Seeing the children playing together makes my heart swell, cousins who love each other, and young Philip so much like his father, and my headstrong Alexandra challenging him, too much of myself and John in her. Eliza looks up from her needlework, a delicate brow raised in my direction.
"Angelica, what is it?" she asks.
I shake my head; the thoughts stubbornly stay though. "Well, I imagine Alexander wasn't in the best of moods yesterday evening."
Eliza snorts. "That is a gross underestimation. He is displeased with how things are going for his plan for the national bank. He won't listen to reason either. I fear he will stay here instead of joining us upstate with father for the summer."
"Well, if Alexander chooses to stay, John will as well. Still, the work they do is important. John has shared with me his own notes and revisions on Alexander's plan, and Eliza, it is truly ingenious."
She chuckles. "I've read some of it and can make neither heads nor tails of it. I know only that it takes my husband from me at all hours of the night. I cannot tell you how many times I have woken in the night to find him asleep at his desk."
"Well, his absence from your bed hasn't prevented another child to come," I point out teasingly at Eliza's present condition.
"Angelica," she scolds, a blush lighting up her face.
I laugh and then sigh, and she says, "What are you thinking?"
"Well, it is nearly lunchtime, and I am sure that today's meetings will take a brief recess for lunch or to give Alexander time to collect himself given how hot-tempered he is. Would you mind too terribly if I were to take leave of your company and visit John? I also need to give him the revisions of his essay he asked me to read through."
She smiles, and I feel a little guilt at my lie to her. In my desired destination I am honest, in the company I intend to keep I am not. All the better so that she will not worry needlessly.
"Of course, I don't mind. Have a good lunch, and give my dearest brother John my love," she says, and I smile.
"I will, dear sister," I reply. I get up and press a kiss to her cheek and make my leave.
It does not take me long to reach the building, and I do have John's papers. I make my way inside to leave the essay with the clerk, who assures me that it will be delivered to John. I thank the clerk and then make my way outside to wait near the door. This will take some cleverness to assure that I meet Jefferson.
Someone bursts through the door in exasperation, I hear the name Thomas called from within, but the man, dressed in an unusual shade of purple, his hair wild and puffed around his head, ignores this. He is moving quickly and I make a swift decision and move directly into his path.
He stumbles right into me and we fall to the street together. He is apologetic and quick to get to his feet and help me up, however it is also clear that he is trying to escape the person calling out to him.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I really am in a hurry, but given I feel I owe you some redress, would you care to join me for lunch?" he asks, a smirk tugging at his mouth as he takes in my appearance.
"And just who would I be joining for lunch?" I ask, and I have to work hard to keep the smile off my face as he looks surprised that I do not recognize him.
"Why, I do apologize, my dear," he says and gives a quick bow, his drawl evident and more pronounced than John's. "I am Thomas Jefferson, and might we make haste. I really need to be done with this place for now."
I nod and I'm surprised at how brazenly he takes my hand and soon find myself in a brisk stroll with Thomas Jefferson. Based on this brief introduction to the man, I could see how Alexander would find him so frustrating.
Once we are seated in a restaurant, Jefferson tells the waiter that we would prefer privacy and no further company, and then orders himself a cool sweet tea and a shot of whiskey, and begins to order water for me.
I interrupt him, which gains his interest as he looks at me with interest now, "Actually sir, I too will have a sweet tea and two fingers of whiskey please."
As the waiter walks away, Jefferson nods in approval, and says, "Well, now you have my attention, however you please Miss…"
"Miss Rensselaer, Angelica Rensselaer," I reply, extending my hand to him by way of introduction, making use of my mother's maiden name.
His brow furrows at the name, one not familiar to him, as he takes my hand and presses his lips to the top of it, oozing Southern charm. "I must admit, I am not fully familiar with all of the aristocratic families of New York. I've only just returned to our country and find myself quite busy in establishing our government."
"I imagine that would keep such a man of wit and intelligence busy. I will admit I found your Declaration quite impressive when first I read it. That all men are created equal," I reply, our waiter returns, Jefferson orders, and then looks to me, and I order as well, once the waiter leaves, Jefferson recalls where we left off.
His eyes glitter at the praise. "I'm glad it pleased you. I felt quite passionately about my words. I also helped to write a similar declaration with my dear friend the former Marquis de Lafayette."
My breath catches at the mention of Lafayette, but I quickly recover it. "Yes, you were our ambassador to France," I say, and again he seems impressed, and asks, "Are you interested in politics?"
I laugh, "Oh yes, I find it quite fascinating the times that we are living in, the founding of something new and promising, ideas for creating laws, financial institutions, and gaining allies. Of course, I would like to give in to a girlish indulgence I once carried some years ago when I read your Declaration."
"Oh?" he grins, and leans forward, almost conspiratorially. "Please share, I'm more than willing to indulge such a lovely and intelligent woman."
"Well, given my education, and wit, I would dare say that an amendment should be made to your Declaration, Mr. Jefferson."
At this, his eyes widen in astonishment. I chuckle at his surprise, and I imagine he is rarely corrected, save for dear Alexander. He splutters for a moment, and then looks at me in consternation and asks, "Now I'm curious. That document led to our separation from the monarchy, what could possibly need to be amended?"
His dark gaze challenges me and I smirk, "Well, that you concede that all women are just as equal to men. Would you deign anything less than equity, when a woman is required in a household and if given proper education, women are just as capable as writers and understanding politics if it is an interest they are given the opportunity to explore?"
His mouth falls open and it takes him a moment to collect himself before a burst of rumbling laughter erupts from him. "How fascinating. Perhaps if I met more women like you, I just may need to take the thought into consideration."
The conversation continues between us, and I am careful to avoid serious topics as our drinks and meals are served. I fall into a fun banter with Thomas Jefferson, who insists by the end of our meal that I call him Thomas, which I do on the condition that he call me Angelica. He is quite charming, and I can understand his reputation as a womanizer.
Once we have finished our meal, I accompany him back to the state-building. He continues to work his charms, and I indulge him, though inwardly I smirk, knowing he doesn't stand a chance, though he seems to think he does.
As we reach the doors of the building, I hear my name, the tone peppered with confusion and ire, "Angelica?"
"Hamilton," Thomas practically spits and we turn to face him. Alexander glares at Jefferson and I brace myself. My charade is up.
"Are you serious right now? Angelica! How could you even know Jefferson, and I just heard that you were seen having lunch together?"
"Don't you have a wife, Hamilton?" Jefferson says pointedly.
"Yes, and my dear sister-in-law here," Alexander says, with acid in his tone, "has a husband, lest she's forgotten."
"Alex," I hiss.
Jefferson pulls back, and I take my arm from his and glare at Alexander. "You are a damned fool, Alexander."
"John is a bigger fool than I am apparently!" Alexander snarls and glares down Jefferson, as Jefferson just takes a step back from me, but continues to watch in interest.
Before I can respond, John comes running down the steps of the building, he must have been near the door, "Why have I heard my name?"
"Your wife is strolling around the city, arm in arm with Jefferson and they apparently had lunch together," Alexander snaps, his voice dripping with accusation.
John snorts. "And? She told me last night she had planned to introduce herself to Jefferson. I see nothing wrong with it. Angelica is a woman of her own mind. She can make friends how it pleases her. I trust my wife implicitly, Alexander. Now rather than press on with this misguided indignity, why don't we return to presenting and arguing for your proposal. And welcome back, Jefferson, Washington was just sending for you."
"Laurens," Jefferson says with a nod and then pauses, "If I may have a word with your wife."
John shrugs. "She is her own woman; she may speak to whomever it pleases her. She speaks for herself." With that John grabs Alex's arm and jerks his head toward the building, and I do not envy John the inquiry he is currently enduring.
"So, this is interesting. Why meet me under false pretenses, Mrs. Laurens?"
I snort and then meet his inquisitive gaze. "If I presented myself as the sister-in-law of your rival, would we have gotten to know each other?"
"You neglected to present yourself as married as well, darlin'."
"You heard my husband. I am a woman of my own mind. I consider myself equal in intellect to you, why would I present myself in a way that would allow your bias and society's unspoken rules of etiquette to perceive me as inferior. Concerning my marriage, what has that to do with meeting a new friend, unless your intentions were less than honorable. Granted your reputation does precede you in that regard, Mr. Jefferson," I reply with a smirk.
"Please, Mrs. Laurens, continue to call me Thomas," he says and inclines his head at me with a smile.
I laugh, "Then continue to call me Angelica."
"All right, Angelica, I look forward to getting to know you. I will accept any correspondence from you and perhaps I can join you and the esteemed Mr. Laurens one of these nights for dinner."
I nod, "I can make arrangements for the children, and that would be nice. And don't you have a meeting to get to?"
"Oh yes, and I look forward to our pending friendship, it seems that would be most displeasing to your dear brother-in-law."
"Is that your only motive for friendship?" I ask, a challenge in my tone.
He grins, "No, I am interested in getting to know a woman who claims to be an intellectual equal. That such an acquaintance will annoy Hamilton merely adds a small degree to my vested interest."
I shake my head. "Very well, I will send an invitation for you to join us for dinner by the end of the week."
He nods, a grin on his face as he makes his way up the stairs and enters the building.
John will have a lot to say this evening when he returns home if Alexander's reaction is any indication.
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