AN: Sorry for the delay on this one, some personal stuff was going on and this is one monster of a chapter. Thanks as always to SparkSheDevil for all her help, and if anyone is interested in helping preserve a piece of Titanic related history, be sure to look up Saving Sundowner on Kickstarter. It's an effort to restore Charles Lightoller's boat that he used at Dunkirk to rescue many British soldiers during the evacuation. It's being run by MellissaFairLady, who is probably the biggest Lights fan out there. I kept meaning to post this before Melissa, sorry it took a while lol.

With my airsedh fluttering around my ankles, I clasped Will's arm as we joined the crowd milling around the massive set of stairs leading up to the Reichster house. It was one of the modish ones, looking more like a French château than a mansion. Liz and James joined us, and I couldn't help but grin at seeing the smile on her face. James was looking dewy eyed at her, especially when she stood a little closer to him under the excuse that there were so many people. I glanced to Will, "Don't they look just precious together?"

James immediately flushed, but Will chuckled. "Not more precious than you, love."

"Oh, stop it." I batted at his shoulder, looking to Liz. "I hope you two enjoyed the ride over."

The smile playing around Liz's lips was far too knowing. "Thank you for taking Oscar, I'll have to return the favor sometime."

"And let you take Will?" I joked, rolling my eyes. "I think I might have to decline." The scrum of people started moving, although everyone still seemed to take their time. As with any society house hosting a wedding reception, everything was polished until it gleamed and every surface was crammed with gifts. Jewelry glittered in cases, paintings were hung on the walls and plenty of new pieces of silver and flatware were displayed. I looked around, "I don't see our gift."

Will, his hand tight around my waist, shrugged. "They weren't my finest work, and Ezekiel had to finish them while we were out."

"Your gift?" Oscar, hanging behind Liz and James, spoke up. "You actually got them a gift?"

"More than that, he made it." I found myself giggling, "Six model ships, all with their new names. Just to remind them of some past foolishness." Truth be told, that was mainly for Zachary. I had sent over a rich embroidered handkerchief for Sophie alone, along with a basket containing a number of things she would need for Little Freddy. As for the parents of the groom, they should be glad I didn't spit on them.

Oscar snorted at Will's remark. "Well, at least you didn't actually spend much money on them."

"What did you send?" James glanced over to Liz as we began making our way through even more side rooms decorated with gifts and flowers.

Liz shrugged. "Father sent over a painting, I can't remember which. Not an expensive one, I know that." I chuckled at that, and we kept moving forward. I kept looking around, trying to see if Sophie had managed to influence anything in her time. It didn't look like she had, the furniture was still the same massive and overly decorated pieces that had been here the last time I had visited, years ago before Mother and Father had basically locked our house and we had far more pressing things to concern ourselves over. While I didn't know Sophie's preferred style, I had a feeling that it was much lighter than what we were currently looking at.

"Oh, look, the Reichster wall of beauties." One of the people ahead of us said, drawing our attention to a massive collection of portraits hung on a wall just before we reached the happy couple. I could see any number of society beauties rendered in loving brushstrokes and in innumerable styles, but the clear draw was the two center portraits. They were a pair, featuring women in similar poses. One, dark haired and blue eyed, the other, light haired and dark eyed. I lingered on the light haired one, seeing my eyes looking back at me, the blush of my cheek, and far more of myself than I would have liked. I had been painted in the sapphire dress I had worn to Zachary's engagement party, my jewels glittering on my chest and drawing attention to the swell of painted breasts. It was my expression that drew the attention of the viewer though, my head thrown back and lips parted in a seductive smile.

Will cursed beside me, "I'll kill him for this."

"Not if I get there first." James fairly growled, drawing my attention. He was glowering at the other portrait, and I could see why. Liz had been rendered in much the same way I had, if not as lustily. But she was there in her gold dress, smiling and posing happily. Part of me wondered how Henry had done this, but then again it was easy to pay a model and simply change her face. Part of me was glad that I was mostly covered by my plaid as we moved forward.

"Anastasia!" Sophie, still in her diamonds and veil, reached out and took my hands as we came up. "I'm so glad to see you."

I gave her hands a squeeze, "It was a beautiful ceremony, Your Highness, and your dress is lovely." Up close it was easier to see the details put into it. The bodice practically cleaved to every curve of her body, details in silver beads and flashing diamonds around her neckline. Her veil was actually quite a magnificent piece, woven with actual silver. I kept a polite smile on my face, "I certainly hope the reception can compare to the ceremony."

"Oh, it will." Zachary spoke up, clearly taking notice that no one was paying attention to him. "Although you may want to remove that tablecloth before you sit down."

"Indeed," Henry's voice sent a chill down my spine, he had come up with Samantha on his arm. "You shouldn't cover your beauty, my dear."

"I actually find it quite fetching." Oscar growled, "Considering that it is the Murdoch tartan, which is her new family."

Samantha snorted. "Her new family spends their time wearing tablecloths? Well, I know Sophie married into a better one then."

"Actually," Will took my arm, glaring at her. "It's part of our national dress, it's pity that you don't have one of your own to wear. Nothing to mark you as a family." He looked aside to Henry. "Perhaps you might want to add it to Ana's portrait."

Henry smiled blandly, "I don't know what you're referring to. Anastasia never posed for a portrait, so I unfortunately do not have her in my collection."

"Are you sure?" Oscar had forced his was in, gently displacing Liz and James as he came forward. "I seemed to notice a pair of portraits that were the center of attention back there."

Samantha patted her husband's arm. "Ah, they must mean your ladies." She sniffed at Liz and I, "He loves those two paintings so much he never lets them out of his rooms, but he wanted everyone to see the full collection tonight." Will's hand tightened on my arm as she preened, and I felt my cheeks burn. Even if it wasn't true, the mere thought of Henry spending his free time staring at a barely clothed version of me was disgusting to say the least.

"I don't suppose you're willing to part with them?" Oscar gently shoved Liz on her way. "I think Father would love to add them to our house."

Henry grinned, "And I know exactly which one you would prefer, you've always shown a preference for ladies in blue." I could see Oscar's cheeks flush, but Henry continued. "Alas, I will be keeping those two. It would be such a shame to lose those wonderful works of art." Will didn't even bid him farewell, instead grasping my arm tightly and dragging me after Liz and James. I could hear him muttering curses quietly, and I reached over and gently brushed my fingers over his hand. His grip lightened, and he paused in front of the table that had been set aside for us.

His hand moved to the brooch, "Allow me." He had the plaid off in a moment, folding it up in his hands before passing it to a footman with a glare. "See this to the Murdoch carriage, and if anything happens to it I'll find you."

"Will," I hissed, seeing the footman pale as he bowed and hustled away. "There is no need to frighten the poor man."

"If I didn't your plaid would wind up at the head table with Zachary's wedding cake being served on it." He grumbled as he handed me down in my chair, settling down beside me. "As it is, I may just go out and check the carriage before the dancing starts."

"And abandon us?" Oscar rolled his eyes as the Vanderbilt party took their seats with us. "I'd hardly let you do that, but if you want to be sure that Anastasia's plaid is safe I will personally go and check on it after dessert."

I gave him a smile. "Thank you Oscar, I'd appreciate it. It was a gift from Will's mother, and I do enjoy wearing it." I glanced aside to Will, "Much more than you seem to enjoy wearing your kilt, although you did look handsome in it when we took the pictures."

"Pictures?" Liz, her eyebrows raised, looked to Will. "I might have to see that."

Will blushed a bit, "It was with my parents, they thought we should all have one of us in them."

"I'll make sure you see it next time you're over." I giggled, "He's really a sight in it, I tried to get him to wear it today but alas." I sighed, earning myself a glare from Will that softened when I batted my eyelashes. "He wanted to wear his sword."

"And I may need it." Will pursed his lips as the wedding party came through, headed for the head table. "Although I can't imagine he'll try anything, wouldn't want to ruin the night for his son." Conversation quieted as the first course was brought out, bewigged footmen following each round with matching wines. The toasts started around the third course, a chicken breast sautéed with new potatoes. I didn't pay much attention to the toasts, although Will and Oscar kept up a running commentary about how many lies they contained. Oscar even translated the toasts that were given in German for the entertainment of our table.

I rolled my eyes after a particularly aggrandizing one. "I highly doubt Zachary has donated part of his fortune to establish an orphanage in Berlin."

"I highly doubt he's let go any more of it than he has to." Liz drained her glass of wine, signaling to a footman to refill it. "Now, how many courses are left?"

"Three, and then the cake." Oscar sighed, settling back in his chair. "And then the dancing."

Coming back from checking on the Murdoch carriage, Oscar couldn't believe that he was willingly walking back into the Reichster house. He should have stayed in the damn carriage, where Anastasia's plaid was sitting perfectly folded and pressed with her brooch, freshly polished and shined, placed just on the center of it. Hell, he should have at least stayed outside and smoked a cigarette before he came back in. He should have done more than that, he should have taken Anastasia and Will out with him and forced them all to leave.

He even would have been alright with Liz stealing more kisses from James on the ride home if they could only have just left.

Because, to be quite blunt, Oscar hated this. The guests who were dining and soon to be dancing, the noble guests that kept speaking in German and laughing with each other. The cake had been overly sweet and had made his stomach feel bloated after all the courses he'd eaten. He hated this house with its overly elaborately carved furniture, the marble that made his footsteps echo unless he walked slowly, and the paintings.

Oh, did he hate the paintings.

His own home was stocked with classics, or at least expensive reproductions of classics, where guests could see them. His mother and father both shared a predilection for landscapes and featured them in their rooms. Liz enjoyed Pre-Raphaelites, the long flowing gowns and hair, and had several hung in her rooms. When he visited Anastasia he admired the nautical paintings her house featured, owing to her family's business of course. He knew Gareth had kept several paintings of Civil War battlefields and naval engagements, inherited from his father. He wasn't sure where those paintings were now, but he hardly cared. Anastasia had spent an afternoon showing himself and Liz the paintings that Will and she had purchased in Paris and he had enjoyed every moment of it.

All of them were better than what was on display in the Reichster parlor.

Anastasia, clad in a whore's dress and rouged up like a strumpet, all but spreading her legs for the viewer. And his sister, although less accurately rendered, appearing the same. Part of him had wanted to draw William's sword and cut both the canvases from their frames, but he knew he couldn't. And then to hear that Henry would spend his nights mooning over the two of them. Oscar didn't even let himself consider what else Henry could have been doing to those paintings, for if he did he would throttle the man.

He kept his eyes on the floor as he continued on, wandering a bit from the direct path. Perhaps if he took a little longer the dancing would have started, Anastasia would have opened it with William and he might be able to dance a quick round with her. He found himself wandering down a hallway, doing his best to keep his footsteps quiet, especially when he noticed a cracked door. Always on the hunt for a bit of gossip, he shuffled his feet along the ground until he was close enough to listen. A frown immediately creased his features as he heard Henry Reichster, "General Metternich, I must confess I'm rather curious about why you asked to speak to me privately. Planning a surprise for your sister, perhaps?"

"I've already given her a surprise." Frederich Metternich sounded as cold as a winer's night, enough to make Oscar almost hiss out a breath before he remembered he was trying to eavesdrop. "A Kormandor, although I doubt you know what that is."

"I don't."

"It's a dog, you utter fool." Oscar heard him stride across the room. "A dog she can train to protect herself from your son."

"Frederich, I'm surprised you would believe the lies that my opponents have bandied about."

"And I'm surprised that he's actually following in your footsteps." Frederich hissed out a breath. "And now my sister is chained to you two!"

A chair shifted, no doubt Henry standing. "You're not thinking of her divorcing my son based on rumors, are you?"

"No," Frederich let out a mirthless laugh. "However, I have engaged a trainer for the dog, so that if either of you try anything she will be protected." His footsteps came closer and Oscar backed away from the door so that it was not obvious he had been eavesdropping. Frederich paused after he had opened the door, speaking behind him. "And it would be something that you and your son hold quite dear that he would go after."

Frederich slammed the door behind him, looking to Oscar immediately. A single Teutonic eyebrow raised, and Frederich dipped his head in a nod. Oscar returned it, "So I take it you've heard the stories?"

"You'd be surprised what a drunken valet can reveal, along with a little snooping. I feel as if I should apologize to Mrs. Murdoch for some reason." They both started to walk down the hall, back to the wedding party. "Perhaps because those who should never will."

"Anastasia probably doesn't want to be reminded, although she may like it if you offer to dance with her." It galled him to say it, because he wanted to claim the second dance with her, but Frederich seemed to need it. "I hope you know that none of us want to see any harm come to Sophie." The girl may have seemed brainless, but Oscar could detect an undercurrent of intelligence in her. It would be a pity to see that destroyed.

Oscar also had to admit that he didn't like to see any woman mistreated, especially by a Reichster.

They had gained the doors to the ballroom, and Frederich paused to look out. "She does look happy, doesn't she?"

Oscar stepped up, looking through. Sophie was waltzing quite beautifully with Zachary, a shy smile on her face as she spun around in her husband's arms. "She does, and I hope it lasts." He bit down the end of his remark, that he knew it wouldn't and Zachary would never change. He'd read plenty of stories in the paper or various journals about brutish husbands tamed by the gentle touch and love of a woman, but none of them were Zachary Reichster. He would do his best to help, but she would be living in her husband's house. There was little he could do about that.

Frederich applauded after the first dance, and stepped into the ballroom. Oscar followed, and they both watched as various couples took to the floor. James escorted Liz out onto the dance floor, his hands perfectly placed and he actually led Liz confidently into the dance. The boy was acting more and more confident every time he came over, and Liz seemed flattered that he no longer stammered in presence. Anastasia and Will were already dancing, their heads fairly close together and Oscar had no doubt they were speaking to each other the whole time. He made sure to let his eyes only linger on her for a moment, the glitter of her jewels and the way her skirt belled out as she spun.

If he watched any longer he would feel his heart begin to squeeze and he would have to excuse himself.

"Mrs. Murdoch," Frederich drew their attention as the music ended, bringing both couples over to them. "I'm very glad to see you enjoying yourself tonight."

"General Metternich," Anastasia's voice was actually friendly as she greeted Frederich. "My congratulations on your sister's marriage. I hope that you are having a pleasant night, as well."

His German guest sighed, "Actually, I find myself in need of some distraction. I don't suppose you'd be willing to dance with a poor old soul like me?" He looked over to Will, "With your permission, of course, Mr. Murdoch."

Anastasia glanced to Will, but stepped forward. "I should be happy to, Frederich."

She had extended her hand for Frederich to take, but it was Oscar who caught it in a light grip. "And the third with me?"

"Of course, Oscar. You know that, I'm surprised you even asked."

It was during my turn around the room with Oscar that I spotted something odd. James had apparently left Liz to get another round of drinks, which meant that she was currently being pestered by Otto. Sophie's brother appeared to be trying to flatter her, and Liz seemed to be dealing with it admirably, but I could sense her impatience for him to leave. I gently touched Oscar's arm, tilting my head towards those two. "It looks as if Captain Metternich has his sights set on her."

"So far as its only his sights." Oscar grumbled, looking over. "Although I can see James coming back."

"He's not so bad now, is he?"

"He was never bad, Anastasia."

I laughed. "Considering you once threatened to practically hang the poor man just for writing letters, that's quite an achievement for him." Oscar shook his head at that, leading us off the dance floor and back over to his sister. Liz was red faced, and as we came back over, she cut her eyes to James quickly. I furrowed my brow as Will came up beside me, "Liz, what's wrong?"

"Captain Metternich," She cut her eyes to the mustachioed figure still watching her. "He was proposing that we enter in an, oh I don't know, an assignation tonight."

James's voice chilled my bones. "I'll kill him." I was thankful that his formal uniform didn't include a sword, but then he was reaching for Will's. Will caught his wrist, hissing something at him and pulling him away. With a glance towards Oscar and Liz, both of whom had begun talking quietly to each other, I followed. The usual side rooms had been opened up, and Will quickly claimed one and shut the door behind all of us. James was fairly fuming as he did, "Mr. Murdoch, I understand your caution but I cannot allow this to stand."

"You're bloody well going to!" Will turned, raking his hand through his hair. "You can't very well go punch a Duke in front of a Prince, and you should know that!"

"Sir, Captain Metternich is not a duke. Defending the woman I am courting should not cause an incident." James drew himself up. "I am going to demand satisfaction from him, in one way or another."

"You will not, and he will not offer it."

"You sound as if you had dealings with him before, sir."

Will sighed, settling down into a chair once it was obvious that James wasn't going to rush the door. "It's not the first run in with him I've had."

James stared for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"I met him at his sister's engagement party. Kept going on about the damn Kaiser. He managed to distract me long enough for Henry Reichster to grab Ana and try and force himself on her." He glanced over to James, his mouth wide open. Will pursed his lips, reaching for my hand. "I'm sorry love, I'm going to have to be coarse here."

"It's alright." I pressed a kiss to his head, doing my best to shut my ears so that the memories of the night didn't surface.

Will nodded, continuing. "Her skirts were around her hips when I broke through the door, and his trousers were open. If I hadn't told Metternich to go to hell and raced off after them, well, it wouldn't have been good. I've always thought that someone must have sent him at me, maybe Reichster senior. Wouldn't surprise me if he's trying something similar, angering you to cause a scene and try and pull her away."

"Then we should go back to her immediately." James moved to the door, stopped only when Will stood and raised a brow. James shuffled his feet, looking down. "I won't confront him, but I'm not going to leave Liz alone any longer." At that, Will nodded and unlocked the door. James led our trio back to the ballroom, quickly finding Liz. He took her hands, speaking quietly. "Don't pay any mind to what he said, I won't let him near you."

A small smile was on her lips. "And what if I wanted near him?" I could see James's face starting to turn red when she laughed, "I'm only joking, James. Now, what do you say we take a turn around the room?" The two of them swanned off, completely absorbed in each other. Oscar left us with a nod, surprisingly going to speak to Frederich again. I took a look around the room, taking in the various guests. There was no sign of Mr. Perry and his wife, thankfully, and the caliber of guest was much improved when compared to the engagement party. Prince Henry and his wife were speaking happily to old Theodore Roosevelt, and I could see one of T.R.'s sons with him. I gave a chuckle, thinking about how much his eldest daughter Alice would have infuriated our royal guests. The girl was a firecracker, and cared little for societal convention.

"Something funny?" Will gave my hand a squeeze.

I shook my head. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about someone."

"Well, at least you're laughing." Will grinned, although I noticed his expression fall as he looked out. "Damn him, can't he just stop?" I followed his gaze, seeing Henry quite obviously staring at me. Will tugged on my hand, guiding us through the guests to a more crowded spot. I could feel his eyes follow me though, and when Will looked out again he pursed his lips. "Ana, come along. I don't like him looking at you like that."

"I don't like it either." I muttered, feeling Will slip his arm around my waist as he led us out of the ballroom. He stayed away from the closest sitting rooms, finally stopping at a room well out of the way. I stepped inside, hearing him close the door behind me. The room was nothing but a small office, but it did have a window to allow a bit of streetlight in. I glanced over my shoulder to Will. "Do you think he'll start looking through that?"

"I hardly care right now," Will stepped up behind me, his hands on my shoulders. "In fact, if he did show up I wouldn't care a whit. All I care about is you." His hands moved to my waist, "Now, wife, what ever shall we do in here?"

I turned in his arms, gently tugging on his necktie to bring him down to me. "I can think of a few things." Will smiled at that, his hands pulling me closer to him as he pressed his lips to mine. The feel of his hands on me was delicious, and I returned the favor in kind. Will truly did have a nice rear, even if I did have to reach under his frock coat to find it and pull him flush to me. I left him with a squeeze before moving my hands up, clutching around his shoulders as Will rocked his head to the side and deepened the kiss. His tongue was quite insistent that my mouth was truly where it was supposed to be, and I couldn't help but flick mine against his.

I moaned into Will's mouth as he pressed me backwards, my back hitting the wall roughly but I hardly cared. All I wanted was his hands on me, and he was doing his damndest to fulfill my wish. They dropped to my rear, lifting me slightly and I used the moment to wrap a leg around his waist. I felt him grin as he kissed his way along my jaw, nipping at my neck as he continued downward. I rocked my hips against him, thinking briefly that the desk in the room was looking very inviting when I noticed a crack of light coming from the doorway. Samantha's voice was flat as she spoke, "You do realize this is my son's wedding."

Will, briefly pulling his lips from my neck, snorted. "Yes, and you should realize that I don't bloody care."

"I know that it's difficult," Samantha left the door open as she strolled in, a laugh in her voice now. "Especially difficult for a vulgar sailor like you to understand, but generally a guest should not treat their host's house like a brothel."

Will's hands left me, providing some cover as I unwrapped myself from him and straightened my dress. He turned, keeping Samantha from seeing me. "Then perhaps your husband should stop looking at my wife as if she's a whore. I've seen that painting and I know where it's usually kept. If I see it again, or even hear of someone else seeing it, I'll call him out."

Her laugh would have been musical if it hadn't been so harsh. "Call him out? Mr. Murdoch, unlike your provincial Scots we here in New York are civilized. No one duels anymore."

"Then I'll seek legal redress, I know some very fine lawyers."

"You mean that lawyer that filed an injunction that your wife is currently breaking?" Her eyes cut over to me, and I glared right back. "How valid is that injunction when the aggrieved party decides to break it?"

"Then perhaps you shouldn't have invited me." I snapped at her, "Although I am tempted to call the police to get your husband away from me if he keeps looking at me like that."

She snorted. "Despite your pathetic attempts at intimidation, we both know that no police officer would haul a man out of his own home on the day of his son's wedding. So stay, drink, parade your brute of a husband in front of a society that will never accept him."

"Why don't you go see to your own husband and your son, make sure they're not forcing their attentions on any of the ladies." Will spat, stepping towards her.

"You mean my husband who is currently entertaining an Imperial Prince and a former President while you attempt to rut your little slut of a wife in a dark room?"

"I do, I mean your husband that trespassed into Ana's house to force himself on her and then pawned his gift off on your daughter-in-law. And I mean your husband who doesn't seem to understand what a lady means when she says no, whether that's about a dance or a kiss."

Samantha's perfect black curls almost shook with rage. "Then you should see to your wife who brought that upon herself! Dressing like nothing more than a common whore, enticing men into her home where she can entertain them alone." A triumphant smirk appeared, "Although I have no doubt you and your fellow sailors indulged in her company before you married her."

"Shut your mouth." Will started for her, but Samantha slipped out through the door and all we could hear was her laughter. I could see him clench his fists by his side, but he let out a massive sigh. "Ana, let's go back." I came up beside him, taking his hand.

"Will, I just want to go home." I mumbled, pressing my face to his shoulder. "I just want to get away from here."

I felt him trace his thumb over my cheek, and he dropped his lips to my ear. "You know, it's a good thing that you put your plaid back in the carriage. Otherwise, well, she would have seen far more."

I snorted, "Save that feeling for home, we'll be there soon enough." I looked out, seeing that some of the guests had already begun to make their goodbyes. "We just have to bid farewell to everyone, and then you can pin me to the bed." Will chuckled at that, even though we had to approach Zachary and Sophie.

It was halfway there when we were stopped though, a bearded figure in a naval uniform studded with medals that stepped in front of us. He bowed, "You must forgive me for not having been introduced, but I would be remise if I did not share a dance with the other bride of the season."

I hastily bobbed a curtsey, feeling various eyes across the room fly to us. "Your Imperial Highness, I'm afraid that we were about to leave."

"Surely one dance will not take much time?" He glanced to Will, "I promise that I will return her swiftly."

Caught in a mire of a situation, Will stammered the only response he could. "I suppose I can allow it, Prince Henry." Prince Henry gripped my hand gently, leading me out onto the dance floor as the orchestra started in on a waltz. My mind was with Will though, because he had to allow it. If he refused a Prince then everyone would have talked about it, not to mention that it might have caused an incident. So I was stiffly standing with this royal, waiting for the other couples to join us.

"Mrs. Murdoch," Prince Henry spoke, his voice gentle. "I hope you can forgive me, but my wife made a good point. If I dance with one bride, I must dance with the other."

"I am the one who should ask for forgiveness, Your Imperial Highness." I shook my head, focusing on him. "My mind was a mile away."

He started leading us in the dance, his steps perfect. "Back with your husband, no doubt." He chuckled, "You know, you would have done well in the European marriage market. Youth, money, beauty." He gave me a wink. "You could have done quite well indeed, perhaps an Earl or even a Duke."

"That is kind of you to say," I ducked my head, feeling my cheeks flush a bit. "However, I am quite happy with how I have ended up."

"Married to a sailor, when you could have had an estate?"

"I can always buy an estate, Your Imperial Highness."

He laughed, his eyes bright. "Ah, you are a impertinent thing, aren't you?" He gave my hand a squeeze, "Perhaps it for the best then, for you would have raised a ruckus across the Atlantic."

"Yes, and she can raise all kinds of madness over here and leave you all safe, three thousand miles away." Zachary's voice was smooth and light, but his presence caused Prince Henry to pause midstep. "Would you mind if I cut in, Your Imperial Highness? I'd love to dance with an old friend." Zachary was laying on the charm thick, to the point where he hardly waited until Prince Henry's hands had left my waist before he whirled me back into the waltz. "You know 'Stasia, you haven't congratulated me yet."

I stared after my former partner, who had left the dance floor to confer with his wife. "Congratulations Zachary." I would much rather have finished the dance with the prince, trading little barbs was at least fun and he very clearly had no designs on me.

Zachary squeezed my waist, drawing my attention. "Have you given Sophie your congratulations?"

"Why would I? She married down, and no one deserves to be married to you."

"Well, at least I wasn't her second choice." His hands tightened around me at that. "I still remember that night, you upset her deeply when you said that."

"Why? It's the truth and you know it."

The smirk he wore could only be described as triumphant. "I would think as a fellow second choice, you'd empathize with her a bit more."

"Can you just say what you're getting at already?"

"Why should I? This is a long waltz, there's plenty of time to subtlety." He grinned out at the crowd. "Ah, there's your husband, glaring at me. I wonder if he glared at people dancing with his first wife the same way."

"It's only you that he glares at you, well, you and your father."

"Hmph, you really are a spiteful thing. I couldn't help but notice the necklace you're wearing. I doubt he bought it for you, at least not with his own money."

"It was a gift, it arrived during our honeymoon."

"Ah, so it's good enough for you but not the one my father sent." The music was reaching a crescendo, the end of the dance nigh. "I'll leave you with something to think on. You know, there's always something I've wondered. If your husband had the chance, would he want his first wife back, or you? He is obviously loved her, and I suppose you work for his second choice. But I am curious, do you think he would still want you if he could have her?"

I stilled with the music stopping. "Go back to your wife, Zachary."

"And you go back to your husband, and remember what I said. You're nothing but a replacement, simply a silver medal. So don't act so high and mighty, we all know you're worthless." He looked over my shoulder, his eyes smug. "Ah, Father, care to take a turn with Mrs. Murdoch here?"

"Of course I would," Henry placed his hand on my shoulder, his grip tight as I tried to move away. "Such a lovely dancer, I would be glad to take a turn with her." His hand slid down my arm, headed for my waist and I could feel myself begin to breathe faster and faster and the lights were so bright and he was so close and I couldn't move.

It had been one thing to see his wife dancing with a prince. He knew most men would have seen it as an honor, a compliment to him for having such a beautiful wife that a royal thought her worthy of attention. Prince Henry had been perfectly respectable, and Will had watched the two dance without too much jealousy. Ana looked tired though, and he wanted to get her home so they could continue their previous activities.

His hand went to the ivory leather sword hilt when Zachary cut in.

It took all he had to not force his way pass the other dancers, grab his wife, and get her away. But he could see them talking, and Zachary didn't let his hands drop away from where they should be. But Ana was rigid in his arms, and Will followed her gaze when she looked out. He could Prince Henry and his wife leaving, and he desperately wanted to join them. He glanced around, noting Liz and James off by themselves and Oscar talking to Frederich. Apparently Frederich had been accepted among their set, and Will had to admit that he didn't find himself hating him. But then he looked back to the dance floor, and he was glad that he didn't have a glass in hand for he would have shattered it.

He drew his sword, feeling an anger rise in him that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Get yer hands off my wife!" He hardly cared that his Scottish accent had reared up, he barely heard the gasps of the crowd as they parted. All he saw was Henry with his hands on Ana, on his wife, and the smug look on his face as leered at her. He was fairly shaking with rage and the blade gleamed in the lights as he brought it up, "Step away, now."

"I think Mr. Murdoch here has overindulged in our whiskey." Henry laughed, but his hands dropped from Ana. "I know you're used to a dockside tavern, but even there I would think it's considered bad manners to start a fight."

Will drew her into his arms, the sword held in front of her to protect her. "I don't rightly care if I'm acting ill-mannered, because what I'm doing is far less than what you've done." If it hadn't been for the crowd, and the fact that his dress sword wasn't sharp, Will would have gutted him in his own ballroom and then sent his son to join him. But again, he found himself constrained by the society around him. Not to mention the fact that he would be tried as a murderer.

"Yes, how dare I want to dance with a newly married woman, one who I've known for years." Henry's voice was smug, and he turned to Ana, "I'm so sorry you've found yourself shackled to a violent drunk, my dear. But then again, he is a Scotsman so what else did you expect?." Will's sword thrust forward, sending Henry backing away, although he didn't stop talking. "So go right ahead, be a drunken fool, drag your wife back to your house and let everyone here know that you'll never be one of us." Will didn't reply, not because he couldn't think of a reply but simply because if he stayed around him any longer he would throttle the man. Will hustled her away and bulled a path through the stunned guests until they reached the cool night air. Lewis had the carriage up to the sidewalk quickly, and Will didn't even think about sheathing his sword.

Ana, sat beside him, reached over and her hands were shaky as she picked up the folded plaid, wrapping it around herself. "Will, I didn't-"

"Quiet." He turned, the sword falling from his hand. "Ana, you don't have to say anything." His arms went around her shoulders, crushing her to his chest. He could feel her brush her face against his frock coat, no doubt drying her tears. "Shh, it's alright. You don't have to say anything, just quiet down. It's alright." And it was, Will could never be angry with her over it. She hadn't forced Zachary to cut in, and those social rules that had been so ingrained in her didn't allow for outbursts in the middle of a party. So he held her close, murmuring into her hair. "He won't come near you, and Sophie knows she can't bring them to the house. It's alright, everything is fine."

Ana snuffled, shifting so that she sat astride his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. Will was suddenly very aware of his wife's breasts pressing up against him, the sapphires and diamonds spangled across her. She looked up to him, tear tracks going through her powdered face. "Will, thank you."

"Ana," He let his eyes drop to her swollen lips, bringing his thumb up to brush the tears away. "Ana, God." He crushed his lips to hers, feeling her push herself against him as if to have as much of her pressed against him as she could. Will buried his face in her shoulder, nipping slightly and then soothing it with kisses.

Above him, Ana panted. "Will, my skirt." Ah, so his wife did not just want kisses. Will let his hands drop to her hem, rolling it up as he dragged his fingers up her legs. He knew if Ana had meant something different she would have stopped him, but instead she stood up slightly to allow him to pull the majority of her skirt to the back. Will ran his hands over her thighs, finding far too much joy in the bare spot between the end of her stockings and the edge of her chemise that had rucked up with her skirts. He didn't even mind the corset, for the elastic garters hanging off it made her legs all the more enticing.

His head hit the back of the bench when her hand found his trousers, massaging him through the fabric. "God, don't stop." She was quickly bringing him to readiness, and her fingers were much more sure on his fly as she opened it. Her soft hand on his fevered flesh was magical, and she used her other one to tug the plaid around them. Will could barely keep his eyes open, "Scared that someone might see?"

"Yes," She whispered, lifting herself up and sheathing him in her in one movement. "Agh, Will, I want it hard."

Will was barely able to form words at the moment, the feeling of her tight walls around him driving all though from his mind. "I can't, not here."

"Later," Ana started to move, drawing all the breath from his lungs. "I want you all night Will, I want you to make me forget everything."

"I can do that." He muttered, his hands moving to her hips and guiding her in a rhythm that had him panting. He loved his wife, especially the look in her eyes as she rode him, the catch in her voice when he urged her faster, and the way she clung to him as she began lifting herself. He couldn't help but curse under his breath as he felt her clench around him, her jewels jangling as she moved faster and faster. Will wished he could pound into her as she wanted, and he did his best to lift his hips in time with when she bore herself down, but it wasn't the same.

It wasn't bad though.

Ana's breath caught, "Will, I, I'm-" He shushed her, covering her mouth with his as she bore down even harder. Her hips strained against his, her breath catching as she came. Will could feel her clamp around him, and it was only a few more thrusts before he spent himself. He buried his head in her shoulder, panting as he felt his muscles tremor in release. He could feel the tiredness coming on, the desire to simply hold her close and sleep, but he fought it off. Ana had made it clear that she wanted him all night, and while it might take him some time to recover himself to the point of readiness again, he could certainly oblige her.

The rest of the trip home was spent making it look as if he hadn't spent the majority of the time having his wife ride him with wild abandon, and they looked relatively decent when Lewis opened the door to let them out. Ana's hand seemed much lighter in his than when they had entered the carriage, and she stopped briefly in the foyer to pet Rigel. Her voice was calm when she spoke, "Please let Louise know I won't need her, Peggy. And we won't need Reggie either."

Peggy cast a look at him, a smirk on her face. "Of course ma'am, will you want Rigel upstairs?"

Ana looked to Will, and at his nod, she smiled. "We can take him for tonight, thank you for staying up Peggy." She wound her hand around his arm as he led her upstairs, Rigel trailing in their wake. After the second floor, Will put his arm around her waist. By the third floor, he was nuzzling her neck. The fourth floor had him pressing her against a wall as he plundered her mouth, Rigel whining around his ankles. Ana was panting with want when they reached the fifth floor, her hand fumbling on the knob as she opened the door. She kicked her shoes off as she entered the sitting room, her hands already moving to the pins in her hair. The priceless tiara was discarded on a side table, the earrings and necklace joining it in short order. Then her hands were on him, tearing at his frock coat hard enough that he was worried he may spend the next morning sewing the buttons on, before she began popping them out of their holes quickly.

He shrugged out of his coat, "Ana, put your plaid on the bed." He could see the confusion in her eyes when she pulled back, but her hands quickly moved to do it. Will admired the way his wife's waist swelled into her hips as she spread it out, and he pulled her to him as she did. He could tell she was curious about what he intended, and he scraped his teeth over her ear as he talked. "You despoiled me on my kilt, now it's only fair I now return the favor."

She shivered, but her voice was a moan. "Will, take me. Hard as you can."

"Hard as I can," He echoed, his fingers unbuttoning her dress. "Without hurting you."

Ana wiggled in his arms, the bodice of her dress falling. "I don't think that's possible." Her dress pooled around her ankles, and then it was just the damn corset in his way. He yanked the laces loose, reached around and opened the busk, and finally he was able to grab his wife's breasts like he had wanted to since the moment in that office. He tugged her chemise down, and Ana moved quite deliciously against him as she let it fall. And then she was naked, and he bore her down to the bed. She twisted in his arms, her lips finding his with an accuracy that might have scared him once, but then he could taste her and all he wanted was to have her.

"God, woman." Will groaned, feeling her hands unbuttoning his shirt and trousers. It took him little effort to strip himself bare, crawling up Ana to capture her lips again. Her fingers were already tugging him, circling the tip of him and Will was thrusting into her hand. He sent his own hands questing to her center, finding her hot and wet for him. Will pulled back, searching her face. She nodded, spreading her legs, although she seemed surprised when he made her bend her legs so that her knees were by her ears. He leaned down, whispering. "I can take you harder this way."

"Oh God," She murmured, her hips trembling. Will lined himself up, then thought for a moment and pulled a pillow to place under her rear. He knew from experience that this would allow him to be deeper in her, and that she would enjoy it more. It felt even better to enter her now, and she shivered when he brushed up against a part of her. "Will, God."

He settled for a moment, feeling her adjust around him. "What do you want?"

"I want you to fuck me." She latched her arms around him, "Hard as you can." Despite her insistence, he started slow. She still moaned and called his name as he did, and when he sunk himself all the way to his stones in her she cursed. That was what sent him to the edge, driving into her mercilessly as she keened and cursed him, begging him to go faster and harder. He could feel himself striking a part of her that had her muscles clenching around him as she attempted to prolong him being inside her, and he panted as he grabbed the bed frame to brace himself. Somewhere, some part of him was aware of Rigel whining in the sitting room, but then he remembered the door was shut and he was balls deep in his wife and she was urging him harder and faster.

And then she came.

She came hard, pulling him over the edge and he barely caught himself before he collapsed onto her. It felt as if his very strength was leaving him with his release, and he could hardly support himself as he felt his seed settle into her. The feral part of his mind was quite satisfied, thank you very much. For only he could draw the moans and almost sobs out of Ana as she came down, only he could collect her to him and mutter against her hair how much he loved her, how wonderful she felt, and how he practically came when hearing her cry out his name.

Only Ana could draw all this out of him, and he was quite confident that she had forgotten all about the earlier events when he had his head pillowed on her breast, her breath soft against his hair and her body warm and soft beneath him.