his reaction.

She merely nodded and kissed his eyelids when he was finished recounting his recollection of the night's events to her.

"William, you're under tremendous stress right now. You won't say as much, but I know you're anxious about satisfying me physically as well as providing for me, though I wish you wouldn't be," she murmured, stroking his brow and placing feather light kisses upon it.

"It was Darcy who could never compare to you, William, and our marriage never really stood a chance because of it, and I will regret that decision for the rest of my life-for the pain it caused us both as well as Darcy's death. But, I've put that behind me, and I ask that you do the same. There's no room for three people in a marriage, trust me, I know," she emphasized.

"Julia," he murmured, taking her lips in a reverent kiss hoping that it conveyed the depths of his feelings for her. She had become too good at reading him like an open book, and given his disinclination and/or ineptitude at verbalizing his feelings, this was probably a good thing.

However, he could feel a lot of the tension he'd been carrying around evaporate from his body, and for the first time since he'd realized the uncomfortable truths surrounding their engagement, he relaxed.

"As for money, what's mine will soon be yours as well. You always make me feel like the most adored woman in the world, so please at least let me take care of you in that way. I want to do that-please say you'll allow me," Julia asked, taking his hands in hers in kissing it as he often did with hers.

Sighing deeply, and putting his traditional views of man as provider aside, he nodded. "But you'll let me share in the costs, won't you? I still want to contribute-I don't relish the thought of being a kept man."

"Of course, William. Although I dare say, I do find that thought most intriguing. It would be your husbandly duty to provide for my wifely needs," she teased.

Snorting, he kissed her again. "Anytime, almost Mrs. Murdoch, your wish is my command," he pledged, kissing her. "On a somewhat related note, I was hoping we could discuss our honeymoon," he posited, tracing the neckline of her nightgown under her peignoir, noting how her breath hitched as he did so. "I know I said I wanted to stay local, but given recent events, I've reconsidered. I'd like to go somewhere where they can't find us."

He didn't need to say who 'they' were. She knew he meant the well-meaning men of Station House #4 who had an uncanny ability to interrupt them just as things were getting interesting.

"I think that's a splendid idea, Mr. Murdoch. I'll take care of that this morning, if you'd like. Perhaps New York? It is a large city, with lots to see and do, and we can revel in the anonymity it provides."

"Indeed," he whispered, pulling her tightly against him, settling back into the comfort of the chair as they both ardently demonstrated their passion with both their lips and their hands (above their clothes) before he had to return to Mrs. Kitchen's for breakfast and freshening up for the day.