Apologies for publishing chapter 2 twice. Not quite got the hang of the new app!

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And quite right Higgins was. His mother didn't believe him when he telephoned her. Not that she objected to her son marrying the flower girl from Covent Garden whom she herself had grown fond of, it was the fact he was marrying at all. A notion she had long since given up on.

So there they were on the steps of Kensington Registry Office the following afternoon, Mrs Higgins in her Sunday best, Colonel Pickering in his morning suit and Higgins in his uniform having rushed from Whitehall at the last moment all waiting for Eliza to arrive with Mrs Pearce.

The next hour was a blur to both Eliza and Higgins. Mrs Higgins had gifted Eliza a diamond tiara to wear, a family heirloom she explained. It balanaced finely in her neatly piled hair. Mrs Pearce and the housemaids had contributed her bridal bouquet, a simple elegant arrangement.

Stood waiting on the steps,Higgins didn't smile when Eliza stepped from his mothers car. He simply offered her his hand which she softly took and within minutes they were married.

The kiss took Eliza by surprise. Once the Registrar announced they were husband and wife, Eliza expected nothing more than a motherly peck on the cheek, a swift brush across her lips at most. Instead it was warm, gentle and Eliza would say much later, full of passion and promise.

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Mrs Higgins insisted a small afternoon tea would be held at her house not too far from the registry office. She also insisted the wedding night also take place there.

Higgins was horrified, Eliza blushed and hid her face.

'What!' He bellowed. 'Why on earth do we need to stay here?'

Mrs Higgins remained clam. 'Henry dear, do you want your first night in that stuffy old room of yours? If we were not in a time of war, the whole affair would have been planned properly and you'd be staying at the Carlton'

'If this wasn't a time of war,' Higgins carried on grumbling, 'We wouldn't have been in this current situation. Mother, what in God's name...' his exasperation was starting to show.

'Henry, this is not a conversation for polite company. The room is ready, your overnight garments and a change of clothing for tomorrow have been brought and placed in the room and now the conversation is over.'

Higgins growled, Eliza went a darker shade of red. Marriage of convenience to both of them meant separate rooms. They could get away with that at Wimpole Street. With everyone busy, working hard, Higgins coming and going at all hours, it would be natural for Eliza to sleep in her room so as not to disturb the Professor and vice versa. Unfortunately for them both, thanks to Mrs Higgins, the hand of fate dealt them an unimaginable situation.