Sweet Polly Oliver and the Tomcat Chapter 4
I do not own Hamilton: An American Musical or any of its characters or the song "Sweet Polly Oliver"
Eliza handed Cornelia the filly a small batch of hay. Cornelia welcomed the food and started to chew the hay. Eliza made sure to give her only a little bit of it since Cornelia still relied on her mother's daily feedings. She petted the horse's head and she neighed in response. Several months had passed since Cornelia's birth and during that time the little girl and little horse had become very close. It got to the point where sometimes the horse would follow Eliza much to her amusement and the amusement of others. All too soon the horse caretakers had to give Cornelia her daily cleaning and little Eliza had to leave the stables as a result. She returned to her mother's side.
Right now Catherine, Angelica, Peggy and Eliza were enjoying a nice sunny day outside. Mr. Schuyler was in his office taking care of some business that related to the mills he owned. But every now and again he would look out the window of his office to see his family.
Catherine was sitting at the white wooden gazebo with her daughter's by her side. She was reading a book, she would spare her daughters a glance every once and a while. Angelica, Eliza and Peggy were chatting amongst themselves and they were also playing with the dolls their Uncle Mason had given to them a while back.
"Hi I'm Angelica and I'm the biggest sister," she said.
"And I'm Eliza, I'm the middle sister," Eliza replied.
"And I'm Peggy," Peggy stated. "I'm cute."
Peggy had a mischievous smile on her face as she said so. Despite being only two years old she was really smart and sneaky, it was a habit Eliza and Angelica had learned from her. The two older sisters giggled at their younger sister and they used their dolls to talk.
"No I'm the cute one Peggy!" Angelica whined.
"I'm cute," Peggy replied.
"You're so smart Peggy," Eliza added. "Cute and smart."
Peggy sat with pride and she held her doll high in the air, it was as if she was declaring her victory. Catherine chuckled a little as she read her book, she adored watching and listening to her daughters antics. She remembered being that eccentric when she was their ages. Angelica started to playfully ruffle Peggy's curly brown hair and the youngest Schuyler let out a series of giggles as she did so.
Eliza gave her sisters a small smile before turning her attention back to the doll she held in her hands. The doll had her hair and eyes along with her signature blue color dress. Mason took the liberty of having dolls created to look like her and her sisters. They were gifts from when he came here with the rest of her relatives. She closed her eyes and felt a knot in her stomach as she recalled that day. She didn't want to think about that but at the same time she could never find it in her heart to forget it. She looked at the doll some more, a small likeness of her crafted with fabric and yarn. Its button eyes were staring right back at her. She could see her reflection in the shine of them.
What did she see? She honestly didn't know. She wanted to see a strong girl who was capable of bringing her family name honor and glory. But she didn't see that. She saw what her Uncle Richard saw, a girl who was only good for marrying into nobility in order to keep her bloodline pure. Her eyes suddenly became filled with determination and she started to mimic her father's moves using her doll.
She remembered how her father would move when he practiced his sword fighting. He moved with such grace, it was like it was a natural part of him. She used her doll to practice the moves she had seen. Her sisters didn't seem to notice since they were still messing with each other, Angelica was trying to get Peggy to take back what she said and Peggy was dodging her every move.
Catherine was about to turn to the next page of her book when something caught her eye. She looked at her middle daughter to see a strange sight. She saw that Eliza was using her doll for something other than playing. She moved her doll around in an odd manner. But there was something familiar about the way she was moving her doll. Her movements looked calculated and precise, it something that was unusual for a four year old.
After several seconds went by her eyes widen when she finally remembered where she had seen those moves. She realized that Eliza was performing her husband's movements. She would watch her husband practice with his instructor Mr. Roland sometimes and she knew that he would follow certain directions when it came to training. The way Eliza moved and the way she held herself reminded her of her husband's training. She was amazed that a little girl was able to remember such precise movements. But she was also confused.
When did her daughter find the time to remember such training? Had she been observing him the entire time he would train? How long had she been doing this? She was about to say something about the subject when a sudden noise caught her attention. And not just her attention but the attention of her daughters and husband as well.
Mr. Schuyler had finished looking over some business reports when he decided to check on his wife and daughters again. However, just when he was about to a certain and familiar cry caught his ears. He quickly looked outside the window and found the source of that sound.
It was the cry of a horse!
He saw the filly, Cornelia, running across the field in a frenzy. She looked frightened and confused. While she may not have been as big as an adult horse she was still a force to be reckoned with, her youth and lack of proper obedience proved that. She let out another cry as she began to gallop even faster. It made him panic as he saw that she was heading for the gazebo that held his wife and daughters!
"Catherine! Girls!" he exclaimed as he held onto the window.
Catherine and her daughter didn't have time to think as they saw Cornelia ran towards them. On instinct she grabbed the closest daughter and then the other and then… wait. One was missing! She looked down in her arms to see that Angelica and Peggy were there but Eliza… she was nowhere to be found. She looked around, panicked. And then what she saw shocked and surprised her. She found her daughter! And she was heading right towards Cornelia!
"Eliza no!" she cried.
"Eliza!" Mr. Schuyler cried through the window.
But his cries went unheard as Eliza kept running to the horse. He even hit the window several times but nothing. He was helpless and he feared the worst as Eliza and the horse ran towards each other.
Indeed, little Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler was running towards the horse she had come to know and love. The horse she named and had adored enough for both her and her grandmother. And the horse that was threatening her and her family's lives at the moment. But Eliza didn't see that, all she saw was her friend in need. Her horse looked frightened, her friend needed her. Cornelia ran right to her and once the filly saw the little girl she stood on her back legs and neighed in a frantic tone. Eliza saw this and raised her arms in the air in a peaceful manner and she spoke in a soothing tone.
"Cornelia," she addressed. "It's okay. It's okay."
Cornelia kept standing on her back legs and she even started to kick with her front legs but Eliza was too small for them to hit her. Eliza still held her arms in the air and continued to use soothing words. She could see that Cornelia was still panicked so she resorted to another tactic. She recalled that whenever she was upset or frightened her grandmother would comfort her by singing to her. Cornelia Schuyler had done the same with her son when he was younger and she had done so with Angelica and Peggy as well. There was only one song Eliza could think of at the moment and she started to sing. She channeled the warmth and concern her grandmother had used whenever she would sing to her and her sisters.
"As sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,
A sudden strange fancy came into her head.
'Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove!
I'll 'list for a soldier and follow my love!'
So early next morning she softly arose,
And dressed herself up in her dead brother's clothes;
She cut her hair close and she stained her face brown,
And went for a soldier to fair London Town."
At the sound of the singing Cornelia the horse looked confused but the soothing melody was starting to get to her. She slowly lowered herself onto all four of her legs and looked at the young girl that stood before her. She was the very same girl who treated her with kindness and respect ever since she entered the world. Eliza continued to sing and she continued to hold her hands high.
"Then up spoke the sergeant one day at his drill,
'Now who's good at nursing? A captain lies ill!'
'I'm ready,' says Polly, to nurse him she's gone,
And finds 'tis her true love all wasted and wan.
The first week the doctor kept shaking his head;
'No nursing, young fellow, can save him,' he said,
But when Polly Oliver has nursed back his life,
He cried, 'You have cherished as if you were his wife!"
Cornelia's body relaxed and the tension melted away as Eliza reached the end of the song. The little filly then titled her head over Eliza and nuzzled her a little, Eliza giggled and she petted the horse. Catherine couldn't believe what she was witnessing as she held onto her two other daughter, her eyes widen in awe over her four year old daughter's actions. She couldn't even speak as she saw the horse bowing down to her little girl. And Catherine Schuyler wasn't the only one witnessing such an event; there was her husband and the father of her children as well. Mr. Schuyler watched from his window and just like his wife he couldn't believe his eyes. The middle daughter of the Schuyler couple didn't seem to pay attention to any of her surroundings as she continued to soothe the filly.
"On then Polly Oliver she burst into tears,
And told the good doctor her hopes and her fears,
And very soon after, for better or for worse,
The Captain took joyfully his pretty soldier nurse!"
Eliza stroked the horse's face and she even hugged Cornelia's neck. She smiled as Cornelia let out soft and relaxed neighs, the filly even nuzzled her some more. She still didn't realize that she had an audience as Catherine led her sisters and herself to her and as her father watched from his office. Mr. Schuyler could have sworn what he saw was a dream but it was too real to be so.
There was no fooling anyone, not even himself, he knows what he saw. His daughter, his little Eliza, had just soothed a wild horse… at the young age of four. He had learned how to do that just before he reached the age of ten and yet here was his daughter performing such an act at an age where she had much to learn. How was that possible? Who had taught her such a task? Did the little horse really hold his daughter with such high regard? There were so many questions he wanted to ask but he was sure that Eliza couldn't answer them in a way that made sense to him. However, despite that he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride over his daughter's actions. He watched as his wife and two other daughters went to her side and as two of the horse caretakers ran out from the stables to them as well.
Eliza was finally brought back to reality when she heard her mother's voice and the cries of her sisters. She felt the warm embrace of her mother as she reached her, her two sisters joined in on the embrace as well. Tears were in her mother's eyes as she hugged her, her worry and concern were evident. She feared that she had lost her daughter the second she saw her running to the wild horse.
"Eliza!" Catherine exclaimed as she took her middle daughter in her arms. "Are you alright?
"Eliza you could have been hurt!" Angelica stated.
"Big sister okay?' Peggy questioned.
Eliza Schuyler gave them puzzled looks as if she didn't know what they were talking about.
"I'm fine," she said as if it was obvious. "Cornelia was just scared."
"She was scared?" Catherine questioned. "You scared us all young lady, what were you thinking?"
"Cornelia needed a friend," Eliza stated. "She was scared."
Eliza kept emphasizing the "scared" part of her statements; it was as if she was trying to get her point across to her mother. Before Catherine could say anything else to her reckless young daughter two of the horse caretakers ran to them. They had come from the stables that had housed the young filly along with her parents..
"Mistress Catherine!" one of the caretakers exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"Have any of the young mistresses been injured?" the other asked.
Catherine looked at the two men with a hint of anger in her eyes. Catherine rarely expressed her anger to people, some say that becoming a mother caused this, but she wouldn't stand for any potential dangers to fall on her beloved children. She stood up from her place with her middle daughter still in her arms, Angelica and Peggy held onto their mother's dress as she did so. Eliza still held a questioning look in her eye; she still didn't understand why people were making such a fuss over a small matter. At least to her it was a small matter; she had only done what her late grandmother would have done if she saw a friend in need.
"Matthew, Clarence what is the meaning of this?" Catherine questioned. "How did Cornelia escape from her stable?"
The two servants bowed their heads as they took the young horse.
"Our apologies Mistress Catherine," Matthew said.
"We were in the processing of grooming little Cornelia when a field mouse scared her," Clarence added. "We tried to restrain her but she managed to ran pass us."
Catherine listened to their statements, she wanted to be angry but then she recalled what her daughter had said about Cornelia. She had said that Cornelia was scared and the caretakers had proven that statement to be true as they told her of the field mouse that startled her. She couldn't believe that her daughter's assumptions had just been proven to be true. She looked at her little Eliza with awe, her four year old child knew more about the horse than she did despite being surrounded by them longer than her. Eliza looked at her mother.
"You see Mother?" she asked. "Cornelia was just scared, she needed a friend."
Eliza's warm brown eyes made Catherine's anger slowly melt away, much like her husband her children were her weakness. She just couldn't stay angry whenever her daughter's gave her that look. Being a mother made her feelings on the situation a little complicated. She wanted to be angry since her daughter's live was put in danger and because her daughter had knowingly ran towards that danger instead of away from it but then there was a sense of pride over her daughter wanting to help others. And then there was what she had just witnessed, her Eliza had just soothed an untrained horse. Her four year old little girl did that and she was still having a hard time believing it. She let out a sigh and caressed Eliza's dark hair.
"Oh Eliza," she stated. "You are a force to be reckoned with."
"You have our deepest and sincerest apologizes Mistress Catherine," Clarence stated.
"We deserve whatever punishment you see fit," Matthew added.
The two men still had their heads bowed as they held onto the young horse. Catherine turned to her servants and gave them a small smile; she shook her head as she held tightly onto her Eliza.
"That will not be necessary gentlemen," she said. "I understand that Cornelia was just stressed over the situation. Please place her back into her stable and finish grooming her. But before you do that make sure that there are no more creatures that can startle her. And when you're done with her grooming I want you and the other caretakers to look over the stables to make sure that there are no other pests. Is that understood?"
"Yes mistress," they replied in unison.
Catherine nodded in agreement.
"You are dismissed gentlemen," she said.
With that the two horse caretakers lead young Cornelia back to her home, that left the Schuyler mother and sisters altogether. Catherine let out another sigh but this time it was in relief. Despite the anger and frustration she had expressed she was at least grateful that no one got hurt. She looked at Eliza once again and kissed her on her forehead.
"Eliza dear please do be careful next time you decide to do something like that," Catherine stated. "The last thing your father and I want is for you to be hurt in anyway."
Eliza listened to her mother's wish and she nodded her head. Despite being encouraged by her late grandmother to help those in need she was also encouraged to listen to and respect her parents by her as well. She understood that her mother was just worried about her safety just like she was worried about Angelica's and Peggy's safety.
"I understand Mother," Eliza responded.
"Good," Catherine said. "Now let's go back inside, that's enough excitement for one day."
"Okay Mother!" the girls answered in unison.
Catherine placed her daughter on the ground and the three Schuyler sisters ran back to the gazebo to gather their look-a-like dolls, Catherine followed in order to acquire her book. Once they were done they headed back to the mansion, as they did so Cather couldn't help but stare at her middle child and second daughter. Lately she had noticed a change in Eliza's disposition and overall character. The child seemed to be more observant even for someone her age.
It was no secret that young children learned from their surroundings but Eliza seemed to be completely engulfed with them. Her daughter would look rather than speak sometimes. Her eyes seemed to unravel the hidden secrets of the world; they saw things that she didn't. Her daughter had seen her father's training sessions and she mimicked them. She had also seen the frightened horse and she comforted her. With all of this in mind she couldn't help but wonder what else did Eliza see? And more importantly what else was she capable of? She felt like there was so much she didn't know about Eliza, her own daughter.
Those determined eyes and that bold figure. She had seen it before.
She had seen it in her husband, Philip Schuyler. When she first met him what attracted her the most was his determined eyes and bold figure. And yet here she was, Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of her and Philip Schuyler with those same eyes and figure. She couldn't deny it. Even though her husband now wore glasses and he had gotten older she still saw both traits in him.
Catherine's thoughts were interrupted when one of the household nannies came out from one of the rooms. It was her children's favorite nanny, her name was Susanna Lewis. Catherine had hired Susanna when she was pregnant with Angelica, since her husband was off to war for the most part she had to rely on the aid of her mother-in-law and multiple servants. But Susanna had stood out from the rest since she was the primary caretaker to the pregnant Schuyler mistress besides Cornelia.
Ever since then Catherine relied on Susanna to take care of her daughters whenever she or her husband had business to attend to, this was especially true after the passing of Cornelia Schuyler. Susanna took great pride in watching over the Schuyler sisters and she treated them as if they were her own. Her warm brown eyes and lovely dark brown hair resembled that of her daughters; sometimes the other servants had mistaken her daughters for one of hers. The fact that Susanna had a daughter that regularly visited the household whenever her husband was busy didn't help with that either.
"Mistress Catherine," she spoke.
"Susanna," Catherine greeted. "Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong mistress; it's just that your husband has requested your presence in his office," she stated. "Immediately."
Catherine couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
"I see," Catherine replied. "Has he said why he wishes that?"
"No mistress but I assume it is a matter of some importance," Susanna stated.
"Yes I suppose so," Catherine said as she clutched her book tightly. "Well then Susanna would you mind watching over the children while I speak with my husband?"
Susanna smiled and shook her head.
"Of course I wouldn't mind watching over these little dears," Susanna responded. "They mind me so much of my own daughter."
"Your little Maria, am I right?" Catherine questioned with a small smirk.
"Yes Maria can be a little troublemaker if you're not careful but she has a good heart," Susanna said. "She enjoys being by her father's side whenever he's not too busy."
"Oh she's such a wonderful child," Catherine added. "These girls are the same with their father. Do bring her the next time River isn't busy with work, the girls love to play with her."
Susanna smiled and she nodded her head, she then walked over to the Schuyler sisters. Angelica, Eliza and Peggy were thrilled to see their favorite nanny. They wasted no time in crowding around her with their dolls in their arms. Susanna chuckled over the sudden action and took their small hands into hers.
"Alright girls your mother and father have some important matters to discuss so why don't we play with your dolls in your room?" she asked. "Your uncle Mason sent some doll clothes for you this morning."
The girls' eyes widen and they jumped up and down, leave it to their Uncle Mason to do such a thing. Catherine couldn't help but smile over her daughter's happiness. She made a reminder to write a letter to Mason as a way of saying thank you.
"That's the spirit!" Susanna said.
With that Susanna took Peggy into her arms and she led the other girls to their shared room. Catherine watched as the disappeared from her sight and she allow worry to consume her. She wondered what was so important that her husband had to talk to her right now. She wondered if it had anything to do with his relatives visit some time ago. Before going to her husband's office she stopped at the family library first to return the book she borrowed, once she was done she made herself look presentable and she tried to wash the worry away from her face.
She walked upstairs and headed for Mr. Schuyler's office. Along the way she thought about the visit her husband's relatives made to their home. After they had left he spent the first half of the day talking to her about what was discussed in his office. She expressed her shock and anger over what had been said about her beloved daughters, this anger belonged more to Richard than the others though.
She knew that it was no secret what Richard's feelings about children were. He saw them simply as a way to further a parents legacy, he had been teaching his sons so since they day they each were born. That was another thing he liked to make known to those around them. Whenever her husband even dared to boast about their daughter Richard would interrupt by gloating about his sons.
Catherine could talk to William and tolerate Gerald and Hattie but she couldn't stand Richard. Even though he had done much in his life to garner praise and respect at the same time Catherine couldn't find it in her heart to respect a man who had no real regard for children or anyone other than himself. His attitude was the reason why she tried to keep her daughters away from him and those who were affiliated with him. For some years it had worked.
But the recent passing of Cornelia forced that man back into their lives… and as a result her daughters' lives as well. That was when the Schuyler relatives brought up the important subject of legacy. And that's where the seeds of her husband's problems had been planted. She clutched her hands together over her heart.
"Oh Philip," she whispered under her breath.
Her husband had told her about the deal and about how they were encouraged to produce a son by the date of next year. If not then all of the attention would go to Angelica. Regardless if they had or didn't have a son Catherine wasn't about to let her children become pawns in the twisted game of the Schuyler relatives especially not to Richard. When she married Philip Schuyler she didn't plan on anyone making light of her or the children she would bear to him. Her mother-in-law Cornelia had supported her in this decision.
When she bore her three daughters she couldn't have been happier, when she looked at them she didn't see legacies and bloodlines. She saw the future, a future full of possibilities. All of her daughters had potential and she was not about to let Richard, Gerald or Hattie mock or disregard that. She was thankful and not surprised to hear that Mason supported her and her husband in their time of need. But still, even his support wasn't enough to dissuade the others.
Don't misunderstand, they had been trying. But she had yet to feel anything relating to pregnancy. She wasn't so sure about the deal that had been made between the Schuyler relatives, she didn't feel right about bringing a child into the world just to appease someone else's wants rather than her and her husband's wants. Not even her mother-in-law agreed to that, had that been the case Cornelia would have remarried and had more children. But she didn't, she was satisfied with what she had even if she had only been married for a short time compared to other marriages and even if she only had one child. That was how she felt; she was satisfied with having her husband and with having her three daughters. She didn't need any more than what she had despite what others might try to tell her and Mr. Schuyler.
And speaking of her husband, she was now standing in front of the door that lead into his office. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out; she slowly knocked on the wooden door.
"Philip?" she questioned.
"Catherine?" his voice asked.
"Yes dear it's me," she replied.
"Come in."
She took hold of the handle and opened the door; she was greeted by the sight of her husband standing before the window. His back was turned to her and his frame was tensed. Little did she know that he had been doing so earlier as well. She entered the office and closed the door behind her.
"You wanted to speak to me about something dear?" she asked.
At that her husband let out a sigh and she slowly turned around to face his wife. He went back to his desk and sat in the chair, as soon as he was comfortable he rubbed his forehead. Catherine could see many signs indicating that her husband was stressed. She walked over to the desk and stood by his side; she placed her hands on his shoulders and massaged them a little.
"Philip," addressed. "You have to let it go."
"I wish it was that easy Catherine," he responded. "They are supposed to be my family and yet they keep hounding me at every turn I take. No matter how hard I try to keep my mind off of them I just can't seem to. It's difficult Catherine, it really is."
"I understand Philip," she answered. "But you should do what you feel is best for you rather than what is best for your family. How many times have you put them before yourself? Even your own mother thought so, isn't that the reason why you became a solider in the first place?"
Mr. Schuyler didn't deny her statement, when his mother was still alive she was a little against him being a solider and taking his father's place in the military. Not because she didn't think he couldn't do it but because she worried for his safety especially when he was her only child.
And while he had done so to make his deceased father proud he also did it for her as well, he wanted to show her that her hard work in raising him paid off. Reluctantly she allowed him to go and she would pray to her late husband to protect him and watch over him every time he matched into battle. Thankfully her son would come home every time he left and she was proud of him every time he returned. But that was only the tip of the surface for his motivations.
"I did become a solider for my family name and for my mother's honor," he admitted. "But I stayed for myself. Time and time again I went above the expectations I set up for myself, I proved that despite not having a father for most of my young adult life that I was capable of greatness."
"And you have made your mother proud because you became a great man… and a great husband and father," Catherine responded.
Despite his stress Mr. Schuyler smiled at his wife and took one of her hands into his.
"But now I have my family stating that what I have done in the past is not enough to secure my legacy or the Schuyler name. They say that our children need to have a hand in doing so. If it were up to me Angelica, Eliza and Peggy would have the freedom to do what makes them happy," he stated. "But I'm said to say that the name and the family they were born into will not allow that. Nor would the world we live in allow that. Oh dearest Catherine, I fear that our daughters will not be able to leave their mark on the world if nobody gives them the chance to prove themselves. There are many people like Richard out there… I fear that this world is going to hurt them in some way."
"I will not lie Philip," Catherine started. "This world can be unforgiving, women are supposed to be one thing while men are supposed to be many things. But I feel like your mother was the first woman who went against those expectations."
Catherine positioned herself to where she was leaning on the desk beside her husband.
"She raised you during a time where widows were encouraged to remarry and start over," she said. "She took over your father's estate, his business ventures, his properties and everything else that fell under his name. She did it while taking care of a child and while preserving her husband's legacy. "
Mr. Schuyler smiled at his wife as he recalled the precious moments he shared with his mother. He missed very dearly, there were times when he could have sworn that she was just waiting for him. He pictured her standing outside the mansion, beside the stables with a big smile on her face as if nothing bad had happened at all. But he knew that she was in a better place and most importantly she was with his father after so many years of being separated by death.
"She was a very strong woman," he commented. "Much like you my lovely wife."
Catherine blushed a little.
"And just like our daughters will be in the future," he added. "I know that they will accomplish great things despite what Richard thinks."
Mr. Schuyler scooted closer to his wife and he held her close. Catherine placed her head over his chest, she could hear the soothing sounds of his heartbeat and she could feel the warmth of his body.
"If it is God's intention to give us a son then so be it, I will always love our current children whether or not there is to be a boy in the family. I have not given up on them and I will always do my best to protect them from this world," Mr. Schuyler stated.
"I know you will and I will be right by your side for that," Catherine said.
The Schuyler couple held onto each other for a little while, they were going through emotional hardships right now. Cornelia's death had affected everyone more than they all thought it had and now they were facing a crisis that involved the future of their family. They didn't know what to expect from the future but they knew one thing: they would always support and love each other no matter what. Minutes went by before Catherine spoke; there was another matter she thought she should bring up to her husband.
"Philip," she addressed.
"Yes Catherine?" he replied.
"There is something else I want to discuss with you," she added.
"What is it dear?" he questioned.
She slowly untangled herself from his grasp and looked at him straight in the eye. Those determined eyes… the same as Eliza's. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and let out a sigh.
"Philip have you noticed a change in Eliza lately?" she asked. "She seems more observant and distant… she seems to be lost in her own world sometimes."
Mr. Schuyler's figure seemed to perk up a little from shock and surprise. He couldn't believe what he had just heard escape from his wife's lips. Had she noticed too? He thought that it was just him but now she had confirmed it. She had seen what he had seen.
"Well Philip, have you?" she asked.
He couldn't lie to Catherine, not to his wife of all people. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Yes," he admitted. "I have, I thought that I maybe it was just overthinking it or possibly just seeing things. But if you've seen it too then there must be something going on."
"I'm worried Philip," Catherine stated. "Eliza has always been and outgoing and bright girl but lately she just seems more… she seems so..."
Catherine struggled to find the words that fit the situation; Mr. Schuyler seemed to know the word though.
"Mature?" he offered.
Catherine looked at her husband and smiled a little.
"Yes," she said. "Mature."
She took his hands into hers and held onto him.
"She's only four years old and yet her mind seems older," she stated. "Just today she stopped Cornelia the horse from running on a rampage."
"I know, I saw everything from this window," Mr. Schuyler said.
Catherine gave her husband a shocked look; she couldn't believe that he had seen it too. But then again when she entered into his office just now he had been standing in front of the window. She realized that he had been watching over her and their children. And if that was the case then he had seen the incident that happened. She let go of his hands and walked over to the same window, she stared outside and she replayed the incident that had occurred. It could have been a tragedy and yet her little girl had prevented it.
"She spoke to Cornelia and Cornelia actually responded to he, it was as if she had been able to do so her entire life. It came so naturally to her… but she's only four years old," Catherine stated. "And that's not all."
Mr. Schuyler looked at his wife with a surprised look.
"What do you mean that's not all my love?" he asked.
Catherine turned to her husband and she looked at his glass covered eyes, the same eyes Eliza seemed to possess.
"Philip she's been watching you practice with Mr. Roland," she stated. "I have seen it and she is reenacting it."
Mr. Schuyler knew that the first part was true but he didn't know about the second part until Catherine had said it just now. He suddenly thought back to all the times he would see his middle daughter watching him. He had just dismissed it as childish curiosity but he didn't mind when she did so. He was happy to share moments like that with his child but to hear that she had actually taken what she had seen to heart made his heart swell. It swelled up with pride; he found that strange especially when he wasn't trying to teach her what he practiced. He walked over to his wife.
"Philip she was able to perfectly mimic your moves," she commented. "It was just like with Cornelia, it came so naturally to her."
Mr. Schuyler listened to his wife's statements and he couldn't help but wonder what exactly was going on with his middle child. He could see that Catherine was really worried about Eliza.
"Philip, why is going on with our little Eliza? Why has she changed? Are we missing something?" she questioned.
Mr. Schuyler took his wife back into his arms and he kissed her forehead. He wasn't sure he could provide the answers she wanted. After all how could he explain it when it didn't make any sense to him? He was so confused right now and his wife had every right to be worried about their child. After all Eliza's recent behavior and actions went above the expectations of a normal four year old. His wife had been correct with her assumption of Eliza's mind being older. He wondered if he should bring up another new aspect of Eliza he had recently noticed. He knew that if he didn't that Catherine would just figure it out for herself and he would have to admit that he knew all along. She would probably be angry with him if that were the case so he decided to say it.
"Catherine, you're not the only one who's noticed new changes in Eliza," he admitted. "Recently she's been asking me more questions about my life as a solider and when I was still in the military. I am always happy to answer whatever questions she has but these questions were very specific. It was as if she had prepared herself to ask them."
Catherine couldn't believe what she was hearing. To hear that her husband had noticed new changes that she didn't even see made her heart ache. She was beginning to question just how well they knew their daughter. Did they really not understand her? Was she falling out of touch with them? But that couldn't be! She was only four years old! Catherine felt her head ache as well and she felt her legs get weak. Mr. Schuyler noticed this and quickly supported her, he then lead her to his chair so she could sit down. He then kneeled down next to his wife and he waited to see what she was going to say. It took a while but Catherine finally spoke.
"Philip what are we going to do?" she asked. "Do you think that we're losing her?"
"Catherine don't exaggerate," he responded. "If that was the case Eliza wouldn't be responding to us. I'm sure that whatever this is it is just a phase. After all not all children grow up in the same manner."
"But Philip you can't deny that this goes beyond that," she argued. "What should we do?"
He didn't want to worry his wife any more than she already was so he gave her some hope. He recalled his mother and her way of raising him. Her philosophy was that as long as he was happy then she was happy. He could apply that philosophy to this situation because it was true. He wanted the best for his children and he wanted to make sure that they never longed for anything. He was more than happy to make sure that they were happy. He knew that Catherine wanted the same. He took his wife's hand into his own and he kissed it.
"I know that there are many things we still have to learn about our children, they are still young and they still have much to learn but they have much to give as well," he said. "Eliza is happy, I have seen the smiles on her face and I know that she has not changed when it comes to happiness. If anything she looks more than happy."
He saw the tension in his wife ease and he gave her a gentle smile.
"I think we should support her, after all if we don't support her now she'll think that she's doing something wrong," he said. "And that is certainly not true. I want her to be happy just like I want Angelica and Peggy to be happy too."
He then stood up from his place and leaned closer to his wife. Catherine looked at him with relaxed and calm eyes.
"My mother wanted the best for me when I was younger and even after I grew into a man. I want to be the same with my children. I know you want the same too."
"Of course," she stated firmly. "I would do anything for my children."
"And that's why I love you," he replied. "We should just wait and see how this all turns out. If we see any signs that Eliza is unhappy we shall intervene but so far she hasn't exhibit any signs of being unhappy. But for right now let's enjoy these moments like they last especially when the future is uncertain for the Schuyler name."
Catherine could see that there was a pained look in her husband's eyes. She knew that he was thinking about the deal he had unwillingly made with his relatives. And she could see how much it was affecting him at this point. She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. Mr. Schuyler was caught off guard but he accepted her embraced and he hugged her back.
"You have such a way with words," she commented. "I'm remembering the reasons why I fell in love with you."
Mr. Schuyler chuckled a little and he hugged her tighter.
"The same goes for me my dear wife. I'm remembering the reasons why I wanted to court you," he said. "I'm falling in love all over again."
This time Catherine chuckled and he leaned into his embrace even more. The Schuyler couple stayed that way for a long while, they just held each other. They thought about the reasons why they were worried and they were still worried about those reasons but for now they would forget about it all. Whatever was to happen it would happen and they would accept that. However, as Mr. Schuyler held onto his wife his thoughts wandered to his second eldest child. Despite what he had said he remembered the majestic sight he had witnessed earlier and he recalled what Catherine had said about the incident. In all of his years of living there were only one person who had the ability Eliza possessed.
His mother Cornelia Schuyler.
"What an amazing gift you have my dear Eliza," he muttered under his breath. "I can't wait to see where it leads you."
Please review and leave comments, thank you for your time.
