Chapter 11:
Two days to the ball, Annabelle realized, two days till my plan goes into action. She was nervous, nothing could go wrong. Patrice had made sure of that. Annabelle sighed, realizing how fortunate she was to have such a good friend like that. It almost made her realize why Elizabeth valued Felicity so much. Almost. She fell back on the bed in a most unladylike manner, but, for the first time since her husband had died, didn't care. She just had a feeling things were going to work out.
A knock interrupted Annabelle's euphoria. "Who is it?" she called out, preparing to fix herself up.
"Tis I, Lady Andrews," Rachel's soft voice floated through the door. Annabelle had to strain to hear it.
"Well, then, enter," she ordered, not caring to fix herself. Rachel was a trustworthy servant who had seen her mistress in various states in the short time the woman had been in America. "Rachel, you are a good servant but you need to speak up. I barely heard you just now!"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll try to work on that, ma'am," Rachel said, bobbing into an awkward curtsey. She walked towards Annabelle's wardrobe, a dress draped over her arm.
Annabelle sat up, taking notice. "Rachel, what is that dress for?" she asked, curious.
"Tis for Lady Palinger's Christmas Eve Ball, ma'am."
"Who sent it?" Annabelle knew she hadn't ordered any dresses here in America, she just didn't trust the Williamsburg tailors. The only dressmakers she would trust here in Virginia would be the Richmond ones, because she knew of many who had originated in England. She had been planning a trip to the capital once the New Year and James' baptism had past, hoping to also go with Ben to pick out their future house.
"Tis a gift from Lady Rockwell," Rachel replied, fluffing out the beautiful ruby red skirt. "Isabella delivered it a short while ago with her mistress' holiday greetings."
"I shall have to send Lady Rockwell a thank you gift. Rachel, go tell Bessie to prepare the cookies the family likes and then I wish you to deliver it to the Rockwells. I will write a note in the interim."
"Yes, ma'am," Rachel said, bobbing another curtsy. She left the room as Annabelle viewed the dress. She had to admit, Patrice knew her friend well. The entire dress was made of velvet that was ruby red and white lace decorated the sleeves. Holly leaves were stitched into the bodice. She smiled; she would surely catch Ben's attention in such a dress! She moved to write her good friend a thank you note, dreams of the ball dancing in her head.
"I have my dress; I just don't know what to do with my hair!" Annabelle said to her sister's mother-in-law over tea later that day. She moaned a bit. "I wish that Peter's mother had let me keep Susan. She always knew what to do with my hair. Tis a pity that she was just a servant, that girl would've put many women in society to shame."
"I wouldn't worry about hair, dear," Catherine Michaels said. "Every woman will be envious of your dress so let some other woman be admired for her hair."
Annabelle didn't reply, but slowly sipped her tea. Catherine had a point. "A part of me says you are right," she finally said, seemingly torn. "However, this is my first ball since returning to Virginia and I wanted to be the envy of everyone at there.
"Besides," she admitted quietly, "there is someone who I know will be attending I wish to impress."
"A male someone?"
"Aye," Annabelle said, still using her quiet voice. "I know it is respectable to be a widow, but when you are older and have children who will care for you. I am still you and do not have any children, unfortunately. As much as I loved Peter, I do believe he would be happy to see me securing my future."
Catherine leaned forward, patting Annabelle's hand. "My dear, you are still young and beautiful, as well as refined and smart. You don't need a fancy hair style or an elegant dress for him to notice you. Just be yourself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Michaels."
"Call me Catherine, dear. You are family, after all."
Annabelle grinned a bit shyly and responded, "Thank you, Catherine. Your husband and you have shown me such hospitality. I hope to be visiting you next Christmas, however." Catherine laughed and the tea continued.
Elizabeth shook the snow off her cloak as she walked back inside her house. She smiled; she and Felicity always loved white Christmases. They had had a whole discussion about it once when they were younger, sitting in Ben's abandoned loft…
"Look, Elizabeth, it's snowing," thirteen-years-old Felicity said, laying down on Ben's empty bed. Ever since he went off to fight for the colonies under George Washington, Felicity took to coming up there just to think. "We'll have a white Christmas after all."
Elizabeth sighed. "I love when it snows for Christmas. We didn't get much snow in London. Mostly slush."
"That's a shame. Snow makes everything look prettier—even old Bananabelle!" Felicity laughed. Elizabeth joined and the loft was filled with their giggles. Once they calmed down, Felicity turned serious. "I wonder how Ben is doing in this snow. The troops up North must have more snow then we do here in Virginia."
"I am certain he is fine, Lissie."
"I know, it's just…in his last letter he said the colonists aren't well-supplied. Many of them are running out of shoes—he wrote that there were some men marching through deep snow with just rags on their feet!"
Elizabeth threw her arms around her friend in a tight hug. Felicity had confessed only weeks before that she cared for Ben as more than a friend. "He will be alright, Lissie. Ben has good shoes and will be fine."
"Thank you," Felicity replied, smiling. "I can't stay angry at the snow for too long. It's just so pure and white; it makes everything seem more magical."
"Mayhaps one day someone will write a song about a white Christmas," Elizabeth said, jokingly.
"Why don't we write one?"
"Another time. I need to get home. Good night, Lissie."
"Good night, Elizabeth. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," Elizabeth agreed, climbing down the ladder. "We can write that Christmas song." Felicity laughed and waved at her friend's retreating form.
Elizabeth chuckled at the memory. They never did write that Christmas carol; it didn't help that neither could carry a tune. She sat down in the parlor and picked up her abandoned knitting. She was making a blanket for Felicity and Ben's baby, just like Felicity did when she was pregnant with James. She was so happy for her friends. If anyone deserved to be parents, it was the Davidsons. She hoped that Annabelle wasn't plotting to separate the perfect couple. Her sister had been far too quiet and spending much time with that Lady Patrice Rockwell. Those two were peas in a pod, Elizabeth knew. She sighed, realizing that she didn't need the stress of her conniving sister right now, but she had it.
A knock came to the door, startling Elizabeth. "Bessie? Rachel? Malcolm? Anyone here to answer the door?" she called, not wanting to get up.
"I've got it, ma'am," Malcolm said, rushing past the parlor.
"Thank you," Elizabeth called out. She heard the door open and Malcolm's hush voice join with another man's.
Malcolm walked into the room. "Mistress Michaels, there is a Lord John Freeman here," he said. "Shall I show him in?"
"Certainly," Elizabeth replied, remembering that Annabelle knew Lord Freeman since he was Lord Rockwell's cousin. Malcolm bowed and showed in the handsome British lord. "Welcome, Lord Freeman. Care to sit?"
"No, thank you anyway. I was inquiring after Lady Andrews and was told she lived here," Lord Freeman said.
"She does. Lady Andrews is my sister and is living with my husband and myself," Elizabeth explained. "I just returned home myself so I do not know if my sister is here. If you will wait, I'll have a servant search for her."
"I thank you, Mrs. Michaels."
"Malcolm?" Elizabeth called the slave back into the room. "Please find Rachel and ask her where her mistress is, please."
"Yes, ma'am," Malcolm said, bowing.
"T'will only be a moment, I am certain. Rachel always knows where Lady Andrews is," Elizabeth explained, smiling.
Malcolm returned a few minutes later and bowed. "Rachel says that her lady left for a dinner at Miss Manderly's, ma'am," he stated.
"Indeed? I don't recall Annabelle saying she had such plans," Elizabeth said, confused.
"Rachel says it was a last minute invitation," Malcolm explained.
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you, Malcolm," she said. She waved her hand in a quick dismissal and he left the room. "I am sorry, Lord Freeman, that you missed her. Shall I tell her you called?"
"Nay, that shan't be necessary. I'll just speak with her at Lady Palinger's ball."
"Oh, you will be attending?"
"Aye, though I do not care much for balls."
"Lady Palinger's ball is nothing like the balls in London…or so I am told. I was too young to attend a ball when we left England for Virginia," Elizabeth said. She shook her head. "Oh dear, I fear I am blathering. I hope I haven't detained you, Lord Freeman."
"Nay, you have not. Good day, Mrs. Michaels," Lord Freeman said, bowing. He started for the door, and then stopped. He appeared to be considering something and, resolved, turned around. "I hope I am not troubling you, Mrs. Michaels, but I was wondering…do you know a Mrs. Felicity Davidson?"
"Aye, the Davidsons are dear friends of my husband and I. Why?"
"How long have they been married, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Two years, about," Elizabeth replied, extremely confused. "Please, why are you asking about Felicity?"
"I was told by Annabelle that Felicity would be the perfect girl for me. Unfortunately, she didn't tell me she was married," Lord Freeman explained, anger seething out. Elizabeth wasn't surprised as her sister's plan fell into place in her mind. "I do believe I embarrassed myself."
"I am sorry for my sister's lie. If it helps, I am certain Felicity has no intention of embarrassing you. Neither she nor Ben are like that."
"I thank you, but I still wish to discuss this with Annabelle. Tell her I called and that I will talk with her at the ball. Good day, Mrs. Michaels."
"Good day, Lord Freeman." With that, John Freeman left the very angry Elizabeth behind.
A/N: I have returned from London and present you all with this chapter. I had a lot of fun in England and I want to go back…it was so beautiful! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this…everything is coming to a head and I am afraid things will begin to wrap up. Mac
