Finally it came time for the Winter's Ball. Lilith first change into her uniform, but brought an extra change of clothing. She spent the first part of the Ball with her sisters, after greeting her brothers in arms first.
"John!" She greeted him, "You all seem to be in good health. How did the battle go?"
"Unfortunately it ended in retreat, but none of us were hurt." He replied, hugging her. Still, Laurens did not know about Lilith's secret, as only Arielle, Washington, and Aaron did.
Later in the night, Alexander arrived with George, as usual. Lilith noticed Eliza on the other side of the room suddenly freeze. She walked up to her.
"Hey, 'Liza, are you alright?" She touched her shoulder lightly.
"Y-yes, um, Lilith do you happen to know that man that just walked in?" Eliza stuttered.
Lilith chuckled, knowing that her sister must be completely helpless with him. Eliza was red as a beet and smiling brighter than Lilith had ever seen. "Of course, my dear Elizabeth. That just happens to be an Alexander Hamilton."
"I suppose it would be awkward for you to introduce us…" She sighed, as Lilith nodded. "I'll find Angelica, then!" She dashed off, leaving Lilith laughing.
Lilith noticed Peggy speaking to Laurens and decided to listen in a little. She had no idea what compelled her to, as she felt heat come to her cheeks. She shook her head, I must be mistaking my protective nature of my baby sister, that's all.
"You must be Margarita Schuyler, then? Barthec speaks of you fondly."
"He does?" Peggy giggled, "I don't suppose he speaks of me more fondly than the rest of my sisters, though."
"Right you are, he speaks of all of you very fondly, but the stories of you stood out to me." Laurens is just being flirty, like always, Lilith told herself.
Lilith took to the restroom and changed into her ballgown, deciding it was time for a change. A moment after stepping out back into the ballroom, she caught many a man staring at her. They knew she was the eldest Schuyler sister, and therefore she meant money. She also noticed Angelica on the other side of the room, looking serious and slightly upset. Angelica was staring at Eliza, who was dancing with Alexander. Lilith froze, unsure what to do. Luckily, Aaron came to her rescue.
"I believe I was promised a first dance." He smiled and held out his arm. Lilith gladly took it, chuckling.
"Why Aaron, I do believe you have improved your dancing since the last ball we attended." She teased.
"Well it has been many years since we've been to a ball together, Lilith, and I have been practicing for this." He blushed a little and couldn't see that she was blushing as well.
Peggy was still talking to John on the other side of the room when she noticed Aaron and Lilith dancing. "They are a sweet couple, are they not?"
Laurens had noticed them as well, and had the sudden urge to cut in. Was that Lilith Schuyler? She had most definitely grown up gorgeous, that was no lie. "Yes, they are." He stated, rather passive-aggressively. "Excuse me a moment."
Peggy was surprised by his comment and looked where he was heading. Does he- But he doesn't know, so he must simply be attracted.
"Excuse me, Aaron, may I cut in?" Laurens surprised himself by walking up to the couple and cutting in. I've only had a couple drinks! What in hell am I doing? She is much too out of my league!
"Of course." Aaron bowed to Lilith, smiling a little, and left.
Laurens held out his arm and Lilith took it. They began to twirl around the floor, catching many an eye.
Lilith spoke first, "You must be John Laurens. My brother speaks of you often."
"He does? You must know that he speaks of you just as much, then, though he did not mention how lovely you were."
"I hope he mentions more than just my looks, then." Lilith surprised herself by sassing him. WHAT DID I JUST DO?! YOU KNOW THAT LAURENS ISN'T JUST FOR LOOKS, LILITH STOP THAT! She chided herself.
Laurens looked a little flustered, "O-Of course that's not all he talks about, Miss Schuyler, I did not mean to offend!"
She chuckled, "It's quite alright, I know you meant no harm."
They continued to dance in the middle of a crowd of couples, speaking of whatever came to mind.
"I read the article you published in a nearby publication and I quite enjoyed it." He complimented.
"You did, then? I believe Barthec mentioned it, but he said not what you thought of it." She smiled to herself a little, knowing what John thought of it.
"The writing was exquisite and the argument was well founded with valid points." Laurens continued to speak with her and she mentioned his essays with Alexander as well.
For the rest of the night, no one interrupted their dance, not even Aaron. Finally, near the end of the night, Angelica tapped Lilith's shoulder.
"Excuse me, dear sister, for interrupting, but Father wishes us home soon." Angelica winked at Lilith from out of Laurens' view.
"Of course." Lilith turned back to Laurens. "I enjoyed that very much, Colonel. I hope to see you again sometime."
"Likewise." He smiled, kissing her hand as she curtsied. At that, Lilith turned to leave. Unbeknownst to Laurens, she actually left to change into her uniform.
Laurens walked over to the table where his friends were drinking and sank into an empty chair, sighing.
Hercules noticed his awestruck expression, "I think Laurens over here found a lady friend."
"Oui, oui, mon amie, he looks quite taken." Laf laughed. He had spent the night dancing with Arielle. She hadn't minded too much, since he tried to refrain from flirting with her, at least for tonight.
Alexander caught sight of Laurens, "So who's the lucky lady?"
"That woman is my destiny."
Alexander rose an eyebrow, "I thought you didn't believe in destiny."
Laurens chuckled a little, "I don't know what I believe anymore."
"Wow." Herc and Laf said in synch.
Laurens sighed again, not noticing Barthec, Lilith, approach. "I might have to break a promise."
Alexander was confused, "And what promise is that?"
"I might actually go for my best friend's sister."
Lilith was red in the face, but she knew she had to keep up her act. "JOHN." She growled, walking towards him quickly.
Laurens leaped out of the chair, sprinting out of the ballroom. Lilith followed him, running as fast as she could. She chased him past her sisters, who she would join later.
The three sisters laughed. "Why is she chasing him?" Eliza was laughing, but didn't understand why.
Angelica chuckled, "I do believe someone has it bad for our Lilith."
"And Barthec doesn't like that." Peggy giggled.
A/N: Heyo! I really hope you liked this chapter as much as I loved writing it! If you have any questions about the Lilith/Bartholomew confusion still or any other questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer them! Someone asked if Lilith's sisters knew about her being Barthec, and yes they did and so did her father. They helped her a ton with the writing letters and keeping her cover.
One last (time) thing that I'm kind of excited about is an angsty alternate ending I wrote. It's sort of an alternate ending to when Lilith got shot and the General found out about her being a woman. I really want to post it and I'll probably post it under the name Blame. If I do, that's what it'll be called, so please check it out. Unless you don't like angst, then don't read it. Yeah, don't read it if that's the case. Definitely don't.
Anyway, love you guys! Bai!