Violet, her children along with the entire staff and Ms Delacroix gathered at the entrance as the carriages arrived inside Aubrey Hall.
George and his wife were first to descend from carriage and then Violet smiled as she watched her son helping his fiancé out.
From another carriage (much to everyone surprise) Simon Bassett stepped out as he stared at place he often visited as Bridgerton friend but today he arrived to attend his friend and sister's wedding at Aubrey Hall.
Soon Anthony and Kathani were embrace by younger Bridgerton and as Genevieve got chance to embrace her friend she couldn't help but ask. "Why is Lord Bassett here?"
Kathani looked over the children and whisper in her friend's ear. "He knows the truth."
"What?" Genevieve hiss and Simon tipped his hat in understanding as he joined the girls. "Ladies better discuss these topics in the privacy of your chambers, away from curious eyes and ears."
Kathani watched as Simon discreetly tilted his face towards children and staff.
"Come everyone, let's go inside so we can enjoy refreshments in a warm room." At Violet's suggestion everyone went inside.
Later after they settled and finished delicious spread of refreshments and warm tea , Anthony, George and Billie told Violet how great Kathani's Presentation went.
"You meant to say we are first family to get an invitation for spring ball by none other then The Queen herself?" Violet asks, her voice laced with shock and pride for her new daughter-in-law.
Billie squeeze her hand as she replied with beaming smile. "Yes, the Queen says that she can't wait to introduce her new Gem to the entire Ton. Can you believe it Violet? our Kathani has impressed our Queen so much that she forgone the title of Diamond and named her The Rare Gem of this season."
Kathani was blushing as Violet stood up and tearfully embrace her new daughter. "Oh Kathani! not even wed and you brought such a great honour to our family! You truly are a rare Gem! Anthony, my dearest son! even I couldn't find such a remarkable girl for you and yet you not only found her but made sure she became part of our family!"
Anthony smiled and squeezed his fiancé hand as he told his mother. "Truth is we found each other and for that I count myself extremely blessed."
Violet beamed at these two love birds before she turned to stare at Billie and Genevieve. "Come everyone! With wedding in two days there is no moment to spare and lots to do!"
She then called Mrs Wilson and started giving her instructions with everyone following her behind.
Anthony was going to follow when his friend stopped him. "Bridgerton, can we speak privately? Lord Rokesby you should join us too."
Kathani frowned as Anthony didn't follow them and was pulled aside by Simon and his uncle.
She was going to follow him but Genevieve pulls her away. "Come Kathani, we need to figure out what you are wearing on your wedding."
While Kathani left with others, Anthony led Bassett and Uncle George towards study.
Since Anthony told him that Basset is in the secret and trustworthy friend to him and brother to his fiancé, uncle George was not surprised when first thing came out of Basset mouth was. "Bridgerton, since Kathani has honoured me by becoming my sister, I have arranged dowry for her."
George could see Anthony was as shocked as he was touched by this gesture "Bassett, I appreciate your generosity and care you shown to her but I love Kathani and beside I don't need dowry to marry her."
Simon smiled in relief because he was right about his friend's deep feelings for his sister and he knew Anthony would refuse the dowry straight away without any hesitation. "Fine, do not use it but let us put this money aside for Kathani to use as she sees it fit. She can use half the money for her younger sister's dowry which will be equivalent to what you have arranged for your sisters. The other half she could use anyway she wants but please accept this for Kathani's sake."
Anthony thought seriously about this matter as he informed his friend. "I won't accept it until I will tell my fiancé what you did for her, if she decides to accepts it then I will put it aside for her use." "Fair enough, now there is another matter of her brother. Lord Rokesby, I understand you are using your contacts to search for Karan Sharma?"
"Yes, I have already sent first ship in search of Kathani's brother before we left London."
"Great! I also have few contacts with merchant sailors so while you are focusing on finding Karan Sharma, I can sent someone from my contacts to bring Lady Mary Sharma and her daughter Edwina Sharma from India. Now I understand it may take some time but if I send them straight away after winters are over I am sure Kathani's mother and sister will arrive these shores in three years time."
Uncle George looked surprised but Anthony beamed at his friend quick thinking. "That's a great idea mate! Uncle George, with Basset arranging a voyage for Kathani's mother and sister, you and your friends can solely focus on searching for Karan Sharma!"
George knew both young lads were advising correctly but still he warned Lord Bassett. "Fine, let's do this but Bassett please be cautious because we don't want anyone to know until Kathani family is under our protection and her brother is found."
"Do not worry! I gave you my word that I will be careful while handling this responsibility." And as his uncle smiles Anthony knew his uncle believed in Basset just like he does.
Kathani always loves her Amma's bridal Lehanga and jewellery and often her Appa used to tell she used to take her veil and jewellery out off wooden chest and wear it as she stood in front of mirror and pretend to be a bride.
The Lehanga was deep blood red, with emerald green blouse ( choli) and red veil covered with pure gold embroidery.
Before leaving India Kathani had to mortgage most of her jewellery to have money stored for Mary and Edwina in case something happened while they were away.
Karan was sad but he promised that he will get the jewellery back once he completed his studies and start job.
Luckily she packed her Amma Lehanga and bangles, the only piece of jewellery she kept for herself so that she could wear it for her brother and Genevieve wedding.
Never in her wildest dreams she thought she would be wearing her Amma's Lehanga for her own wedding not that she imagined getting married to the most handsome, kind-hearted English nobleman or having a huge lovely family who accepted her and her heritage with open arms.
"My! My I never saw such a rich silk fabric and beautiful colours combinations." Violet says as she touched the shiny silk fabric.
"Such a beautiful embroidery, is this a pure gold thread?" Aunt Billie inquires as her fingers traced the golden flowers on Lehanga.
"Yes, it's pure gold. This bridal Lehanga was made by Princess personal seamstresses. It was a gift for my Amma as they were friends."
Violet and Billie hear the story in fascination as she describes how each piece of this Lehanga was purchased by best merchants on Princess orders.
"Kathani you should also wear this dress on your first ball." Violet suggested her when a thought came to her mind. "I bet the Queen will be pleased to see you dress in such a beautiful dress! I know for certain she loves dark rich colours like these and you will look like a true Gem dressed in this ."
"But Violet, I don't have matching jewellery to wear at ball. At the wedding I was just going to wear my Amma bangles, the only piece I have left of her."
"Luckily you are marrying in family that own beautiful pieces of jewellery." Billie told her with an assuring smile.
"Oh! I have just a thing that will match your Amma's dress and bangles." Violet then whispered in Mrs Wilson's ears and a few minutes later she brought box.
Kathani and Genevieve gasp when the box is opened and inside they saw a beautiful golden necklace and earrings made of rubies and emerald stones.
"This is so beautiful! But I cannot accept this! It's too much and you all have already done so much for me..."
Kathani tried to give it back but Violet stopped her with a stern look. "You are going to be daughter of this family and as part of this family you will soon find out that what ever is ours is now yours too so stop thinking these things and accept this and everything we gave to you."
Kathani cried as she shakily accept jewellery box from her mother in law.
"Now come, let get you in your bridal dress and see if we need to make any alterations." With that Genevieve made her stand up in front of the mirror and start working on alterations for her friend's wedding dress.
As Kathani predicted they didn't get one moment to spend alone since they returned to Aubrey Hall.
Kathani was busy with Genevieve, his mother and Aunt Billie for wedding preparations.
Anthony was busy with matters of state. He tried to cover more work so he could enjoy the rest of his vacations with his family and wife.
So here he was, working in his study on the night before his wedding. He looked outside the window and saw snow start falling outside. "Looks like we are going to have a white wedding."
While he was thinking how the grounds of Aubrey Hall will be covered in snow by tomorrow he heard a knock on the door before it opened, revealing his fiancé who looked quite awake and excited as she stepped inside and close the door.
"Its showing! Can you believe it was my first ever snowfall and on my wedding day!"
"Come here, so we can see your first snowfall from here." He smiled as his angle crossed the room and settled on his lap.
For a while they sat quietly in each other's arms as they watched snow falling out of the window.
Anthony sighed feeling so peaceful after such a long time. He was not just at peace but also excited to start this new chapter of his life with this remarkable girl who is the reason happiness has returned to Aubrey Hall.
"So Sharma, are you excited about tomorrow?"
She looked up and gave him a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I am excited about tomorrow, it just that." She trailed away looking at the falling snow with sad eyes.
"What? What's the matter darling? Why do you look sad?" Anthony was starting to feel panic that maybe they are rushing and his Kathani is now second guessing but she shake her head and gave him assured smile. "I am happy for us my love and I am looking forward to being your wife. I just never imagined my wedding day without my family and now Mary and Edwina are far away and my Appa and Karan..." She was unable to continue as tears started spilling from her eyes.
In seconds she was in Anthony's arm as he comforted her. "Its okay darling, It's okay to miss your family. I understand how you are feeling because I am missing my father too. I wish he could be there, I wish your family could be there too but as much as we want we cannot bring them back."
"I know, I know." She sniffs while wiping her tears away. "Its just I miss them so much."
Anthony kissed her forehead as she cried for her family. "I know we cannot bring them back but I promise Kathani in few years you will see your mother and sister again and hopefully your brother too."
He tilted her face as he kissed his fiancé lips softly before prepping her face with small kisses as he told her. "You are not without your family. Genevieve is here as your sister and Simon already considers you as his sister, he even offered to pay dowry for you."
"What!? Kathani's eyes widened in disbelief. "But I didn't want him to pay..."
"Nor do I need his dowry to marry you but Simon is adamant, he says to put it aside for you so you can use it as you see fit."
Kathani couldn't believe how she was able to find such generous people to love her. "I don't deserve this kind of generosity or love from you people."
"Of course you do! You are such a strong, remarkable and loving girl Sharma that anyone who meets you loves you instantly and tomorrow you will get a big family who will love you as much as I love you."
"I love you too Anthony!" Kathani cried as she hugged him hard. "I love you and my new family and I cannot wait to marry you tomorrow."
She felt her fiancé holding her tightly as he says. "I cannot wait to marry you too and I believe the love one we lost will be watching us from heavens, showering us with love and their blessing as you and I become husband and wife."
And as they watched snowfall they both truly believe that it is a blessing from their lost loved ones.
Sure enough the snow has blanketed the ground of Aubrey Hall on the day of Anthony and Kathani wedding.
Anthony was getting dressed in suite while his mother pin flower on his navy blue suite coat. "I wish your father was here to see our eldest boy getting married to the wonderful girl he fell in love with. Oh Anthony, it was our dream to see you children found the same love we shared."
Anthony embraced his tearful mother as he assured her. "I believe its Father blessing that Kathani came in my life. It was his dream that I attended Oxford and in a way he guided me towards the love of my life."
Violet smiled, agreeing with her son. "You are right my son and no matter how unusual your and Kathani circumstances were, I bet your father would have loved her too."
While Anthony and his mother were sharing a special moment.
Kathani was experiencing same as she watched herself as stunning bride in her Amma's wedding Lehanga.
Simon knocked and enter inside and then saw the most beautiful bride ever as he said. "Ah! Bridgerton is going to fall in love with you all over again when he sees you like this."
Kathani and Genevieve smiled as they stared her reflection in mirror. Today Kathani looked the most beautiful bride. Like a princess from a far away land.
"Genevieve, Kathani I have brought gifts from groom. Genevieve you first."
Genevieve held a small box and found parchment and ring inside.
Kathani watched as she unfolded it and gasped as tears started spilling from her eyes. "Its marriage certificate, of mine and Karan."
"Arrived this morning from Lord Rokesby Solicitors." Simon informed the girls. "Do not worry, he assured us that the certificate is quite legal and authentic."
Genevieve carefully folded her certificate and picked out ring.
"Anthony and I picked it for you." Kathani informed her friend. "Its your wedding band."
Genevieve hugged her friend. "Thank you! Thank you so much! Today you truly bind me with your brother forever."
Simon smiled as he handed his sister a box. "This is a gift from your groom."
Kathani opened it and gasp as she saw pair of silver anklets. "How did he find these!?"
"He purchased them in London from an Indian merchant. Its Anthony wish that you wear these today as you walk down the aisle."
Genevieve quickly helped her friend as she placed anklets on her ankles.
Simon smiles widely as Kathani start walking creating tinkling sound behind her.
She looked up and found two people who were now part of her family. "Genevieve, Simon thank you for being here for me today."
"Where else will we be?" Genevieve ask while embracing her friend."
"I know I am not your real brother but I promise I will bring him and your family to you soon."
Kathani couldn't help herself as she flung her arms around Simon. "You are as much brother to me as Karan was and I cannot believe you care for me enough to pay dowry for me. How could I ever repay you for your generosity. "
"Kathani, you have already given me so much more. I always yearn for siblings and now I am proud brother to such a brilliant lovely girl. The truth is it is I who could never repay you for making me part of your family."
Simon was sniffing along with both girls and soon Kathani was getting embrace by both of them.
Finally they all break their little emotional embrace as Genevieve wiped her and Kathani tears away. "Come, it's time to get our sister married."
So with her small family on her side, Kathani Sharma head towards her new future.
The entire family along with staff were gathered in a small archway on Aubrey Hall gardens.
Anthony was standing in front of Pastor with Benedict by his side.
Colin was playing merry tune on violin while Daphne was playing piano with her brother as they created wedding music they both learned for this occasion.
The snow had stopped falling but still the ground was covered in white making gardens look something out of a beautiful dream. It was certainly more beautiful than a dream as Anthony watched Eloise, Francesca dropping flowers in blue dress.
Then Genevieve arrives dressed in lilac and from the corner of his eyes he saw his sixteen-year-old brother trying to stand tall.
He shakes his head and then Daphne and Colin start playing another tune and a tinkling sound reached everyone ears.
It was a magical moment when from white snow emerges a beautiful fairy dressed in blood-red, green and gold. It was quite a stunning and regal wedding dress that Anthony was sure no one had ever seen in their lives. Like him everyone was struck by this beauty in red as his Kathani walked gracefully with Bassett by her side.
Simon couldn't help but roll his eyes when Bridgerton stared at his sister with heart eyes. Then again his sister was also staring at her groom with the same happiness and appreciation.
Anthony felt his eyes zeroed on Kathani's midriff and he tried to contain his excitement as he thought about touching that skin once they got married.
Soon his bride reached him as his friend placed her hand in his. Anthony couldn't help himself as he leans closer to whisper his bride. "Kathani you look so beautiful! Words are not enough my love to praise your beauty."
Kathani blushed as she admired her groom. "You look quite handsome too my Lord."
Violet and Billie were crying happy tears as they watched Pastor clear his throat and begin the ceremony.
"Do you Anthony Bridgerton take Kathani Sharma as your legally wedded wife? For Richer or for Poor, For better or for worst, in sickness and health, to love, to honour, to protect for as long as shall you live."
"I do." He said in a loud but emotional voice.
The Pastor then turned towards the bride as he asked. "Do you Kathani Sharma take Anthony Bridgerton as your legally wedded husband? For Richer or for poor, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to love, to honour, to obey as long as shall you love."
Kathani mouthed obey!? And Anthony grimaced making Benedict, Genevieve and Simon chuckle as finally Kathani replied. "I do."
Anthony and Kathani both felt their hearts ready to burst as they held their hands tightly.
"With power vested in me, I now pronounce this couple bounded in holy matrimony as husband and wife. Let's pray and bless the happy couple."
Kathani and Anthony along with everyone start praying and in that moment a snow start falling again.
As everyone looked around Anthony whispered in his wife's ears. "Look darling, my father and your parents have sent their blessings on our wedding day."
Kathani felt tears in her eyes as they watched snow falling around them and then to everyone surprise both bride and groom leapt towards each other's arms as they joined their lips in passionate kiss.
Seeing a love like this on such a beautiful wedding do seems like a blessed occasion to everyone who witnessed this reunion of soulmate.