1780 arrived quietly. There were little festivities in Williamsburg that year. The start of the New Year also brought a long awaited letter from Ben.
My dear Lissie,
I am sorry I haven't written in months and I hope this letter finds thee and thy family well. Maj. Gen Lincoln has proven to be a strong leader. In May our forces broke Maj. Gen. A. Prevost's siege of Charles Town. However, we failed to break the British forces in Sept. from Savannah.
Felicity felt a surge of excitement grow in her throat as she read the first line over and over, "My dear Lissie." Antsy with excitement to share her news with Elizabeth, Felicity couldn't wait for lessons so as to tell Elizabeth. Finally it was time to leave. Felicity had no patience for Nan's slow walk today and she briskly made her way through the snow towards Miss Manderly's.
"Lissie! Wait up!" Nan called to her sister as she hastened her pace. "Lissie, I do not understand you," shaking her head, "At times you are a most proper gentlewoman and seem very grown up, and others you act like . . . like . . . like a wild horse!" Nan finished with frustration. She had always been a sensible child and shook her head at her older sister's spirited nature.
"I am just very anxious to get to lessons today. 'Sides, 'tis cold and the sooner we get there, the sooner we shall get warm." This logic Nan could not disagree with and she quickly made her way to Miss Manderly's. Once inside, the two girls shook the snow off their cloaks and left their patterns to dry by the hearth in the kitchen. Slipping delicately in her chair next to Elizabeth, Felicity whispered happily into her friend's ear. "He wrote! He wrote 'My dear Lissie!'" Elizabeth let out a squeak of delight, causing Nan and the other two girls who they took lessons with, Abigail and Hannah to turn in shock.
"I nicked myself with the needle," Elizabeth apologized sheepishly. "Oh Lissie, I am so happy for you! And I have new of my own to tell you—James Prescott came over for tea the other day with his mother. We had such a pleasant time together! And he asked if he may call on me!" Elizabeth whispered back, this time causing Felicity to squeak with delight, again causing the younger girls to turn their heads in disbelief. Miss Manderly walked over to her two eldest pupils, about to reprimand them for their behavior, but something caught the better of her, "Ladies, would you mind staying after today? I think it is time to challenge you to a more, say, adult lesson?" Nan raised an eyebrow at her sister and then turned back to her stitching.
When lessons ended Elizabeth and Felicity lingered behind after the other girls had left. Bowing their heads, the gracefully apologized for their rude disruption. Miss Manderly, accepted, commenting on how graceful they had apologized, and then, inviting them to the tea table she told them her reason for keeping them.
"I realized today that you girls have been with me for almost six years now. In that time I have watched you evolve into beautiful, gracious young ladies. However, today's outbursts made me realize that maybe it is time to—"
"Oh Miss Manderly! We will do better!" the girls interrupted.
"Hush," Miss Manderly silenced them with her hand, "I realized that the time has come when you will be approached by young gentlemen seeking to court you. And while we have covered areas of being a proper hostess and gentlewoman, we have never discussed the proper etiquette of courting. There are rules that must be learned, as well as shall we say tricks of the trade?" Miss Manderly said with a twinkle in her eye, "If you come to me for an extra hour every Wednesday we shall go over these lessons. Does that meet your approval?"
"Yes Miss Manderly, thank you," both Felicity and Elizabeth thanked their teacher and were dismissed.
"And, I hope that I will hear no more squeaking over prospects!" Miss Manderly called after them.
"Oh Lissie, how did she know!" Elizabeth said as they turned down the cobblestone street.
"She just knows I guess," Felicity twirled and stuck out her tongue to catch a snowflake, "Elizabeth, isn't snow simply divine?"
"Lissie," Elizabeth giggled as her friend floated happily down the street, "You are in love."
"Love?!" the word shocked her, abruptly turning the conversation to Elizabeth, Felicity began to question her about James.
"He comes from a well to do Loyalist family from the next town over. Mother and his are friends from England. Then moved here recently from Charles Town. He holds good conversation and is very polite. And he likes dancing and horses—you would like him." And as a mischievous smile crept across her face, Elizabeth added, "And he is very handsome—he kissed me, on the mouth! It was rather scandalous, but I liked it. I do enjoy growing up Felicity, I feel like our lives have become ever so much more exciting." Turning up her walkway, Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder and happily wave good-bye as she kissed the air. Continuing her way home, Felicity mused to herself, "Elizabeth used to be so quiet and timid, now she is almost bold!" Felicity giggled and went up to her room where she found Nan waiting for her.
"Lissie, did thee get in trouble? 'Tis most improper to squeak!"
Sitting down in front of her dressing table and looking in the mirror, Felicity turned to her sister, "Do you think I have changed?"
"Whatever do you mean? Since when?" Nan puzzled at the turn in conversation.
"Say, since I started lessons."
Getting up and placing her head on her sister's shoulder, Nan looked in the mirror, "most of your freckles have faded, though some still remain across your nose—if you would just remember your hat!!!. Your hair is the loveliest in all of Virginia! It's a lovely shade of auburn and it has a curl. You are taller and look like a grown woman. Your stitching and handwriting are very beautiful. Your manner has become much more gracious and when you are not galloping like a horse, you are as graceful as a swan." Nan concluded. Felicity turned toward her sister and hugged her, "Thank you."
"Lissie, what did cause you to squeal?" and with that Felicity swatted Nan over the head playfully with a cushion.