Seven

The rest of the days bled together leading up to the wedding. According to Ernest not many other people will be there, just a few of his associates. Briar of course sitting on her side and a few other people who wished to go to an early Saturday mass that would be following. Clara didn't seem to care however as she was just thrilled to be getting married.

Ernest had even given her the pleasure of teaching her a few things to prepare for the woman's circle, since she insisted on going. He couldn't teach her pianoforte or how to paint, but he did teach her card games and some basic French.

"You look beautiful Clara," said Briar as she laced up her stays on the day of the wedding. "I can't believe you own a dress like this."

"Honestly, I can't either," said Clara as she admired the gown hanging in her wardrobe. It was a blue gown with a lace overlay that was so pale it almost looked white if it wasn't for the sun. She had picked out a darker blue sash to wear underneath her breast as Briar helped her into it.

"He's going to be left speechless."

"I hope he's just as excited as I am," said Clara as she slipped on her new soft leather boots Ernest had given her.

"I bet he's thrilled," said Briar as she held the door open for her.

EdgewaterEdgewaterEdgewater

"And where are you going Vincent?" asked Dominique as she saw her son putting on his best jacket. She was passing by his room as she saw him admiring his reflection as he was rather proud to be walking Clara down the aisle. Vincent only grinned up at his mother as softly tutted at her.

"I'm going to Mr. Sinclaire's wedding," said Vincent. "It's going to be in one hour. Mother I had told you it was today right?"

"I remember," said Dominique. "Who did you say she was again? One of his tenant's daughters? I understand that he doesn't have to be with someone titled but that young girl sure married up. So much so that she might not be able to keep up."

Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "I think she will do just fine. She seems like a very educated young lady and she makes him happy. Now I should be off and shall be back around dinner." He nodded at her as he headed toward the door.

"I can't wait to meet her at the sewing circle," said Dominique as she huffed off to find something to do. Vincent was keeping something from her, but she just wasn't entirely sure what.

Vincent only felt slightly guilty for not telling his mother about Clara. She still didn't know which would have put her in an awkward position. He should really wait to tell his mother after she was married anyway. That way she wouldn't be worrying about details and wanting to do something over the top. Or even go as far as breaking their engagement. He would be able to get to know her himself.

Sighing he went to find his wife to let her know that he was leaving as he went to her room. It was still rather early, she might be asleep. Gently he rapped on her door but nothing as he tried again. Cautiously he opened the door and stepped in only to see the bed made. She was already awake as he turned back to go searching again as he saw her drawer ajar.

"Oh," said a voice at the door. "Vincent what are you doing here?"

He peered over his shoulder to see Henrietta there as he let out a sigh. "I came to tell you that I was leaving for Mr. Sinclaire's wedding. I already had a small breakfast and won't be back around dinner."

"Of course," she said with a small smile. "You should probably start getting there."

"I will be heading down here in a minute," he said. "I wanted to talk to you about something as well." Vincent headed toward the bed as he sat down and patted a seat next to him. She sighed as she went and sat down next to him. "I have taken the liberty to invite the new Mrs. Sinclaire to your sewing circle sometime within the next few weeks. If I were to talk to her about it sometime at the reception I wanted to know what a good day would be."

Henrietta looked thoughtful as was probably thinking about her week. Vincent found himself looking around her room as he noticed that drawer that was ajar.

"Vincent," said Henrietta as he reached out to the drawer.

"What?" he asked as he looked at her. Confused he went to push it closed when he noticed the plain dusty box. "What happened to keeping things tidy?" Before she could stop him, he had already opened the box to see the very familiar handwriting. This was Mary's letters to him…

"We will be talking about these when I get back," said Vincent as held the box. "I should be getting to Mr. Sinclaire's wedding."

With a firm look he headed toward the door.

EdgewaterEdgewaterEdgewater

Ernest was pacing as Bishop Monroe was watching him a bit amused. He had gone and got a special license for them to marry as the guests were filtering in the small church. In fact, Ernest could already see Mr. Chambers sitting there and the earl was in the back waiting with Clara.

"Ernest, everything will be fine," said Bishop Monroe as he held his sermon book. "It will be nine o'clock in three minutes and then you will be married."

"I'm just really happy," he said after a minute. "Over the moon really."

"Well I'm glad. It'll only be an hour here and then as soon as the parish register is filled out you'll be married forever."

"Thank you for doing this," said Ernest as Bishop Monroe only smiled, after all it was his job, and this was special for him.

Then the back doors opened as the earl of Edgewater and Clara holding his arm with a bouquet of orange blossoms as that smile on his face dropped from his smile to something of awe. She looked very angelic as she had a small grin on her face as she clutched the earls arm. He couldn't take his own eyes off her as Ernest caught his breath.

The earl stopped in front of them as he slinked off to the side as Clara passed off her flowers to Briar. Once her hands were freed he reached over and held them as she flushed and stood close to him. Bishop Monroe raised a brow but said nothing as he opened his book.

"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," started the bishop as the ceremony started.

Ernest tried to watch the bishop as his eyes kept straying to Clara next to him. She looked breathtaking as he felt his heart speed up. He was marrying a woman that he loved and love him back for real. This was truly the best day for him as his mind drifted to tonight and the night after and the night after that. The idea of waking up next to her only delighted him more and more.

Then he had to wake up to say his vows to her. "I Ernest take thee Clara to 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."

She said her line as he found the ring he kept in his pocket as he put it on her finger. Clara's smile bigger than before as if it was remotely possible. They knelt as he played his part well as his eyes kept drifting off to look at her. Until he heard the final line of the ceremony as they were passed a quill pen to sign the parish book as they filled it in.

"I love you," he said softly as they walked out of the church together.

"I love you too," she said as he gently kissed her cheek softly as the onlookers sighed happily for them.

Everything was perfect.