Chapter 2:
Two of those who were about to be wrapped up in the hurricane were both in the Merriman General Store. Benjamin Davidson was helping a customer at the counter, ringing up her purchases. Felicity Davidson was looking over some of the fabric bolts, deciding which color would better suit her baby sister Polly. It was to be a Christmas surprise—a new dress for the sister who adored her. Of course, the problem was keeping secret from Polly as the girl was just as curious as Felicity had been at that age. She was also trying to keep it secret from Ben, but nothing stayed secret long. Such as the blanket she had knitted for James Michaels' but Ben kept tripping over the basket enough times to guess. He always figured out her plans, it was a gift she loved about him.
Ben finished with the customers and turned to Felicity. "I'll see you later tonight?" she asked, reaching for his hand. He squeezed it in response. "I hope you enjoy the lunch I packed up for you."
"I'm certain I shall," Ben replied, kissing her hand. "I'll see you at home for dinner. Good day, Felicity."
"Good day, Benjamin."
"Felicity?"
"Yes?"
"Which bolt of fabric do you wish me to bring home?"
Felicity mentally cursed. "The emerald green one," she admitted. "And red lace, please. 'Tis a secret Christmas present for Polly." Ben nodded and Felicity left the store.
That evening, Ben closed up the store and walked back home. He carried the fabric and lace wrapped up under his arm. Their house was right next door to the Merrimans', a gift from his parents-in-law. After all, the two couldn't live in the loft above the stables forever. Especially once Ben's apprenticeship ended and Mr. Merriman made him a partner in the store. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were not happy that their son didn't come home to Yorktown to open a store, but they adored their new daughter-in-law. She made Ben's father laugh more times in one night than Ben had seen in his entire life with the family. Ben smiled at the memory as he opened the door to an empty house.
"Felicity?" Ben called, placing down their parcel. "Felicity?" He walked through the house, nothing was ready. There was also no note. He sighed and decided to go check a place where he knew she would be.
He knocked on the Merrimans' back door. Rose answered and ushered Ben inside. Edward Merriman smiled at his son-in-law, motioning to a seat nearby him. Silently, Mr. Merriman poured two glasses of brandy. Handing one to Ben, he sat down. After a sip, he said, "According to Rose, she's been here since after lunch. I don't know what they've had to discuss for that long but I don't think they expected it themselves." He took another sip. "Drink up. I think it might be a little bit longer."
"Thank you, sir," he said, sipping the brandy.
"Ben, you don't have to call me 'sir.' You married my daughter and you are now in this family," Edward said as Polly came running in.
"Ben!" she cried. Polly was now nine years old, just starting her lessons with Miss Manderly. She still adored Ben and loved being around him. "I'm so glad you're here! Felicity has locked herself in with Mother, Nan is helping Rose in the kitchen and William is ignoring me."
"Patience, Polly. Dinner will be soon and the entire family will be gathered together," Edward said, rubbing his daughter's arm. "Then we'll hear all about your day."
"I can not wait to hear what you learned today," Ben added. Polly beamed as the parlor door was pushed open more. Martha Merriman and her eldest daughter walked in and were quite surprised to see their husbands drinking brandy already.
"Goodness, is it that late already? I didn't notice the sun had gone down! Let me go check to see how far Rose and Nan are with dinner," Mrs. Merriman said, rushing out of the parlor. That left Felicity standing there, itching to talk to her husband but in danger of spilling her secret to her sister. Instead she clapped her hands together and said:
"I'm going to help Mother. Polly, come with me." She grabbed her sister, dragging her towards the kitchen.
Ben took another sip of his brandy as silence descended upon the two men again. Mr. Merriman broke it. "I saw Mr. Cole the other day," he said.
"Yes, James' baptism is soon if I recall correctly," Ben replied, taking another sip. "They're very busy. Felicity has been over there a few times helping Elizabeth plan everything"
"I know. He thanked me for raising such a considerate and helpful daughter."
"That's Lissie for you. She'll do anything for a friend. She'll do anything for anybody," Ben said, smiling. "One of the reasons I love her."
"I know, I know. Anyway, do you remember Annabelle? Elizabeth's older sister?"
"Yes. She hated America and Patriots. How can I forget her? Didn't she return to England and marry some lord?"
"Yes, yes. And I don't think Annabelle hated all Patriots," Mr. Merriman said, winking at Ben. He then noted his son-in-law's confusion and shook his head. "Were you that oblivious as my apprentice? You should ask Felicity, real nicely."
Before Ben could question that, dinner was announced and the Davidsons were invited to stay for dinner. Ben decided to take his father-in-law's advice and ask Felicity when they were home.
After dinner, Ben and Felicity walked home. The weather was starting to turn colder and he clutched her closer. It was short trip, but she was cold by the time they went inside. The brandy Ben had drunk kept him relatively warm. He immediately started a new fire in their room as Felicity looked over the fabric Ben had brought home. "Oh, tis perfect!" she exclaimed, kissing her husband's cheek. "Thank you."
Ben sat down on the bed, pulling off his boots as he wife changed into her shift. "What were you and your mother discussing for so long?"
"I went over to discuss Polly's dimensions for her dress. I'm glad I'm making a dress for her and not Nan, not after tonight at dinner." Felicity mimicked her younger sister. "Oh, Ben, you're in for dinner again? Did our dear Lissie burn yours?" She returned to her usual voice. "Three burnt dinners and I'm branded for life!"
"T'was more than three, Lissie. It was three months of dinners," Ben said, encircling her waist. "But I didn't marry you for your culinary skills. However, I'm happy to say they are improving rapidly. Dinner last night was grand."
"Thank you," Felicity said.
"You're avoiding something. I highly doubt a discussion about dimensions would last that long."
"I was also describing the dress I wanted to make and see if Mother had any suggestions. This is for the Christmas Eve ball, Polly's first. I want her to look wonderful, like I did. Like you helped me look," Felicity said, leaning back.
"You're still avoiding. That couldn't take long either."
"We were merely discussing married life. Does that satisfy you?" Felicity turned around, placing her arms around his neck. He smiled and kissed her, pulling her down on the bed.
However, the discussion he and Mr. Merriman had before dinner popped back into his head as Ben crawled under the covers. "Lissie?" he asked. "May I ask you something?"
"I told you already what Mother and I were discussing. What else do you wish to know?"
"Your father brought up Annabelle Cole and he said she didn't hate all Patriots. He said I must've been oblivious as a young man."
"You're still a young man, Ben."
"You know what I meant. And your father said if I ask really nicely, you might explain it to me."
"Annabelle fancied a certain Patriot shopkeeper's apprentice," Felicity said, vaguely. There was silence and Ben worked it out.
"Me? She fancied me?"
"Elizabeth and I teased her behind her back about it. It used to be our favorite topic of conversation until we started fancying other boys—you being one of them."
"Annabelle Cole fancied me?"
"Yes. Is there an echo? Go to sleep, it was in the past. She's married now." There was silence as Ben extinguished the candles. "I wonder why Father brought her up to you."
"I don't know. Maybe he'll tell me tomorrow. Good night, Felicity."
"Good night, Ben."
A/N: Wow, I thought that was definitely longer than it really was. I so thought it was at least a page longer than this. Oh well, thanks for all the reviews! I'm sorry that this didn't go up yesterday but I went home and my computer wouldn't sign on to my family's wireless internet connection. Stupid computer. --Mac
