Juliana was in her room unpacking her trunk filled with her new belongings. Her bedroom adjoined Richard's by an interlocking door. It was harder than she thought to be back at Bentley Manor.

It was her home but it was the people she shared it with that made it so. Only a few of the servants lived in quarters in the Manor, others came from the local village. Those that were in house bonded like a close-knit family. She and Albert were one of them.

Juliana understood his reaction to her. In truth, she should have known better than to act in such a way. It was not permitted as a servant. Her actions would most certainly be frowned upon as his mistress, but Albert was more than just a confidant. He was someone she had worked with, who looked out for her, treated her like a daughter. Juliana never forgot he was the one who has saved her life the night of the fire.

Albert and Lord Charles Bentley refused to give up on her. They searched all through the night until they found her broken body. She should have died that day but somehow managed to rise from the ashes.

Albert took to looking after her. Having lost her family, having to become a servant took time to adjust, to become whole again. Albert filled a huge void, as did the first Lord Bentley, in her heart. Without them, she would have given up long ago on the ideas of happiness and family.

There was a gentle knock on the door and Juliana bid whomever it was to enter.

A young woman came into the room.

Lily looked upon Juliana horrified as she watched her Mistress unpacking her things.

"I am so sorry, Miss. I should have come sooner. There have been so many preparations needed to be attended to for your arrival."

"It is fine, Lily. I do not mind unpacking my own things, but I could use some help."

Lily rushed to Juliana's side to take over unpacking while Juliana put her belongings away. She kept an eye on her mistress and the third time Juliana caught her staring she had to ask.

"Something on your mind?"

"No, Miss," Lily looked down embarrassed at being caught.

Juliana crossed the room and stood before her. "I give you permission to speak your mind, Lily."

Shyly Lily looked up at her. "I was just surprised, Miss that you remembered my name."

Juliana smiled warmly at the girl. "Lady Catherine hired you to replace me. You brought me the news I was to see her. It was a rather important day as the news received meant I was leaving here never to return."

"But here you are, Miss."

"Yes Lily, here I am. I seem to have a habit of popping up in places where I am not expected," Juliana laughed realizing just how true a statement that was.

Lily just looked away confused.

Juliana looked at her again and an idea sprung to mind. "Lily, would you mind being my personal Chambermaid?"

"I will serve wherever you wish me too, Miss," Lily said but Juliana could tell she liked the idea. It was also meant a raise in her salary which the others may be jealous over as she is so new.

"I will take the matter up with Mr. Dolson?" Juliana said not wanting to disrupt Albert's way of doing things if she was needed elsewhere. However, Juliana thought it would be a relief to have Lily as she needed someone to help her get ready each morning and night and Lily, having not served with her would be a far more comfortable choice.

Lily could not stop smiling. Juliana knew if she was able to use Lily for her maid she has now made a friend for life. The two went back to their task of unpacking her belongings. Juliana caught Lily running her fingertips lovingly over the fabric of each dress, that she hung in the wardrobe. Juliana decided something else.

"Has Kate, chose to stay on as well?" she asked Lily.

"We all have, Miss," Lily stated.

This bit of news shocked Juliana. "All of you?!"

"Yes, Miss."

"Had Mr. Dolson offered letters?"

"Yes, Miss, but they all wanted to stay with you. When I saw this I thought it best I stay too." Lily thought if this woman could gain such respect she was well worth working for and considering her new mistress's offer, she knew she made the right decision.

Juliana had to sit down, too taken aback by the idea of it.

"All..." she said in a whisper.

Lily looked on worriedly as she had seen the tears spring to Juliana's eyes.

"I hope I did not say something to offend, Miss?" Lily asked concerned.

Juliana just smiled at her. "No Lily, you told me exactly what I needed to hear."

They accepted her as mistress as they accepted her as a servant. She knew now that they were willing and if they were willing then she would be too, with a few changes of course. She will be a far better mistress then their last, and she wanted to improve things here.

The first thing she wished to change was the drab gray uniform the women were forced to wear. They were dreadful things. Kate was a brilliant seamstress but would need materials to work with. She would need to ask Richard if they possessed the funds.

She also wanted to make certain the staff was paid the going wage. Most of them had been cut wages as Lady Catherine ran things into the ground. She knew this might take some time as many of the tenants had been leaving or threatening to leave since her father was still alive.

She remembered several conversations her Father had with Lord Bentley over what could be done. Charles had been depending on her father as an advisor of sorts knowing him to be an excellent man of business. Many times he would say, "I have been born to privilege, Henry. I know how to keep what I have but not how to grow what I need."

Her Father would laugh at this and say, "That is why the Lord made us friends."

Together they made some great improvements but then the fire happened and try as he might the stress of keeping things going was too great for Lord Bentley, and so he soon succumbed. His health began to fade along with all of his plans to better the village.

Richard knocked and came through the adjoining door to her bedroom.

Lily curtsied upon his entrance and immediately left without being told to do so.

Juliana looked upon the man that was soon to be her husband. He held in his hand another box, obviously a dress box by the size of it.

"I know you think I am being overindulgent, but humor me one more time?" Richard asked placing the box on her bed.

Juliana smiled, shaking her head at him. She really did need to discuss this at some point as she had no need for so much, and she would prefer funds be spent in more productive ways, she, after all, is her Father's daughter.

She lifted the lid and gasped.

The most beautiful gown, she had ever seen lay in that box. The golden fabric shimmered and shined in such a way it looked almost like liquid gold, trimmed with pearls and white satin ribbon.

"Oh, Richard," Juliana could not believe such a luxurious creation belonged to her.

"I wish you to wear it for our wedding day," Richard said, pulling it out of the box. Juliana almost looked afraid to touch it.

Then she reached out and took it from him hugging it to her chest. "Thank you!" She felt so happy at this moment she could not believe she could be happier.

Richard caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand. "I can hardly believe after all we have been through..." he had difficulty finishing his sentence too overwhelmed by the thought she will be his, mind, body and soul bound by love and by God.

Juliana took his hand in hers and pressed it against her cheek.

Richard tilted her chin and lightly caressed her lips.

"I love you, Juliana Wadsworth, and always will."

"And I you, Richard. Tomorrow cannot arrive soon enough."

He kissed her again and Juliana felt her heart take flight.

"I wish I could stay, Love but I must speak with Albert, before retiring to bed. However, this is the last night you ever sleep alone."

"I can bear it, knowing I will be forever by your side."

"Albert was quite distraught thinking he hurt you in some way. May I pass a message to him?" Richard asked.

"Just let him know I could never be upset with him. He means the world to me," Juliana said, appreciating the opportunity to put him at ease.

Richard smiled at her. "I will pass it on."

"Until tomorrow, Love." He kissed her a third time but this kiss held a reluctance to let her go.

She kissed him back. "Until tomorrow, Richard. Sweet dreams!"

Richard walked over and opened the door to her bedroom. "I will be the sweetest for I will most definitely be dreaming of you."

He passed through shutting it behind him.

Juliana looked again at the gown in her hands. Her wedding dress. She twirled around with it in her hands. Tomorrow they will exchange vows and be man and wife. Finally, their happily ever after was upon them.