Chapter Nine
Alexander Hamilton
Peggy and Lafayette were bickering over breakfast. Lafayette had received a letter from his wife, it seemed, and Peggy had heard about it. She was busy inquiring into every aspect of Lafayette's life and was displeased with nearly everything that she discovered.
"Why did you not mention that you had a son before today?" She demanded, ignoring Martha's forceful efforts at changing the subject. "Surely he is a point of pride for you and your wife."
She spat out the word 'wife' as though it were a curse. Lafayette cringed.
"Many officers do not feel that this is the appropriate venue to discuss familial matters." He replied without much conviction.
"Clearly you are one such officer." Peggy snarked, stabbing at the potatoes on her plate. She did not take her eyes off of Lafayette. "How old is your son?"
"I cannot see how that matters." Lafayette responded, shifting in his seat uncomfortably.
"It matters to me." Peggy would not allow Lafayette to squirm away from the topic. "How old is he?"
"He is nearly a year old." Lafayette replied unwillingly.
"Do you not think that your wife would prefer you be there to help her raise your infant, General Lafayette?" Peggy demanded, clearly dissatisfied with yet another one of Lafayette's answers.
"It is not the man's role to raise the children." Lafayette replied, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Alexander looked down at his breakfast. He knew that Peggy was sure to give Lafayette an earful for such a comment.
"How dare -!" Just as Peggy was reaching the height of her anger, Alexander felt a gentle pressure against his leg. He looked up in surprise.
Angelica, who was seated beside him, smiled. Her leg nudged against Alexander's leg a second time. Her eyes darted towards the door. The door was an enticing sight; signifying freedom from this most unpleasant scene.
Alexander understood her meaning immediately. He cleared his throat and rose to his feet.
"If you will excuse me, Your Excellency, I have a few letters to Congress which I must draft on General Schuyler's behalf." He said, trying his best not to look at Angelica. It was a difficult task. She looked beautiful today. "General Schuyler, would you like to approve my drafts before I send them out?"
"Yes. Thank you, Colonel Hamilton." Angelica grinned at Alexander, not bothering to conceal her amusement with the situation.
Alexander glanced at Washington. Washington was watching them with an exasperated expression. He knew that Alexander was coming up with yet another excuse to lure Angelica away from everyone else.
Lafayette jumped in his seat, his knees rattling the tabletop. He slumped in his seat as everyone turned to look at him. On the other side of the table, Peggy looked triumphant. If Alexander were a gambling man, he would have bet the entirety of his meager savings that Peggy had kicked Lafayette while everyone had been distracted.
Washington let out an annoyed sigh.
"You are excused, officers." He told Alexander and Angelica before turning to deal with Peggy and Lafayette.
Alexander started for the door straight away. He heard Angelica's footsteps behind him. He threw open the door and laughed the moment he felt a cool breeze hit his face. Angelica laughed, too.
"I believe your sister will reduce General Lafayette to tears before one of them is finally removed from camp." Alexander told Angelica as they began to walk with no destination in mind. "You Schuyler women are ferocious."
"And it would do you well to remember it." Angelica agreed, sounding rather pleased. "General Lafayette deserves everything that he is given, perhaps more. He has lied to my sister about a wife and a child."
"I hope that your sister will not go looking for another husband now that she has found out about General Lafayette's son." Alexander joked.
He immediately regretted bringing up the institution of marriage. He watched as Angelica's shoulders tensed momentarily before relaxing again.
"I believe she has learned her lesson." She replied with a practiced smile. "But if one of them must be sent away, I do hope it is General Lafayette."
"I cannot imagine where General Washington might send him." Alexander said, glad to be treading on safer grounds.
"Oh, I do not know. The bottom of the sea, perhaps?" Angelica suggested with a troublesome smile that made Alexander's throat close up.
He tried to laugh. It came out as a choked-off sound.
"Has she always treated her suitors so severely?" He asked.
"If they mistreat her, certainly." Angelica replied with a small shrug. She looked ahead at the expanse of grass and trees before them. "My father is a busy man who does not wish to concern himself with the trifles of the women in his life. My mother raised us to be independent. Part of being independent is letting others know how you expect to be treated."
"And how do you expect to be treated?" Alexander could not resist asking.
"Very, very nicely." Angelica responded, her tone one of mischief and taunts that nearly drove Alexander to the brink of insanity. He wondered at her ability to control him simply with the tone of her voice.
Alexander wished that she would marry him. He wished that he could make her as happy as she made him.
"I am going out with John and Aaron this evening." He said, changing the subject before he proposed again. "I would like it if you would join us."
Angelica laughed. There were few things more lovely than Angelica's laugh.
"Do you think that General Washington would take kindly to my going to an inn a second time? Two nights in a row, no less." She remarked.
"Do you care?" Alexander wondered.
Angelica grinned. Alexander understood why men went to war over Helen of Troy. He would have fought anyone for a smile like Angelica's.
"Colonel Laurens has no love for me." She replied with a wry smile that suggested that John's disdain amused her. "He would not be pleased with my company, I think."
"I do not care if Colonel Laurens is displeased." Alexander replied. "I want you to join us."
Angelica looked as though she was considering this offer. Alexander felt his heart pulling at his chest. Hope governed his being. He did not know how badly he wanted to be seen with Angelica in public until he had suggested it.
"All right." She agreed at last.
Alexander's heart gave a joyful spasm in his chest.
"General Schuyler!" One of Angelica's men noticed them walking past the drill field.
Alexander's heart sank. He knew that Angelica had a soft spot for her men. It was possible that she liked them better than she liked Alexander. It was a matter of seconds before she ran off to run drills. No one else dared try to drill Angelica's men. They would not listen to anyone else; not even Washington.
Angelica turned to afford Alexander an apologetic smile. Alexander waved off her apology before she had a chance to articulate it.
"I will see you tonight?" He pressed her for a promise before she left.
"Yes," Angelica agreed, walking backwards so that she might look at Alexander while leaving his company. "I will see you tonight."
Alexander smiled to himself as Angelica turned on her heel and ran to join her men.
Angelica Schuyler
"General Schuyler, may I have a word with you?" Washington approached Angelica as she was nearing the end of a series of drills with her men.
Angelica looked over her shoulder in his direction. She frowned as she brushed a sweaty strand of hair out of her face.
She was sure that Washington intended to punish her for her insolence that morning.
"Yes, Your Excellency." She said, trying to act unafraid. She looked to her men, who were still crawling on the ground towards a fictitious enemy. "Gentlemen, you may take a break. Be prepared for more drills if I find you after my conference with General Washington."
The men did not linger. They darted towards the ladies' quarters, where they would undoubtedly beg Martha for scraps of food leftover from breakfast.
"General Schuyler, are you still interested in performing acts of espionage on my behalf?" Washington asked the moment that they were alone.
Angelica blinked, startled by his bluntness.
"Yes." She heard herself say.
Washington nodded his approval.
"I will need you to leave straight away," Washington advised her briskly. "I have learned that there is to be a ball for British officers this evening. I would like for you to attend the ball and catch the attention of a British officer - one who you understand to be important. Once you have attracted such attention, I would like for you to procure any information about British movements that you might."
"Am I to attend this ball unaccompanied?" Angelica wondered. She felt a twinge of fear. She did her best to push it aside. She knew that Washington would sense any apprehension and use it as a reason to give her mission to someone else. "I believe that my presence might be questioned if I do not know anyone at the party."
"Major Seabury will accompany you." Washington replied. "He has not been accounted for in the British militia's missing list. They believe him to be dead or deserted. He has already been briefed on the story that he is to tell - he was wounded, then brought to a physician by your mother. You come from a family of loyalists. Your name is Anne Powell."
"Can Major Seabury be trusted?" Angelica asked skeptically.
"General Lee has personally guaranteed Major Seabury's trustworthiness." Washington replied. He did not sound any more confident than Angelica felt. "If at any point during the mission, you feel as though he may compromise you, you have my full permission to act as you see fit."
Angelica nodded. She wondered if the evening would end with Samuel's death, or with her own.
"If you do not have any additional questions, I would ask that you return to your quarters and locate a suitable dress for the occasion. I do not believe your uniform would allow you to go unnoticed." Washington said with just a hint of a smile.
Angelica grinned. She was not so reserved as Washington.
"Yes, Your Excellency."
She turned around and hurried to the ladies' quarters. It was only when she reached the doorstep of the building that she realized that she had forgotten to curtsy.
Upon reaching the ladies' quarters, Angelica rushed up to Eliza's room. She knew that Eliza had been just ridiculous enough to pack formal gowns for her service in the medic's tent. For once, she was grateful for her sister's strict adherence to social graces.
She dug through Eliza's trunk until she came upon a formal gown. It was Eliza's favorite - a blue dress with a lace sash and a matching ribbon for her hair. Angelica did not have time to ask for Eliza's permission. She quickly put on the dress - struggling to lace up her own dress, as it was the first time she had ever done so.
Once she was dressed, she glanced at herself in the mirror. She afforded her reflection a quick smile. Her appearance was slightly hasty, but just as charming as it always was. She was sure that she would have a British officer wrapped around her finger by the end of the night.
She met Samuel outside of the headquarters. None of Washington's aides were present. Angelica realized, with a pang of guilt, that they had all gone into the city to go drinking. Alexander had been expecting her to go with them.
"You look very nice." Samuel told her.
Angelica looked him over. He was in his British uniform. It had been cleaned since his capture, but there was still a blood stain on his shoulder.
"You look like the enemy." She replied curtly. She then took a step toward him. She enjoyed the way that his eyes widened. "If you betray me, you will be hunted down like a dog and hanged for the traitor that you are."
"I will not betray you, General Schuyler." Samuel said, his voice shaking.
"My name is not General Schuyler," Angelica reminded him. She started for the stables. Samuel followed after her. He remained at Angelica's heels, seemingly afraid to walk beside her. Angelica preferred his fear. "It is Anne Powell. Miss Powell to this who are not in my favor."
"General Washington has told me that I am to say that I am your cousin." Samuel protested. "I must be able to call you by your first name."
Angelica just shrugged.
Washington's groom was waiting for them at the stables. A carriage that Angelica did not recognize was waiting for them. She allowed the groom to help her into the carriage. She frowned as Samuel entered the carriage after her.
"You must remain close to me this evening." Samuel said as the carriage started for the city. Angelica stared at him impassively. "These officers are…they are not the most virtuous men that I have known in my lifetime."
"I know how to handle a man, Major Seabury." Angelica informed him.
"I am sure that you do." Samuel agreed, his face reddening slightly. "But these men do not play by the rules of society that you are accustomed to."
"Are you always so critical of your fellow men?" Angelica wondered irritably. "Few men are as well-behaved as one would have them be. They are men, after all. I will handle them as I have handled all of the men who have come before them."
"General Schuyler, I cannot -" Samuel continued trying to protest.
"Do not call me that!" Angelica could not contain her anger. She was sure that Samuel was going to compromise her identity before the ball even began, either through maliciousness or through sheer stupidity. "My name is Anne Powell."
"Anne." Samuel huffed. "I cannot recommend enough that you exercise the utmost -"
The carriage came to a halt. Angelica was glad of it. She hurried to the door, not caring if a friend or a foe waited for them on the other side. Angelica would have preferred to fight in a battle over listening to Samuel speak for another moment.
As Angelica stepped out into the walkway up to the house, assisted by Washington's groom, she took a minute to admire the mansion which stood resolutely against the Philadelphia night sky. It had been a long time since she had attended a party.
Samuel climbed out of the carriage with no grace. Angelica heard the harsh sound of his boots hitting the gravel and sliding beneath him. She turned around to see him flailing in a bid to regain his balance. She rolled his eyes. He was not the sort of man she usually attended these events with. He was not handsome, he was not charming, and he was not graceful.
She begrudgingly allowed him to take her hand as they proceeded to the front door. A servant admitted them without hesitation. They did, after all, look as though they belonged. Samuel had the correct uniform and Angelica had the correct look.
"Major Seabury, is that you?" A man jeered as they entered the ballroom.
It was much smaller than Angelica had expected it to be. She wondered why the British officers had not commandeered a grander house. She wondered if Thomas Jefferson had a more suitable ballroom in his house.
A gaggle of men, all wearing British officers, approached them. Each man regarded Angelica with unconcealed curiosity. Angelica smiled back at them in the coquettish manner that her mother had trained her to perfect.
"Hello, gentlemen." Samuel mumbled, his face reddening.
Angelica wondered how they were ever to get through this mission without Samuel messing it all up.
"Is this your wife, Major Seabury?" One of the men asked, smiling in Angelica's direction.
"No." Both Samuel and Angelica said at the same time. Samuel afforded Angelica an annoyed glance. Angelica continued to smile at the officers. They did not seem to be nearly as troubled with Angelica's response as Samuel was.
"This is my cousin, Miss Anne Powell." Samuel continued.
Angelica curtsied. She smiled, nearly dizzy with relief. Samuel had remembered the correct name. The mission was already going much smoother than she had imagined it would.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Powell." One of the British officers, a decidedly unattractive man with thinning hair and black eyes, said as he and the other men bowed. "I am Corporal Mills. This is Captain Forrest and Colonel Wilks."
"It is a pleasure to meet so many handsome gentlemen," Angelica said, careful to make eye contact with each of the men.
"Are you new to Philadelphia society?" Another man, Captain Forrest, inquired.
Forrest was not so homely as Mills, but he was nowhere near as handsome as Alexander. He was not even as handsome as John Laurens. He could only be described as plain. He had sandy hair and passive gray eyes. He was not the sort of man who would inspire great passion, but he was a safe choice.
At the moment, Angelica valued safety.
"No, sir." Angelica lowered her eyes in a demure gesture.
She knew that Alexander would laugh at her, if he could see how she was behaving around these men. She was never so proper around him. She did not need to be. It was what made him such an exhilarating experience.
"Well, then. We must give you a proper welcome!" Wilks exclaimed, grinning.
He was the youngest of the group – he might have been younger than Angelica, even. He had jet black hair and copper-colored eyes. His teeth were crooked and his cheeks were freckled. Angelica would have liked him the best, were she to actually contemplate any of these men as suitors.
"Do not trouble the lady with your impertinence, Wilks." Mills rebuked him.
Angelica smiled, still looking down.
"I only meant that I would like for the opportunity to dance with Miss Powell." Wilks complained. "And perhaps introduce her to some members of our small society, if it is not offensive to you or your cousin, Mr. Seabury."
Angelica glanced at Samuel. He looked startled by Wilks' consideration. He clearly did not have sisters. She elbowed him, hoping that he would have the sense to grant her permission to dance with these men.
"I do not believe my cousin should be exposed to you as her first suitor, Wilks." Samuel said with a small attempt at a laugh. Angelica felt her face redden with anger. She hoped the officers would mistake it for a blush.
"Then allow me the pleasure." Forrest spoke up before Mills could.
Angelica was glad that Forrest had spoken first. He was not as good-looking as Wilks, but he was much better looking than Mills.
Samuel glanced at Angelica. Angelica met his eyes and gave a slight nod. Samuel let out a sigh of a long-suffering cousin.
"Very well." He said reluctantly. "But do remember that I am responsible for her during her stay in Philadelphia. Her father will ruin me if she suffers even the slightest indignation."
"Oh, hush." Angelica let out a small laugh, swatting at Samuel's arm gently. She smiled at the men in a way that made them lean forward. She was relieved to see that she had not lost her touch while she was toiling away at Washington's camp. "He coddles me, really."
"Well, Miss Powell." Forrest said, looking rather pleased with himself. "I will be sure not to cause you any indignation."
"I trust you, Captain Forrest." Angelica hummed.
She moved away from Samuel to stand by Forrest. Samuel met her eyes, his expression grim. They both knew that once Angelica walked away, he could not protect her. She would have to think carefully about every word that came out of her mouth.
She placed her hand on Forrest's arm. He led her towards the dance floor. A waltz was playing. Eliza was much better at the waltz than Angelica was. She wished that she had paid better attention during their dancing classes.
"You are a very good dancer, Miss Powell." Forrest said a few seconds into the dance.
He was lying. Angelica did not mind. She was lying, too.
"I am afraid that I do not do my partner credit, Captain Forrest." She replied. "I did not know that they taught dancing in the militia."
"I was taught as a child." Forrest replied with a chuckle. "Although I did not have the opportunity to dance with a lady other than my sister for quite some time after I learned."
"How unfortunate for the ladies." Angelica quirked a smile.
"I believe that you are teasing me, Miss Powell." Forrest remarked.
He was no fun to flirt with. He was not as witty as Angelica. He was not even as witty as Alexander.
"I believe that you are right, Captain Forrest." She said, resisting the urge to tell him how dull she found him.
"Where do you hail from, Miss Powell, if not Philadelphia?" Forrest inquired.
The song would be over soon. Angelica wondered if she should change partners. She did not know if she would get any decent information out of Forrest. It was possible that he did not know anything worthwhile.
"I am from New York." Angelica replied.
She had not rehearsed this part of the story with Washington, but she could not imagine how being honest about her home state could harm her. She could not like and say that she was from New England - she lacked the requisite accent. Similarly, she could not say that she was from the south, as she could not talk nearly as slow as southerners always seemed to.
"Is that so? I am to go to New York in two weeks. Where in New York are you from?" Forrest asked.
Angelica's ears pricked up.
"Albany." Again, she told the truth. She kept her smile ornamental as she continued. "Where are you going? Perhaps I might return the kindness you are showing me this evening by introducing you to prominent members of New York society."
"Alas, I will near Kips Bay." Forrest replied, his smile fading somewhat. "That is far west of Albany, is it not?"
"It is." Angelica agreed, feigning regret. "Perhaps you might request leave to visit me in Albany."
"I believe my stay in New York will be rather short." Forrest frowned. "Might I write to you at your home in Albany? Perhaps our paths will cross at some other time."
Angelica did not have an address in Albany to give Forrest. If she gave the address of her father's home, Forrest would soon discover her identity. Her father was a well-known patriot in the north.
"I believe that my cousin would be scandalized by my behavior if I agreed to your correspondence so soon." She said, hoping that Forrest would accept her excuse as an insistence on propriety.
"I do not care what Major Seabury thinks." Forrest cracked a smile. He glanced over his shoulder in Samuel's direction. Angelica looked over with him. Samuel was watching them with a disapproving stare.
The song ended. Forrest bowed. Angelica curtsied.
"May I have your next dance?" Forrest asked.
"I believe that my cousin would not like it if I monopolized your time, Captain Forrest." Angelica replied. She wanted the opportunity to coax more information out of the different officers. "He is quite keen that I meet most of the officers here so that I might have my choice of suitors."
"Even if you have met the best one first?" Forrest pressed.
"Even then." Angelica agreed.
She disguised her impatience with a smile. Already, the men were beginning to ask other women to dance the next reel. She could feel many sets of eyes on her. She would miss the chance to dance with anyone of value if Forrest did not leave her alone soon.
"Quit boring the lady, Captain Forrest." Wilks appeared behind them with an easy, almost rude, smile. "Allow others the opportunity to dance with Miss Powell. She is attracting much attention and you are attracting even more jealousy."
"I am sure that you are exaggerating, sir." Angelica said with a small laugh.
Forrest did not look pleased that another man dared to step in. He appraised Wilks with a cool expression, his mouth turned downwards.
"I apologize for hindering your opportunity, Colonel Wilks." Forrest said. "Thank you for the dance, Miss Powell."
He bowed to Angelica before skulking away to ask some other lady to dance.
"He will punish me for this later." Wilks remarked as they began to go through the steps of yet another dance. "I could see that he intended to keep you all to himself throughout the evening."
"You flatter me by suggesting that I could be so interesting as to keep a man's attention throughout the evening." Angelica said.
She knew that she was interesting. She knew that the bulk of Forrest's interest in her had to do with her looks. She afforded Wilks a shy smile that would make him melt the same way that Alexander did. She was thrilled to realize that she was really very good at espionage.
"I cannot believe that you do not know the effect that you have on men." Wilks replied with an impertinent smile.
"Are you always this forward, Colonel Wilks?" Angelica wondered.
She was enjoying this conversation much more than she had enjoyed her conversation with Forrest.
"Always." Wilks replied with a grin.
"Will you remain in the colonies once you put down the insurrection?" It felt odd, acknowledging the likelihood of a British victory. To do so in Washington's camp would have qualified as treason. "I believe that we could use impertinence like yours."
Wilks laughed.
"No," He said. "I do not care much for the colonies. The food is inedible, the proximity to the French, the Spanish, and the indigenous people is undesirable, and, until now, the company has been rather unremarkable."
"You are a harsh judge, Colonel Wilks." Angelica said, forcing herself to smile.
She did not agree with Wilks' criticism. America was home. There was nowhere in the world like it.
"I have been told that my honesty may be construed as severity." Wilks agreed with a bashful smile.
"Why do you bother dancing with me, if you hate the colonies so?" Angelica asked. "I cannot imagine why you would want to create such connections and friendships in a land in which you do not intend to remain."
"Perhaps you might return to England with me," Wilks replied. "I believe you would like it there. I could offer you much better society than this - much better parties than this. My mother is the fourth cousin to the King."
"My, my." Angelica said, forcing herself to act impress by Wilks' blue blood. "What on earth would compel you to trifle with me? Surely there are some princesses who you might be dazzling."
Wilks laughed. It was loud and carefree, unlike Forrest's reserved chuckles.
"You are more interesting than the few princesses that I have met." He informed her. "You are much prettier, too."
Angelica looked down in a falsely demure gesture. She mostly did it so that she would not roll her eyes.
"The war will not be much longer." Wilks continued conversationally. Angelica was careful to keep her mouth closed. "We are to attack the rebels in a week's time. They are stationed not far from here."
"Here?" Angelica feigned fear. She looked over her shoulder dramatically.
Wilks grinned heroically. He liked it when she played the helpless damsel. Angelica wished that she could show him just how brave she really was.
"They know better than to enter the city. We would string them up by their ankles and make mince meat out of them." Wilks replied loftily. "We will attack them next week, move on to take New York once and for all, and then you will not have to worry about the rebels ever again."
Angelica wondered why Washington had not sent her on these missions sooner. These men seemed eager to divulge anything that she would listen to in the hopes of impressing her.
"I shall miss the presence of so many handsome soldiers when you are victorious." She lied.
"I will convince you to return with me to England, yet." Wilks was woefully confident in his charms. "There is a ball in three days' time. It will be held in a house just a few blocks down from here. I insist that you attend."
"I cannot attend a party which I am not invited to!" Angelica exclaimed, smiling slightly.
"I will see to it that you are invited." Wilks pressed. "I will tell the hosts that a party is not a party without Miss Powell."
"And what of my cousin, Major Seabury?" Angelica quirked an eyebrow.
She knew that Washington would not allow her to attend a party held by British officers without Samuel there to 'protect' her.
Wilks let out a playfully dramatic sigh.
"I suppose Major Seabury may come, if it is the only way that you are able to attend." He said.
"My parents would never allow me to attend a ball unaccompanied." Angelica reminded him.
"I would accompany you." Wilkes said.
Angelica smiled and shook her head.
"You know that is not the same." She remarked.
"Is it not?" Wilkes wondered.
"No," Angelica replied, wishing that the song would hurry up and end. "It is not."
Angelica spent the remainder of the night charming British officers and making vague promises to each of them. Samuel watched from a distance. He did not dance with anyone. If any of the officers were suspicious, they did not show it.
At the end of the evening, Wilks insisted on waiting for their carriage with them. Angelica tried to politely decline, but Wilks insisted. Samuel stood between them as they waited. Wilks reminded Angelica of the ball a few days later. Angelica promised him that she would attend.
Samuel let out a sigh and swore under his breath as they entered the carriage and started back for camp.
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander was drunk and chock-full of self-righteous anger when Angelica finally returned to the small patch of grass that they had designated for themselves when camp had first been set up. She was wearing a dress. Alexander was rarely given the opportunity to see her in a dress.
"Where have you been?" He demanded as she set to work removing her dress.
He tried to keep his eyes open to watch. His eyelids lowered, becoming heavier with each passing moment. He finally allowed them to shut, resigning himself to the fact that he would miss out on watching Angelica undress on this particular evening.
"I know that I was supposed to go out with you, Aaron, and John." Angelica acknowledged her shortcoming freely. It was unlike her to do so.
"Hm." Alexander agreed, his voice woolly with sleep.
He knew that he would not be able to stay awake for much longer.
"General Washington approached me just as I was going to leave to join you." She continued.
Alexander felt her lay down beside him. Her soft body pressed against his. Alexander's body went limp. He had been waiting for Angelica all night. He found that he could not sleep without the feeling of her body beside his.
"Mm." He murmured.
Her words swam around his head, as abstract as Congress' understanding of military strategies. He would piece them together the next morning.
"He had a mission for me." Angelica whispered into his ear.
Alexander's mouth curved into a smile as he fell asleep. He loved the feeling of Angelica whispering words that only the two of them would know.
He awoke the next morning before Angelica did. He smiled at the sight of her, asleep in her wrinkled uniform. She was curled into a ball beside him, her brows furrowed.
A blue dress was balled up beside her. Alexander eyed it curiously.
It was then that he remembered their conversation from the night before.
"Angelica!" He hissed, nudging her sleeping form.
She awoke, her mouth curving into a confused frown.
"What?" She asked, letting out a small yawn that nearly made Alexander smile. She was her most endearing when she was just waking up. She was gentle and pliant and unprepared for anything more than a smile and a 'good morning.'
"Did you tell me that you were on a mission last night?" He demanded, struggling to keep his voice low.
"Are you trying to alert the entire camp?" Angelica asked, sitting up and looking around.
No one was looking in their direction. Most everyone appeared to be asleep. The tents which housed Angelica's men were still zipped shut.
"What were you doing on a mission?" Alexander did not allow Angelica to put him on the defensive side.
"I found out some information which will be useful to General Washington." Angelica replied matter-of-factly. As though the fact that she was the first woman to successfully conduct an intelligence mission on Washington's behalf was unremarkable. "He debriefed me when I returned last night."
"What…why did you not tell me?" Alexander asked.
"I did not know until it was time for me to leave." Angelica replied, frowning.
"Truthfully?" Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"Truthfully." Angelica replied.
She then chewed at her upper lip, looking at Alexander thoughtfully.
"I thought that you would be proud of me." She said. "Once you were through pouting over my absence last night, anyway."
"Of course I am proud of you." Alexander replied automatically.
He had never been proud of another person before. He could not begin to tell Angelica just how proud of her he was. His chest swelled whenever he saw her talking to her men, the men that Washington had deemed "write-offs" until Angelica had whipped them into shape. He had to bite back smiles whenever Angelica put her fellow officers in their place; this happened a lot. He narrowly resisted the urge to tell everyone he met on the street how wonderful and strange and charming Angelica Schuyler was.
"I am going to go on another mission in a few days." Angelica said, looking at him with a disappointed expression. "Can I expect you to behave this way when I return from that one, too?"
Alexander sighed.
Only Angelica could make him feel so foolish. Only Angelica's opinion matter enough for him to contemplate the possibility of his own foolishness.
"No," He said. "I suppose not."
"Good." Angelica approved. "Then let us set aside this squabble and clean up for breakfast. I must find a way to return Eliza's dress without her knowing why I had it."
"Could you not say that you were trying to impress me?" Alexander teased.
Angelica wrinkled her nose as she smiled at him.
Alexander wished that he could capture the way that she looked at him, so that he might cherish that smile for the rest of his life.
"Do I need to impress you?" She wondered with a small, ridiculous laugh that should not have affected Alexander as much as it did.
"No." He admitted sheepishly. "But you have, all the same."
Angelica Schuyler
As predicted, Washington would not allow Angelica to attend the ball without Samuel. Samuel appeared just as displeased as Angelica was about the matter.
Martha prepared a dress for Angelica this time. It was, perhaps, the most beautiful article of clothing that Angelica had ever owned. It was made of imported French fabric – an unheard of luxury in such a time – and Martha had embroidered the bodice herself.
Alexander was present when Angelica and Samuel reported to Washington for one last meeting before the mission. He looked at Angelica in a manner which made her want to kiss him. No one had adored her the way that Alexander adored her. He did not simply make her feel like a beautiful lady; he made her feel like a good person.
Washington gave his instructions for the mission. He needn't have bothered. Angelica knew what she was meant to do. She would flirt with and charm the British officers until they told her about their ration supply. Once she had achieved this information, she would find some excuse to leave the ball and return back to camp. Once Washington had debriefed her, they would plan their attack on the British and stop them from taking New York once and for all.
The moment that Washington disappeared back into his office, Alexander rose to his feet. His chair made a harsh scraping sound that drew both Angelica and Samuel's attention.
Alexander approached them. To Angelica's immense surprise, he planted himself in front of Samuel. She had quite expected him to say goodbye to her, first.
"If you allow anything to happen to her," Alexander said to Samuel, glancing at Angelica momentarily before turning to glare at Samuel. "I will tie you up and skin you like a hog. Do you understand me?"
"I suppose I do." Samuel replied, his eyes wide.
He looked to Angelica, bewildered. Angelica just smiled and shrugged. She knew that she should admonish Alexander for threatening Samuel, especially on her behalf. It was insulting, really, that he did not trust that Angelica could take care of herself. Still, she could not deny the warm glow in her chest after watching Alexander's rather foolish display. He loved her. Fiercely.
She preferred to be loved fiercely.
"Come along, Samuel." She said, reaching for Samuel's arm.
She did not miss the way that Alexander's eyes followed her movement. His brows creased when her hand made contact with Samuel's arm. The poor, silly man was jealous of everyone – even Samuel.
Samuel obliged Angelica, hurrying the pair of them towards the door. Angelica did not have to guess why he might be eager to get away from Alexander's threats and glares.
They rode in the same carriage which Washington had provided them for their first mission. Angelica had come to learn that the carriage had belonged to a very well-respected member of Philadelphia society.
They did not talk on the carriage ride. Angelica did not feel the need to warn Samuel against giving her away. He had done well enough on their first mission. She did not trust him, but she did not fear his ignorance, either. For his part, Samuel did not seem to feel compelled to warn Angelica about the dangers of the men she was consorting with. It seemed that he had discovered how well Angelica handled men without his help.
When they arrived at the ball, Wilks was immediately by Angelica's side. He wore a freshly pressed uniform and a dangerous smile.
"You are looking beautiful this evening, Miss Powell." He said.
"Thank you, Colonel Wilks." Angelica smiled.
She watched as Samuel bowed respectfully toward them both before disappearing into the crowds. Wilks seemed relieved of Samuel's absence.
"Shall I get you a drink?" Wilks offered.
"No, thank you." Angelica did not want to drink wine if she could avoid it. She wished to keep her mind clear throughout the evening. "I do not enjoy wine as much as my counterparts seem to, I am afraid."
"Perhaps that is because you have never had good wine." Wilks suggested with a grin. The man was nothing if not persistent. "Here in the colonies, you brew your own swill, do you not? We have wine which was made in the finest vineyards in England. You must at least try it."
Angelica resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
She had tasted English wine on several occasions. It was vile. She much preferred French wine, or, better yet, Virginian wine.
"Perhaps I will try it later." She tried to defer. "I would quite like to dance at present."
She pretended to look around for a suitable partner. She knew that she would not have a difficult time finding an interested man in this ballroom. Already, she was attracting a great deal of stares and whispers.
"Then allow me the honor of being the first to dance with you this evening." Wilks was easily distracted. "Before the rest of these horrid men attempt to lure you away."
"Are you suggesting that no man in this room, save yourself, has honorable intentions for me, Colonel Wilks?" Angelica teased.
"No." Wilks feigned indignation. "I believe your cousin, Major Seabury, has well enough intentions for you, too."
Angelica faked a laugh. It was enough to satisfy Wilks. He placed a hand on her waist and guided her towards the dance floor. Angelica wished that he was Alexander. She wished that she were able to dance in a crowded ballroom with Alexander, both of them slightly drunk and giddy off of each others' company. She realized that she had never danced with Alexander before. She likely never would.
Wilks was just as decent of a dancer as he had been a few nights before. He teased and flirted with Angelica relentlessly the entire time. He made mentions of New York; of whisking Angelica off to England when the war was over. Angelica allowed him to indulge in these fantasies. She decided that, if Washington's forces were matched against the men in this room, she would let kill Forrest first, then Wilks.
"I am delighted by the beautiful spread tonight." Angelica remarked conversationally, glancing in the direction of a table pressed against the wall. It was littered with food. Angelica had not seen such offerings since the war had begun. "How is it that the generous host and hostess have come by such provisions?"
Wilks glanced in the direction of the table and laughed.
"This spread is not nearly as elegant as the one which was prepared at the last ball." He said. He could not seem to help himself when it came to criticizing others. "The Wesley family is not so affluent as the Taylors."
"Affluent or not, I have not been able to meet a single butcher who could procure a hog for any sum of money since this rebellion began." Angelica remarked.
The dance ended. Wilks bowed. Angelica curtseyed, struggling to keep her impatience from flaring into anger. She wanted to extract information about British rations as quickly as she could, so that she might leave sooner than the other guests. She knew Alexander would be lying awake, worrying about her until she returned safely.
"If you invite me to dinner, perhaps I could procure a hog for you, Miss Powell." Wilks flirted.
Angelica forced a smile.
"Might I be introduced to the lady who has captivated the attention of every man in this room?" Another man approached with a bow and a cursory smile in Wilks' direction.
Wilks looked rather unhappy to have to share Angelica's attention.
"Yes, certainly." He agreed with no real conviction. "General Thompson, this is Anne Powell."
General Thompson. Angelica recognized the name. He was one of General Howe's closest advisors. General Howe called him by his boarding school nickname – Mickey. He knew everything there was to know about the British militia. If anyone in the room knew secrets that could topple the British, he would be the one.
"General Thompson." Angelica did her best to pretend that she did not know whom she was speaking to. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She dropped into a curtsey which would have impressed even the most rigid of men.
General Thompson smiled his approval. Angelica smiled, too.
"May I have this dance, Miss Powell?" He asked.
"I would be delighted." Angelica replied.
She afforded Wilks one last smile before he stalked off to find another partner. Angelica could not bring herself to feel sorry for him. Though he was not as dull as some of the other officers, he was none too interesting, either.
"You are not yet married, Miss Powell?" General Thompson asked as the dance begun.
It was an impertinent question. Angelica was surprised by it. She had anticipated an officer of General Thompson's esteem to have decent manners about him. She had expected the British militia to hold their officers to at least the same standard to which Washington held his; if anything, she expected British officers to be even more polite.
"You embarrass me by drawing attention to my most prominent defect, sir." Angelica tried to answer as demurely as she could.
Her mother had not trained her to tolerate such boorishness.
"I apologize for embarrassing you, Miss Powell." General Thompson at least had the sense to apologize. "I simply cannot imagine how it is that you have manage to preserve yourself for as long as you have. All of my men are foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to court you."
Angelica threw her head back and laughed. She knew that General Thompson looked at her breasts while she was looking away. This was hardly her first ball.
"Colonel Wilks has threatened to smuggle me back to England along with him." She replied conspiratorially.
Her low voice gave General Thompson an excuse to lean forward. Her words made him feel as though they were in on an extremely amusing secret. Angelica knew that she would have his unyielding trust and devotion by the end of the dance.
General Thompson let out a hearty laugh.
"My dear, I believe that there would be chaos if we were to allow you aboard one of our vessels. Men would be throwing themselves overboard to catch your eye." He remarked.
Angelica shook her head, smiling slightly.
"I do not suppose you are considering Colonel Wilks' request?" General Thompson asked after a beat.
Angelica looked at him as though she was startled by his question.
"Certainly not," She replied, shaking her head dismissively. "I fear he is much too grand for a simple woman like myself."
"Simple? I think not." General Thompson objected rather dramatically. "Though I do not think Colonel Wilks is a suitable match for you."
"No?" Angelica looked up at General Thompson with wide eyes. She allowed her mouth to curve into the slightest suggestion of a smile. "Who do you suggest might be more suitable?"
General Thompson cleared his throat and looked away.
Angelica laughed good-naturedly.
"You will get me into trouble with my wife if you do not watch that tongue of yours." He accused her, chortling.
"Oh, dear. I would not want to do anything to upset your poor wife." Angelica knew that she was not in danger of upsetting anyone. General Thompson's wife was likely glad to be rid of him for the moment. "I promise that I will be very well behaved for the rest of the night."
General Thompson laughed.
"Perhaps Colonel Wilks should be permitted to smuggle you to England." He remarked. "I believe that you would set the country afire the moment you set foot in it."
"Should that not be a reason to remain where I am?" Angelica replied playfully. "Unless you are secretly working on behalf of the rebels. You must tell me if you are, General Thompson, so that I may quit your company and declare you a scoundrel like the rest of them."
General Thompson laughed again.
He trusted Angelica. Angelica began to ponder how she would bring up the supply chains without seeming too inquisitive.
"Who is your mother? She must be a fearsome woman." General Thompson asked before Angelica could think of a way to bring up the subject.
"My mother is in New York, where I am from." Angelica answered quickly. She paired her words with the most charming smile she could muster for such a foolish old man. "I have heard rumors that you are moving to New York soon. I hope that you will tell my mother that I am behaving very well in Philadelphia, should you run into her. If you do not, I fear that she will never let me return to visit my dear cousin Samuel."
"Major Seabury is your cousin?" General Thompson looked over in Samuel's direction in surprise. "I cannot say that I see the family resemblance."
"Are you not glad for it? I am." Angelica joked.
General Thompson laughed.
"Will you have parties like this one when you move to New York?" Angelica asked before he could think of some other dull thing to say. She wanted to get the information as quickly as she could. Already, she had been at the party much longer than she had intended to. "I was remarking to Colonel Wilks that I have not seen a hog as magnificent as the one presented tonight since the rebellion began. It seems that Mr. Washington and his men have carried off with every pig, cow, and horse they could find."
General Thompson laughed again. He liked Angelica's casual diminution of Washington's rank. Most loyalists did.
"It so happens, my dear, that I have set up the most magnificent little system. You see, Mr. Washington and his band of rebels do not have a dime to part with and most citizens of these colonies are still ardent supporters of our good King George III. Any food that Mr. Washington finds, he takes by force. We, on the other hand, have been buying piglets and calves from local farmers to grow on our own. There have been lean months where we were forced to buy our meat from the local farmers – those men know how to haggle mind you – but now that our own animals are reproducing, we are a fairly self-sufficient force." He replied as neatly as Angelica could have asked him to.
Angelica wrinkled her nose and tried very hard to act unimpressed with General Thompson's explanation.
"Where on earth are your men farming such animals in Philadelphia?" She wondered.
She wanted General Thompson to disclose the location so that Washington could send men to slaughter the animals and starve the British soldiers. Better yet, she wanted Washington to send men to capture the animals so that their own soldiers could eat.
General Thompson smiled at Angelica indulgently.
"We keep a majority of the animals approximately five miles from here – a short ride away, but far enough to avoid the unpleasantness of livestock." He replied.
"Unpleasant, indeed." Angelica agreed with a forced laugh.
"Do not trouble yourself, Miss Powell." He said. "For we will soon march those unpleasant creatures up through Trenton, past Princeton, until we can reach the point in New York where we will confront the rascals who have begun this wretched affair."
Angelica nearly kissed General Thompson for being so stupid.
Nearly.
"That can be a wretched path when the weather turns cold." She said instead. "I have convinced my mother that the roads will soon become impassable and I must thus remain in the exciting city of Philadelphia until spring."
"I do not believe there will yet be ice on the roads by the time the war is through." General Thompson remarked loftily. "We shall crush Mr. Washington's forces quickly and effectively before winter comes."
"I am glad of it." Angelica lied. "Perhaps then I shall enjoy a Christmas without fear of some dirty rebel stumbling upon my home and stealing all of my presents."
"Who could bear to steal presents from you, my dear?" General Thompson teased.
Angelica had nearly forgotten how much she loathed the way that men in popular society treated her. No man in Washington's camp would dare to tease her in such a condescending manner.
"Come, General Thompson." Wilks interrupted the conversation with an impertinent smile and a hasty bow. "You have monopolized Miss Powell for two dances straight. It is hardly fair for a married man to occupy so much of the lady's time when there are other hopefuls waiting for the opportunity to present themselves to her."
"Has it been two songs already? My god, woman, you are fun to dance with." General Thompson exclaimed with a grin.
Angelica smiled and averted her eyes.
"I am my most entertaining when I enjoy my company, sir." She said demurely.
General Thompson chortled in approval.
Angelica hoped that he choked on his dinner.
He bowed, oblivious to the various ways that Angelica was imagining his death. Angelica curtseyed, relieved to be rid of him.
"May I have your next dance, Miss Powell?" Wilks asked.
He reached for Angelica's hand before she had time to respond to his request. She did not want to dance with him. She wanted to leave the mansion and hurry back to camp. She wanted tell Washington to send men to intercept the animals so that the British would have nothing in New York, and she wanted to tell Alexander how ridiculous all of these British officers were.
"I am sorry, Colonel Wilks, but I do not believe my cousin intended to remain at this party for as long as we have." She replied, looking around for Samuel. She spotted him talking to an old woman who appeared to be lecturing him. "I had to beg him to escort me in the first place. At this rate, I fear that he will not allow me to attend anything else for fear that I will keep him at the party all night."
"You have only danced thrice." Wilks protested. "Let Major Seabury take himself home. I will see you home once you have properly enjoyed yourself."
He spoke in a commanding manner that made Angelica want to take a step away from him. She knew men who spoke to women in such a manner. She made it a point to avoid such men.
"I do not think my cousin will consider such a suggestion proper." She said, feeling her face redden.
"I do not care what Major Seabury thinks. No one does." Wilks huffed in drunken petulance. "I could command him to leave you here with me, should I like. As a matter of fact, I think I would like that. Perhaps I could order him to allow you to remain for the entirety of the night."
Angelica's heart sank. Something within her stomach rolled around uneasily. All of her instincts warned her that she needed to leave the ball. She needed to leave now.
"Colonel Wilks, I wish you would not tease me so." She said, her voice wobbling as adrenaline rushed through her veins.
"Who is teasing?" Wilks wondered, looking around with a grin that was not at all nice. "My quarters are not more than a ten minutes' walk from here. Come now, Miss Powell. I know that you are not married, but I cannot believe that you are not experienced."
"Really, Colonel Wilks!" Angelica exclaimed, her face burning. "I must insist that you stop speaking to me in such an unbecoming manner. I am going to find my cousin and leave this party. I ask that, in the future, you do not invite me to such parties again."
"Do not be such a spoilsport!" Wilks called after her as Angelica crossed the room towards Samuel.
Samuel looked at her in surprise. A frown crossed his face as he assessed Wilks' annoyed expression and Angelica's desperate expression. He excused himself from whatever conversation he was having with the old woman and approached Angelica.
"Get me out of here." Angelica instructed him in a low voice.
Samuel nodded and extended his arm towards Angelica. She placed her hand on it and allowed Samuel to guide her out of the ball room and towards the front door. They said goodbye to the hosts as dutifully as they could, then hurried for the carriage.
"What happened?" Samuel asked Angelica as the carriage started for camp.
Angelica shook her head. Tears burned at her eyes. She hated that a man such as Wilks could still make her feel small, as though she was nothing more than an item to be possessed. As though all of her life's experiences, her hopes, her dreams; none of it mattered beyond Wilks' perception of how she could please him.
She did not want to cry, especially not in front of Samuel.
The carriage stopped after what could only have been a minute or two. It was certainly too soon to have reached camp.
"It will only be a minute, you have my word." A man's voice remarked.
Angelica's blood ran cold. She recognized the man's voice as Wilks' voice. She turned to look at Samuel. He, too, looked frightened.
Angelica wondered if Wilks had discovered their purpose for attending the party. She wondered if he was going to kill them.
Samuel shifted to position himself in front of the carriage door. It was the only act Angelica had seen him perform which could be described as 'brave.' She felt slightly guilty for thinking that he would be the one to get them both killed. They both would be killed, it seemed, but at least he was making an effort at saving her.
The carriage door swung open. Wilks stood at the bottom of the steps, grinning like a drunken fool.
"Colonel Wilks, what is the meaning of this?" Samuel stuck his head out through the door to look in the direction of the groom. Angelica watched as he frowned. She assumed that there was another soldier present; one holding the reins of the horse.
"I was not finished speaking with Miss Powell when you both made your hasty departure." Wilks replied, his tone one of false innocence. "Miss Powell, would you please join me out here for a proper goodbye?"
Angelica shrank back into the carriage.
"Perhaps Miss Powell might call upon you tomorrow, once she is well-rested." Samuel tried to say. His voice wobbled. Angelica knew that he, too, was afraid. "It has been a long day and I believe my cousin is very tired…"
Wilks let out an annoyed sigh before surging forward. He shoved Samuel back into the carriage, then took hold of Angelica's hand and pulled her outside. She stumbled down the steps, knowing that if she fell to the ground, all would be lost.
Angelica looked in the direction of the groom, hoping that he might be some help to her. Unfortunately, two British soldiers were holding onto the horses. If the groom moved to assist Angelica, he would likely be killed. He was no use to anyone dead – if Angelica was going to get out of these unfortunate circumstances, she would need him to be able to drive away.
"Unhand me!" She did her best to sound confident as she shoved Wilks away from her.
He did not move. He did not let go of her hand. If anything, his grip tightened. It seemed that his eagerness to impress her had disappeared with the last few glasses of wine.
"Where is your love for your mother country?" He admonished Angelica as though she was a child. Angelica was overwhelmed by a combination of fear, indignation, and blind rage. "We brave men have travelled across the sea to protect you from this dangerous insurrection and you cannot spare a few moments to give me a proper goodbye? Now, I am going to expect a superb apology from you."
Angelica knew what kind of apology he had in mind.
"You are drunk." She knew that she would not be able to appeal to his better nature, but she could at least distract him until she found an opportunity to get to safety. "You may call upon me when you are sober. I might consider such an apology then."
She started for the carriage, where Samuel was nursing what looked to be a rather bad wound on his head.
"You are such a tease!" Wilks laughed.
He lunged forward and grabbed Angelica's dress. She heard the heartbreaking sound of cloth tearing as a sharp pain tore through her chest and shoulders. The cold night air hit her flesh with a violence she had not known it capable of.
That same air had felt so gentle when Alexander's hands had been the ones exposing her to it.
She let out a yelp of pain and surprise as she was propelled backwards towards Wilks. His arm wrapped around her neck, holding her fast. Tears burned at Angelica's eyes. She realized, very dimly, that this could be how she died.
On a dark road, subjected to brutal treatment from a British soldier before succumbing to an untimely demise.
She wondered what Alexander would think when she did not return.
She closed her eyes, hoping to have one last vision of him before her senses were overpowered with the ugliness of this moment.
I will show you how to make a proper fist, He had told her with that lopsided grin that she had always loved. So that next time you punch a diplomatic asset to the country, it does not hurt you so.
With tears in her eyes, Angelica bit down on Wilks' arm. He let out a shout of surprise, wrenching his arm so violently he nearly pulled Angelica's teeth straight out of her mouth.
Angelica took advantage of his momentary surprise. She planted one foot squarely on the road, then sent the other one backwards into what she sincerely hoped was Wilks' groan.
He let out a pained moan that confirmed that Angelica had hit her mark. Angelica clenched her fist in the manner that Alexander had taught her and swung around. She caught Wilks directly in the jaw. He crumpled on the ground like a rag doll.
"Hey!" One of the British soldiers who was holding the horses shouted. He started for Angelica, anger evident on his brutish features.
Angelica swooped down and grabbed Wilks' pistol from his belt. She pointed it at the men who had stood by and allowed Wilks to assault her. They immediately stopped in their tracks. Angelica planted her heel on Wilks' groin, causing him to let out another pained noise.
"Back away from my groom." Angelica commanded.
The two men meekly obeyed her. It was revolting, really, how quickly men turned into little boys when they were faced with the consequences of their own conduct.
Angelica kicked Wilks one last time before stepping back into the carriage. This time, she did not make the same mistake she had made before. She walked backwards, not turning her eyes away from the men for one second.
Once safely inside of the carriage with the door shut, Angelica pounded on the side of the carriage nearest the groom.
"Drive!" She shouted.
The carriage started again. Tears of relief sprang from Angelica's eyes as the carriage rocked gently against the road leading them back to safety.
She finally looked down at Samuel, who was slumped against one of the benches. His head was bleeding rather badly. His eyes were closed. Angelica wondered if he was dead.
She tentatively placed a hand on Samuel's chest to see if he was breathing.
"Ow." Samuel grumbled softly.
Angelica was so startled, she nearly tumbled out of the carriage door.
"You are alive." She accused him.
"Barely." Samuel cracked one eye open to look back at her passively. It seemed that he was too weak to do much more than that. "Are you all right?"
Angelica let out a humorless laugh. It was a rubbery sound, thick with the tears clogging her throat.
"Barely." She said.
"I am sorry." Samuel croaked. The poor man, he really did sound sorry. "I should have…"
"Hush." Angelica told him, swiping away her tears with the back of her hand. More tears sprang from her eyes, replacing the ones that had been removed from her cheeks. "No more of this. Let us rest in silence."
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander was still in Washington's office when he heard the carriage rumble up the gravel road towards camp. He and Washington exchanged glances. Angelica was later than they had expected her, but neither of them knew how long it would take her to extract information from British officers.
Alexander did know that, by the time Angelica left, all of those British bastards would be in love with her.
The door to the office burst open. Both Alexander and Washington turned to look in its direction.
Before Alexander could process what he was seeing, Angelica flew through the door and threw herself into Alexander's arms. Shock rolled over Alexander as he realized that the sounds he was hearing were sobs. Worse still, they were Angelica's sobs.
Alexander instinctively wrapped his arms around her, overwhelmed with the urge to protect her. He felt her skin beneath his fingers. Her dress had been torn. Her hair had been ripped from her carefully styled updo and was knotted beneath Alexander's chin. Her tears bled through the fabric of Alexander's shirt and burned his skin. He did not have to ask what had happened to her. It was not hard to guess.
Washington left the room. It was clear that Angelica was in no position to go through a debrief in her present condition.
"Everything is all right," Alexander tried to assure Angelica, pressing a kiss to her poor knotted hair. He said it as much for himself as he did for her. He fought back tears as he spoke. "I am here now."
Angelica continued to sob, unappeased.
Alexander wondered if he would ever be able to repair the damage which had transpired that night.