The night of the opera had come, and I was currently waiting in my aqua silk gown downstairs while Louise finished brushing down my cape. Rigel had decided that it looked like a good spot to sleep, and had managed to pull it down from where it was hung and curled up on it. Meaning that it had gotten wrinkled and covered in hair, and I was merely relieved that he hadn't managed to spot it with his slobber. He was getting bigger, and he had developed quite an attachment to both Will and I since he had been in from the ship. In fact, Will was currently playing with him, tugging on a rope and managing to keep his tuxedo clean while he did it. Louise reappeared from the stairs with my cape, white silk and fur, beaded designs tracing the sleeves, and she hurriedly tied me into it. "A thousand apologies once again, Miss Dalian. I should have noticed that he had pulled it down."
Will chuckled as she shot a glare at Rigel, "And he's only going to get bigger. And hairier."
"Lord preserve us." Peggy sighed from where she was waiting at the door. "Are you sure that you won't let me keep him in the kitchens, Miss Anastasia?"
"Oh, no." I replied, giving Rigel a scratch before pulling my gloves on. "He's so attached now, I couldn't."
"Then at least out of your bed?" Peggy asked as she took Will's top hat from Reggie and handed it to him.
He grinned at that, "The only way you're going to get her to kick that dog out of her bed is to bribe her." With that, he took my arm and we both got into the waiting carriage. I managed to arrange my cape so that it wouldn't wrinkle during the trip to the opera house, and I reached over to adjust Will's lapels. He caught my hands as I did. "You look beautiful, by the way."
"Thank you," I replied, straightening his lapels and letting my hands rest against him. "You look very handsome."
"I look a fool." He snorted, flicking a finger against the brim of his top hat.
I adjusted the angle of it, letting it rest back on his head. "No, you look like a debonair man about town taking his girl to a show."
"I look like a stuffed penguin put out on display." He shook his head, "And I feel like one, the coat is far too tight and I swear I worry about tearing the tails off it as I walk."
"You will do fine." I sighed, noting the white gloves he wore. Unlike mine, he could at least wear cotton while my arms were covered in soft white kid leather. They were beautiful and they clung to every curve of my arm, but it also meant my arms were bound to sweat a lot tonight. I smiled, lacing my fingers through his. "At least Rigel didn't get your vest all covered in hair."
"He didn't because I don't let him have the run of my rooms." He slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Honestly, why Charles had to bring you one of the hairiest breeds, let alone the largest, during summer, I will never know."
"He said he had a friend who bred them." I said, "Besides, even you are starting to warm up to him."
He grinned, "Rigel does seem to have a good nose for people. Although you really should have let him bite Zachary, would have served the little prick right."
"If he comes at me when you're not here, I will let him bite away." I settled further against his shoulder, "But it is nice to have something to hold at night, and he makes the sweetest little snuffles against me when he sleeps." I could feel Will shake his head at that. "Really Will, I haven't had a puppy in my entire life. Can't you just let me enjoy this?"
"I'm all for you enjoying him. But if you let him get away with things when he's a puppy then he's just going to think he can do it when he's bigger."
"I'm just letting him sleep on the bed."
"And get you covered with hair." He reached over, plucking an imaginary hunk of hair off of me. "See? Soon you'll have more of his hair on you than yours." I laughed, watching the city slip by as we drew closer to the opera house. The crowds began to get nicer, ladies in gowns and men in suits parading down the sidewalks, all headed toward the same spot. The opera house was a magnificent achievement of architecture, every column surmounted by a curling top and statues of the Muses watching the crowd coming in. I almost heard Will grit his teeth as the carriage pulled up outside, an attendant opening the door. I tried to give him a smile as he handed me out, although I did almost laugh. He did look rather foolish in his top hat, after seeing him without one for so long. He caught my eye, "Ana, if you start laughing I swear I shall rip this thing off right now."
"Oh Will, it's just so-" I pressed my hand to my lips, muffling the laugh that was threatening to escape. It took me a moment to collect myself as we swept inside, the lights dancing off the gilded decorations. "You just look so handsome."
He snorted. "Ana, a single laugh and I will stomp it flat."
"I wasn't laughing." I shook my head, feeling the golden fringe of my earrings dance against my neck. "Oh look, the Vanderbilts." I waved, seeing Oscar and Liz begin to make their way across the foyer towards us. Liz was dressed in a pink gown that fell down to her ankles, revealing a spotless pair of white shoes. I stepped in for a hug, "You look lovely."
"As do you, that cape, my word." She replied, stepping back.
Will nodded to her, "Hard to believe an hour ago it was covered in black dog hair."
"Dog hair?" Oscar chuckled, "Since when have you ever had a dog?"
"I've had him for a few weeks now." I smiled, thinking about Rigel snuffling into my skirt. "He's a wonderful puppy."
"He won't be a puppy for long though, and he's going to be big." Will had a very knowing smirk on his face, and he looked to Oscar. "A friend took me writing to him about my concern for Ana's safety as an excuse to bring her a dog. For her protection, he said. But the he is a fairly fierce thing, almost bit Zachary the other day."
"Almost?" Oscar grinned, "It sounds as if he needs better training then."
"Oh stop it you two," I swatted at Will's shoulder, "Zachary would have stomped him if I hadn't pulled him back."
"Don't pull him back next time." Oscar replied, "With some luck we might be able to end the whole Reichster line." I blushed at that, and I saw Liz turning a bit red as well. I had never thought that Rigel would go for, well, that area of Zachary's body. My initial concern had just been for his safety, not for what damage he could do. But the way Oscar was smiling I could tell he wasn't that serious, especially as he rolled his eyes. "Although I am going to have to play nice with him tonight, don't be surprised and don't let on about it."
"Why are you playing nice with him?" I asked, taking Will's arm as we started to climb the steps up the boxes. Oscar and Liz joined us, our group almost taking up the whole of the marble stairway. "After the party I'm surprised he would even speak to you."
"Well, I lied about drinking a bit too much." Oscar snorted, "As for why, I'm afraid I can't reveal that Anastasia. I'd ruin your wedding present."
Will's steps stuttered for a moment, "A wedding gift?"
"That's all I will say on it for now." Oscar grinned, "I should hate to ruin the surprise."
"The gift wouldn't happen to be his head on a platter, would it?" Liz spoke up, "That would be a lovely gift."
"I'm afraid not, Salome." He shook his head, "Ah, our box. We'll come visit during the second act." The two of them had stopped in front of one of the priciest boxes, a uniformed attendant opening the door for them. Our box was further down one of the wings, although it was no less luxurious.
The attendant at the door bowed as we stepped up, "Miss Dalian, we have the box prepared as you like it. Will you be accepting visitors tonight, or will you be visiting?"
"We will be staying." I nodded to him, "Mr. Murdoch has never seen an opera, so I want to make sure he get his fill." The box was almost two separate rooms, divided by a curtain. The first one where we entered had hooks to hang my cape, a stocked bar with sparkling crystal glasses, a supply of cigars and ashtrays and chairs for visitors to sit. The area beyond opened up onto the audience, plush velvet chairs that could be moved to provide the best views. A set of opera glasses was on each one, to be used for the standard purpose here, watching the other attendees and judging them. I looked over to Will as I untied my cape, "Well, what do you think?"
"It's like everything else I've seen with you," He poured a finger of scotch into a glass, "Completely luxurious and beautiful. I've never felt more out of place."
I hung the cape on a hook next to his hat, "You fit in just fine."
"I stand out like a sore thumb." I watched him sip at his scotch. "I'll say the wrong thing or do something to make them laugh." He settled into one of the chairs, and I moved to sit next to him. "You should have just left me at home."
"And come here on my own?" I gave a laugh, reaching over to touch his hand. "It would be torture." Will didn't look over, considering the amber drink in his glass. I tried for another tactic. "Besides, it's only for tonight. I give the tickets away to people in the company, it's just the opening night I have to go to."
He took a long draught of his drink. "Ana, you're forcing me into a place I don't belong to."
"Don't belong?" I furrowed my brow, "Will, you belong here more than any of the others."
"Ana, this is your world." He downed the dregs of his scotch. "Not mine. This is your box, not mine. The house? Yours. Hell Ana, even my bed is yours." He didn't even look over, staring off at the bar. "My job is yours Ana, my salary is yours. This is all your world, none of it mine. Nothing here is mine."
I blinked, withdrawing my hand. "Will, everything isn't just mine."
"But it is, Ana." He stood at that, moving to the bar and pouring himself another drink. "These are your people, the Vanderbilts are your friends, this isn't even a place that I would bring you." I watched the scotch splash into the glass. "Even the dog is yours. Nothing I've seen for the past week I can call mine."
I stood, coming to the bar and stepping in front of him. I heard the bottle thud onto the bar top as he stepped back, his eyes flicking away from me. "Will, that's a lie and you know it. We're engaged, everything is ours. It's not mine, it's ours."
"It will be ours when we marry, I'll grant you that." He ducked his head, looking away. "But not matter what I do I won't fit in with this crowd. Years from now and they'll still snicker at me."
"And I don't care." I reached over, touching his chin and bringing his face up. "And besides Will, you do have something that's all yours."
"What?"
I brushed my thumb over his cheek. "My life, Will. You saved me that night, and I will always be yours for it."
He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to it. "Sentimental as ever, my darling." But he did smile though, even as he reached around me for his drink. "But if you're mine, then I'm yours."
I snorted, stepping into his arms. "Now who's being sentimental?" I smiled into the kiss he pressed to my lips, sighing as he brought his drink around and sipped at it. "Really Will, I don't want you to think that nothing here is yours. It might not be legally, for the moment, but in my mind it already belongs to the two of us." I chuckled, "Besides, you've got the house in Southampton. And everything in it, including your bed."
He spluttered scotch out for a moment, grabbing a napkin and mopping his face as he set his drink down. "Ana, good Lord."
"We could spend part of the honeymoon there, if you like." I reached for his tie, tonight a stiff white silk bowtie. It wouldn't work to pull him in, but I still saw him stiffen as I adjusted it. "I do miss that squeaky old bed." I could see a flush beginning to creep up his neck. "And all the things we did in it. Don't you?"
His voice was quiet. "Of course I do, Ana. Although we have my bunk now."
"Your bunk will work for the moment, I suppose." I sighed, twisting my head. "But I had such a crick in my neck after laying there. I don't suppose they'd be suspicious if I bought you a thicker mattress?"
"Unfortunately I'd hate to give Moody any reason to look closer at me. I might scar the poor boy for life." Will chuckled, sipping his scotch. He looked up as the lights began to dim. "It's starting." We made our way to the seats, and I swept my opera glasses up into my hand. I started to look around, noting that Oscar and Liz were accompanied not only by their parents but by the elder Vanderbilts. I could even see their scandalous cousin Alfred next to Oscar, a drink in his hand and his tie already undone. As the orchestra began the overture I swept my glasses over the other boxes, Astors, Fishes, all of the new money crowd had crammed themselves into their boxes. The Reichsters were present, all three of them and Sophie who was dreamily sighing against the railing as the curtains opened.
I cut away from them, looking to the stage. The actors were beginning to come out, their voices rising and falling in song as they started. I dropped my glasses, sighing. "Well, we've got hours of not understanding a word ahead of us."
"It's not so bad." Will had been examining the stage with his own glasses, although he did turn to look at me. "The music is quite nice." I had to nod at that, it really was lovely. Usually by now I was already in the back with a glass of wine while Father and Mother watched the show. But it was nice to sit here with Will, hearing his murmured comments as the opera continued. The costumes really were nice, and I enjoyed watching Mimi's dress swirl around as the actress sang.
I looked over to Will, "Can you understand anything"
"Not a word." He replied, smirking. "Perhaps we should send down to Sophie for her translation services. I have noticed that she keeps looking up here." I chuckled, pulling my glasses up and looking to their box. She was currently looking up here, as was Henry Reichster.
My glasses fell to my lap, my eyes immediately fixating on the stage. "He's looking up here too."
"Younger or elder?" Will almost growled, pulling his glasses around to their box.
"Elder." I lifted my glasses, looking down. I could see a grin spread across Henry's face, and he stood and bowed elaborately toward us. I heard Will's chair scrape back, and I saw his hand form a fist next to me. Henry seemed to consider him for a moment, before he raised his eyebrows and turned back to the stage. Will was still standing though, and I looked up to see him glaring down. "Will, sit."
"I told him that he should leave if he sees you."
I sighed, slipping my hand into his and tugging on it until he sat. "You don't exactly have your sword at the moment, and he hasn't even done anything but look around. Everyone is looking around."
"Go get your cape, I don't like him looking at you." Will's hands curled around the arms of his chair. "Better yet, here, take my jacket."
"Will, just watch the show." I sighed, placing my hand on his arm and squeezing it. "Ignore him." He settled back with a grumble, although he made it very obvious what he was thinking about when he gripped my hand tightly. The show continued on, Mimi and Rodolfo enjoying a dinner and their newfound love while their friends tormented a government official who had the bad luck of being the patron of one of them. At least, I assumed that was happening, it was rather hard to follow without knowing the language so I was forced to follow each actor and remember them by their costume. As the act finished, the curtain came down the lights up. I stood, stretching. "Intermission."
"Mmmm," Will followed me back into the visiting room, stepping behind the bar. "Wine?"
"Please, we have another two acts to get through." I rubbed my fingers to my temples, and I wished Will would hurry up with the wine as the door opened. Intermission was the preferred time for visitors, so it did not surprise me when the attendant let a couple of guests in. I turned to look at them, "Zachary, Sophie, I hope you're enjoying the opera."
Sophie, glittering in a bronze silk gown, breezed up. "It is simply marvelous, and the story is so touching, don't you agree?"
I nodded my thanks to Will as he set a glass of white wine down for me, noting how he came around the bar to stand by my side as Zachary came up. I took a sip before speaking, "Yes, it's quite lovely."
"If rather overwrought." Zachary snorted, then looked to Will. "No drinks for your guests?"
"I'm sure you've indulged in your own box." Will sat next to me, putting his arm around my waist. "Besides, the last thing I want you to have in you is a drink."
Sophie giggled, "Zaza does get rather silly when he drinks, I came over to find him dancing to a record one day!" The two of them sat in the plush chairs, leaving Will and I on the stools. She pressed her hands to her lips as if to control her reaction, "I do think you would enjoy it much more if you knew what they were saying though, please let me stay and translate for you."
"I'm afraid not, Your Highness." I shook my head, "Besides, I would hate to deprive your soon to be in laws of your company."
Will straightened, "Speaking of them, tell your father to stop staring at Ana. I'm surprised the whole theater hasn't noticed."
"Oh, he was just admiring Anastasia's beautiful gown. Mother has been after him to find out where she got that one she wore to the party, he was curious if this one is by the same designer." Zachary waved off his comment, grinning back at him. "Is it? It suits her so beautifully."
I had just reached over to grab Will's arm, I had no doubt he was going to swing at him again, when the door opened again. A much more welcome voice rang out, "Ah, well William if I had known you had these guests here I would have hurried over sooner." Oscar came in, smiling ear to ear. "After all, we all know how popular Her Highness here is. And Zachary, you're still good for that poker game later, right?"
"Oh, I'll clean you out." Zachary stood, gladly shaking Oscar's hand. He practically ignored Liz, who came and sat next to me. Zachary gestured over towards those of us on the stools, "I was simply accompanying Sophie here to offer her translation services to 'Stasia, but we were refused." He sighed dramatically.
Oscar shrugged, "I've offered to translate for her for years, but she's never taken me up on it." I fought against the blush that was attempting to stain my cheeks, trying to forget the year that Oscar had sat next to me, whispering the lines in English and holding my hand the whole time. Oscar grinned down at Sophie, "I'd be pleased to escort you two back though, and perhaps sample some of your brandy. I was only bringing Liz up."
"That sounds pleasant." Zachary stood, and after helping Sophie to her feet, thankfully left.
I turned to Liz, "You'll have to thank your brother for me."
"For the both of us." Will snorted, finally pouring a scotch for himself. I gestured to Liz with my glass, but she shook her head. Will stayed behind the bar though, sipping his drink. "So did you just come here to visit?"
"I came to ask why you didn't invite James." Liz turned to me, "I would have thought you'd invite him."
I took another swallow, "Because James isn't going to be the head of our family, and because I'm not marrying him."
"But he would have loved it!" Liz screwed up her face, "He's probably never seen anything like it, and I was hoping to see him somewhere that wasn't your house."
Will took a sip, and considered his drink for a moment before speaking. "Liz, I have been wanting to ask you something." He set his drink down, looking at her directly. "About James, and your intentions toward him."
She gave a nervous laugh, "I think you have this backward, Mr. Murdoch. Isn't James supposed to approach my father?"
"I don't want to see him hurt." His voice was serious, "He was with me that night, and while his parents are back in England, I feel that I should watch out for him here." His brow furrowed for a moment. "Liz, I know your Ana's friend, but I have to ask. What are your intentions toward him? If you are just playing with him, I must beg of you to stop it. He doesn't need to get hurt anymore than he already has been."
Liz, who had been slowly turning pink throughout the entire speech, took some time to find her voice. "I am not playing with him, Mr. Murdoch. James is a very kind man, and our letters have been very pleasant to exchange."
"Liz, even if things between you sour, don't let him get hurt." Will finally came out from behind the bar, standing in front of her and holding her gaze. "That's all that I will ask you about it, and all I will ask of you."
She nodded, "It's fine, Will. I know you care about him." She giggled as he blushed a bit, although she started as the lights dimmed and then flared back to life. "Ah, intermission is over. I should get headed back to our box."
I took her arm, sweeping her towards our seats. "Liz, if you leave I don't think I can manage another two acts. Now, tell me everything you know about what Oscar's doing, he was up here with Zachary earlier and I swear the lies were obvious enough to smell them."
