Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Back in New York

"The breeder said a Pyrenees, usually used for guarding livestock." James blushed a bit, "I thought it might be helpful to have a large dog to protect you, since it has worked so well for the Murdochs."

She smiled down at the puppy, who yawned. "Then, as a protective female dog, I think Athena is an appropriate name." Liz leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. "You know she's going to leave hair everywhere."

"She's not the only one," James chuckled, leaning onto her shoulder. "I'm going to need your help with something."

"Oh?"

"The breeder had another puppy and, given how your brother has been, I had thought-"

"Oh, now that I am going to enjoy."

Oscar Vanderbilt was purely, utterly, furious. His father was too tied up in dealing with Alfred's family and making arrangements for them to flee the city and the press, his mother was making the rounds so that Alfred's widow could hide, and his sister was far too absorbed in her marriage to assist him. Which meant that he was currently trying to convince his family's butler to acquiesce to his plan all by his lonesome. He let out a long, exasperated sigh. "I need to go over there."

"Sir, you know your father has placed a moratorium on your finances after you attempted to purchase tickets a day after the news came in about the Lusitania." The butler, Mr. Ballard, flipped his newspaper. "You're not going to convince me to give you money, because that will get me fired and I happen to like my job."

"You're not listening to me," Oscar tried to explain, again. "Father won't even know the money is missing, I'll replace it from my own account before he notices."

"You know he's told the bank you're not allowed to withdraw from your accounts until he changes his mind."

"I can write a letter for them to release the funds to you, I just need you to get me into Father's office and give me the key to his safe."

Mr. Ballard sighed, "Mr. Vanderbilt, Oscar, everyone in the house knows what you intend to do. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in New York knew. The instant you appear at the American Line you're going to be hounded by press and chased back home."

"I'll go disguised!"

"Oscar," Mr. Ballard set his paper down. "Your father has arranged for you to be followed and forcibly returned home if you even get close to the ocean. Now, just be a good boy and stay home for right now. Once some time has passed, your father will likely allow you to go. You just need to wait."

Oscar threw his chair back, standing. "I can't wait! The longer I take to get there, the more she's going to suffer." He tore out of the butler's office, running his hands harshly through his hair. The relief he had felt at hearing Anastasia had been safe had been a wonderful, blissful moment, but it had not lasted long. Even while they had been giving Alfred's children and widow their sympathy, he'd been worrying about her.

Life in Britain was not easy at the moment, although her money could alleviate that some. But still, if Anastasia was there then she would be exposed to all the horrors of war. She could be bombed by zeppelins, the Germans could shell Southampton like they had Scarborough, even just a trip to the train station could force her to see men suffering from gas attacks being moved to hospitals.

He had to get her home, back to New York where she could be safe and recover from her ordeal in peace and safety.

Oscar didn't really need much to do it. All he needed was money for a ticket, he'd take an American ship over. It would be slower, but the Germans were backpedaling politically from the Lusitania and had promised that any American flagged ship would not be targeted, regardless of what they might carry. He could take a cab to her offices in Southampton, get the address of Will's house, and convince her to come home with him.