Sounds of Fire

6

Anatolia stood watch by the front door, greeting everyone and anyone who stepped through the threshold. The smile plastered on her face was beginning to hurt but she kept it steady for appearances sake. She had traded jobs with Derek, who was walking around the house at Lady Grace's side, more often than not becoming an intense conversation starter. Most guests present had never met Derek, or Anatolia for that matter, and they were intrigued by the twins. Anatolia was lucky that Derek agreed to switch jobs.

The house was barely filled but people were arriving in droves. Thanks to Lady Grace's open invitation, anyone could come, no matter how low on the ladder they were. Anatolia could see that some guests were trying hard to fit in, their clothes neat but cheap, and their demeanors excited to be around such royalty. She understood their want to try and make friends with people in high places, but she hoped none of them would go too far and cause a scene.

"Hey." Derek tapped Anatolia's shoulder. When she turned to him, he smiled, scooting closer so people near wouldn't hear him. "My turn."

Anatolia groaned. "What?" She smiled at an elderly couple making their way into the house. She turned back to Derek. "It's barely started. I want a little more time."

Derek shook his head, his cheeks flushing. People were starting to stare at him and Anatolia. Since they were standing side by side, their obvious relation could be noticed, and the guests knew they were Sir Den's famous twins. "I'm tired of people trying to talk to me," he whispered, his face getting redder. "Please trade me jobs."

Anatolia felt bad for him. She sighed and gave him her place by the door. "Okay." She dreaded being Lady Grace's accessory. "Where is Lady Grace?"

Derek pointed across the foyer, his finger aimed to the hall that led to the back of the house. Anatolia assumed Lady Grace was there or beyond in the backyard. She would just have to search. Patting Derek on the back and ignoring the curious gazes from guests, Anatolia made her leave. She gave a smile to anyone who offered her one, and made her way down the hall. She didn't spot Lady Grace so she kept moving. The doors to the backyard where wide open and joyous laughter echoed into the house. Anatolia took two glasses of cider from a passing waiter and stepped out onto the veranda. She squinted in the noon sun, the heat hitting her hard, and wished she had worn shorts instead of pants.

A conglomerate of guests were centralized on the grass so Anatolia assumed that somewhere in the middle of all those people stood Lady Grace. She mentally cursed Derek for leaving her alone with so many strangers, but she moved on and started to push her way past people. She held the glasses of cider high, muttering excuse me's and trying not to be too rough. Eventually she arrived in the middle, finding Lady Grace laughing with a smooth looking man in his late 40's. Anatolia stepped up to Lady Grace's side and offered a glass. Lady Grace took it effortlessly, handing back the empty one she already held in one fluid motion.

"That's exactly right, Mr. Sahan," Lady Grace said, sipping from her new glass. "Changes need to be implemented, and I plan on being the one to make it happen."

Ooh's and ah's rose. Some people whispered behind their hands. Anatolia stood her ground, sighing into her glass before she took a sip. People who didn't know who she was were starting to look at her, wondering why she was standing at Lady Grace's side. Anatolia ignored them all.

"You're a revolutionary," Mr. Sahan said. "I applaud you. Don't get me wrong, your father was a great man, but I think we've all been waiting for fresh blood."

Sliding her eyes towards Mr. Sahan, Anatolia glared at him. She didn't like his wording.

"Thank you," Lady Grace replied. She placed a hand on Anatolia's forearm, sliding it across Anatolia's skin too familiarly. The touch made furious whispers start.