This is something of a filler chapter. It branches from Christmas to the wedding. It doesn't have anything truly important.
Not much happened during the time of there engagement. Both couldn't wait for it to be over so they could get married. But they had to wait a year. During that year, they still lived together in Horatio's quarters. Then, it was finally time for the wedding.
Horatio brought out his best lieutenant's uniform. She borrowed his mother's old gown.
"I daresay, I'm glad it's being put to use again."
The majority of the ship attended. Even the common sailors. The priest, and Horatio's parents were surprised. Many had brought chairs and sat in the back. But Horatio's men sat in the third row with the officers, happy as could be. Captain Pellew didn't say anything about it either. It surprised many of the new officers who didn't know Horatio that well.
Horatio and Archie stood at the front near the altar and waited. When she walked out, Horatio began to smile slightly, which made Archie glad. It was so rare that he smiled. It made him smile too.
When she walked down the aisle, she was nervous. One of Horatio's younger sisters was the flower girl, another was a bridesmaid, the third held her train, and his brother was the ring-bearer.
Eventually, they said their vows, and exchanged rings. Then they went to the reception. The majority of the common sailors went back to the ship, but the officers and his men stayed. As did his family and her brother. They had a jolly good time with many toasts, and silly stories told to embarrass the newlyweds. Eventually everyone left and it was time for what Horatio at least had been looking forwards to the most. The Wedding Night.