Felicity sat in bed until the sun rose red in the sky, thinking over her plan. It was a bold idea, and Felicity hardly knew if she could carry it off. But, she resolved, she must try.
Throughout the day Felicity gathered supplies. She took care not to be noticed as she tiptoed about the house. She took medicines from the cabinet, some bread, cheese, and fruit from the cellar, and an extra blanket from the clothespress. Piece by piece Felicity brought the items to the barn and hid them in Ben's old room.
I think I have everything I need Felicity said to herself as she surveyed her spoils everything, except . . . Felicity spun slowly around trying to figure out what, if anything she had forgotten. Suddenly, a bit of dark fabric caught her eye. Felicity bent down to retrieve an old pair of Ben's breeches that were hidden under his bed. Perfect! She held the dark woolen breeches up for inspection. They were old pair of Ben's, probably from the time he was fifteen or sixteen, though big in the waist, their length would suit Felicity just fine.
Creeaak! Felicity froze when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Who, besides me, comes up here! Felicity thought with a panic. She held her breath, praying that whoever it was would just go away. But it was to no avail, the door slowly opened—Elizabeth! Felicity breathed a sigh of relief as she quickly hid the breeches behind her back.
"Oh Lissie! Nan told me the news. I came over as soon as I—Lissie? Whatever is behind you back?" Elizabeth said looking puzzlingly about the room. Felicity looked down at the floor, keeping both hands behind her back, she shifted from one foot to the other, trying to think of something to say. "Felicity," Elizabeth said as she slowly crossed the room, "you aren't planning on doing what I hope you are not planning on doing."
"I . . . ummm . . ." Felicity couldn't find the words; Elizabeth had caught her off guard.
Elizabeth reached behind Felicity and pulled the breeches.
"Elizabeth! Let me explain!" Felicity pleaded.
"Felicity Merriman!" Elizabeth reprimanded, "I dare say you are going to dress up in these breeches and go to that jail to see Ben!"
"I need to Elizabeth! I have to help him! Or at least try to!" Felicity cried, trying to pull the breeches from Elizabeth's tight grasp.
"No, Felicity! I can't let you! Did you even think about this rationally? It is a three days hard ride to Charles Town—at least! And there is a war going on, and if even if there wasn't, it is still no journey a lady should make by herself!" her voice on the rise.
"I need to go Elizabeth, Ben needs me."
"Felicity! Did it ever occur to you to ask your father? I doubt you did, did you?"
"No" she answered meekly.
"So you were just going to run off without notice?"
"No its not like that," Felicity's face was growing hot as she fought back tears.
What is it then? Do you know what kind of disgrace you could bring to your family? How would that reflect on your father? And mother? What about Nan and Polly? How would they feel having a beloved sister bring disgrace to the family? Nan would resent you forever and you know it. How would others view them? Did you think of any of this?"
What could Felicity say, she hadn't. She hung her head in burning shame.
"The battle field is no place for a lady!" Elizabeth yelled.
At least this Felicity had an answer for, her temper flaring in shame, she argued, shaking her hands wildly as if trying to draw a picture in the air. "Hundreds of women go to the encampments to be with their sons or husbands or sweethearts. What of all those women at Valley Forge? And that woman, Mary . . . Mary hays! She even went on the battle field and manned her husband's cannon."
"Felicity, those women were of lower station than you----and many of them were married! You are not."
"Elizabeth Cole you know as well as I that many of those women were not of lower station than I, many were of even higher class so do not use that as an argument. Missus Washington spends the winter with her husband, she is accustom to far greater comforts than you or I. It doesn't matter what your station, those women up north they were there to support the ones they love." Felicity's voiced broke and in a shaken tone continued, "To let them know that there is someone there for them, some reason to fight and to live. Ben needs that right now."
"And what about Henry? Did you consider his feelings? His pride? You a running off to see another man, unescorted!"
"Ben is first and foremost in my heart," Felicity's bright green eyes welled with tears, "I cannot bear to loose him again."
"Hullo? Felicity? Elizabeth? Is everything alright up there? I heard shouting." Nan's light voice cut though the tension as she called up to the loft.
Felicity's eyes pleaded with Elizabeth not to utter a word.
"No, Nan everything is well up here, 'twas just a silly argument," Elizabeth stuck her head out the door and called down.
Nan's eyes grew large as she took note of Elizabeth's usually composed face, now red and blotchy. Nan nodded and backed out of the barn, closing the door carefully on her way out.
"This is mad, Felicity. And dangerous." Elizabeth's tone was slow and deliberate.
"Strong women can take it—PATRIOT women are not sissies like English women are." Felicity retorted hotly, her words stung brutally at Elizabeth's heart.
"I am sorry you feel that way Felicity." Elizabeth handed the breeches back to Felicity and turned to leave. "Ask yourself, Felicity Merriman, is running off to Ben worth hurting your family and friends."