The doctor the court had sent to determine my fitness barely examined me. I had been fully prepared to act as sick as I could, Mother had even insisted on dusting my face and arms with powder to make me look paler. Will had been enlisted to sit by my bedside, ready to tell the doctor how I had barely slept after what had happened. Instead, the doctor had simply touched my throat, brushed his hand across my bruise, and nodded. "Yes, I can see you have been very ill-treated. In fact, I believe you're on the verge of hysteria. Such exciting events, like the trial, must be avoided at all costs." He scribbled this down onto a paper. "I recommend that you stay on bed rest, preferably in the dark and eat only bland foods. Anything to avoid exciting your body."

Will reached for my hand. "You truly think she may be affected by hysteria?"

"She has already fainted multiple times," The doctor stood, completely ignoring Mother's open mouth as she tried to speak. "And most women are far too stubborn, so I shall be entrusting you with her care."

"Shouldn't I be given that duty, as her mother?" Her voice was like ice as she cut through the end of the doctor's statement.

He didn't even turn to look at her. "Far too indulgent, if anything your daughter should be kept on bread and water, with no entertainment or interactions, until these trying events have passed." He focused on Will. "I trust you to have the strength to enforce this."

Will swallowed. "I shall, thank you for coming."

"Of course, I'll go make my report to the court." The sound of his footsteps climbing down the stairs was far too comforting. Even Rigel appeared to be a bit more at ease with him gone.

Mother whirled on Will. "If you intend to treat Anastasia as if she is some kind of prisoner, I shall-"

"I would never." Will cut her off with a shake of his head. "So long as she does nothing to hurt herself, I will allow her as much as she wants." He glanced over to me. "Although, we should probably stay inside, just to avoid anyone saying anything if they see us."

I smiled. "That is a good point, although if you two start up a poker tournament I may go down to the offices." I actually laughed as I got out of bed, accepting Will's hand. He shook his head, and Mother gave a very refined snort. "I swear you two, no poker. If I have to organize all of us into performing Shakespeare to avoid it, I will."

"That actually sounds rather entertaining." Mother said, standing and coming to brush off some of the powder from my face and arms. "Although I'm afraid we may need some more actors to join us."

"I'm sure Liz would be willing to come spend a few days with us." I gave Will a grin. "And James would certainly enjoy it."

He smiled back, shaking his head and chuckling. "I'll leave it to you to convince Oscar to allow it, but I have a feeling she'll come even if he doesn't feel like it." He stepped out, letting Louise and Mother get me into a dress, leaving my hair down for the informal setting. It felt nice to not have to worry about going to the court, to know that I could just spend my day with my friends and loved ones.

Oscar was happily eating a plate of eggs when I walked into the dining room and half rose out of his seat. "You look much better than yesterday, Anastasia."

"Thank you, Oscar." I reached for a plate of pancakes, slathering them with dark, sweet maple syrup. "It looks like we won't have to go to court until it's time for the verdict."

"Thank Christ." Ezekiel, huddled over a mug of coffee, muttered.

Oscar snorted. "Indeed, I'd rather not have to deal with it anymore either."

"But we'll be stuck in here." Will, coming in and pressing a kiss to my cheek, said. "At least Ana will."

"Yes, I was hoping that Liz might be able to come over and stay for awhile." I shamelessly batted my eyes at Oscar. "She'd make it a bit easier to deal with."

He smiled. "I think I could arrange that. If you'll allow me the use of your phone, that is."

At my nod he rose and headed out of the dining room, leaving me free to turn to Ezekiel. "After breakfast, please go and ask James to come stay with us while he'd here."

"You're evil." Ezekiel shook his head. "But I'll do it. What exactly are you planning?" I popped a slice of pancake into my mouth, simply smiling at I chewed. Oscar, came back crowing about how Liz would arrive by the afternoon, he had no idea what Ezekiel slipped out for later. That left Will and I to while away the time in the parlor, with the occasional comment from Oscar.

I had just completed a rather complex stitch on my embroidery when Will spoke up. "What did you have in mind, Ana? Macbeth?"

"Too dark." I shook my head, twisted the thread around itself to create a knot that I tucked down. "I was thinking something romantic."

"You're having my sister over to play a part?" Oscar, his nose buried in a book from upstairs, snorted. "What were you thinking, Juliet?"

"Yes, actually." I snipped my current thread, trading it out for another color. "I think she would do marvelous."

"And no doubt I'd be Romeo." Oscar let his book drop, shaking his head. "Honestly, why would you want to do a tragedy right now? If anything, we should read a comedy."

"I hardly think A Midsummer Night's Dream is appropriate for the moment." Will, his paper folded onto the table, pursed his lips. "Far too light."

Oscar rolled his eyes. "You're being married in less than two months, I think it's obvious what play we should perform." At out silence he dropped his head to his hands. "The Taming of the Shrew, Anastasia would be a marvelous Katherina and you would do well as Petruchio."

"You'd be willing to play Lucentio?" I raised an eyebrow. "Because you know if I play Katherina that means Liz would be Bianca."

Oscar sighed. "Fine, fine. Just as long as we do something fun."

"I have no doubt it will be fun." Will chuckled, grabbing his paper. I was partway through the next corner of my embroidery, so many handkerchiefs were required for a wedding, when the door opened and Liz burst into the parlor like a whirlwind. It was a brief moment of greeting before she turned and began to direct her driver upstairs on where to have her trunk taken. Will called up after her, "There's a room next to your brother's, take that one!"

"Of course!" Her voice echoed down from upstairs, and a few footmen were taking her trunk and around seven valises up after her. She called down again, "I brought Oscar more clothes too!"

"I have enough!" He shouted up to her.

"You've worn the same suit three days in a row, Mother is furious!" Liz poked her head over the railing as she looked down the stairwell. "She's the one that insisted I bring them with me."

"If Mother wants me to wear clean clothes she could bring them down herself." Oscar grumbled, but he didn't put up any further fight over it. Instead he climbed upstairs, mumbling something about needing to make sure that everything was put away correctly.

I turned to Will. "You're doing the room arrangements now?"

"Well, you know what's on the other side of the room she took." Will grinned, "An empty room, perfect for James to take."

"And apparently I'm the evil one." I shook my head, smiling. Liz was still arranging her rooms to her liking when Ezekiel showed up with James. He didn't bring a trunk with him, only a simple leather bag. I gave him a brief hug, and took him upstairs myself. "I hope you don't mind staying, I just would love your company at the moment."

"I don't mind at all, Miss Dalian." He looked rather bashful. "Although you know you don't have to do all of this."

"Nonsense!" We had gained the landing of the floor with the guest rooms, and I raised my voice. "It's always a pleasure to have you stay, James. I just hope Captain Fraser doesn't mind." I gestured to a door down the hall, just past the one currently occupied by two footmen negotiating a trunk through it. "After all, it's getting rather close to, well, you know."

"Aye." His voice was quiet. "I don't want to be out during it."

"Nor do I want you to be. You or Will, and if I could do anything to make sure the others weren't I would." I shook my head. "But that isn't for a little while, and we are trying to have fun here. Tell me, how do you feel about Shakespeare?"

"I had to read him in school, it was a bit hard to understand."

"Well, I hope you start to understand him fairly quick then." I opened the door, he no doubt remembered the rooms from the times he had stayed here before. I smiled after him as he walked in to get settled. "We're going to spend awhile reading him later and I would love for you to join us."

He looked over from where he had set his bag down on the bed. "You and Mr. Murdoch, Miss?"

"Will, Oscar, Ezekiel, my mother, oh and there was one more." I tapped my finger to my lips, taking a moment to seem as if I was remembering something. "Ah, Liz. I take it you don't mind?"

He had flushed a bit as I said Liz's name. "Not at all, Miss. Is she staying?"

"Yes, in fact she's right next door." I couldn't help the little grin I wore as I stepped away from the door, noting Liz in the hallway as I walked past. I patted her shoulder. "You can thank me later."

I was not surprised at all when an arm shot out of Oscar's room, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside. Grinning at Oscar was probably not the smartest thing to do at the moment, but I couldn't help it. His jaw was so clenched I was amazed he could speak. "Anastasia, I am going to lock her in her room every night unless you have him move."

"Or perhaps I'll have you locked in, after all this is my house Oscar." I reached up and patted his cheek, making his face fall in shock. "He's an honorable man Oscar, just let her enjoy herself. He won't go beyond what's proper and you know it. This whole big brother act has already got him rattled. Tell me, has he ever done anything beyond what's appropriate?"

"No," Oscar allowed, his hand dropping from my arm. "But you provided him with every opportunity while he's here! It's going to be hard enough for me to keep you safe, and now to have to chaperone her-"

I snorted. "You do not have to keep me safe anymore, Oscar. In fact, you could have gone home for the past week and I would have been fine. I don't mind you staying because I like your company, but between the men you hired and Will, I feel well protected." I could see him flinch a bit at that, and I patted his shoulder. "Not that I don't appreciate what you've done, I truly do. You've been a great support during all of this."

He reached up for my hand at that, giving it a squeeze. "That's all I wanted to be."

"Liz will be fine."

"I know."

"Will you come help me find the books up in the library? I know we kept a few copies of the play for nights like this."

He tucked my hand around his arm. "Of course, I should be glad to." He very deliberately did not look the other way down the hall as we exited, although I did. Liz had rushed to James, and he had embraced her tightly. His eyes were shut, his lips moving as he spoke softly. I felt rather like an intruder, and quickly turned away. Oscar was a great help as we looked through the shelves, eventually coming across a small box containing battered copies of various plays.

"Well, I suppose we can hand them back and forth." I sighed, holding the five booklets in my hands. "I don't suppose you've got a part you'd like to play?"

"Oh, I'll take anything." Oscar plucked one from my hands and flipped through it. "I think I would make a great Bianca."

I laughed, "I think your sister would be better!"

"Alright, then Lucentio."

"So you could marry your sister? Hardly, let James do that." I took the booklet from his limp fingers, instead taking his hand and tugging him along. "Oh hush, it's just some harmless play. Let them moon over each other a bit." He still let go of my hand when we reached the landing where James and Liz were talking, preferring to go loom over his sister and glare at James.

The poor man practically quailed under his gaze, instead rushing after me downstairs. He set to helping me reorder a drawing room on the second floor, clearing away some tables to clear a place to perform. It took him a minute before he could speak. "It's not that I don't appreciate you asking me here, Miss Dalian, but putting me next to Liz, her brother is going to skin me alive before I go to bed tonight."

"Oh, Oscar is all bluster." I shrugged as I fluffed a pillow. "He's harmless."

James stood up suddenly, staring at me. "You say that Miss, but he beat the tar out of the man who tried to take you."

I snorted, he did have a point. "And so long as you don't try and kidnap Liz you should be fine." James grumbled a bit as we finished up with the room, but quieted as Liz walked in with Mother, the both of them chattering away. I watched him as the others trickled in, Will coming and pressing a kiss to my cheek. James was watching Liz attentively, until Oscar came in. Then he busied himself with the food the maids were bringing, a filling repast to replace dinner. But he kept looking over, a small smile appearing on his face when he would catch her gaze.

"Well Katherina, shall we begin?" Oscar jokingly called out as he settled down into a chair. Mother was pestering Ezekiel about taking part, and I knew all the lines he would be saying. It was foolish, he couldn't act, he'd simply rather watch and enjoy our show. I also knew Mother would order him to participate, helping fill in roles as needed. While Will and I had been filling our plates, I had held onto his hand for a bit longer. In the reflection of a water pitcher I had seen how James hesitated to sit beside Liz on a settee, until it had finally been so long as to get awkward and he sat.

It was only once they were beside each other that I moved with Will to the other settee, smiling at Oscar. "Oh I think so, if you all are." It led to a brief amount of squabbling about who would play the various parts, until things were settled. Oscar and Ezekiel wound up guiding us through the introduction and into the actual play itself. It was rather fun to play the fiery Katherina, to stride around the open space and spit venom. Liz, meanwhile, was all simpering sweetness and meekness.

Will fell into his role with glee, and I had to admit that I quite enjoyed the verbal sparring we engaged in. I know some might see the play performed and assume that Katherina hated Petruchio, and he was only concerned about her dowry, but as I acted the part with Will, a new view came to me. Katherina was glad to find someone who stood up to her, and Petruchio likewise. For all his claims about taming her, it read to me as if Katherina was simply playing with him, like a cat with a mouse.

Liz and James were just about to stand when the door opened, Peggy standing aside as Rhett Link entered. He took in the sight before him before he spoke. "Well, it appears as if you have recovered from your spell yesterday, Miss Dalian."

I tried to keep my face calm. "Yes, I am."

"And after having the doctor testify this morning that you were on the verge of a hysterical attack this morning," He grinned. "Such a recovery, but we shouldn't chance things. After all, we would hate to have a reoccurrence in the court."

"Yes, it would be quite horrible." Will reached over for my hand. "It's much better for her to stay here with friends and family."

"Indeed." Rhett nodded. "However I thought you might want to know how the case was proceeding."

"We would." Mother spoke up. "Please, join us."

"So long as I'm not assigned a part, I shall." Rhett joked, pulling a chair from the side of the room. "You've won quite a bit of sympathy with the jury, and it looks as if the arguments will be finished within the next few days."

"And then?" I clutched Will's hand tighter. "What after?"

"The jury will deliberate and vote on whether they find Mr. Perry guilty on the charges. I think that it will be a rather quick deliberation." He accepted a plate from Peggy. "Following the verdict, if he is found guilty the judge will provide the sentencing. More than likely he will receive a rather large fine and perhaps a brief jail sentence."

Will nodded. "Is there any way we could extend that sentence?"

"Unfortunately, no." Rhett shook his head. "But we could push for the fine to be increased, Perry has deep enough pockets." Oscar immediately engaged him on that, and the mood that had been allowing such a delightful performance faded as the evening wore on. I found myself leaning against Will, tired of hearing them and tired of sitting here. I must have actually nodded off, for the next thing I was aware of was being in Will's arms as he cursed while climbing the stairs.

"Damn," He grunted, and I shifted myself in his arms.

"Hmm?"

"Almost missed a step, we're almost there. Don't try and get down, I'll drop you, I just know it." I clung to him as he asked, and I did not mind. It was nice to press my face to his shoulder, to feel his arms around me. But all too soon we were on the landing, and I was passed over to Louise to get ready for bed. I didn't try the door after she left, I knew it was open but forbidden. Instead I clung to Rigel, brushing him and talking quietly. It was nothing meaningful, just the kind of sweet nothings you whisper to a pet as it allows you to rub its belly and returns your affection with its own.

Rigel wound up being my most constant companion over the next few days. Liz and James would slip out occasionally, usually with Oscar chaperoning. Ezekiel wound up being called to the docks for some time, and Mother had to attend to some matters back on Fifth Avenue. Will tried to be around as much as he could, but Captain Fraser requested him to come down when he could. It wasn't as if I was alone, there was always at least a couple people around, but everyone had been scattered to the winds for the day it seemed. Which mean that I spent much more time with Rigel, our group only complete in the evenings to work our way through the play. Rhett usually showed up then, giving us his reports. I was rather nervous as I settled in for the final scene, when Petruchio showed off how obedient his wife was now. It wasn't the performance, it was the fact that Rhett had arrived earlier.

It would be his last visit, the jury had entered deliberations that afternoon and a verdict would be read the next morning. I would need to be present for it, and I felt the familiar twist of worry in my gut. Will was considering the text for a moment, but he shook his head and sighed. "I'm sorry, I just can't read it."

Mother, her voice rather distant, nodded. "I know, I'm finding it rather hard to finish knowing what is coming tomorrow too."

"Oh, it's not that." Will chuckled, drawing the gaze of everyone. "It's the speech. I can't give a speech about wanting an obedient wife who comes at my beck and call and agrees to everything that I say, regardless of the truth." He stood, holding out a hand to me and drawing me up. "I want Ana to challenge me on things that I should be challenged on, I want her to be her own woman." He did pull me close at that. "She can still be herself, while being my wife. If I wanted a servant I'd hire one, not turn her into one."

"Will," I threw my arms around his shoulder, kissing his cheek and hugging him tight. "You're far too good."

I felt his laughter in his chest. "No, I'm just lucky."

"And I'm exhausted, and we have to go to court tomorrow." Ezekiel cut in, earning himself a smack on his shoulder from Mother. "Can we please go to bed?" That sentiment was seconded by a few others, namely Liz and Oscar. I passed a rough night, eventually having to bring Rigel into sleep beside the bed. Hanging one arm off to brush through his hair was calming, although I got an earful from Louise in the morning. She quieted down as she dressed me rather conservatively, leaving off the veil. I couldn't eat before heading over, and I couldn't even bring myself to hold Will's hand. I kept twisting them in my skirt, my grip almost painful.

"Miss Dalian." The Links welcomed me back to their table, but didn't press me farther. It must have been obvious that I was anxious for this to be over. I tried to focus on listening to the other people filing into the court, the whispered conversations that cropped up and swirled around me while I stared at the wood of the table. I didn't even look to Mr. Perry when he arrived, remarking that he would be glad to return to his own home after all this nonsense was finished.

It was only with the arrival of Judge Withers that I was drawn from my reverie, all of us rising as he entered. He turned to the jury, not even bothering to tell us to be seated. "You've come to a decision?"

"Yes," The foreman waited for his approval before beginning. He drew a folded piece of paper from his pocket, reading slowly and clearly. "We, the gentlemen of the jury, find the defendant, Mr. Evan Perry of New York City, guilty on the charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping."

The room practically exploded at the verdict, Constance Perry almost on top of a chair as she railed at the judge and jury. Will reached from behind the bar and wrapped his arms around me, Mother almost sobbing with relief. It was quite sometime before the room was brought back to order, although Constance had to be removed by the bailiff after she began cursing at the judge. Judge Withers considered something on his desk before speaking. "Mr. Perry, please stand."

Evan Perry, his face pale, did as he was asked to. "Yes, Your Honor."

"In light of your significant financial position, I have elected to increase the fine and decrease your time in the penitentiary for your sentencing. You shall pay to Miss Dalian and her lawyers a sum of ten thousand dollars, and shall be behind bars for no less than twenty days." Judge Withers looked up. "As that is all, the court is dismissed." He swept from the room, not even seeing how Mr. Perry almost swayed on his feet before Rhys guided him back down into a chair.

I could hear him from across the room. "Twenty days in jail and ten thousand is nothing to you. Just keep your head down and you'll get through." But then the Links were being congratulated, and I was back in Will's arms as we swept our way out of the court. Oscar was telling any reporter who would listen about how he knew everything would turn out alright, how he refused to let Perry get away with anything more after what he had done. The car ride home was as joyous as those first moments after the verdict, and champagne had already been put on ice and was awaiting us.

Will held his flute up, smiling. "I think we can all drink to relief this night, relief that it's all over."

"Here, here." Oscar grinned, downing his glass. "Although perhaps Liz and I should be headed home."

I reached over for his arm, "Actually Oscar, I was hoping you might stay for awhile longer."

"Why?" Liz shook her head, making sure to provide James with a prime view as her hair fanned out. "Surely with everything done you don't need us here anymore?"

"Well, I know that." I shrugged, and I tried to keep my voice strong. "But it is rather close to, well, I mean-"

"Ah." Will nodded, setting his glass down and coming to my side. "The anniversary."

"Yes." James's voice was quiet but it sent a chill down my spine. "It's soon."

Will didn't let anyone speak before he turned to him. "You're staying, that's an order."

"Yes, sir." James nodded, and Liz moved to him. "I wouldn't dream of being out at that time."

"We can stay." Oscar gave my hand a squeeze. "We have to have some celebration, and you know how much I love to plan a big party."

I found myself blinking quickly, trying to clear away some tears that had cropped up. "Of course, Oscar. I would be glad to have you come up with something." Will quickly offered me a handkerchief, the one I had given him and embroidered with his initials. I tried not to notice how the embroidery grew dark as I dabbed at my tears, the navy thread turning almost black.