CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ben was finally where he had longed to be for three long years, the Merriman house. In Ben's eyes it was the most glorious house in the world, because his Felicity was inside it. He had stopped at a flower cart and bought her a bouquet of hyacinths with a few of the coins he had made, assisting in the hospital before he was stable enough to go home. People treated him differently now. People who he had never spoken to before called out to him, recognized him. One man invited him to supper, wanting him to meet his daughter. He didn't want anybody's pity or glory. Well maybe the glory was nice but he was not one for pitying. He had gone off to fight on his own will, his own decision, and he wouldn't change it for the world. Being in the army, had opened his eyes, and forced him to grow up, taught him discipline. He now stood clutching the flowers in front of the Merriman house. He had replayed the scene in his head many times. He would knock on the door, and she would open it, and jump right into his arms. He knew that he must face reality, and be practical. Reality was Felicity could very well be married, engaged, or fancy another man. What if Felicity didn't want to be with a limping cripple for the rest of her life. By the time Ben did get up to the door, he had gone over so many scenarios that he was quite a nervous wreck. Gingerly he knocked on the door. Mrs. Merriman opened it, her mouth dropped and she threw her arms around him.

"Why Ben Davidson, you are alive," she gasped. "You are here, after all these years." Ben accepted the hug from Mrs. Merriman eagerly. Ben had lost his own mother seven years ago, and took comfort in at least having Mrs. Merriman around to fret over him like a mother does. Somehow the hug from Mrs. Merriman made him feel suddenly closer to Felicity.

"We thought for sure we had lost you," she said almost close to tears.

"I am so sorry Mrs. Merriman," Ben said. "We were off in the woods, and on the run for a long time. I had no means of writing, and no one to give the letters to, then I was in the hospital."

Mrs. Merriman's eyes slowly drifted down to the bulge o bandage under Ben's right pant leg, and his cane/ She hugged him once again.

"We are just glad you made it back. Come in, rest yourself," she said as she ushered him into the parlor. "Felicity is going to be thrilled you made it back. She thought you were long dead."

Ben tried not to sound too eager at the mention of Felicity.

"How is she?"

Mrs. Merriman shrugged.

"She's been all right lately, she has had her ups and downs. Her and Nan do not get along. They fight pick at each other constantly. I even offered to make them both new gowns if they could go two days without bickering. They didn't make it past the first hour. I believe they are just too different to get along. Both can be stubborn. Of late Lissie has been minding her own business, riding her horse, and helping Elizabeth with her wedding. Elizabeth is marrying in two days, and Lissie is spending the week at the Cole's. Edward is the one who is most frustrated with her."

This part shocked Ben. Mr. Merriman and Felicity had always had a wonderful relationship. Often Ben had thought he spoiled her, like when he let her go to that ball years ago at the Governor's Palace, and let her have that blue silk gown for the occasion. But as time went on. He saw that really they had a special relationship. She was always his pride, the apple of his eye. She was Father's girl, and Ben often was reminded of his own little sister, whose relationship with her Father had been thwarted due to the untimely death of their parents.

"Never fret on that though," Mrs. Merriman continued on. "They will work things out. Most of it is just foolish young people stuff. You must be hungry?"

"I'm starving," Ben agreed.

"Good. I will have Rose whip up something special for you. You look like you could use a home cooked meal."

"It would be greatly appreciated," Ben replied.

""You just sit right there and rest yourself," Mrs. Merriman fussed and left to go to the kitchen.

The only reason Ben could think for Felicity and her father to be at odds with each other was a over a boy. This brought a sick feeling to his stomach. What if Felicity was hopelessly in love with someone else. Even if her father didn't approve of him, Ben didn't know if he could take Felicity loving and being with another man. He knew it was foolish. He hadn't written to her in a year and a half, He couldn't expect a young and beautiful woman to wait around forever.

Ben suddenly felt very saddened at the thought of losing Felicity. He was pulled out of his melancholy state by six- year-old Polly, who had just entered with parlor.

Polly Merriman was an adorable little girl, whom Ben thought much resembled Felicity back when she was nine. She had a few stubborn freckles sprinkled over the bridge of her nose, probably from running about without her hat. Her red hair hung almost to her shoulders in big floppy curls that peeped out from under her mop cap. She had Felicity's green eyes, but where Felicity's were more of an emerald green, Polly's were more of an olive shade. She had a heart shaped face, and a mischievous little smile, that revealed the tiny little teeth that looked like ;little white pearls.

"Are you the famous Mr. Davidson?" She asked very politely. Ben grinned

"I am Mr. Davidson, but I'm not famous."

"I guess not anymore," Polly replied coming closer to him. "You used to be famous with my sister though. Felicity used to talk about you all the time."

"Really?" Ben asked his heart pounding at anything Felicity related.

Polly nodded, sending her red curls bouncing.

"She was always writing to you, but you never wrote her back. I don't think that made her very happy."

"I'm sorry Miss Polly," said Ben. ""I was way off in the woods, far away from everything. There was nowhere to send or receive letters. I will have to make it up to her."

Polly nodded.

"Lissie is my favorite sister. She never tells Mother when I forget to wear my bonnet, and she lets me wear my stays as loose as I like. Nan always tightens them too tight, and she tells Mother everything. Lissie gives me riding lessons."

"You have the finest riding instructor in Virginia," Ben said enjoying Polly's chatter. Chattering just like his Lissie.

"I adore horses," Polly sighed. "Lissie has a beautiful dark green riding habit that once belong to Grandmother. She said someday that I can wear it. The only thing is, Lissie doesn't let me ride Penny or Patriot. She says I have to wait until I am bigger because they are too fast. I don't think that's true. I hate riding Old Bess, she 's a sweet horse don't get me wrong, she's just so slow."

"Your sister is right," Ben told her. "Penny and Patriot are fast horses. You should wait until you are a little bigger, tis safer. If you listen to what your sister says you will be one of the finest horsewomen in the colony."

"How about in the world?" Polly asked.

"Indeed," Ben replied.

"Polly quit pestering Mr. Davidson," Mrs. Merriman said as she came into the room. She was holding a tray heaped high with slices of ham, potatoes, freshly baked bread, cheese, and an apple pie for desert.

"She's not bothering me at all," Ben said. "She's a lot like Lissie."

"One head strong one is enough for any family," Mrs. Merriman sighed. Placing the tray in Ben's lap. "You eat up. If there is anything else you need, just let me know. Edward is going to be so surprised and delighted to have his apprentice back."

Ben tried to keep gentlemanly manners while eating, but it was too hard. It had been three years since he had such good food. Even on the trip home, when they stayed with host families, they were usually given just some soup and hard bread. Ben couldn't help but eat quickly, devouring everything on the tray in just five minutes. After he ate, Ben decided to put his satchel, which only held one change of clothes, the supplies for his tonics, some extra bandages, and the flowers he bought back in his old room over the stables.

"Hello Penny," he said and gave Felicity's horse a pat. Being with Penny made Felicity seem real again, she came to life! She was just over at Elizabeth's house. Ben was a little disappointed that Felicity would be staying over there for the next two days. Going over to the Cole's and calling on her, had crossed his mind, but somehow he didn't think that a limping Patriot soldier would be welcomed there. He couldn't believe it, little Elizabeth already getting married. He remembered three years ago, Felicity being in disarray being behind Elizabeth. Ben was glad that Felicity seemed to be behind, for he still had a chance.

Ben's leg seared with pain when he reached his room. He was going to have to get a room somewhere, such as the first floor of a boarding house. He wasn't well enough to do stairs everyday. He was quite shocked at the appearance of his old room. Had the Merriman's taken somebody else in? It was clearly a woman's room. Instead of the old cot, a small bed had been brought in, with an attractive quilt on it. On his desk sat womanly things such as lavender powder, rose water, a mirror, hairbrush, a few hand-painted hair clips, a string of beads.

Ben was just about to turn and head out of the room. He was embarrassed he had walked in some lady's quarters, when he noticed a doll sitting perched on the bed. He knew that doll. It was Felicity's goofy wooden fashion doll. The one that wore the blue silk ball gown he helped smuggle out of the house so Elizabeth and her mother could finish it. Over the bed were a couple of hand drawings of horses. He was definitely in Felicity's room. He was a little confused. Didn't Felicity have a bedchamber? Ben decided to make a small amount of the tonic recipe that Andy had made him. His leg was throbbing, and he still had a long day of meeting with Mr. Merriman, and meeting Brady at the tavern. The tonic made him feel kind of sleepy, and he found himself collapsing onto Felicity's bed. He could smell the smell of Felicity on the pillow. What a wonderful smell of horses and rosewater! Being in her room made him feel so very close to her. So close, he could hear her laughter, and feel her mound of gingerly red curls. Ben fell into the most restful and peaceful sleep he had had in a long time.