Juliana arrived just in time for the family meeting. The boys had drifted peacefully to sleep, obviously happy and content to have their father home again.

Richard had read his sisters the letter and as Annabelle had already caught Clara up on the events that have transpired during Juliana's stay with her, they were now about to discuss whether or not they should pursue things further or bank on the letters to keep them safe.

Richard and Cyril seemed to be at odds over what should be done.

"I believe we should just trust that the letters will be enough," Cyril was saying as Juliana entered the room. Richard had already told her of their existence and why as they traveled.

"I am not so certain, Cyril," Richard said, motioning to Juliana to take a seat and Clara poured her some tea.

"For one we have no idea what those letters contain," Juliana spoke up, showing Richard he had her full support. Richard beamed at her.

Cyril frowned. He had hoped she would be on his side on this as she really was his only chance of talking Richard into backing off of the idea. He never got a chance to talk to her alone before returning home and obviously, Richard had and now he would need to make a very strong argument indeed.

"Do not misunderstand me. I want this to be over as much as you do. I am just not certain if baiting the bear is the correct way to go about this," Cyril reasoned.

Richard bristled. "I would not do anything that would put your family or mine in jeopardy. You should know better than that by now."

"Intentionally no, of course, you would not," Cyril soothed, "but as we have experienced with Juliana already things happen that are not always in our control."

Richard looked grim. Cyril made a good point but Richard felt in his heart if he were to ever have a true shot at happiness this had to end and end now or there would be a black cloud shrouding their family forever.

"What if you tell us, Richard," Clara began, "how is it you plan to find out the truth behind all that has occurred?"

Always the sensible one, Richard smiled at her. He really had not given her much credit in their youth, she always seemed older than her years, but being the oldest he always easily dismissed her. Juliana, Annabelle and he were always off adventuring or getting into trouble but Clara was always far to level headed even back then, an attribute he now admired.

"My thought was we do not let on that Mother has died. We do let it be known she has returned home. It seemed rather important that she get away and stays away as Dooley had been instructed to cut her off financially and she did not contact him for more funds and did not return home but stayed holed up in her flat in Bath."

"Perhaps, just saying she came home will be enough to draw this person out. It is evident they must have threatened her life. Perhaps they would try and finish the job."

"And what then?" Cyril says, "Who else needs to die? The risk is too high to yourself or Juliana as I am certain she will be returning home with you."

Juliana just looked patiently at Richard. She said she would support whatever his decisions were but she really did not expect he would try to separate from her again, now she worried perhaps she was wrong.

"I can keep Juliana safe. She will be with me. I wish to marry the moment we return home. Legally showing to whoever this mastermind is that Juliana is now a part of my family and therefore falls under Mother's clause for protection. Only then will she be safe."

"Why wait until you return to the Manor? Why not marry in London?" Annabelle said not liking the idea of not being present but if Richard's intentions were to draw out a possible killer she would not risk any of her family Cyril, or the boys it was not even up for discussion.

"Because it would take too long for the news to spread by post or gossip?" Richard said. "I am under the impression that the person behind all of this is close to home, which is why Mother chose to flee."

"We could wait, a week or so," Cyril said hoping to stall. "You can post banns and court Juliana properly like you intended before this fiasco happened. Between the banns and your visibility around London as a couple, there would be no doubt that Juliana is now family and therefore under the protection of those letters."

Richard appreciated what Cyril was trying to do. He knew if he could cause a delay he may have more time to convince Richard to leave things be.

"You forget one vital piece of the puzzle, Cyril," Richard said. "Mother is actually dead and so we do need to bury her and week of courting, as unfortunate as it is, is no longer an option."

He has a lood of regret when he said this and Juliana smiled encouragingly at him. She hoped he knew that she did not need all those endearing extras. As lovely as they sounded they would have the rest of their lives together to shower one another with such affection.

Cyril had to concede on that point, too.

"Not to mention taking a week to court may draw this person to London to remove Juliana for good in the attempts to show our family they are not to be fooled with. Far too risky, Richard is right they should be married visibly and as soon as possible," Clara interjected.

Richard was glad to have Clara's support but did not like distressing Cyril. He had become a valued member of his family and a good friend.

"Cyril, my intention is to force this person's hand so I can come to a personal agreement with them to be certain that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that should any member of my family, extended or otherwise come to harm I will seek an eye for an eye and they will be destroyed."

"I do not know if Mother's threat is strong enough, and what if she were wrong about the person or persons involved. There are too many unknown factors that would leave this family in doubt and in danger. I just can not allow that to happen," Richard said almost pleading for Cyril's understanding.

Cyril looked at Annabelle. She nodded.

"You have our approval and support," Cyril said.

Richard had not realized how much he needed to hear those words. It meant the world to him.

"Clara?" Annabelle asked.

"I support Richard. He is the head of our family now. I trust him to do what is best."

Richard felt a swell of pride at her words.

"So, we are all in agreement then?" Juliana asked.

All of the family nodded.

"Richard, what do we need to do?"

Richard filled them in on his plan. It was obvious by the vast number of details that Richard had given this idea an immense amount of thought. Which made all of the participants in the room feel better knowing their future was in capable hands.

The first step was to return to London. He needed to close up his flat and let out Juliana's house.

He also wanted to pick up the gifts he had sent to Juliana and the wedding dress he had created for her, but he kept that last thought to himself.

Juliana suggested instead of letting her house that they invest in creating it into a storefront so that their paintings could be sold and Annabelle could keep her studio to work in. It would take some time to do so and that would give her enough time to arrange how the business should be run, as she will be in the country most of the time with Richard.

Annabelle looked pleased by this idea, which warmed Juliana's heart.

She promised Annabelle that she would not abandon her. She would work on the landscapes and Annabelle could continue doing portraits and then once a month they would meet in London and she would bring the paintings with her to be sold.

Cyril was in agreement that their first stop should be London also because he had procured a marriage license as Richard had requested but it too was in London and therefore would need to be retrieved. As it was a Special License they would not need to post banns and could get married anywhere they wished.

It was Juliana's wish they get married in Richard's family chapel that was on the grounds of the Manor. Richard was in total agreement. However, Annabelle started to cry.

"What is the matter, dear?" Cyril asked.

"I know it is silly but I had so hoped to be at your wedding, Juliana. You are my best friend and well Richard is my brother. It was always a dream of mine to stand by your side as a witness. I always believed you two belonged together."

Forever the hopeful romantic, Juliana had to hug her friend.

"May I go, in Annabelle's place?"

This shocked everyone, when Clara piped in with her request.

"Do you really want to be there?" Juliana asked, she never felt as close to Clara as she did Annabelle, the young woman was always guarded even as a child, but it meant a great deal to her that she wanted to be a part of such a special day.

"I do not know if I can allow it?" Richard said not particularly liking the idea of putting any of the rest of the family at risk. He truly did not like the idea of taking Juliana home with him but knew she would never abide the decision to separate them and he truly believed they ought to be wed at home to be certain of her safety in case he is wrong and this mystery mastermind decides not to show.

"Please, Richard? You will need witnesses. Annabelle needs to stay with the boys and Cyril will, of course, stay with Annabelle. Who else is there to witness your union? Albert?" Clara argued.

"What about Benjamin?" Richard asked, thinking her husband may want to weigh in on the decision and where the hell was he anyway?

"What of him?" Clara said defensively.

Annabelle knowing the whole situation said, "Benjamin is absent because of his work, Richard. She would be much safer under your care then left here alone." Annabelle pointed out and she had an ulterior motive. What she really wished, was for one of them to be there at the wedding to support Juliana and Richard, and of course to prepare their mother for burial.

"Could she not stay with you?" Richard proposed, not wishing to be swayed.

All three women gave him the same defiant look, and he could not help but laugh.

"You have been outvoted, friend," Cyril said giving Richard his sympathy.

"Fine then," Richard conceded. "We leave in the morning and Clara you will accompany us the rest of the way home."

The three women hugged in triumph.

Richard made mental note to not allow them to make decisions together in the future, as now that they have bonded he doubted his or Cyril's opinion would ever be heard of, or taken seriously again. Separate they could be conquered but together they were a force to be reckoned with.