Chapter One:
Elizabeth Discovers a Dreadful Ambition
Annabelle Cole was a girl of much moping after the annulment of her engagement to Lord Harry Lacey. When Harry had first announced his decision, Annabelle initially handled the situation with grace to keep up appearances. But deep within herself, she was full of regret, knowing she'd missed out on the chance of a lifetime. Annabelle also feared that gossip of the cancelled engagement would grow into false rumors, and that other men might begin to think there was something wrong with her and pass her over as well, turning her into a social reject. The passage of time enabled the hurt Annabelle felt to become more apparent to those around her.
Whenever she received an invitation to tea or to a ball addressed to "Annabelle Cole," she'd sigh and complain how it should have read, "Lady Annabelle Lacey." Whenever Annabelle passed a fine house, she'd sigh and complain how her estate in England would have been much more grand. Whenever Mrs. Cole attempted to cheer Annabelle up by taking her to the milliner's shop to be fitted for a new gown—a rare, expensive treat—Annabelle would turn up her nose and walk away from all of the available fabrics, flip through the shop's pattern books, and sigh as she looked over the latest London fashions. She'd complain how such gowns could have been hers; adorned with lace, silk bows, pearls, and maybe even jewels.
And of course, the sensitive subject of "Lord Harry Lacey" would often arise at Miss Manderly's house during the girls' instruction in penmanship, dancing, stitchery, and tea service. Anywhere and everywhere she could be found, Annabelle was miserable. As weeks turned into months, Annabelle's companionship grew more and more intolerable. Felicity and Elizabeth could only hope that Annabelle's continued melancholy and decided irritability would someday end.
The three young ladies often walked home from Ms. Manderly's lessons by way of Mr. Merriman's store, and occasionally, Annabelle and Elizabeth would stop in for a bit. After a few months, Felicity and Elizabeth again began to notice that Annabelle's behavior became uncharacteristically flamboyant—and even a little silly—whenever Benjamin Davidson was to be present, working in the store.
"Could it be possible that with Harry out of the way, Annabelle fancies Ben once more?" Elizabeth whispered to Felicity.
"I don't know," Felicity shrugged, continuing to analyze Annabelle.
"Poor Ben," Annabelle thought to herself one afternoon, as she watched Ben sweeping the front steps of Mr. Merriman's shop. Lately, she could be found sitting in her bed chamber each the afternoon, for her windows afforded the best view of Mr. Merriman's storefront. Every day at four o'clock, she could count on Ben coming out to perform his regular chore of sweeping the steps and front walk. "He works so hard for so long each day, and for so little. It barely leaves him any leisure time for social calls. I'm sure he misses the luxury of his family's wealth back in Yorktown. But what is to be done?" Annabelle assumedly pondered.
Just then, something occurred to Annabelle that hadn't before—she knew exactly what could be done. The more Annabelle thought about it, the more excited she became. Finally, Annabelle gallivanted out of her bed chamber and into the hallway as spirited as a newly born colt, clapping her hands and squealing with delight. Just as she turned the hall's corner and headed towards the staircase, Annabelle crashed straight into Elizabeth. With a loud "THUD!" the pair bounced a few feet off of each other and fell on the floor.
"Gracious, Annabelle, whatever could have happened to make you so wild all of a sudden?" Elizabeth asked with amazement. This lively, happy girl was a stark contrast from the dull, sulky version of Annabelle to which Elizabeth had grown accustomed.
"Pardon me, Bitsy. I've just excited myself with a life-changing notion, 'tis all!" Annabelle gleamed as she rubbed the soreness of the collision out of her forehead.
"Surely, you are not thinking of writing to Lord Harry to beg his reconsideration, are you?" Elizabeth gasped as she propped herself up.
"No, indeed! Don't be ridiculous. I do not, however, have time for idle chatter. I must speak with father immediately!" Annabelle pulled herself off the floor, and stepped over Elizabeth and the many folds of her dress to get to the stairway.
"What on earth Annabelle could have in mind?" Elizabeth wondered. As Annabelle hustled down the mahogany staircase, Elizabeth's curiosity got the best of her, so she followed closely behind. Upon arriving downstairs, Annabelle anxiously knocked on her father's library door and immediately allowed herself admittance without waiting for her father's permission to enter from the other side. At the same time, Mrs. Cole had walked out of the drawing room and into the hallway. Taking note of Annabelle's uncharacteristically lively presence, and Elizabeth's close trailing, Mrs. Cole suspiciously gathered that something must be afoot. Mrs. Cole squeezed in right behind Annabelle, cutting Elizabeth off. Just before Elizabeth could enter as well, the door was promptly shut in her face—a signal that the following conversation was private.
Elizabeth yielded to the strong temptation to eavesdrop, and slowly leaned her ear against the mahogany door. Despite the thick wood of the door, Elizabeth could make out everything that was being said.
Annabelle's father looked up through the rim of his spectacles as he sat enjoying a novel. "Annabelle! Charlotte! What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Cole asked with disapproving shock.
Mrs. Cole looked inquisitively at Annabelle, and Annabelle looked back at her mother. Annabelle then realized that she had been the one to make the mistake of intruding into her father's privacy.
"Oh! Do excuse me, father," Annabelle apologized with a small curtsy. "I was so anxious to discuss something with you, that I suppose I wasn't thinking clearly. It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't." Mr. Cole lectured. "Heavens, you must have something very important to say indeed! Otherwise, you would never have forgotten a manner so elementary. What is it?" Mr. Cole asked sharply.
"Mother, I'm glad you're here too, for there is something of a very serious nature that I must discuss with you both immediately," Annabelle said.
"What is it, my love?" Mrs. Cole asked, walking over to her husband's side. Mr. Cole removed his spectacles and put down his book.
"As you are both perhaps aware, I've felt rather discouraged as of late, after being jilted by Lord Harry Lacey," Annabelle woefully exaggerated.
"She makes it sound so very bad," Elizabeth thought to herself on the other side of the door. "'Tis not as though Harry chose to leave her at the altar of the church. Besides, Harry gave Annabelle a good reason, which had nothing to do with her at all—all he wanted to do was defend England against the patriot rebels. He even told Annabelle he considered her a wonderful and pretty girl!"
Annabelle continued. "I must confess, the situation has left me quite undone. I've felt so terribly hurt, confused, and even embarrassed. But there is something that I feel could make me happy," Annabelle said.
"Oh, what is it, my dear?" Mrs. Cole asked with relief. Mr. Cole scooted to the edge of his chair and leaned in. They too were sick of Annabelle's irrational amount and duration of brooding. If there was something within their means they could do to cheer her up, they would do it in the blink of an eye.
"Well, to come straight to the point…" Annabelle dramatically dragged on.
"Oh, please my dear, do!" Mr. Cole begged with anticipation. Mrs. Cole nodded excitedly.
After feeling secure she had her parents in the palm of her hand, Annabelle dropped the act, and declared, "I'd like to marry Benjamin Davidson." Mr. and Mrs. Cole were shocked. Elizabeth gasped. Annabelle was perfectly serious.
Only a moment ago, Mr. and Mrs. Cole had been perfectly willing to do whatever it took to pull Annabelle out of the dumps, but the marriage of their beloved daughter to a perfect little nobody was another matter entirely. Benjamin Davidson? An apprentice—and a patriot, no less—who came from only God knew where. And who were his family? Mr. and Mrs. Cole looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
After a long pause, Mrs. Cole ventured. "Why, Annabelle, you have given us a shock! I had no idea you'd developed such feelings for this lad," Mrs. Cole said, trying to put it nicely.
"Indeed," Mr. Cole chuckled with astonishment. "Is Mr. Davidson—or anyone else, for that matter—aware of this hope you entertain?"
"No, sir." Annabelle replied.
Mr. Cole breathed a sigh of relief and continued. "Well, dear, he's not exactly the type of young man we'd come to envision for you in the past, now, is he?"
"Father, you don't know him terribly well, I know. But surely, you must know I'd never select any partner for marriage that was inferior."
"True," Mr. Cole admitted. Much to his upper-class delight, Annabelle was about as big of a snob as any Englishman ever had been.
"I've long admired Ben, even prior to meeting Lord Harry. He comes from a wealthy family in Yorktown, and I must confess, I do find him very handsome. Of course, he is a patriot, but I can put his ridiculous notions of defying the king out of his head. I cannot think of a thing in the world that would prevent a happy marriage. Besides father, what else is left for me here? As Ben's wife, I would enjoy a life finer than most young ladies here in the colonies could boast. Please father, write to Ben's father and make the arrangements. Please," Annabelle appealed.
After a long pause, Mr. Cole said, "You do argue several legitimate points, my dear. And based on that assurance, well…" Mr. and Mrs. Cole looked at each other, and smiled. "…I see no reason not to proceed in pursuing these wishes and arranging such a happy occasion!" Mr. Cole laughed merrily.
Mrs. Cole excitedly dashed towards Annabelle with outstretched arms and squeezed her into a loving embrace. Annabelle hugged her mother back, and they both threw propriety to the wind as they began squealing and jumping up and down in a circle. Mr. Cole sat at his desk laughing and shaking his head as he affectionately admired his wife and daughter.
Annabelle finally broke free of her mother's grasp. "Now, Father. We must write a most charming and elegant letter. You must convince Mr. and Mrs. Davidson that like them, we too are good society, but also that we are an amiable family. However, you must not sound overly sentimental. Then again, you mustn't sound too 'contractual.' Oh! What are you waiting for? Write! Make haste! We must have this letter delivered as soon as possible!" Annabelle bossily commanded.
"Yes, my dear!" Mr. Cole laughed heartily, overlooking her overbearing behavior. "But we will omit that this is all according to your desire, Annabelle. No one ever need never know the truth of this proposal's origin, 'tis most improper!"
On the other side of the door, things were not so joyous. Elizabeth was dumbstruck. She didn't know what to make of this, nor how to feel. All she could think to do was to run to the cloak room to fetch her blue cape. She just had to tell Felicity!