[i]1899 - San Jose, California
The Winchester Estates[/i]

The grand staircase ascending to the sprawling Victorian mansion was lit with oil lamps encased in bejeweled-colored glass that illuminated the steady, stately stream of celebrants to the Winchester Estate. Similar lights festooned every one of the numerous windows facing out to the cobbled circular drive, as if to drench every shadow with emerald and sapphire and ruby hues. 

Which was only ever appropriate. This night was for the crown jewel of the Winchester family, the lovely Annie Pardee Winchester Howe. The only child of William and Sarah, it mattered not in the least she was well into her third decade, married and mother of two growing boys of her own. The birthday of the scion of the Winchester family was no trifling matter.

All the dizzying variety of foreign dignitaries, businessmen, and high society to be found in California converged on the mansion tonight had reasons to be here this night. To see. To be seen.

To steal blind.

Galina's laughing dark eyes surveyed the swaying silks and dapper suits and shining leather finery of those ascending the stairs ahead of her, to be greeted by their host and hostess. The strains of violins flowed from the doorway as a gentle summer stream, tripping lightly down the white granite steps to play in the jewel-colored nighttime lawns. 

Some small part of the lady wished she might as well, but that was silliness and Galina had put such childish notions away long, long ago. But that did not mean such thoughts did not occasionally roll off their carefully collected shelves.