Chapter Text
In his shirtsleeves and trousers, Will considered the options that Reggie had left hanging from his wardrobe doors. To him, the fact that he had not one wardrobe but three of the damn things, in addition to the various chests of drawers and hatstands around the room, was utter foolishness. He would have been content with a single wardrobe and chest, like his house in Southampton, but New York required more of him. At least he could feel relatively normal back in England, but England lacked Ana and he would be loathe to leave her behind. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My wedding coat, Reggie. It's the only one that will do for this."
"Yes, Mr. Murdoch." Reggie plucked it from its place, draping it over his arm. "I'll have it brushed in just a moment, sir."
"And my sword belt," Will stalked over to where his sword was resting on a dresser. "At least the sword is already polished."
"As is the belt, sir." Reggie had reappeared over his shoulder, holding the coat out for him to slip his arms in. "I had a feeling that you would be wanting it." Despite his grousing over having a valet, Will had grown to appreciate Reggie. The man knew his stuff, even if Will still felt odd while he stood and Reggie ran the brush over his shoulders and chest to remove any last traces of hair.
He held up his hand, "Thank you Reggie, I can handle the belt on my own. Give yourself a break."
"I'll have the rest of the day to have a break, sir." Reggie turned, coming back with the black leather belt and passing it around Will's waist. "What with you having to attend the reception."
Will wrinkled his nose at that, clipping his sword to the belt and pulling it partway out of the sheath to check that he could draw it smoothly if needed. "Yes, well, I am going to go check in on Ana, so take yourself down and get some lunch." He could see his face reflected back at him in the steel, the man that had used it to stab someone, but he couldn't see that man in him now. Will knew that urge still existed in him, to drive this sword through Henry Reichster's throat, but he could swallow it down.
For now.
"Yes, Mr. Murdoch." Reggie had a smile on his face, but he slipped out the door to the hallway while Will took the one to the bedroom. The sheets had been freshly changed and the blankets drawn back up, cleanly hiding the fact that he and Ana had almost torn them off the bed last night. He paused for a moment, smiling at the memory. God, he loved the fact that his wife couldn't seem to get enough of him. After he had come back it had almost seemed a second honeymoon, for they had only emerged from their rooms after three days and that only because Ruth had come calling. The knowing smirk she wore had galled Will for a moment, until he had caught her eye and she had given him a nod. He had almost flushed, until she had looked to her daughter and remarked that she was doing well as a wife.
He slowly turned the knob to Ana's dressing room, peeking through the crack of the door. She was stood before a mirror, considering the dress she wore. It was silk, dark blue with silver beads, but of a rather conservative cut. Even a conservative cut left quite a bit of her chest bare though, and Will couldn't help but purse his lips at the thought of the Reichster men ogling her. It seemed that she hadn't noticed him spying, for she called to her maid. "Louise, could you bring my sapphires?"
"The new ones, ma'am?" Louise, somewhere where Will couldn't see her, asked.
"Yes, I think they suit this shade better." Ana turned before the mirror, examining her reflection closely. "Don't you?"
"They are darker stones than the ones your mother bought, so they do." Louise entered his field of view, a black leather box in her hands.
Will stepped in, an eyebrow raised. "New sapphires, my dear? And here I thought you didn't spend your money foolishly."
"You know I don't," Ana turned to him, a smile on her face. "We desperately needed that new bathtub." Will couldn't help but grin that that, it was almost finished being installed and Will was far too excited to christen that elaborate marble tub. He'd first joked when he'd seen it that they could have swam in it, but Ana had replied that she had something different in mind.
"We did." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, breathing in the orange water of her perfume. "But you already have sapphires."
"And now I have two sets." She turned to the box, taking it from Louise and holding it out to him. "They're gorgeous, take a look." Will flipped the gold latch, lifting the lid and peering down at the black velvet inside. The set that her mother had bought her were lovely, but they were nothing compared to these. Sapphires swirled in curves and curls, outlined in diamonds that glittered in the light of the room. Even the fine gold of their setting gleamed in the light, and Will drew out the tiara to consider it.
"Ana, wherever did you get these?" He turned to his wife, placing the tiara atop her pinned hair. It only seemed to enhance everything he loved about her, from the gold of her hair to the light in her eyes. "They must have cost an absolute fortune."
"Oh, I don't know how much they cost." She plucked the earrings from the case, faceted sapphires fringed with diamonds, and turned to one of the many mirrors in the room to put them in her ears. "They were a gift."
"I think I would remember these." Will followed her, still holding the box as she clasped the matching bracelets around her wrists. "Unless you've already cuckolded me and these are from a lover."
She snorted, and Will didn't think he'd ever heard such a delightful sound. "My love, you would suspect me so soon?"
"If they aren't from a lover, then where are they from?" Will looked to the box, noticing the glittering gold label that he had overlooked. "Is that Russian?"
"Yes, when I took it to a Tiffany's they were quite certain that not only the box, but all of the jewelry is from Fabrege." She turned her back to him, "Care to help with the necklace?"
The gold chain was delicate between his fingers, but the weight of all the stones made him fear for his wife's spine for a moment. "Fabrege, I assume they're exclusive?"
"They usually serve the nobles in Saint Petersburg." Ana watched as the diamonds and sapphires spread across her chest. "Apparently while we were on our honeymoon, a servant came to the house. He didn't speak much English, but Peggy said he pressed the box into her hands, said it was a wedding gift for me, and then left." Her fingers dipped underneath the black velvet cushion of the box, pulling out a piece of paper. "There's a letter that came with it, although I can't read it."
Will glanced at it. "I'm assuming it's in Russian."
"And finding someone to translate it has not been easy." Ana sighed as he finally clasped the necklace around her throat. "Although I haven't exactly been trying very hard."
"Do you think it's from your supposed family?" Will let his hands rest on her shoulders, considering the both of them in the mirror. God, he wished he had a photographer to capture the way she was smiling, the finery around her neck and in her hair. "Or maybe someone heard your story and thought to play a joke on you?"
She sighed, "Perhaps, or perhaps someone had simply ordered it for me and it had to come direct from Russia. I hardly care which, but aren't they just beautiful, Will?"
"You are." He bent down, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Would you mind if I asked you to wear something?"
"Usually you're asking me to wear less." She giggled, but turned around in his arms. "What did you have in mind?"
"Your plaid," He traced his hands down her arms. "I know it doesn't go with what you're wearing, but it would do me good to see you in it." It would do better than making him feel good, it would mark her as his. His wife, his woman who cried out his name when he moved in her, the woman he loved and would die for. It would say that she was part of his family, that she could not be claimed by anyone but him and that solely because she had given herself to him freely. She was his love, and Henry and Zachary Reichster could choke on the plaid for all he cared.
Not to mention the fact that it would cover up her chest a bit. He enjoyed looking at it, especially the way those diamonds were drawing his eye down to it, but he wasn't exactly ready for other men to look at her.
She hummed, "I'm not sure Will, unless you're going to wear your kilt?"
"Ana," He felt flabbergasted for a minute, until seeing her smirk. "I don't think a kilt is quite appropriate for this kind of thing."
"Then I hardly see why I should wear mine." She turned, adjusting her gloves.
Will slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. "Please, for me?" He pressed his lips to her ear, "My plaidie to the angry airt, I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee."
"Will," Ana sighed, leaning back against him. "I suppose I could wear it into the reception, and then leave it in a closet until we leave."
"Or in the carriage."
"If you like," Ana turned around, catching his tie and gently tugging him down to her. "Although I would require you to wear your plaid back here for me."
"I think that can be arranged."
The carriage ride to the Protestant church the Reichsters attended seemed to last forever. I was thankful for the ostrich feather fan I had brought, using it to stir up a bit of a breeze for Will and I. The last thing we needed was to show up with sweat stains on our clothing.
Coming into the vestibule, I immediately cast my eyes about the pews. Various notables, both European and American, filled several of them, although I immediately spotted a familiar golden dress next to a navy uniform. Grasping Will's hand, I drug him along, sliding in next to Liz and James. I quickly gave her a hug, "Thank God I saw you, I don't know how else I'd get through this."
"Oh, I feel the same." She whispered back, and I noticed that instead of the jewels I had expected, she wore a simple golden locket. To compensate for that, her tiara and hair pins were dripping with garnets. She caught me looking and touched it, a small smile breaking out. "It was a gift from James, I just had to wear it"
James, sitting on her other side, blushed. "It was nothing."
"No it was not!" Liz turned and gave him a light swat, "Look, isn't it darling?" She opened the locket, showing me the two pictures cradled inside. One was of James, just his face and his peaked hat beneath the glass, the other was of Liz, as gorgeous as she was now. She reached back and gave him a squeeze, "He had already put the pictures in it when he gave it to me."
I looked past her to James, "It's lovely, you have excellent taste, James."
"Thank you, Mrs. Murdoch." He glanced down, straightening his frock coat.
I saw the Dalian emblem on his buttons, "James, today you can just call me Anastasia. It's quite alright."
"If you're sure, ma'am."
"I am, in fact, I order you to address me informally." I rolled my eyes, looking to Oscar just beyond him. "I hope you're prepared for this."
He rolled his eyes up, giving a dramatic sigh. "I'd be better if I had a glass of whiskey."
We all looked over to the aisle, past the festoons of red roses and white lilies as the organ struck up. Slowly the wedding party began to appear. Will watched as Henry came down the aisle, escorting Samantha, covered in emeralds, and followed by Zachary in a tailcoat. He grumbled under his breath, "I don't know how those two didn't get struck by lightning when they came in the door." That led to a muffled round of chortling from us all. Bridesmaids on the arms of groomsmen made their way past, their gold dresses with silver sashes flashing in the light.
"And look, here comes the German delegation." Oscar stage whispered, drawing our attention to the back of the aisle. Otto and Frederich, both in their best dress uniforms, had started down the aisle. Their pants were perfectly creased, their medals shined, and Otto's mustache had a fresh coat of wax. Coming behind them was a diminutive woman, her auburn hair curled around her head, but she carried herself with a sense of pride. I watched her, this must be the much vaunted Marta. But the next pair drew a rush of whispers from the assembled, including craning heads to catch a glimpse of them. I was patient, and waited, being rewarded with a prime view.
He wore a full beard and mustache in the tradition of the King and the Tsar, his naval uniform was covered in medals and gold embroidery. A straight sword, much like Will's, hung from a belt over a gold silk sash. On his arm was a tall dark haired woman, in the latest style of silver silk and glittering with diamonds. Oscar whispered to both Will and I, "His Imperial Highness Prince Henry of Germany and his wife, the Princess Irene. They're apparently the social catch of the season, although if you ask me they have nothing on Will's parents."
Will snorted at that, but there was a sudden flourish of the music and the assembled throngs rose. The bride was coming, and everyone wanted a look. I peered around Will's shoulder, catching a glimpse. Sophie was veiled in silver lace, draping over her head from a garland of white roses. A massive necklace of diamond garlands hung from her throat, and more diamonds swirled down the bodice of her pure white satin dress. The skirt was much tighter than mine, her train not as long, but that was not the focus. The focus was the diamonds surrounding Sophie, not only the necklace but a pair of earrings that were so loaded with brilliants that I felt a brief stab of pity for there was no way they wouldn't hurt to wear. Her bouquet echoes the roses and lilies of the pews, and even in the flower stuck to the lapel of her escort. Of all things, he was plain. A ruddy complexion, a smile so wide it threatened to split his face, and a mop of brown hair and blue eyes underneath. His Highness Duke Johann Metternich was no handsome face, but one could hardly tell with how happy he looked. Johann had Sophie's hand tucked around his arm, and I could see him whisper to her.
"Apparently those are the family jewels," Oscar had leaned behind Liz and James to whisper to me. "The necklace from Marie Antoinette's jewels and the earrings were a gift to Catherine the Great."
"Oh I doubt that." I muttered back, craning my head to get a better view of the necklace, but it was gone in a swirl of silver lace.
"So do I, I remember seeing something similar in a Cartier window in Berlin a few years ago." Oscar clearly expected his jab to elicit some laughter, but was disappointed when Liz spoke up.
"The setting is definitely rococo, and while I can't say that it was from Antoinette, it definitely has some history to it." Liz spoke softly, and I found myself ducking my head. While some might say Liz's obsession with fashion and jewelry was frivolous, she actually did study it quite intently. It made her costumes very hard to outdo when someone had a historical theme in mind for a party.
"It's starting." James blinked up at the altar, all of us taking out seats as the reverend began to speak. Unlike my wedding, it appeared we were going to get a sermon with the ceremony, and I heard the slight grumble of the audience who had clearly expected something different.
I looked over to Liz. "What are the odds he references first Corinthians?"
"I'm not foolish enough to bet against that." She muttered back, wrapping her hand around James's arm. "It's not like them to have an original thought." Oscar snorted at that, and we all tried to find some bit of comfort on the hard pews as the sermon carried on. I found myself tracing my fingers over my rings while listening as the reverend expounded on how much of a responsibility they were undertaking, how Sophie must be protected from the cruelties of the world and Zachary must be her sword and shield, how they had a duty to be fruitful and multiply, and that they should be faithful and true to each other.
The applause when they kissed was rather muted from our pew, all of us rather thankful that it was finished and we could at least have a moment or two away from them before we had to attend the reception. Will and I left first, James and Liz behind us, but Oscar came to my side as we all exited, giving a low whistle. "Well, that was an abomination."
"I believe that's putting it lightly." Will chuckled, peering out among the throng of people around the church for our carriage. "It's going to be awhile before we can get away."
"As long as I don't have to talk to them, it's fine." I sighed, looking out over the crowd throwing rice over the happy couple. I glanced over to the Vanderbilt party, "I don't suppose you can see your preferred method of conveyance?"
Oscar stood up a little straighter. "Actually, I can see our car. I suppose we'll meet you at the reception." Liz and James gave a nod at that, moving off into the crowd.
He was moving to join them when I called out, coming up to him. "Why don't you ride with us?" I caught Oscar's arm, "Let them have a little time alone." Given the way that Liz was shyly smiling at James, and the way he was holding her a little closer as they worked their way towards their car, they deserved a little time together.
"But what if he tries to force himself on her?" Oscar immediately jumped to the worst circumstance, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. James found it rather intimidating to even breathe wrong in Liz's presence, the last thing he would do would be trying to push her beyond what she wanted.
Will snorted at that. "You know, your sister is more than likely to be the one to attempt something." I found myself laughing far too loudly than was appropriate, drawing looks from those around us. Will was right though, Liz was the one to push James into what she wanted, although I doubted he would go very far. He was still too terrified of her family to go much farther than kissing.
I gave Oscar's arm a squeeze, "It's hardly enough time for her to ravish him, now come on." I could see our carriage, we had to skirt down the very side of the steps to make it through the crowd and into the relative safety of the carriage. Oscar sat across from Will and I, glancing out the window as his car sped past. Once the horses had started, I gave Will a slight swat to his shoulder. "Can't you see he's terrified?"
"Can't you see those two are sickeningly besotted?" Will chuckled, catching my hand and pressing a kiss to my wrist. "They deserve a little unsupervised time together."
Oscar moaned as if Will had just struck him in the stomach, "Oh God, I am going to wring his neck."
"You're going to do nothing of the sort." I shook my head, reaching out for his hand. "I can check her dress for you when we get there if you like. Make sure everything is still in place."
"I may have to ask that of you." Oscar's head was in his hands, although he perked up when I placed a hand on his shoulder. "What, Anastasia?"
"Do you trust Liz?"
"Yes."
"And I trust James, so we just have to trust the both of them together." I gave him a squeeze, "And, I could use your help with something."
He looked up, "What?"
"This cloak," I reached across to the bench beside him, shaking out my plaid. "Will is insisting that I wear it to the reception but it's a devil of a thing to get in. So, Oscar, could you help me get this pinned in place?"
He considered the greens and reds of the plaid. "It doesn't go with your gown at all."
"No, it doesn't." Will replied, watching as he starting running it between his hands. "But it's my family's, and I'd like to remind them all that Ana is part of my family." Will reached into his pocket, pulling out the silver brooch. "We'll need this to secure everything."
"We can't do it in here." Oscar grumbled, "She's going to have to be standing to make sure it lays right."
"Unless you'd like me to kneel?" I cast a glance to Will, noticing the way his fingers tightened on the brooch as his face flushed.
He fumbled the brooch back into his pocket. "I think we can get it done outside."
"It seems like a lot of effort to go through when I'll just put it back in here." I leaned against him, pulling his hand over to my lap and clasping it. "And I would wear it the whole night, if I was in a different dress."
"The one you have on is quite lovely." Oscar, his old smile back in place, said. "I especially enjoy those jewels you have on, wherever did you get them?"
"They were a gift," I placed my hand on the necklace. "I'm just not sure who they were from."
"I could always ask around." He offered, "You know I have plenty of friends."
Will sighed, "Perhaps we should just let it stay a mystery, there are precious few of those around these days."
"Like the mystery of what exactly those two got up to." I couldn't help but tease Oscar as we pulled up outside the Reichster's palace, seeing Liz and James clearly waiting for us. Oscar instantly had his face pressed to the glass, looking for anything he could see. I considered them much more calmly. Aside from Liz's lips being slightly swollen, and James's rather red, as if some lip rouge had gotten on them, nothing looked much different. I looked to Oscar, "You have to help me with the plaid Oscar, they'll come to us."
Will handed me out, Oscar following with the plaid in his hands. He fumbled with the pleats as he draped it over my shoulder. "This is an absolutely absurd garment."
"Oh you can't say that, you haven't even seen Will's kilt." I laughed, seeing Will step forward with the brooch to secure it at my shoulder. Properly armored, I took both of their arms. "Now, shall we head into this monster's den together?"