The carriage bumped along the very road that Charlotte had traveled to and from Sanditon for nearly three years now and she found it was as familiar to her as the cliff walk out to Heyrick Park had become. But this time, instead of a long solitary journey, she had the company of arguably the three people that she loved most in the world outside of the Heywoods of Willingden.

Charlotte and Alexander sat next to each other, facing Augusta and Leonora. Their hands were clasped tightly under the travel blanket, and though it may have escaped Leonora's notice, nothing was too subtle for Augusta's sharp eyes, and she smiled knowingly and openly at her uncle and Charlotte.

In their long and revealing talks in London, Augusta's uncle had told her very little about his relationship with Charlotte, but when she pressed him, he had intimated that he went to Trafalgar House with an idea of proposing marriage. He said that Charlotte had not been in a state of mind to accept, and that he had never said the words. But what that told Augusta was that it was his intention, and she doubted that had changed in the four months that intervened.

She had heard whisperings around the house between Charlotte and Mrs. Wheatley, and her uncle and her former governess certainly seemed to be taking quite a number of turns around the grounds in recent days. Augusta made it a point to keep stealing looks at Charlotte's left hand, hoping for a ring, but she supposed if they were attempting to make a secret of their betrothal for the present, they would have more sense than to make it that obvious.

This trip, however, had all but confirmed for Augusta that an announcement was imminent, and she could not be happier. With very little preamble, both Charlotte and Alexander had requested that the girls accompany them on a quick trip to Willingden, so that the families could become "acquainted." Augusta had smiled to herself as they explained ad infinitum how lovely it would be to get all the children together, and she was put in mind of her Shakespeare study and the line: Methinks thou dost protest too much.

Beyond the unusual and repetitive nature of their proclamations, there was a sort of vibration visible when Alexander and Charlotte were in each other's presence, and Augusta had seen how they would gaze quickly at each other, smile fondly, and then look away. As if they were fooling anyone.

Augusta's life had changed so completely from the moment Miss Heywood had passed her on the walk up to the house when she came for her interview. She remembered her from the parade and how solicitous Charlotte had been with Leonora – but to Augusta in those days, all adults were either mad or simple. Governesses were easily made into fools and dispatched, her uncle was taciturn and clearly had a heart made of stone, and although Mrs. Wheatley had tried to find a way into Augusta's circle of trust, she at first thought of her as a servant and she knew from her home life with her parents that servants could come and go. It was easier to let no one in, and to try simply to survive until she came of age and into her inheritance, and could finally escape the prison of Heyrick Park.

Miss Heywood had lied for her and taken blame for opening the spinet, and no one had ever done that before for Augusta. From the bleakness that the great old house had been, and feeling trapped like Rapunzel in the turret, Augusta began to see a light in the distance. First the spinet was opened and tuned, then there were dancing lessons, then Aunt Lucy's closet was thrown wide for her use, and she watched as the school room transformed from a miserable place of torture into a bright, beribboned chamber that she looked forward to entering every day. And her uncle! She had not even known that he knew how to smile, and now she would come upon him whistling in the hallways, and he would jest with them and laugh, even when Miss Heywood was not present.

After that terrible day, when she had pleaded with her uncle to bring Charlotte back, Augusta had expected that all would go back to the way it was – but he was changed forever in a way that she never thought possible. They continued to have breakfast together in the garden, and though there was a profound sadness in him, Augusta could see how pointedly he was trying to have it not affect his time with her and with Leonora.

She could see the agonizing pain he was in and she wished there was something she could do to help him. She had actually walked into town alone and knocked on the door to Trafalgar House to speak with Charlotte, to tell her how much she was missed and how deeply her uncle felt her absence, but she had learned from the man at the door that Charlotte had left for Willingden and was not expected to return.

So strange now for Augusta to think that at the beginning she had thought of her just as another governess. All of those older women who wore sensible shoes and smelled of pine tar, who were so easy to drive away with a pinecone on their chair, or by jumping out from hiding places, or convincing Leonora that they were spies for Napoleon and must be banished. Augusta knew of the weekly wagers between her uncle and Mrs. Wheatley, and she worked hard to be certain that Alexander always won, by making life so miserable for these poor women that she would see the back of their tweed hats before the week was out.

Then, when she had seen the back of Charlotte's lovely straw hat, that horrible morning after breakfast, after three full months of happiness and light shining in where there had been only darkness, she had run after her, begging her to return. That was something Augusta could never have imagined for herself, and though it was the beginning of another four months of change, not all of it was bad.

Augusta now had passed most of a London Season in parties and dances, she had a wardrobe full of fine dresses and hair feathers, and she could see a future that was bright and shiny, like a new shilling. Her grief over the loss of her parents was still there, of course, but she no longer felt that she had lost her own life when they lost theirs.

And though Augusta had never said it to Charlotte, she had come to love her deeply. Beyond what she had done for Alexander and the girls – as Augusta had said to her uncle, bringing laughter into the house and transforming him into a human being – Augusta truly loved Charlotte as a person, a friend, a sister and a confidante. It was more difficult for Augusta to consider Charlotte as a mother, due to the closeness in their ages, but as an older sister, she could not love her more.

Augusta still did not understand completely why adults did what they did, but as she entered adulthood herself, she was beginning to know how many gray areas there were in relationships, and most especially, how all things are subject to change. And when she drummed up the courage to talk to her uncle about all of the things she understood, she was astonished to find he was open to sharing important pieces of his life with her. She held his confidences as sacred so she would never lose his trust, and finally she began to see the man that her Aunt Lucy must have fallen in love with, and the one that she believed had also captured Charlotte's heart.

No one was happier to see Charlotte come back through the door of Heyrick House than Augusta, and the palpable joy that she brought with her seemed not to be diminishing, but growing. The other night around the kitchen table, as they had played games and laughed until they all lost their breath, Augusta felt true peace and happiness for the first time since she had learned that her mother and father had died. It was a peace that was still in her heart as she looked across the carriage at Charlotte and Alexander, clearly so in love.

"Alright, let me try again," Augusta said, closing her eyes to better concentrate. "You are the oldest at twenty-three, then Andrew at twenty-two. He is called Drew by the family. Then Alison at twenty. Will she and Mr. Fraser be there?" she asked.

Charlotte shook her head sadly, "No, they weren't able to get away from the farm on such short notice, and it is quite a long trip down from Ireland. But they send their best wishes to all of us and hope they will see us soon."

Squeezing Alexander's hand under the blanket, Charlotte smiled, knowing that she had immediately sent off a letter to her sister in Ulster telling of their engagement and hoping that they could join them at Heyrick Park in June for their wedding. She had just received a letter back saying that they would plan to be there, happily. Within that letter was also the very happy news that Alison was expecting, so it was good timing for her still to travel.

Augusta continued, "Next comes James, who is my age, eighteen. Then Catherine at seventeen, and she is the one who is now engaged to Ralph Starling?"

"Yes, and my mother said that Catherine is beside herself with happiness at the way things turned out." Another squeeze under the blanket, and another infectious smile from Alexander. Augusta shook her head and smiled involuntarily as she watched them. However could they think that no one knows?

"And after Catherine come the twins." Augusta closed her eyes again, "Alice and… Amelia? And they are fifteen, is that correct?"

"You are doing very well, Augusta!" Charlotte said.

Alexander laughed softly. "Augusta, I will be by your side for this entire visit, asking you to help me remember. I fear I shall make a complete muddle of all of these names."

"I will get you through it, uncle," Augusta said, nodding. "Then Daniel at thirteen, Graham at twelve…"

Leonora finally spoke up, though she had been listening intently through the entire list. "I know these!" she called out. "Margaret is ten, Sally is eight, and then Samuel is six! And I have an Uncle Samuel!"

Charlotte smiled at Leonora's enthusiasm. "And Meggie, Sally and Sam will love to meet you, Leo." She leaned across, and said conspiratorially, "Samuel has an entire army of soldiers and he loves nothing better than to set them up into regiments. He will be so glad to see another skilled commander come through the door."

Looking out of the window, Charlotte saw that they were turning up the long drive. Her heart began to beat faster as she pointed out landmarks.

"Leo, that large oak is one that Alison, Drew and I used to climb as children. You can go nearly to the top if you are brave enough."

"I am brave enough!" Leonora exclaimed. "Perhaps Sam and Sally will show me the way."

"They will, and you will want to take Meggie with you, as she is taller and can boost you up to the lowest branch."

"I think I will like them all very much," Leonora said solemnly. "Will they like me, do you think, Miss Heywood?"

"Very much," Charlotte said. Her face reflected the utter joy she was feeling at bringing together two families of children that she loved so very dearly. "They will all like you very much, both of you," she said, looking at Augusta. "The twins will follow you like puppies, Augusta, asking you about your feather headpieces and gowns and shoes. You must be sure to tell them when enough is enough."

Augusta laughed. "And you must remember that all those things are very new to me as well, so I will not soon tire of talking of them. I did put a few things in my case in anticipation of their questions, and I have a feather for each to try on and wear if they wish."

Charlotte laughed. "Oh, you will have two dear sisters immediately, then."

Augusta beamed, and Charlotte's heart filled again. A girl with no sisters, and only one beloved cousin who was far removed from her in age, was ready to open her arms to an entire family. This was truly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

Charlotte turned and looked at Alexander, wanting so badly to kiss him that she hardly had the strength to resist. She saw that his breath was coming a little faster, and his eyes were slightly glazed at the prospect of what awaited him in Heywood Manor.

As the Heywood children began surrounding the carriage in laughter, running alongside the last few yards, Charlotte squeezed Alexander's hand tightly, and spoke softly to him.

"Brace yourself."

The subsequent hours were all a blur of happy voices, children rushing through rooms and the sound of dogs barking, accompanied by the warmest and most homey of aromas as a hearty supper of stewed mutton cooked on the large kitchen hearth.

The sixteen occupants of the Heywood home and barns ebbed and flowed – Mr. Joseph Heywood proudly showed Alexander around the property, trailed closely by James, Daniel and Graham; Charlotte assisted her mother Ruth with the preparation of the family dinner, chopping fresh vegetables from the garden and pouring just-picked fruit from the orchards into pie crusts with honey and raisins; Augusta laughed upstairs with Alice, Amelia and Meggie over the entire contents of her traveling case strewn across the beds, all of which entranced the younger girls; and Leonora lay on the floor in front of the great fireplace moving battalions of tiny soldiers with Sam as Sally watched and critiqued their strategies. Catherine had been dispatched to the Starling Farm to collect Ralph, who would be joining them for dinner, and though the happy couple were slow to return, it surprised no one, as they were likely kissing under a sheltering oak tree somewhere in between.

With the younger boys close on their heels for the entire tour of the property, Alexander had little chance to ask Mr. Heywood for Charlotte's hand. The welcome he received from Charlotte's father gave him cause for great optimism, however, and Joseph was anxious to hear everything there was to know about Heyrick Park. As two lovers of the land, Alexander and Joseph discussed the flora and fauna of the park in detail, the original construction of the house and the pros and cons of natural stone vs. manufactured brick, of flagstone floors vs. mortar beds, and Alexander found he was exceedingly glad that he had a natural interest in all of it and could converse with Joseph with a sense of authority.

When Alexander spoke of the greenhouse he was having built around Georgiana's palm tree, Mr. Heywood was transfixed. He had scarcely traveled beyond his own lands for his entire life, and the idea of a tree, of all things, being brought by ship from the Caribbean, and surviving the voyage, was beyond his comprehension. Alexander said that he would very much enjoy having the entire family visit Heyrick Park and that Joseph would be able to see it for himself.

When they visited the stables, Alexander thoroughly impressed Joseph with his knowledge of horses and it felt as if, beyond the fact that Alexander wished to marry Charlotte, the two men would have been friends under any circumstances.

As they stepped back into the house and entered the kitchen, drawn by the delicious aromas emanating from their source, Charlotte looked up in anticipation with a question in her eyes. As Joseph had his hand lightly slapped by Ruth for sampling the sweet potatoes, Alexander smiled and shook his head almost imperceptibly, saying softly to Charlotte, "Not yet."

They were saved any further delay when Joseph said heartily, "I understand, Alexander, that you have a question you would like to put to me. And perhaps that question might be better asked in the quiet of my study. In fact," he said, laughing, "my study is likely the only place in this entire house that could be called quiet." Narrowly avoiding another slap from his wife, Joseph snatched one last bite of potato as he made a hasty move toward the door. "And though we live modestly, even a fine gentleman such as yourself might be well impressed with my library. With twelve children to educate, books have been made a priority…"

"I should like very much to see your library, Joseph." Alexander said, with one last smile to Charlotte as he followed Mr. Heywood into the hall.

Charlotte gazed after him with so much love in her eyes that the next thing she knew, her mother said softly, "He will say yes, Charlotte."

Attempting to hide her feelings, Charlotte said lightly, "Say yes to what, Mother?"

Ruth laughed. "Can you imagine, my sweet girl, that your father and I had twelve children without being able to recognize the look of real love when we see it?" She handed Charlotte a pie to put into the brick oven. "We knew from your letter that you thought you loved Mr. Colbourne, but we needed to see it for ourselves, especially from him. Within moments of your arrival we were satisfied. And your father told me if he found him to be a complete ninny, they would be back within minutes. They were gone hours, which tells me he likes your Alexander very much indeed."

Charlotte found tears starting in her eyes, and she realized at once how nervous she had been, and how much she had wanted this to go well. She walked to her mother and put her arms around her in gratitude and love. "Thank you, Mother. I love him so dearly, and we are very well-suited."

"I have eyes, my girl. And his Augusta and Leonora are as smitten with you as he is. You will have a very happy life together, I can feel it," Ruth said, wondering how she was to suddenly lose three girls to husbands in such a short time. But she had supper to finish and no time for tears, so she hugged Charlotte tightly and said brusquely, "Now wipe your eyes or we shall have a hungry mob on our hands." She brought her apron up and wiped her own tears away as Charlotte kissed her affectionately on the cheek.

Within ten minutes, Alexander was back with a grin so wide, the verdict was not even in question. Unable to control himself, he swept Charlotte up in his arms, covering himself in flour from her apron in the process, while Ruth beamed from her place by the oven. Alexander kissed Charlotte quickly and said, "We need to tell the girls."

Charlotte looked at her mother with her eyebrows raised, and Ruth nodded. "Go. I have dinner well in hand, but when you pull Augusta away from them, tell Alice and Amelia to join me here to lend me assistance." Ruth raised a wooden spoon in warning, "And don't be long, you two. Supper will be on the table in ten minutes!"

Alexander managed to pry Leonora reluctantly away from her soldiers, while Charlotte went upstairs to find Augusta. The four of them went a short way from the house and sat on the rocks that served as the Heywood's outdoor fire pit. Alexander stood and Charlotte could see his excitement that they were finally free to share their news.

"Augusta. Leonora. Miss Heywood – Charlotte – and I have some happy news to share. But it involves you as well, and I want you to feel entirely free to express your opinions on the matter. We are a family and we all…" Alexander frowned slightly and put out his hand for Charlotte to stand with him. "I am getting ahead of myself…"

Augusta rolled her eyes and laughed. "Uncle, if you are attempting to tell us that you and Charlotte are to be wed, I should think it is patently obvious to anyone who can see."

Leonora gasped and said, "You are getting married? Miss Heywood will be my mother?"

Augusta shook her head and looked incredulously at Leo, "Well, patently obvious to almost anyone who can see."

Alexander pulled Charlotte close and now all of them were laughing. "Yes, Leo, we are getting married." He became slightly more serious and asked, "Would you like Miss Heywood to be your mother?"

Leonora sprang up from her seat and blessed Charlotte with one of her legendary hugs around the knees. "Yes! I should like that very much!" Charlotte bent down to her level and hugged her back, and Leonora pulled away and said very solemnly, "You said I could miss something I had never had, and I knew, when you went away, that I missed you very much indeed. But if you are truly my mother, then I will not have to miss you at all!"

Charlotte laughed and said, "That is flawless logic, Leonora. Brava!"

By now, Augusta had stood and thrown her arms around Alexander in congratulations, and both of them, at the same time, realized that even through all their time in London, there had never been an occasion for this type of closeness. For a moment they simply held each other and basked in the moment. Alexander's heart was so open that he was unable to hide the depth of his feelings. He looked at her and smiled. "I do love you, Augusta. I am so sorry that I haven't shown you enough."

Augusta's smile was radiant and he could see tears starting in her eyes. "I love you too, uncle. And I am fully aware that I have not been overly deserving of love until recently. Thank you for all you have done. I know that it cannot have been easy."

By this time, Charlotte and Leonora had joined them, and Alexander lifted Leo up into his arms so their eyes were all level. With great feeling, he spoke softly, because he didn't trust himself to say it any louder and not have his voice break.

"We are a family now. And a family we will always be."

Ruth looked out of her kitchen window at the four of them and felt a tear roll down her cheek as Joseph came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "And there goes another one, Ruthie. How is it possible? She was just Sally's age."

Ruth nodded. "And beyond our Charlotte marrying very well, she is completely and hopelessly in love with him. They will have a happy life."

Joseph nuzzled her neck and said, "Are you saying that you didn't marry well, my Ruth? I may not have Alexander's riches, but there has always been food on the table and a roof over your head."

She knew he was joking, so Ruth laughed. "I married better than ever I could have hoped. I've wanted for nothing and you know it." She turned around and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "But now we've starving children and a supper to get on the table. So pull those four back inside and let's get at it."

Joseph gave her a soft slap on the rear as he started toward the door. "You'll not have to ask me twice. I smell that mutton…"

"Miss Lambe?" Rosie said as she knocked softly on the door.

"Come in, Rosie." Georgiana looked up from her drawing, and Rosie stepped in holding a small card.

"This was pushed under the door, Miss," Rosie handed it to her as if it might burn her fingers. It was a handmade calling card, presumably because in his poverty, the owner had none of the engraved sort left to his name. It said only EDWARD DENHAM and then below that, 4 O'CLOCK.

Georgiana took a deep breath. "Please call on Mr. Arthur Parker at the Royal again, Rosie. Discreetly. Ask him to come here at three o'clock, by the back entrance, please."

Rosie made a small curtsey. "Yes, Miss."

After she left, Georgiana looked out of the window to the ocean beyond. She had decided after all to hear Denham out.

But she did not intend to do it alone.

Alexander had attended many fine dinners at tables much longer than the Heywood's harvest table, but never one as filled with voices and laughter and controlled chaos as this one. After enjoying one of the most delicious suppers he could remember, he sat back and gazed at the assembled members of the party and smiled.

He held Charlotte's hand under the table, the one that now proudly showed her engagement ring. Joseph had started the dinner with Grace and then had stood to make an announcement before everyone began to eat.

"I wish to let you all know that our dear Charlotte has accepted an offer of marriage from Mr. Colbourne, and I have blessed the union happily. I have only known Alexander for one day, but I am impressed by his love of the land, his true heart, his unshakeable integrity, and above all, his love for our Charlotte. And I have been very glad to become acquainted with Miss Leonora and Miss Augusta as well."

Joseph raised a glass of pale homemade ale and everyone else did the same with the glasses in front of them, whether it be water, ale or milk. "To the happy couple!" he bellowed, and the level of noise created by all the voices around the table doing the same was enough to bounce off of the ceiling and nearly knock Alexander back into his chair. Charlotte had already planted her feet, knowing what was to come, and she looked at her husband-to-be with laughter in her eyes.

"And I have some other news that I believe will bring still more joy to all of you. We have recently held a wedding here at Heywood Manor, and it seems we have yet another one upcoming to celebrate our Catherine and her Ralph. Alexander has made a very kind and generous offer to hold the celebration of his marriage to Charlotte at his estate in Sanditon, and I have agreed that it is a fine idea." Amelia and Alice were the first to begin chattering, until their father fixed his eye on them and they went silent. "So, for those of you who have been wishing to see the seaside town where Charlotte and Alison have found such happiness, that wish will be granted in the first week of June, less than a month from this day!"

The entire table erupted in cheers and there were many embraces and much back slapping for Alexander.

"Now, let's eat! The food grows cold!" Joseph sat back down and dug into his mutton stew as one by one the others did the same. The food being very good indeed, the table grew immediately quiet apart from the clinking of glasses, the clatter of spoons on plates and the contented sounds of the consumption of the abundant supper.

Alexander was quite overwhelmed, not only with the sheer volume of company, delicious food, conversations across the table, but also his own happiness. After feeling for so long like an orphan who was raising motherless children, he realized that this was now his extended family and he deeply loved being a part of it.

All of this joy had been brought to him by Charlotte. He reached over and did the only thing he could do. He enclosed her hand in his under the table and tried to convey the depth of his emotions through his eyes.

She understood every word. And best of all, she returned them with her own eyes. I love you was first and foremost. Second was, I am so grateful. And third, I cannot wait to start this life with you.

Georgiana looked again at the clock on the sunroom wall. One minute to four. Her nerves had her tapping her fingers on the arms of the chair, and from behind the slightly ajar door that led to the drawing room, she heard a comforting whisper.

"There is nothing he can do to hurt you, my dear. I am here and I have my cane at the ready if need be."

Georgiana smiled in her affection. "Thank you, Arthur," she whispered back to him. "Now shush, please."

"I am silence itself," came the whispered reply.

There was a soft knock at the door to the hallway, and Georgiana called out in a confident voice. "Come in, Rosie."

Rosie had that look of distaste that always seemed present when the man who stood behind her was anywhere near. "Edward Denham, Miss." Rosie purposely omitted the Mister in her announcement, deeming him unworthy of even that minor title.

Edward stepped into the room and took a low bow, as if he were still in his Captain's uniform. "Miss Lambe," he said respectfully.

"Do sit down, Mr. Denham, and let us get this over with," Georgiana said curtly.

Edward walked to the chair across from her and sat. Her heart sank a little to see that he had brought nothing with him, no papers or envelopes that might contain any proof he might have to give her.

"I will get right to the point, then," he said, sitting back in the chair and crossing his legs.

"I would greatly appreciate that," Georgiana said.

"I told you that I had uncovered a riddle, Miss Lambe – and this will be a riddle in two parts, as I am certain if I were to tell you in full, you would not believe me. This way, the confirmation of the middle of the story will lend credence to the last of it."

Georgiana narrowed her eyes. "You may dispense with the histrionics, Mr. Denham. Get to it."

Edward took a breath and paused before speaking. "Have you not ever wondered where your father lived before Antigua? He was not born there, and clearly was not native to the land."

Georgiana frowned, realizing she did not know exactly how a man of Lawrence Lambe's English descent, born and educated in London, came to live on an island in the Caribbean and found himself running a sugar plantation – although it certainly was not uncommon in the colonies.

Edward could see her pondering the question, so he continued. "And your mother? How did they meet?"

Georgiana raised an eyebrow and spoke coldly. "I assumed they met in Antigua and fell in love, and then I was conceived."

Now Edward smiled his most disagreeable smile, and said, "Then here, for your first £5000, is the first part of the riddle. Your parents met in Sanditon, and the one you now need to talk to is Alexander Colbourne. Once you establish that I am telling the truth, I will give you the second part of the riddle, then you will give me the remaining £5000 and you will never see me again."

After saying their goodnights, Alexander and Charlotte went out to the carriage. Although Augusta and Leonora were originally planned to spend the night at the Willingden Arms with them, the girls would not be parted from their new friends, and beds had been shuffled to accommodate them easily.

Catherine happened to be saying goodnight to Ralph at the same time, and it finally gave the two men a chance to shake hands and have a few words without so many around them.

Ralph was the first to offer his hand, as he said, "Alexander, it has been very good to see you again. We had little chance to talk at Miss Lambe's party, and I did want to assure you that circumstances have sorted themselves out very much to everyone's satisfaction, and I am exceedingly happy for it." He placed his arm around Catherine's shoulders affectionately, and Alexander did the same with Charlotte. The sisters smiled radiantly at each other.

"Thank you, Ralph. You are a gentleman, and I appreciate, and agree with, your sentiments more than I can say. This is indeed a very happy ending for all of us. We will look forward to seeing you both at Heyrick Park for our wedding next month."

"And then we hope that you will journey back here for ours a month after that," Ralph said.

"We would not miss it," Charlotte said. She hugged her sister and then allowed Alexander to help her into the carriage. He shook Ralph's hand again, bowed to Catherine and said his goodnights before climbing up into the carriage with her.

"I adore your family," Alexander said, as the carriage began moving down the drive. "Every last one of them."

"And they love you and the girls already," Charlotte said, gazing up at him in the dim light.

They had been wanting to kiss each other all day and evening, and now, in the darkness of the carriage, with its gentle back-and-forth movement and the distant sounds of the horses, they moved closer. Another river had been crossed – they were now officially engaged to be married, with permissions granted from parents and children, and their happiness fully shared.

Alexander enveloped Charlotte completely in his arms as his lips found hers, the taste of the port wine they had sipped after dinner still sweet on their mouths. Her fingers threaded through his hair and even as they did, she could feel the ring that now bound her completely to him, and she pulled him even closer with a sigh. Both felt they wanted the carriage to ride on into the night, taking them anywhere as long as it meant they never had to stop these sensations and the deep love that made them ever stronger together – but before long, the carriage slowed and stopped.

They separated reluctantly and walked out and up the stone steps of the inn. One last kiss before they parted just inside the door, her to her room, and him to his, whispering a tender I love you.

"Until tomorrow, then?" Alexander said softly.

"Until tomorrow, my love, and every day after that," Charlotte answered.