Felicity's Resolution

It was the spring of 1773 and Ben and Felicity struggled to fit in with a changing Williamsburg. Tensions ran high over the Tea Act and its consequences. Loyalists, friends of the Merrimans, were mistreated and arrested. Talk of revolution became a typical after dinner discussion.

Ben valiantly resisted the call to take up arms and join the militia. He had more than one vow to fulfill that kept him occupied in Mr. Merriman's storehouse.

If Felicity sensed his conflict, she did not press the matter. Ben wanted to kiss her for the faith she placed in him, but that was something to be done discreetly and not nearly as often as either would wish.

He could not help but watch the militia muster for training. Felicity was always with him; a presence to remind him why he stayed and did not join the line of rifles gleaming in the sunlight as the men at arms prepared to fight for their freedom.

Today, Lissie gave a little sigh as the backlash took a man off guard and he stumbled. She stared straight ahead as she asked, "Will you join once your two years are up?"

Ben watched her somber expression in private thought.

She went on. "I know you wish to. You watch them practice in the same manner I looked at Elizabeth all those years ago. I can tell you envy them. As you said, 'tis about making amends. You want the chance to do things differently this time around."

Ben frowned and did not answer right away. "I cannot say what the right thing is to do, now. If I fight only for my wounded pride, that is not honorable. I believe our colonies have a right to govern themselves, but I am not certain it will come to war."

"If there is a war, we will need more than soldiers for the cause," Lissie said eagerly, "We'll need riders to deliver mail, men to run the shops, and what will become of Williamsburg if left emptied of all her menfolk? Musn't some stay and defend us here?"

"Time will tell, Lissie girl."

Their quiet thoughts were shaken when shouts rang out from the commanding officer reprimanding an unruly soldier. Felicity tugged distractedly at the ribbon under her chin. "I hate wearing hats. Useless, discomfiting finery."

The next man stepped forward to fire and the officer berated him to fix his stance. "You never made me wear a hat. Although you did worse, like teaching me to read and sew." Startled, the man fired wildly. Lissie felt a puff of wind and brushed her cheek where it tickled. She puzzled that Ben did not respond to tease her.

She turned to see what the matter was and let out a horrible scream.

-x-

Ben was brought to the chamber adjoining William's, and the doctor was sent for immediately. Lissie would not be persuaded to leave the room, but assisted the physician in any use he could find for her, softly calling Ben's name now and then, but receiving no reply. Her parents were not consoled by Lissie's admission that she had seen Ben without a shirt before, and it did not distress her to care for him in such a state. However, she was steadfast and would not budge from his side.

The complications the physician faced in retrieving the bullet made Lissie glad that Ben was not conscious at the time. Though deemed a miraculously clean shot, the greatest danger was infection and fever, and the doctor was resigned to making regular visits to his patient. While he recovered—for Lissie refused to acknowledge the physician's repeated "if"—the movement in his right arm and side would be painfully limited for several weeks at the least.

When at last Ben awoke, it was to a tearful Lissie, hovering over him in great distress.

"I have never seen you cry before," he said in awe, though weak from the exertion it took to speak at all.

"You have never given me a reason," she whimpered, trying not to dwell on the agonized breaths Ben attempted to make. "Until now. Don't frighten me so. You must recover very quickly, do you hear me?"

Ben nodded, but he soon found it impossible to remain awake, and Lissie was left to fret alone.

-x-

Mr. Merriman stole into the guest chamber to comfort his distraught daughter. He made no attempt to extract her from the room, but drew her onto his lap and held her as he did when she was only a little child.

"Oh, Papa!" She had not grown to know him as 'father' and he did not see fit to correct her. "He is all I know. All I have." She thought perhaps it was cruel to dismiss her family so, but she truly felt capable of living well without them. "I know I am a disappointment to you. I know Mama would have me be a fine lady and fit to marry a lord, or an earl, or a duke, if I could. But I am not a fine lady. I am only a more grown up version of your little Felicity who loved horses and apple trees and running barefoot in the grass. And I love Ben. I've known for so long—so long that I can't put a precise day or moment to it, that I would marry Ben. I must. I would simply cease to be Felicity with anyone else." A fresh wave of tears overcame her, and she buried her face into her father's shoulder.

He hushed her softly. "Your mother loves you. As do I. She only needs time to adjust to a grown up daughter with a mind already set on her future. We are heartbroken not to have been a presence in your growing years, dearest girl, but equally proud of the young woman you have become. You've always been our independent one. All that matters is that you are here with us once more, safe and happy."

"And that Ben is well again."

"Yes, and that Ben is made well."

The doctor reentered the room to reassess his patient. He shook his head sorrowfully at Felicity's questioning gaze. Her returning groan caused Ben to stir and awaken. He saw the exchange of worried glances and knew what they signified. He stretched his hand out and breathed Lissie's name.

"No," she said in defiance of his acceptance, "You will not break your promise to me, Benjamin Davidson! You promised to marry me and you will keep that promise! I will not let you go back on your word!" Though she refused to say as much, he could see she was frightened. It was evident by the doctor's expression that he felt it unlikely Ben would survive the night, despite Felicity's assertions that he would wake up the next morning "impish as ever and ready to chide us all for worrying so."

"Lissie, my dear…" her father began, but she shushed him with a fierce shake of her darkening hair. "I'm tired of being told to wait. I know 'tis not what you and Mama wanted for me, but Ben is the only thing in the world to make me happy. He's promised to marry me and he'll keep his word. He will recover, and we will be married." Her eyes met Ben's and they, as Lissie's, were full of unbidden tears.

"I expect to be your wife by this week's ending."