Chapter 5:

Annabelle had memorized the schedule at the Merriman General Store. She knew when it opened, when it closed, when Ben worked the front, when Mr. Merriman worked the front, when deliveries were, etc. Fortunately, people often congregated enough at the store so that Annabelle's presence didn't give rise to any gossip in the town. She couldn't hurt Ben's reputation as much as Felicity must've already.

He was always courteous with the customers, even on days when she could tell he wasn't fully rested. Which had occurred a few times this past week, Annabelle noticed. She decided to stop in to pick up something for Miss Manderly, a thank you for some flowers her former tutor had sent her in sympathy. Annabelle found a delightful fan and quickly picked it up, smiling at her find. "Can I help you?" Ben asked, facing her back. Annabelle turned around and Ben smile softened. It was one of those days he was tired, she could tell by the forced smile he had been giving to other customers. She inwardly rejoiced that he was smiling naturally at her.

"Lady Andrews, 'tis good to see you again. How is your sister?"

"Bitsy is fine," Annabelle replied.

"She detests that nickname," Ben said, smiling drooping a bit. Annabelle inwardly panicked but was able to keep her features cool.

"Old habits die hard. I should practice harder in calling her Elizabeth, mayhaps I should just address her as Mrs. Michaels until I know better." That brought Ben's smile back up. "But how is your darling wife?"

"Felicity is fine, for the most part," Ben said slowly.

"For the most part? I hope that isn't keeping you from getting any sleep," Annabelle said. Ben seemed hesitant to continue the conversation. "Please, Ben, I would like to think we are friends and I'm concerned for you and, I guess, for Felicity as well."

"She's been sick in the mornings. I don't know how long this has been going on, but I've noticed in the past week or two. She won't say anything much except that she's talked with her mother and that it's fine. I want her to see a doctor; she refuses," Ben said, sighing. "I just hope she isn't being stubborn, as much as I love her for it, when her life is in danger."

"I'm certain she wouldn't endanger herself nor would her mother," Annabelle said before switching gears. "You may, however, insist that she see the doctor and that you will not take 'no' for an answer."

"Are you saying I shouldn't trust my own wife?" Ben asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"I wouldn't call it mistrust. I would call it…concern. You are a loving husband who is concerned for his wife's welfare. After all, do you honestly expect Felicity to tell you everything? I know there were a few secrets that I kept from my husband," Annabelle said, sadly. Of course, Ben did not have to know that those few secrets came tumbling out of her mouth as she sat by his bedside. Peter had laughed them off saying that in light of his death, they seemed too petty for him to stop loving her. She hoped Ben would love her the same way, too.

She took a deep breath and composed herself. "Well, why don't I pay for this fan and let you get back to your other customers?" she asked. The store had, indeed, gotten a bit more crowded since she had entered the store. Ben cleared his throat, a cute blush starting to grace his features. She handed him some money and began her return trip to Elizabeth's.


She tried not to think of things until she reached her room and had wrapped up the fan for Miss Manderly. She finally released the thoughts that had sprung up when Ben listed all of Felicity's symptoms. She knew what they were; she had experience them four times already. She slammed her purse down on the table in a very unladylike way, but she didn't care. She was alone, no one else to see her, she brought down her façade. When she had thought that Ben deserved to be a father, she meant to her children. Not Felicity Merriman's! Okay, so they were married, but not for long if Annabelle had anything to do with it.

Ben was flirting with her. She knew it. He paid attention only to her as the store became more crowded. He didn't try to duck out, didn't hurry her along and even felt that he could open up to her. He had settled for Felicity when he returned from the war, she was certain. He could've returned to Yorktown upon completion of his apprenticeship, but perhaps the possibility of being Mr. Merriman's partner was worth the string attached. Or maybe he had thought he loved his wife, but Annabelle would prove it wasn't true. His true love was her; he just needed to realize that.

Though if Felicity was indeed pregnant as Annabelle suspected (and most likely Mrs. Merriman if the woman hadn't sent her daughter to a doctor), that would throw her plan off-track. A baby…Ben wouldn't abandon his child. If it was his child. Of course, there would be no way to prove that it wasn't his and Felicity would keep Ben forever because of the baby. If there was a way to prove it was his—say a blue eyed, blonde haired child came out—oh, what was she thinking? As much as she hated it, Felicity Merriman was a lot of things, but a cheater wasn't one of them. The girl had freed a horse that was being beaten because it was the right thing to do. She was way too principled and would follow her principles through, which would include "no cheating on the husband."

Or maybe, maybe she misread the symptoms. Honestly, they were common symptoms of anything from a cold to the flu. Felicity might not be pregnant after all and Annabelle would be free to continue to pursue Ben. Of course, if her gut was correct, she would have to come up with a new backup plan to implement in case of the baby. Maybe there was a way she nab Ben and the child in one fell swoop later on. Poor Felicity, out in the cold. Oh well, the woman knew how to adapt. She would have someone else eating out of her hand in no time, Annabelle was certain. Well, in no time after relocating elsewhere. Who would want to stay in a town that would look down on her and praise Annabelle for saving Ben? No one, that's who. Annabelle smiled evilly; everything was going to be perfect.

However, it was going to be difficult to do this alone. Annabelle sat and pondered her options. Rachel would help, but she was a slave. There wasn't much she could do except deliver secret messages to her mistress' beloved once the love affair began. Her sister was too loyal to Felicity to even consider helping her sister. There was no love lost between them. Her parents were too wrapped up in their grandchild and she was still foreign to the Michaels. Miss Manderly was too much of a gentlewoman to try to break up any marriage, no matter how good the reason may be. Annabelle lay in bed that night, wishing with all her might that she had made a friend while she was in Virginia as a teenager. Someone who would be fiercely loyal, like Felicity was to Elizabeth. She sighed and rolled over. Maybe someone would appear.


Miss Manderly was grateful for the fan. "My house is always open to you Annabelle, anytime you wish to talk," she said.

"Thank you, Miss Manderly. I certainly appreciate it." Annabelle smiled and left the house. She was walking down the main road when she nearly collided with someone. Instantly, Annabelle drew on a snotty attitude. "Do watch where you are walking. You could've seriously injured me," she said.

"Well, the same could be said of you," the other person shot back. Annabelle recognized that voice and looked up from her skirts, which she had been straightening out. A finely-dressed woman stood in front of her with smooth white skin, red lips, familiar brown eyes and curly black hair. Annabelle recognized her immediately and smiled. The other woman relaxed and returned the smile. "It is so wonderful to see you again, Lady Andrews!"

"And you, Lady Rockwell," Annabelle replied. She couldn't help herself; she threw her arms around the other woman. Lady Rockwell returned the gesture, squeezing Annabelle. "Oh, Patrice, it is so good to see you again."

"Oh Annabelle, you look well," Patrice Rockwell said, now squeezing Annabelle's hands. "Of course, the last time I saw you was at dear Peter's funeral."

"I must've looked a mess."

"No, darling. You looked wonderful, better than most widows. You are Lady Annabelle Andrews—you were above most widows and put them to shame with how classy you behaved."

"Thank you so much, Patrice. You were a real friend during that dark time. How is Roger?"

"He is doing well, thank you. I wish we could've stayed longer after the funeral, but Roger's brother needed his help with the firm here as soon as possible. The money here in the colonies isn't very strong or uniform and poor Arnold was very confused," Patrice explained, now walking next to Annabelle. Their arms were interlocked.

"The colonies themselves aren't strong or uniform. They way I understand it, under these Articles of Confederation, they are more like their own little countries rather than a large one," Annabelle sighed. "Tis preposterous. Why break away from a stable government like England to form an unstable one?"

"I don't understand it at all," Patrice replied. "But how are you? When I heard that your mother-in-law had kicked you out of the manor, I was aghast! According to Mama, it was quite the scandal in England."

"T'was no secret that the first Lady Andrews disliked me immensely, Patrice."

"I know, I know, but no one expected her to put out her just widowed daughter-in-law. It was a horrible thing to do and I hear she is experiencing much backlash from it. Mama herself hasn't invited her to a single tea since. Why did you return to Virginia? Why not move into your parents' home?"

"They sold it; they're now living with Elizabeth's in-laws until they find a house of their own to buy. Or land to build. I had no choice but to come here and live with them. My mother-in-law kicked me out of my home and I had no other family in England to turn to. Nor did I want to be a burden on my friends. Well, the ones who didn't drop the charade of liking me after Peter's death."

"It must've been hard, Annabelle."

"I survived."

"I know," Patrice said, now walking by the Merriman General Store. "Oh look, there's that shopkeeper. He must be a real catch."

Annabelle looked up to see Ben helping a customer load something into a wagon. "That's Benjamin Davidson, an old friend of mine. He was also my first love—or would've been if I had acted on my feelings."

"Why didn't you?"

"He was a staunch patriot and just an apprentice. I believed myself above that and I was a devout Loyalist. Now, though, I fear I've lost my chance. He's married to Merriman's eldest daughter, Felicity."

"Not the Felicity you told me about?"

"Yes, that Felicity," Annabelle said, remembering the conversations she had with her dear friend.

"Oh my, he looks like he deserves better."

"He does deserve better."

"He deserves you." Patrice turned to face her friend. "I will help you. Whatever it takes, as long as you are happy again. I'm sure Roger will too. I think he's actually met this Mrs. Felicity Davidson and doesn't particularly care for her."

"Thank you," Annabelle replied, feeling no need to put on a mask in front of her friend. "Here is my address; give me yours. We need to spend more time together."

"Indeed. You must come over for dinner tomorrow night. Roger will be so glad to see you again," Patrice said. The woman said their goodbyes and headed their separate ways.


Annabelle was so happy she thought her heart was going to burst! She finally had an ally—no, two allies. Roger and Patrice Rockwell had been hers and Peter's best friends their entire courtship and marriage. They had been the couple who introduced the two! Patrice would stick by Annabelle through thick and thin while Roger would stick by his wife, no matter what trouble she landed them in. Felicity could keep Elizabeth; Annabelle had her own best friend who was more cunning than the two of them combined. Patrice Rockwell and Annabelle Andrews were forces to be reckoned with.


A/N: Sorry about the "no posting last week" thing. I was, of course, suffering from writer's block but I was also home. I went to go see "Rent" (it was wonderful) and I use my school's Broadway trips as a means to spend a weekend with my family since I live in NYC. Anyway, thanks for all the support and the help with Annabelle's ally. Next chapter: Felicity's POV and we learn her secret! (Okay, so it's not a secret. You've all guessed what it was and so has Annabelle). --Mac