He lifted his chin as the valet pulled the tie straight. "I think you should be ready milord."
"Thank you Andrew." He checked himself in the full-length mirror. "I guess there's only so much we can do in the end."
"I think you look rather dashing milord." Andrew held out the jacket and dusted the shoulders with a brush. "You'll put our hosts to shame."
"It is the Bavarian Embassy," He pulled his cuffs to the edge of his jacket sleeves, "I'm sure that would be frown upon by our hosts if John Bates, Baron Rothschild outshone them."
"It's a serious concern with someone as incredible as yourself milord."
"You're much better at flattery than I am Andrew." He sighed, "Ready?"
"As much as we can make you milord."
"Perfect. Take the evening to yourself Andrew. I won't be back until late so I'll just undress myself and leave it for you in the morning."
"Very good milord."
John went to the front door, taking his cape and cane from the footman before bending for his hat. "Thank you."
"Enjoy your evening milord."
"May that be the prayer from all of us." John ducked outside, climbing inside his cab. "I've my doubts."
The cab jostled a bit through the streets and he passed the time dusting invisible flecks off his top hat. When the cab halted he waited for the door to open before climbing out of the space. With a nod toward the driver, and the inevitable exchange of money, he joined the thin queue for the interior of the building.
Men at the door examined his invitation, giving a look between themselves before handing it back, and John tucked the invitation away. He handed over his hat, cape, and cane to the first valet free to take it, and tried to edge around the gathering milling around the expansive parlor, sitting room, and library as they waited for entrance to the ballroom. John snuck a glass from a passing tray and tried to hide himself away in a corner until the clock struck inevitable doom.
That moment arrived just as he finally lighted his fingers upon a book in the library. With a sigh he returned it, leaving his glass with others constituting a quorum on the table, and headed for the door. As he did it was blocked by a woman with fiercely blue eyes and a stunning red dress.
"Good evening John." She entered the room and pulled the door closed behind her as he stepped back to place the table between them. "I thought, when you came, you would make your way directly to me. It is a party celebrating me after all and it seems rude that my fiancé wouldn't be the first to offer his congratulations on this glorious day."
"It would seem odd if I were your fiancé didn't greet you but I'm not your fiancé." He bowed to her, "My greatest wishes for happiness of your birthday all the same Vera."
"And what gift does the Baron bring me?" Her finger traced the edge of the table as she circled toward him and John held his ground.
"I'm afraid I didn't see the part on the invitation where we were bringing gifts." He opened his hands before shrugging. "My apologies or I might've been better prepared."
"You could ask for my hand."
"That would be ill advised."
"Why?" Her finger skated down his cheek and John flicked his head back. "Your parents want the union as much as my own do. A union between the Rothchilds and a great house of Bavaria… what could be better?"
"Perhaps a union where we actually loved our partner." John took a pronounce step back, clicking his heels to bow to her again. "Again, my best wishes for your birthday."
"Perhaps you should bring your wishes to public form and open the ball me." She smiled at him and John sought to suppress a shudder.
"I would be honored to open your ball with you, should no one else argue."
"No one will." She walked toward the doors, "They all see it coming for us John. I just struggle to understand why you fight it so."
"Because I don't see it coming, Vera." John waited for her to leave before looking back over the glasses on the table.
He found one that still contained alcohol and knocked it back as quickly as he could before following Vera from the room.
She pulled at the glove on her wrist before the other woman put a hand on hers, stilling her actions. "If you keep pulling at it you'll tear it."
"I'm just nervous Mary."
"I can tell." Mary patted at her artfully twisted hair as the crush moved closer to the doors. "But you'll be fine Anna. It's just a ball and you already know now to dance."
"But all those people of title and position. I'll be shamed to a corner."
"There's nothing shameful about being the heiress to a shipping enterprise." Mary snorted, "You've got more money than most of the people in that room because their ancestors of title squandered it years ago."
"Still, this is a place where people like me don't belong."
"No one belongs in one of these rooms Anna unless they tell themselves and everyone else they do until everyone accepts it." Mary took them closer to the door, pulling two cards from her glove. "How'd you think they got into these rooms in the first place?"
Anna did not have time to answer as Mary handed over the two cards and held her wrist in hers. The man there stamped his stick against the floor twice before practically bellowing to the large room. "The Lady Mary Crawley and Ms. Anna Smith."
"Come on." Mary tugged her forward and they descended the steps toward the sparkling floor where a few heads looked up at their entrance.
Swallowing, and trying not to tug at her gloves again, Anna stayed by Mary's side as she guided them about the room. Men in their finest white tie turned almost at her command and soon Anna's head spun with the names and titles and peerages surrounding her in the room. Eventually they worked their way back around the floor when Anna whispered toward Mary.
"What was the purpose of that again?"
"To fill up your dance card with men who need a wife of means." Mary opened hers, scowling a bit. "I do wish Tony Foyle hadn't put himself on every polka I have. I know he can't dance them."
"Why would I want to marry any of these men?" Anna clutched her own dance card, thankfully only boasting two names that she could still put faces to. "If they're only after my father's money then what does that leave me?"
"Men like my father aren't hard to find." Mary smiled toward a man who approached them, holding out his hand for the card she gave him with all the grace of a queen deigning acknowledge a lowly knight. "And they're not all bad."
"I never said they were."
"You're doubting if you should consider them."
"I'd like someone who isn't marrying me to square themselves away with someone before they spend our whole marriage in someone else's bed." Anna sighed, "I know you think it's naïve but I want to marry someone who loves me, or at the very least likes me for who I am."
"We all wish for that Anna." Mary confided, "Women in our positions are just accustomed to the reality that we're not going to get it."
They quieted as the band in the corner drew silent and the herald at the door called out, "The Princess of Bavaria escorted by the Baron Rothschild."
"They say they'll be married soon." Mary nudged Anna's side, "And mostly for money."
"Does he like her? Does she like him?"
"Who doesn't like the idea of spending all the money they could ever want?"
"Anyone who wants to know they're appreciated for more than that." Anna turned her face to the couple as they descended the stairs near her and for a moment her heart stopped.
His eyes met hers and it was as if time paused for them. Anna's breath caught in her throat and she struggled to fill her lungs at the depth in his eyes. For a second she noted his own step faltered before he regained his decorum and came to the middle of the floor. But his eyes, those windows to his soul, never left hers.
Even as he danced about the room he always sought her. Even when he maneuvered a partner the men in the room salivated for, he looked at her. And even when the woman in his arms attempted to hold him closer he maintained a distance so he could still see her.
The dance ended and Anna joined the applause. Their eyes disengaged a moment as he kissed his partner's hand and led her to the next patron seeking her attentions. Anna lowered her head to read the name on her card when a gasp at her right drew her head up.
He stood there, holding his hand out to her. "I do hope you won't think me too presumptuous, Miss, but may I have the pleasure of this waltz?"
"I'd be honored, milord." She gave her hand and he led her to the floor. "Though I thought your card would be far more occupied."
"My card is blissfully empty." He took her into position, "Although I would request the pleasure to taking another space on yours, if you permit."
"I wouldn't have it in me to say no." Anna swallowed, "But I must admit I don't know your name."
"John Bates, Baron Rothschild." He tipped his head near her, "If you could refer to me as 'John' while we're in close quarters I'd greatly prefer it. Reminds me that I have a first name."
"I can manage that." The music started and Anna flowed into his sure steps, relying wholly on him to lead her about the floor.
"And may I have your name?"
"Anna Smith. I'm here as a guest of Lady Mary Crawley."
"I've only ever heard horror stories about her." John smiled and they both choked back sniggers. "I'm sure she's much tamer than the stories would have me believe."
"She's one of the best people I've ever met, if that tells you anything."
"It tells me a great deal, Ms. Smith."
They glided around the room, perfectly in time with the music, and Anna lost herself in the beauty of it.
"Do you like the Blue Danube, Ms. Smith?"
"It's a beautiful song."
"I can assure you, as beautiful as the river after which Strauss wrote it." They pulled to a stop as the music finished. "Perhaps someday you'll see it for yourself."
"I'd like that." Anna fiddled with her card a moment before John reached for it. "I couldn't impose-"
"The imposition is all mine." He signed his name and Anna expected to take it back but he continued signing his name until he reached the end of the card. "I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of all the waltzs this evening."
Anna coughed, "I'm sure to bore you before you fulfill on you obligation in that regard milord."
"I don't think you will." He bowed his head to her, taking her hand to kiss it. "I look forward to continuing our conversation Ms. Smith."
"As do I." She curtsied to him as he went to find another partner for the next dance.
Her hands glided over her glove, the heat of the kiss soaking through to her own skin, and jumped as Mary's hand came to her shoulder. Mary removed her hand, eyes widening, and smiled at her. "Am I to assume that you're very taken with Baron Rothschild?"
"I…" Anna shrugged, "I think so."
"It's not a bad one to find fascinating." Mary grinned, "Now, find a new partner before they find you."
As Mary joined the fray for the next dance Anna's eyes flicked up. They met John's a moment and she smiled. But the smile soon deflated as she found the eyes of the Princess of Bavaria.
Those eyes sent a cold chill through her.