Chapter 3:

The next few days were a whirlwind for Annabelle as she tried to re-adjust her life. Virginia was different than England and she needed to take that into account. However, she was still considered la crème de la crème. When she was widowed and turned out, the last act of kindness her mother-in-law did to her hated daughter-in-law was to allow Annabelle to keep the title "Lady." So, the top of Virginian society in Williamsburg kept inviting her to different parties and teas. To them, she was a saint for putting up with her mother-in-law, handling her husband's death well, and coming to help her sister with her child. Annabelle was on cloud nine.

The only thing that was wrong was that Annabelle had yet to see Ben again, let alone talk to him. The opportunity arose when Elizabeth needed a certain ingredient and no one else in the Michaels' household couldn't go to the store to fetch it. So Annabelle volunteered herself to go to the Merriman General Store herself. Elizabeth was so relieved she didn't become suspicious of her sister's willingness to go to the store. Phillip gave his sister-in-law some money and she was soon on her way.

She walked into the store, which wasn't too crowded. She saw some of her new society friends, who were more than happy to greet her. Annabelle greeted each of them warmly until she locked onto Ben. She walked over to him, waiting till he was done with the current customer before him. Once the busybody lady left him, Annabelle cleared her throat to get his attention. "May I help you?" he asked, still flustered.

"Yes, please. I need some cinnamon for my sister," Annabelle said sweetly. Ben nodded and went off to get the ingredient. Annabelle wondered if he recognized her, but when he came back she realized he hadn't. Of course, both of them had changed since they last saw each other. She wasn't surprised, then. "Thank you, Mr. Davidson," she said.

"You're welcome," he replied, unsure of what to call the lady, she could tell.

"Lady Andrews. My sister is Elizabeth Michaels. Mayhaps you know her?"

Ben looked taken aback. "Lady Andrews, indeed. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. I do know your sister, and I know you know that."

"I know, but it was the only way I could get you to realize who I am without telling you my name outright. I didn't want to embarrass you, Ben."

"Thank you, Annabelle," Ben said, slightly uncomfortable. Annabelle figured it was because he was embarrassed of not recognizing her. She also liked to think that it was because Ben was also noticing how beautiful and cultured she was, something she hoped he would admire in her. "Here's your change. Do tell Elizabeth and Phillip I say hello."

"Certainly," Annabelle replied. She left the store, happy. She had made contact with Ben and he seemed to like what he saw. It would be only a few more times before he was coming to court her himself. She would love it. Maybe persuade him to open his own store in Richmond, the new capital. Oh, how lovely that would be! Mrs. Annabelle Davidson, the number one woman in Richmond society!


She walked back to the Michaels' household, cinnamon in hand. Her spirit was flying amongst the clouds that were soaring above her hand. She smiled and acknowledged everyone who walked by her. She normally thought of it as a duty, but that the people were honored that the Lady Andrews would deign to show they exist. Annabelle made it to the house, giving the cinnamon to one of the servants. "Rachel, where's my sister?" Annabelle asked her slave.

"Missus Elizabeth is seeing a guest, ma'am," Rachel said, curtseying. "They're in the parlor, ma'am."

"Thank you. I wonder who Bitsy is entertaining." Annabelle tapped on the parlor doors and waited. The door opened and a familiar redhead stood on the other side. Elizabeth was sitting in a rocking chair, nursing James. Annabelle walked in and let the other woman close the door. "I bought the cinnamon as you asked, Elizabeth. I didn't know Benjamin Davidson still worked at the General Store."

"He's a partner," Elizabeth replied, watching her friend walk back to her seat. She was shocked at the presence of Annabelle, Elizabeth could tell. "Annabelle, surely you remember my dear friend, Felicity?"

Annabelle turned around. She knew intuitively it was Felicity Merriman, she just hoped it wasn't true. She had hoped Elizabeth had grown out of that friendship, but it obviously wasn't true. Annabelle realized that Felicity had grown into a beautiful woman, but she could tell that the Merriman girl had the same spirit she had back when they were younger. "Good day, Miss Merriman."

"Good day, Lady Andrews," Felicity replied. "But I fear Elizabeth hasn't kept you up to date. I'm married now, Annabelle."

Annabelle tried not to look astonished. Someone had married spunky Felicity Merriman? She wondered if he was crazy or if it was an arranged marriage. That would probably be the Merrimans' only option. "Congratulations, then, are in order…"

"Mrs. Davidson," Felicity filled in, happily. "I'm married to Ben, almost two years now."

Annabelle felt like someone had punched her in the gut. It was impossible! Ben, her Ben, could not be married to this woman! This spunky, untraditional, shopkeeper's daughter did not deserve a war hero like Ben. He deserved someone with more culture, someone with class, someone like her. "That's wonderful news," Annabelle said, lying through her teeth. "I wish you well."

"Thank you, Annabelle," Felicity said, looking a little suspicious. "I must go. I have to start dinner for myself and Ben."

"Thank you for stopping by, Lissie. My love to Ben, dear."

"Anything for my friend, Elizabeth. I'll give it and give mine to Phillip." Felicity kissed the top of James' head. "Good day, Annabelle."

Annabelle nodded as Felicity left. Elizabeth watched her friend leave and once that happened, she turned on her sister. "What is the matter with you, Annabelle?" she asked.

"Whatever do you mean, Elizabeth?"

"Whatever do I mean? The way you reacted when Felicity told you she was married to Ben."

"I wasn't aware, Elizabeth. I do not like being caught unawares," Annabelle replied, indignantly. She didn't like where her sister was going and wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible. "I feel tired; I'm retiring to my room till supper." With that, she left.


Later on, Rachel would not know what happened to her mistress' room. Once the door was locked, Annabelle let loose her anger over Ben's marriage to Felicity. How could he? She must've done something to cause him to propose. She pretended to be pregnant. No, Ben was too honorable to do something like that…but he wouldn't want to ruin her reputation. Not that anyone in Williamsburg would've been shocked, Annabelle was certain, if Felicity Merriman turned up with a child out of wedlock. Perhaps the Merrimans paid Ben to marry Felicity? Annabelle would get to the bottom of this mystery, one way or the other.

The next day, she shocked her family when she voluntarily left the house without any invitations coming in. Annabelle explained she was visiting Miss Manderly's for some reminiscing, which was true. She just left out the part about slipping into Merriman General Store to grill Ben on his marriage. She found the familiar house as gentlewomen students left it. She spied a young girl who looked like Felicity walking out with a brunette girl. Their arms were linked and they were laughing. Annabelle went through the Merriman children, adjusted their ages and realized the baby would be old enough for gentlewoman lessons. This must be her, little Polly. She was just like her sister, Annabelle thought as she walked up the path to the front door.

"Annabelle, it is wonderful to see you. I heard about your marriage from young Nan Merriman when she was still my student," Miss Manderly said, motioning for her former student to take a seat. "I was surprised to hear you were back in Virginia. Did your husband come with you?"

"Fortunately, good news travels faster than bad news," Annabelle replied. She launched into her story. "And now, I'm here in America to help take care of baby James and to start over."

"Oh, Annabelle, please accept my condolences. I'm certain you will survive here in Virginia. You, Elizabeth and Felicity were one of my best students here. Annabelle had to hold back her snort at the mention of Felicity as one of Miss Manderly's best students. But, the woman did manage to snatch Ben. "Now, how about some tea?"

"Oh yes, thank you, Miss Manderly."


After tea and some more small talk with Miss Manderly, Annabelle was soon making her way to the Merriman General Store. The store wasn't crowded, as it was near closing time. Ben sat behind the counter as mini-Felicity bounced off the walls. Ben followed the young girl with his eyes, not noticing the arrival of Lady Andrews. "Polly, you need to calm down. Your mother will wonder if I gave you anything to make you more active than usual!"

"Oh, but Ben, we learned how to dance the minuet! Do you know how to dance the minuet?"

"Yes, I do. Your sister taught me one day."

"Isn't it a grand dance?"

"I don't really dance, Polly."

"Nan said you danced with Felicity at the Christmas ball last year."

"Well, that was different. It wasn't the minuet, though. I forget what it was but Felicity had to teach me a few days beforehand how to dance it."

"Will you dance with me at this year's Christmas ball? Please Ben?"

"I'll see Polly," Ben laughed. "You'll have to ask your sister's permission. As her husband, I am her permanent dance partner."

"But Nan said she danced with Phillip last year as well!"

"I said permanent, not only." Polly started to pout a little. "I was teasing, Polly, I'd be honored to dance with you."

"Thank you!" Polly launched herself at Ben, hugging him tightly around the waist.

Annabelle left the store, not wanting to disrupt the moment. She knew all the Merrimans loved Ben, but it was clear Polly idolized the former apprentice. Annabelle sighed; Ben deserved to have children. He would make a good father. She opened the door to her sister's house and slipped inside, waiting for her next opportunity to talk to Ben.


A/N: You all are the best! I'm glad everyone is enjoying this! From here on in, the chapters will be alternating between Felicity's point of view and Annabelle's as their little war for Ben's heart goes into full swing. --Mac