Note: This takes place at the same time as when Alexander would be asking for Philip Schuyler's blessing in the musical (according to the song Helpless). And sorry it's not very long and took extra time to post, I have finals coming up and I also have a part time job!
Hope you enjoy what's here though!
Chapter 3
Angelica paced back and forth. Since Eliza had found out two weeks ago about how she felt, she never left her letters where Angelica could find and read them. If she even wrote them at all anymore. Angelica was clueless about what her sister ended up sending to Alexander or what his letters said in return. It was stressful to both siblings, but thankfully didn't make the relationship between them to be much different. They laughed, sang and ate together as always. But they never talked about him.
The latest thing Angelica heard was that Alexander was still planning to visit despite whatever Eliza wrote to him, but she couldn't help but dread the moment for when he would arrive. She sent up a silent prayer but was interrupted by a knock at the door. She quickly dashed over, smoothed out her dress then opened it with a smile when she saw his handsome face. "Good afternoon, Alexander."
He smiled broadly in return and took off his hat and held it to his chest. "A good afternoon it indeed is," he acknowledged. "May I come in?"
"Of course," Angelica smiled and moved aside as he stepped through the doorway. "Eliza is out right now I'm afraid," she ventured, hoping to get some sort of hint of how they were feeling towards each other. She got nothing other than a flicker in his dark eyes.
"That's fine," he commented. "I'm sure your company won't be anything but pleasant." He took off his outer coat and hung it on the railing for the flight of stairs then looked back at Angelica.
She looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "Would you care for a drink, tea perhaps?"
"That would be nice."
Angelica led him into the dining area and pulled out a chair which he sat on comfortably, taking in his surroundings. As Angelica put a teakettle on the stove they heard the front door open and close again softly. Eliza glanced into the room as she walked past the doorway and froze for a split second.
"Alexander! You're-"
"-here," he finished the sentence for her then got to his feet.
Eliza looked away quickly then back as if she didn't know what to do. "I need to do… something, I'll see you later, ok?" She started to turn away.
Alexander took a step towards her. "No, Eliza, can we talk?"
She stared at him long and hard as if running the thought through her head. Angelica could feel the tension in the air between them. After what felt like forever, Eliza spoke.
"Fine." She turned and headed to the back door. "Let's do it in the garden."
Alexander followed and looked back at Angelica with an unreadable expression before he disappeared out of sight.
Angelica clutched the glass she was planning to fill with tea for Alexander as she stood alone. She was once again left in the dark. She took a seat at the table, her heart racing from the nervousness of not knowing what the two were speaking about. After a few minutes of waiting, Angelica moved over to the front door and slipped outside, wanting to go for a quick walk to clear her head.
Fifteen minutes later Angelica returned and heard Alexander and Eliza in the dining area, seemingly talking casually. She slipped off her shoes and smoothed out her dress before stepping into the room with the two of them. Eliza had already served Alexander his tea. Alexander turned to her and smiled charmingly.
"Did you have a fine walk?" Eliza asked lightheartedly and held out a cup of tea for her to take.
"Yes, thank you," Angelica took the drink and sat at the table beside Alexander. She could still feel the nagging feeling inside of her from not knowing what he and her sister spoke about.
"Good." Eliza sounded much more cheerful than when Alexander first arrived. "I'll fetch father and let him know Alexander is here for a visit." With that she swept past the two and out the door.
After a brief pause, Alexander began to speak. "Your sister is most lovely company," he said carefully.
Angelica nodded. "Most true." After a short, awkward silence, she swallowed, attempting to bring up the courage to ask what was on her mind. "What," she started quietly. "...did Eliza say to you?"
The young man glanced to the table as if deciding whether to tell her the truth or not, then looked her in the eyes. "She told me that someone else had a heart for me."
Angelica's heart started pounding in her chest. "Did she say who?" After a brief pause, he nodded.
Angelica found herself gripping the skirt of her dress, her palms sweaty. He knew her feelings for him. And she wasn't sure if she liked that. "Did… she say anything else?"
"She said she wants you to be happy." Alexander leaned forward slightly. "Or maybe, to be satisfied?" He leaned back into his seat. "Eliza made it clear to me that she wants you to do what you want."
Angelica's heart pounded harder. "I love my sister more than anything in this life," she whispered. "I will choose her happiness over mine... every time."
"Eliza will do no different for you," Alexander responded. Angelica couldn't get even a slight read on how he was feeling through all of this. The two sat in silence until Eliza returned.
"Father will be here for dinner shortly," she chirped then proceeded to uncover a freshly baked loaf of bread and slice it with precision. Angelica stood and began to assist her with preparing the meal.
Angelica knew Eliza only wished to get her what she wanted. She thought back to when Eliza discovered her feelings for Alexander. She said she was fine, but Angelica knew she was lying. Would that continue to be a lie, or would she truly be fine if Angelica allowed this to play out? She shook her said slightly. She was in a war, and no matter which side she chose, she would lose.
