WARNING: Sexual content in this chapter. Please skip from the tour to the line break if you don't want to read it.


Charlotte woke with the sun the next morning as Alyona entered her bedroom with a light breakfast tray and a smile. A chambermaid followed behind her lugging a bucket of steaming water and disappeared into the dressing room to begin the process of filling the copper tub that had been placed in there the day before.

Charlotte tumbled out of bed and sat the small writing table to enjoy a breakfast of tea and toast as attempted to settle her nerves. Her whole life would change today and nothing was ever going to be quite the same. Her two sisters entered her chamber sleepily as she ate and served themselves with tea from the pot despite their preference for different blends than Charlotte's favourite.

The women chatted as they waited for the bath to be filled and raptured over the recent additions to Charlotte's wardrobe and Anne debated which jewellery she should wear for she did not agree with Charlotte's choice. Madelaine kept her silence on this topic for she knew that neither of her sisters' choices would be the ones that were worn that day. She had been quietly tasked with ensuring Charlotte wore something simple, that could be removed and kept safely with ease, and was of the mind that the pearl cross and earrings her sister had already determined on were the best choice to achieve this.

Charlotte slipped into the bath which had been filled and the water scented with flowery oils. She cleansed herself and washed her hair with plain soap, thankful that, despite its thickness, it dried quickly after becoming wet.

Once clean, she was helped into the first layer of her garments, namely her chemise, stockings and corset which was fortunately a simple construction and laced only loosely for the figure of her dress did not require the absolute crushing of her lungs. Charlotte was lucky to have a healthy complexion, though it was somewhat browner than was vogue, with little marking left behind from childhood illnesses as to make cosmetics largely unnecessary.

Her hair was then dressed with a thick braided coronet at the crown of her head and a few ringlets left loose to frame her face and soften the look. Some the smaller flowers from the white sweet peas in her bouquet were secured into the coronet with bronze pins matched to the shade of her dark hair. Simple pearl drop earrings and the pearl cross were added to her ears and neck before she stood and was helped into her dress and shoes by Alyona and her sisters.

Her sisters had retreated to their own chambers to dress and hurry the men along while Charlotte had been bathing and submitting to the styling talents of her maid. They had since returned, each dressed in lavender purple for Anne and grassy spring green for Madelaine, though the latter's dress was cut to accommodate her progressing pregnancy with a larger number of folds in the skirt.

They had returned with Reignette in tow just as Alyona finished securing the back of her dress. The women all then happily set to securing a small number of bluebell and sweet pea buds to Reignette's bonnet and depriving some wildflowers of their petals to fill her basket alongside the herbs and seeds intended to bring fertility to a union that would later be scattered as the newly wed couple departed the church.

By the time they were finished, it was approaching ten of the clock and the family departed with haste for St George's as the ceremony drew nearer. There were no crowds or noise outside the church when they arrived and the inside was equally quiet and solemn as the guests took their places in the pews and George, Anne and Frederick stood before the alter. George looked bit the dashing lord, his head adorned with a tall top hat and dressed in the white shirt, cravat, dark coat and knee breeches and stockings that were typical of a gentleman's formal wear though his coat was of a dark royal blue velvet and his breeches a light camel buff in place of the standard black.

Charlotte had been met outside the church by Lady Howard who had presented her with a beautiful set of diamond, sapphire and silver jewellery and instructed her daughter-in-law to remove the cross and earrings she wore and pass them to Madelaine for keeping. The Countess then deftly placed the new necklace in its place, electing to keep the bracelet and earrings in the case and arranged a sparkling matching kokoshnik tiara on her head, pinning in place a lacy veil that swept over her hair and down her back.

The only warning given that the bride had arrived was the arrival of her relatives and the second opening of the doors as she was escorted to her groom on the arm of her father. The priest began to read the ceremony for the solemnisation of marriage from the book of common prayer upon Charlotte and her father reaching the alter to stand with the groom and witnesses before him.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church.

"And therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

"First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication.

"Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."

The priest paused here then turned to address George and Charlotte as he continued. "I require and charge you both, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it." Again he paused and, when no one answered, continued once more, addressing Lord Morpeth.

"George, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?" And George answered that he would as he looked to his bride.

The priest turned then to address Charlotte. "Charlotte, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?" And, of course, Charlotte answered that she would.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the priest asked of the congregation. Mr Heywood stood and stepped forward from his seat in the front pew and took his daughter's hand in his. The priest accepted the bride's hand from her father and bid the groom to take her hand in his to repeat the vows.

"I, George, take thee, Charlotte, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." George repeated first after the priest's example before releasing Charlotte's hand. The priest then directed Charlotte to take the Viscount's hand for the saying of her own vows.

"I Charlotte, take thee, George, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth." She took his hand and spoke softly as she made her promises to him.

George then took the ring presented to him upon the book of common prayer and placed it upon the fourth finger of Charlotte's left hand as he spoke once more. "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen"

With this, George and Charlotte knelt before priest and alters as a prayer was said. "O, eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." And, joining their hands once more, said "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

"Forasmuch as George and Charlotte have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Psalms were then sung, blessing their marriage with prosperity, fertility, happiness and felicity. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the new Lord and Lady Morpeth went separately to Holy Communion and were forgiven and blessed a final time that morning as they partook of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

The business of signing their names and the names of the witnesses in the parish register was completed quickly and the certificate of marriage given to Charlotte for her personal keeping as was customary for all brides that they might always be able to prove their status as a wife.

George and Charlotte then left the church behind and proceeded up the path to the carriages that waited outside with Reignette scattering petals and seeds before them and their families following after them in good cheer. They were waved off by the crowd with merry calls and gestures as they made their way to Carlisle House for the wedding breakfast.

They were greeted upon their arrival in Berkeley square by neighbours calling out well wishes and were descended upon once emerging into the house by those members of the family and other close friends who had not been present at the wedding itself. They there remained for several hours, enjoying the food on offer and conversing with those gathered as further traditions were satisfied such as the cutting of the cake which was white iced and topped with sugar frosted fruits. Some guests took to the piano and Lord Worcester had brought along his violin so dancing was to be had inside and out.

It was late afternoon when Charlotte and George left the revelry behind and departed for Morpeth Terrace which was situated near Whitehall and not half a mile from St James' Park. The new Viscountess was introduced to the staff of Morpeth Terrace all of whom stood waiting on the steps approaching the front door in two tidy lines. Alyona had arrived at Morpeth Terrace shortly after the wedding ceremony concluded and Charlotte smiled to see her there.

Charlotte and George retreated into the old Jacobean house that had been the London home of the Earls of Carlisle from their ascension to the title in 1661 under King Charles II until the construction of the newer Carlisle House in 1784. George gave Charlotte a tour of the house.

The tour had begun below stairs with the servants' quarters and appropriate domestic offices along with the laundry room and wine cellar. They had then progressed through the kitchen, large formal dining room, library, formal drawing room and morning or breakfast room of the ground floor, a second drawing room, music room, and the gallery to be found on the first floor with the nursery, remaining family rooms and guest rooms on the second floor and in the garret space but below the attics. The tour then culminated with a return to the first floor where the master's and mistress' chambers where located.

George shucked his coat and top hat, reaching up to loosen his cravat as they entered the small sitting area separating the two bedchambers, leaving him in only his breeches, waistcoat and shirtsleeves before turning to take his bride in his arms. "Well, Lady Morpeth, what say you? Shall we be happy enough here, wife?"

Charlotte leant into his embrace and smiled delightfully up at her new husband. "oh yes, my Lord! I believe we shall do very nicely indeed, husband." She returned with the same teasing tone and stood taller as he bent to give her what would the first of many passionate kisses.

"Come, my lovely Charlotte, let me show you the mistress' chambers." George said, pulling back as he picked her up and walked with her in his arms across the threshold of one the doors set into opposite walls. Charlotte giggled as he set her down once more on the soft, carpeting that surrounded a large bed set against the wall facing the door and lit by the fading light that slipped through partially drawn drapes over the windows.

The candles throughout both chambers had already been lit in anticipation of their arrival and the bedchamber was bathed a soft glow that chased the shadows into the corners of the room and, with the arrangements of flowers at the dressing table and decorating the large fireplace, leant it a lovely romantic atmosphere.

Charlotte took in all this in the space of a heartbeat as her nerves made themselves known once more. She knew what came next. Her sisters had spoken to her a few days before on the things that occurred privately between a husband and wife. They had taken especial care to explain that, though it would hurt the first time, it would not always be that way; not if her husband was a good man and not wholly inexperienced himself. She was not afraid of it but she worried that she might not be good enough or own insecurity would overwhelm her.

As she stood with her back to him, George laid a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. He reached up a plucked the tiara from her head and setting on the dressing table beside them, setting loose the veil it secured over her hair before circling around to remove the necklace and pins and flowers that controlled her dark curls. Then, stood once more before her, pulled the untied lengths of his cravat from around his neck and threw off his waistcoat.

Charlotte watched as this man who she would spend the rest of her life with seemed to relax further with every layer he shed. She jolted herself from her thoughts and began to remove the gloves and pelisse she wore over her wedding gown but halted, uncertain where to put them.

George took the bundle of fabric from her hands and blindly tossed them towards a chair in a corner of the room. He lifted his wife's chin in his hand and bent to press more kisses to her lips, cheeks and neck as his other hand fumbled to untie the strings at her back that held her dress tight to her form. Charlotte trembled a little and giggled again but turned, presenting her back to his sight and making his challenge a little easier.

George unlaced the dress and corset with dexterous fingers and Charlotte allowed them to fall to the floor as held her arms protectively against her chest, clad only in a thin chemise and her stocking and shoes. George knelt before her and lifted her chemise to her hips, removing her shoes and trailing his hands down her legs, hooking his thumbs into her stockings and pulling them from her feet before standing.

Charlotte looked on in awe as her husband removed his white shirt, revealing a well-formed chest with a smattering of hair that trailed down towards his breeches. She stepped backwards a little and sat on the edge of the bed released her death grip her chemise as she admired his masculinity. George moved to sit beside her, looking at her with an unfamiliar heat in his eyes before returning his attention to bathing her in kisses, and only when he felt her move to place her own hands on his chest and tangle her fingers in his hair did he slip the thin straps of her chemise from her shoulders, smiling as her breath hitched.

He gently pushed her back as the soft swells of her breasts were revealed and his head dipped, pressing his lips to the valley between them and teasing her nipples with his tongue. A breathy moan slipped from Charlotte's lips at the unexpected pleasure she felt at this as a warmth grew within her. But then she jerked away slightly as she felt a hand slip beneath the ruched hem of her undergarments and stroke her most intimate area.

George lifted paused in his attention to her breasts and looked up at his wife and asked her to trust him, moving no further until she gave a minute hesitant nod and the tension in her thighs faded and her legs slipped open from where they clamped shut.

"Just let me take care of you, love" he whispered against her neck and his hands resumed their explorations, finger slipping over the folds of her sex and into the tightness they guarded causing Charlotte to cry out in surprise at the intrusion. Her cry, however, quickly turned to moans of pleasure as his fingers stretched and stroked her inner walls, feeding the ever growing fire in her core until she could do little else but hold desperately as he drove her towards a terrifying precipice. When she fell, it was to cries of his name as her back arched and then slumped, sinking deeper into the soft sheets of the bed.

She felt his hand draw away from her as she breathed deeply and heard the rustling as he removed his breeches and stockings, his shoes having been kicked off sometime earlier. He joined her on the bed once more, this time settling between her legs as knelt over her. She drew him down towards her for a kiss, swallowed dryly as she felt him position himself at her entrance and tried to breathe evenly as his body invaded hers. He slipped through her moist folds and into the passage of her sex with ease, pushing slowly forward. He paused as he felt the barrier of her virginity, looking into her eyes with love before thrusting forward sharply and dropping his head to rest against her shoulder.

Charlotte sucked in a gasp of pain even as he stilled to let her adjust to the sensation and for the pain to recede to a dull, twinging ache. A tear or two had slipped from the corners of her eye and she blinked away the rest of the salty liquid that had gathered there, not quite sure what to do next but settling on laying a hand on George's cheek and experimentally shifting her hips. George groaned at the small movement and he lifted his head to look at her eyes and understanding passed between them as he withdrew a little and pressed back in once more.

George set a slow pace with gentle thrusts and occasional grinding of his hips against hers. Charlotte responded to the steady stimulation by wrapping her arms about his shoulders and her legs about his waist and trying with mixed success to match his thrusts with her own. The pace quickened as their pleasure grew until both were moaning, groaning and sighing at the sensation and desperately clawed their way toward completion.

And when completion was reached, he spilling within her moments after she clamped down around him, they saw stars and cried out to the heavens, prayers of each other's names falling from their lips as they spiralled upwards and then crashed back down to the earth with breathless gasps.

They laid there for a while, chests rising rapidly as their lungs sought to replace the air that had been deprived them, wrapped in each other's arm and legs entangled bathing in the afterglow of their lovemaking as they slipped into sleep.


The first week of their marriage was spent, largely, with only themselves for company, though some small number of their neighbours and some of his friends had made calls to congratulate the couple and, where not already acquainted, to meet the new Lady Morpeth. They only rarely ventured beyond the house and gardens, content to remain cocooned in their own private little world as much as life would let. Their nights were spent in similar fashion to the first, exploring their bodies and learning of each other's preferences between the sheets.

When Friday came they broke their fast early and set off on their honeymoon just as the rest of the fashionable areas were coming to life for the day. Charlotte still did not know their destination, despite numerous attempts at drawing the information from her husband, as George was most insistent that the surprise not be spoiled.

She stared out of the carriage window as they travelled, occasionally pouting in his direction only for him to laugh at her and tell her sotto voce how much she looked like an adorable, angry kitten with such an expression on her face. Of course, this only had the effect of causing her pout to become more pronounced and for the Viscount to laugh harder. She would huff indignantly and he would tell her he was sorry and murmur appeasing compliments and she would smile coyly and tease him but never follow through.

It made for a rather tense arrival when their journey came to an end in the evening and if they were a little uncivil to the Mistress as they entered the lodgings that had been rented for two weeks in favour of retiring immediately to their rooms, well, who could blame them?

Charlotte discovered the next day that they would be touring the large coastal towns and cities, having stopped in a small town called Newhaven that was situated about half way between Eastbourne and Brighton. They would remain there for two weeks enjoying some of the local society to be had and exploring the delights of the Sussex coast.

After moving on from Brighton and Eastbourne, they stopped at Willingden for a week or so and visited with Charlotte's family, several of whom she had not seen since Yuletide, and delighted in their company. George endeavoured to take any and all opportunity presented to him to become better acquainted with his wife's family. After all, they were his family now too. It was with mixed feelings that they departed the old estate, saddened to leave cherished company behind yet eager to continue their travels and the interesting things that awaited them at their next destination.

The arrived next at the city of Winchester which, while further inland, was as easy distance from the port town of Southampton and they travelled on several occasions to visit the great shipyards to observe the building of new ships and watch the displays of peace time naval manoeuvre drills. The city itself offered a wealth of attractions and entertainments and Charlotte had delighted in visiting the museum and great buildings it was home to. They had one day stopped to call on a university friend of George's who had recently moved to the area an was employed as a barrister in the region's criminal courts.

On their departure from that call, Charlotte had spotted a piece of jewellery someone must have lost as they went about their day. Picking it she found it to be a lovely cross of yellow topaz strung on a delicate gold chain with a broken clasp. She looked up from admiring the quality of the simple necklace hoping to see if a lady who might have dropped could be nearby and spots two women standing close together, one clearly trying to comfort the other, and called out to them and she moved closer.

The ladies stopped their conversation at her approach and looked at her. Both were in their later years, one with dark, greying hair, a prominent nose and low brow; the other, perhaps some few years younger, also with hair that could be seen greying around the temples, dark mournful eyes and an unusually sombre countenance. The latter, Charlotte noticed, wore a very similar necklace of her own. The Viscountess held out the necklace she had picked up to them and their eyes widened at the sight of it.

"I believe this may belong to one of you ladies?" Charlotte asked as she held up the necklace. Both women nodded tearfully and accepted it gratefully as Charlotte passed it into their hands.

"You see, Martha, I told you it would be nearby and were worrying for naught." The younger of the two said to her companion. "Thank you for approaching us, not everyone would have been so honest, Miss…"

Charlotte was about to give her name when George called out to her from some yards up the street. "Just Charlotte, Ma'am" she responded with a smile, bid them good day and returned to her husband's side.

They left Winchester two weeks later bound for Bath where they would remain again for two weeks before journeying back to London for what remained of the season. In bath they enjoyed taking to the waters, both in the comforts of the old roman bathing complex and in the sea outside. They were invited to dinners, and parties or all kinds by both their circles of acquaintance though they were somewhat limited outside of Town at this time of the year. George and Charlotte ventured out to tour the shops and gardens and public walks and made visits to the local theatres and music halls.

And when the fortnight came to an end, they, with the assistance of Alyona and the Viscount's valet, Colin, who had accompanied them but kept their presence scarce, packed their trunks and left the views of the coast behind for the fog and noise of London.

It was not until several hours into their journey that Charlotte realised they did not seem to be heading east toward Town. Indeed, they seemed to be heading only further west and following the coastal road and lanes that should have long ago been left behind for the greener pastures of Wiltshire farmland. Charlotte could not help thinking the passing scenery somehow familiar, but is was only when they rounded a corner of the cliff-face and she spied a large house set amongst a grove of trees on a jutting section of the cliffs that the pieces fell into place.

For surely, that familiar house on this familiar coastline could only mean that they were fast approaching Sanditon.