The Manor was all abuzz with the preparations for the wedding and reception that was to be held in the ballroom following the ceremony. Richard looked briefly at his pocket watch. Soon, the guests would be arriving.

Finally, pleased with her appearance, Clara set off to seek out her brother.

Clara was not the least bit surprised to find him, washed, dressed and already overseeing the details for today. She walked down the main staircase. He stopped a moment when he caught sight of her and smiled.

Richard looked simply dashing in his formal attire, and he took her hand as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"You look lovely, Clara."

"Thank you, Richard. I was hoping this dress would do." It was one she loved but had not worn in years, having not the occasion. She had hoped it would not appear too outdated.

"So, how are you fairing this beautiful day?" Clara asked, wanting to keep her promise to Juliana.

"Anxious, I guess you could say," Richard admitted.

"It is a rather important occasion. I believe it is to be expected," Clara teased.

"I have no reservations about marriage, sister dear. I just want everything to be perfect for Juliana and then there are... other matters weighing on my mind."

Clara frowned. "This day should not be tainted by such thoughts. Put them from your mind, Richard. All will resolve itself in due time, I am certain. Keep your focus on you both and you cannot go wrong."

Richard hugged his little sister, always wiser than her years. "You are correct, of course."

"The guests will be arriving soon. I wish to check the garden and chapel one last time to be certain it is ready for Juliana's entrance. I cannot wait to see her. It is an agony I must endure but thankfully not for too much longer."

"It will make the moment that much sweeter," Clara said, "I will let you to your business and see to your anxious bride. She bid me discover how you are fairing so is eagerly awaiting the news."

This made Richard laugh. Juliana was as impatient as he.

"Go, tell her I am in the best of spirits and desperately wish to see her smiling face."

"Consider it done," Clara said and headed back to Juliana's room to deliver the news.

Richard took note of all the men that Albert had stationed. He informed each one of his directive, "Report but do not intervene." They all acknowledged they understood and wished him well on his wedding day.

Richard found Albert near the chapel. He was overseeing the final touches on the wedding arch, a beautiful creation of red roses and white satin bows. Before the chapel were rows of seats for the guests separated by an aisle that leads to the chapel's entrance.

Richard felt pleased, knowing Juliana would love the way the garden and chapel had been converted into a fairy tale setting for their wedding day.

"Everything is complete," Albert said, seeing Richard approach.

"You have outdone yourself, Albert. Juliana will be so pleased."

"The Vicar has arrived and is in the chapel," Albert informed him.

"Thank you, Albert."

Richard entered the small cylinder shaped building, dressed up with Roman columns and a domed roof, its appearance, more that of a temple, than a chapel. Contained within was a marble altar covered with a cloth, embroidered with the Bentley family crest. Placed in front of the altar a cherry wood kneeling bench. Above the altar was a clear multipaned window in the shape of a cross allowing the only natural light in the building. The rest will be provided by the large standing candelabras that were placed on either side.

Smoothing out his vestments Mr. Dashiell, the vicar to the small parsonage on the Bentley Estate quickly approached Richard, holding out his hand.

"Lord Bentley, so pleased you have decided to get married here on estate grounds. I am honored, My Lord to be performing such a ceremony. Are you prepared?"

Richard liked the vicar immediately; his handshake was firm and his smile warm. He took the license from his inside breast pocket. "All is in order. I have never been more ready for something in the entirety of my life."

The vicar took it from him and placed in it the bible he had laid upon the altar. He would record the names in the registry later. "Then we are all set here. Now, all we need is the bride."

"Lord Bentley, the guests have begun to arrive."

"Thank you, Albert. If you excuse me Mr. Dashiell, we will return as soon as all the guests have been received."

"Of course," Mr. Dashiell said.

Richard followed Albert back to the Manor.

Clara did not wait to be bid entrance after she knocked quietly upon Juliana's door. Cracking it open just slightly she slipped inside.

Lily was putting the last few touches to Juliana's hair.

"Oh, Juliana you are a vision," Clara gasped, her hands clasped at her chest. "Richard will believe an angel has fallen from the heavens."

Juliana smiled at Clara by way of the mirror in her vanity. "You really think so?"

"Without a doubt," Clara confirmed.

"How is he?" Juliana asked turning to see Clara.

"In the best of spirits and desperate to see your smiling face," Clara reported.

"Oh, Clara. I can hardly wait myself. Is it almost time?" Juliana asked anxiously.

"Almost, Juliana dear. I believe the guests are soon to arrive and I will be getting you as soon as the last has been seated."

"I am going out of my mind having to wait. I know it is terribly selfish of me but I wish it were evening already so Richard and I can be together. Just him and I. I long for a moment where I need not share him with the rest of the world."

Clara knew and understood that feeling all too well. "Soon, Juliana. Soon. Now, I must be off to help Richard greet the guests that are sure to be arriving."

"Of course. I do hope you will return quickly. The waiting is the worst part of all."

Clara laughed, "As soon as I possibly can, I promise I will fetch you." With that, she gave Juliana a kiss on the cheek and took leave of her.

Richard was entering the main hall just as Clara cleared the stairs.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Ready," Richard said.

"Albert, show the guests in," Richard ordered.

"Yes, Sir." Albert opened the door. The line of carriages circled the estate. So many had turned out to see the woman that managed to nab the most prized man of the province.

Albert announced each guest as they entered.

Clara was a very gracious hostess and Richard was both pleased and proud to have her by his side.

As each of the guests were greeted, they were then escorted by footmen out to the garden so that they may be seated before the ceremony.

Richard knew most of them through his father and from the list that his mother had used to invite guests to his welcome home dinner/ball. He wanted to invite the same guests. If the culprit of all that had occurred showed, surely he or she would be contained in this lot.

"Lord and Lady Riley."

Lord Riley approached with a jovial grin. "Could not take it on the outside, eh Bentley? I must say I was surprised to get the invitation. A young buck like you is expected to avoid such entanglements. She must be a prize indeed."

Richard never cared much for Lord Riley, finding his manners crude but smiled graciously while shaking his hand he replied, "She is all that and more, sir. It is my greatest wish to spend every second of every minute with her from here on out. She is indeed a rare treasure."

So many guests had passed through the doors they were starting to become a blur to Richard. Until one, he had not expected to see, came through the door.

"Mr. Chase."

"Lord Bentley. I must first make my apology for Emmaline. Considering what this day ought to have been, she is quite distraught and has taken to her bed. I, however, thought it would be rude not to attend after all you have done to secure the safety of my family. Congratulations to you both."

"When did you and Mrs. Chase return?" Richard asked.

"We never left. Once Barneby said he believed Marcus to be in London, we figured we were safe at home. The poor man told us of all that had transpired. I still shudder to think of it. Taking your own child's life, I do not know how he managed to pull the trigger."

Richard remembered the look on Barneby's face. "It was most unfortunate."

"Yes, but I am grateful knowing we can rest at ease now that Cecilia's killer is no more."

Richard knew otherwise but kept quiet on that count.

"And who is this lovely young lady?"

Richard made introductions. "Mr. Chase this is my sister Lady Clara McAllister Bentley. Clara, this is Mr. Chase."

"A pleasure." Mr. Chase said, "Where is Lady Bentley? I am surprised she would not be here to greet your guests as well."

"Mother, has also taken ill and therefore has retired to her room. She, unfortunately, will be unable to attend," Richard informed him.

"What a shame. I do hope it is nothing too serious."

"We all hope the same," Clara said very much interested in this conversation ever since she realized this was Cecelia's father.

"Well, you have more guests to greet. So, perhaps we will talk more, later," Mr. Chase said, shaking Richard's hand and then turning to the footman who was standing aside to lead him away.

"Looking forward to it," Richard said, glancing at Clara, who returned his wondering gaze.