Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Purple Hyacinths

The Vanderbilt's house was lit fully for the night, and already a crowd of guests were already buzzing about the doors to the house. I gave Will a smile as he handed me out, the handle of the claymore rising up over his shoulder. He'd had to pull the sword belt on after getting out of the carriage, complaining all the while. "It's so heavy Ana, I'm going to hurt myself carrying this."

"Oh relax dear," I wrapped my hand around his arm. "It's only for a little while." We gradually pushed our way through, earning quite a few glances our way and not just for our rudeness. I heard several ladies commenting on how handsome Will looked and I was well aware of the men greedily watching me make my way through. Finally we reached the front doors, and I was laughing as we made our way in after the butler recognized us. "Did you see the way they were staring at me?"

"Of course I did," Will smiled, "I made a whole show of grabbing the sword when they look a little too long."

I snorted, "You know, it used to be you'd threaten to stab anyone who looked at me too long."

"I only stabbed one, and you didn't seem to mind it." He chuckled, pulling me a little closer to him. I gladly complied, and we quickly found the ballroom. It was still free of guests, the ball hadn't officially been opened yet, although I quickly noticed the Vanderbilts. Will raised an eyebrow at Oscar, "And who exactly are you supposed to be?"

Oscar, in a brilliant navy blue and gold uniform, spread his arms wide. "My illustrious ancestor, Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt." He looked Will up and down, "And you're the Bonny Prince?"

Will snorted, "Hardly, just a humble Scotsman."

"Oh, Moira don't you look lovely." I smiled at Mrs. Vanderbilt, in her flamenco dancer's costume with its trailing mantilla over her hair. "And Richard, so handsome."

Mr. Vanderbilt, in a bullfighter's jacket and hat, grunted. "I am here under protest, Mrs. Murdoch."

Moira lightly batted his shoulder. "Oh hush, dear. We all know you won't last the night." She looked past us, "Liz! Don't you two look lovely." I turned, seeing Liz and James coming towards us. She was wearing a dress that revealed much of her pale skin, her hair caught up and dressed with trailing flowers. The flowers continued down her dress, a white Grecian style dress that was caught up around her waist with a cord that was wrapped with more flowers.

James stood by her, his costume much more understated than many that we would see. He simply wore all black, from his shirt to his tie, and carried the battered Greek helmet I had found in his hands. He looked a bit pale, but his voice was strong. "Mr. Murdoch, Mrs. Murdoch you both look well."

"Thank you James," Will nodded to him, "Although I must admit I'm rather jealous that I couldn't get away with that."

Liz wound her arm around James's. "I didn't want to scare him off, Anastasia already has a ring on your finger so you had to comply."

"Liz!" I brought a hand up to cover my smiling face. "You know I wouldn't have forced him."

"No, you just bribed him." Her smile was far too knowing, and I felt a flush break out. "What do you think Mother, are we ready?"

Moira looked out across her ballroom, the maids and footmen wearing their finest uniforms that almost seemed like costumes themselves. Swags of flowers hung from columns, a photographer was carrying the last of his equipment to a room that had been set aside for him where he could photograph guests as they desired. Their cook had already sent up small treats and the butler was decanting the last of the massive amount of wine that had been set aside. She smiled, "Oh yes, I think we are. Mr. Ballard?" The butler looked up immediately. "Hand that over to a footman and open the doors please."