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"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this evening to join this man and this woman…"

The minister spoke the familiar words to Mavis and Horatio as they stood with their assembled friends and family in the conservatory.

The walls were banked with flowers and dozens of candles; the room was filled with the people who had come to share in the wedding.

Archie stood on Horatio's right shoulder, looking proud enough for it to be his own wedding.

"Do you, Horatio, take this woman…"?

Looking at the crush of people, Horatio saw the Pellew's standing together, holding hands. He saw his father a bit apart, but appearing happy for them both. There were the men of his division, with as much right to be there as any Admiral or Captain---perhaps more. They were cleaned and shaved and looking as though their own favorite brother was being married to their favorite girl. And in a way they were.

There was Captain Sawyer next to Clive. Clive seemed slightly drunk, as usual and Sawyer appeared to be wary, as though he was on his guard for some reason.

"…for my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold…"

As Mavis had walked through the makeshift aisle toward him a few minutes ago, he had thought that he had never seen a more beautiful woman. He saw the look on her face, realizing that as far as she was concerned, they were alone in the crowded room. Her attention was wholly on him; her smile was directed at him alone.

"…with this ring, I thee wed…"

He was as happy as he had ever been in his life. He knew this and marveled at the realization. All his life he had felt apart, alone. Tonight he felt, for perhaps the first time, as though he belonged. He knew, with a rock solid certainty, that what they were doing was right.

"…and thereto I plight thee my troth…"

He smiled down at her, her hand held gently but firmly in his own.

"…man and wife

The silence of the room was broken by the applause started by the division men. After a somewhat shocked moment of silence, the rest of the guests followed and the applause and cheers were loud and sustained.

Turning to face their friends, the newlyweds both started laughing at the reaction. Immediately, they were engulfed by the throng of well-wishers, much like at the Admiral's party two weeks before when their betrothal was announced, but multiplied at least tenfold.

God, the evening was going by so fast, it was a blur to Horatio. There was too much happening, too many people to take it all in.

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Sophie's thoughts went back about an hour to the beginning of the evening.

She had walked downstairs to be met by a crush of first arrivals. There was Admiral Cornwallis and his wife, there was Mr. Bracegirdle-Edward was so fond of the dear man and it was so sweet of him to step aside when he learned that Archie had arrived.

Ah, just coming in the door were some of Horatio's division. They really were a rough looking bunch, but he had sworn that they would be on their best behavior and they certainly seemed to have cleaned themselves up for the occasion. Here came some of the officer's from Renown. Oh, dear, she really didn't know them too well. Was that the ship's doctor? That man over there with the bad wig? Well, Edward would likely know.

Ah, good. The maids and Preston were taking the coats and cloaks and hats as quickly as they were removed. And here came another servant with glasses of wine for the new arrivals. Things were under control.

Looking into the conservatory, she saw the minister in his robes chatting with the Port Admiral. Good, he was ready.

Moving smoothly through the crowd, she greeted people at every turn. Edward was just a few paces behind her, but his own friends taking his hand and offering their congratulations quickly sidetracked him.

Now, where had Jacob gotten himself to? Quickly, she ran up the stairs with the steps of a much younger woman. Coming to the open doorway of Horatio's room, she paused out of sight, hearing voices inside.

Jacob was there, asking if he might have a word with his son, Archie tactfully said he had to ask Lady Sophie something and walked out, stopping next to her. Moving slightly, she saw the Hornblower's reflection in the hall mirror.

"Son, I know that you've got to go downstairs, but I just wanted to say-well, I hope that you'll be happy. That's all."

Horatio looked at his father standing just two feet away from him, saw the earnestness on his face and heard the plea in his voice. Taking a step forward he put his arms lightly around the old man and softly said, "Thank you, Father. And I want you to know that I'm glad that you're here."

Pulling away he saw the Doctor's lips quivering and his eyes welling up. "Thank God."

Embarrassed, Horatio stepped back. "I'm expected downstairs." He escaped out of the room. Jacob managed a smile as he left.

Now, immediately after the ceremony, with the well-wishers surrounding the young people, Sophie saw Horatio slowly make his way over to where the three parents were standing. His arm was around Mavis' waist as he guided her through the crowd. Without a word, he grasped Edward's hand, smiling as broadly as it was possible for him to do then leaned over to kiss Sophie's cheek as Mavis hugged her Stepfather. Turning slightly, Horatio faced his own father. Gently he put his hand to the old man's neck in a gesture somewhere between a stroke and a caress. Jacob's own hand came up to touch that of his son's, the old eyes damp. Unable to speak, he simply nodded.

The well wishers caught up with them all by now and the young officers who were more Horatio's contemporaries and Mavis' girlfriends swept them around for more hugs and backslaps and ribald comments about the evening's final conclusion.

The musicians were starting up now, the pianoforte and the fiddle player in good form and some of the couples were dancing while others moved to the dining room where food had been arranged. Others headed over to the bar and there were those who simply searched out a quiet corner.

Horatio and Mavis started to circulate to greet those guests whom they hadn't yet managed to speak with.

They found the division men still where they had hugged the walls in the conservatory, huddled in a group.

Briefly leaving Horatio, Mavis went up to them. "I'm so glad that you all decided to come this evening. Horatio said that he thought you would, but I was worried that you'd not want to be surrounded by all these stuffy old officers my father insisted we must have." She gave Styles and Matthews kisses on their cheeks. "I know that you'll look after him for me." Then she brightened. "You know, you don't have to stay in here. There's plenty of food in the dining room. Why don't you get plates and bring them back here?"

Matthews gave her his sweet smile. "You've nothing to worry about now, Miss. We'll see that nothing happens to that lad. We'll make sure that he comes back to you safe and sound. You mark my words on that."

Her eyes dampened slightly. "Thank you. I know that you'll bring him home to me." She hugged the little man and then Styles, smiled at the others and seeing Horatio approaching from the friends he's managed to disengage himself from changed the subject. "You men enjoy yourselves now! Don't let all that lace intimidate you for a minute!" They laughed…little chance of that. They knew their places, but they were glad to see this for themselves. Hornblower was their favorite and they'd known Miss Mavis…Mrs. Hornblower now… since she was a little girl. And seeing Pellew's home! Well, he was certainly in the chinks.

"Thank you for coming tonight, men. I'm glad that you're here."

"That's all right, sir. It's good to see you so happy, if you don't mind my saying so."

Horatio smiled, took Mavis by the waist aging and wandered over to other guests.

As they made their way about the various rooms and spoke with the different guests, neither one noticed that Captain Sawyer watched their progress. H e smiled whenever anyone came up to him, he ate the food and drank the wine, he raised his glass for the toasts and he engaged in pleasant conversation. But what he was really doing was watching Hornblower.

So young, rising so fast, aligned with the top officers in the fleet and now married to a Commodore's daughter.

God, he hated the bastard.

Finally, about eleven, the guests were leaving, the servants had begun the cleanup and the newlyweds had been duly toasted and feted by their friends. Mavis had made her excuses and had gone upstairs after saying her goodbyes and her thanks.

Horatio found Archie chatting with a young lady who he knew to be one of Mavis' friends.

"Archie, thank you for today. I really am glad that you're here. It wouldn't have been right without you standing by me."

Looking at him contentedly, Archie simply answered "Of course… Horatio, haven't you still a duty to perform?"

Blushing his usual deep red, Horatio managed a shocked, "Archie, really!" With any other comment drowned out by the Lieutenant's and the young lady's laughter, Horatio made his escape upstairs.

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Mavis had gone up about twenty minutes before. The maid helped her out of the new gown Mama had insisted on for the ceremony and had then assisted her into the new dark blue silk nightgown and matching wrap that had been an addional wedding present from her mother. It was beautiful, trimmed with lashings of creamy lace, full sleeves billowing and a lovely train.

Strange, she thought as the maid left her alone. She knew that Horatio would be with her shortly and although they had been sharing a bed for several weeks now, she was nervous and excited.

It was different, somehow. It was-real now. Before they had just been lovers, now they were a married couple. In an inexplicable way she felt different. Just last night she had been a girl with her beau now, somehow, she felt as though she was a woman waiting for her husband to join her. It wasn't the same. It was better.

She crossed over to the vanity, sitting and looking at her reflection. Her hair was down and she thought that she looked too young for him. Where was he? She was suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that he wouldn't come to her, that he'd stay downstairs with his friends or her parents.

The door opened and closed. Her eyes fixed on the small mirror, she didn't move as she saw him approach her.

He placed his hands on her shoulders, leaning down to kiss her bared neck, his hands sliding down on the silk to cover and gently knead her breasts. She leaned back into him, one hand coming up to hold his face on her, the other covering one of his hands, holding it to her more tightly. She felt his tongue and his teeth caressing her neck, felt him move the fabric away from her shoulder and felt his hands move down lower to stroke her belly, encircling her from behind.

Taking one of her hands in his, he straightened, pulling her to her feet and against him, his arms going around her again. She could taste the wine he'd drunk that evening along with his own taste. She briefly wondered if he was at all drunk, but discounted the possibility. Horatio never got drunk.

He hadn't said a word since he'd entered the room.

He relaxed his grip on her enough so that he could untie the sash of her wrap. She slid her hands up to remove his coat, but he caught them and shook his head. Not yet.

He moved his own hands inside the blue silk, pushing it off her shoulders to pool at their feet, his hands moved on her with more purpose and more firmness. Next he began on the small buttons holding the gown itself together. There were too many and they were too small for his patience to endure. Taking the rich fabric in his hands he tore the front open, laughing silently as the garment fell away. She was naked before him, he was fully dressed

His hands roamed over her, her shoulders, her back, her breasts, legs, stomach. She kept her hands on his, directing where she wanted them to go next, holding them in one place longer than another, harder here, slower there. He let her move his hands as she pleased. Finally, he captured her hands in his own, placing them at the buttons holding the flap of his trousers closed.

She understood, or thought that she did. Opening his lower garments, both his outer and under garments, his member was freed. He allowed her hand to rub the length of the shaft, up to the rounded head and back to where it joined to the rest of him. She stroked him with increasing pressure and his own hand started to rub lower on her own body. Finally she felt his fingers begin to part her lower lips and he was inside of her as she held onto his organ, without something-even this, to hold onto, she would have fallen. She began to writhe as he stroked her inner walls, her center, still saying nothing. She began to quietly whimper, needing the rest of him inside of her, needing to lie down, needing some relief from the stimulation.

As he withdrew his fingers, she made a sound of exasperation, but he merely moved both of his hands around to her bottom and lifted her up so that her feet were both off the floor and her legs went around his waist. Feeling his penis pressing between her legs, he carried her to the edge of the bed, sitting with his feet in the floor, her atop his lap.  He raised her up then lowered her so that she was impaled on the full length of him. She almost cried out as she felt him fill her, her own weight forcing him all the way in.

She looked at his face, close to hers. His eyes were hooded, but he looked back at her with a smile of satisfaction on his lips. His hands on her bottom to steady her, he began to raise and lower his hips, thrusting in and out of her with each movement. His mouth found hers and his tongue thrust against hers with the same rhythm, she moved with him, her arms around his shoulders. He roughness of his coat rubbed against her breasts, adding new feelings and he felt her begin to tense with her first climax. Her muscles stroked him from end to tip and it was all he could do to control himself from coming with her then. He managed to hold off, continuing to thrust and rock inside of her until he felt her convulse against him again, her muscles gripping him tightly in waves. Finally, unable to prevent it, he allowed himself the release that his body demanded. Wave after wave of his seed was pumped into her, filling her, flooding her with his warmth. His mouth muffled in hers, she felt more than heard his groan as he came more strongly that he ever had with her before.

Finally, together they collapsed onto the bed, Horatio pulling her with him as he fell straight back, both of them panting and still locked together.

His hands gently stroked up her back, coming to rest on either side of her face. He kissed her cheeks, her forehead, her eyes and her mouth, both of still trying to catch their breath, a light sheen of perspiration on his face.

They continued to embrace, resting for a few minutes, still saying nothing. She felt him slip out of her, felt the loss.

Finally Mavis pushed herself up, taking his hand.

"Now."

She pulled him to his feet. He swayed slightly as he stood. Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed his coat away from his shoulders, catching it as it fell; she tossed it onto the vanity stool. Next, his cravat was undone, followed by his waistcoat and shirt. As the white linen was pulled over his head she leaned in to kiss his nipples, just at the right height for her mouth to easily reach. He sighed as he felt the slight suction and put his arms around her for support.

She laughed quietly. "Fair's fair." He kicked off his shoes and she pushed his lower garments down until he could step out of them. He was starting to rise again as they returned to the bed. Reclining, she reached down and removed his stockings. They were almost even. She finally reached behind his head to untie the velvet ribbon that held his queue. His dark hair fanned on the pillow as she lay full upon him.

She rubbed against him, chest-to-chest, belly-to-belly. His arms around her, she took the initiative, kissing him deeply, her tongue exploring his mouth. She began to slide down to length of his body, kissing, licking him as she traveled downwards. She paused at his breasts, suckling until she could hear the gasps and sharply indrawn breath. Her hands stroked over his chest, his ribs and his shoulders.

She continued down to his stomach, his belly, his navel, her lips drawing designs that only she understood. He began writhing under her attentions, her body sliding, causing a friction against his hard shaft. His hands kneaded her hair and her head as she made love to him. No woman had ever done this for him before, he was entranced, overwhelmed by what was happening.

Finally she arrived at his member, taking it in her hands, stroking and caressing it, playing with the length of it, with the thick curls around it and with the sack beneath.

His voice was barely a whisper. "You don't have to do this." She glanced up to find his eyes, mere slits, looking down at her. "I want to." His eyes closed and his head fell back on the pillow, his mouth slightly open, his breath coming in gasps.

She let her mouth close over the tip. Using just her lips, she moved the foreskin back and forth, up and down, swirling with her tongue, gently sucking the end of him. His hands clenched convulsively in the bedding, his hips began to move of their own accord. She began to suck harder, taking in as much as she could without gagging. His movements became more pronounced, more forceful, finally he managed to pant out her name.

"Mavis, please…now… I must…"

He tried to pull her up to him, she wouldn't be moved. Squeezing his hands, she indicated that he was to finish just as he was.

Inexperienced, she wasn't prepared for him when he came. She tried to swallow what she could, but she looked up sheepishly at him, wiping her mouth, gagging slightly.

His breath ragged, his eyes on her, he stroked her cheek as he whispered "…Sweeting…"

Using just the tips of his fingers, he pulled her up to lie with him face to face. She thought, as she settled beside him, she had never seen him as at peace as he was at this moment.

His arms around her, her head nestled on his shoulder, holding her close, he stroked her arm where he could reach.

When he had come back to himself, when he could again speak, he asked, "How did you know to do that? Where did you ever learn…?"

She glanced at him then lowered her eyes; even with the poor light of only two candles he could see her blush. "Mary told me. Mother's maid. This afternoon when she was helping me dress she told me that her husband liked…that."

He laughed quietly. "Yes, I would think that he does." He gently picked up her left hand. Looking at the wide gold band he had placed there just a few hours ago, he brought it up to his face, kissing the ring and her hand. "Have you looked at the inscription inside?"

"No, I've not had it off since you put it there. What does it say?"

"Take it off and read it…. I'll put it back on you." Bringing a candle close so that she could see, she peered at the inside of her ring. There, engraved were the words "I will love you forever. H."

Her eyes welled up as she looked at him. "Will you? Do you swear it?"

Placing the ring back on her hand he kissed her, saying. "Yes, I promise that I will, and I swore it this evening before you and our parents and friends. I do swear it."

"And I swear it to you, just as I did tonight. I will love you forever, Horatio. I will."