Eliza walked down the stairs of the Schuyler family home, on her way to breakfast. She paused by the front door, noticing that the mail had already been delivered and that there were several letters scattered across the mat. She bent down, scooped them up, and sifted through the envelopes as she made her way to the dining room. Like usual, there was a newspaper and a few letters for her father, but, as she reached the bottom of the pile one letter caught her eye. Eliza smiled to herself as she walked into the dining room, she'd recognise that handwriting anywhere.

Eliza took her seat at the dining room table, opposite her sister, Peggy, and next to her father who was sat at the head of the table.

"Good morning, Eliza," Philip said as Eliza sat down,

"Good morning," Eliza replied as she passed Philip his mail before turning to Peggy, "We have a letter from Angelica," she said, excitedly waving the letter at Peggy.

Peggy reached out to grab the letter, but Eliza moved it out of her reach,

"Give it here!" Peggy cried,

"Girls," Philip warned them. However, before they could start arguing Mrs Hurst, the housekeeper, walked in carrying their breakfast. She placed a plate in front of each of them then began ladling food onto the plates. Philip picked up the newspaper and flicked it open. Eliza and Peggy couldn't help but notice how Philip's hand shook as he read.

Peggy turned back to Eliza and eyed the letter in her hand, "What does Angelica say?" she asked.

Eliza looked at the letter in her hand for a second. She was suddenly nervous about what Angelica had to say. She had been trying her best to watch over her family ever since Angelica had left for London, but she was struggling to fill the hole Angelica had left behind. Eliza took a deep breath and pried the envelope open. She took the letter out and unfolded it,

"Dear Daddy, Eliza and Peggy," she read, "Life in London is very different to that in America but John and I are doing the best to fit in. I was surprised to learn that the war is as prevalent over here as it is at home, but I suppose that makes sense, the battles may not be on their shores, but they are as involves as we are. But still, it's all anyone talks about at dinner parties. Of course, they believe that we should remain as part of the colonies. I hope that even over here I can help with the war efforts by changing some of these people's minds.

"John has been nothing but lovely ever since we arrived here. He constantly dots over me and is always taking me out to dinners. Just last week the two of us went to this restaurant a friend of John's owns. The food was just delicious, like nothing I've ever had before. I know you weren't thrilled when I married John, Daddy, but he really is good to me, and I do think you would get along if you gave him a chance.

"I look forward to hearing from you soon, you dear daughter and sister, Angelica Church."

Peggy held her hand out again, "Let me see," she said, and this time Eliza handed the letter over.

"I do wish you'd try to get on with John," Eliza told her father, "He seemed very nice when I met him and he loves Angelica,"

"Hmm, he was also lying about his identity,"

Eliza sighed, she doubted Philip would ever get over that, "You should try, for Angelica if nothing else,"

Philip frowned and turned back to his paper.

Mrs Hurst bustle back into the room and started collecting up the plates, "What's the latest news?" She asked, nodding at Philip's newspaper.

"Nothing good," Philip replied, "the British have taken Brooklyn. It sounds like congress are planning a big recruitment drive."

"Oh dear," Mrs Hurst frowned.

Philip nodded his head in agreement, folded up the paper and put it down on the table, before he pushed his chair out and reached for the cane balanced against one of the legs of the table. Eliza and Peggy both jumped up and made as if to rush to their father's side.

Philip gave the two of them a disapproving look as he used the cane to get to his feet, "I can manage," he said as he slowly walked to the door. Neither Peggy nor Eliza ran to his side but both of them remained on edge, ready to jump forward at a moment's notice should Philip so much as stumble.

Philip paused as he reached the door and turned to Mrs Hurst, "I will take my medication in my office," he said,

Mrs Hurst nodded as she picked up the last few plates, "I'll bring it up straight away."

Eliza and Peggy both relaxed as Philip left the room and Eliza picked up Angelica's letter from where Peggy had left it on the table.

"Do you girls need anything before I start cleaning the kitchen this morning?" Mrs Hurst asked,

"No thank you Mrs Hurst," Peggy replied,

"Wait no, I have to go and pick up Philip's prescription this morning," Mrs Hurst muttered to herself, frowning as if she was rearranging her schedule in her head,

"I'll go for you if you want," Eliza volunteered,

"Are you sure my dear? That would be a great help, thank you,"

Eliza smiled at Mrs Hurst as she bustled out of the room before she turned to follow Peggy up the stairs. She walked into her bedroom and set Angelica's letter down on her dressing table. She had no idea what she was meant to write in her letter back; was she meant to tell Angelica that their father was getting worse? That her and Peggy were constantly on edge in case he fell? That ever since Angelica had left Eliza had constantly felt like she was barely keeping her head above the water as she tried her hardest to look after their family?

Eliza shook her head, snapping herself out of that train of thought. She took a deep breath and walked back out of her room. There was no point getting herself all worked up over a letter from Angelica. Angelica had always been the most supportive person Eliza knew, and she knew that if she asked Angelica for help, she'd give her all the advice she could manage, hell, she'd probably be on the first boat back to America. But Eliza couldn't do that to her. Angelica deserved happiness and John seemed to be that for her, and Eliza wasn't going to ruin that just because she couldn't cope without her sister.

Eliza reached the front door and headed out towards the pharmacy; however, Angelica was still playing on her mind. Surely Angelica would understand if Eliza asked her for advice, after all Eliza had only been looking after the family for a month whereas Angelica had been doing it her entire life. Maybe she should just ask something specific instead of just asking how Angelica coped with managing the family, that might make it sound like she had some things under control. Maybe she should ask how Angelica used to persuade Philip to accept her help, after all, Angelica knew how stubborn their farther was.

Eliza walked all the way to the pharmacy on autopilot. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she barely noticed pharmacist try to make small talk with her. It wasn't until she was nearly back home that sounds of shouting broke through her deep thoughts. Eliza frowned and hurried around the corner to see what the commotion was. In the centre of the town square stood several soldiers dressed in smart blue coats. One of the soldiers was standing on top of an upturned box holding a large scroll out in front of him. Eliza pushed her way through the crowd so that she could hear what the solider was saying,

"By order of the Continental Congress every family must provide one man for the continental army to aide with the war efforts! There will be no exceptions!"

Eliza's eyes widened in horror, and she spun around. She pushed her way back through the crowd and moment she was clear she broke into a run, setting off back home. She had no idea what she was going to do but she knew she couldn't let her father take that conscript.