The church was so stifling hot that James almost wished that his son had decided to speak his vows in slightly more pleasant weather, but there was no stopping that boy. In fact, it was surprising that he did not cart off his love across the border for a quick elopement- as James had done with Claire.

Neither of them had any wish to make a spectacle of themselves and had contended themselves with a small private ceremony with only their families, after which they had all retired to Carlisle. They'd arranged a ball for the local folk and some family friends, but that had been the extent of the fanfare regarding their wedding.

His son, on the other hand, was getting married in London with an ostentatiously large wedding- even the Prince Regent was in attendance, along with several foreign dignitaries. And his mother and stepfather of course, who were seated right beside James and Claire. Though James had worried that the meeting between his former and current wives might be tense, Sarah had greeted Claire with warmth and grace, prompting Claire to relax as well. The two women had even formed something of a friendship, cooing and fussing over Sylvie in the weeks leading up to her wedding. They'd more than made up for the absence of Sylvie's own mother or sister-in-law with their support. They had accompanied her to dress fittings, they had advised her on what hairstyle she ought to wear, and they had helped her pick out the jewelry she wore now, a set of diamonds and sapphires set in silver that matched her dress. And if the guests looked closely enough, they would notice that the groom too, wore an earring that matched her jewelry.

The vicar's loud voice drew the attention of everyone to the front of the church where the bride and groom stood before the clergymen, poised to say their vows.

"Raphael St. Alexander, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? 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?"

"I will," the groom replied, his steady, adoring gaze trained on his wife. The bride glowed with happiness, dressed in a becoming gown of blue silk, embroidered with lovely silver, with delicate lace on her sleeves and the edges of her bodice.

"Sylvia Marion Heartwood, 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 others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

The groom's eyes warmed considerably at the word obey in the vows, his bride noticed and flushed a lovely pink that told him she knew exactly where his train of thoughts wandered. And though the bride, too, replied, "I will." The groom knew that the obedience portion was likely going to be restricted to their bedchamber. Not that he had many complaints in that regard.

The vicar offered the groom a ring, which he then slid onto his bride's left hand.

"With this ring, I thee wed, with my body, I thee worship, with my worldly goods, I thee endow," the groom's voice quavered at the very end, but most of the attendees did not notice.

James heard Sarah sob beside him and offered her his handkerchief, only to find that his own eyes were misting as bride and groom kneeled before the vicar and allowed him to continue his prayer.

"....Send Thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy name....."

Somewhere in the crowd Lady Daphne, now the Countess of Pembroke, sighed and declared: "Now that is a lucky, lucky woman."

Her husband pointedly cleared his throat and glared down at her as she grinned.

"......And may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord......."

"Oh hush, I was just teasing, Cassius, don't get all huffy with me."

Lord Pembroke just gave her a sullen look and turned back to the front.

"Cassius?" She purred in the way she knew he could not resist and was satisfied when she felt him shiver. "I am very lucky too."

The famously rigid Earl of Pembroke blushed like a debutant with her first suitor. He looked back at the woman who would bring his child into the world in a few short months. The woman he had very nearly lost.

His heart swelled with such love he wondered how he could possibly contain it.

"As am I," he replied in a low, embarrassed voice, and then it was her turn to blush.

"....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."

Scandalized gasps rang out from the crowd as the groom boldly grasped his wife and kissed her full on the lips, right for all the world to see! Lady Daphne clapped in delight while her husband stared in shock, both James and Rafe's mother exchanged a helpless, teary-eyed look acknowledging that their son was a lost cause, and Mister Michael Alder missed the scene entirely (much to the groom's displeasure) because he had noticed that his handkerchief had slipped out of his pocket and had bent down to retrieve it.

And thus, with great love, even greater pomp, and mild scandal did Sylvia Heartwood become the Viscountess of Carlisle, a position that had been coveted by many, but had been hers ever since a fateful picnic beneath the stars.

With the last of his guests gone after the wedding breakfast, James had just poured himself a celebratory drink when the door to his private library thudded with knocks.

"Enter."

His former wife eased the door open and gave him a hesitant smile.

"If I may have a moment to speak to you?"

"Of course, my lady, have a seat," James ushered her to the seat by one of the shelves. He poured a drink, remembering that she enjoyed port, and took the seat beside hers. "Is there anything I can do for you? Do you find your hotel comfortable?"

"Everything is fine, Lindsey," she held up a hand. "I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?"

"You have raised our son into a lovely, honorable, caring young man. I am so grateful to you for loving him, for showing him how to a gentleman ought to be. You have made a man of great character, his penchant for scandal aside. You have done well, and I have to thank you for it."

"Everything good in our son comes from you," James said softly, giving her hand a friendly squeeze. "His heart, his penchant to love deeply, his loyalty. These are all from you. So I am grateful to you for bringing my most precious possession into this world."

"You are too kind, James," she wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "When for so many years, I was unkind to you."

"Sarah, you were entitled. The first transgression was mine."

"Perhaps, but you also did whatever you could to make amends in the aftermath. It was I who chose to hold on to my bitterness for so many years, and for that, I must ask your forgiveness."

"There is nothing to forgive, Sarah, surely you and I are not going to hold grudges over events that happened three decades ago. Anger and bitterness as pursuits old people like us simply don't have the energy to maintain."

Sarah let out a laugh.

"Who are you calling old?" She chuckled, before her face settled into a soft smile. "I am happy for you, James. Lady Claire is lovely. I wish you both the best."

"I thank you, Sarah," James nodded with a smile, delighted that his wife was being praised. "I am happy. Are you?"

"Yes. My husband takes very good care of me. He had made me very happy all these years."

"I am happy, you are happy, our son is happy. What more could we possibly ask for?"

"Grandchildren, perhaps?" She suggested cheekily and James chimed in with a short laugh of agreement. "Though perhaps we should be grateful that wretched boy got married in the first place!"

"Well, if our son's state is anything to go by, may God bless them soon," James raised his glass, Sarah joining him in his toast. "He could barely keep his hands off of her at the wedding breakfast! And kissing Sylvia in front of all of the guests!"

"He has a penchant for drama, that one, but I think she is a good influence on him. May they live a long life, filled with laughter and love."

"They will," James replied with complete conviction. And the long years ahead would prove him to be true.