Cora had told her mother and brother everything about the proposal, during dinner on boxing day. They were both so happy for them. Robert had looked at her that evening and was filled with love, she looked so happy, telling her mum about Vienna.

Harold gave him a slap on his shoulder: "so, we are going to be brothers in law?"

Robert just nodded and smiled he couldn't wait to call Cora his wife. He was eager to go home, the trip had exhausted him, but he also wanted to be alone with Cora.

The next day they had lunch at Violet's, Robert had invited Rosamund and Marmaduke.

He sensed that Cora was nervous, he gave her hand a little squeeze: "Everything will be alright, I am with you." He was also feeling nervous, he had not told his mother he was going to propose. Rosamund was against that idea, but he went on with it.

Robert kissed his mother on her cheek, but her attention was not at him, but at Cora's hand. There wasn't a thing she didn't notice.

"What a beautiful ring you have here, Cora."

Cora's face turned red, and she looked at Robert for help.

"Mama, we have some news," Robert started. "I proposed to Cora, and she said yes. We are going to get married."

There was a dark shadow hovering on Violet's face, but she forced a smile and congratulated them.

After lunch, Rosamund had taken Cora to her mother's library to show her a painting. Rosamund had felt her mother wasn't really happy and she wanted to save Cora for her harsh words.

"So, you really think this is the path you want to follow, Robert." Violet started when Cora had stepped out of the room.

"Mama, you know I love Cora she is my world and she makes me happy, what do you want more for me?"

"I want you to be with someone who will keep up your standards, someone who you can represent yourself with at events."

"So, you are saying Cora doesn't have class? Mama you said you were ok with our relationship, you even said you were starting to like Cora. Cora has more class than, for example, Susan. Mama, everywhere I go with Cora she brightens up the room and everybody loves interacting with her. But most importantly, she makes me happy, I never felt so happy in my life. Isn't that what you want for me?"

Violet sighed: "My son, I hope you know what you are doing." She walked out of the room.

Rosamund was showing Cora a painting from Piero Della Francesca, it was in their collection for quite some time now. Cora was admiring the painting when Violet stepped in the room.

"Cora," she started, "I want you to know that you have my blessing to marry Robert."

Violet said the words, but Cora felt there was something behind it. But she didn't care, she got Violet's blessing, she was going to be married to Robert. Cora walked over to Violet and gave her a hug.

Violet felt Cora's arms around her and was too stunned to react. Rosamund had watched, with a twinkling in her eyes, Cora didn't know yet, that Violet wasn't the hugging person. Giving Coraher blessing was already an exception.

Rosamund helped the situation by saying: "Welcome to the family, Cora. I can't wait to call you, my sister-in-law."

The planning of their wedding had started with deciding on the date. They both wanted it to be the 16 of February, because that was (the date when they had) their first date. But Robert wanted it to be this upcoming 16th of February, but Cora insisted she needed more time. It was too stressful to plan a wedding in less than 2 months. When the wedding venue they both liked was booked for this year, but had an opening for next year, it was decided.

Robert had taken her to 'Battersea Arts Centre' they had fallen in love with the place. It was the perfect place for a wedding, historical and very romantic. There was enough room for all the guests, but at the same time it felt cozy. There was a spectacular ornate stained-glass dome, perfect for pictures.

Cora had an appointment with couturier Phillipa Lepley, she was going to design her dress. Martha, Rosamund and Violet had come with her for this experience. Cora was delighted Violet wanted to come.

She had tried so many dresses, but finally found the one for her. It was a fitted A line silhouette, with a sweetheart neckline. It followed the curves of her body before flowing into a softly rippling hem. The body was made of silk, and the overlay out of tulle. Sheer tulle straps followed the neckline, to finishing out on the very edge of the shoulder. Fully made to her body, she couldn't wait to see the finished product.

Robert had taken Harold to Anderson Sheppard's, for a tailored suit. He had gotten a piece of fabric from Cora; it was the fabric used for her dress and the correct color. He wanted a shirt in that same color.

He decided on a Single-breasted lounge suit, Notch lapel with horn buttons and straight pockets with flaps. Single-breasted waistcoat with step collar and horn buttons. Trousers with side tabs. It would be china blue and made of Irish linen, all the buttons would be the same color and the pocket square would be the same fabric as Cora's dress.

Everything was arranged, wedding invitations had gone out weeks ago, flowers were arranged. The seated meal menu was decided and the music the band would play was spoken through.

It had cost Cora a lot of stress, but with Rosamund's help, it would be the perfect wedding. Everything was planned, and Rosamund had hired a wedding planner, so the day would go smooth.

This morning the dress had arrived, and she had her final fitting. Cora had gotten her jewelry out of Vienna, she wanted to honour the place where Robert had asked her hand. She ordered stars made of diamonds and pearls at a Vienna jewellery, Köchert and Pioté. For in her hair, like empress Elisabeth had for her wedding day.

The day before the wedding, Robert and Cora were sitting at 'The Roseberry Lounge' for a cup of tea.

"Are you ready for tomorrow, my love?" Robert asked.

"I think I am. Are you?"

Robert smiled at her. "I was ready a year ago." He bent over the table and gave her a kiss. "I just got the confirmation from 'The Dunstane City' in Edinburgh, we will get the 'the Dunstane suite'. They admitted they had made a mistake."

"Darling I told you I would also be happy in 'the hoy suite."

"Nothing than the best for my love." Robert smiled. "Darling I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and have the best day of my life."

"I will sleep at my mother's tonight." Cora said, much to Robert's surprise.

He whispered: "we aren't going to sleep in the same bed tonight?"

Cora gave him a teasing smile: "Not tonight. You will have me next to you, for the rest of your life, but not tonight. Mama told me this morning, Harold arranged to move the last stuff to your place, while we are in Edinburgh, so we can really start living together from the moment we will come back. There isn't much left, almost everything is at your place already." Cora smiled.

Robert looked at the twinkle in her eyes and couldn't believe he was this lucky.