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The next day flew past in a blur. My father wished me happy birthday and we had a private breakfast where we talked about all the previous birthdays. He didn't linger long as he had much to accomplish before the evening. I went down with Marie and met more of the staff. We toured the servant's quarters where I ran into Elsa. Her office suited her perfectly and she surprised me with a book for my birthday. I did not linger long with her either as she seemed to be drowning in responsibility. All of the staff took a few moments to speak with me and wish me happy birthday, but I didn't dare keep any of them for more than a moment lest they see Elsa or Aunt Ethel become wrathful. Eventually, Marie too left me to go tend to her duties. I spent the afternoon exploring the grounds and watching as carriages and carts arrived bearing decorations and foods from the town.

The pavilion looked beautiful in the daylight and everyone moved about in a festive mood. I found myself looking for Langston among the workers, but his looming frame was nowhere to be found. It made sense, of course. He would be at the factory or elsewhere on father's business. I joined Aunt Ethel for lunch in the garden. She immediately began lecturing me on proper etiquette for receiving guests and drilling the names of all the families who would be in attendance. She started talking about possible suitors again, but I tuned her out. I couldn't think of the idea of a romantic engagement so quickly. I did manage to briefly move the conversation to the party itself. Aunt Ethel revealed that the larger carts belonged to traveling musicians who would be providing the entertainment. The food for the guests was being prepared mostly by shops in the town, but our own kitchen made the cake and the host table's entrees. Dinner would be served to light music, followed by dancing and socializing. Aunt Ethel did a poor job hiding her worries of the expense of it all, but when she mentioned that all the excess food and drink would be donated to the townspeople, I could see a glimmer of pride in her brother's choices.

As the hour approached, the grounds quieted down. Stewart started roaming the halls with a severe glare for anyone out of step. Marie informed me that Elsa did much the same in the servant's quarters. Marie told me more about herself as she helped me get dressed. She too had been more or less taken in by my father at a young age. Like many others, she was orphaned during the war. Father found her a foster home and eventually put her to work as a servant girl for one of his managers. When she applied for a staff position at Annandale, he hired her immediately. Marie could not praise my father enough, telling me all about how he would bring her small gifts or special treats when he visited. It all made me strangely jealous. She spent most of her life a poor, orphan girl while I lived in comfort with a stable family. I remembered all the times father went away on business and begrudged her that time with him. Nevertheless, I was glad for her company. Her story helped keep my mind off my anxiety and I was happy to hear that my father's charity had helped her avoid an unsavory life.

Finally, a footman arrived with a message from my father that I was to greet guests with him. Marie gave me an encouraging embrace and sent me down to the wolves.

The workers constructed an entryway as part of the pavilion. The maids decorated the small archway with flowers and reeds, making it quite beautiful. In this small alcove of nature between the open yard and the party, Aunt Ethel, Father, and I gathered to meet the arrivals. Though chairs had been provided, I saw immediately that sitting would only be a waste of time. The process quickly became repetitive and mind numbing. Stewart would announce a couple or family. The patriarch of said group would then greet my father and introduce each of his family in turn. For the most part, it would be Lord and Lady So-and-So of Wherever. They would compliment the house, Aunt Ethel's vivacity, and my dress. If it were a younger man, he would mention my beauty. The first time it happened, I thought it to be a genuine compliment, but I quickly realized that it was part of the ritual, whether the young men thought me beautiful or not. The Lockes arrived ten minutes past the hour. I was so relieved to finally see someone I knew, I gave Lady Grace a quick hug. Theodore repeated the stiff greeting of all the other young men, but did sneak in a quick wink at me when Aunt Ethel turned away. Lord Robert remained as brooding and formal as ever, attempting to engage my father in talk of business while in the greeting line. His wife ushered him on with the promise that they could talk more during the party. Luckily, Lady Carrow did not make an appearance. Robert made an excuse for her, attributing her absence to fatigue, but I suspected she would have fought tooth and nail had someone tried to drag her to an event mixing commoners with the higher class. The line continued and I greeted the next lord and lady.

After forty minutes of greeting guests, the extended hall roared with conversation and music. We made our way to the head table and took our seats. From my position, buffered from the rest of the guests by father on my right and Aunt Edith on my left, I could look out over the whole party. The splendor of it boggled my mind. I did not understand how my father could afford it or why he would go to such lengths for my birthday or to impress someone. The noble families sat closer to the head table while the businessmen and other influential society members occupied tables nearer the back. Though our table held nothing but silverware, the others all bore large dishes filled with delicious looking meats and breads. Large pies were set every few feet along the table, already cut for serving, though I saw several footmen moving around ready to attend anyone who objected to reaching for their own food. The Lockes joined us at the head table, which I expected. Another family, the Moores, sat on Aunt Ethel's left. They were an older couple than the Lockes and their son looked oafish and unhappy about being at a table barren of food. Further around the table were other men and their wives, each of whom had some kind of investment in my father and Lord Locke's enterprises. Though my father seemed cordial and close with each of them, I had already forgotten the majority of their names.

My father quieted the party by holding up his hands as he stood at the head table. He spoke, his voice ringing out clearly in the cool night air. "My friends, thank you all for coming. We've gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion. Eighteen years ago, a light arrived in this world, my daughter Anna. Some of you have had the chance to speak with her, but those of you who haven't are being denied a marvelous gift too long. She has become everything a father could hope, a beautiful intelligent woman with kindness in her heart. Anna, I love you more than anything and this is all a celebration of your wonder and grace. If you could all raise your glass and toast with me, to Anna!"

My heart fluttered as the whole congregation echoed my father's toast. He bent down to kiss my cheek as I wiped away a small tear. The emotion welled up in me and threatened to spill out, but Aunt Ethel's hand braced my knee and my heart calmed.

Father continued, "As Anna came into the world, another light passed from it. Many tables here tonight are lacking for lights lost in the darkness. While we have gathered to celebrate the birth of my daughter, we are also here to celebrate a new birth. After eighteen years, we can put the past to rest and focus on a brighter future. A future where people are kind and generous, where we let the sins of the past die and focus on hope for the morrow. In this regard, I have tried to live as an example. I have raised Anna to be that example as well. And we must look to each other to be that example as well. Now, please, enjoy the evening and --"

Lord Locke stood up beside him, "Oh, please, Arthur! You're being modest. Everyone look at the feast set before us. I know of no kinder man than Lord Ingram. We may have started as business partners, but we've come to regard each other as friends. He is an example to us all. Let us toast both him and his family for this wonderful evening. To Lord Ingram!"

Again the crowd boomed. Father urged everyone to sit down and servants began moving around the tables, putting food on each guest's plate. Our house staff appeared with our own meals, specially prepared pheasant which I recognized as Elsa's recipe. She knew it was my favorite and that small gesture, more than the booming crowd of strangers toasting my praise, warmed my heart.

Through the meal, father engaged in jovial conversation with anyone in earshot. Aunt Ethel acted as a guard dog for me, but no one seemed too interested in conversing with the guest of honor anyway. The Morrows were not rude, but they had little in common with a young girl and the son seemed only interested in talk of hunting which I knew nothing about. About halfway through the meal, Theodore rose from his place and came over to me. He asked for my first dance, saying he wanted to beat the rush. I doubted anyone would care enough to dance with me, but he was certainly welcome to be the only. Aunt Ethel nodded in approval. Despite the lack of conversation, the food was wonderful and I enjoyed watching the crowd. The nobility kept their usual stiffness as they dined, but the merchants and other businessmen at the back table quickly became a raucous bunch. They moved about freely, poured wine for one another, and loudly complimented the host on more than one occasion. The more they drank, the more they bellowed out their appreciation. My father always raised his glass back to them. When they called out happy birthday to me, I did the same with a polite nod. Aunt Ethel did not nod in approval at this.

Finally, the servants returned and swept away the used dishes. In amazing efficiency, they cleared away everything in a few minutes. After the plates were gone, chairs and smaller tables popped up along the sides of the pavilion. Men moved the dining tables out of the way and the musicians took up their place on a small stage in the back of the room. After a few minutes, they started to play. My father stood up and asked me to dance. I took his hand and he led me out into the floor. I felt the eyes of all the attendees gazing at me. My father held my hand firmly and smiled. The musicians began a slow waltz and I followed my father's lead. I worried that my dress clung awkwardly to my body or that my hair looked unkempt. As we started to spin in slow circles, I saw the women around the room begin to whisper to one another. Most of the nobles looked on with blank faces, but the others grinned at us, some laughing and others singing unknown words to the barely recognizable melody. My father beamed with pride as he kept up the step.

"Your mother and I spent many evenings like this," he said, emotion in his voice. "She would be so proud." We both caught sight of the Lockes milling about at the edge of the circle watching us. "Theodore would be a good match. What have you thought of him so far?"

"I don't know him. They seem kind, but..."

"Hungry?"

"Yes."

"Lord Robert has many admirable and useful qualities. His son shares most of them. I wish only for you to be happy, but guard your feelings well around them until you know them better. I have always done the same."

The song ended and he kissed my cheek before letting both of us bow to the applauding crowd. The music resumed and others moved out to the dance floor. Theodore made his way to me directly, cutting off several of the others moving towards me. "I believe we discussed a dance, Lady Anna?" He took my hand and the other young men bowed back, finding other young women to bring to the dance floor. The music changed to a faster tempo and the various couples broke into lines. I followed Theodore's lead, but I started to falter. "Not familiar with this one? That's alright, I don't mind if you trip on my feet."

"Very gentlemanly of you, Theodore." We turned suddenly and he stepped on my dress before I could move. A young woman beside us rolled her eyes at my misstep. "I know I've practiced this before, surely."

Theodore gave a pained smile as he guided me into another turn, this time more forcefully. "My father made certain I was instructed in all the different steps. I do not have your beauty to excuse my clumsy feet. Don't worry, I'll help." He started to count off the steps quietly and for a moment I improved, but in another turn I slipped and he had to jerk me back to upright before I spilled over into the floor. "You mustn't resist so, just let me guide you." I could hear frustration mounting in his voice.

"My apologies, I did take dancing lessons, but I never could keep my mind on them. If Aunt Ethel can see me, she it likely grinding her teeth down to the gums."

"That reminds me, I feel I must apologize for Cousin Isabelle's remarks last night."

"That's alright, I can understand."

"Excellent, I had hoped it would not sour things between us. The whole ride home, father was fuming about it. He values the relationship between our two families highly."

Not knowing what else to say, I responded in kind. "My father feels the same. He speaks fondly of Lord Locke and I must say that your mother is absolutely charming."

"Then you would not be opposed to us visiting more often? I know mother wants to spend some time acquainting herself with your aunt. I would not mind having the same opportunity with you."

My father's words echoed in my head. I wondered if Theodore actually found me interesting or if he was acting out the wishes of his father, pursuing me to unite our two families. "That would be nice."

"Wonderful," he grinned, finally showing another glimpse of humanity behind the rehearsed facade. "I will speak to your father about coming to call on you. Hopefully sooner rather than later." The song came to its end. Relief washed over me as I saw a chance to leave the dance floor and escape the watchful eyes of all the other women. "It seems you will be in high demand tonight." Theodore gestured to the line of eager men waiting off to the side. He pulled one of them over, "Lady Anna, this is Peter Coren, grandson of the Duke of Coren. I will leave you in his capable hands, but do not worry I will not let the night slip by without finding you on the dance floor once again."

Theodore melted back into the crowd as Peter took my hand. The music started up again and my thoughts were occupied with not falling over the feet of my partner. After Peter, another young man stepped up. And after him, another. Each time, I felt the same thrill and excitement. I recognized many of their family names as they introduced themselves. A few were handsome, but none could particularly match Theodore's excitement to dance with me. Most were intelligent and made conversation as we danced. They asked me about art or music or literature, things I could finally speak about though few of them shared my interests. I quickly realized that these were efforts at polite small talk and not efforts at a deeper conversation. A few were dull or rude, likely sent to dance with me out of respect for my father. I tried to ignore them, but it nagged at me that some people were not enjoying their time with me. I tried to be more cheerful for them. I had finished once such dance and escaped to get a drink of water when I heard a familiar voice.

"If you keep up this pace, I'm not sure what will happen first, your legs will fall off or that group of hens will peck your eyes out." Langston stood a few feet away. He held a drink in one hand and leaned against a chair with the other, looking so casual as to go completely unnoticed. "How do women dance in those shoes anyway?"

I smiled. Something about him differed from all the others, including Theodore. Everything about him radiated warmth and patience. "I believe Aunt Ethel has an extra pair, if you'd like to find out." He laughed, a genuine, rich sounding laugh similar to that of the non nobles in the crowd. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Were you expecting me?" His eyes sparkled and he stepped closer. "Your father invited all of the factory workers. They felt it wouldn't be proper to attend. I came in their stead and had a cask of beer sent down to them. I have no doubt they are toasting your birthday twice as often as the lords and ladies here."

"I'm glad someone is having a carefree night on my behalf."

"Are you not enjoying yourself?" He had moved quite close to me, but I felt more comfortable than I had all night. His body radiated warmth and smelled of fresh earth and something I didn't recognize. All of the other men smelled of cologne, stringent and off putting.

I looked around to see if anyone watched us as we spoke. Aunt Ethel was deep in conversation with another old woman, but the gaggle of young women who had been eying me all night continued to stare us down and whisper behind their hands. Without waiting for my answer, he put down his drink and took me by the hand. I followed, more out of shock than willingness. He moved quickly through the crowd to where the musicians were playing. As I walked with him, the lords and ladies all turned to watch us. Whatever he planned, it was making things worse. And I quickly realized why. After spending all night dancing with their sons, I was being led around by the brutish factory foreman. Langston ignored the crowd's reaction. When we reached the floor in front of the stage, he let go of my hand and left me, moving quickly over to one of the musicians. They had a quick exchange and, though the man seemed wary of his new instructions, the musicians changed to a new song. As the first three notes played, several of the other businessmen started to clap. They pulled their wives to their feet and led them out to the dance floor as Langston returned to me. "I think this is a little better music for dancing."

I knew the song. I had heard it hummed slowly by Elsa many times growing up. The musicians took to the new rhythm with an energetic excitement that rippled through the rest of the room. I knew that the more formal half of the congregation looked on in outrage or confusion, and I did fear that Aunt Ethel might cut through half the room with a butcher's knife to stop me. I didn't care. As Langston took my hands in his, my body coursed with excitement and relief that I had not felt in days. The music quickened as we started to dance. I knew the steps to the folk song, but they were even farther back in my memory than the waltzes. Langston's hands guided me with smooth fluid motions. As I moved, he moved in time, adjusting his step to match my novice movements. I laughed in joy at how easy and natural it became. The music melded with my movements and the others around me started to sing or cheer. I couldn't understand them, but I did hear them clapping or stomping in rhythm. We danced for what seemed like forever and the world around me faded. The only thing I could feel was music and Langston's strong hands guiding me through the current.

When it faded, Langston went still in front of me, grasping both my hands in his. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. My whole body turned red in embarrassment. All of the men, young and old, had kindly kissed my cheek at the end of our dances, but this was different. From where his lips touched me, a plume of heat radiated out, as if licked by an open flame. I could only smile and turn my head away, my words too caught up in my throat to say anything. The song had brought new life to the party and the musicians were eager to keep it up, moving right into the next song. The men and women continued dancing around us as Langston peered at me. I felt as though he was marveling at my embarrassment like a child would toy with an insect. Finally, he led me from the dance floor. As we reached the edge, I noticed Lady Grace moving politely but determinedly towards me. I knew she was coming to retrieve me, either of her own accord or at the request of Aunt Ethel.

"Do you still wish to come see the factories?" Langston asked.

"Oh, yes, very much."

"Marie is your lady's maid. She comes to visit me occasionally, ask her to come along on her next visit." He noted some change in my expression because he quickly added, "We are childhood friends, like siblings. She comes to make sure I am taking care of myself." He glanced over my head. "I think your friends want your attention back. I cannot be selfish, though I may wish to be." I hoped that he would kiss me again. He squeezed my hands and then let my fingers slip from his. "I've had my fill of the Lockes for this week, I believe. Forgive me, Lady Anna, but I will make myself scarce."

As Lady Grace reached me, Langston disappeared into the crowd. I watched the top of his head for a moment, but even that vanished. Lady Grace took me back to the front of the party and returned me to my circuit of dancers. Theodore came round again, but in a noticeably more stiff mood in contrast to all the others who became more and more fluid as the night, and their drink, went on. I danced and smiled and bowed before the toasts of our guests, but for the rest of the night, my mind remained on the feeling of Langston's lips against my cheek.