Finally!

Sidney looked at himself in the mirror and straightened his cravat. Inspecting himself while his clothes were being brushed by his valet. He certainly was older, and his once dirty blond hair had some greys. He had been lucky compared to Babbington who had gone grey early. A smile appearing when he thought of Charlotte who had told him this very morning he was just as handsome as he was when she first met him on the cliffs.

"Ready old man?" Sidney turning from the mirror to find his son dressed in his own formal wear. Sidney M had moved heaven and earth to arrange for the wedding of his parents tonight. Sidney M commenting being a godson of the King did have its advantages.

"Yes" Sidney answering his son. They walked out together and before separating they embraced. "Look after my mother and make her happy" were Sidney M's finally words before he walked to his mother's room.

Sidney finding his friends standing at the bottom of the staircase and they walked together to the chapel. Crowe and Babbington had been shocked when informed their friends was to be married before the dinner. When Elizabeth had passed on the dinner invitation to the Crowes that morning, they had no idea they would be attending the wedding of Charlotte and Sidney.

"You will stand with me?" Sidney asking his friends who both grinned in agreement. This time they wouldn't have to drag him or hold him up. They in fact had to increase their own pace as Sidney steamed ahead… he couldn't wait to be married.

The chapel had been decorated by Isabella, Anne, Elizabeth, Joy, Claire and Flora under the careful supervision of Susan. Isabella was granted permission by her mother to return with her friends and arranged for her gown to be delivered. Henry and Amanda Crowe meeting the rogue Count of Alix and with interest watched him watch their daughter.

"Hmmm… should I be getting out the shot gun?" Crowe asked his wife who shook her head.

"Not yet… but I think our daughter is playing with him at the moment." observed Amanda. Isabella had taken after her and would not be pushed around.

The final touches in the chapel were candles positioned in various locations. Creating a romantic atmosphere and for these young women it made them talk about their own imagined weddings. The girls being sent to their rooms to change for the wedding and later dinner.

All guests had arrived and were now waiting for the ceremony to begin….

Sidney stood at the front watching the chapel door. He was anxiously waiting for the arrival of his Charlotte. A man appeared and starting playing a hauntingly beautiful song on the bagpipes which brought tears to the eyes of those who could feel the call of their homeland. The piper moving to the side and Sidney saw Charlotte surrounded by Sidney M, Harriet, Elizabeth and Anne. Charlotte was wearing an ocean blue dress with a strip of the Montrose tartan draped on her shoulder. Sidney couldn't take his eyes off her as she approached him. Charlotte kissing each of her children including Anne before Sidney M passed his mother over to his father.

The King stepping forward to pass the licence to the minister and went back to his seat which happened to be next to Alfred Worcester. The man who was to marry the couple was the King's own personal chaplain. The couple standing before the man waiting to take their vows. Both had married before to save their families but now they were marrying for themselves…. for love.

Before God and the small congregation, they spoke their marriage vows. Sidney holding Charlotte's hand the whole service. Their voices shaking with emotion as they spoke their promises. Sidney sliding on his mother's ring and Charlotte placing a wedding band on his. It was not normal for men to wear a wedding band but Sidney wanted to be publicly claimed by Charlotte.

21 years earlier Sidney had every intention of asking her to marry him. After his had kissed Charlotte on the cliff the first time he had tricked his niece Emma to ask Charlotte to tie a ribbon on her ring finger.

"I wondered why she asked me… she had been talking a lot about weddings and I indulged her request!" laughed Charlotte.

Even though he was desperately trying to save his family's future he was determined to marry Charlotte. On his arrival to London he organised to have his mother's ring resized including purchasing his own wedding band. He also ordered a necklace and earrings for Charlotte to wear on their wedding day. It was his way of motivating himself, but he had failed. When the jeweller sent the message Sidney with a heavy heart stored it with his solicitor. Susan and Fredrick were able to collect the box and with joy Sidney finally presented his gifts. Anne, Harriet and Elizabeth all crying after hearing the story behind the gifts.

"Papa.. I never knew you were such a romantic. You are so happy and that makes me happy" Anne spoke before going to help dress her future stepmother.

And finally the minister declared….

"I now pronounce you man and wife… you can kiss the bride" Sidney finally sealing everything with a kiss. Even though there was a small number of guests the room was full of cheers, applause and tears. Everyone congratulating the couple including the King.

"Parker" King George addressing Sidney

"Your Majesty"

"You are a lucky man having captured Charlotte… many a man has tried since the death of Hector. I wish to reward you for this feat but also for saving the life of my godson…. You will no longer be just Mr Sidney Parker but Sir Sidney Parker"

"Thank you, your Majesty" Sidney looking over the King's shoulder and saw his son standing with Joy. Sidney M giving him a smile before going back to his own conversation. There would be time for them to speak alone but it would have to wait.

"Finally…" Charlotte spoke as Sidney held her close as they were surrounded by those who had been their greatest supporters.

"Yes…. Finally!" Sidney not caring they had an audience leaned down and kissed his wife… his wife Charlotte.