The day of the Astor's party found me indulging myself in one of my favorite passions, letting Will hold me up against a wall while I chased my pleasure against his leg. He had asked to see the boat house, and I had been more than willing to show him around. Mother still placed time limits on us being alone, we were expected to return within half an hour to begin our preparations for the ball. Will had only looked at the rowboats racked up along the walls for a moment, before he had attacked my neck and jaw with a relentless series of kisses. The slight lapping of the waves against the boards covered the worst of my panting, until I could hold it in no longer. "God Will, your hand. I want your hand."

He pulled away from my neck for a moment, casting about. "That hammock, go." I slid down the wall onto my feet, feeling him right behind me as I stumbled to the hammock. He quickly tumbled me into it, following and resuming the kiss that had left me breathless a moment ago. It didn't take a second before his hand was under my skirt, teasing and enticing me. He glanced at me from my side where he was laying, "Why is there a hammock in here?"

"Some of the hands like to nap." I gasped, feeling him press a finger into me. "Oh Christ Will, yes." I tried to muffle my moans by pressing my mouth to his, whining and bucking my hips against his hand as he brought me closer and closer. A second finger joined the first, and I moved even faster, feeling hotter by the moment. I felt Will grin into the kiss, and his fingers suddenly curled in such a way that I was lost. I keened my release into his mouth, feeling the shudders of pleasure rush through me, leaving me breathless and spent against him. When I could speak again, I turned to him. "Do you want me to touch you?"

"No, no. I owed you for the lighthouse." Will nuzzled against my neck, throwing an arm around me. "Although I would much rather stay here than go to the party tonight."

I pressed myself against him, "So would I, but the party will be fun. The Vanderbilts will be there."

"Don't think I've forgot you promising to dance with Oscar."

"You can claim me for the next two after, if it upset you that much." I chuckled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. His brow as still furrowed though, and the arm around me tightened. "Will, please. I'm trying to get my friends back. I promise, Oscar will not tempt me from you."

"He's a handsome heir to a fortune, with a Cambridge education and a well known family." Will grumbled, "While I'm a widower with hardly more than a few thousand pounds to my name, who only finished secondary school and is widely known for a tragedy that occurred under his watch."

I rolled my eyes, feeling the hammock rock as I set myself up on his chest, where I could look into his eye. "Will, you have skills that Oscar could not dream of." I let my fingers wander over his shirt, up to his neck. "You'll make him look like a fool when we bring the yachts out, Oscar couldn't calculate his position just from the sun, and you are far more handsome." I let him capture my lips in a kiss at that, settling against him when he pulled away. "I wouldn't trade what we've just done for a week with Oscar, you know that."

"I know," He mumbled, his hand brushing through my hair. "But does he have to flirt with you so much?"

"He's just like that." I sighed, "He has been since he was little. Mrs. Vanderbilt told us all the time about how he first brought a bundle of flowers to Lina Fish and told her he was in love with her, when he was five."

"And the young Ms. Fish?"

"Happily married, with two lovely girls and another on the way." I leaned into his touch, "And not to Oscar." There was little time for us to spend in the hammock though, as shortly after the boathouse door creaked open and we immediately had to get out of the hammock. When the maid found us, Will simply had his arm around my waist as he examined a map of Newport's coastline that had been spread over a table. I looked over to her, "Yes?"

"Your mother says you're to come back now. Louise and Reggie are to get you ready for the party." She glanced at where Will's hand lingered on me, "I'm to take you both back." Will gave a great sigh at that, as if it was a massive hardship to stop examining the depth of the Rhode Island coastline, but we both set off after the maid. The only thing we did was pause to shake off the sand from our shoes before we entered the house. Louise and Reggie were actually waiting for us at the stairs, whisking us away to our respective rooms. I was not exactly sure all the Will had to go through to prepare himself, but I had no doubt it was far less than what I endured. Washing, drying, hairdressing and cosmetics, all before I was even allowed to don the cream and powdered blue chiffon dress. Louise decided to include some of the sapphires Mother had given me, clasping the necklace around my throat.

Will was waiting in the parlor for me, adjusting the smooth black gloves he wore. He looked very handsome in his tailcoat, with its well fitted waist and high starched collar. He paused when I entered, a smile breaking out on his face. "Ana, I swear, every dress suits you."

"I do try to avoid red," I said as I walked to him, "Makes me look sallow. And you look quite dashing."

"I suppose I should just be glad that a top hat isn't required for evening parties." Will took my hand, not that I could feel his hand through the white kid gloves. He dropped his voice, speaking softly. "I don't suppose we could indulge ourselves in the carriage since your mother isn't coming?"

"Kisses, but nothing more I'm afraid." I whispered back, "The skirt is a tad tight on this one."

"A tragedy," He sighed, leading us out to the carriage. "But you do look stunning." The drive to the Astors was not nearly as long as I would have liked, and it seemed that I only got to spend a few moments in Will's arms, breathing in his scent and sucking on his lip, before I had to pull away to ensure that my hair and dress had not suffered during our brief kiss. Will gave a soft groan as I did, "I find myself missing our days in Southampton more and more."

"I do too," I muttered as I readjusted my necklace, it had been shoved aside as Will had pressed kisses to my breasts. "It was nice to wake up next to you every day."

"And my nights were much improved by your presence." Will gave a slight tug, pulling me back to him. I laughed as he curled his arm around my waist, his voice almost husky as he spoke. "I miss having you in my arms all night."

"I'll be back there soon enough," I giggled as he pressed his nose to my neck. "And you'll be back out sailing sooner."

"At least it will occupy me, I find myself with so little to do now that I keep wanting to pull you into my room for the night." He pressed his lips to the hollow of my throat, "That would alleviate my boredom."

"Remind me to have you be bored more often." I sighed, holding his head to my neck. "We're just about there though, so we should probably stop." Will gave a groan, but pulled his head back. It was only a minute before we stopped outside the outsized entrance of Beechwood, the Astor's mansion. Even the Vanderbilts couldn't compare to the marble palace that the Astor's had built, covered in massive artworks and rich draperies that almost dominated the flashing jewels of the ladies who crowded the halls, their dark clad escorts almost disappearing into the exotic dark wood. Will and I joined the line of those entering, stopping to greet the Astors as we got to the ballroom. I held Mrs. Astor's hand lightly, bowing my head slightly. "Thank you for the invitation, it's always an experience to visit Beechwood."

"Oh, of course, Miss Dalian." She simpered, looking over to Will. "You and your fiancé are welcome at any time. I hope you will enjoy the party, Mr. Murdoch. I must admit I was inspired by your engagement party, dear. It has been so long since we were able to visit." That was the end of it for she quickly turned to the next group, and we entered the ballroom to find the theme had apparently been nautical in nature. Golden model ships stood guard over tables groaning with dishes and drinks, and a riot of every shade of blue silk was draped over tables and from the walls.

I could see Will's lips purse as he considered the man-o-war protecting the champagne, onyx beads standing in place of the guns. He handed me a glass, keeping one for himself. "How much do you think she spent on that?"

"Enough to actually purchase a real one." I chuckled, "I think she's just excited to have you here."

"If this is a sign of her acceptance, I should hate to see how she treats those she does not like." He sighed, taking a swallow of his drink. "I think I have the first dance, though?"

"You always will." I smiled, setting my drink aside as he led me out onto the dance floor. The band was playing a fast tango, one that allowed Will to stand very close to me and place his hands around my waist. Dancing with him was always a pleasure, from the slight graze of his fingers along my arms to the way he would glance at me, his eyes flashing. When the band ended the song we applauded with the rest of the dancers, moving off into the crowd. Many of them had been at our engagement party, and were quite happy to greet Will. I gave his hand a squeeze after we stepped away from a small group, "You're proving to be quite popular."

"I'm not quite sure what to think of that." He muttered, "What if they start inviting me to things?"

"Then you'll go," I rolled my eyes, "Or we'll go together. And if you're out I'll go in your stead." I was just about to tease him a bit further, I could see a flush developing along his cheekbones and wanted to see it flow down to his neck, when someone caught my hand. I turned, startled. "Oscar! You scared me half to death."

He smiled as he bowed over my hand, "Oh I doubt that very much, Anastasia. However, I would like to claim that dance now." His brown eyes turned to Will briefly, "I shall return her shortly." He didn't even wait for permission, whirling me into a waltz that was already being played. Oscar smiled, "You look lovely tonight, by the way."

"Thank you," I demurred, trying to focus on the steps. But I had been waltzing since I was a child, so it provided no distraction from Oscar's gentle grip on my hand. Or the grze of his fingers on my waist. "I did miss you when you left, Oscar."

"Obviously, if your letters were accurate." He chuckled, "Although it appears I only lasted for a short while in your heart."

I winced, "Oscar, it was't that I forgot about you." I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to figure out what to say while letting him lead. "I could never forget you."

"Anastasia," He murmured, standing a bit closer to me. "You don't have to say it, I can see it's causing you some distress. You just weren't in love with me." I gaped up at him, shocked. To be honest I had been a bit in love with him, nothing like what I felt for Will, but I had enjoyed his attentions and had wanted them to continue. Telling him about Zachary's attack, about Father, would it be better for him to know the truth or simply let him continue in this way? He gave a gentle smile, bringing his hand up to softly touch my chin as the music ended. "But you are in love now, I can see it. William seems to be a good man, if a tad old for you." He smirked, cutting me off before I could say anything. "But as long as you're happy with him, then I am happy for you. Now, I should return you to him before he strangles me on the dance floor."

Sure enough Will's face was red, his mouth almost screwed tight as we glided over to him. He didn't even say a word to Oscar as he took my hand, whirling back out into the next dance. And the next. The entire time he didn't speak, only holding me tighter. When he showed no signs of leaving after the second song ended I started back towards the drinks. "Will, I'm thirsty."

I could feel him follow me, his steps heavy. His voice was low, "I don't like seeing him with you."

"Will, do you know what he talked about with me?" I whirled on him, my own voice barely a whisper. "How he could see how in love with you I am. He's not a rival for you, for God's sake."

His shoulders relaxed a little, "Ana, I didn't like seeing those other men at the engagement party dance with you either. Their hands, they kept dropping them."

"Oscar didn't." I sighed, feeling a flush creep over me. I had once dreamed about Oscar dropping his hands to where they shouldn't be once, but now it was only Will. "Do you mind if we head outside? I could use some air." He quickly led us out onto the massive veranda on the back of the house, a sea breeze cooling me down as it carried scents from their garden over. I sighed, enjoying the mix of rosemary and lavender on the wind. "Mmmm, we could just stay out here for the rest of the party."

I watched Will lean against a railing, watching the party continue inside. "You don't mean that."

"No, I don't." I shook my head. I needed to be inside, to talk with people and make sure people saw Will and I. But staying out here on the dark, cool veranda with Will was certainly appealing. But we weren't the only ones out here as evidenced by the pair of footsteps I heard approaching. I turned, glad for the bright lights of the party. "Liz!"

"Anastasia! Oscar said he saw you two slip out." Liz, in an absolutely gorgeous green gown, elbowed her brother who was escorting her. Oscar simply grinned, holding a pair of glasses in one hand. Liz quickly took my hand, gently tugging me away from Will. "Come on, we have got to catch up. Did you see the absolutely disgusting gown on Mrs. Astor's daughter? That shade of pink, I wanted to die on her behalf." I let her carry me along, not too far from Will who quickly found himself in a pair of chairs with Oscar. I kept one ear open as I gossiped with Liz, wanting to hear exactly what Oscar had been planning.

"I've brought a peace offering, Mr. Murdoch. One of father's cigars, and a glass of good Irish whiskey." His voice was light, and I heard him settle down further into his chair. "I remembered what brand you preferred from the yacht."

"Thank you, Oscar." Will said as he lit it, I could hear the flare of a match, setting the glass down beside him with a solid thunk.

He and Oscar puffed for a moment before Oscar spoke again. "I wish you'd tell me what I did to make you so angry with me. By god, I thought you were going to push your way across the dance floor."

"Well, it's just a little hard to see your fiancée in another man's arms." The cigar glowed in the corner of my eye as Will pulled on it. "And you did mention everything you did to try and win her, right after I met you."

"Ah, I'm sorry about that. It's just been so long since I've seen Anastasia." Oscar sighed, lolling his head back. "She's always been a beauty, even before I left. But now, God, you're a lucky man."

"I know it." Will tapped his cigar, discarding the ash. "And I'm not letting her get away."

"Oh, I'd never steal her William. Have you seen the way she looks at you? Like a starving man at a feast, I don't have a chance." Oscar set his cigar down for a moment, taking a swallow of whiskey. "Long as she isn't with Reichster though, I'm content."

"You know about Reichster?" I could see Will tense, and I felt my heart freeze for a moment. Did Oscar know about the attack? Or Henry's continuation of his son's advances?

"Christ William, I did want to marry the girl. Of course I got told what he said at the charity ball as soon as I got back. He always was a pompous son of a bitch, but those things he said are beyond the pale. There's no way she'd changed that much in four years, not the Anastasia I knew."

Will actually laughed at that. "On that we can agree, Oscar."

"I can't believe he's coming tonight, of course he's late so maybe we'll all be gone by the time he gets here."

Will started, his cigar forgotten for a moment. "He's coming here?"

"Oh yes, Mrs. Astor was quite proud of that. Seems he only got back to New York yesterday, but he took the first train he could. They'll announce him when he enters, don't worry about that."

"It's Ana that I'm worried about," Will hesitantly reached for his cigar again. "I don't want him anywhere near her."

"Well if he decides to get close to her, and you're not around, I could always step in." Oscar grinned, "So long as you're alright seeing her dance with me a few more times."

"I'd much rather her dance with you than have her speak to him." I had expected to hear some anger in Will's voice, but he sounded calm. He and Oscar quickly fell to discussing the various yachts that were expected to make an appearance at the Newport regatta soon, and Liz and I had already exhausted discussing the dresses, the deplorable decorations, and the ostentatious, truth be told rather gaudy, display inside. Will gave me a grin as we came back, standing to take my hand. "Ana, Oscar really does want us to join them for the larger races."

"Well, I see no reason not to." I squeezed his hand, "So long as you can keep yourself from wanting to take the wheel."

Oscar laughed loudly at that, "He might be better than the helmsman I've hired Ana, you have to at least allow me to use him if I need him."

"Oscar, Mr. Murdoch is perfectly free to market his services on his own." Liz gently smacked his shoulder with her fan. "He's not something to be stolen." The chairs were given to us ladies as the two of them stood, bargaining for what exactly Will could expect in payment for taking the wheel. Oscar was apparently ready to be quite generous if Will won him the race, offering what amounted to double his yearly salary. Everything was going smoothly, which of course meant that something had to ruin it.

"Mr. Zachary Reichster, just returned from Berlin." The Astor's butler boomed out, loud enough that he cut through our conversation. I felt Will's hand immediately go to my shoulder, and I watched him stand a bit straighter as he stared into the ballroom. I tried to keep my attention on Liz, who had immediately screwed her face up as if she had just bitten into a lemon.

Her voice was even more sour, "Oscar, can we go?"

"Oh Liz, you know we can't." Oscar downed the rest of his whiskey, "Besides, the sooner we talk to him the sooner we can ignore him. Care to get it over with?" He said the last bit to Will, who grimly nodded and helped me to my feet. The four of us made our way into the ballroom, waiting in the crowd that surrounded the Astors and Zachary until we could get close enough.

I nodded to Mrs. Astor, "This has been such a wonderful party, and Beechwood is always so lovely at night." I deliberately avoided looking at Zachary, putting that off for as long as I could.

Mrs. Astor simpered, batting her fan as she turned to him. "Oh Zachary, perhaps you should tell Miss Dalian here about your father's new initiative? I'm sure she would make a marvelous addition."

"Indeed," A small smile spread slowly across his face. He was still as handsome as ever, although he had a bit of color to him now. Must have been from yachting with the Kaiser. "My father has decided that the artwork in our New York house has far too little of the feminine to it, so he has decided to commission portraits of all our great beauties in New York society," Here he bowed his head to the ladies in the group, "Including all those here, to grace our humble walls."

A great tittering went up among the ladies, all of them vying to be the first added to the collection. I remained silent until the rush had passed, only speaking once it was quiet. "That does sound delightful, Zachary, but I am afraid I have such little time to sit for portraits anymore. With the demands of the business, my social calendar, and preparations for the wedding, it leaves me little time to sit for a painter." And what little time I did have to myself I wanted to spend in Will's arms.

"Oh, Father will be so disappointed to hear that." The smile hadn't fallen from his face, "He read about the dress you wore for your engagement party and was hoping to have it captured, since he was called away by some business and unable to view it in person. Since you have such little time, perhaps a photograph for the artist to work from would suffice."

"If so," Will spoke up, and I hoped I was the only one to hear the edge in his voice. "Then I should like to stand with her, in my naval uniform that I wore for the party."

Mrs. Astor raised her eyebrows, "You hold a British naval commission, Mr. Murdoch?"

"Only in the Reserves, ma'am." Will nodded to her, then pinned his gaze on Zachary. "Although my rank does entitle me to wear a sword, which I shall have sharpened and shined if your father desires a photograph of us. I should hate to appear slovenly in the portrait."

"I shall have to ask my father," Zachary took a sip of his bourbon, "He feels we already have far too many formal portraits, he was hoping to bring some new talent in."

"Oh, be sure that you do include them, dear." Mrs. Astor batted her eyes, quickly turning from him to Will. "I should love to get a copy of it, if he agrees to it. Really Mr. Murdoch, how could you keep that from us? An officer in the Royal Navy, here at my party!" That led to a rush of questions from those around us, the crowd quickly catching on that Zachary's moment was done as the host had found a new interest. I was at Will's side the entire time, telling everyone how brave and intelligent he was to have gotten his rank.

Will was rather red faced when he looked away, "My apologies Mrs. Astor for stepping away, but I feel that I must waltz with my fiancée at least once."

"Oh! Of course, but please, promise me that you'll come see us during the regatta." She waved away his excuses that he tried to make, "I'll be very put out if you don't."

Will didn't wait a moment before he quickly swept me out onto the floor, his hands holding me tight. His face was turned away though, looking out into the crowd. I squeezed his shoulder, "Will, I'm down here."

"I know, I know." He muttered as he dropped his gaze, "I just wanted to make sure he wasn't around."

"He probably went out as soon as Mrs. Astor took a liking to you." I chuckled, taking my own moment to look out. The crowd had thinned out as the night had worn on, the dance floor only occupied by a few other couples. Oscar and Liz had each gotten their own dance partners, but judging from the slow speed of all of us dancing, this would no doubt be the last dance of the night. So I yawned rather widely when the dance finished and Will led me off the floor, and Mrs. Astor immediately ordered our carriage brought around. I thanked her once again, deciding to wait on the veranda with Will. We had barely stepped outside before a harsh laugh cut through the night.

"You know Murdoch, I wasn't expecting to see you here in tails. Stripes would suit you much better." Zachary, alone, was smoking a cigarette in the shadows as Will and I stepped out. I barely had time to realize what he had said before Will had him up against the wall of the house, the lapels of his suit crushed in Will's hands as he held him off the ground.

"Stay away from her, Reichster." Will fairly growled in his face, "I'm warning you."

Zachary snorted, "You know, it's so charitable of you to be willing to accept used goods, after all those other sailors had their turn." He didn't seem to notice that his toes barely touched the ground, Will held him so tightly. "My friend Perry saw you on the crossing you know, he called her a pretty little chit. Doesn't seem to know her very well, but he had some interesting thoughts about her. Is her mouth as sweet as it seems? When she sucks-" I felt my face flush for a second, before I heard a solid hit of skin on skin. Zachary had crumpled to the ground, his face cradled in his hands. "You bastard, you broke my nose!"

"Be glad it was just your nose." Will stood over him, his right hand balled into a fist. "If I ever hear you say anything about her again, I will kill you." He reached down, grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him half off the ground, "And if your father comes near her, you're both dead." He dropped him, sending him slumping to the ground.

"We'll see what the police think about that," Zachary growled, gingerly touching his nose. "She had my father arrested for trespassing, I'll have you arrested for assault. Seems simple to me, just a nice little trade." He wiped the blood from his face, glaring at me. "Isn't it fair, 'Stasia?"

"Don't even think about trying to press charges, Zachary. I heard what you said. You're lucky he only broke your nose." Oscar stood in the doorway to the ballroom, the light around him dimming as the party died down. "If you said that about Liz, you'd have a broken jaw. At the least."

"Well, don't think your star is going to rise too far, Murdoch." He spat, literally as a bloody streak of spit made its way across the wooden deck. "They all won't forget what got you here, murderer." He shoved himself back to his feet, straightening his rumpled jacket. "And I'll be on the rise. Keep an eye on the papers, it's going to be all over them soon enough." I watched him stumble off into the darkness, cursing as he made his way around the house.

"Your carriage is here, by the way." Oscar smirked, "I was coming to tell you, seems a good thing I was here though."

Will shook out his hand from the fist he had made, offering me his other arm. "Thank you, Oscar. I don't know what I could do to repay you."

"Join us on the yacht so he doesn't come skulking around Liz and we'll be square." Oscar took my other hand, helping us wind our way to the foyer. Will was the one to hand me up though, even as Oscar gave an exaggerated bow. "It's always a pleasure to see you at a party, Anastasia. Have a good night."

I let the carriage start off before I drew Will's hand over to me. He grunted a little as I drew off his glove, revealing his slightly bruised knuckles. I brought them to my lips, kissing them. "Will, that was incredible."

"Ana," He winced, his hand moving in my gentle grip. "They hurt."

"Then let me kiss you instead." I slid closer to him on the bench, winding my hands around his shoulders and pulling him down. He didn't waste any time, actually pulling me into his lap. I giggled into the kiss, and he dropped his head to what he could reach of my breasts at the top of my dress. I sighed, clutching his head closer. "God Will, that was incredible. Seeing you hit him, it was everything I had ever wanted. Could you do it again?"

He paused, looking up. "Ana, I lost my temper. I should apologize to you, you shouldn't have seen that."

"Don't you dare." I snapped, dropping my lips to his neck. I heard him gasp as I nipped at him, and I spoke into his neck. "If you apologize for breaking his nose, I am throwing you out of the damn carriage." I kept at it, wishing that I could have his collar off so I could get at even more of him, but that would send up a sign to Reggie, who would no doubt tell Mother. So I settled for kissing him, feeling him run his hands along my back, whispering what I wanted to do to him and hearing him say all the he wanted of me, and he held me close as the carriage made its way through the dark, toward home.