The moment a slice of light drifted through the curtains Juliana leaped from her bed, too excited to sleep a moment longer. She threw the curtains open and noticed the fates must be smiling on them today, as there was not a cloud in the sky.

She rang the servant's bell eager to wash and dress. Once again, she looked over at the glorious gown Richard had made for her today. Soon they will be forevermore man and wife.

There was a knock on the door and Juliana bid them enter. Lily came in with a small tray containing tea and a light fare of biscuits and jams. She set them down and awaited her mistress' orders.

Completely forgetting her place, Juliana rushed over and hugged the young girl.

"It is a glorious day is it not? Oh, Lily I never believed I would ever be this happy. It all seems so impossible."

Lily smiled at Juliana but was obviously taken aback by her actions standing stiffly in her arms.

Juliana released her hold and stood back to look at her. "My apologies Lily, this is all still so strange to me. Thank you, for coming so quickly. I would like a bath... please and I will need someone to help me dress and take care of my hair today. I am good with simple dresses and styles but this occasion requires a level of mastery I have not achieved."

"It is my pleasure, Miss," Lily said, giving a quick curtsy. "I will get the footmen to bring up the bath, and then return to help you dress."

"Thank you, Lily."

Lily left and Clara appeared in her doorway.

"How are you feeling today?" Clara asked slipping into her room.

"Like if I jumped off that balcony I could fly," Juliana said with a giggle.

"I would not advise it," Clara said smiling but "I can understand the sentiment."

"Oh, Clara," Juliana took her hands in hers. "Was it like this for your wedding day?"

"Not exactly," Clara said mysteriously, "But the feelings were the same. I could not wait for Benjamin and me to be man and wife. There was no one in the world I could imagine myself bound to. He had stolen my heart although a rather clumsy thief, I knew it was him and no other."

Juliana sighed. It was precisely how she felt. Since a young girl, she imagined being wed to Richard. She could not imagine herself with any other man. He was her heart and soul, and a piece of her seemed forever lost when he went away. Now, they are to be wed, and she knew once again she would be whole.

Richard stared at the ceiling while lying in bed, wondering how Juliana was fairing. He did not believe he slept a wink last night. He felt this way partly because of what the morning would bring and partly because she was so close to him, sleeping in the adjoined room, yet he could not go to her, and be with her in the way he would have wished.

Richard wanted to keep this day sacred and pure. Well as close as it could be. It felt like torment to deny such feelings but thankfully that torment will be over soon, and she will be in his arms every night and be the first thing his eyes feast upon each morning.

He rang the bell and a few minutes later Albert arrived.

"Good morning, Albert."

"Good morning, Sir."

"I believe I will be needing some strong tea, and a bath."

"Yes, Sir."

"Oh," Richard said, "If you please, take this box to Juliana."

Albert took the box Richard handed to him. "Will there be anything else, sir?"

"Is all we spoke of last night in place?" Richard asked although part of him did not want the reminder.

"Yes, sir."

"Then that will be all for now. Thank you, Albert."

Albert nodded and was secretly grateful that Richard had given him this personal mission to deliver the box to Juliana. This was a day he needed to stay vigilant. The family was depending on him. He would have little time to enjoy the event; he may not even witness it as there was much to oversee.

He knocked lightly on Juliana's door, and she bid him enter.

"I have a package for you, Miss," Albert said finding it difficult to remain stoic when the woman he always thought of as a daughter was standing there looking so radiant on her wedding day.

Juliana smiled at him and approached with caution not wanting to make the same mistake twice. She took the box and thanked him.

"It is from Lord Bentley, Miss."

Juliana untied the satin ribbon and removed the lid. Contained within was a gold filigree heart stomacher broach adorned with yellow topaz gems and pearl droplets. It was stunning and the perfect decorative piece to add to her gown.

Juliana was stunned into silence.

Clara came up behind her and looked into the box. "Oh, Juliana it's beautiful."

Juliana looked up at Albert and his face was smiling at her.

"Will that be all, Miss?" Albert asked.

Juliana shook her head in denial.

"What do you need, Miss?" Albert asked, whatever it was he would get it for her.

She walked over to him slowly and said, "This." Then throwing propriety away she embraced the older man again but this time he wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, Juliana you know I wish you every happiness today and every day for the rest of your life."

Juliana swiped away a tear that escaped her lashes. "Thank you, you must know, you are now and forever will be family. I would have never survived without you. I would have never seen this day. I owe you so much, and you have never asked for a thing. You have my eternal love and devotion, Albert. I need you to know this."

Albert smiled warmly at her, "And you mine. You know I have always thought of you as my daughter. I could not be prouder than I am at this moment. I am so happy that you and Richard have come together once more. He will complete you and your Father and Mother will finally be at peace. Your Father always wanted this for you."

Albert's words brought her a sweet sadness thinking of all her Father went through to try and make this day possible.

The footmen brought in the bath.

"I will leave you to get ready. Best wishes, Juliana," Albert said kissing the top of her head before taking his leave.

"I should go too. I need to get ready as well," Clara said, "Do you have someone to help you dress?"

"Yes, Lily says she is up to the task," Juliana said placing the brooch down on the bed while watching the maid fill the tub.

"Well, then all is set. I will back to check on your progress," Clara said.

"Clara?" Juliana asked, "I am in a bit of a dilemma."

"What is it?" Clara asked concerned.

"Richard has given me this broach and my gown, and I have nothing for him for our wedding day. I had started painting but I did not get to finish."

"May I see it?" Clara asked.

Juliana went to the corner of her room where the canvases were stacked. And pulled the one in question away from the others. She timidly walked up to Clara keeping the exposed side towards her.

Juliana suddenly felt very shy about showing her work, especially because it was incomplete. She sighed and turned it around.

Clara gasped. "Oh, Juliana it is perfection! He will love it. Even in its incomplete form. You can always finish it later. How did you manage such detail?"

"Something's you can never forget," Juliana said feeling much better now that she chose to show it to Clara. "You certain it will be good enough?"

"I imagine it will be better than anything Richard could buy," Clara said giving Juliana a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you!" Juliana said such high praise, she felt much comforted by Clara's words.

"One suggestion," Clara offered. "Wait until tonight, when you are alone together. You should see his expression when you reveal it to him."

"I will," Juliana said tucking the canvas away once more.

"Could you do me one last favor?" Juliana asked.

"Anything," Clara said.

"Can you check in on, Richard? See how he is fairing today?"

"I shall and report back to you directly, and as you are not to be seen until the time has come, I promise to stay by his side and help him on, welcoming the guests and whatnot."

"You are an angel!" Juliana exclaimed, hugging her.

"Go and enjoy your bath before it gets cold. I will return soon."