When Angelica Schuyler Church found out about Theodosia's supposed courtship with Joseph Alston (arranged by Mr. Burr, who saw him as a worthy contender), she took it upon herself to confront her eldest nephew.

"Do you love this girl?"

"Does it matter?" Philip muttered. "Everyone else says the contrary."

"It matters to me, to her, and, I wager, to yourself! Are you going to let her get snatched up that easily?"

Alexander happened to be passing by the room where they were talking, and poked his head in. "What's this about?"

"Oh, nothing," Angelica said nonchalantly. "Your son is just forsaking the love of his life."

Alexander blinked and asked, "Who would that be?" at the same moment when Philip said, "For the love of holiness, Aunt! I never said I was in love with her!"

"Please explain," his father said.

"Theodosia is courting a rich landowner from South Carolina, someone Mr. Burr thinks will tide them over."

"And this bothers you, Philip?"

He scowled before admitting, "Yes."

"Is your Aunt Angelica right? Do you love her?"

"Maybe—I don't know. it could be filial. I care about her—I'll stake my life on that—but I never thought it would work out, so I haven't let myself think that way. It's probably too late by now."

"But it might not be," Angelica insisted. "You should at least find out if it's still a possibility. And for goodness' sake, find out what Theo herself wants!"

"If you care about her, Philip, you can't throw away your shot."

It was his father's urging that made up his mind.

Philip gathered a bunch of flowers and marched over to the Burr household. The servant at the door said they were out, so he settled himself in the parlor to wait. He passed the time by going over what to say and how to say it.

When Aaron and Theodosia came home, they were accompanied by Joseph Alston himself. Theodosia blushed intensely upon seeing him, but managed to smooth over introductions: Philip was an old family friend, with a famous last name that, despite recent slander, still demanded some respect.

This was not what Philip had wanted. He wished to speak to Theodosia in private, not in front of her father and suitor—that would turn bad quickly, and he hated confrontations. "If you're already engaged, I can come another time," Philip offered.

Now she looked not only embarrassed but miserable, though she tried to hide her expression from him by looking down at the carpet. "We—well—we are engaged, only—in more than one way."

"Sorry?"

"Just tonight," Aaron Burr said, looking extremely pleased, "Theodosia accepted Mr. Alston's proposal of marriage."

Philip stood and stared. Then he said tonelessly, "Congratulations. I'll leave you to it, then." He handed the flowers to Theodosia as he passed the trio, which would soon be a family.

They had waited too long to figure out how they felt, and Aaron Burr had made the decision for them.