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Sarah x
Chapter Summary
Jefferson finally releases his pamphlet and Theodosia discovers just how dangerous Louis can be.
Eliza awaited the postboy with dread. Each day that passed she had no clue of when this pamphlet from Jefferson would appear in the papers.
She saw the boy come up to the gate and place a rolled paper into their postbox. Lucy slipped out and retrieved it, handing to Eliza.
"Thank you Lucy" replied Eliza, before daring to unroll it.
The title made her heart drop.
'The Truth behind Alexander Hamilton'
Without reading any further she took it to Alexander in his study.
He looked up as she entered the room, reading her pale expression on her face and the paper in her hands as a warning.
"It's happened then?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"I've not read it" she replied, handing it to him.
"I don't want you to" he muttered, before unrolling the paper.
Taking a deep breath he began reading.
"My fellow Americans, some of you may recall that not so long ago, some serious accusations were made against me. I feel it is my duty to defend myself against these charges and also bring to light some truths which have been hidden from you"
Alexander Hamilton is not the man he perceives to be. He is not as many would call him, a talented man. But merely a scoundrel who, whilst this young country is still in its infancy has corrupted and abused his position. I feel it is my duty to expose such things which he has tried in great lengths to hide from you, starting with his heritage.
The story you have been told is that he came to New York as a young man to seek his fortune and gain an education. Fulfil as he would call it, The American Dream. This is not so. We, those being my supporters, have concluded through vigorous research that he is, in fact, an illegitimate son of our current President, George Washington. This is a bold accusation to make, but dear reader, it is not without evidence. Alexander Hamilton was born on a Caribbean island of a slave of Washington. Washington took care to conceal the child but upon his wife's discovery demanded that the woman and her son must be sent away. Hamilton was financially supported all his childhood by his true father before in his nineteenth year, he was sent to New York, where the war and opportunity swept him away, as well as his love for all things sinful. We know that he slept with many women, no doubt impregnating many and seducing faithful women from their husband's beds"
"Son of a bitch" exclaimed Alexander, nearly tossing the paper across the room.
"How bad?" asked Eliza.
Alexander didn't answer her but carried on reading.
"This, dear reader, is when it for myself, touches a very personal cord. No many of you will know this, but I was engaged with, at the time, Miss Elizabeth Schuyler and we were very happy together. This was until she was bewitched by Hamilton and after a night of fornication she became pregnant hence why their marriage happened in a matter of months"
Alexander stopped reading. "You are not to look at this Eliza"
"Why?" she demanded.
"Don't read it Eliza" he said sternly.
Grabbing it from him she walked to the end of the room.
"Eliza please" begged Alexander.
Eliza quickly reread the same passage, enraged she continued.
"The love of my life was stolen from me by a man who should have never been allowed near such a pure creature. Her innocence and purity were too irresistible for such a lustful creature as Hamilton, who delighted in taking her from me"
"How dare he!" she cried.
"Eliza please, put it down," said Alexander, walking over to her.
"I knew he was mad but this-" Eliza continued, "This is beyond him"
"Please Eliza" urged Alexander, holding out his hand, "Give it back"
"When I'm finished" she replied. "Listen to this"
"I also feel obliged to inform you of the many reasons against allowing Hamilton and his family a higher seat of power. His conduct with his sister in laws, especially with Mrs Angelica Schuyler Church borders on the incestuous. Their letters contain such messages as, "I wish that you were here with me during all this, as your opinion I respect more than any". And "I do long for the day in which you would return home to me, each passing day is only but a sore reminder of the arduous distance between us". These all together with his loving letters to his friend John Laurens seem to point to a darker side in Hamilton's sexual nature, something quite unsuitable for a President of this fine country to be associated with"
"I knew it" sighed Alexander. "I knew he'd twist my letters to his will"
Eliza's eyes carried on down the page, till they stopped, "Oh my god"
"What's he said?" asked Alexander. "What could be worse"
Eliza took a shallow breath and began,
"I also have good reason to believe that Hamilton's heart is not fully invested in the progress of this young nation. My sources tell me that he speaks regularly with foreign ambassadors, mainly from England in the hope of restoring the monarchy which we fought so hard to rid ourselves of. It is plain and simple, this man cannot lead this country, accept only to disaster"
In his anger, Alexander kicked his chair. Sending it flying into the wall with a loud crash.
"He's done it!" he cried. "He's put the last nail in my coffin"
"I'm a wife stealing immigrant, sexually corrupt and a traitor"
Eliza was trying to regain her own composure before saying, "You are none of those things"
Alexander shook his head defeatedly.
Tossing the paper down on his desk, she took his face in her hands. "We will fight this, he has done what we thought, printed pages of lies that we can deny"
"You are right" nodded Alexander. "I had best begin writing"
Theodosia had spent yet another morning with Louis, enduring his endless comments and criticisms. From the way that she dressed to how she conducted herself in public.
"You know, you really shouldn't go out as much as you do," said Louis, sitting across from her.
She had know taken to openly sighing at his comments, no longer afraid of insulting him. "And why is that?" she asked.
"Well, there's enough talk about you in the city already" replied Louis.
Theodosia's eyes met his abruptly. "What talk?" she demanded.
"That there's a romance between you and the Hamilton's eldest son" replied Louis.
"And what of it?" she asked, happily returning to her work. "Why should those rumours concern you?"
"Because you stupid girl, I can't marry a girl with a tainted reputation" exclaimed Louis.
"I am many things Louis" snapped Theodosia. "Stupid is not one of them, I leave that trait for the male of the species"
"And that's another that I will have to fix" proclaimed Louis. "That tongue of yours needs training, it speaks too freely"
"It seems you are compiling quite a list of improvements to make on me" commented Theodosia.
"Indeed" replied Louis. "If your parents had given you a brother, you wouldn't have that problem, brothers keep an eye on sisters"
"My father has done a fine job at raising me, you are truly the first young man to find a fault in my raising" replied Theodosia.
"He has obviously been too relaxed with you," said Louis.
"You would not know relaxed if it hit you in the face" snapped Theodosia.
"When we are married I can hit you for speaking to me like that" hissed Louis.
"You seem to forget that you have made no proposal" replied Theodosia. "And at this rate, I am very unlikely to accept it"
This confrontation was interrupted by her Aunt Margaret who quickly urged them to hurry. "Come, my dears, you have forgotten, we have a garden party to attend!"
Theodosia closed her book and left the room, "I'll just get my things Aunt" she called hurrying up the stairs.
Very glad to be getting away from Louis.
The garden party was being held on a beautiful estate just outside of the city.
The large house was surrounded by woodlands and a small lake took up a large portion of the grounds.
Philip sat beside the lake with some of his friends. He had been glad to get out of the house for a while as his parents were both still reeling from the pamphlet. His Aunt Angelica had joined him as even at his age, his mother wanted someone to keep an eye on him.
The whole event was rather intimate, just several of the high ranking families had all got together to enjoy the last of the summer sun before the onset of the autumn.
"Philip" he heard a voice call.
He turned around and saw his friend from childhood waving at him, the eldest son of his father's friend Hercules Mulligan.
"William" smiled Philip, getting up off the floor and embracing his friend. "It's been almost three years!"
"Well, France has kept me busy" replied William, calling over a beautiful young woman.
In French, the three of them conversed.
"My dear, this is Philip Hamilton," said William. "Philip this is my wife Charlotte"
"Madame" smiled Philip, gently kissing her hand.
Philip heard her ask William if she should try out her English, but Philip quickly added, "No need Madame, for it is good practice for me, if nothing else"
Charlotte smiled, "Yet another American who speaks such beautiful French!"
"My father and mother both speak it, naturally I was to learn it as well" replied Philip.
"They have been wonderful teachers" smiled Charlotte.
"Go, my dear, return to my mother I can see she wants you," said William.
Charlotte bowed her head and after receiving a kiss from William, hurried back over to his mother.
"Come," said William, wrapping his arm playfully around Philip. "Let's take a walk, we have much to talk about"
"Indeed we do" laughed Philip. "Staring with your wife"
William laughed as they began their walk around the lake, "She's perfect Philip"
"How did you get a level-headed French girl like that, to come back with you?" asked Philip jokingly.
"I met her at an Ambassadors Ball in Paris, she's a daughter of one of the minor Lords," explained William. "Her father takes great interests in the Americas and had no real objections to the match"
"How soon were you married?" asked Philip.
"Within a few months" replied William. "I wanted to make sure that she truly loved me and was not just a pawn of her ambitious father"
"I assume she does love you then?" smiled Philip.
"Yes, she does" chuckled William. "Enough to leave everything she's ever known behind and travel to a land shes only ever heard stories about"
"That's bravery" replied Philip.
"That's love" added William.
Philip nodded.
"But what about you?" teased William. "You are quite an Adonis, my friend, I bet you've still got girls falling over you"
"Not so much anymore" replied Philip.
"All my stars in heaven" chuckled William. "Has the impossible happened? Philip Hamilton is actually in love?"
"Utterly and completely" replied Philip with a smile.
"Well" commented William. "Who is this lucky woman?"
"Can you keep a secret?" asked Philip.
"My father was a spy, I think secrecy runs in the blood" laughed William.
"I mean it William" warned Philip.
"So do I," said William seriously. "Who is it?"
Philip cleared his throat. "Do you remember Aaron Burr's daughter?"
William thought for a moment. "Theodosia?"
"Yeah her," said Philip quickly.
"You are in love with the daughter of your father's enemy?" said William slowly.
"That's about right" replied Philip. "We still manage to see each other"
"Then why are you so blue?" asked William. "Haven't you slept with her yet? Get it out of your system?"
"No," said Philip. "I'm marrying her before I even think about touching her"
William stopped walking and stared at him. "My god, you really are in love aren't you?"
"Like you wouldn't believe" sighed Philip.
Theodosia was taking a quiet walk beside the lake. Nature was a true tonic and a breath of fresh air from all the constricting socialising.
The sound of voices drew her off the path by the lake and into a secluded spot by some trees. She closed her eyes and took a moment to listen to the gentle birdsong and the wind dancing through the leaves.
Her solace was interrupted as a familiar voice sneered, "Hiding from me are you?"
She turned as saw Louis, sitting down by one of the trees. "It is that obvious?" she replied.
He called out to her as she went to leave. "I believe your lover is walking the other way"
Understanding he meant Philip she snapped back. "That young man seems to really bother you?"
"Yes, he does" replied Louis, getting up off the floor. "Because he wants what's mine"
"Your's?" scoffed Theodosia. "Never"
"But I've been thinking" began Louis.
"Really?" commented Theodosia. "How surprising?"
Louis scowled at her as he continued. "If I make you mine by right, then no other man will have you"
"What are you talking about?" demanded Theodosia.
"I think you know what I'm talking about" he replied, throwing off his jacket.
Every instinct told her to run, and she did.
Her heavy dress weighed her down but she ran back out onto the path, catching the sight of two gentlemen in the distance.
Unfortunately, Louis was faster than she was.
Practically tackling her to the ground, she cried out as landed hard on the grass.
"Trying to hide from me again are you?" hissed Louis, trying to drag her back into the undergrowth.
In desperation, she screamed the only name that mattered.
And Philip heard it.
"What was that?" asked William, hearing the cry echo.
Philip's eyes scanned around him until two figures in the distance caught his attention. "There," he exclaimed.
Both men began running towards them, unsure of what they would find.
Theodosia groaned in pain as Louis pushed her against the trunk of a tree.
"How dare you" she hissed.
"With ease" he replied, pushing himself against her.
"Get off me" she shouted, punching his chest with all her strength.
"I knew you'd be a challenge" he laughed, trying to get his hand under her dress.
She struggled desperately against him, gasping in terror as his hand grabbed her intimately.
Theodosia froze, disgusted at the satisfaction that was spread across his face.
Catching him off guard she used her knee to hit him in his manhood, pushing him away as he stumbled.
Running for the trees she heard him call after her, "Get back here"
Before he could go any further, Philip and William burst through the trees.
Louis tried to run, but Philip tackled him to the ground.
William attended to Theodosia, who had collided with him as they ran through the trees.
"Loverboy to the rescue is it?" mocked Louis. "Come, Theodosia, with me"
"You so much as look at her again" threatened Philip. "It will be the last time you look at anything"
Louis laughed. "Your threats don't sway me, Hamilton"
"They should," said William. "You get out of here"
Louis took a confident step towards Philip. "I've had my taste Hamilton, you sure you still want second-hand goods?"
"One more word" threatened Philip. "One more word about Theodosia and I'll kill you"
Louis just laughed, retrieved his jacket from the ground and walked past him.
"See you at home my love" he called to Theodosia, who stared at him with hatred
As Louis walked away Philip, hearing that comment went to chase him. Only stopped by William who rushed in front of him.
"Let him go" he hushed. "He's done here"
Philip instead turned his attention to Theodosia who immediately ran to him.
"I'm going to kill him," said Philip, seeing how distressed she was.
"Only if my father or Aunt doesn't kill him first" she breathed, trying to calm herself down.
"This should never have happened" replied Philip, holding her even tighter. "This would never happen if we were together"
"I've had advances like that before," she said weakly. "But never one so blunt and forceful"
"He won't get away with it," said Philip.
"He has too" replied Theodosia. "No one can know this happened"
"Mis Burr" began William. "This is not right"
"If people find out that he-" she stopped. "He touched me, it could ruin me"
Unaware of what he really done, Philip filled with a deeper anger vowed again. "Oh I am really going to fucking kill him"
He went to chase after Louis but Theodosia caught his arm.
"No one can ever know apart from my father" exclaimed Theodosia, "Philip please"
'He laid his hands on you, and you want me to do nothing?" exclaimed Philip.
"Because what am I to you?" exclaimed Theodosia. "We are living a secret life, if you challenge him to anything, no one will understand why you have taken such offence to it! Do you understand?"
Reluctantly Philip agreed. "I understand"
"If I was your fiancee or even your wife, you could challenge him without question," said Theodosia. "I am neither of those things to you"
"Not yet" replied Philip, "but soon"
Theodosia smiled a little and kissed him. "I love you"
"I love you" replied Philip softly.
"I suggest that you go home Miss Burr, it is not safe for you to stay here" began William.
"Yes" nodded Theodosia. "I can't travel home with him"
"If you will permit me, I can return you home on horseback?" asked William.
Theodosia looked to Philip who agreed. "It's better than me taking you home"
Satisfied, Theodosia agreed.
"I'll make sure that Louis doesn't speak to anyone about you," said Philip.
"Thank you" replied Theodosia. "Would you give my apologies to everyone, blame it on a headache"
"I will do" replied Philip. "I'll come and see you I promise"
He watched as William accompanied Theodosia back to the house, still burning with anger.
Aaron Burr sat in his office when the sound of voices and a horse made him glance out of the window.
His concern grew rapidly as he saw an unknown young man help Theodosia off a horse.
Hurrying down the stairs, he made it to the door just as his maid opened it.
"Hello Mr Burr, I know what this must look like, especially as I am unknown to you. But your daughter needed to be returned home" said William.
At the sight of her father, Theodosia's emotions overcame her. She flung herself at him and could not control her tears.
Burr instantly knowing something was wrong, ushered them both inside. His daughter rarely exploded with such emotion, and to see her in so much distress troubled him deeply.
"My sweet girl" exclaimed Burr, sitting her down, "What's has happened to you?"
"I want him out of this house" she cried.
William who had at sat down opposite them, quickly assured Burr that it was not him to blame.
"Who my love?" asked Burr, brushed her hair from her face.
"Louis" cried, Theodosia. "He leaves tomorrow"
"Why must he leave?" asked Burr. "I know you have not got along as well as I had hoped but-"
"Papa" hushed Theodosia. "He leaves tomorrow"
"Why must he leave?" demanded Burr, sensing a hatred behind his daughter's tone.
"He- breathed Theodosia shakily. "he -"
"He did what?" urged Burr.
"He laid his hands on me," said Theodosia, before her emotions overcame her again.
"What!" exploded Burr. Turning to William.
"It's true Sir" nodded William. "I was walking with a friend and we heard screams and saw your daughter being dragged into an enclosed area by this Louis"
"Theodosia" cried Burr, "this is true?"
She nodded, "Every word"
"He laid his hands on you?" asked Burr again. "Where"
"Papa" begged Theodosia, shaking her head.
"If I have to kill him I will," said Burr, "Where did he touch you?"
Taking a shallow breath, Theodosia said, barely above a whisper. "He lifted my dress and touched me only where my husband should"
Burr felt sick. The idea of someone violating his daughter in such a way filled him with such anger that he had not felt in years.
He wrapped his arms protectively around her, gently comforting her.
"He will not stay in this house past tomorrow, and he will not ever be welcome in it again" vowed Burr.
"Thank you, Papa," said Theodosia weakly.
"I will not have you sleeping in the same house," said Burr. "Now that I know Louis to be such a twisted and foul young man"
"Where can I go?" asked Theodosia. "The Hamiltons cant have me and my Aunt is here"
"Perhaps Angelica Church would have you for one night," said Burr, calling in their maid.
"Yes, Sir," she said.
"Send an express to Mrs Schuyler Church's home, ask whether Theodosia may stay the night" ordered Burr.
"Right away Sir" replied their maid, hurrying about her business.
In the carriage ride home, Angelica noticed that her nephew was decidedly out of character.
"What's wrong with you then?" she asked after another five minutes of silence had gone by.
"Nothing" replied Philip.
"Then are we to spend the rest of this journey is silence?" she commented.
"Preferably," said Philip.
"Excuse me young man?" snapped Angelica. "Who are you talking to, because it is not me?"
"Sorry," said Philip.
"These one-word answers are not helping Philip, what has happened?" urged Angelica.
"Just something that happened this afternoon, it's not a problem" replied Philip.
"Something concerning Miss Burr perhaps?" asked Angelica.
"Why?" blurted Philip. "What have you heard?"
Slightly taken aback Angelica replied, "Nothing darling, why?"
"No reason," said Philip.
"Well there clearly was a reason" urged Angelica.
"Look something happened with Theodosia, but she told me that no one can know apart from her father, is that enough for you?" said Philip frustratedly.
"I suppose it will have to be" commented, Angelica. Sensing that her nephew was in no mood for any more questions.
It did not take them long to reach her home. Philip was staying the night which was a tradition carried on from his childhood.
As the maid took their hats, one of the servants rushed to Angelica and said. "This came about two hours ago for you, by express"
"Thank you" replied Angelica, taking the letter and walking into the drawing room.
Philip followed and collapsed onto a chair.
Angelica opened the letter and quickly called out to her maid. "Alice, get Peter to take the carriage and yourself over to the Burr's family home. Burr's daughter is staying the night"
Philip perked up, "What?"
"Read it for yourself, you can tell me" replied Angelica, handing him the letter.
Mrs Schuyler Church,
Please forgive the informality of this letter but I was wondering if I could request a kind favour of you.
Due to circumstances which I cannot speak to you about, my daughter needs to spend one night away from her home. I must ask that she may stay with you as her safety is my main concern.
Please reply to this as soon as you can.
Yours, Aaron Burr.
"Do I need to leave then?" asked Philip. "He won't like me being here"
"What Burr doesn't know won't hurt him, as long as you two don't fraternise during the night" warned Angelica.
"Understood" replied Philip. He had no intention of being with Theodosia after the events of the day.
Later that night Theodosia lay in bed, her body and her mind still ached after what had happened.
At the sound of the door, she looked over as Philip slipped inside.
"I just wanted to check on you," he said, sitting on the very edge of the bed.
"That's kind of you" she replied. "I feel much better after that bath I had"
The talked for a little longer until she asked, "Aren't you coming in?"
Philip watched as she lifted the covers a little and replied. "I did not know if, after today, you would want a man beside you"
"You aren't just any man" she smiled weakly. "Please"
Philip climbed in beside her and took her in his arms.
Instinctively she snuggled against him, feeling the safest she had felt all day.
"When is he leaving?" asked Philip.
"Tomorrow" replied Theodosia. "My father doesn't ever want to see him again"
"So your father knows everything about what he did?" asked Philip.
"Yes everything, he was as angry as you were, if not more so," said Theodosia.
"He has every right to be" replied Philip.
After a few moments of quiet Theodosia spoke in a small voice, "Suppose Louis says things to people Philip, about me"
"What do you mean?" questioned Philip.
"About what he did to me," said Theodosia. "Where he did what he did"
Holding her a little tighter Philip said firmly. "You are unchanged Theodosia, do you hear me?" He has done nothing to you or your honour"
"Suppose it did" she urged.
"It doesn't matter to me," said Philip. "I love you as much as I did before and even more now"
"But what about me Philip," said Theodosia sadly. "I still have to live with it"
"Don't let him do this to you" urged Philip.
"I can't help it, Philip, he called me 'used goods'" she said tearfully.
"You are not goods Theodosia, you are a woman, a human," said Philip assuredly. "You are never an item"
"Philip," said Theodosia sadly. "I wanted you to be the first and only man I ever let near me like that" "He has taken that from me"
Philip, too busy controlling his own emotions, could only kiss her head. "One day, when we are married Theodosia" he began. "That beast's touch will not even be in your memory, because I will have shown you what it should be, an act of love, not an act of hate or lust"
Comforted by this Theodosia tried to dry her tears, "Don't leave me tonight, please stay"
"I won't go anywhere" promised Philip, watching as she slowly went to sleep.
Notes!
So I imagine at this moment that half of you are demanding Louis' head on a plate or mine ;) Another question maybe WHYYY WOULD YOU DO THAT?
So with that, let's begin.
I wanted another arch for Theodosia's character, something else that would 1. Make her more of a stronger person and 2. Really begin to strain the need for herself and Philip to be together.
A huge inspiration for the whole scene (with of course my own flare) was from the 2013 film 'Belle'. It is a really good film so if you haven't yet seen it and you are a fan of period dramas I highly recommend it. It tells the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle who was the illegitimate daughter of an English noble and an African slave. She faces a huge amount of social and racial prejudice in the world in which she lives and was again a HUGE inspiration for Theodosia's character. Dido is a strong, unapologetic woman who despises the world she lives in and seeks to make a better one, which in part relates to my interpretation of Theodosia Burr. But back to the bloody point, there is a scene at a garden party where the character of Dido is groped by a disgruntled man who believes her to be seducing his brother. This made me want to write my own version in which Louis was our villain.
But also the Pamphlet! It was about time I threw that into the story as it does mean that this story is coming to an end. :(
The end is in sight people and I thank you for the continued support and a huge amount of bloody patience :)
Next Chapter will be out Friday 6th July NOT Friday the 13th July
It is coming out in a week rather than two weeks because I am in a show from Thursday 12th July to Sunday 15th so I will not be able to upload anything. So a new chapter in a week NOT in two weeks :)
