Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Sailing

AN: And with this chapter, we are over 200,000 words. Or roughly 2/3 of Anna Karenina. And I've made it to July of 1912, when this will eventually go through the end of WW1. Oh boy.

Newport was a delightful retreat from the city, but the gossip never ceased. I swear that a dozen papers must have filled a train car and sent it up during the night, for every morning we had our choice of papers to read with breakfast. They were all complimentary of Mrs. Astor's party, and Will's presence. What drew my eye though was one of the trashier rags, which I was only reading because I was desperate to have something to tell Liz. I couldn't help but gasp as I read the society page of the rag, feeling it almost drop from my fingers. Will glanced up from his plate, "What is it?"

"Listen; Henry and Samantha Reichster are proud to welcome their son Zachary back from his sojurn in Berlin. He returns with his fiancée, Duchess Sophia Metternich who was delayed from accompanying her fiancé to Mrs. Astor's party in Newport by inclement weather. One can only hope that this leads to a more refined and noble element of the upper class, that has grown distinctly maritime of late."

"Zachary Reichster is marrying a duchess." He shook his head, "She must know nothing about him."

"I think they're actually related." I folded the paper back up, returning to my food. "Some degree of cousin, I think. But that maritime line? Will, that's directed at you and me."

Mother sniffed over her grapefruit. "That must be what he was speaking of the other night." She had been awake when we had returned, and had immediately demanded a report from us. I could tell her mourning was weighing on her, it would be October until she could at least show herself at parties, and April of next year before she could introduce some color into her wardrobe. She had at least left it off mostly when it was at home, although she stuck to dark, plain clothes. I watched her delicately scoop around the seeds, "Really, a duchess. And German at that. I guess he had little luck among the American ladies here."

"Or he's trying to gather some clout." I muttered, crunching into a pice of bacon. "After the charity ball I can only imagine he wasn't received by very many." Breakfast was being held late today, for truth be told, there was little to do. The business was being handled by Mr. Keller, we weren't open for callers today, and we had simply decided to do what we wanted. Which meant that after breakfast I immediately raced upstairs and changed into my swimming costume, it really was a lovely little thing with its navy color and sailor collar. I pulled on a pair of black stockings to keep myself decent, although when I came down to head out I freely let my eyes rove over Will. His suit covered his chest and the top of his thighs, but left his calves deliciously bare. They were pale, and had a slight covering of brown hair. I had never focused on them when we were alone, more concerned with his face, his chest, and well, other things. I raised my eyes as he offered his arm, "And here I thought sailors didn't know how to swim."

"I think your advice is a few hundred years out of date." Will chuckled, both of us stepping out onto the back porch.

Mother, not in a swimming costume, sat in a chair, sewing on her quilt. She looked up at the two of us, "Ana, I expect you to stay in the shade. The last thing we need is a sunburn."

"Mother, the ocean has no shade." I couldn't help the snide reply, "It's not like I can wear a hat out there."

"You can't swim forever," She shot back, a small smile on her face. "You will be under the umbrella when you come in."

Will gave a short cough, "Actually, I was going to begin her lessons on the yacht after our swim."

"Wonderful, I'll have one of the maids leave a hat for you." Mother smirked, shooing us away. "Go on now, and I'll be watching." She cast a look out over the brief yard before the sand of the beach began, the view taking in the whole of the cove. She would be able to see everything from here, with hardly any strain.