Author's note: Thank you so very much for the reviews on the previous chapter. We're rounding up now, with a few chapters to go. Please review if you have time, but enjoy most importantly.

There was nothing that could be said, nothing that could pass between then that had not already gone before. There was no space left for words. The only sound was their breathing, slow and steady, in the carriage.

"I didn't think anyone would ever ask me to marry them," he said wryly.

The tension, which was so bizarrely there, evaporated with his comment. He laughed and she laughed with him. He reached for her hand across the stretch of leather. The streets were packed with well-wishers who turned out for one wedding and ended up with another. They were lined in one against the other, barriers holding them back. There was no issue with their queen's choice then or, at least, he hoped.

"Especially not the Queen," she answered.

"Most especially not my boss," he waved to the crowds and turned to her, "Clarisse you have to wave."

"Oh," she lifted her hand, "Of course."

She eyed him for a moment as she did so, "You're technique is questionable," she continued, "If you keep that up I'll need to give you consort lessons."

He dropped his hand to check his watch, "You've been my wife – how glorious it is to say that – for all of twenty minutes and you've already titled me and planned my lessons."

"Of course," she responded, "I rather think that I will title you a Duke."

He laughed.

She looked at him seriously, dropping her hand from her wave for just a moment, "I have had a lot of time to think of this."

He nodded, "Of course," he smiled, inclining his head, "But I don't need a title. I can't quite believe I get to have you."

"Yes," she nodded and lowered her voice, "You do get to have me. And God knows, you've waited long enough."

"It has been worth it," he answered seriously, "I mean that. Clarisse?"

"Mmmm?"

He stalled a moment then asked, "What made you change your mind?"

She looked pensive for a second, "I wish it were more complicated than I love you. It isn't. And I realised I couldn't let that go. Joseph, I would have been a fool to let you go and a year from now, I would have followed you. I think I've learned that, from our rather…chequered past. "

He felt the smile on his face grow wider at her understatement.

The crowds of well-wishers were beginning to thin and as the horses began to mount the incline that led out of the city and twisted upwards towards the palace, the noise died down somewhat. He stole a look at her and finally allowed himself to believe it. She smiled and leaning in, placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

They were nearing the palace now, and an impromptu guard of staff were gathered along the wide drive and were cheering and welcoming them. His wife's, how alien that sounded, face grew red as her loyal staff welcomed them with cheers and well-wishes. At the top of the stairs Mia and Charlotte and Pierre waited, all with rather bright smiles. And right beside them was Anna, her smile widest of all.

As was his habit, he got out before her and offered her his hand. She smiled her thanks as Shades jumped down from behind the carriage. Shades leaned in towards him.

"Congratulations boss," he whispered.

"Thanks Shades," he patted the other man's shoulder momentarily, before leading his wife up the stairs and towards his family.

-0-

"Charlotte," Anna stopped the other woman, who was thundering so resolutely across the dining room that she was frightened she might wear her pretty heels out, "Charlotte can I help?"

Charlotte, looking less than composed, stared as if she were speaking another language.

"Oh Lady Anna, no," Charlotte began to replace the wedding stationary and napkins as she spoke, swapping the Mia and Andrew accessories for the newly, hastily printed, H.R.H C.R. & Col. J.R. that had just come hot from the printer, who'd looked rather pleased with his unexpected and huge stipend.

"You need help," Anna kicked off her heels and began replacing the place-settings too.

"Imagine," Charlotte sighed, "It had been a proper wedding breakfast for all the thousand guests. Thank goodness I had time to prepare for tonight."

"Charlotte, you've done a tremendous job," she smiled, stalling the other woman with a hand, "You need to relax."

"Hey," Mia appeared at the door, "Can I help?"

In between arriving at the palace and photographs she had swapped her wedding dress for a much more appropriate cocktail one and had yet to change for tonight's festivities. There were to be two receptions; a more public one in the afternoon and a private one in the evening. The afternoon one over, the evening one seemed more to be welcomed than endured.

Anna held out a napkin, "Always."

Later they were watching from the foyer windows, all three of them, as the guests for the far more intimate evening reception filled in. As Mia had envisioned it, with Anna's mother's help of course, it was a much more private affair. As it stood, right now, it was far different too. The guest list had been altered remarkably to suit the newly married couple, in the space of a few hours there were less dignitaries and more friends.

"Oh!" Mia suddenly exclaimed.

Pierre gave her a sideways glance, "What's wrong?"

"The first dance," she shook her head, "The first dance."

Anna was puzzled for a moment, "Oh right, the song?"

"Right, it's the one I wanted not the one…" Mia suddenly looked confused, "What would they want?"

"Let's find Charlotte," Anna nodded, "She'll have an idea."

They found Charlotte in the dining room, where they imagined she would be, and she was giving the instructions to the wait staff for the dinner. The dining room had been set for two hundred people, most of whom now waited in the ballroom.

"Your Highness, Lady Anna," she looked around, "Look alright?"

"Glorious Charlotte," Mia answered, "Charlotte, we've thought of a tiny glitch. The first dance…"

Charlotte's face paled and Anna felt immediately sorry for her.

"Ohhh," she groaned, "What will we do?"

"We'll just swap it in for something they would like," Mia suggested feebly.

Then Charlotte's head snapped up, "What's the name of that…? Ugh."

"What?"

"The…it's the one with the slow," Charlotte turned to Mia, "Oh, the one you learned in the consulate. You know?"

Mia laughed, "The wango?"

"What on earth is that?"

Anna asked only to find that the answer had been obviously the right one.

"It's the Genovian one…," Mia pulled Anna into a dancing position, taking the role of the man.

"Oh, the tango one?" Anna detached herself, "Why that one Charlotte?"

Charlottle smiled, "Just trust me."

So, an unnecessary filler chapter but I couldn't resist! Please review if you can.