"Okay, sounds good. See you then," Angela said in an agreeable tone before Alexander ended the call.
Turning to Lyanna with a glint of pride in his eyes, Alexander asked, "Hey, Lyanna. How would you like to come down to the catacombs with me? Get a real feel for what we do here on the estate?"
"I'd love to," Lyanna replied, her voice full of optimism.
"Excellent. Let's go," he said enthusiastically.
"Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, Alexander," she replied, smiling with anticipation.
"You got it," Alexander grinned, clearly pleased.
Together, they made their way into the depths of the Biltmore House.
"Angela, are you down here?" Alexander called out into the catacombs.
"I'm just a couple corridors down to the right!" Angela's voice echoed back.
"Alright, we're on our way," Alexander responded.
They navigated through the shadowy halls and soon found the corridor where Angela stood waiting.
"Hey, Angela. Nice work getting this corridor open," Alexander said, his expression filled with pride.
"Thank you, Alexander," she replied with a smile.
"You're welcome," he said sincerely.
Angela's eyes shifted to the young woman standing beside him. "You must be Lyanna. I'm Angela Veer—I work with Alexander in the restoration and research department." She extended her hand in greeting.
"It's an honor to meet you, Angela. I'm looking forward to working together and learning as much as I can," Lyanna said, shaking her hand warmly.
"I look forward to that too, Lyanna," Angela replied, returning the handshake with a smile.
Pleased to see the two getting along, Alexander turned their focus back to business. "Now that introductions are out of the way—Angela, have you found anything?"
Angela's expression turned serious. "Actually, I've come across something you're not going to believe."
"Try me," Alexander said, narrowing his eyes, his tone sharp with interest.
"Do you remember the old rumor that's floated around Biltmore for the last hundred years?"
Alexander's eyes lit up with realization. "You mean the one about George Vanderbilt being married twice?"
Angela nodded. "That's the one."
"You're saying you've found proof of that?"
She smiled, confident. "Yes. I have."
"What did you find?"
"His first wife's name was Natalia Horta Vanderbilt. We don't have her birth date, but they were married on January 3rd, 1870, at Asheville Cathedral. The marriage lasted three years," she explained with calm clarity.
Lyanna tilted her head. "Only three years? Why so short?"
Angela hesitated, her expression darkening slightly.
Alexander stepped in, voice firm. "What aren't you telling us, Angela?"
Angela shifted, her tone suddenly nervous. "The next part... well, it's even harder to believe."
"Try me," he repeated, more intensely.
Angela looked at them both and said calmly, "It turns out George and Natalia had a son."
Alexander froze, stunned. "Wait—are you saying my ancestor George had a child with his first wife?"
"Yes," Angela said. "They did."
Alexander's voice dropped to a near whisper. "What was his name?"
Angela met his gaze. "William George Vanderbilt. He was born on April 12, 1873, and the estate welcomed him shortly after completion."
"Is there anything else we know about William?" Alexander asked curiously.
"Unfortunately, not much yet. But there are documents here. Hopefully, we'll uncover more soon," Angela said confidently.
Alexander nodded. "If we learn more about William and Natalia, it could change everything we thought we knew about the Vanderbilt family history."
"It really could," Angela agreed.
"Absolutely," Lyanna added. "I wonder what he was like... what kind of man he became."
Her words slowly pulled us into the past—Biltmore Estate, 1907.
---
William kept himself occupied, sketching the dreams he had each night. For as long as he could remember, he had been recording them.
His stepmother, Edith, entered the room, concern written on her face.
"Will? Are you alright, son?" she asked gently.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just sketching. Needed some quiet time," William replied, his voice solemn.
Edith walked closer, her brows furrowed. "You know you can talk to me if something's on your mind."
"I know. And I appreciate you being here," he said, then paused. "Do you remember those dreams I've been having?"
"Of course," she said, her voice soft. "The same girl every night. She changes as you grow."
"She's becoming more beautiful every time I see her. But lately… I've been getting a strange feeling."
Edith gave him a knowing smile. "What kind of feeling?"
He looked at her seriously. "Like I'm about to meet her."
Her eyebrows lifted, intrigued. "Well, sometimes dreams guide us to the people we're meant to meet. Are you ready for that?"
"I think I am," William said, his eyes were bright with anticipation. "I've been waiting for something special. Maybe this is it."
Edith touched his shoulder. "Just remember, no matter what happens—you have the strength to face it."
William nodded as her voice settled into his heart.
"Now I have another challenge," he said, more quietly.
"What's that?" she asked.
"I'm worried Father's going to try to force a marriage on me."
"I doubt he would," she said reassuringly.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I know your father. He'd never do that."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Edith said with conviction. "And I have a feeling you'll be meeting that young lady soon."
"You really believe that?" he asked.
"I do," she said firmly. "Now don't forget—dinner is in two hours."
"I'll be there, I promise."
"I know you will. Love you."
"Love you too, Mom," William said warmly.
Edith left the room, making her way toward the parlor, while William returned to his sketches. As he sketched hope flickered in his eyes.
---
Back to the Present – Biltmore Estate
As they sifted through aged papers, Lyanna gasped as she pulled out an old photograph. "Look at this! It must be from the early days of the estate."
Alexander leaned in. "I wonder who she is."
Angela peered at it closely. "Could this be Natalia Vanderbilt?"
Lyanna studied it. "It's possible. The photo's faded, so we can't be sure. But it could be her. What do you think, Alexander?"
He nodded. "It's definitely a lead. I'll send it to a photo restoration lab—maybe we'll confirm if it's Lady Natalia."
Both Lyanna and Angela nodded in agreement.
Just then, Alexander glanced at the time.
"Why don't we call it a day?" he suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Angela said cheerfully.
"I agree," Lyanna added. "A productive plan."
"And don't forget," Alexander reminded them, "there's a young adults' party at the winery tonight. Don't be late."
"I wouldn't miss it," Lyanna said confidently.
"Of course. I'll be there," Angela echoed.
"Excellent. I'll see you both there," Alexander said with a smile.
"Yes," Lyanna and Angela chimed in together.
The trio exited the chamber, making their way back up to the main level of the house.