Eliza is pulled down the front steps and out on to the gravel by Penny, who is eager to get into Charlotte's carriage that has just pulled up in front of Chester Valley. Charlotte is helped down by one of the two footmen. The carriage is being pulled by two identical white horses with plaited mane, it has a black wooden structure with gold trimmings, even the wheels are golden. It is grand and imposing, it oozes power and money so it must belong to Thomas's family.

Charlotte greets Eliza and Penny with hugs. She has spent a great deal of time with Penny and Helen recently planing the flowers, seating arrangements even the order of service and they have become fast friends.

"Charlotte!" Benjamin hurries down the house steps waving an envelope in the air, Helen walks behind him holding a small green purse.

"Here." He hands Charlotte the envelope as he reaches her. "This is the money."

"Why aren't you giving it to me?" Eliza asks trying to see how much is in there as her friend opens it and her eyes grow wide.

"Because I have this for you." Her uncle says reaching into his waistcoat and handing her a different envelope.

"What's this?" She asks running her finger under the seal.

"It's your wedding dress money." He explains. Eliza counts the money inside and her mouth drops open.

"I can't take this!" She exclaims trying to push the money back to him. "There's a ridiculous amount there."

Benjamin rolls his eyes, "You don't have to spend it all but I know how expensive these things are."

"But..." Eliza starts to protest.

"I am not taking it back." He states firmly, lucky Charlotte steps in.

"We need to get going or we will be late for Madame Olive's." She states pulling at her friend's arm. "Thank you, Benjamin."

"Anytime." He says.

Penny bounces into the carriage not bothering to wait for the footman to help her. Helen follows her daughter more gracefully. Charlotte accepts the hand of her footman and she steps into the carriage. Eliza hesitates before throwing her arms around her uncle and hugging him tightly. "Thank you."

"Yes well, you better get going." He says gruffly, patting her on the back.

She lets go and climbs into the carriage ignoring the helping hand. He shuts the little black and gold door behind her. The footman climbs up to the driver's seat and clicks at the horses.

"Bye." Penny waves from the little window as the horses walk on pulling them away from the house.

"Here." Charlotte opens a small bag she has brought with her. "You can keep your money in here."

Eliza slips her wedding dress money into it, a thought occurs to her.

"Could we stop at the bookshop in town after the dress fitting?"

"I don't see why not," Helen replies. Eliza smiles to herself, maybe this trip won't be all bad.

"Can I have a pink dress for the wedding?" Penny asks.

"How about a red one?" Charlotte asks. "Eliza is going to have a red bouquet."

"What colour is your bouquet?" The little girl asks.

"White."

"Charlotte you don't have a maid of honour so why doesn't Penny be a joint one and that way she can wear pink?" Eliza proposes.

"Oh yes please." Penny pleads. Helen shakes her head.

"It's up to Charlotte." She says.

"That will be lovely." Charlotte says, "Then I can put the bridesmaids in red and white."

"Thank you, thank you." Penny hugs Charlotte's waist.

"Who are our bridesmaids?" Eliza asks curious, she only has one friend.

"My cousins; Anne and Margret and my sister......" Charlotte replies bitterly.

Having only met Charlotte's older sister Diana a few times Eliza could not say in a company that the girl is a vile childish girl but she is. Charlotte holds great contempt for her as her parents doted over Diana growing up and she often had that shoved in her face, only when Charlotte proved to be more agreeable and beautiful did her mother actual pay attention to her.

"Only three?" Helen says surprised, "I had around seven at my wedding."

"Ideally we would like four but I can't think of anyone who would be a good fit." Charlotte stresses.

"How about that Lady Rosemarie? You seemed to get on with her." Eliza suggests.

"Oh, I hadn't thought of her,"

"There you are then, four bridesmaids." Helen settles. "We shall call on her on our return."

The carriage trundles through the heart of London, outside people walk up and down the streets going about their business. The dress shop is a large shop with a neatly painted sign, in the windows hang dresses of all colours and styles. They are decorated with hats, scarfs and jewellery. The carriage draws to a halt and the footman jumps down and opens the door, holding his hand out. Eliza takes it first and steps into the street, she peers into the left window, a beautiful dark green velvet dress hangs on a mannequin. The neckline is a small love heart line that bears the shoulders slightly and falls into three-quarter sleeves, the bodice is darker green with black stitching and dark jewels that swirl. The skirt flows to the floor like a waterfall and is trimmed with more dark jewels. It takes her breath away.

"Are you coming?" The others have gotten down from the carriage and stand in front of the door waiting to go in, she nods.

The door swings open and a bell chimes nearby. Every inch of the walls and floor are covered by different fabrics; velvet, cotton, lace, silk, wool, satin, chiffon and taffeta. There are shelves and shelves of material in floral, stripes, patterned, plain, embossed, stitched and detailed. There are rolls of lace trim and fancy buttons in jars.

"Good morning, how can I help?" A girl about the same age as Eliza greets them with a polite smile, she wears a demure pink chiffon dress with puff sleeves.

"We have an appointment with Madame Olive." Charlotte answers.

"Would you follow me?" The girl takes them past all the fabric to a quaint corner of the shop. There are a few chairs around a table holding tea and scones. There are mirrors all around and a small stage to be stood on when trying dresses. To the left, there is a massive wedding section, complete with veils, tiaras, flowers and purses.

"If you could wait here, Madame Olive will be with you soon." The girl says.

"Thank you." Charlotte sits down on one of the chairs. Penny hops around looking at the gorgeous veils. The girl leaves through a back door.

"Don't touch anything," Helen says sternly, pouring herself a cup of tea and passing Eliza one.

"I can't wait to be a bride," Penny announces. "To walk down the aisle and be married to a handsome man."

Eliza sits on the chair as her head is beginning to thump a little. The last few days had occupied her mind and the thought of marrying a person she likes but does not love had not tormented her as it does now. Her chest is tight and it is becoming difficult to breathe.

"Charlotte, can I talk to you for a minute?" She asks quickly, standing up and walking away before anyone can speak. Outside on the street, Eliza can breathe again.

"What is the matter?" Charlotte asks concerned, shutting the shop door.

"I can't marry him, I don't love him! What am I doing?" Eliza panics, her voice rising higher and higher.

Charlotte grabs her hands and forces her to stand still. "Listen to me, calm down."

"But....."

"Listen, you might not love him but you care for him and you respect him." Charlotte takes a deep breath. "I have been engaged to Thomas for three months, I have only loved him for about three weeks."

"What?" Eliza is stumped.

"He proposed and I accepted because it was my duty, I spent a lot of time with him, learnt about him, what he likes and doesn't like. The more I got to know him the more I liked him and could see myself as his wife. I am lucky because we fell in love and I think you and Jasper can as well."