Chapter Summary
Philip and Theodosia explore the gardens and Jefferson and Eliza's relationship reaches a breaking point.
With a gentle knock at the door, Theodosia's eyes fluttered open.
She was immediately aware that Phillip was long gone, resulting in a sense of relief, mixed with a slight sadness.
As she sat up, her hair flying around her face she smiled at Eliza who had come to awaken her.
"Good morning darling, how did you sleep?" she asked.
"Very well thank you" smiled Theodosia, "is it time for breakfast?"
Eliza chuckled, "Breakfast is served in forty minutes, I felt that you may need adequate time to gather yourself together"
"Oh thank you" replied Theodosia swinging her legs over the bed.
"Call me if you require anything, our maid should be bringing warm water any moment now" called Eliza as she closed the door.
Theodosia yawned and padded over the cold floor to the window. She saw the cold mist of the previous night beginning to lift, revealing the beautiful gardens and grounds. Through the mist, she could see the shapes of the trees and bushes, snuggled beside rows of colourful flowers. She could not wait to go an explore this little garden of Eden.
As promised, seconds later a young girl wandered through the door, smiled and quietly laid down a jug of warm water.
"Good morning" called Theodosia.
"Good morning Miss" replied the young girl.
Theodosia was curious, that girl seemed to be shielding her face with her hand, her fingers lightly pressed against her cheek.
She watched as the young servant picked up her obvious laundry, even as she bent down her fingers stayed permanently on her cheek.
"Wait" called Theodosia as she saw the young girl leave.
The girl stalled, "Miss I have much to do" she stammered, seeming very desperate to leave.
"Please wait" exclaimed Theodosia, now concerned.
The young girl stared at the floor, releasing she was trapped.
"Why do you hide your face?" asked Theodosia.
"I injured myself, I do not want people to see it" stammered the young girl, clearly very nervous.
"May I see?" asked Theodosia.
"Miss, forgive me if I am being too bold, but I would rather not" replied the young servant.
"I don't wish to shame you, I just wish to see it, then I can get you something to help you hide it if that is your wish" explained Theodosia.
"Very well Miss" sighed the young girl, before she finally moved her fingers.
Theodosia gasped, the whole left cheek of the young servant's face was a deep red, with angry shades of purple.
"My God, when? - how did this happen" she exclaimed.
"I was clumsy" replied the young girl, quickly replacing her fingers.
"Surely not" questioned Theodosia, "that looks like someone-"
She quieted her voice, "it looks like someone struck you"
The young girl, shook her head furiously, "No- no one hit me"
Theodosia was not convinced.
She opened the door and called, "Miss Eliza"
Immediately the young girl grabbed her arm, "No Miss please, I beg you don't!"
"Nonsense, you have been hurt" replied Theodosia.
Eliza calmly wandered to the door, still wrapped in her dressing gown.
"Theodosia what's this?" she asked.
"I am worried about this girl here," said Theodosia quietly.
Eliza looked curiously at the young girl, "Martha, what is troubling you?"
"Nothing Ma'am" replied the young girl, "nothing at all"
Theodosia sighed in annoyance, "If you don't show Miss Eliza, she can't help you"
"I did not want help in the first place" whispered the young girl, now visibly upset.
"Martha, show me what?" asked Eliza.
"Go on" urged Theodosia.
With a reluctant sigh, the young girl again moved her fingers, revealing her swollen cheek.
"How did this happen?" ordered Eliza, now shocked and almost angry.
"My own clumsiness Ma'am" replied the young girl hastily, "I was carrying too much laundry when I was leaving the cupboard, I walked straight into the door.
Eliza was not satisfied, "Theodosia please go and make sure that Angie and her brothers have woken up, Martha and I need to have a word, alone"
Theodosia nodded, grabbing her dressing gown and slippers she quickly left the two women alone.
"Now" ordered Eliza, walking back into her own room, "you are telling me that you sustained this injury by misplacing your feet in the linen cupboard?"
"Yes Ma'am" replied Martha.
"Forgive me, but I do not believe you" objected Eliza.
"Ma'am, it is the truth!" protested Martha.
"This injury would not have any significance with the fact that Mr Jefferson was able to enter my room last night, would it?" questioned Eliza.
Martha finally crumbled, falling to her knees she cried into Eliza nightgown,
"Forgive me, Miss Eliza, I did not know his true intentions, he bribed me with money that he never gave me, then when I asked for it, he struck me"
"What" exclaimed Eliza.
"Please forgive me Miss Eliza" she begged.
"Martha, what is done is done, you are forgiven because you have confessed the truth, I care not about the money or what he asked you, I care about his abuses towards you" hushed Eliza, reaching down to her level.
Martha sighed deeply, her tears mingling with her relief.
"You said he stuck you?" pushed Eliza.
"Yes Ma'am, he threatened me with worse if I told anyone, -oh Ma'am, he will kill me now" she exclaimed, now beginning to hyperventilate with her distress.
"Sh, sh sh" hushed Eliza, "he won't harm you, I promise"
"No you don't understand, he said no one must know!" she cried.
"Hush Martha, all is well, now that I know what his offensives were against you, I can protect you" explained Eliza, trying her hardest to calm her nervous maid down.
"Oh Ma'am, if he ever finds out... but what will I tell your father when he asks?" sniffed Martha.
"Don't you worry about that, I have a plan, just please play along?" asked Eliza.
Martha nodded, "Yes Ma'am, thank you"
"Now my dear, you had best not fall behind the other girls, Mrs J will not be pleased if breakfast is late" smiled Eliza, helping Martha back to her feet.
"Oh yes, of course" exclaimed Martha, quickly thanking Eliza once more, before grabbing her items and flying from the room.
Eliza took a deep breath, she knew from servants gossip that people had seen Jefferson enter her room that night previous. If her father or Alexander heard the wrong kind of gossip, she would never have their trust again.
"Oh Eliza, there you are, fancy you keeping us all waiting!" exclaimed Mrs Schuyler, as Eliza entered the dining hall.
"You don't have to wait for me Mama, you may start as soon as you are ready" hushed Eliza.
"I thought ladies preferred to be waited for, as opposed to being ignored" commented Jefferson, through a smirk.
"Yes, well, it can be argued that your view of women and what we prefer Mr Jefferson, is slightly distorted" retorted Eliza, calmly taking her seat.
Jefferson went to speak but Philip cut across him, "How was your walk this morning Grandpapa?"
"Hm?" murmured Mr Schuyler, flipping the top of his morning paper down.
"Your walk?" repeated Philip.
"A little chilly, but very pleasant thank you" replied Mr Schuyler before his attention returned to his paper.
"Theodosia" called Angie with a smile, "how did you sleep?"
Theodosia's eyes met Philips, she felt her cheeks turning rosy.
"It was very good, I am very comfortable in my bed" she replied.
"You sounded like you had quite a fright last night Theodosia," said Eliza.
"What's this?" asked Angelica, entering the dining hall.
"Theodosia had a slight night terror, or so it sounded" explained Eliza.
"It was nothing really" assured Theodosia, "I slept very peacefully afterwards"
"Theodosia does not look like the only one of us that experienced some trouble in the night" exclaimed Angelica, "My dear Martha, what happened to your cheek?"
Eliza's eyes flew to Martha who had begun to serve the tea. She looked scared to speak.
"Oh Angelica, have you not heard? I'm surprised as all the servants have been talking and gossiping about it" smiled Eliza.
"What's this?" asked Mrs Schuyler.
"Well, I spilt some ink on my pillow last night, rather late, and I asked Martha to go and fetch me another pillowcase. She went without a light the poor girl, and after retrieving what I needed, amongst other things, she walked headfirst into the linen cupboard door" explained Eliza, smiling at Martha who looked far more relaxed.
"Oh you poor dear!" exclaimed Mrs Schuyler.
"But, luckily she had some help, Mr Jefferson was on his way to his own room, and spotted Martha is distress and helped her, he brought the pillowcase to my room and then left, he was a great help, is that not right Mr Jefferson?" smiled Eliza, making firm eye contact with him.
She praised herself for how utterly lost he looked before he nodded with little enthusiasm and murmured something under his breath as if to confirm his assistance.
After that situation was resolved, breakfast continued as always. Whilst Eliza talked, she became more and more aware that Jefferson was exceedingly and uncharacteristically quiet, near mute. She watched his gaze wander the room, it always landing on herself or Martha.
"Ah, Andrew" exclaimed Mrs Schuyler, seeing her butler enter the dining hall.
"A letter for you Ma'am" he replied, carrying several letters on a small silver plate.
"Oh wonderful" smiled Mrs Schuyler, grasping her letter, "this looks like Philip's writing"
"Another letter for you Sir," said Andrew, stopping beside Mr Schuyler.
"Ah yes, put it there please" muttered Mr Schuyler, pointing haphazardly at his corner of the breakfast table, his focus still on his paper.
Eliza smiled as Andrew stopped beside her.
"One for you Ma'am, it came on express this morning"
"Oh, I wonder who that could be" replied Eliza, picking up the letter and trying to decipher the sender.
At the other end of the table, Mrs Schuyler was reading out the letter.
"Dearest Mama,
I am sorry to have to tell you that our visit to see you this year has to be cancelled. The children have caught some kind of flu and remain in bed. I will write again as soon as I can as I know their health and wellbeing are in yourself and Papa's thoughts.
Yours in regret, Philip"
"Oh, what a shame" lamented Mrs Schuyler. "I will miss them this year!"
"Do not worry Mama, I am sure once the children are better they will arrange a visit" assured Angelica.
"Yes, you are quite right my dear" replied Mrs Schuyler, happily returning to her breakfast.
Angelica smiled in return before her gaze caught Eliza, looking rather bewildered.
"Is everything alright Eliza?"
Eliza looked up and sighed, shaking her head she replied, "Well- I um- I am not sure"
"What is it?" asked Mr Schuyler, leaving his paper to one side.
"It is a letter from our neighbours, Mr and Mrs Parsons" began Eliza, "Mrs Parsons is just concerned, as she has not seen any movement in or out of the house since we left yesterday morning, she tried the door and no one would answer"
"Well Papa gets distracted with his work, sometimes he doesn't even hear you walk in the room" commented Angie.
"Yes, but he would never ignore the front door" reminded Philip.
"Does the letter say anything else?" asked Angelica.
"Well, she finishes by asking if I could get someone to check on him, just for her own peace of mind" replied Eliza.
"Well, Mr Jefferson is returning to midtown today, perhaps he could check on him" suggested Mrs Schuyler, "would you Mr Jefferson?"
"Gladly" he replied, "it would be my pleasure Madam"
Eliza looked up at him, trying not to scowl.
"Is it easy to get inside?" he asked, a smug grin on his face.
Eliza sighed, "You will need the key, we keep it under the left plant pot next to the door"
"Wonderful, I will leave at 9 sharp" smiled Jefferson, his eyes still locked with Eliza's.
"Be sure to knock before you go in" reminded Mrs Schuyler.
"Of course" replied Jefferson, rising from his seat, "I would not want to give him a fright"
Eliza's hands were balled into fists under the table, she knew her mother would not have intentionally suggested that Jefferson checks on Alexander, but now her heart was racing.
Eliza would now have to trust the life of her husband, with a man she despised.
"Now over here is where Grandmama likes to serve tea in the summer, we will sit out here this evening if the weather is fine"
Theodosia smiled and continued to listen to Angie's, very long and detailed explanation of the gardens. It had taken them over ten minutes to walk down the smallest area of the path, as with every plant pot or sculpture came a corresponding story.
"What's that?" asked Theodosia, reluctantly interrupting Angie's narrative.
"Oh that!" exclaimed Angie, "that's the garden of Aphrodite"
"With the maze?" asked Theodosia.
"Yes, it was a wedding present from my Grandpapa to my Grandmother, you have to follow the dolphins and the roses to get to the centre and then you find a huge fountain with a statue of Aphrodite" explained Angie.
"How beautiful" breathed Theodosia, "can we explore the maze?"
Angie shook her head resolutely, "Not anymore, my brothers Alexander and James got lost in the maze last year, we spent all day trying to find them. Eventually, Papa found them playing in the fountain, Mama was furious and ever since no one is allowed inside unless they know their way around it"
"Well who does?" asked Theodosia.
"Mama does, Aunty Angelica, Aunt Peggy, Uncle Philip, Grandmama and Grandpapa of course, and Philip" replied Angie, counting everyone on their fingers.
"Hm, I see" smiled Theodosia, quietly contemplating asking Philip to take her.
"But what I don't understand is, why did Grandpapa use Aphrodite, who is she anyway?" exclaimed Angie.
"Why, Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty and-" Theodosia paused.
"And sexuality," said a voice from behind them.
Angie descended into childish giggles, her cheeks going bright red. Theodosia simply rolled her eyes at a smirking Phillip.
"Quite" she replied.
"And her symbols were dolphins and roses, to name a few, hence why your Grandfather chose them for the maze" continued Theodosia.
"How do you know so much about the ancient Greeks?" questioned Angie.
"The Roman and Greek periods are my speciality" she replied with a smile.
"There you all are!" exclaimed Angelica, leaning out of a first-floor window. "Angie I need you"
"But I am giving Theodosia a tour of the gardens!" protested Angie.
"Philip can pick up where you left off" ordered Angelica, "now come"
Angie sighed and reluctantly joined her Aunt, leaving Theodosia and Philip alone.
"You want to go inside don't you?" mused Philip.
Theodosia smiled and nodded.
"Well m'lady, I will be your guide" he proclaimed, bowing and holding out his hand.
"You are ridiculous" she chuckled, taking his hand.
"You will have to stay close when we go in the maze, it can become very confusing," said Philip, whilst they walked the short distance from the doors.
"I know what a maze is, I am not a child" she replied.
"Still, I don't want to lose you" he commented.
"No, my Papa would never forgive you" she mused.
Once they reached the gates to the maze, Philip read aloud the inscription above them.
"Bienvenue dans le jardin de l'amour"
Theodosia smiled, "Welcome to the garden of love"
To try and calm her nerves, Eliza took a walk around the garden.
Normally her eyes marvelled at the beauty of it all, but her mind was too troubled to be so easily distracted.
She approached the maze by a different route, avoiding the main gates. She knew of a secret entrance which leads straight to the fountain. Many a late evening had she spent by the fountain as a girl, wishing that she would find love. When she found Alexander, it felt only right to bring him to her secret place.
She slipped silently through the tall bushes, watching that her dress or hair was not too dishevelled.
Reaching the centre of the maze, Eliza stopped by the fountain.
She looked up at the great marble statue that adorned the centre, as a child she had always thought that the half-clothed woman was embarrassed and in a way humorous. But as she grew older she saw the beauty of it, the sculpted breasts and hips were no longer the cause of her laughter but of her admiration.
She saw how the breasts were not just a symbol of seduction and desire, but how perfect and pure they were, she had nursed her own children with them. The wide hips, a symbol of womanhood rather than just a desired curve of the flesh.
Eliza nearly jumped out of her skin as Jefferson's voice broke her beloved silence.
"They say, that sculpture is the art of intelligence"
She stood frozen, in both anger and defiance, "I did not think that you were familiar with the great artists, Mr Jefferson"
"I am sure you would be greatly surprised, by what I am familiar with Eliza" he commented, now standing beside her.
"You followed me?" she questioned.
"I will follow you everywhere" he replied.
Eliza turned to leave but Jefferson caught her arm.
"She told you then? that servant girl?"
Eliza snatched back her arm, "she did not have to, I know from experience what your hands are capable of"
"It is a pity, she seems like a sweet girl, I would have given her more than money if she had asked" replied Jefferson with a sly grin.
Eliza scoffed, "Have you no shame!"
"No, I am a man who knows what he wants" he replied.
"I think we are all quite aware of what you want" she retorted.
"And what do you want my sweet Eliza?" he whispered.
"I want you to leave this place and never speak to me or my family again" spat Eliza, "you disgust me"
She pushed him out of her way, but he was faster.
He clamped his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming and pushed himself against her back, his groin pressing hard against her.
He harshly pulled one of her arms behind her back, holding it in place.
She struggled against his grip and despite his hand preventing her from screaming, her desperate cries could still be heard.
"It had occurred to me Eliza, that that husband of yours has clearly never taught you to respect men" his hissed into her ear, "But by God, I will"
Meanwhile, Theodosia was happily exploring the maze.
"Oh, my!" she breathed, as her eyes fell upon another statue. This time of a man, wearing little to nothing.
"You don't happen to know who he is, do you?" asked Philip, "if you can spare your blushes"
Theodosia nodded, "if you see, he has angel wings and he is carrying a bow". She continued, "he could only be one person, Aphrodite's son, Eros"
Philip smiled, "Ah of course"
A sound of a repressed scream brought them both to their senses.
"What was that?" asked Theodosia.
"It sounded like my Mother?" replied Phillip, "we are close to the fountain"
"I saw her walking towards the maze just before us when Angie was giving me a tour," said Theodosia.
"Was she with anyone?" he asked.
"No, but-"
"No, but what?"
"Mr Jefferson was also walking in the gardens" replied Theodosia.
Philips' heart fell, he immediately knew that something was wrong.
"Stay here" he ordered.
"But Philip" she protested.
"I said stay here" he repeated before running around the corner, disappearing from sight.
Eliza was trying to stay calm. She knew the more she showed her fear, the more power Jefferson would have over her.
He sensed her calming down, and slowly removed his hand from her mouth, instead he clamped it down on her throat.
"I must admit Eliza, I tried to do this the nice way, I thought I have thoroughly expressed my desire for you through my actions, but I see that they have proved fruitless" he spat.
"Then it is no wonder that you have gone through two wives already, if that is how you show your affection" she spat, struggling to speak with his hand restricting her airflow.
Jefferson kissed his teeth, "There, I knew it, I knew you had some fire in your veins"
"Get off me" she ordered, choking on every word.
"There I see, you grow more furious by the second" he taunted, tightening his grip on her arms.
"Get- off" she choked, now struggling to breathe.
He spun her around, still holding her by their throat. Her hands, now free, began to pull as his own, desperately trying to release his grip.
"You would not let me take you with love" he hissed, "now I will take you my way, you and all your fury"
Eliza now gasping for air, felt his lips on hers, hungry and wanting.
She could barely breathe, let alone find the strength to push him away. Her eyes became glossy with her tears, but the very light from the sun was nearly blinding. Her head was spinning, all of her body crying out for oxygen.
Suddenly she was free, his hands sharply left her throat and she fell to the ground.
She saw Jefferson clutch his right knee before he too fell onto the gravel.
She coughed violently and looked up to see Philip punching Jefferson straight across his jaw.
"You touch my mother again and I will fucking kill you" threatened Philip.
Jefferson chuckled weakly, whilst spitting out blood he replied, "I would like to see you try"
Philip almost mad with anger threw his fist in the air, gaining enough strength to punch him again, but his mother's voice stopped him.
"Philip- enough- that's enough" she called, taking deep low breaths between each word.
Ignoring Jefferson, Philip rushed to his mother, he helped her to stand, once upright he lifted her head to assess the damage. Nothing more than light hand marks on her neck gave any indication of violence.
"Get off our land" she spat, regaining enough breath to speak.
Jefferson stood, rubbing his jaw and laughed darkly, "Come, Eliza, no screams?"
Eliza was silent.
"Who would believe you even if you had screamed, I have ensured that I left you with no scars, you see even the redness on your neck is disappearing, all you have to do is dry those tears" he mocked.
"Get the fuck away from my mother" threatened Philip.
Jefferson smirked, after taking a sharp breath he replied, "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"Get out of my sight" ordered Eliza.
"With pleasure" he replied, turning to leave, "I will give Alexander your regards shall I?"
Philip stepped forward but Eliza stopped him, "not now" she whispered.
Philip watched Jefferson leave, an anger burning in him like no other.
"Mama what did he do to you?" he ordered, once he was sure that Jefferson was well and truly gone.
"Nothing that can't be undone" she replied weakly.
"What's that meant to mean?"
"I underestimated him, I mocked and embarrassed him this morning at breakfast, I should not have done" she concluded.
"You are not justifying his behaviour Mama, you would be insane" exclaimed Philip.
"I am justifying it to myself or I will lose my mind, your father will deal with him, I have not the strength to do so" she replied.
"Mama"
"He has been a thorn in my side for the last twenty years, I should have dealt with him a long time ago-" she replied weakly.
"If I but had a gun Mama, I would deal with him" replied Philip passionately.
"Which is why I thank God you don't own one" she retorted. "Your father will deal with him, not you"
Philip could do nor say nothing to change her mind.
"Thank you darling" she smiled weakly, "it was brave of you to rescue me"
Philip, trying to control his own emotions, simply pulled his mother into an embrace.
"He won't come near you again, or any of our family, I swear" promised, Philip.
"This stays between us, am I understood, your father will not hear of it through gossip, only from my lips" whispered Eliza.
"But Mama, Jefferson should hang for this, and his bastard son, especially after what he did to Angie" protested Philip.
"I will hear no more, it would be to humiliating to take that man to court" silenced Eliza, "he would ruin our family name forever, we would be coated in scandal after scandal, he will never rest until -"
"Until what?" asked Philip, "until what!"
"Until either, he dies or your father does" she replied.
"What- do you mean Mama!" exclaimed Philip desperately.
Eliza shook her head.
"You didn't spill ink or your pillow last night did you Mama?" whispered Phillip. "And Martha didn't walk into a door did she?"
Eliza took a deep breath before she replied, "No"
"What did that bastard do to you?" asked Philip, his tone sharp.
"He proposed to me" she replied.
"He's mad!" exclaimed Phillip, "Mama he's a lunatic!"
"Well he's a bloody clever lunatic!" exclaimed Eliza, her nerves shredded.
Philip was slightly taken aback, his mother never swore.
She took a deep breath and smoothed down her skirts, "I am going back to the house, how is my neck?"
"Red" replied Philip.
"I can blame it on the cold," she said, pinching her cheeks to bring the red colour to the surface.
"Are you sure you would not rather have me accompany you?" he asked.
"I assume you weren't walking the gardens by yourself," she said.
Philip's heart sank once again, "Theodosia" he breathed, turning back towards the entrance to the fountain.
"Go, then come straight to my room, both of you" ordered Eliza.
Theodosia stood staring at the statue of Eros.
Her boredom and turned to serious concern, Philip had left her in a middle of a maze, she felt quite scared as well as alone.
"Magnificent is it not" called a voice.
Theodosia froze.
Her fear heightened as she saw Jefferson walk up beside her.
"The male figure in its truest form, quite a sight is it not?" he mused.
Theodosia blushed and murmured her reply, "Yes"
"Now there is no need to be frightened," he said, "of course you are so young and inexperienced, I am not surprised that the naked male form would intimidate you"
Theodosia said nothing.
"Of course" mused Jefferson, taking a seat on the statue's base as to be eye level with her, "it could be the case that I intimidate you?"
He leant forward and whispered in her ear, "Do I frighten you, Miss Theodosia?"
"No Sir" she quickly replied, now noticing the red mark on his lower jaw.
"Then why are you so afraid?" he asked.
"I am not" she protested quietly.
"There is one kind of person on the earth that I don't like Miss Theodosia and that is a liar" threatened Jefferson quietly, "you wouldn't lie to me would you?"
"No Sir" she stammered.
"Well then, why are you so frightened?"
"You appeared very quietly Sir, I did not hear you, you surprised me," said Theodosia, turning her gaze every so often, hoping to see Philip turn the corner.
"He's not coming" mused Jefferson, "he's too busy with his mother"
Theodosia frowned her brow, "Philip will be back soon, and what's wrong with Miss Eliza?
Jefferson raised his eyebrows, "You are quite demanding for a young woman"
"We heard her scream, what happened?" she asked again.
"Eliza and I had a slight disagreement, I grew angry so did she, she did not scream, she shouted" explained Jefferson.
"Very well, I will go and find them" proclaimed Theodosia, turning to leave.
"I wouldn't if I were you, you may get lost" called Jefferson.
"Philip told me that we are close to the fountain, therefore I must ask you to excuse me" replied Theodosia.
"Your mother was a charming woman"
Theodosia stopped dead, she turned over her shoulder, "what do you know of my mother?"
"She and I had been friends since childhood, we grew up together" replied Jefferson with a smirk.
"Then why did she never mention you?" questioned Theodosia.
"Because your dear Papa disapproves of me" he replied quickly.
"That's because you are too predictable" retorted Theodosia.
"Yes, and that makes me dangerous, does it not my dear?" smiled Jefferson wickedly.
"Well yes" she replied, "you could make a certain predictable move and prove everyone right, or you could have a sudden change of heart and ruin plans"
"Correct my dear," said Jefferson.
"Now Sir, you will have to excuse me-" she began again.
"You spoke of heart then" interrupted Jefferson, "there is plenty of speculation about where your beautiful heart lies"
"I don't know what you mean Sir" replied Theodosia, now very uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation.
"You and Philip have hardly kept your love a secret" he mused.
"Sir, you are asking about personal matters, I must politely ask you to stop" proclaimed Theodosia.
"So you confirm it?" he questioned.
"I confirm nothing, Sir, now I must take my leave of you" she replied.
She turned and almost ran from the statue, desperate to be rid of her companion.
Taking the last corner, she ran headfirst into Philip, resulting in them both landing in a crumpled heap.
"I told you to stay where you were!" exclaimed Philip, picking himself and Theodosia off the floor.
"Yes, well it became rather unbearable, due to a certain gentlemen wanting to engage in conversation with me" she retorted.
"Jefferson" spat Philip.
"Yes," she replied.
"Did he hurt you?" asked Phillip, grabbing her.
"No he didn't touch me" she replied, "Philip what's wrong?"
"He tried-" Philip lowered his voice, "he tried to force himself on my mother"
"Dear God" exclaimed Theodosia, "to think I was talking to that beast a moment ago!"
"I am going to fucking kill him if so much as looks at her again" he spat, his fists clenching.
"What about your father?" asked Theodosia.
"He will kill him, without a doubt" replied Philip.
"I want to kill him" she whispered, "cruel beast"
"We need to get back to the house, my mother wishes to see us both," said Philip, taking her hand.
"Of course" she nodded, Aphrodite's fountain would simply have to wait.
