A/N: I apologize for the long wait! Life got busy, and I had writer's block deciding what to do. I finally finished this chapter and have a clear idea now what to do. Please enjoy!

Chapter 7:

Dear Ensign Baker,

I know. It has been a long while. I'm sorry for catching you by surprise. No amount of words can be said on how sorry I am for not responding to your letters that I have been receiving. Yes, we agreed that you'd write me even though I wouldn't respond, but that was a horrible agreement we made. I should respond, not only because it is the proper thing to do, but I truly miss communicating with you despite what you had done to me. We were friends before after all, and I hope we still are. You left me in a lot of ache and sorrow the day you announced we couldn't be together anymore, or ever, but since then I've accepted some more people into my closed off circle and they helped me through my time of hurt. Please, do not feel bad. It is all behind us now and I have forgotten my heart was ever hurt. Now, on the subject of your past letters, thank you. Please see the dagger, my gift to you made from my own design, with help from the blacksmith of course, I cannot play with fire that well. You know this.

How are you? Life for me here hasn't changed much. I miss father immensely as I continue in my hobby of painting, playing my harp, and undergoing torture from unwanted visitors who seek to annoy me. Not to mention the suitors who come and go, and I can only say no to their proposals. Of late, little to none have been showing up or writing. Is this of your doing? You manage to somehow make me smile still, straying into my thoughts when I don't want to think of anything or anyone.

I pray you and the family you were billeted at are doing well, and safe. I look forward to hearing from you, Alby.

Sincerely,

Lillian Kennedy

Lilly read over her letter several times before finally putting it next to an empty box. She then picks up the other letter, which will go inside the dagger discussing the intelligence:

Albert,

Good, you figured out what I meant. This will be means of communicating on intelligence from now on when you come across any. At least I hope you're still on our side, the Patriot side that is. Your Bunker Hill information was great, and it could've helped us a lot if it wasn't for my letter to father being intercepted, costing us the battle.

Please burn this letter once receiving, do and act as you see fit. I guess this means I trust you still? Yes, I do, somehow.
Your optimistic friend, Lilly

With that said and done, she puts the short letter into the hollow dagger, and puts the sheathe on securely.

"This better work," she mumbles to herself as she slides the letter of 'getting back in touch' into its envelope, and sealing it with just a plain wax seal, not her family's coat of arms or her initials.

She then puts the dagger into a cushioned box, and closes the lid, locking it.


It was during winter of 1775 Lilly finally got a response from Albert "Ensign" Baker.

In a house alone, sick with a mild case of smallpox because she inoculated herself, she sits by the fire place in the main parlor underneath a blanket reading one of her favorite books, Evelina, as snow falls heavily outside like white down feathers of a pillow being ripped apart. Probably not wise to inoculate herself in the winter, but staying in a warm house by the fire, taking medicine when needed, and not going outside at all, she can get better normally.

This sentimental novel, Evelina, has notions of sensibility and early romanticism, and satirizes the society much to her amusement. The main character, Evelina, reminds Lilly of herself in some aspects, and ironically, almost similar to her current life she is living. Almost.

"In all ranks and all stations of life, how strangely do characters and manners differ!" Lilly reads aloud coughing, and smiling at this connection of intelligence and perceptiveness when it comes to making judgments about those around her.

Her mother Martha had gone to George's winter encampment at Cambridge to be with him, just the two of them, again. She's not too downcast about it, rather pleased she isn't travelling in this snow. She is also one to follow her father's wishes to stay behind, for safety, get inoculated for smallpox so she can make the next trip, and see to it Jacky 'behaves' himself her father joked. However, her father's letter from beginning of December confirmed that she will indeed see him next winter:

My Dearest Lilly

I have written to you in your mother's letters, but this is the first of many letters from me personally to you to come into your hands during this time of conflict, so I will do my hardest to make this letter extra special, my sweet one. To start, I have good news. Your mother and You will be able to visit me at my winter encampment every year during the long winter months when the fighting will certainly be at a standstill starting next winter. The locations of these encampments will come to be acknowledged in time, and I will tell as soon as I know. As I always love you and your mother's company, and I miss you both greatly at every waking moment, I regard you and your mother's presence as so essential to the cause that I sought reimbursement from Congress for your traveling expenses. I apologize for not allowing you to make the trip this past spring and this winter, I only seek your safety, health, and comfort. I worry just as any parent would, and should. You are also my young girl until you turn nineteen, well, you'll always be my little girl. Therefore I also didn't want you around men ogling you. I'm afraid that'll happen despite, not that it's a bad thing, I'm glad people see you as attractive, but I know how you are around men. (Lilly giggled at this assertion and read over his stumbles words at this part).

Besides this, coming at a time of harsh conditions in the future, there is risk of infection and disease amongst my men therefore I advise you to get inoculated for smallpox- I trust that you have the knowledge and skill to do so yourself with no other doctor in need. I know you inoculated your mother this past spring and I thank you, my skilled girl. In the meantime, be attentive to the mail, my other letter with my gift to you will be with it.

I wish you, Jacky, and Nellie all my love, and deep condolences for Nellie's loss.

Always,Your father,

George Washington

The gift was one of the daggers she sent to him, having sent two but he kept one liking it much, deeming it good to have on his person and it was created by his daughter. Nothing like having your children's creations with you at work, except this creation beats any art or doodles by far, he said. The dagger he sent back contained a letter inside, explaining how he forgives Nathan Hale for not following his orders on telling her to refrain from sending intelligence, how much he likes this clever idea, and to stay in touch with this method on means of secret messages. He also said he is in the process of contacting civilians interested in obtaining intelligence on the plans of the British enemy forces. So far, no one wishes to, but Lilly is confident that will change. They both know she won't always be able to come through, or Baker.

Her family has relatives and neighbors who are adamant loyalists. She'll never forget her mother in the beginning of the war; her heart was troubled until she realized that her heart was with the patriots. This is also why Lilly is struggling with friendships with people around her age. She has none in the world outside her home. Of course she is distant friends with every patriot, whether her mother and she have come into contact with or not, because of their role as a symbol for the patriot cause. But a real friend, someone by her side and knows her, a connection that lives in the heart, is hard to come by.

"Lilly, I have some mail for you," Maria saunters in wearing her red floral head wrap and with a bundle of letters in her hands.

Lilly folds the corner of her page slightly before closing her book, "About time we get some mail, I was getting bored."

"Oh that's not good, you being bored," Maria grins at her friend who reaches desperately for the letters to read. "And you're sick, a horrible combination."

"Nah she'll get better real soon. She is more of a carrier," Jacky comes in the parlor with his glass of wine, ducking from the pillow that was flung at him weakly. "See? She is in the process of getting better, a strong doctor she is. It is her duty to get better so she can heal those ill around her."

"Shh! You're ill! But I'm afraid your condition of Idiotitus can't be healed," Lilly shushes him while coughing, getting rid of the tickle in her throat, and putting a hand on her forehead because of the headache. "Let me read in silence or get out."

His mouth drops, faking surprise, "Rude. Is it from Romeo?"

She glares at him from the open envelope, "Don't call him that. Only Nathan can."

"It really is a clever nickname—tell me the details later, Lady Capulet," Jacky says leaving the room, to continue drinking his wine elsewhere. Since his wife Eleanor, or 'Nellie,' lost the baby, they both have been depressed and keeping to themselves. Jacky drinks his usual wine, but now with downcast eyes, and Nellie stays in her room sleeping or Martha's bedchamber to read the Bible or pray. A horrible time for them now, but like any couple who has a miscarriage, they will keep trying, and Lilly is confident they will have a beautiful baby in their arms by the end of next year.

After seeing he is gone, and Maria leaves the room, she begins reading Albert's letter:

Miss Lillian,

It is extremely heartening to hear from you for it has been a very long while! Being told by the man whose home I am billeted at, saying a letter from a woman came, caught me by surprise truly. You are the first person to write me, and the only one that may ever will; the only woman too. No, do not apologize for your past actions you were in every right to act and do as so. It is proper to respond yes, but after what I had done to you, it hurts to imagine. I know what I had done to you, and I am hurting every day because of my foolish choice. What a stupid man I am, a stupid friend to have left you so! I am still your friend after all I did? I'm not sure I can believe this. To think I thought every day since I left that I was still your friend… I missed communicating with you too. I'm very, very sorry for causing you ache and sorrow. If I could, I'd come visit you before winter ends since the fighting is at a standstill everywhere, and prove to you I am still the man I once was, and still is. I'll let you decide in time. But duty has me here, glued in place even though it isn't much. Standing around, training, on guard, training for being on guard- I'm surprised I can go to a house at the end of the day to sleep and eat it is so much vigorous work, but worth it. I wish greatly I didn't follow my stepfather's wishes, but at the same time I still thank him because I did become a greater man, a man I wanted to become for you. If only it wasn't on the other side.

Yes, I received your gift and figured it out, it is a lovely dagger I must say. Since it is so lovely, and special, I keep it hidden and not on my person. The British militia is required to be armed with certain weapons, and if I am caught with this weapon, it wouldn't be good results. I either follow regulations or I am done for. They do not check the mail here because it is a small, seaside town-beautiful in its own way. So they do not think such acts of espionage will be conducted here, yet at least. I ask you to refrain from detailing letters with our secret messaging on intelligence because I do not wish for you to get caught if they do end up checking letters before giving out.

So many paragraphs, I apologize, but there is so much I have to say. I had to practice writing several times in order to get my thoughts together. I am well, considering what I mentioned above. I only wear a white wig, red coat, rifle in hand, and a regulated hat as far as my change in appearance. I know you miss your father and I'm sorry he's been driven around of late and losing some battles. Sorry for the Bunker Hill information not making it to him. I wish him the best. Suitors? You have me laughing from afar, of course I had no part in them not showing up. Perhaps I should try making a visit, to scare any others off to rid of any pressures of annoyance you have. An intimidating British officer should do the job just fine. I'm glad I can make you smile, but I fear you don't want me in your mind going by your words.

Everyone is well and safe; they thank you for your concern. We will stay in touch, and yes, I'd like to think I'm still patriot. I'll send intelligence as soon as I come across it. Thank you for your trust and time.

Yours truly,

Albert "Ensign" Baker

Lilly's mouth remained agape as she sat there, rereading some parts of the letter over and over again until tears took up her eyes, and she fell over on the couch, curling in a ball under her blanket and crying, thinking of her poor friend in a part he doesn't want to play. Wait but he does! He did it for me! If only it wasn't the other side he said…. She continues musing to herself, not even noticing Maria coming in to check on her, hearing her soft crying. He didn't have to!

"Is he well?" Maria asks her friend.

"Yes, very well. I'm glad—" she coughs, "I'm glad I reestablished contact with him. He's still on our side."

"I'm… glad to hear that? I would hope he is on 'our side,'" Maria quotes with her fingers.

"Gosh what a guy!" Jacky called from the other room with feigned fondness, soon laughter.

"But he didn't have to go," Lilly mumbles confusedly, glaring in the direction her brother's voice came from with more unnecessary remarks.

"I'll deal with him Lilly, don't get worked up. You received other mail too, one looked like a familiar name, I couldn't help but notice it. Tallmadge? Nathan mentioned him sometimes," Maria informs before walking to the room over to speak to Jacky on matters of privacy for his sister. Normally this wouldn't happen in the typical home with slaves, but the Washington home, their family and slaves, 'servants,' get along like family.

"Tallmadge?" Lilly looks over to the bundle of letters with blurry eyes and a red nose as she sits upright, and grabs the bundle to sift through it. Finally she finds a sloppy envelope with horrible penmanship with the name Benjamin Tallmadge on it, almost a scribble if it wasn't for the last name being written clear enough.

"Why would he write me? I do not know him," she mumbles to herself, opening the letter only to have her guffaw at the inadequate layout of paragraphs, almost sonnet like. "Sloppy writing, I'm surprised. And it's a love letter of interest in me, good heavens. Maria come quick!"

She reads:

Miss Lillian Washington,

I have heard your name from afar on this Long Island since it was rumored you went to college,

Just like I, class of '73. I admire women like you: smart, fierce, and overall fine-looking.

I don't always think women are beautiful, but when I do, they will most likely be the only one for me because I only seek one to love forever, thanks to my reverend father, making me the virgin I am in my humble twenties.

Oh the rumors I hear from men all around about your beauty—long hair, big brown eyes, a big smile, a big bust—don't even get me started on your lovely choice in fashion and learning, accentuating your qualities inner and outer. I can't imagine what else is big on you.

I assure you my heart is big enough to hold you inside it; I'll let you be the judge on my other handsome assets.

I translated your blood paper years ago, in the romantic timeless language of Latin: In genere sunt .

I can translate much more if you wish, if you know what I mean. I would love to meet you, and get to know you. For now I only see you in my dreams at night, picturing you in my arms, pressed together tightly… translating each other. You heavenly goddess! You're the only goddess who could ever exist in my eyes other than the Almighty God.

Signed,

Benjamin Tallmadge

Lilly and Maria sit with jaws dropped, appalled.

"How dare he!" Lilly shoots up from the couch, angrily and red faced, from being sick and from her rising temper. "How dare he, how dare he—How. Dare. He! Please burn my eyes along with this indecent paper!"

Watching her friend fume, and sneeze from breathing too much, Maria takes the letter from her, "Oh he couldn't have. He must've been drunk—"

"VERY drunk! Or he isn't the gentleman Nathan said he was," Lilly paces in the parlor, cold feet on the cold wooden floorboards. "Nathan wouldn't lie to me though. He always gave me his word."

"It is inappropriate—"

"Very!" Lilly cuts in. "This Tallmadge was a Yale student! They should be well-expressed in speech."

"Well he kind of is..."

Lilly sharply looks at her friend.

She coughs awkwardly, "Some think it is attractive when men write like this."

"I don't!" Lilly shouts.

"But maybe he didn't write it," Maria says slowly. "His signature doesn't match his writing at all."

Lilly turns around, not strong enough to raise an eyebrow, and walks over to see the letter. Sure enough, his signature didn't match, it was in fact finely written as if signing an official document.

"I want to believe he didn't, but it sounds so… honest. It goes by what Nathan told me and everything, he can always speak his mind. Then he could've been drunk the night he wrote it, and the next day signed it," she groans, "So many theories! What a nasty, horrible—

"I know it's horrible Lilly, but keep your head. Let's think positive, he probably didn't mean it if he was drunk," Maria says calmly.

"The son of a reverend? Come on! I expect far more decency than that! He should have been able to realize what he wrote. Oh I will not forget this, just wait until—"Lilly feels a warm blanket wrapped around her as she is pushed over to the green embroidered imported carpet where her feet are not as freezing any more.

Maria puts a hand on her hot forehead, looking at the small rash on her face from the smallpox, "Don't waste your anger on this trash. Have no anger; you're burning up as it is. Do not tell anyone, this is personal. And your parents do not want to know such talk was spoken to you, real or not."

"Right, it is," Lilly breathes out, calming down as she is ushered over to the couch to lie back down. "Nathan is an honest man. He said he was a true gentleman."

"You see, your friend knows what he is talking about. Trust his word on that baby," Maria tells her with a smile, covering the rich green, thick cotton blanket on her once more. "I don't think he wrote it."

"I guess. Trust has been the popular word lately," she sighs, accepting it for now.

"Good," Maria says about to go get some dinner ready. "Now we'll talk more if you want when you get better because I am wondering how he got the rumor on your 'big bust,' it ain't that 'big.' "

Lilly groans, covering her face with the blanket, "No more. Get out."

Maria can't help but laugh quietly to herself, shaking her head going to the kitchen, and only laughing out loud when she hears her friend's words, "It may not be big, but it is a good enough size! I'm satisfied and that's all that matters!"

"Do I want to know?" Maria hears Jacky ask in the parlor, passing through to help in the kitchen.

"Go drown yourself in wine," Lilly coughs out, and getting quiet after that, letting much needed sleep take her, her last thoughts being 'why would he write me?'

"Don't mind if I do," Jacky retorts with a chuckle.


~ January 1776

The New Year came like every other year, quietly and quick, like falling asleep on a regular week night and waking up the next morning the same. There was no celebration this year at the Mt. Vernon mansion due to Martha, one of the true hosts, not being there. Plus Lilly was still ill, even if she herself wanted to throw a get-together she couldn't without risking others catching the sickness.

Recovering from her small pox inoculation by the beginning of January, she can now walk freely outside and function normally with no fever. Only dried skin and fading rashes located on parts of her face and body, only more reason to cover up more and wear a hood. Still a winter month, the Potomac frozen over, and snow lightly falling leaving everything white, she rides her father's Arabian stallion Magnolia through the Mt. Vernon estate.

Young Magnolia was left behind because she is a racing horse who races in Alexandria, not the type to endure battle. Her father's other two horses, his favorites: Nelson and Blueskin, he took with him to ride throughout the war.

With her dark purple cloak blowing behind her in the small gusts of wind every now and then, wind swirling on the ground and the air causing snow to spiral, she rides Magnolia at a slow pace through all the winding paths of the slave's quarters making sure they are inside warm and well.

The occasional slave man is outside with a shovel, shoveling the snow back from their little front yard or walkway, and immediately looking up to their lady's face bowing their heads in friendly greeting and respect.

"Miss Lillian," They would say.

In turn, she would say their name upon recognizing them, with a smile. Having 300 or more slaves is tough to remember all names, but it is possible to memorize even if it still takes time.

Watching dark smoke emit from all the chimneys into the white sky down the path and sees no one else in sight, it gives her the assurance they are all inside and warm. If windows weren't clouded from frost, ice, or snow, she could see either a couple, single individual, or family gathered around their fireplace doing something productive or relaxing to occupy their free time.

Turning the horse around, she makes her way back to the stables to put the horse back with the others, while thinking on the way of all the huge events that had happened already during this time of war. King George III issued a royal proclamation closing American colonies to all trade and commerce on the day before Christmas Eve. It is to take effect in March of all times, right when spring begins where people would need fresh goods and supplies after this winter. Since then, everyone has been reading the recently published and popular 50 page pamphlet Common Sense written by Thomas Paine. It is highly critical of King George III and attacks allegiance to Monarchy in principle while providing strong arguments for American independence. It became an instant best-seller in America for that reason. 'We have it in our power to begin the world anew...American shall make a stand, not for herself alone, but for the world,' Lilly thinks to herself with a thoughtful smile on her lips.

"Yes she will make a stand. Indeed not for herself alone."


~ February 1776 ~

Lilly stands outside her home's front door steps, dressed in her finest clothing because she will be in the presence of Continental officers who have escorted her mother back from Cambridge. With Maria standing at the front door, both women stand poised and proper, hands folded in front of them watching the carriage and cavalry of men approach closer.

"It's only four," Lilly lets out a sigh of relief, knowing her friend is eye-rolling at her comment.

"Of course he wouldn't send his whole army to ensure your mother's protection," Maria calmly states. "Well, maybe he wishes too, my mistake. But he wouldn't send more men than normal; he's against matching you up on his own."

She smirks, "Actually, I'm relieved it's just four. It's an even number, he knows I hate odd numbers," her lady remarks, who is looking in the distance, causing her to outright laugh. "And yes you know my father by now Maria, ever since I came along. He is not the typical father to send for men to visit me and 'match me up' as you call it."

Maria shakes her head, letting out one more breath of laughter, "I am aware he is against arranged meetings and marriage. Believe me when I say this, those men only came under orders to secure Martha at her home, and then they will be off."

"Exactly," Lilly smiles as the carriage makes it around the bowling green on the round gravel path, and pulls up in front of the door with the blue coated officers on horseback, armed, and smiling courteously to the young woman.

"Maybe," Maria whisper gets caught in the wind causing Lilly to glance behind her shoulder with a quick glower.

"Miss Washington," they either bow their heads or tilt their helmets towards their General's daughter in appropriate greeting, jumping off of their horses with absolute skill.

She couldn't help but smile back at all of their genuinely kind, tired faces, and the fact that they look older than the common suitor age. She did expect one man to be familiar as he escorted his mother on previous expenditures and both her and her mother to Philadelphia for safety precautions. This man wasn't here.

"Gentlemen," she bows her head appropriately.

One officer stands by the carriage door, opening it, and a big, puffy, dark blue dress comes into view. Within all the silk embroidered fabric, a smiling woman with relieved and tired eyes is looking at her daughter after months of being away.

"Thank you, Abbott," Martha states taking the offered hand of the officer to step out the carriage with a queenly grace Lilly admires to no end. How does she do it? Lilly wonders to herself.

"Lilly," her mother smiles sweetly and lovingly, flipping her hair behind her shoulders and adjusting her lace cap, before her hand rest on her daughter's cheek.

"Welcome home mother!" Lilly beams returning her mother's open hug. "I can tell you're glad to be back."

"I am. But also glad I went. It is worth it all no matter how arduous the excursion is," her mother says.

Nodding understandingly, Lilly responds, "Indeed. Next time I will be going for sure. I need to see my father."

Some of the men chuckle at her words during their own quiet conversation with Derik and other slaves about the horses and the house.

"A father's girl. A gift sacred to him and the world," one of the oldest officers comments with a nostalgic glaze in his eyes.

"They are to be treasured," the second oldest said looking at the stretch of land. Oh how kind they are! Lilly thinks to herself and wondering if any younger men are out there acting just as they do.

"Oh Lilly he misses you so. He sent things back to give to you, mostly letters, but we can catch up inside," Martha lowers her voice with a hush, "I pray the house is presentable?"

"Mother, you give me no credit. It is, since the day you left. Only Jacky would make it untidy but sweet Maria took care of him," Lilly grins in her hushed voice as well.

"Good. Thank you Maria."

Maria smirks slightly, bowing her head back to her landlady and owner.

"Remarkable land you have Mrs. Washington, I just may take a trip to that famous Potomac River," the second oldest looking officer says with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Thank you. Oh sure, feel free to visit any place you want out here," Martha tells the men who smile kindly at the offer.

"Why do you want to do that?" a man in his late thirties asks the older officer who mentioned the river.

"To toss a silver dollar across it of course! See if the legend is true," the man in question responds as if it is obvious.

The exchange caused Lilly to let out a light laugh causing their heads to snap in her direction.

"There is also the legend that the daughter of our commanding General is a pleasure to talk to; a charming hostess just as her mother. If I may, will I be given the honor to escort you on a leisure walk later this afternoon?" The older officer asks her politely.

"You may…" Lilly smiles at him.

"General Charles Scott," he introduces.

The two remaining soldiers, and Lilly's brother John (Jacky), stand outside on the long back porch of the house overlooking the Potomac, and their General walking with the young lady. The second oldest officer is walking back uphill towards the group of men with a shake of his head.

"The legend is untrue. I wasted a silver dollar," the man says causing the three men to erupt in laughter.

"Perhaps you're just getting old Saul," Abbot, the soldier in his late thirties, says. "You barely raised your arm from what pitiful throw I saw."

"I've been raising this arm all day. Pray I don't raise it again, boy, for more clouting matters," Saul responds with a serious glint, then said glint becomes playful once Abbotts face pales.

"I was wrong to accompany these old men even if I may be considered one myself in the eyes of some. See to it you make no failed decision as well John," Abbott says to Jacky who chuckles.

"Enough about our age. So, what is so special about Miss Lillian? Other than being our General's daughter and unaccompanied by another. The Jewel of Virginia is what some of the men say," the other old soldier, Thomas, who hasn't spoken yet.

"There are women, and then there's Lilly," Jacky exclaims motioning with his hands. "Lilly, in all aspects, is a lady. A perfect lady. She is intelligent, but what many do not know is she is a woman of greater intelligence; she went to college and had tutors. This can be either intimidating or a challenge by many potential suitors and is why she remains so."

Abbott breathes, shaking his head watching General Scott walk with her lady, "She is young, but I see her beauty everlasting. She will become acquainted with a man in her father's army and command."

Jacky frowns, "Of course I see her the same way, do not interpret my words so. I—sometimes we, fear for her future. She has high standards even if she will marry for love."

The men look at the young lady's brother with stunned faces, and sorrowful eyes. Jacky soon begins to feel guilt for talking about his sister so. He isn't harming her reputation! He would never dare. He comes to a consensus that he rarely talks about his young sister with other man which is why he feels this way. He is protective of her just as his father is. The men his sister will meet throughout her life will get to know her through all that he is describing her as.

Saul sighs, "Poor thing. She will come to realize the world doesn't work that way. It is rare that happens. My wife and I were actually one of those lucky rare ones, I must say."

Abbott nods his head to Saul in respect.

"She's a silent opinionated one isn't she?" Thomas asks with a smirk.

"Yes she is. The Patriot blood flows sweetly through her," Jacky says causing all the men to grin proudly.

"What a dream she is," Abbot comments. "Your wife is one of the loud opinionated ones if I remember correctly," he tells Thomas who looks everywhere but at Abbott.

"Don't talk about his trophy wife, boy!" Saul jokes.

"Trophy wife? What contest in hell did I win?" Thomas smirks causing another outburst of laughter from the soldiers and Jacky. "I don't mean that dear," Thomas adds looking up at the sky.

"Is she?" Jacky's smile fades.

Thomas looks at him, "Oh! No! She isn't dead. Just said that for her sake."

"Ah," Jacky nods.

Lilly smiles pleasantly, feeling the sun hit the top of her head with no fancy hat adorned on it as she enjoys the older General's company as a granddaughter would a grandfather. He is a strict man, but kind nevertheless. He obviously takes his position to the heart as any soldier should.

"Is that all my father wished to tell me?" she asks him, seeing him pensively thinking and trying to form words.

He sighs, "Miss Lillian, he did wish me to tell you a message of importance and to not take it wrong."

The rest of her small smile faded. With hope, she clings to the silent air before he speaks.

"He does not want you gathering intelligence anymore. He fears for your safety and reputation."

"My reputation?" she asks with creased brows.

"No one but I, in his charge, knows of your intelligence gathering efforts. I will say they were great, and helped us plenty. It gave us assurance we have the right knowledge because, if you didn't know, we receive the same intelligence as well though not as detailed. Being a lady of your standing, and young, you are bound to be compromised."

"I understand, sir. I figured as much that the army themselves would be ahead of the game and know what was happening. But he assigned me a duty to him and this country," she begins, both stopping their walk and General Scott looks down at her inquiringly. "Even if I wasn't gathering intelligence, I am still serving my country as his daughter, and a gracious symbol alongside my mother."

"And you fulfill that symbol and honorable duty well," he bows his head respectfully. "I assure you my men, and all other serving men see you as such and nothing less."

As if she didn't hear him, she continued, "When I help the cause, through intelligence gathering, I feel it is also my civic duty, and I take pride in that no matter how uncertain. What will he do then to help increase our chances of winning this war?"

The General smiles down at the naïve woman, "He was able to recruit enough men for that effort, Miss Lillian. I was also promoted Head of Intelligence."

Her body felt frozen, and she swallows the words she was preparing to say.

"That is great news he was able to do so. Congratulations, General, sir. You will do well I'm sure," she says with a kind face.

"Thank you Miss Lillian. You do not take it the wrong way, I hope?"

She shakes her head gently, "No. My father means well, always. I've only grown emotionally attached to that duty, and I cannot picture myself not being affiliated with it no more."

"Oh dear," he says with a sigh, looking away from her at the shining river and ducks silently swimming near. Women and their emotions was on the tip of his tongue but he held it back. "As I tell my soldiers, they are not to show emotion nor have any emotion to their work, but only proudness, pride, as you said earlier. They are faced with obstacles every day that test their disposition."

An army who is told to show no emotion? I can hardly believe my ears, there is no such thing! She thinks to herself.

"It is warming to know, however, you believe it your civic duty, my lady. People of your nature are hard to find for espionage," he continues.

She raises an eyebrow, "I thought you said you were able to recruit enough men for that effort?"

"We did, but not enough as we really need," he exhales. "Those loyalists are everywhere."

"Have you not tried regular people? Civilians?"

"That will not be tried for it is highly risky. It is also not funded by Congress nor your father," he responds stoically causing her to remain silent, she wasn't going to speak her opinion further.

"Now, let's not delve into this serious talk. All I need to know, to report back to your father, is if you're alright with this?" He asks, reverting back to his kinder voice.

"I will always be emotionally attached to it," she starts, causing him to close his eyes. "I, I gave him my word—"

"It was an order for you to stop in your efforts," he interrupts, admitting the real truth it seemed, but not in Lilly's mind. Her father wouldn't order her so.

She recollects herself, blinking watery eyes, No, no I am not alright with this.

"Then yes I will be alright with it. I can't do anything about it even if I could, can't I?" She finishes with a pretend smile.

"Your efforts have not gone upraised, Miss Lillian. Your father only wants your safety. Now you may attain your largest role of the gracious symbol of America alongside your mother. That is of the most importance," he smiles, bowing his head at her meaning they have finished their discussion.

At a stun for words, she bows her head in return, not remembering when was the last time someone finished the conversation like so. She had so much more to say, and she found it hard to keep repressed. Both roles are important to me, no matter how small the latter is.

Taking his arm accordingly, he escorts her uphill towards the back porch where his men, her brother, and mother are standing and finishing whatever conversation they were having to look at the pair.

"What did we miss?" General Scott smiles to them.

A/N: Had to stop here, it was getting verrryyyy long. So how about that letter from Ben? Do you think he wrote it? Poor Lilly going through all this. The next chapter will be Lillian more in detail at her current state, and a little surprise from a person of Lilly's past maybe? Any idea who? Chapter 9 will be a time skip when she will visit her father with her mother... you all know the rest :) The action and real plot-line of TURN will begin there.

Please review and let me know what you think! Thank you all those who followed and favorited!

-BrownEyedGirl87