Once the wedding concluded, Maggie and Percy rode the Marquess of Canterbury's carriage back to Canterbury House. It was a two-hour ride, during which the newly wedded couple remained as quiet as mice.
Maggie was terrified about the prospect of their upcoming wedding night, while Percy was lost in his array of thoughts.
Eventually, they arrived.
Percy held out his hand to help Maggie out of the carriage.
"Welcome home," he said in two curt words as he led her across the threshold of his, up until two hours ago, bachelor residence.
Upon arrival at Canterbury House, Maggie found a line of expectantly waiting faces at the grand entrance. It was the entire service staff, assembled to formally welcome their new mistress.
"This is Edgar, my butler," Percy introduced the butler who had so kindly allowed her to wait for Percy's return the first time she paid the house a visit.
