Gifts had been arriving ceaselessly for the past two weeks, and I had almost had to keep an inventory of everything we had received. A set of new navigational tools for Will from the Fields, a massive new set of dinnerware, over six hundred pieces, from Mrs. Brown who was deeply upset she would be missing the party, and a set of candlesticks that had been dropped off the day before the party by a grinning Charles Lightoller. He had almost brandished them at us, "I know they're poor compared to your usual set, but Sylvie thought you would like them."

They were rather plain, but they shone brilliantly and I handed them off to a footman to join the rest of the gifts. "Oh Charles, they're lovely. Really. And you have your invitation for tomorrow?"

"Tucked away in my formal coat," Charles grinned, "Although I would like to beg another from you, Harold's getting in tomorrow and I would prefer to drag him along rather than show up on my own."

"Oh, of course!" I smiled, reaching for the stack of blank invitations that had basically lived on the small secretary desk in the parlor for the past week. Callers, fresh from Newport, had been coming and asking about the party, thinly veiled requests for invitations. I had been judicious in handing them out, and Mother had already drilled into her servants what family was expressly forbidden from coming, even if they somehow acquired an invitation. So it was only the work of a minute to sign Harold's name to an invitation and hold it out. "Here, and please tell him to come in formal wear. And not to worry about a gift, just him being there is enough." He had rolled his eyes at that, bidding me farewell until the next day.

The next morning found me reviewing a few last minute gifts while I waited for Will to come down for the drive over to Mother's. The servants, under Peggy's direction, had placed them all the parlor and left me a paper to record the contents and the senders for thanks later. I had gotten to the last of them, a low velvet box with a small letter on top. It was unaddressed, and I quickly ripped it open, thinking nothing more than that I needed to get this settled before heading off with Will, who I could now see coming down the stairs and towards the parlor. A heavy musk cologne seemed to emanate from the letter as I unfolded it, hurtling me back in time to a horrible day in this very room.

My dear sweet Anastasia,

You have no idea how disappointed Samantha and I were to not receive an invitation to your engagement party. After such a long history between our families, it seems impossible for you to have forgot to include us on the guest list. It has been ages since I have seen you, I have almost forgotten what you look like. Still, we, and most especially I, wanted to send along our congratulations and a gift. I hope that you will wear it and come call on us, with your sailor. Rubies would suit your complexion far better than any other stone, as I have told you before. Again, please call on us at anytime, I have dearly missed seeing you and do not wish to go on much longer suffering in that way. You must be radiant with joy over your engagement, and that can only improve your beauty. As can my humble gift. Please, I desire nothing more than to see you wear it when you visit.

Eternally in your service,

Your Loving Henry

My hands had begun to shake as I picked up the flat velvet box, the lid jittering slightly as I opened in. Resting on the black velvet cushion inside was a golden peacock, more of a collar than a necklace. A hinge on the back opened it, so that when it was worn it would lay at the base of the wearer's neck with the head on one side and the tail on the other. Each was so encrusted with rubies that it was hard to tell any detail, and when I picked it up it weighed heavily in my hands.

I dropped it like it had burned me, throwing the box across the table. Will, his bowler in his hands, turned, "Ana, what is it?"

I had already wrapped my hands around my waist, my breathing short and panicked as I squeezed my eyes shut. I was safe, I was in my house, Will was here, it was just some servant who didn't know where it had come from. They had just thought it was another gift, delivered by another servant. They all knew what Mr. Reichster looked like, they all knew to let him no where near the house. When I opened my eyes, Will was knelt in front of me, talking, but I couldn't understand him. I thrust the letter towards Will, before returning my hand to wrap around me. I felt his hand reach out and rest on my knee, even as he spread out the letter with the other. He crumpled it in his fist once he finished, "What do you want me to do?"

"Send it back." I whispered, glancing at the innocent looking velvet box. "Get rid of it. Will, please. Please."

Will looked at it for a moment, then grabbed at the sheet of paper and pen I had been using. He tore off the bottom of the sheet, the pen scratching quickly across the page. I watched the letters form as he did. Stay away from Anastasia or I will kill you. That is no idle threat. Do not test me. He waited only a moment before opening the box, tossing the paper inside, and turning to a maid. "Send that back to the Reichster house. With one of the footmen, in fact send two. Throw it at them if you must."

"Yes, Mr. Murdoch." She quickly bobbed, scrabbling for the box and hustling away.

Will didn't waste any time in getting me to my feet and handing me up into the barouche, pulling the roof over to provide shade from the morning sun. He called to the coachman as he sat, "Take us through Central Park before we head over, just a quick drive." The coachman nodded, setting the horses off. With the shelter of the roof, Will drew me back and spoke quietly. "Ana, what was meant by the necklace?"

I looked down at my hands, held tightly in his. "When he, when he was there before I came over, he-" I squeezed his hands, trying to settle myself. "He said he wanted me draped in gold and rubies, and that, that he wanted me wearing nothing but that, waiting for him. And then he would-" I felt my stomach twist, and I tried to stop myself from retching. Will put an arm around my waist, pulling me close and holding me. I breathed in his cologne, trying to calm myself. I was with Will, I was safe with him, in our carriage, we had just trotted into Central Park. Everything was fine. I huddled a bit closer to him, "I'm sorry, I-"

"I told you, you do not need to be sorry about anything they did to you." Will fairly growled, "Although it makes me want to kill him even more. Just breathe, that's all I want you to do. Don't think about any of that, just breathe." He very loudly began to breathe slowly, and I tried to match his pace. Not thinking, not thinking about Mr. Reichster's hands on me, or what he meant by the letter. Not thinking about whether he'd be following me around in Newport, or what Will might do if he did. Just breathing in with Will, trotting through Central Park, feeling the warm breeze blowing through. I looked out, noting the other carriages, the families strolling along, couple picnicking together on the grass. Will gave my hand a squeeze, "Better?"

"Very much." I made to shift away to free up his space, but I felt his arm tighten around me. "Thank you."

"No reason to go moving away," He said as he lightly dug his fingers into my side, "We are engaged, it's not too out of the ordinary." He kept his hand on my waist even as the driver pulled out of the park, setting us off towards Fifth Avenue. Will kept pointing out houses, stores, even other carriages and asking what I knew about them. Talking to him about meaningless things like that kept me focused, so much so that I barely noticed that we had reached the house until he was handing me out.

Mr. Rigby, Mother's butler, greeted us at the door. "Rooms have been prepared for the both of you, one of the girls will show you up. Mrs. Dalian has asked to see you in the parlor though, before you both head up." He gestured towards a waiting maid in her starched apron, who bobbed and led us up though the house, curtseying again as we entered the parlor.

Mother stood from the wing-backed chair she had been sitting in, a case in her hand. She smiled, "Welcome, oh I am so looking forward to tonight. But I realized, I forgot something when I visited you two." She extended the case as she spoke, "William, I cannot say that I imagined you marrying her, but I have not imagined anything that has happened in the last few months. I hope you will accept these as a gift from me, in celebration of this happy occasion." Mother held out the flat wooden case to him, and Will opened it to reveal a pair of gold cuff links, engraved with a stylized WMM. Will immediately reached for his cuffs, only stopped by Mother's laugh. "Please, leave them for tonight. You like them, though?"

"Yes, Mrs. Dalian, they're quite something." He muttered as he tucked the case into the pocket of his jacket, which proved far too small and left the top third of the case sticking out.

"Then I'm glad, and I will expect to see them on you quite often." She chuckled, "Now, you two head on up. Reggie is waiting for you Mr. Murdoch, he wants to ensure that your uniform does not need to get any last minute alterations. And Anastasia, Louise has just arrived. She may still be preparing things in your rooms, but she told me she has it well in hand." The maid was waiting for us again, leading us through the warren of marble halls and velvet drapery. Will was left on a floor below me, giving him a room on the family floor hadn't been discussed, and probably would not be until I was Mrs. Murdoch.

Louise, her brown hair and bright green eyes flashing, was waiting for me as I walked in. Of all the candidates that Peggy had found, she was the one I liked the best. Calm, collected, and a genius with any form of finery that she touched, not to mention her skill in hair dressing and cosmetics. She had been spared the starched apron, but was in the black alpaca dress that was her most formal uniform. Against the navy and gold colors in my rooms, she was rather hard to see, but she did smile as I came in. "Miss Dalian, I apologize, I'm still unpacking what you sent over."

"It's alright Louise," I said, moving towards the drawn curtains. With the sunlight streaming in she was a bit easier to see as she worked on unpacking the small trunk that had been sent over. With the ballgown already here there really was little that had to be brought, nightclothes, underthings, clothing for tomorrow. I watched Louise pull them all out and organize them, and then let her direct me into the bathroom. A warm bath had already been drawn, and she had me stripped and into the water quickly.

"I'll leave you to soak Miss Dalian." She moved to the door, only stopping when I spoke.

"You can call me Miss Anastasia, Louise. It's quite alright."

"Forgive me Miss Dalian, but that is not something I will allow myself." Her shoulder square, she strode out and shut the door behind her. I shook my head, leaning back into the warm water and breathing in the little wisps of steam that were swiftly dissipating in the warm room. By the time Louise returned I had washed my hair and myself, and had time to soak off any thoughts of this morning. I would only focus on what was coming tonight, on being able to enter society on Will's arm and out of mourning. I was so involved in my daydreams of what would be happening in only a few hours I hardly noticed when Louise left me to my own devices for the afternoon. The rooms here were much more formal than the dock house, which meant they were slightly colder and it sent me scurrying, in my dressing gown, to the large canopied bed that dominated the bedroom.

The blankets were warm, the sheets crisp, and the pillows so fluffed that they threatened to swallow my head as I laid down on them. Clean, warm, and enveloped in softness I quickly fell into a doze. My dreams were nothing but calm though, mainly centering about Will deciding he wanted a private moment during the ball, pulling me to an empty room, and then burying his head underneath my skirts. I was glad to have woken before Louise returned, it gave me some time to collect myself. I could not risk doing something like that tonight, no matter how much the thought of it made me moan with desire. If anyone saw us leave, if they found us, if they even heard us, it would break Mother's heart and be the downfall of my reputation. So I turned my mind back to more innocent thoughts, dresses and food, dancing under the chandeliers.

"Up Miss Dalian, up. I'll need you dressed before being able to do most of what I need." Louise almost shook her finger at me as she got me up and moving, quickly getting me into the gown. It was a beautiful as it had been at the store, although it was quickly hidden by my dressing gown and a towel over the top as Louise set to work on my hair and cosmetics. It was rather refreshing to have her order me about, moving my head, lifting my eyes, and slowly, slowly, watch the final product emerge in the mirror. The tiara was the main focus on my hairstyle, the golden frame blending in with my hair so it almost seemed that the sapphires floated in the golden waves that surrounded it. Louise did something that set my eyes to gleaming richly when compared to the sparkle of the earrings. I disdained gloves for this, I wanted nothing between my hand and Will's tonight.

He was waiting on the landing as I walked down, the sounds of the party already drifting up from the ballroom. I paused before coming down the stairs, taking him in. His hair had a little pomade to it, shining slightly and slicked back a bit, but it was his uniform that made me make a most unladylike noise in my throat. The deep navy set his eyes off to perfection, the gleaming gold bullion on the chain like cuffs of his coat glittered brightly and the coat fell pleasingly to mid thigh, showing the majority of his trousers and the shining new oxfords he wore. I could see his high starched collar when he turned to look at me, a black silk tie knotted intricately around his throat. I had no doubt he was wearing his waistcoat underneath even if it was hidden from sight, and I could see his new cufflinks when his coat shifted enough to show his shirt cuffs. I saw his eyes darken as he took me in, the beaded chiffon rustling slightly as I descended the stairs. It took him a minute to find his voice. "Ana, my God. You are," He shook his head, holding out his arm. "I swear, you're the most beautiful thing I've seen."

I ignored his arm, instead gently gripping his lapels and giving him a brief kiss. I felt his hands immediately go to my waist, and he followed when I tried to pull away. It took me gently pushing against him to get him to break off. I smiled, "Will, you look extremely handsome."

"Let's not go down to the party," Will pulled me close to him, my train following. "I want to get you out of that dress, or at least do unspeakable things to you in it."

God, that was tempting. I suppressed the moan I wanted to give, instead laughing slightly. "And you think I don't want to haul you off to my bed in that uniform? We have obligations Will, Charles and Harold are down there. What would they think if we snuck off?"

"They'd think I was bedding my beautiful fiancée and congratulate me on it." He chuckled, but he did step back and hold his arm out. "I'm already beginning to hate these things and I haven't even got to the ballroom."

I took it, letting him lead us down the stairs. "Oh just wait, you'll hate them even more once we get there."

The ballroom had been transformed from it abandoned state, as had the various sitting rooms and drawing rooms alongside it. Bright light streamed through open doors, footmen in their formal uniforms circulated with trays of drinks and light airy confections, huge tubs of flowers scented the air and all throughout swirled ladies in shining silks and men in tight suits. Mr. Rigby met us at the end of the stairs, leading us to the ballroom like he was a master of ceremonies at an ancient court. The music coming from the chamber orchestra quieted as he entered the door, the crowd turning to him. His voice was firm as he spoke, stepping aside to present us. "Mr. William Murdoch and his fiancée, Miss Anastasia Dalian." I took a moment to look away from the politely applauding crowd to see what Will thought. He was rather pale, and his eyes flitted around, but he did lead me forward as the crowd split to allow us to take the lead on the dance floor.

Will's valet Reginald, or Reggie as he preferred, had already run us through a mock entrance back at the dock house. The dining room table had been shoved aside and maids and footmen had been drafted to come and pretend to be the crowd as Will had slowly spun me around. So it came as no surprise to me when Will leaned down, handing me the loop of my train to hold it up while we danced, then placed one hand on my waist and took the other in his. The orchestra struck up a song I actually recognized, the Merry Widow waltz. We had gone to see the operetta, thankfully in English, years ago when it had opened. The music did dig at my mind slightly, it was the success of the production that we had been invited to the Vanderbilts to celebrate that night. When Zachary-

"Ana, look at me." Will spoke softly, where only I could hear him over the orchestra. I cast my eyes up, feeling that thought fall from my thoughts. Why was I thinking about that? I was here, I was in Will's arms, dancing as everyone watched. He raised his eyebrows, even as he skillfully checked and reversed us. "Are you with me?"

"I never left." I squeezed his hand, then decided to squeeze his shoulder too. "What about you?"

"Oh I am quite present," He chuckled, listening as the music began to slowly fade away as the song began to end. "Enough to see that a woman has been eyeing me the entire time. Please tell me I won't have to dance with anyone but you."

"I'm afraid I can't," I muttered as we stopped with the music, "I'll have to dance with other men, but I will always be waiting for you after."

"You'd better be." Will dipped his head in a slight bow, even as I dropped down into a slight curtsey. After the opening dance it was free for anyone to come out and join in, and the orchestra had a large selection to play from. I recognized Mrs. Vanderbilt from the charity ball, brilliant in a brown and gold brocade, swiftly come up and claim Will for the mazurka the orchestra had begun. I myself was whirled off by an elder Astor, although he assured me that he could still dance well enough to not embarrass himself. I was kind enough to cover for him when he missed a few steps, and had to excuse myself after to fetch something to drink, even as Will was claimed for the next dance.

I sipped greedily at my punch, the rum in it burning slightly. I had forgotten how much dancing made me thirsty, it had been so long. I took the moment afforded to look around, trying to see if I knew anyone besides Mother, Will and the Fields. Some of the office staff had been invited, for I saw Mr. Keller and his wife talking to Abraham by a window. I recognized a few society girls, but it had been sometime since they had called. There were the usual heirs and dandies strutting about, occasionally pulling out a slim cigarette to smoke discreetly in a corner. I almost spilled my drink when a voice spoke up from behind me, "Anastasia, you both did well for the waltz."

Mother, in a well fitted and actually quite becoming black dress, had used a potted palm as cover to approach. I took a sip, "Thank you Mother, it really was quite something."

"And Mr. Murdoch appears to be quite popular," She murmured as Will strutted past with an heiress in his arms, her giggling almost drowning out the tango that was being played. "Especially with the ladies."

"It must be the uniform," I mused, catching his eye. I knew from the way he held my gaze that I would not get out of the next dance, or at least he would claim my time on the wide. "He really does cut a fine figure in it."

"Hmm," She demurred, looking around. "What were you doing before I came? You appeared rather deep in thought."

"Oh, I was just realizing that I have not kept up my acquaintances with the others of our set since a few years ago." I was unwilling to say that it had been dropped when Father's memory began to fade. "I hardly recognize anyone."

"Well, I have no doubt they will begin to come calling." Mother sniffed, watching as Will began to wind his way towards us. "There is nothing more desirable than being a bridesmaid after all."

"Mrs. Dalian, thank you again for all this." Will said quite loudly as he approached, bowing his head. "Ana, please. Save me."

"Save you, Will?" I laughed, reaching for a glass of punch and handing it to him. "Why? You appear to be quite the draw."

Will slurped loudly from his glass, not caring who heard. He did lean close to whisper to me though, "Miss Gentry back there refused to keep her hands to herself. If she comes at me again, I am dragging you out." He quickly fell to chatting with Mother about all the various aspects of the party he was enjoying, deliberately not noticing the ladies making eyes at him from across the floor. I did though, and quickly wound my hand around his arm to display my ring. I knew it was nothing more than them wanting to dance with the man who was the focus of the party, but it still raised a bit of jealousy in me. Will was mine, a few dances with other women were fine and dandy, but the way they stared at him made me want to sneer at them.

"Ana, what do you think?" He leaned down, his voice light.

I blinked, shaking my head slightly. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening."

"I was asking if you wanted something to eat." Will gestured towards a footman who had approached with a plate of sweets. I shook my head in reply, and the footman vanished off into the crowd. Two figures were making a beeline for us, both dressed similarly to Will. He gave a laugh, "Charles, Harold, please stay. You have got to keep me from dancing again. I'm beat."

"Of course, Mr. Murdoch." Lowe said, nodding as he stopped.

"Harold, you don't have to keep calling me that." Will chuckled, handing him a glass. "William is just fine if you feel like being formal."

"Yes, sir." Lowe had a rather hunched set to his shoulders as he turned, looking as a crowd of dancers swirled past. "It's rather hard to act informal here, there's just so much to take in."

I couldn't help but smile, "I could always dance with you, Harold, if it would help set you at ease."

Charles gave a loud laugh at that, even as Lowe flushed and tried to stammer out something. Charles gave him a slight shove though, "Just a quick polka Harold, I'm sure she'll keep you safe." Despite the color on his cheek, Harold's hand was steady as he held it out and led me onto the floor.

It was the most time I had spent alone with him since the lifeboat, and I tried to talk as we spun in the fast dance. "Have you been doing alright since, well, what happened?"

"Yes," He mumbled, trying to keep his steps up. "It's been easier."

"I saw something in the papers about a reception in your hometown."

"Oh, well, they seem to think I'm some hero." He gestured to a watch chain, glittering against his frock coat. "Gave me this, although to be quite honest Miss Dalian, things like this make me a bit uncomfortable. Not to mention a party like the one you throw."

"You can call me Anastasia, Harold." I said as we made a turn, "I insist. And you are a hero."

"If I am, then so are you Anastasia." His voice was firm for once as he caught my eye as the dance wound down.

"All I did was row."

"That's a lot more than plenty of others did that night." Lowe offered his arm at the end of the dance, leading me back towards Charles and Will, who had been surrounded by a small crowd of simpering girls. Lowe paused before we got to them. "Appears your fiancé is quite popular."

"Yes, it does." I almost growled, seeing one of the girls reach out and drag her fingers down Will's arm. To his credit he immediately stepped back, Charles darting forward to speak quickly and point towards an older woman across the way, dressed in a rather unfortunate shade of yellow. The girls immediately fell to that common joy at balls, badmouthing the poorly dressed, and moved off to get a closer look. I looked to him as we approached, "Thank you Charles, I think I might have done something rather ill-mannered if they were still around."

"They came up as soon as you left," He shrugged, stepping back as I moved to Will's side. He turned to Harold, "What do you think, Harold, how many of Anastasia' cigars should we smoke?"

"Well, save some for me and I'll join you later." Will chuckled, tucking my hand around his arm. I waved to the two other officers as they moved off into the crowd, ducking past prospective dance partners as they headed for a smoking room. Will started to lead me along, heading for a sitting room and giving a glare to any man who approached with a dance with me on his mind. "What was wrong with you back there?"

"Oh, I was just a bit jealous seeing all them around you." I tried to keep my voice quiet as we gained the sitting room, the slight buzz of conversation replacing the music. "Promise me you won't let them occupy you all night."

"You're the only one for me." He chuckled, drawing me over to a corner. "Although I must admit it made my temper flare a bit to see you dancing with that man. Not Harold, the older one before. He kept dropping his hands, I almost wanted to rip them off of you."

"Well, you're the only one in my thoughts." I reached up and kissed his cheek, darting back as a loud laugh sounded above the others talking. I spun around to see Morgan Fields, escorted by Ezekiel, still chuckling at me. "Morgan, that was rude!"

"Oh Anastasia," She was still laughing, "You look like a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar."

"Really Annie, can't you keep your hands off him for an hour?" Ezekiel loved nothing more than to tease and poke at me, and I narrowed my eyes at him. If he was going to play like this, then so was I.

"Actually, I was just telling him I was going to have to leave him here because I needed to dance with you." I gave him a winning smile, stepping forward and taking his arm before he could even react. I heard Will join in Morgan's laughter behind us as I drug Ezekiel to the dance floor, pulling him into the quick dance that was being played. Ezekiel was practically fuming when I looked at him. "Oh come now, you knew you'd have to dance at some point."

"Mother was quite insistent that I wouldn't have to." He said, glowering at me. "You know I can't manage this."

"Oh, you'll manage unless you want all these pretty girls to see you trip over your own feet." I couldn't help but laugh as he immediately dropped his gaze to his feet, muttering steps under his breath. It was so entertaining that I kept him out for another dance, although I felt what he did next was deliberate. As he turned me, his foot lifted and caught itself in my looped up train causing me to lurch that entire side of myself down to save the fabric from tearing before he extricated his foot. I was glaring at him after we finished, "You know this dress cost a lot!"

"And you know I hate dancing." He retorted as he began to weave us through the people.

I slipped my hand from his arm, setting off on my own path. "Zeke, I swear. You will be dancing by the wedding."

"You haven't even set a date yet, Annie." He practically called over the people around us, "I've got plenty of time!" I was still shaking my head and cursing myself for my stupid idea as I entered the sitting room.

It had cleared out, leaving just Will and Morgan sitting at a pair of chairs. If I had thought I had seen Will's face red before, it had been nothing to the flush on him at the moment. It extended clear across his face, down his neck, and I swear even his hands were red. I couldn't hear exactly what Morgan was saying, but her hands were moving enough that I could tell she was very interested in whatever it was. I could also see Will staring at me, practically begging on his knees for some assistance. I tried to keep a smile from my face as I approached, "Morgan, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on Ezekiel getting some dancing lessons before the wedding. He almost tore my train out there! I'm afraid I'll be needing Will for the next one."

"Oh that boy," She grumbled, rising from her chair and heading for the ballroom. "I told him to be on his best behavior. Thank you for the conversation William," She turned, smirking at Will. "I had a wonderful time hearing about everything you two got up to in Southampton."

"It was very nice talking to you Mrs. Fields." Will mumbled, reaching for my hand and getting to his feet. He quickly led me onto the dance floor, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. It was only after the first time we'd made a round that he spoke. "Ana, was she the married friend you told me about? The one who taught you about certain things?"

His sudden redness made sense now, and I felt my own cheeks flush. "Well, um, yes. She is, I think we're supposed to be turning now, Will." He mechanically turned us, although he almost hustled me away from the dance floor after it was done, heading not for a sitting room but a deserted hallway. I kept up with him, curious about he was planning.

He backed me up against a wall, his hands on my waist and his face near mine. I shivered as I felt his breath brush against my cheeks, his voice low and intense as he spoke. "She kept asking about how I was to you. If I was kind and understanding, or if I let you speak your mind."

"You are kind," I let my hand wander up the wool of his coat, fingering the brass buttons. "And you've never stopped me from saying what I want."

"Ana, she asked if I showed you a good time in Southampton." He visibly shivered as I let my fingers brush across his tie, drifting up to his throat. "I told her I took you shopping and out to dinner, all the things that ladies like to do." His Adam's apple jumped under my fingers as I continued upward. "Then she said that wasn't what she meant, she wanted to know if I showed you a good time in my house." His breath was coming a bit faster as I curled my fingers around his head. "And in my bed."

"You showed me a wonderful time, in both." I whispered, pulling him down into a kiss.

He pulled back briefly, "But for her to speak so openly! I was just glad she waited until everyone had left." I couldn't help the way my lips pursed in a smile, a silent laugh shaking my shoulders. I could see his brow furrow, "Oh, that's funny to you." His hands pushed me farther against the wall, almost standing on my toes as he came at me. "Ana, whenever we get a chance alone again, I am not going to be merciful."

"I don't want you to be." I almost growled, pulling his tie to bring him to me. I could hear the silk of my dress rustle under his hands, but all I cared about was his lips on mine, the way his tongue swept into my mouth in an instant. I twisted mine around, both of us tasting of punch and desire. God, if we could find a room, I'd let him devour me. Hell, i'd devour him. Will dropped his mouth to my jaw, sucking lightly on my skin. I held his head close, whimpering. "Didn't, didn't you say you wanted to see this dress on the floor?"

At that one of his knees thrust itself between my legs, and Will growled against me. "I want nothing more. Ana, please, there has to be someplace we can't be found." I could barely think, with his thigh between mine, pressing tightly to me. I ground myself against him, pulling his lips back up to mine as I began to whine slightly from the pressure on something that had been wanting it for so long. His bottom lip was too tempting, and I drew it between my teeth and began to suck on it. It slid out of my teeth as he pulled back, his voice low and harsh. "God Ana, I want your-"

"Anastasia, William, you're being missed." Mother's voice called out, and it was as if an electric shock had passed between us the way he jumped away from me. It was rather comical to see him tugging at his coat, even as I knew I was straightening my own dress. We were both in fairly good order when Mother came around the corner, "There you two are, I'm afraid one of Mr. Morgan's sons is asking for a dance with you Anastasia. Whatever were you doing here?"

"It was a bit hot in the ballroom," I spoke quickly, trying to cover up my terrible lie with speed. "Will was kind enough to take me for a tun to cool down."

"Well, come along. Mr. Morgan is not the most patient man you know, and William, Abraham wanted to speak with you about something for the launch of the ship next month. Come along, you two." Mother had a knowing smile on her face that made me think I must have left rouge smeared on Will's cheeks, and like shamefaced children, we trailed in her wake and back to our party.