The last of the twenty or so guests had been seated and it was time for the ceremony to begin. All eyes including Richard's turned to the vision walking down the aisle. Juliana was a dream, who would now and forever be a part of his reality. In her gown, of liquid sunshine, she positively glowed. Her hair covered by a silken bonnet. She was the picture of propriety.

When their eyes met, she beamed at him, and he knew she had bewitched him body and soul.

Richard looked so incredibly dapper in his formal attire. She did not think it possible that he could somehow manage to become more handsome, but she found she was wrong.

The garden had been transformed into a magical fairy tale land. The beauty of the decor was not lost on her, even though it was difficult to pull her eyes from Richard's. The closer she came the more her vision tunneled, to where it was just she and he and the rest of the world had melted away.

The Vicar opened 'The Book of Common Prayers' before addressing all who were present.

"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; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.

Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.

Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."

Silence from one and all.

"No one? Well then let's continue," the Vicar said.

He turned to Richard and Juliana.

"I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.

At which day of Marriage, if any man do allege and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by God's Law, or the Laws of this Realm; and will be bound, and sufficient sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a caution (to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married do thereby sustain) to prove his allegation: then the solemnization must be deferred, until such time as the truth be tried."

Juliana and Richard just look at one another and smiled. Having nothing to confess, the Vicar continued.

"Lord Richard Charles Bentley, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?"

Eager to respond Richard said, "I will" but when the vicar shook his head and continued he realizes he was in error and Juliana had to bite her bottom lip to keep from giggling on such a solemn occasion.

"Ahem," the Vicar continued, "Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

Richard paused so long, people began to wonder if he had changed his mind. Then realizing the vicar was indeed finished and awaiting his answer he quickly amended with, "I will."

Juliana Georgina Wadsworth, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

Juliana happily replied, "I will."

Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?

Clara stepped forward and handed Juliana's left hand to the Vicar. As her father had passed and there was no proper male role model to give her away, Clara took the task on herself.

The Vicar whispers to Richard, "Take her right hand in yours and repeat after me for all to hear."

Richard spoke up loudly, "I Lord Richard Charles Bentley take thee Juliana Georgina Wadsworth 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."

They loosed their hand. "Now Juliana take his right hand in yours and repeat after me for all to hear," the Vicar whispered to her.

She did as instructed and spoke up loudly, "I Juliana Georgina Wadsworth take thee Lord Richard Charles Bentley to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

Although reluctant to do so, they loosed their hands again. The Vicar turned to collect the ring. It lay there, in its perfection, upon The Book of Common Prayers. It was a beautiful symbol of their vows and a promise that will now be made.

The Vicar took the ring from the book and gave it to Richard, who placed it on Juliana's finger and while still holding it in place, he spoke these words, "With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Richard pushed the ring into place on her finger. Juliana had tears in her eyes and he swiped one away before they knelt down in front of the altar.

The vicar led them all in prayer.

"Let us pray. O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Man and this Woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

All responded with, "Amen."

Then joining their right hands together, he proclaimed, "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."

Turning to all gathered he added, "Forasmuch as Lord Richard Charles Bentley and Juliana Georgina Wadsworth have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

The Vicar gave his final blessing and led them all to sing the psalms. Juliana and Richard signed the church registry and it was done. They were Man and Wife together, in the eyes of all who were present and in the eyes of God.

They exited the chapel hand in hand. Putting his arm around Juliana in a very possessive manner, Richard led her to the place where he announced that the Wedding Luncheon would be served in the ballroom. Many came forward to wish the couple well.

Juliana thought her heart would burst from the happiness that threatened to overwhelm her. Clara had excused herself, saying she would meet with them shortly in the ballroom. Juliana thought it strange but then another guest came up to her offering their congratulations.

Clara took a walk through the garden's hedge maze. Reaching its center where the fountain trickled and the coy fish played. She sat on the edge and ran her finger along the top of the water, causing ripples to form.

Today was such a bittersweet day. She was so happy for her brother and Juliana but her own marriage, being what it was, left her feeling hollow. Especially when Richard had said those words...

"With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

She toyed with the ring on her own finger. For some those words are an eternal promise. For Benjamin, however, she felt something had gotten lost in translation. She missed him so much. She knew what she signed up for, but she just had not expected it to be so hard to comply with his wishes. Clara felt so alone.

Lost in thought she did not hear the steps of someone coming up behind her, she only felt the sharp pain of an object striking her temple and immediately her world swirled to black and disappeared from view.