Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

An Agreement

All in all, the flowers helped balance out the table quite nicely.

Oscar even commented on it when the Vanderbilts arrived for the party, kissing my cheek. "Oh, those are lovely. Quite an elegant arrangement."

I smirked, "You would not believe what I had to do to get things settled for this."

"Oh, now that I would quite like to hear." He teased, rolling his eyes back at his sister. "It's bound to be better than nothing but wedding plans."

"They haven't settled everything?"

"They're onto the music now, fortunately Mother already booked the orchestra." He handed me down into a chair, my blush rose colored skirt swirling over my legs and the gold beads catching the light.

I rolled my eyes as Liz immediately made her way over to the Victrola, Moira following her. "I have a feeling we're going to get a discussion on it here."

"Start talking so they won't play anything." Oscar begged, collapsing into a chair next to me and groaning as Liz lifted a record. "Please, for the love of God, no more Strauss."

"But the Blue Danube is perfect!" Liz glared at her brother over her shoulder, "James, dance with me, we need to see if this works."

James, who had been speaking quietly to Mother, sighed and stood. "We danced five times already today."

"Please?" Liz simpered, and James smiled as he took her into his arms. Moira quickly had the Victrola cranked up, and the two began to waltz around the room.

Oscar rolled his eyes, "I think she does this to annoy me."

"She probably does." I shrugged, "Any word from Featherstone?"

"You hate the papers, but press me for any bit of gossip." Oscar smirked, "A number of ships set out for the Falklands, they should be arriving soon. Will's isn't among them, so no worry on that front."

"Good." I let out a breath I hadn't been aware of holding. "I'd rather he be bored on his patrols than in danger."

"Oh, he is quite bored." James said quickly as he twirled by. "He says he's always glad for your letters, they help him get through it."

"Then I shall have to make sure to include some surprises in the next batch." I smiled, knowing that everyone else was simply thinking I would write more letters. But knowing that Will needed something more than letters, and that he'd even spoken of it to James, now I would have to assure Mother that I was fine and could live on my own, and then I would have to find a photographer who would not mind making a house visit.

And was discreet.

But that was for another time, for Mr. Rigby gave a deep bow as Sophie stepped past him, coming to bend over and embrace me briefly. "Happy birthday, Anastasia."

"Thank you, Sophie," I returned her squeeze. "No Adam?"

"The poor dear was exhausted after today." She shook her head, smiling. "Rebecca is keeping an eye on him, but I didn't want to miss this."

"Well, I hope you weren't expecting a huge party." I glanced around, "We're just waiting on some family friends, but that's about it for the guests."

"Shockingly," She smirked, "I think I might be alright with that." We spent a few minutes talking about James's dance steps, he had improved considerably since the first time I had seen those two dancing, before Mr. Rigby came to announce the last of our guests.

Morgan completely ignored him, brushing past to come kiss the top of my head. "You look pale."

"Shouldn't I be?" I cocked an eyebrow at her, "Isn't that fashionable?"