Location: Three miles away from Biltmore Estate on January 13, 1907 at three in the afternoon
William Vanderbilt: Stop here Fredrick.
Fredrick Mar: Yes my lord.
Location: The sounds of the carriage stopping right in front of a huge beautiful tree
William Vanderbilt: I want to show you something.
Lyanna Asher: Ok.
Location: The sounds of the two of them getting out of the carriage and making there way towards a big tree
Lyanna Asher: Wow this is so beautiful.
William Vanderbilt: I agree. This has always been my favorite spot to come to. When I need to be alone and think. But now it's going to mean something else now.
Lyanna Asher: An what's that William?
William Vanderbilt: That this is the place that I want to tell you about my love for you.
Lyanna Asher: Wait what did you just say?
William Vanderbilt: I'm saying that I'm in love with you Lyanna.
Lyanna Asher: Really. You really mean that William?
William Vanderbilt: I do.
Lyanna Asher: I love you too William. More than you'll ever know. You're the first man to ever see me and for the time ever said that you love me.
William Vanderbilt: Well then those men were fools. Because you are the most beautiful, kindest and caring woman that I have ever met.
Lyanna Asher: I feel the same exact way about you William.
William Vanderbilt: Well then Lyanna Asher. Will you do me the honor and allow me to court you?
Lyanna Asher: I would love that William. I would love that very much.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Lyanna Asher: You're welcome. William.
William Vanderbilt: Yes Lyanna.
Lyanna Asher: Is it ok if I ask you a question?
William Vanderbilt: Of course. You can ask me anything Lyanna.
Lyanna Asher: What was your birth mother like?
William Vanderbilt: My birth mother. Are you talking about Lady Natalia Horta Vanderbilt.
Lyanna Asher: Yes. How much do you know about her? Were you ever told anything about her?
William Vanderbilt: For what I was told my mother was gorgeous. I think gorgeous as you are. I was told she was intelligent. Kind, gentle and very generous towards people as well. I know that my father loved her very much and I know he still misses her everyday.
Lyanna Asher: I'm sure.
William Vanderbilt: But I do wish I had a physical memory of her.
Lyanna Asher: I can understand. But thank you for telling me I really appreciate it.
William Vanderbilt: You're welcome. An it was nice to be able to talk about her outside of family members. So thnak you.
Lyanna Asher: You're welcome.
William Vanderbilt: You ready to head back to the house?
Lyanna Asher: I'm ready and William.
William Vanderbilt: Yes Lyanna?
Lyanna Asher: I love you too.
Location: The sounds of the both of them getting inside the carriage and the sounds of the carriage making its way to the estate
Location: Biltmore Estate Edith Vanderbilts Sitting Room at four thirty in the afternoon
William Vanderbilt: Mother may I come in?
Edith Vanderbilt: Of course. Please come in son.
Location: The sounds of William coming inside the sitting room
Edith Vanderbilt: Hello son.
William Vanderbilt: Hello mother.
Edith Vanderbilt: How did everything go at the village? Did you managed find more dresses and jewelry for Lyanna?
William Vanderbilt: Yes we did. We managed to find ten dresses and some nice jewelry for her to wear with them.
Edith Vanderbilt: Well I am very happy to hear that. Also did you ask her the question?
William Vanderbilt: Yes I did.
Edith Vanderbilt: An what did she say?
William Vanderbilt: She was very excited about us courting.
Edith Vanderbilt: Well I am very happy to hear that.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you mother. That means a lot coming from you.
Edith Vanderbilt: Of course and I think it's time for her to meet your father. What do you think?
William Vanderbilt: I'm totally fine with that. When do you think we should introduce them to each other?
Edith Vanderbilt: How about tonight. If that's ok with you. We can all have dinner together.
William Vanderbilt: Tonight sounds perfect. I'll go and tell Lyanna.
Edith Vanderbilt: An I will go and tell your father.
William Vanderbilt: Sounds good to me.
Location: The sounds of both William and Edith leaving the room and heading towards their intended destinations
Location: Biltmore Estate George Vanderbilt's Study fifteen minutes later
Edith Vanderbilt: George may I come in?
George Vanderbilt: Of course my love. Please come in.
Location: The sounds of Edith walking into the study and making her way towards George where he is sitting at
George Vanderbilt: Is everything alright my love?
Edith Vanderbilt:Everything is fine. But I do have some wonderful news that I want to tell you.
George Vanderbilt: What is it my love?
Edith Vanderbilt: As of today William is courting Lyanna.
George Vanderbilt: Wait what? Did you just say William is officially courting Lyanna?
Edith Vanderbilt: That is correct my love.
George Vanderbilt: That's wonderful news. My son is finally courting. Well I need to meet her.
Edith Vanderbilt: How's tonight sound my love?
George Vanderbilt: Sounds good to me. Well let's hope this will lead to proposal and marriage.
Edith Vanderbilt: We can only hope my love. We can only hope. But I have a feeling that it's going to happen.
George Vanderbilt: Well my love you're feeling is never wrong.
Edith Vanderbilt: That is true.
George Vanderbilt: So I'm guessing she will be joining us for dinner tonight.
Edith Vanderbilt: If that's ok with you my love.
George Vanderbilt: That is totally fine with me.
Edith Vanderbilt: Excellent. I will go and inform the kitchen. That way they will prepare us something special tonight.
George Vanderbilt: Sounds like a good plan to me my love.
Edith Vanderbilt: Excellent. I will go and tell the kitchen immediately.
George Vanderbilt: Sounds good my love. I love you.
Edith Vanderbilt: I love you too.
Location: The sounds of Edith walking out of the study and making her way to the kitchen
Location: Biltmore Estate Lyanna's Bed Chambers at the same time
Asporça Jenero: So what would you like for dinner tonight my lady?
Lyanna Asher: I think I want.
Location: The sounds of knocking at the door
Lyanna Asher: Yes.
William Vanderbilt: Lyanna can I come in?
Lyanna Asher: Of course William. Please come in.
Location: The sounds of William coming into the room
Lyanna Asher: Hello my love. What brings you here? Is everything alright?
William Vanderbilt: Everything is fine my love. How do you feel about meeting my father officially tonight?
Lyanna Asher: Really? Are you sure?
William Vanderbilt: I'm sure. Especially since you and I are courting now. It's only right my father should meet the girl that I'm courting.
Lyanna Asher: That is true.
William Vanderbilt: So how do you feel about having dinner with him and my mom tonight?
Lyanna Asher: I'm in.
William Vanderbilt: Excellent.
Lyanna Asher: What should I wear for dinner tonight?
William Vanderbilt: Why don't you wear dress number three that you got from the dress boutique. I think that would be a perfect dress to wear to dinner tonight.
Lyanna Asher: Ok. I love that dress. Well I will get changed for dinner. What time should I be down there?
William Vanderbilt: Meet in the parlor at six?
Lyanna Asher: Ok. I can do that. I will see you then.
William Vanderbilt: See you then. I love you.
Lyanna Asher: I love you too. See you soon.
William Vanderbilt: See you soon my love.
Location: The sounds of William walking out of the room
Lyanna Asher: Ok Asporça change of plans. I'm going to the dining room tonight.
Asporça Jenero: Of course my lady. I will get your dress ready and we'll get you changed.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you.
Location: The sounds of Asporça preparing Lyanna's dress for dinner
Location: Biltmore Estate Parlor on January 13, 1907 at six in the evening
George Vanderbilt: I'm excited to meet this young lady that stole your heart William.
William Vanderbilt: Me to father. I think you're going to really like her. She's very kind and very strong heart.
George Vanderbilt: By the way you are smiling son. I definitely believe it.
William Vanderbilt: Am I smiling that much father?
George Vanderbilt: Yes you are son and I am very happy to see it.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you father. That means a lot coming from you.
George Vanderbilt: Of course.
Gerald Otter: Lady Lyanna Asher my lord.
Location: The sounds of Lyanna walking into the room and making her way over to where the Vanderbilts are at
William Vanderbilt: Lyanna my love.
Lyanna Asher: William my love.
William Vanderbilt: Father may I introduce to you to Lady Lyanna Asher. Lyanna may I introduce to you to my father Lord George Vanderbilt.
Lyanna Asher: It's an honor to meet you Lord Vanderbilt.
George Vanderbilt: Please the honor is all mine Lyanna. I hope you don't mind me saying you look very beautiful tonight.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.
George Vanderbilt: You're welcome.
Gerald Otter: Would you like for me to bring out the appetizers my lord?
George Vanderbilt: Yes Gerald. Thank you.
Gerald Otter: Of course my lord.
Location: The sounds of Gerald walking out of the room and a few minutes later Gerald and a few servants bringing in the appetizers
Gerald Otter: Here are the appetizers my lord.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you Gerald. Please enjoy. Dinner should be ready soon and I hear its going to be very delicious.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you Lord Vanderbilt. This looks delicious.
George Vanderbilt: Please call me George.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you George.
George Vanderbilt: You're welcome.
Location: The sounds of everyone enjoying the appetizers
George Vanderbilt: So Lyanna how are you liking it here at Biltmore Estate?
Lyanna Asher: I love it. It's so beautiful here.
George Vanderbilt: You're right about that. This place has a beauty to it. That's for sure. Have you've been to the village yet?
Lyanna Asher: Actually me and William went there today. An might I say it was beautiful as well.
George Vanderbilt: Well I am very happy to hear that.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you.
George Vanderbilt: I do have one question for the both of you.
William Vanderbilt: Of course father. What is it?
George Vanderbilt: How did the two of you know that you were meant to be together?
Lyanna Asher: The winter solstice ball is when I knew I was in love with William.
William Vanderbilt: Same thing with me. I knew I was completely in love with her after our first dance at the winter solstice ball.
George Vanderbilt: Wow that's incredible.
Edith Vanderbilt: I agree my love. When you know when you found the one. You just know it right there and then.
George Vanderbilt: Agree my love. Agree. So what's on the menu tonight my love?
Edith Vanderbilt: Well chef says he's making his famous meatloaf for dinner. Along with mashed potatoes and strawberry tarts for desert. He is also making his famous fruit salad for the first course.
George Vanderbilt: Excellent.
Lyanna Asher: That sounds amazing.
William Vanderbilt: Agree.
Gerald Otter: Dinner is serve my lord.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you Gerald. Shall we?
Edith Vanderbilt: We shall.
Lyanna Asher: Agree.
William Vanderbilt: Agree.
Location: The sounds of everyone making their way into the dining room
Lyanna Asher: Wow this looks amazing.
George Vanderbilt: I'm guessing this is your first time in the dining room.
Lyanna Asher: It is and its so beautiful.
George Vanderbilt: Well that was the goal when I built it. But I also wanted to make it feel homey and comfortable as well.
Lyanna Asher: Well you definitely succeeded on that part. That's for sure.
George Vanderbilt: Shall we sit?
Edith Vanderbilt: William you will sit here on your fathers left side and Lyanna you will sit right next to William.
Lyanna Asher: Ok.
Location: The sounds of William helping Lyanna getting settled into her seat
George Vanderbilt: Gerald.
Gerald Otter: Yes my lord.
George Vanderbilt: Have them bring out the first course.
Gerald Otter: Of course my lord.
Location: The sounds of Gerald leaving the room to retrieve the first course
Lyanna Asher: I'm excited to try this fruit salad.
William Vanderbilt: You'll love it. Trust me.
Edith Vanderbilt: Williams right Lyanna. You're really going to like it.
Location: The sounds of Gerald, the chef and a few of the staff coming into the room and serving the first course the fruit salad
Kitchen Chef: Our first course is a strawberry, blueberry, mango and banana salad. With a little bit of honey drizzled on top.
Lyanna Asher: Looks really good.
Kitchen Chef: Please enjoy.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Edith Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Location: The sounds of everyone starting to eat their salad
Lyanna Asher: Wow this is really good.
Edith Vanderbilt: Wow chef definitely did a great job tonight.
George Vanderbilt: I agree my love. I agree.
William Vanderbilt: He definitely out did himself tonight. That's for sure.
George Vanderbilt: So Lyanna what are you into?
Lyanna Asher: I like to read and I also like to write as well.
George Vanderbilt: That is really cool Lyanna.
Gerald Otter: Are you ready for the next course my lord?
George Vanderbilt: I'm ready for it. Are you all done with your salads?
Edith Vanderbilt: I'm ready for the next course.
William Vanderbilt: Same here.
Lyanna Asher: I'm ready to. I want to save room for the rest of the meal.
George Vanderbilt: Gerald.
Gerald Otter: Yes my lord.
George Vanderbilt: Have them bring in the next course.
Gerald Otter: Of course my lord. Right away.
Location: The sounds of Gerald leaving the room to go and retrieve the next course
George Vanderbilt: I wonder what kind of meatloaf chef is making tonight?
Edith Vanderbilt: I hope it has his homemade tomato sauce.
William Vanderbilt: Agree.
Lyanna Asher: I'm excited. I love meatloaf.
William Vanderbilt: Well your definitely going to like chefs meatloaf.
George Vanderbilt: Agree.
Edith Vanderbilt: Chef makes the best meatloaf.
Location: The sounds of Gerald, the chef and some of the servants bringing in the next course of the meal
Kitchen Chef: We have meatloaf topped with tomato sauce spread and tomato slices. Also we have mashed potato's with tomato cubes and small pieces of meat in it as well.
Lyanna Asher: It looks awesome.
William Vanderbilt: I agree. Well done chef.
Edith Vanderbilt: I agree. Thank you.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Kitchen Chef: You're welcome. Please enjoy.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Edith Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Location: The sounds of everyone starting to eat their food
Lyanna Asher: Wow this is amazing meatloaf. Chef definitely knows how to cook a really good meatloaf.
William Vanderbilt: I agree.
Edith Vanderbilt: He definitely out did himself this time. That's for sure.
George Vanderbilt: Agree.
Location: The sounds of a little person running into the room
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Hi daddy.
George Vanderbilt: Hello my beautiful Cornelia. How are you this fine evening?
Cornelia Vanderbilt: I'm doing good daddy. Hi mommy.
Edith Vanderbilt: Hello my beautiful girl. What are you doing here? I thought you were playing in your room.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: I wanted to meet the girl that big brother William is courting.
William Vanderbilt: Well she's right here. Would you like to be introduced to her Cornelia?
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Yes please.
William Vanderbilt: Cornelia. May I introduce to you to Lady Lyanna Asher. Lyanna this is my youngest sister Cornelia.
Lyanna Asher: It's an honor to meet you Cornelia.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: It's an honor to meet you Lyanna. Daddy can I join you for dessert please?
George Vanderbilt: Of course you can my sweet girl. You're always welcome to join us for dessert.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Yeah! What are we having for dessert daddy?
George Vanderbilt: We are going to have strawberry tarts for dessert.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Yeah I love strawberry tarts!
George Vanderbilt: I know you do my sweet Cornelia.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: How long until we have the tart's daddy?
Edith Vanderbilt: As soon as we finish eating are meatloaf my sweet girl.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Ok mommy.
William Vanderbilt: So when do you think Alice and Lila are going to be home dad?
Lyanna Asher: Who are Alice and Lila?
William Vanderbilt: Their my two other sisters.
Lyanna Asher: Wait you have two other sisters?
William Vanderbilt: Yes I do.
George Vanderbilt: They are from my second marriage. Her name was Mellisa Holland Vanderbilt. I married her about six months after William was born. Then she gave birth to my first daughter Alice about three years after we married. Then she gave birth to our second daughter Lila two years later. She passed about three years before I married Edith.
Lyanna Asher: So you had two adoptive mothers?
William Vanderbilt: Yes I did and lets just say it was stressful both times. That's for sure.
Lyanna Asher: I'm sure. So what's it like having three younger sisters?
William Vanderbilt: I love all three of them equally. I'm just grateful that I'm not an only child.
Lyanna Asher: I can understand that. So where are your sisters right now?
William Vanderbilt: Paris France. But they should be coming home soon. Right father?
George Vanderbilt: That is correct son. They should be coming home in the next couple of weeks. As long they didn't run into any problems with the boat back home.
William Vanderbilt: Let's hope not.
Edith Vanderbilt: Agree.
Lyanna Asher: Well I can't wait to meet them.
William Vanderbilt: Same here. I have a good feeling that the three of you will become really good friends.
Gerald Otter: Are you ready for desert my lord?
George Vanderbilt: Yes Gerald I am. Is everyone else ready for desert?
William Vanderbilt: I'm ready.
Lyanna Asher: I'm ready.
Edith Vanderbilt: I'm definitely ready for some tarts.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: I'm definitely ready for some tarts daddy!
George Vanderbilt: Alright Gerald. Have them bring in the tarts please.
Gerald Otter: Right away my lord.
Location: The sounds of Gerald leaving the room
Cornelia Vanderbilt: I'm so excited for tarts daddy.
George Vanderbilt: I know you are my sweet girl.
William Vanderbilt: As you can see. My little sister loves her tarts.
Lyanna Asher: I can tell. I would be excited for tarts too.
Location: The sounds of Gerald and a couple of the kitchen staff walking into the room with the tarts
Kitchen Chef: I present to you strawberry tarts. With a little bit of my cream spread on top.
Lyanna Asher: Looks fantastic.
William Vanderbilt: I agree. Thank you chef.
Edith Vanderbilt: I agree. Thank you chef.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you chef. It looks fantastic. Say thank you to chef Cornelia.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Thank you chef.
Kitchen Chef: You're welcome. Please enjoy.
Location: The sounds of everyone eating their tarts
Location: Ten minutes later
George Vanderbilt: If everyone is up for it. Why don't we go to the parlor and relax for a little while.
Lyanna Asher: Sounds like a good plan to me.
William Vanderbilt: Agree.
Edith Vanderbilt: I'm up for it.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Can I come too daddy?
George Vanderbilt: Of course you can my sweet girl.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Yes!
George Vanderbilt: Well then lets go.
Everyone Present: Agree.
Location: The sounds of everyone leaving the dining room and making their way to the parlor
Location: Biltmore Estate Parlor Room twenty minutes later
Lyanna Asher: Wow that was fantastic food.
William Vanderbilt: I agree. I think my favorite part of dinner tonight was the dessert that chef served us.
Edith Vanderbilt: I agree.
George Vanderbilt: Agree.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Desert was fantastic!
George Vanderbilt: I agree my beautiful girl.
Gerald Otter: My lord.
George Vanderbilt: What is it Gerald?
Gerald Otter: Telegram for you my lord. It was just delivered to us.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you Gerald.
Location: The sounds of Gerald leaving the room
Edith Vanderbilt: Who's it from?
George Vanderbilt: It's from my mother. Apparently she's arriving here to Biltmore tomorrow and she asks if she could stay with us for a while.
Edith Vanderbilt: Really. You're mother has never come to Biltmore. I wonder why she's coming.
George Vanderbilt: Knowing my mother my love. She's here to play matchmaker for William and the girls. But I am curious to see how she's going to react once she finds out our William is courting Mrs. Lyanna.
Edith Vanderbilt: She'll probably disapprove of it. Especially since she wasn't the one who chose her. Knowing her she would try to set him up with a woman with both rank and lots of money.
George Vanderbilt: You described my mother perfectly my love. That is definitely her style. That's for sure.
Lyanna Asher: Wait what are you talking about?
George Vanderbilt: My mother Maria Vanderbilt. She has the talent to set up members of our family with other rich and noble families.
Lyanna Asher: I see.
William Vanderbilt: Don't worry. She won't cause us any trouble. You have my word on that.
George Vanderbilt: William is right. I'll make sure my mother doesn't cause any trouble for the two of you.
Edith Vanderbilt: Agree.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you I really appreciate it.
George Vanderbilt: Gerald.
Gerald Otter: Yes my lord.
George Vanderbilt: See to it that chambers are prepared for my mother's arrival.
Gerald Otter: Of course my lord. Right away.
George Vanderbilt: Thank you.
Edith Vanderbilt: I think we need to throw a small dinner party in her honor tomorrow.
George Vanderbilt: I agree my love. Please see to it.
Edith Vanderbilt: Of course.
William Vanderbilt: If you excuse me I think I'm going to turn in for the evening.
George Vanderbilt: Of course. Good night son. Sleep well.
William Vanderbilt: You to father. Sleep well.
Edith Vanderbilt: Good night son. Sleep well.
William Vanderbilt: Thank you mom. You sleep well too.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Good night big brother.
William Vanderbilt: Good night little sister. Sleep well.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: You too big brother.
Lyanna Asher: I think I'm going to turn in as well. Good night everyone.
George Vanderbilt: Good night Lyanna. Sleep well.
Lyanna Asher: Thank you George. You sleep well too.
Edith Vanderbilt: Good night Lyanna.
Lyanna Asher: Good night Edith. You sleep well too.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Good night Lyanna.
Lyanna Asher: Good night Cornelia. You sleep well.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: You too.
Location: The sounds of both Lyanna and William leaving the room
William Vanderbilt: Good night my love. I love you.
Lyanna Asher: I love you too. Sleep well.
William Vanderbilt: You too. Sleep well and I will see you in the morning.
Lyanna Asher: See you in the morning.
Location: The sounds of both Lyanna and William both heading to their rooms for the evening
Location: Biltmore Estate Parlor at the same time
Edith Vanderbilt: So what do you think about her George?
George Vanderbilt: I really like her. I think she's a perfect match for him.
Edith Vanderbilt: I agree. Well I think its time I get this little lady to bed. Say good night to your daddy Cornelia.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: Good night daddy. I love you.
George Vanderbilt: I love you too my sweet girl. Sleep well.
Cornelia Vanderbilt: You too daddy. Sleep well.
Edith Vanderbilt: Good night my love. Sleep well.
George Vanderbilt: You too my love. Sleep well.
Location: The sounds of both Edith and Cornelia headin out of the room and heading towards Cornelia's bed chambers