Mrs. Fitchette, the town gossip, was quick to spread the news that Henry Carter was courting the Merriman girl. It was quite the match; the Merriman girl had caught the eye and heart of the son of a wealthy plantation owner who shared her love of horses.
Every Sunday Henry would accompany Felicity to church and stay for Sunday dinner. They had afternoon tea and lemonade in the Coles' garden and the two of them took long rides outside Williamsburg.
Worn after a long ride with Henry, still in her riding habit Felicity laid down on her bed, Blast these wretched stays! She thought as she wiggled uncomfortably and reached her hand behind her to itch her back. Tis improper to say 'blast' and 'wretch' Felicity envisioned her sister reprimanding her—wait! What is –? Felicity's hand felt a folded piece of paper underneath her. She pulled it out the worn paper. It was wrinkled and splattered with mud and, could that be?, blood.
Miss F. Merriman
c/o E. Merriman
Williamsburg, Virginia
She carefully unfolded the worn letter and started to read:
Felicity, dear Felicity
Her heart skipped a beat. Sitting up abruptly she continued to read:
I apologize for not writing, I promised I would write often but have not held true to my word. I know you and your family must be sick with worry or perchance you have accepted a fate that I am grateful to say I've narrowly missed. The Battle of Charles Town, oh Lissie it was horrible! My friend Jeb fell right before my eyes. We fought hard but finally Maj. Gen. Lincoln surrendered the town and his entire army. I am now, with other members of my regiment, in a jail under Loyalist control just outside of Charles Town. I will not trouble you by describing the conditions, but tis not for the faint of heart. Tis a lonely fate . . . it is silly, I know, but I often dream of you and your stories, they bring a smile to my face. Have heart Lissie, I will be well. I miss you. I think of you often.
Your faithful friend,
Benjamin Davidson
Post Script. Please give your father the enclosed letter.
Felicity picked up the paper that had fallen with her right hand as the other still held Ben's letter, trembling. Ben is alive! Ben is alive! –He misses me! Her heart missed a beat, the room became fuzzy and for the first time in her life, Felicity Merriman fainted.