I was rushing to headquarters from running an errand for His Excellency when I heard it. The sweetest thing, the same as the night before…

"His name is Alexander Hamilton."

I stopped in my tracks and nearly dropped the package of parchment.

"He has perfectly gorgeous violet eyes and the most handsome auburn hair. He's an aide-de-camp and he's dreadfully smart and polite. Oh and he's ever so brilliant and charming, a bit of a romantic too. God!" her voice said. In all my lovesickness, I forgot they were about to run into me.

I quickly started walking again, floating more like it. I was blushing hard and I felt woozy as I passed her. I tried to hide a wide grin, knowing what she thought of me. Her aunt tapped her shoulder and she looked up at me with rosy cheeks and a matching smile.

"Miss Schuyler," I bowed to her with my hat across my chest. "Mrs. Cochran, pleasure." As I straightened out, I winked slyly to my sweetheart, hopefully, her aunt didn't notice.

"Colonel Hamilton," her aunt said warmly in greeting to me. Eliza stood slightly behind her and waved nervously.

At that point, Eliza and I were both blushing terribly hard and we both seemed struck by cupid's arrow. He had pierced my heart, something I thought would never happen to me.

"Colonel," she grinned at me with her eyes twinkling.

"Oh, and where are my manners?" her aunt said. "Would you be ever so kind as to join us for tea if you are ever free, I know how busy you are from my niece's lavish recounts."

Eliza grimaced in embarrassment and I chuckled under my breath.

"I would be glad to. Thank you for your unmatchable hospitality, Ma'am. I bid you both a wonderful afternoon, for I fear I must be off. So busy as you say." I said, slightly heartbroken at having to leave Elizabeth. But I was also thrilled as anything for that night of tea.

And so for the next two days, I stayed up all night to work so I could have time to go. And finally, three nights after our spontaneous meeting, I was on my way over to there home. I glided there, carried by Eliza's words.

I took a deep breath as I held my fist to the door, about to knock. The sun was slowly setting, reflecting on the crisp snow on the ground. And with all my courage summoned, I knocked on the door.

I heard pounding footsteps as someone rushed to the door. A very excited and flustered Eliza opened the door with a broad smile I matched. She stood before me, this beautiful angel, in a soft mint gown with a simple flower brooch and black heeled shoes. Her brown curls were pinned in a simple bun, with two curls falling from it to frame her perfect face.

My smile broadened at the sight of her.

"Welcome, Colonel," she greeted me sweetly.

I bowed and kissed her hand lightly, setting the butterflies in my stomach on edge. "Miss Elizabeth, lovely to see you again," I said.

As I straightened out to gaze at her once more, she said, "Please, my friends call me Eliza."

And taking the boldest move I had ever made in love, I then whispered in her ear, "Then I shall call you Betsey to distinguish between simply your friends."

Yes, I did such, and I felt like I overstepped a bit. But I loved the idea of having a separate name for her, a name just I used.

I saw her aunt coming into the hall from the parlor and I went to greet her, letting my manners make the best of me.

"Ah, Mrs. Cochran, pleasure," I said as I bowed with my hat pressed to my chest, much more formal than how I bowed for Betsey.

"Colonel Hamilton," she nodded politely. "Would you like to sit? We reserved you a seat here." She led me to a seat directly across from Eliza, or should I say, Betsey.

Betsey and I both took our parallel seats, her hands folded politely in her lap. I had a feeling her aunt placed us here on purpose, maybe a sort of test to see if I was good enough for a Schuyler. Well, I sure would try for her. I would do anything for Betsey's heart, anything.

She looked at me nervously and I grinned at her, causing her to grin back. We sat grinning and blushing for a moment of unpleasant silence while her aunt poured tea for us and her uncle who was soon to join.

I sat and talked with her uncle, every once and a while glancing at Betsey who sat knitting socks for the soldiers. She really did have such a pure heart and would prove such until the last second I saw her.

But as the clock struck nine, I knew I must return to headquarters. I had work to do, letters to write, stores to count. And so I bade them farewell and Betsey offered to walk me to the door. I was relieved for a moment alone with her, knowing I could finally ask her what I had been wanting to all night.

We walked together to the door and she opened it. But when I stepped out into the snow that was now falling, so did she.

"What are you doing? You'll freeze!" I exclaimed as she shut the door behind her.

"I wanted a moment with you," she said, batting her lashes.

"Well take my coat then," I insisted as I took off my ragtag indigo uniform coat and quickly draped her in it. She smiled appreciatively at me as she pulled it snug over her.

"But now you'll freeze."

"Not if you're here, I could never."

"Oh Alexander," she chuckled and slowly wrapped her arms around my middle. She rested her head on my chest and I wrapped my arms slowly around her, unsure if I should.

"I was wanting to ask if you-," my nerves got the best of me and I stuttered a tad, "you would like-"

I was struggling greatly to simply ask her out. Why? Because I knew she'd say no.

I took a deep breath and simply said it.

"I was wondering if you would like to see each other again, alone. You can choose when and where and all that."

"Oh," she seemed surprised I asked. I immediately regretted asking and retreated from her embrace and released her from mine.

I hurriedly choked out, "I-mean-you-don't-have-to-it's-just-a-suggestion-and-I'm-sorry-I-asked-I-

should-just-go."

I turned and rushed down the steps to go and leave this situation, forgetting my coat. I yelled at myself. Why did I have to do that!? I just wanted to return to my desk and work, because I knew that was all I was good for.

But as I fled down the street, footsteps caught up with me and someone grabbed my hand. I turned to see Eliza's flushed face looking very concerned. I bit my lip in embarrassment and shrunk back.

"I really am sorry, I shouldn't have-" I started.

"You didn't let me answer you," she said, taking my hand again and lacing her fingers within mine.

"Well, I just assumed- Why would you?"

"Why wouldn't I? Alex, I would want nothing more!." She smiled at me. "And I really do want to go with you, anywhere is fine. I couldn't care less."

"Oh?!" I said, very surprised. "Are you sure? I mean-" I was cut off by Betsey leaning in and kissing me.

She wrapped her arms around me and our lips met once more. I wrapped my arms around her waist gently and rested my forehead against hers.

"How about a sleigh ride?" she offered.

"That sounds perfect."

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