It was getting colder, and Will mentioned that the storms were getting worse out there. The trees were already beginning to turn in the parks, a mark that the coming winter would be a cold one. Rigel had decided to stop shedding quite so much, and was now up to my knees and quite fluffy. I made a point of brushing his coat every other day, which he clearly enjoyed by the way he licked me after. It kept me from worrying about Will out in the storms, although whenever I made my way down to the ship she looked resilient. I had remarked that to Will once, when we had laid curled around each other in his bunk. We didn't do anything, my monthly had made an appearance, but it was nice to simply talk to him by ourselves. He had chuckled, "She's a tough girl, much like her namesake."
"Yes, so tough." I had rolled my eyes, "I'm sure I could put up with storms every few weeks. Just plough right through them."
Will had sighed, "With those corsets you wear, you probably could." It had only been a short time later that he had set out again, and the cold breezes had begun to blow throughout the city. I bid farewell to my breezy summer dresses, pulling out my heavier dresses and coats again. At least the fittings for the wedding gown had ended, I would have hated to have to stand in Paul's studio in that short sleeved gown while he adjusted it. He had promised that it would be ready for the portraits by the new year, that his seamstresses were embroidering almost night and day to get it finished.
I was simply thankful that I didn't have to return until then.
Especially when the Anastasia came in, and I was so swamped with business that I couldn't come down to greet him. Rigel lay curled up by my desk, his head on his paws as he watched me scratch away at the papers on my desk. I had barely managed to look up when I heard my door open, and a packet of letters was flung onto my desk. Oscar didn't even ask for permission before he threw himself down in the chair across from me, his hands in his hair. "Anastasia, what is your man doing?"
"Will?" I looked away from the letters, "He's overseeing the unloading of the cargo. And I'm busy Oscar."
His hand slapped down on the desk. "No, that Moody! He's been writing my sister." He took the packet, waving it in front of my face. I could see Liz's name printed carefully on each of the envelopes. "Without asking permission!"
"He did ask." I replied, leaning back in my chair. "He asked her permission, which is all that he needed." I tried to pin him down with a look, "What are you doing with her letters anyway?"
"You know Liz, she never gets anything but magazines and then a few months ago she starts getting letters, almost every week!" He dropped back into the chair. "I was only lucky that she was out today and I was able to sneak these out of her rooms. I just wanted to be sure that she wasn't being seduced by some rogue." Oscar sighed. "He works for you, Anastasia! And he's a sailor, you know what sailors are like!" He held up his hands as I looked up harshly. "Not that Will's like that, or even him. But you know what people think about them! And you said you knew she was writing him."
"Oscar, why is this your problem?"
"Because she's my sister! The last thing I want is for her to get hurt."
"Are you sure she'll get hurt from James? You obviously read the letters, did he say anything hurtful in them? Anything to make you think he would harm her?"
He blushed, looking away. "No, he didn't. But I still don't like him writing her without asking my parents."
"Oscar, if you don't say anything to her about this, I will." I stood, grabbing the packet of letters and throwing it into his lap. "You violated her trust with this."
He looked to the packet, picking it up and standing. "Anastasia, you call him up here right now and I will tell her."
"You're not forbidding him from writing her, Oscar." I said, gesturing to a clerk outside to come in. "We're not in some Gothic romance." I looked to the clerk as he poked his head in, "Please ask Mr. Moody and Mr. Murdoch to come up here." Standing we both wound up looking at each other for a moment, "Oscar, you can't do this to her you know, she has her own life."
He stepped closer, and I felt his hand cover mine where it was placed on the desk. "She's my sister, I look out for her." His eyes found mine, "As I look out for you."
I looked away, unsure of the way he was looking at me. "I know you do Oscar, but she can't stay your little sister forever." I pulled my hand away, looking over as the door opened again. Will looked completely at ease, coming to press a kiss to my cheek, but poor James had gone white as a sheet when he saw Oscar. I looked between the two of them, "Oscar, be calm."
He swallowed, staring at James as he held up the packet of letters. "You've been writing my sister."
"I have." James's voice jumped a bit, but he stood firm. "She asked me to."
I heard Oscar breathe in harshly, "And your intentions?"
"I," James gulped, "I should like to court her, someday, if she should like it."
"You have three days," Oscar walked right up to him, "Three days to speak to my parents about courting my sister or I will tell them. And they won't look kindly on you." He didn't even wait, the door slamming behind him.
James didn't even wait a moment, coming right up to my desk. "Miss Dalian, please, please help me. Liz is so kind, and she's so thoughtful in her letters. Help me win her parents over, please."
"Mr. Moody," I pressed my fingers to my temples, "I think this is a case where you have to prove yourself."
"I can't speak to them, they're Vanderbilts!" He thrust his hands into his hair, "I'm just a boy from Scarborough, they don't even know where that is!" He sank into the chair, "Speak to them for me, tell them to let me keep writing her."
I looked to Will, he shrugged although he did have a smile on his face. I sighed, "I can help you figure out what to say, but you have to go into it on your own." He groaned at that, and I could feel the headache coming on. "Perhaps it would be best if you came to the house for this week, so I can help you work on what you want to say."
He nodded, rising out of his chair and heading to fetch his bag from the ship. Will, his own bag at his feet, watched him. "Poor kid, he's absolutely terrified."
"You weren't scared when you had to talk to my parents." I replied, packing my papers up in my bag. I'd finish dealing with them at home. "You did it right over dinner that night."
He chuckled, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. "I could barely think I was so frightened that he might say no. And when I asked he looked so angry."
I leaned back into him, "He was protective." I pushed away the tears. "But he did approve of you."
"After threatening to send me back home in the cargo hold." He chuckled, "Come on now, I can see Moody with his bag out front." The carriage came around, picking all three of us up. Peggy didn't seem to mind the extra guest, although I could tell Will was fading as we dat down to dinner.
I touched his arm, "Are you alright?"
"Had to stand an extra watch early this morning, and then the unloading." He yawned, pulling his soup to him. "It's just catching up to me." He was obviously exhausted, and by the end of the meal he could barely keep his eyes open. I sighed, watching him try to talk James out of his fears, telling him about talking to my parents. He spoke slowly, "Just tell them your feelings for her, be truthful. They'll appreciate that."
"But what if they ask what I can provide?" James stared down at his empty plate. "I've got an apartment in Southampton and a bunk on the ship here, that's the extent of it."
I stood, "James, they're not in a position that they'll ask you that. We can talk tomorrow, but I think poor Will here is going to fall asleep at the table." I turned to him, brushing my fingers against his hair. "No pipe for you tonight, you need your rest."
He groaned as he stood, slowly straightening. "I need to talk to Peggy first, you head on up." He pressed a kiss to my cheek, slowly ambling out of the dining room. James made his excuses, heading up even before me. I was grateful that Louise was waiting with a nightgown and an extra blanket on the bed, and that Rigel was already burrowed into them. He was a wonderful bed warmer.
I lay curled up in bed, Rigel in my arms and my eyes shut when I heard the door open. Sitting up, I tried to peer through the gloom, a set of footsteps drawing close. Will didn't even stop at the door, instead coming straight to the bed. He paid no mind to me when I gasped as he took Rigel from me, placed him on the floor, and took his spot. Rigel was whining loudly as he drew me into his arms, his eyes shut and a grin on his lips. I stared at him, "Will, what is going on?"
"I'm attempting to get some sleep." He muttered, pulling me tighter to him. "As should you."
I heard Rigel's claws on the wood, and I could hear him sniffing at the edge of the mattress. "But Rigel-"
"Is perfectly fine to sleep on the floor. He has his pillow out in the sitting room." He sighed, sinking further back into the pillows. "God I've missed this." He snuggled a bit closer to me, "I can't believe I let Peggy talk me down to four days. I should have a week."
I shifted in his arms, "Will, it's not that I'm angry to have you here, but what in the world are you talking about?"
He blew out a breath, "I told Peggy, if you keep letting that dog sleep in your bed, you're going to be covered in his hair all the time, as are your clothes and your blankets. And he's only going to get bigger, which means more hair. And heaven forbid he gets fleas or ticks and they hop into you. She was more than willing to allow me a few days in your bed, so long as you promise to keep him out of it the rest of the time." He yawned widely. "I also promised her that nothing untoward would happen, not that I'm wanting to do anything tonight. I'm bone tired Ana, and you are awfully warm." Will nestled me against him further, his breathing becoming deep and slow. I did my best to ignore Rigel whining at the edge of the bed, although he eventually made his way to his pillow. Instead I tried to focus on Will's arms around me, the way his chest moved as he breathed in. I smiled, curling up against him. He may have thought I was warm, but he was a veritable radiator.
James tried to corner me at breakfast the next morning, desperate for any help. Over a full spread I tried to help him as much as I could. Richard Vanderbilt and Moira were not exactly the most democratic of people, both had come from large successful families. I looked at James over the mug of hot chocolate, "They were both the younger children though, not the main heirs. So they may look a bit kinder on you for that."
"But Liz is their only daughter, surely they want her to make a match with some heir." He grumbled, looking down at his eggs. "She's mentioned it."
"Oh Liz has gone through a number of courtships, but she never decided on one." I shrugged, "That's not that unusual for our set. Usually you look at the available options, take your time, and then you pick one. Heiresses are always popular, some of them marry nobles and move to Britain. They come back for the season with all kinds of airs."
"Oh God." James buried his face in his hands. "She could become a Duchess, there's no way in Hell her parents would look at me."
I grinned, "Actually, they just might."
His head popped up like it was on a spring. "What do you mean?"
"Oscar gave you three days to speak to his parents. The Astors are holding one of their costume balls in a couple of days, I'll take you with me and you can speak to them there." I leaned back, picturing it. "You can wear your formal uniform, and I can arrange for a sword for the night. All of the Vanderbilts will be there, and I'm sure that we can get you to a room with them to plead your case."
"A costume ball?" Will looked up from his plate, "I take it we have to go?"
"Yes, but you'll be spared the costume." I shook my head, "It's really just for the ladies. Your formal uniform will be fine, not even your Reserves one." He shook his head at that, mumbling something about foolish parties that were happening far too often. I looked back to James, "You have today and most of tomorrow to practice what you want to say."
"But I don't know what to say!" He stood, starting to pace the room. "I can't speak like those people, all put together and everything. I'll fumble my way into saying something wrong and then she'll not even write to me anymore."
"Then write it out." Will said, watching him. "Read it over and over until you know it by heart."
"Did you do that?" James stopped, turning. "To Anastasia's parents?"
Will flushed a bit at that. "Well, I may not have written it out but I thought about it over and over the entire day before I met them."
I smiled at him, then looked to James. "Write it out, and if you want I can read it and let you know how it is." James spent most of the day in the library after that, although after a while by himself he came down to ask for Will's help. I occupied myself with brushing out Rigel, reviewing reports and generally trying to focus on something other than my curiosity over what the two of them were discussing.
Just before dinner, James came to my sitting room, a piece of paper in his hand. He set it down on the table, then buried his face in his hands. "Here, read it. I can't do this, Miss Dalian, I just can't."
"It will be alright." I said, picking up the paper. He hadn't written it as a letter, and even the final copy had a few lines scratched out and rewritten, but it was still perfectly legible.
Mr. Vanderbilt, Mrs. Vanderbilt, as you probably know I have been writing your daughter, Elizabeth. I met her at Miss Dalian's, during a dinner party. I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She was wonderful company during the dinner, and even when she brought up the sinking and saw the effect it had on us, she was so distraught to have reminded us of it that I reassured her that everything was fine. It was after that that she asked me to write her, during my trips away. She asked me about the sinking, if I would be willing to discuss it, and she listened.
I told her of my fears from that night, and the nights after, and when I begged her to distract me from them, she wrote me about all of you. Oscar, bold as brass and twice as stubborn, you Mr. Vanderbilt, proud of his children, his wife and his business, and you Mrs. Vanderbilt, who could ferret out the tiniest bit of gossip that might help a friend. I had hoped to continue writing Elizabeth, and perhaps one day ask to court her, but it seems that is what I must do tonight. I beg of you, her parents, to please allow us to continue our correspondence and to allow me to court her when I am in New York. She is a gem among women to me, I swear to you I would never hurt her or do anything to see her come to harm. I am only a humble sailor, but I can offer her nothing more than myself. I only hope that you will think is enough.
"Oh James," I had to blink rather quickly as I set it back on the table, "This is beautiful. I'm sure they'll say yes."
He still hung his head. "No, add to it. Make it better, you can do it, you know them."
"But then it would be me saying it," I stood, coming to sit by him and place a hand on his shoulder. "And it's you that needs to tell them. You'll do wonderful, I'm sure of it."
"Will helped a bit with it, but are you sure it doesn't need anymore?" It took a bit of chiding to get him to agree to leave it as is, and he spent much of the next day memorizing it. I spent it relaxing, mostly. The Astor's costume balls were not to be missed, they were a highlight of the season. My costume, an elaborate powdered wig and silk gown to turn me into Marie Antoinette, lay waiting in its box while I adjusted my hat in the mirror. Will's uniform was rather tight on me, especially around my breasts where the coat buttons strained over the shirt and waistcoat beneath it. I checked that the sword was fastened one more time, I'd pass it off to James before we left and changed the angle of the hat once more. Will was right, the bicorne was a foolish looking hat and even I could not manage to find an angle where I didn't feel it suited me.
Will's rooms across the hall were open, and he hardly looked over his shoulder as I walked in. He was adjusting the lapels of his suit, looking at a book he had open on his desk. "Reggie, could you grab my handkerchief? The one from Ana?"
"Oh I don't know where you keep it, Will." I grinned, "Although that's hardly a way to address your superior officer."
At that he spun around, his eyes wide. I watched him look me up and down, his eyes growing darker as he did. "Ana, good God. Don't tell me you're wearing that tonight."
"It's my costume." I gave a little spin, smiling. "What do you think?"
"I think I want to peel it off you." Will closed the distance between us quickly, his hands quickly moving to the belt. "God, get it off." He only left for a moment to lock the door, before attacking me from behind as he kissed at my neck.
I chuckled, moving back to the bed and waiting for him to join me. "You know, if I knew you enjoyed seeing me in these clothes I would have arranged for a gown for you tonight." At that he surged forward, tipping me back onto the bed and slipping the belt buckle loose. The sword clattered to the floor, and Will quickly reached up to swipe away the hat. "You didn't like it?"
"I liked it too much." Will sighed into my lips, pulling back only slightly. "Although, you did look a fool."
"That's hardly the kind of talk to get you a promotion." I shook my head as I stood, letting him resume my old position of sitting on the bed. "Well, Mr. Murdoch, I take it you approve?"
At that he grabbed my tie, pulling on it and bring me down to his level as he crushed his lips to mine. "You are not wearing this out of the house." He pulled me back into the bed, flipping himself over me as he began to unbutton the coat. I let him, content as his hands quickly shoved the breast of the coat open so that he could work on the waistcoat. He had started on the trouser buttons when a key clicked into the lock.
Peggy's voice cut through the haze I was in, "Mr. Murdoch, please let Miss Anastasia up so that she can get changed." I chanced a look around his shoulder, seeing Peggy standing in the sitting room, her eyebrows raised.
"Peggy, I was just getting Ana here ready for Louise." He muttered, sitting up from the bed and leaving me bereft.
"Yes Mr. Murdoch, I'm quite sure you had the door locked simply to preserve Miss Anastasia's modesty." The sarcasm was palpable in her voice, and I gave a groan as I sat up. "Louise is waiting for you, go." She cast a look to Will as I shuffled past, "I will need to have a word with him."
I stopped at the door, "Don't be too hard on him Peggy, I was the one who decided to rile him up."
