We came later the next day, and I was distinctly uncomfortable for the car ride over. The Links had sent over a message, that the picture of Will protecting me was wonderful but that they would prefer a more deliberate sign. Which meant that Will, as well as Ezekiel and Oscar, was currently carrying a pistol on his hip. Will had assured me that he wouldn't even touch it until he handed it over to one of the Pinkertons for safe keeping, but it still had me sitting rigid in the seat. Every time his hand brushed across the butt of it I practically jumped, remembering the last time he had held a gun.

"I thought about using the gun, that it would be quick."

Ezekiel was sitting across from me, his pistol hanging on him with far too much ease. But it was Oscar, sitting on my other side in a well tailor suit, that kept his hand on his gun the entire time. It felt more like I was being escorted to prison rather than simply having my friends pretending to be guards. Mother, sitting beside Ezekiel, was far more at ease with the weaponry around us. To her, they were just props. But to me, God, it was a memento of the worst nights of my life.

Will stepped out first when the car stopped, handing me out. His hand was tight on mine when I grasped it, his voice a hiss. "He's here." I wasn't quite sure who he meant, and took a moment to look up out over the crowd. I practically froze when I saw him, tall and black haired, his green eyes alight as he spoke to a reporter. Will pulled me close to him. "I should kill him right here."

"You can't." I whispered, grateful for the brief moment as the others got out of the car. It kept me from having to get closer to Mr. Reichster.

He glanced over to the others. "Reichster decided to crawl out from whatever rock he's been under."

Oscar looked over, and was at Will's side in a instant, his voice hushed and quick. "Will, I know you want to kill him. I do too!"

"Not as much as me."

"Oh, you'd be surprised. But the one who gets to kill him is Ana, and she doesn't want to do anything right now." He looked to me, "Do you?"

"No, I just want to get away from him." I stepped closer to Will, hearing him grumble as Oscar took his pistol from him. Not that he kept it for very long, passing all of the weapons that had been brought over to the Pinkerton next to the driver. He did it slow enough for the cameras to flash, and he quickly led the charge through the crowd. We followed, Mother and Ezekiel behind us as we swept into the courthouse.

The Links were waiting by the door to the courtroom, and they immediately rushed forward. Rhett spoke first, "Pull the veil up, let me see what it looks like." I did, knowing that what was on my cheek was a blooming cloud of purple and black, tinted green at the edges. He considered it for a moment. "Get the powder, she needs to be paler." Dalton didn't even wait for my permission before reaching over with a powder brush, covering every part of my face except the bruise. Rhett pursed his lips as he considered it. "That should work, but don't lift the veil until you're on the stand."

"I know."

"It might not be until this afternoon, we're going to have our anonymous testimony and the evidence they gave us first."

"Alright."

"You're still comfortable testifying?"

"Yes," I sighed. "Mr. Link, please, can we just go in?"

"The doors haven't been opened yet, so no." He tried to smile, although it didn't reach his eyes. "Why don't you take a seat? Maybe Mr. Murdoch can get you some coffee or tea."

"I'm not leaving her side." Will stepped up to me, taking my arm and leading me over to a bench. Mother followed, Oscar and Ezekiel standing as the three of us clustered on the bench. Will kept his hand on me constantly, although he was constantly twisting his head to try and spot Mr. Reichster. "For him to show his face here, my God."

"I still can't believe it." Mother muttered, twisting a handkerchief in her hands. "Do you think he knows his involvement with this?"

Oscar burst out laughing. "Of course he does, I don't doubt that Dyer asked him to come today. Just to throw Annie off during her testimony."

"Do you think we'll need the Pinkertons inside the courtroom?" I looked to him. "I don't want any of us to get in trouble because he starts baiting us."

"Actually, you can bring one in to take my place." Ezekiel stepped back, but he was grinning. "I've just had a wonderful idea, but unfortunately it means I will be absent for the morning." He chuckled briefly, "I will make quite the entrance this afternoon though."

"What are you planning?" Oscar drew Ezekiel aside, the two of them speaking quietly before Oscar laughed and clapped him on the shoulder before Ezekiel headed out. He was still chuckling when he came back. "Believe me, we'll be fine until he gets back."

"What is he planning?" Mother raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't reveal that. It's going to be a sight, though." Oscar shook his head, smiling. "But do you want a drink, Anastasia?"

"Perhaps some champagne." Mr. Reichster's voice cut through the air, harsh enough to make me flinch. "After all, that's what you were enjoying the last time we spoke, wasn't it my dear?"

"She's not your anything." Will surged to his feet, crowding Henry away from me. Or he would have, if Mr. Reichster had deigned to move. "Stay the hell away from her, by God I should thrash you right here."

"I'm quite sure any of these fine officers would be glad to haul you away." The smile on Henry's face was far too smooth.

Oscar stepped forward, his brow knitted. "I'd head on back to your friend's side. Although I'm surprised you're so willing to be seen supporting a glorified pimp."

"An innocent businessman." Mr. Reichster raised an eyebrow. "His reputation stained by a devious and deceitful woman, or perhaps the men controlling her."

"How dare you!" Mother hissed, rising to her feet. "Get away from my daughter this instant, you son of a bitch."

He chuckled, "I see Mr. Murdoch is improving the entire household's language."

"What the hell are you doing over here anyway?" Oscar actually shoved Henry back a step. "Shouldn't you be colluding with your dear friend the pimp?"

He simply held up his hands, smiling all the while. "I simply wanted to wish Anastasia good luck, I've been told that she's testifying today and I know we are all dying to hear what exactly happened to her." He looked past all of them, finding my eyes even through the veil. "Good luck, my dear. I'll be hanging on every word."

"Get away from her." Will pushed his way past Oscar, reaching out and fisting his hand around Mr. Reichster's tie. "Or I will do something rash."

"And enjoy your wedding from prison?" Henry chuckled as Will's grip relaxed, his tie slipping and and him sliding away into the crowd.

He was back by me quickly, lifting my veil to look me in the eye. "Don't let him affect you Ana, he won't get close to you. I promise." Will moved his hand around mine, pressing his lips to it. "I don't care what I have to do to stop him."

"And I promise to keep William here out of prison." Oscar knelt down beside him, taking my other hand. "I wouldn't want him to miss his wedding." I let out a bitter chuckle at that, and the two of them helped me to my feet. Mother took Oscar's other arm, and the four of us moved into the courtroom. It hurt to let go of Will's hand, but he reached over the bar to gently squeeze my shoulder once I had settled into my chair.

After the judge had arrived, Rhett stood and adjusted his lapels before speaking. "Your Honor, this case brings up an unusual witness. Our witness is an employee of Mr. Perry's, and put their safety at risk to approach our offices and testify, on the condition of anonymity of course." He pulled out a sheaf of papers, fanning them out. "This testimony has been provided to the defense, of course, but I would like to read out some relevant passages to the jury.

"I have been in Mr. Perry's employment for three years now, coming to him after my brother, who was my sole support, was arrested for theft. In my employment I have been reduced to the harshest tasks, the kind that every woman dreads to think that she might be forced to, but I do it to stay alive. Mr. Perry's establishment that I work at is patronized by some of the highest of society, and thus has avoided notice by the authorities. On the day that Miss Dalian was attacked, I was given the task to prepare the finest room for a guest that would be arriving later that day.

"I was unaware of who this guest would be, but I put myself to the task of cleaning and preparing for him. While I was working, Mr. Perry came in with a dress that he laid across the bed. It was of red silk, and he placed a gold necklace beside it. Apparently it was the favorite color of our guest, and I asked Mr. Perry who the dress was intended for. I thought it might have been one of the girls that had been around for longer, but he told me it was for a girl that would arrive later that day. A new girl, one who wouldn't be joining us, but who would please our guest immensely.

"As the day wore on, Mr. Perry became more and more agitated. He never stated his worry, but as it became later he grabbed one of the girls who charged a higher rate and told her to prepare herself. To me, he said to remove the dress and the necklace back to his office. I did so, and while I was in there the guest arrived and was closeted up in the room. It was not until I read the articles about Mr. Perry being arrested that I realized the dress and necklace had been intended for Miss Dalian. I thought it only my duty to provide what support I could to her case, no woman deserves what would have happened to her. Mr. Perry wasn't around to care if I took the dress and necklace, so I did. I can only hope that it will help her case."

The courtroom was dead silent as he read, everyone stilling so that it came as a shock when Rhys stood up. "Your Honor, you cannot think that this statement is of any worth. They refuse to identify themselves, how can we believe them if they won't even put their name to it?"

"This witness is remaining anonymous for her safety." Rhett whirled on him, "She has been sequestered to keep her safe from the thugs that your client has no doubt tried sending after her!"

Rhys ignored him. "And even if this statement is accurate, we would be trusting the word of a whore and a thief! Stealing from my client, and the prosecution accepting those pieces of evidence clearly is a violation of trust."

"The items were turned over to the police, as you well know." Dalton stood, coming around the table. "As the police also brought them to you for your offices to examine." He looked up, "Your Honor, may I present the items?"

Judge Withers looked as if he was contemplating a long drink after the day ended. "Yes, yes. Go ahead."

Dalton spoke briefly to an officer, who left and returned quickly with a dress box. Dalton opened it, removing another box from inside it. He held the necklace up, and my heart plummeted at seeing the shining gold peacock with the glittering red stones. "This is the necklace that was intended for Miss Dalian to wear while she was debauched. Brass, with paste stones, but clearly an imitation of a well known piece." He set the necklace down outside of the box, pulling the dress out. It was a crimson silk, low cut and covered with beads that caught the light. "The dress, which she was to be offered up in."

The jury was leaning forward to see the items more clearly when Rhys let out a laugh. "A dress and a necklace? Your witness could have pulled those from any whore's room. How are we to know that it was intended for your client?"

"I can assure Your Honor, it was."

"But how can we tell?" Rhys approached the table, holding the dress out before him. "Miss Dalian should don the dress and present herself to the court in it, if it was intended for her it should fit." I tried not to glance over my shoulder at Mr. Reichster, instead focusing on the muttered curses I could hear from Will.

Rhett snorted. "Your Honor, the defense is clearly trying to cause my client undue suffering by forcing this on her. The testimony from our witness should suffice without Miss Dalian having to lower herself to what the defense is clearly trying to gain."

"Then what about the necklace?" Rhys lifted it up, letting the light flash across it. "Clearly it holds some significance to the man Miss Dalian was supposedly being kidnapped for. May I question her for a moment, Your Honor?"

Withers glanced to me, "A moment, and briefly. I do not want you asking her indelicate questions."

"Of course, Your Honor." Rhys approached the table, smiling. "Although it is so hard to see you under your veil, would you care to lift it?" I shook my head, and he sighed. "Well, I'm not sure if you'll be able to see this then, but do you recognize this necklace?"

I found myself entranced by the swaying finery. "Yes, I do. It appears to be a copy of a necklace I received from an unwanted suitor. I had it returned as soon as I saw it."

"Could you tell us who the suitor was?" Rhys dangled it closer to me. "For the edification of our jury."

Rhett came in so fast that Rhys stumbled back away from the table. "Objection! Your honor, the identity of this suitor has no impact on the current case unless it was Evan Perry and the defense is simply trying to cause my client distress by identifying an unrelated third party to the case."

Will had reached out to grasp my shoulder, leading Rhys to snidely remark. "Clearly your fiancé feels that suitor is present today. Please, Miss Dalian, educate the court on why exactly this man wanted you?"

"Your honor, the defense is clearly trying to blacken the victim's character."

"Did you already take him into your bed Miss Dalian? Was this simply a lover's quarrel gone awry?"

"It was attempted rape is what it was!" Will surged to his feet, almost leaning over the bar to get to Rhys. "You damn well know it!"

The sound of the gavel cut through the air. "Mr. Murdoch, you will sit down or I will hold you in contempt! Now, the defense will remove themselves from this line of questioning. Miss Dalian will be testifying later, there is no need to badger her at the moment." I turned, watching Will stiffly sit back down in his chair. As I turned back, I saw Mr. Reichster. He was sitting calmly, grinning as if he was watching an amusing play. He must have noticed me, for he inclined his head as if he were bowing to me from across a ballroom.

"Your Honor, this was clearly an attack by the defense for no reason beyond trying to sully my client's reputation." Dalton stepped forward. "I move for a recess for the day, Miss Dalian has clearly been affected and cannot be trusted to give an accurate account of her trials after this."

"Denied." Judge Wither barely glanced up from his papers. "She has been through far worse, as we all know. Miss Dalian will take the stand later today."

Dalton barely flinched. "Then at least bar the defense from questioning her on certain subjects. Her personal relationships, to start with."

"And why should I do that?"

"They clearly feel that they have no chance of proving that Mr. Perry did not conspire to kidnap Miss Dalian, so they have decided to smear her as much as they can. The evidence points to their client's guilt, they haven't disproved any of it."

Rhys stepped forward, his hands spread. "Your Honor, we have barely begun to argue our case."

Judge Withers looked down at the two of them. "The court will recess for one hour, and the defense will meet with me in my chambers to discuss how exactly the questioning of Miss Dalian should proceed." At the smack of his gavel, the gallery quickly became abuzz with conversation. Rhys and the rest of his cronies proceeded into the judge's chambers behind the bench, while Rhett and Dalton began to quietly confer amongst themselves.

I turned around to Will. "I didn't think they ask that."

"They clearly have no shame." Mother cut in, reaching over to put a hand on Will's arm. "Thank you for speaking up for her though, William."

Will looked to me. "I just wish I could do more." He gently gripped my forearms. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Will." I sighed, "I just want it to be done." A sudden increase in the conversation behind us caused me to look up, seeing Ezekiel leading a contingent into the gallery. I recognized some of the men, the porters that had been around the house. And leading the charge, his tongue lolling out, was Rigel. Upon seeing me he gave a loud bark, dragging Ezekiel behind him. I laughed as I knelt down, petting him through the bar. "Ezekiel, what in the world brought this about?"

"You needed some support." He smiled, leaning down to ruffle Rigel's ears. "I figured I would bring it."

"Speaking of support," Rhett had strode over behind me. "Mr. Murdoch, I recognize you want to defend Miss Dalian but your methods need to be refined." He gestured to the corner of the room. "If you would?" With one last glance to me, Will strode over with them. I found myself laughing a bit as I shook my head, not only at Will getting a lecture but at Ezekiel having to turn around to begin giving the porters some instruction on where to sit and what to do during the trial. Oscar had taken the leash, letting it danlge loosely in his hand.

I had just made my excuses to visit the bathroom when I heard a set of footsteps behind me. My feet seemed to freeze to the ground, a hand on my shoulder forcing me to turn around. Henry Reichster left his hand there as he spoke. "You know, Perry told me he had a surprise for me that night. I was quite pleased with what he had for me, she was fresh faced and talented, but knowing what I almost had, ah, such a disappointment. She pales beside you, and to think that Perry almost had you for me. God, you would have been ravishing in that." He ran his hand down my arm, ignoring how rigid I was. "What I wouldn't give to see under that veil right now, I can only imagine the purpose of it. Hiding your beauty? You know you should never be hidden, my dear." At that point he reached over to brush a curl of hair back over my shoulder even as I flinched away from his touch. "If Perry had presented you to me in that, God I would not have left the room." His fingers moved to the edge of my veil. "Let me have a peek at you, darling."

What happened next was a complete round of chaos. I was stumbling away from him when I heard Will give a shout, rushing over and hardly caring that Rhett and Dalton were calling for him to behave. But the one who reached me first was Rigel, wedging himself between Henry and I. His hackles were raised, a deep growl rumbling from his chest. Henry barely paid him any attention. "I'd control your mutt, my dear. I'd hate for him to have to be destroyed."

Oscar came up beside me with a laugh. "Mutt, that dog's got better bloodlines than you."

"I told you to stay away or I'd kill you." Will was on my other side, reaching out to tug me to him.

"You said that when you had a sword to my throat, I don't see a sword now." Henry smiled, his voice confident. I tried not to look around us, knowing that the room had practically frozen as the reporters tried to file every detail away for their article.

Will didn't pay them any mind. "I'm quite sure of my own hands.

Mr. Reichster reached past him, almost patting my cheek as I lunged backward. "Oh yes, I'm sure all these reporters would love to be the first one to write about how you were hauled away for beating a defenseless man."

"At this point, I don't care." Will shoved me behind him. "All I care about is seeing you join your whoremonger friend in prison after all this."

"So anxious to return to court?" Mr. Reichster took a step towards him, grinning as he saw Will herd me back. "I would think you'd never want to see another courtroom again after all you've done."

"I'd be glad to see you in one." Oscar growled, Rigel's leash now held firmly in his hand. "And I think her lawyers would be glad to hear about this conversation."

"Two friends simply catching up?"

Oscar laughed. "Oh, that is rich. As it is, I don't think I've seen a more clear cut case of witness intimidation."

"Nor have I." Rhett had sidled up behind all of us. "Mr. Reichster, I'd thank you to leave my client be."

"Of course, I want her to be completely prepared for her questioning." Mr. Reichster actually bowed, turning on his heel and heading back to the other side of the room.

I jumped as Dalton seemed to appear beside me as if from nowhere. "We're going to have to deal with that."

"Indeed, have a clerk run down for the file on the trespassing case. I'm quite sure Judge Withers will be interested in that."