11 Years Later
"Theodosia are you ready to go we must get going soon." Father called out as I fixed my pastel pink hair ribbons and my make up as I stood up from my vanity. I hurried out of my room, downstairs to my waiting Father.
"Your look like your Mama, my dear Theodosia." Father said as he pecked me on my forehead. "We must be off now." Father said as I brushed of my pale pink ball gown as Father helped me into the carriage.
"I need you to be on your best behavior for me please Theodosia." Father said as I nodded.
"I promise I will be." I said as we arrived at the Washington's Estate. I looked out the window and smiled at all the candle light surrounding the house. The carriage parked in front of the estate. Father got out and helped me out. We walked into the house and were greeted by the General himself and his wife.
"Ah Mr. Aaron Burr and his beautiful Theodosia." Mr. Washington said as Father bowed to him and I curtsied.
"My, Theodosia you have sprung up and become so beautiful." Mrs. Washington said as I smiled at her.
"Thank you ma'am." I said softly as I folded my hands as Father and Mr. Washington started to talk at work things as Father turned to me.
"You can go and enjoy yourself. But don't go to far." Father said as I nodded and walked away. I grabbed a glass of champagne and drank some of it. I watched the dancing as men throughout the room came up to me and flirted with me. They would ask me if I would like to dance and I would turn them down. I enjoyed the music as I saw a familiar face across the ball room as I felt my face burn with embarrassment and hurried outside to the balcony. I took a deep breath as I heard someone behind me.
"Ah there is my beautiful bride to be." Hemming said behind me as I clenched my fist and turned to face him with a false smile.
"Hello Eston." I said as he pecked me on the cheek as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Why don't we go inside and show everyone how beautiful my future wife is." Hemmings said as I shook my head as he let go of my waist.
"Eston you understand that I have more to offer then my beauty." I said softly as Hemming's face harden and he slapped me across the face.
"What have I said about talking back." Hemmings said glaring at me as he grabbed my arm as I clutched my cheek in pain.
"Let's go inside now." Hemmings said as I plastered a smile onto my face and we walked in. We started to dance as Hemmings kept pulling me closer than normal.
"Please not now." I said softly as Hemmings dug his fingers into my waist harder. The song ended as I took a deep breath. "I am going to go get a breath of air okay." I said as Hemmings nodded and went off to flirt with other girls. I went outside and took a breath of air as someone walked up behind me.
"Well if it isn't Theodosia Burr." A voice said behind me as I turned and saw Philip smiling at me.
"Ah Master Philip Hamilton." I said as I smiled at him softly as I folded my hands.
"Are you alright?" Philip said as I nodded and turned back to see the yard below me. Philip stood next to me as he put hand on mine as I pulled back and he turned to face me and touched my cheek with his fingertips. I moved away from his touch as he looked at me worried. "Your cheek is bruised and you are not acting like yourself." Philip said as he brushed a loss ringlet behind his ear.
"I'm fine, I ran into something earlier. I need to go." I said as I saw Hemmings standing behind us from the corner of my eye. I hurried past away from him and went to Hemmings.
"Ah Philip Hamilton. Still trying to get my girl aren't you." Eston said scowling at him then to me as I watched anxiously.
"Since when has she ever been your girl?" Philip asked as Eston wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"Since her father has arranged it." Eston said pulling me closer to him as I tried to move away from as he pinched my shoulder, causing me wince as Philip glared at him as I heard a girl calling for him. "One moment Angelica." He said as I watched Philip for a moment as he waited and pushed past us.
"I need to go speak to my father." I said as Eston let me go and I walked back inside where I caught my father talking to Mr. Jefferson as I walked over to them.
"Ah there she is. The beautiful future Mrs. Jefferson." Mr. Jefferson said as I froze at the name.
"Father I feel I have fallen ill. Do you think I may return home?" I asked as Father looked at me concerned.
"What is the matter?" Father asked as I heard Hemmings behind me.
"Ah there you are my dear. I was looking for you." Hemmings said as he pecked my cheek where he slapped me earlier as I winced slightly.
"I have a headache. I was hoping to go home and rest." I said as I felt Hemmings rest his hands on my waist.
"Well I still have matters to attend to. Let me deal with them and then we shall go." Father said as I nodded.
"Theodosia we also have something we need to discuss about you and Eston's courtship." Father said as I looked at him.
"Your father and I have decided to have you and Eston married in a week time." Mr. Jefferson said as I felt my heart break on the inside.
"Shall we celebrate with a dance, my darling?" Hemmings said as he led me to the dance floor. He gripped my waist tightly as we danced.
"Do you mind if I have a dance with Theodosia?" Philip asked as we stopped when the song finished. Hemmings glared at him as I took a step forward.
"Eston do you mind if I have one last dance with Mr. Hamilton?" I asked softly as Hemmings glared and nodded.
"You will rue this night, you hear me." Hemmings said as I shook slightly as the song started again and Philip and I became to dance.
"Hemmings is glaring at you." Philip said as I took a step away from Philip so that we were further apart.
"I need to go." I said as Philip looked at me worried. "Philip I'm sorry, please forgive me." I said as I hurried away and went back to the balcony. I took a deep breath and watched the stars. I hurried someone walk up behind me as I turned to see Eston Hemmings walked out.
"We need to talk." Hemmings said as he grabbed my arm harshly.
"I'm sorry." I said as I started to shake viciously.
"You are a damn whore you know that." Hemming said as I shut my eyes.
"I need to go." I said as I tried to pull away from him. "You will stay here!" Hemmings said as I let out a cry of pain.
"No. Please let me go." I said as I pulled away from him completely and hurried back to the ballroom and saw my father waiting for me.
"Ah are you ready to go?" Father asked as I nodded and followed him out. We walked out to the carriage and headed home. "Did you and Eston enjoy yourself?" Father asked as I spaced off. "Theodosia?" Father asked bring me back to earth.
"Sorry sir my mind must of have slipped away." I said as we arrived home. I got out and hurried to my bedroom. I dismissed my maid and undressed myself. I slide off my ball gown and stepped out of my pool of pink satin. I took off my corset and my chemise as I grabbed my night gown and tossed it on. I sat at my vanity and took off my jewelry, along with my make- up. I undid my hair and brushed it out. I blew out my candle and hurried to my bed. I pulled back my quilt and climbed into bed. I started to fall asleep as a scary thought popped into my head. I was marrying Eston Hemming in a week when I had no heart to love. I was being forced to marry my father political enemy to make allies with Thomas Jefferson. I could never marry a man who beats me and any other person that angered him. I started to think about tonight. It has been eleven years since I have seen Philip. I haven't seen him since the day in the park where he punched Hemmings. His sister is now so much older. I rubbed my forehead as I thought about Philip for just a second. He was taller than me like normal but he always had his hair in his face. But he looked older and more mature. He had a different touch then Hemmings. Philip was softer and warm touch compared to Hemmings hard and iron like grasp finally I remembered the dance Philip and I shared as I sighed contently and finally feel asleep. I woke up to my maid knocking on the door.
"Miss Theodosia breakfast is almost served." She said as she walked in and opened my curtain.
"Thank you Mandy." I said as I sat up and walked to my armoire and pulled out a sage colored day dress and my brown boots. I changed as Mandy started to make my bed. I sat at my vanity and started to fix my hair into a single braid and tied it off with a simple hair ribbon.
"Is my father waiting for me downstairs." I asked as she nodded.
"Yes ma'am." She said as I slipped on my locket that I got from my Mama when she passed away. I hurried out of my room and down to the dining room to see my father waiting for me while he drank his coffee.
"Ah my dear Theodosia." Father said as I kissed him on the cheek and sat down next to him and started to eat my sausage and gravy.
"What do you have planned today Father?" I asked as I took a sip of my apple juice.
"I have a meeting with Hamilton and Washington, Then Jefferson and I are going to discuss you and Eston's marriage." Father asked as I put down my fork.
"Do you mind if I go visit a friend of mine after breakfast?" I asked as Father looked at me with his eyes looking at me worried.
"Who are you visiting?" Father asked as I wiped the corner of my mouth with my napkin. "An old friend of mine. I promise I won't be long. Please Father?" I asked as Father nodded.
"Yes, as long as you are home before noon." Father said as I nodded.
"I will. I promise." I said as I stood up and brushed off my skirt. "I must be off. I will be back soon." I said as I kissed his cheek and hurried to my room to grab my bonnet and to fix my hair before I walked down the stairs and headed out the door. I walked down the steps to the side walk as I looked up to the sky and saw rain clouds starting to move in as head to the only place I knew where I could be safe. I hurried to the familiar door, that I would knock on when I was a child and waited as a maid opened the door.
"Hello Miss. May I help you?" The maid asked as she let me in.
"I need to speak with Mrs. Hamilton." I said as she nodded.
"May I know who you are Miss?" She asked.
"Theodosia Burr." I said as she nodded and hurried to the room behind me. I waited as I heard Mrs. Hamilton voice.
"Ah Theodosia. Look at you, you sprung up so fast." Mrs. Hamilton said as she led me to the Drawing room.
"Thank you ma'am." I said as I sat down.
"Now what can I do for you?" Mrs. Hamilton asked as she sat down next to me.
"I need advice. You're the only person that I could go to about this because your sort of like a Mama for me. After my Mama passed away." I said as I started to ramble.
"What is it dear?" Mrs. Hamilton asked me worried as I clenched my fists.
"I need advice on marriage… I am being married off to Eston Hemmings next week." I said softly as Mrs. Hamilton looked at me shocked.
"I never knew you were courting. What do you need help with?" She asked as I looked down.
"I don't know if I can marry him…" I said as she looked at me worried and put her hand on my arm gentle as I winced.
"What is wrong dear." She asked as I pulled away.
"Nothing ma'am…" I said softly as I heard Philip's voice ringing through the hall.
"Ma?" Philip called out as my heart started to skip a beat.
"One moment dear." Mrs. Hamilton called out as she stood up. I brushed my skirt off and waited as she walked back in. "Sorry about that Theodosia." She said as I nodded.
"I need to go… I'm sorry to waste your time." I said as I got up and started to walk out.
"Theodosia stay." Mrs. Hamilton said as I stopped and turned to her. I turned back and closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry. I just need to go. This was a mistake." I said as I tried to open the door.
"Theo stay please." Philip asked as I froze at the sound of his voice.
"I can't… I promised my father I would be back before noon." I said worried as Mrs. Hamilton shook her head.
"Theodosia dear, you just got here and it is only ten o'clock. Just stay for a bit and I will get us a pot of tea, and we can talk." She said as I nodded.
"Alright." I said as took my hand off the door knob and looked at her. I followed her back to the Drawing room as I sat down. "Katie please make a pot of tea and bring it to the drawing room." Mrs. Hamilton said as their maid nodded and hurried to the kitchen.
"Eliza?" said as voice as Eliza next to me. "Alexander?" She asked as Mr. Hamilton walked into the drawing room.
"Ah the beautiful and smart Theodosia Burr. I have not seen you since you were a child." Mr. Hamilton said as he gave me a small bow.
"Mr. Hamilton. I'm glad to see you." I said as their maid brought in a tray of tea and biscuits.
"Alexander do you mind if I speak with Theodosia in private please?" Mrs. Hamilton asked as he nodded.
"Of course, I will leave you ladies to chat. Come along Philip." Mr. Hamilton said as he walked away with Philip.
"Now please tell me what is going on?" Mrs. Hamilton asked as we settled back down in the drawing room.
"I am worried about marrying Eston Hemmings. I don't feel like I love him." I said as I poured me some tea.
"Then why are you and this boy courting then?" She asked confused as I took a deep breath.
"I am being forced to marry my father political enemy to make allies with Thomas Jefferson. At first I was content with it but then Eston became possessive and rough…" I said as I gingerly touched my arm.
"Your father is forcing you to marry this boy? That does not sound like Aaron Burr at all." She said as I shook my head.
"After my Mama's death… He became different. More power hungry." I said as she shook her head. I looked at the clock standing near the doorway and stood up abruptly.
"I need to go. I promised my father. I'm so sorry." I said as I hurried to the front door and ran out. I picked up my skirt and started to run to the house. I hurried back to my estate as I saw Father walking out with Jefferson.
"You are late." Jefferson said as I stopped.
"My apologies sirs but I was visiting with a friend of mine and time away from me." I said brushing off my skirt as the sky started to darken with storm clouds from earlier as the rain started to fall on my cheeks.
"Well get inside my dear. Eston is waiting for you inside." Father said as I bowed my head slightly and hurried inside. I saw Eston flirting with one of father's maids as I hurried past them and went upstairs to my room. I closed my door and stood there for a moment and walked over to my vanity. I undid my braid and let my hair fall into its dark brown thick ringlets as I tied my sage ribbon around my head. I wiped off my lip paint and eye liner as I heard someone bang on my door.
"One moment." I said as I got up and it was thrown up and slammed shut by Hemmings.
"You now decide to show up!" He said in a low voice that sent chills down my spine.
"I'm sorry I was just visiting a friend of mine." I said as I put my hands up to calm him down. He grabbed my wrist harshly as I struggled to pull away from him. His grip was iron tight as I kept trying to pull away from him. "Eston please your hurting me." I said as my voice started to crack and thunder rolled loudly muffling the sound of my protests.
"Shut up and stop wiggling!" He said as I tried to push away from him. "Let go of me! Your hurting me!" I said as his eyes narrowed. "You will obey me and be what a wife is supposed to be used for." Eston said as he pushed me onto my bed as my eyes widen in fear and I tried to kick him away as his hand started to creep up my dress to the inside of my thigh as I let out a scream as the thunder rolled and lighten flashed, I kicked him in the chest. He tumbled backwards as I stood up and straight my dress. "How dare you!" I screamed as he slapped me to the floor. I started to cry as Eston glare at me.
"You will learn your lesson before we wed or I will be a widower by choice." He said as he stormed out of my room, leaving me alone with my tears and blood coming out of nose. I composed myself and got up, I brushed my hair behind my ears and walked out of my room. I took deep breath and I walked down the stairs and headed towards the front door. I heard Father talking Jefferson and Eston as I closed my eyes and ran out of the door, I closed the door quietly as I looked out to the down pour ahead of me. I shook my head and took off running down the steps. I ran to the park and tripped over my skirt, tearing it and falling to the ground in the rain. I cried in pain as I got myself back up. I sat on the bench next to me and cried as the rain hit my face.
"Theo?" A voice asked me as I looked up