Chapter 10:

Ben had distanced himself greatly from Emeline in the past week. He felt ashamed to be in her presence. He never should have told her how he felt. It was foolish! Of course she would never love him back! He was merely the man that kept her prisoner. She probably hated him. He wished more than anything that she did not hate him. He understood perfectly why she did. He believed that he had deserved her slap. He let himself loose control over his feelings. He had not let himself get close to anyone since Felicity died but Emeline had changed that. She had made him happy again. She made him laugh and look forward to waking up in the morning instead of dreading it. He had ruined his own happiness by not letting himself be content with just friendship.

It was nearing the end of October. The leaves had started to change and it was beginning to grow colder. At breakfast one morning, Martha delivered a letter to Ben. Ben opened it.

Ben,

It has been too long since I last saw you. I will be in York by nightfall. I look forward to seeing you.

Edward Merriman

Ben held the letter in his hands and reread it several times. He walked out of his room and sought out Martha. As her turned the corner in the hallway he bumped into Emeline coming out of her room. He grabbed her shoulders. She gasped. He held her for a moment searching her eyes for some subtext. He released her and muttered "sorry", before continuing on.

He finally found Martha folding linens.

"Martha, we have a guest coming tonight".

"Why! Master Davidson who will be visiting us"?

"Edward Merriman".

Martha's eyes widened her eyes but did not say anything.

"Well, I will make sure the house is well prepared for Mr. Merriman".

"Thank you".

"Master Davidson, what shall I do about the girl"?

"Keep her out of the way, except for dinner".

"Of course".

Martha burst into Emeline's room while she was reading.

"Master Davidson has a visitor this evening and he thinks it is best if you keep to yourself so questions are not asked. You are permitted to attend dinner".

"Who is visiting Martha"?

"Edward Merriman".

"Felicity's father"? Emeline said is disbelief.

"Yes dearie". Martha said as she left the room.

Upon the arrival of Mr. Merriman, Emeline was called down for dinner. She decided against wearing any of the clothes from the clothing press. She thought that it might upset Mr. Merriman. She wore the dress she had been wearing when she was kidnapped for the first time since being taken. It felt strange to be wearing clothes from her old life.

As she entered the dining room, Ben and Mr. Merriman stood up. She could feel Ben's gaze on her.

"Edward, this is Miss Claiborne, she is a guest of the house".

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance Miss Claiborne. Do you have a first name"?

Emeline felt her stomach lurch. What was she supposed to say? She did not want to reveal her name but at the same time she knew it would look suspicious for Ben if she did not.

She opened her mouth to speak when Ben interrupted her, "Miss Claiborne, does not like indulging people with her name. It is a gift that she bestows on only certain people".

Emeline looked over at Ben who was looking at her most intently. She mouthed Thank You.

"Ah eccentric! Exactly how a girl should be!" Mr. Merriman exclaimed.

Emeline laughed feeling herself ease up. Ben however looked most uncomfortable.

"How is the store"?

"It is doing fairly well for these times. Williamsburg is not the bustling city it used to be".

Emeline felt her senses awake at the mention of home, "I am from Williamsburg", she blurted out.

She immediately knew she had said something wrong.

"Really? The name Claiborne does sound familiar..." Mr. Merriman said.

Dread crept into Emeline. What would happen if he knew that she was being kept as a hostage?

"You aren't Henry Claiborne's daughter are you"?

She looked to Ben for some kind of confirmation. She finally said "Yes" weakly.

"Is your father not a close advisor to the governor"?

"Yes" she said again weakly.

"What brings you to York"? Mr. Merriman pressured on.

Emeline began panic when Ben said; "Miss Claiborne is a patriot now".

Mr. Merriman nodded and ceased questioning Emeline.

The dinner conversation lagged into more boring conversations. Emeline did not speak again. She bolted up the stairs and into her room as quickly as she could. She could not believe how grateful she felt towards Ben for saving her from awkward and unwanted conversations twice.

"Miss Claiborne looks a lot like Felicity". Mr. Merriman remarked.

"I do not find that she does. Her eyes are different, she does not have freckles, and she is much skinnier".

"Yes, I suppose so. She almost looks unhealthy".

Ben nodded without expanding.

"How are you really doing Ben"?

"I am fine".

"Have you courted anyone"?

"No" Ben said staring at the ground.

"Ben, you need to find happiness. You have grieved for too long. Felicity would not have wanted you to live such a solitary life".

"I feel guilty Edward".

"Guilty of what Ben"?

"Guilty of being happy without her. Of loving another person besides her".

"Ben, Felicity was never the jealous type. She would have wanted you to find a new person that you could love. Ben, you were very young when you were with Felicity. You have changed a great deal since you were nineteen. Your love with Felicity was real but it was innocent. I cannot thank you enough for making her so happy and letting her experience love before she died. But Ben, you cannot live your whole life as though it has already ended".

"But it has ended, Mr. Merriman".

"Ben, there is not merely one person for use to love in this life. I believe that there can be many people that we are meant to love. It is okay to move on. I think you should Ben. It saddens me to see you living like this".

Ben nodded as he continued to stare at the floor.

"Ben, I saw the way you were looking at her at dinner. Do you perhaps love Miss Claiborne"?

Ben looked up at Mr. Merriman startled.

"I cannot love her".

"Why is that"?

"She is not a guest, Mr. Merriman. She is being kept here as a hostage because she saw my men rob a loyalist store. I cannot love her".

Mr. Merriman nodded.

"Why did you say she was patriot now"?

"Because she is, she told me she was no longer loyal to the king".

"Then is she really your prisoner"?

Ben looked up. He had never thought that Emeline no longer considered home, home.

"Perhaps its time I let her go".

Mr. Merriman nodded, "Perhaps".

"We are so similar. She is smarter than me of course. She is the most intelligent person I have ever met. She is so passionate as well. I do not think she knows how strong she is but she is. She can be quick-tempered and she comes across as rude when you first meet her. But she is just introverted. She understands me so well. I think I will miss her when she is gone".

Mr. Merriman smiled. Ben was like a son to him. He was glad that perhaps Ben was beginning to smile and laugh again.

"I should get going Ben".

"Right, have a safe journey back to Williamsburg".

"Tell Miss Claiborne that if she wishes to go home. I can take her tomorrow morning".

Ben nodded.