Mister Merriman safely secured his saddle bag onto his horse and turned to hug his family good-bye.
"Be safe," Mrs. Merriman warned as she picked some invisible lint off his blue wool coat.
"Give our love to Ben. Tell him he's in our prayers," Nan kissed her father's cheek.
"And that he is terribly brave." William added, giving him a hug.
"Aye, I'll do that." Mister Merriman replied tousling William's hair and lifting Polly up, the child giggled merrily, "I love you Papa!"
"Where's Felicity?" Mrs. Merriman questioned her husband with concern. The answer to her question came immediately as Felicity entered the yard leading Penny. Mrs. Merriman rushed over to her daughter and embraced her.
"Mind your father and be careful." She reminded, "Watch over each other." And then, almost to herself she continued, "I still disapprove of your father taking a young woman on such a trip." Felicity's father was taking her with him to Charles Town to see if they could find Ben. Mister Merriman had found out that prisoners held captive in Charles Town often received charity visits from women in town. Those held prisoners aboard prison ships faired much worse. If Ben was just a captive in a prison, they had a chance at seeing him.
Polly threw her arms around Felicity's waist, "Come home soon! I'll miss you too much!"
"Don't worry love, I will be home soon," Felicity assured her sister with a hug. It was time to go. Felicity and her father mounted their horses and trotted off, waving good-bye to their family. As they made their way up Francis' Street, Felicity paused in front of the Coles' house. She looked up towards Elizabeth's bedroom window with sad eyes. She looked back at her father, "Can I say 'good-bye' to Elizabeth before we leave?"
"Mend your bridge, I'll wait for you."
Felicity jumped off her horse and made her way to the house. Knocking politely the Merriman's maid answered the door.
"Good day Hester, is Elizabeth home?"
"I'm sorry Miss Felicity, she isn't takin' callers today." Hester told her.
"Alright, could you tell her I called? And that I'm sorry." Felicity asked and with Hester's assurance that she would do so, Felicity turned to leave, but a call from the stairs stopped her.
"Wait!" Elizabeth called from the top of the grand staircase.
"Oh Elizabeth, I'm so sorry for the terrible things I said!" Felicity cried, rushing past Hester and meeting Elizabeth halfway up the stairs. "I didn't mean them. You have always been a faithful friend and I love you dearly."
"Oh Lissie!" Elizabeth hugged her. But in a somber tone, she continued, "You really hurt me Felicity."
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, can you ever forgive me?" Felicity was near tears, she would never truly mean to hurt her best friend.
"Well I guess. 'Twould be perfectly awful being mad at my best friend forever." Elizabeth laughed and Felicity knew all was forgiven.
Felicity smiled, "I don't know what I would do without you."
Taking Felicity's arm, Elizabeth led her down the stairs, "Probably be perfectly lost and lonely," Elizabeth said with great self confidence---being engaged had definitely given her more spunk. "How about some cookies?" she suggested, leading the way to the kitchen, but Felicity pulled away towards the open front door.
"I can't now, I'm sorry, but Father's outside. We're going to Charles Town."
Elizabeth was shocked, "You are going where?" She smiled and waved politely at the waiting Mister Merriman through the wide opened door, but then quickly changed her demeanor, "You're doing what?!" she whispered.
"Tis fine Elizabeth, I talked to my Father and he understood once I explained—like you said. We are going to Charles Town to see Ben together."
"That's . . . wonderful . . ." Elizabeth said, unsure.
"I will tell you all about it when I get back! I shall miss you." Felicity said in a hurry, kissing Elizabeth's cheek and she quickly walked out the door.
"Felicity?" Elizabeth stopped her, "Have you told Henry?"
"You have to tell him, it is unfair to hurt him as well. Good-bye, Felicity. Come home soon." Elizabeth smiled as she waved. Felicity thought she heard disappointment in her voice.