Chapter 7:

Annabelle was infuriated; Elizabeth was ecstatic. The Michaels woman kept going on and on about Felicity's pregnancy. "She helped me a great deal when I was pregnant with little James, I just hope I'll be able to help her as well," Elizabeth said as she and Annabelle helped prepare dinner. "Isn't it the best news?"

"Of course. She and Ben should be very happy," Annabelle stated pleasantly, though her massacre of the vegetables she was cutting revealed her real mood.

Elizabeth wasn't fooled. She put down her knife and turned on her sister. "Annabelle, what is going on with you?"

"I honestly have no clue what you are talking about, Bitsy."

"You know I detest that name, Bananabelle."

"Oh, isn't that the cute little nickname your good friend Felicity came up with for me?" Annabelle asked. "The fact you both still use it makes me doubt your maturity to be mothers." She threw down the knife she was using and tossed off her apron. Annabelle stalked out of the room, but Elizabeth followed her. She sighed; this was not going down easily.

"You are jealous of Felicity!"

"Why would I envy her, a simple shopkeeper's daughter?"

"You want Ben and she has him. Oh, and she's now carrying his child. Throws off any plans you may have been forming, doesn't it?"

"I do not know what you are talking about. I am Lady Annabelle Andrews. Would I settle for a shopkeeper who was a staunch patriot during the revolution?"

"The heart doesn't care for economic situations or political affiliations, Annabelle," Elizabeth stated. "I do know that if you hurt Felicity or Ben in any way, you will have to answer to me. Right now, I am the lady of this household. Be mindful."

"You wouldn't throw out your own sister. You have no backbone, Bitsy." With that, Annabelle stormed up to her room as Elizabeth called out detestation for her nickname.


The next day, Annabelle paid a visit to her friend. "Elizabeth suspects my feelings for Ben. She knows me too well because I thought I was subtle and no one else could suspect," she said.

"You are subtle. What did you tell her?"

"I asked her if it was possible that I would honestly pursue Ben, a shopkeeper and a Patriot. Then she told me the heart doesn't care about that. Which is absolutely true."

"Here, sit down," Patrice said, motioning to her sofa. Annabelle did so as she accepted the cup of tea Patrice offered her. "Now, of course it's true. You followed your sense of duty and kept your honor when you married Peter, Annabelle."

"I loved Peter but I also love Ben as well."

"Of course, but you're chasing after your second love which means that you can throw everything to the wind for Ben. In fact, marrying you would probably serve him than hurt you," Patrice rationalized.

Annabelle took a sip as she realized that it was true. No one would care; she was the widow who was saving Ben from Felicity. "What shall I do about the baby, though?"

"Well, Ben will stay with Felicity until she gives birth and then he'll probably leave her for you when you win his heart. He'll take the child too and then you'll have a husband and a child, a perfect little family that you can expand later."

"I like the way you think, Patrice," Annabelle replied. "Of course, we need to come up with the plan to make Ben realize he's in love with me and not Felicity." Patrice smirked and took a sip of her own tea.


A few days later, Annabelle walked into the store. She looked around, hoping to see Ben. She did, but he was standing closely to his wife. His arm was around her waist and he rested his hand on her still flat stomach. She smiled as she looked at different yarns and fabrics, mostly like to make her little on a blanket or something. Ben would point at one, Felicity would scrunch up her nose in protest and he'd laugh. Finally, she picked up a beautiful blue fabric and pink yarn. "You can never be too careful," she said. "We need to be prepared for either a boy or a girl."

"Aye, that is true," Ben said, kissing her cheek. Other patrons in the store ignored them, but many of the women had knowing smiles on their faces.

"Well, Mr. Merriman, I assume your daughter is expecting to expand the family soon?" one such customer asked the shopkeeper.

"Aye, she is. We're all excited."

"I would think so. Give Martha, Felicity and Ben my congratulations." With that, the woman left, breezing past Annabelle. Mr. Merriman walked over, something Annabelle didn't want.

"Lady Andrews, may I help you?" he asked, politely.

"No, I was just walking back from a friend's and I thought I'd stop by," Annabelle replied. "Congratulate Felicity and Ben on the good news."

"Ahh, yes. I'm certain Elizabeth is terribly excited about all of this."

"It's all she talks about in between James' baptism. You would think Elizabeth was pregnant again."

"Well, when your sister was pregnant, Felicity acted like she was the one who was pregnant. She was constantly over there to help Elizabeth, help her with planning, which I wouldn't be surprised if Elizabeth returned. Though probably not as well as Felicity could since Elizabeth has Phillip and James to take care of." Another customer walked into the store. "Well, good day, Lady Andrews."

"Good day, Mr. Merriman." Annabelle resumed watching Felicity and Ben. They were all smiles and glowing. She remembered every time she told Peter they were expecting a child. He would smile all day long, even after the miscarriages. He would tell Annabelle she glowed so bright that they didn't need candles since she lit up the house by herself. She missed that and quickly left the store. No one was going to see her cry.

"Annabelle, wait! Are you feeling fine? I saw you practically run from the store," Felicity said, catching up to the older woman.

"I'm perfectly well, Mrs. Davidson." Annabelle still didn't turn around since those tears were still threatening to fall. "Congratulations on your joyful news. Elizabeth is ecstatic."

"I know. Are you certain you are feeling well?"

"Yes. You best be going back to your husband."

"I'm returning home to prepare dinner. Do you wish for me to escort you home?"

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm fine? I'll return home myself. You can go on your own way, thank you very much. Good day, Felicity." With that, she stalked away from her enemy, her competition.


Annabelle waited for Miss Manderly's class to leave the house so she could have some tea with her mentor. She loved these talks with the gentlewoman. Annabelle didn't reveal names, but she also received some advice on rekindling her love life. Miss Manderly wouldn't approve of Annabelle chasing after Felicity's husband, but she did approve of her attempts to put herself back out there for another attempt at love. It was Patrice's idea, to make Ben jealous and realize he loved Annabelle, not Felicity. She was going to attend one of the Rockwell's party's that weekend, where they promised to introduce her to some of their friends.

The girls started to trickle out of the house, talking excitedly with each other. Annabelle spotted Polly, who was skipping down the path. However, the younger version of Felicity stopped when she saw Annabelle standing by the fence. "Good day, Susan. There is something I must take care of."

"Certainly. Good day, Polly," said the brunette with the Merriman daughter. Susan walked in the opposite direction as Polly walked towards Annabelle.

"Good day, Lady Andrews," the girl said, curtsying.

"Good day, Miss Merriman. Enjoy your classes?"

"Aye, I did. May I ask why you are here?"

"Aren't you nosy? Since you seem the need to know, I'm here to have tea with Miss Manderly."

"Oh, I'd think you'd be stalking my brother instead at the store."

"I beg your pardon! Polly, you have no clue what you are talking about."

"I am nine years old, I'm not stupid. My father may not have noticed, nor Ben, but I know you've been haunting our store, staring and swooning after Ben."

"You have your sister's wild imagination, Miss Merriman."

"I do not! My eyes are not playing with me nor am I seeing things that aren't there. I'm seeing the truth while the adults are looking past it! You are infatuated with my sister's husband and I will not have you ruining her marriage. Or cause her to lose her child!" Polly stomped her foot.

Annabelle realized the girl was young, but she was smart. She was a force to be reckoned with, especially when her family was attacked. Polly was very protective, as she was close with Felicity. Annabelle made a mental note to ask Patrice for some ways to deter the young Merriman girl from messing up their plans.

First, she would try to scare the young girl. Annabelle doubted it would work since Polly was too much like Felicity, but it was worth the attempt. Didn't Felicity herself just say you couldn't be too careful? "Listen to me, little one, you're playing with fire. I am not someone you would want to make your enemy. Stay out of my business, understand?"

"Annabelle, are you coming inside for tea?" Miss Manderly called from the doorway. Lady Andrews straightened up, casting Polly an evil look.

"I apologize for keeping you, Miss Manderly. Young Miss Merriman and I were talking for a few minutes. Good day, Miss Merriman."

"Good day, Lady Andrews, Miss Manderly," Polly said, glaring at Annabelle. The older woman walked into the house. "I'm the one playing with fire? Watch out, Lady Andrews," Polly replied, walking away.


A/N: For those of you wondering, Billy Joel was awesome! I'm currently on Spring Break (yay!) vacationing at home (sleep, glorious sleep!). Luckily, this time the wireless internet is working on my laptop so I can update…yay! Mac

A/N2: Sorry this was a little late: connection problems. Mac