Up in Felicity's bed chamber her mother and sisters were all gather around her while she sat at the cherry wood dressing table.
"Oh, Lissie! You look lovely! You really do." Nan exclaimed as Mrs. Merriman placed a pearl comb in Felicity's hair, "I wish I could go as well."
"Yes dear, you do look lovely." Mrs. Merriman agreed and kissed the top of Felicity's head.
"Why can't I go?" Polly demanded.
"Because, love, who would watch over William and make sure he doesn't eat all the cookies we baked the other day." Felicity turned to smile at her youngest sister and Polly was satisfied with the answer.
"Felicity!" Father called up the stairs, "Elizabeth is here." Grabbing Felicity's cloak, Polly kissed her sister good-bye.
Felicity slowly walked down the stairs wondering if it was right to be looking forward to a night of frivolity when so many others were lying in fields, cold and frightened.
"Oh my pretty Lissie, you look lovely." Father said proudly as her gave his daughter his elbow and escorted Felicity to the carriage. Once inside Mister Merriman slapped the side of the carriage and Felicity and Elizabeth were off to the Prescotts'. Felicity turned to look out the window and wave at her family standing in the doorway. Taking a deep breath she turned towards Elizabeth and a sudden wave of loneliness washed over Felicity: Ben had escorted her to the Governor's ball years ago, even though he did not agree with the Governor's politics. He did that to make her happy that night. As if reading her thoughts, Elizabeth reached for Felicity's hand, "Tonight we will forget the pain of the past year and focus on the joy of the future."
The ball was lovely. The grandest event Felicity had been to since the war started. Felicity danced with several young gentlemen, however, when one partner began to talk about how he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden then released months later, Felicity suddenly had to excuse herself. Felicity left the room and choked back a sob as she pressed herself against the wall. Glancing at the doorway back into the ballroom, she watched Elizabeth in her beautiful burgundy dress dance gracefully, lead by James' sure step. Elizabeth's wavy brown hair1 glowed in the candle light and Felicity was mesmerized by how happy her friend looked. There was something in her face that made Felicity believe it was the happiest she ever seen her friend.
"You know, 'tis much more fun to dance than watch," a voice interrupted her from behind. Startled, Felicity spun around and knocked into the young gentleman who had crept up behind her. "Are you watching a secret love or do you just enjoy spying on people?" he questioned, looking over her shoulder and into the room.
"Tis most improper to sneak up on a lady," Felicity scolded.
"Tis most improper to spy, I believe the punishment is hanging."
Felicity scowled at the beastly gentlemen. "I beg your pardon, miss." He apologized, sweeping into a grand bow. While doing so, he raised his eyebrows hinting for a name to be supplied.
"Merriman, Felicity Merriman."
"Miss Felicity Merriman, please accept my deepest apologizes."
"I may consider accepting your apology." Felicity carefully responded.
"Well I hope I deserve that honor. So which is it?—spying or secret love?"
"Neither, I grew tired of dancing. But did not want to miss anything. I beg your pardon; I do not know your name, sir."
Sweeping into yet another grand bow, "Henry Nathaniel Carter at your service Miss Merriman."
Felicity didn't know if Henry was being cocky or if was teasing her, either way she was not pleased and she waved him off, "It was a pleasure meeting you Henry, but I must be going." And she started to walk back into the room. "Wait Felicity," Henry said, his tone suddenly different. He grabbed her arm to stop her, "I'm sorry," looking down at his hold on her delicate wrist and quickly released her hand, "Would, would you grant me the honor of a dance?"
"I am disinclined to acqui—" Felicity started but there was something so earnest about his smile and his voice most pleading that Felicity could not refuse and she allowed Henry to lead her to the dance floor.
"What do you do, Mister Carter?" she asked, taking her partner's hand.
"My family owns a plantation, but my main interest is horses. I breed them and train them." This caught Felicity's interest, for there wasn't a girl in all the thirteen colonies that loved horses more than Felicity did and for the rest of the evening Felicity and Henry talked about horses. Finally it was time to leave. The whole carriage ride home Elizabeth was glowing with excitement and was chattier than Felicity had ever heard. Finally, Elizabeth asked Felicity what she did all night, but for some reason Felicity did not tell her about Henry Nathaniel Carter, but just smiled to herself and said, "I had a nice time dancing, thank you for inviting me."
1 So the original books picture Elizabeth as having brown eyes and brown hair and that is how I've always pictured her so for those of you who know her as a blond I'm sorry I just couldn't