"Theo?" A voice asked me as I looked up and saw Philip drenched in the rain.
"Philip what are you doing?" I asked as he took off his jacket and handed it to me.
"So your head doesn't get wet. Why on are you sitting in the rain?" He asked as he helped me up. I flinched as he looked at me worried.
"Theo who hurt you?" He asked as I shook my head.
"I'm fine I promise…" I said as he shook his head.
"Let's get you out of the rain before you father sees us and shoots me." Philip said as I started to walk. I drew closer to him for heat as we arrived at his house. "Why were you out in the rain?" I asked as he helped me up the steps.
"My Ma asked me to get William some hard candies to suck on. Why were you out in the rain?" He asked as I adverted my eyes to the ground.
"I thought I lost my Mama 's locket." I said lying as Mrs. Hamilton opened the door.
"Philip Hamilton get inside, before you get yourself sick. Dear Theodosia get inside darling before you do too." Mrs. Hamilton said as she pulled us inside the warm house.
"Go change into something warm Philip and let your father know you are home. He was quite worried and needs a word with you. Now Theodosia, come with me dear and we will get you changed." She said as she led me upstairs to a guest room and left me alone for a few moments. I started to shake as Mrs. Hamilton walked back in with a greyish blue dress in her hands.
"Sorry dear if it is too big for you but you are much thinner then I was when I was your age." She said as she put the dress on the bed.
"Would you like help with your chemise?" She asked as I shook my head.
"No thank you. You have already done enough." I said as she smiled at me softly.
"Well I will send word to your father that you are here so that he doesn't worried." She said as I tensed up.
"Please don't…" I said as she looked at me shocked.
"Why not? Don't you think he will be worried?" Mrs. Hamilton asked as I shook my head no.
"He has company." I said as she looked at me concerned.
"We need to talk. Theodosia? You are startling me." Mrs. Hamilton said as I closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry…" I said as she put her hand on my shoulder as I cringed.
"It's nothing dear. Theodosia we are going to talk after you get out of that dress and are warm." Mrs. Hamilton said firmly as I nodded.
"Yes ma'am." I said as she smiled at me and walked out of the room leaving me. I unbuttoned my dress and slipped it off along with my chemise. I slipped on the greyish blue dress and started to warm up from the soft wool as I buttoned the small brass colored buttons in the front as I took off my shoes and slipped into a pair of flats that Mrs. Hamilton left for me. I folded my clothes in a neat pile on the bed and walked out of the room. I heard Philip laughing and children giggling. I walked downstairs to the drawing room where I heard Mrs. Hamilton and her husband talking.
"Burr would never marry his daughter off to appease some deal. It doesn't sound like him and especially not some an abusive bastard." Mr. Hamilton said as I listened to them.
"Alexander the girl is scared to her wits end. She cringes when she is touch and Philip confided in me saying that Hemming tried to touch Angelica and that Theodosia had a bruise on her cheek the night of the state ball. Something is going on." Mrs. Hamilton said as I took a deep breath as they continued talking about Hemmings.
"Theo?" Philip said softly as I turned to face him.
"Your cheek is bruised. Who hit you?" Philip asked as I shook my head.
"It's nothing…" I said as I trailed off. "Who hurt you Theo?" Philip asked as I looked down.
"Please tell me Theo?" Philip asked softly as I closed my eyes. "Let's go to the sun room. My Ma and Pops will come and get us." Philip said as I followed him to the sun room and I sat in one of the wicker chairs and watched the rain as Philip sat next to me. "Theo who hurt you?" Philip asked worried.
"Eston got a little rough…" I said as he stood up at the sound of Eston's name.
"What did he do?" Philip asked as I shook my head.
"Philip please don't do anything… It's important to my father that I marry him." I said as Philip shook his head.
"Theodosia Burr, you and I both know that you are too smart for an excuse like that." Philip said as I shook my head, trying to stop tears from going down my face. "What exactly did this man do to you?" Philip asked as I shook my head.
"Philip please…" I said pleading with him.
"What Theo?" Philip said as he sat next to me.
"Please don't make me tell you what happened…" I said as a tear fell down my face. He wiped the tear off my cheek and as I looked at him sadly.
"Please Theo… I want to help you." Philip said as I pulled away from his hand when I saw his Mama.
"Philip go inside and talk with your father. I need a word with Theodosia in private." His Mama said softly as I looked down and put my head in my hands.
"Theodosia does Eston Hemmings beat you?" Mrs. Hamilton asked softly as I looked at her with tears falling down my face. I nodded my head yes slowly as she looked at me shocked. "Theodosia, why didn't you tell your father?" She asked shocked as I felt my heart break.
"Because my marriage to Eston is important to my father. My father wants to make amends with Jefferson and this is the only way that my father's job is safe." I said as my voice cracked from the tears.
"Your father could care less about his job if he knew that Jefferson bastard was abusing you." Mrs. Hamilton said as I broke down into sobs as she pulled me into a warm embrace, rubbing my back while she tried to soothe me.
"Please don't tell my father. I want to tell him myself…" I said as I finished crying as she looked at me.
"I won't, if you promise that you will." She said as I nodded.
"Now let's get you inside alright?" Mrs. Hamilton said as I nodded and got up. We walked back in as I heard the laughing of children running around. "William, James. No running in the house." Mrs. Hamilton said as the two young boys stopped and looked at her.
"Yes Mama…" They said together as they walked out of the dining room.
"I need to head home. Do you mind if I leave?" I asked softly as she nodded.
"I'll have Philip escort you home." She said as I nodded. "Philip?" She called out as Philip came hurrying down the stairs. "Yes Ma?" He asked as he made it to the bottom. "Would you escort Theodosia home?" She asked as Philip nodded.
"Yes ma'am." Philip said as he made his way to the door and opened it.
"Let's go Theo." Philip said cheerfully as the storm let up and we walked outside.
"You told my Ma about Eston and what he does to you?" Philip asked as we walk through the park from earlier.
"I did. Philip you have to swear to me that you will not do anything." I said as I got in front of him to face him as he looked down to me.
"That man needs to answer to his actions." Philip said as I shook my head no.
"Philip please. If you really did care about me from now or when we were children. You would listen to me." I said as I put my hands on his chest, looking at him pleadingly as He looked down at me shocked. "Please?" I said softly as I looked down. He lifted my chin up to look into his dark brown eyes as I took a deep breath.
"I won't do anything." Philip said as I brushed a lose curl behind his ear. "Let's get you home." Philip said as I smiled and took a step back. We started to walk back in peaceful silence as we made it to my front step. I smiled at him as the door opened up and revealed Eston. He stomped out and glared at me. He looked at Philip and back to me.
"Ah darling, there you are. Your father just left to search for you." Eston said in a false sweetness as I started to shake. I turned back to face Philip as I had a stone face as he looked at Eston with a glare and then turned back to me as he noticed me visibly shaking.
"Thank you for escorting me home Master Hamilton." I said vaguely as curtsied to him and lifted my skirt up and walked inside as Eston stayed outside with Philip as I heard them starting to talk.
"Stay the hell away from my future wife Hamilton." Eston said as I peeked past him and watched Philip hesitate for a moment and then turned away slowly. Eston turned back quickly to glare at me as he walked towards me and shut the door. He pushed me backwards as I stumbled backwards. "How dare you make me a fool in front of your father, then come back with that scumbag. You are my future wife!" Hemmings yelled as I winced and then remember Philip and the promise I made to his Mama.
"I am will not be your wife." I said courageously more then I felt.
"What did you say to me whore?!" Hemmings said as I stood up straighter. "I am not your wife! I will never be your wife!" I said loudly as Hemmings slapped me hard across the face.
"You will obey me, you damn whore! I will make you mine!" Hemmings yelled as he grabbed me by the throat and dragged me upstairs.
"Let… go!" I screamed as I gasped for air and tried to kick him. He threw me into my bedroom as he locked my door and turned to me.
"Take off your dress now!" He demanded as I shook my head in fear. "Take it off or I will." Hemmings said as I shook my head no again and he pushed me into my bed as I started to kick and scream. "No one will hear darling. No stop screaming!" Hemmings yelled as he covered my mouth and kissed my neck. I felt tears roll down my cheeks as sobs racked my body. His hand squeezed my chest as I tried to push him off of me, he torn away all of the buttons on the dress and shoved his hand down my dress and squeezed my bare skin roughly as I let out a sob. I tried to roll away from him as he pinned me down. I kicked Hemmings as hard as I can as he groaned and I kicked him away as he stood up and glared at me, I fell off of my bed and as I tried to get up, he grabbed a silver jewelry box on my fireplace mantle and threw it at me. It hit me in the head as I fell to the ground. I let out a small scream of pain. I touched my forehead and felt the warm sensation of blood as I looked at him in horror. I scurried up and ran out of the door, ignoring the yelling of Hemmings and ran out of the house. I took off running and back to the park. I saw Philip walking back slowly as I tried to hurry to him. My mind could barely form his name as I let out a scream as he turned back to me as I fell to the ground.
"Theo!" Philip yelled as he ran back towards me. I laid on the ground as Philip fell to his knees next to me. I closed my eyes as I felt Philip pick me and start run.
"MA!" Philip yelled as I pulled myself close to his chest.
"Philip? What is with the yelling? Oh my! What happened to Theodosia?" Mrs. Hamilton asked shocked. "I don't know…" Philip said as Mrs. Hamilton put her hand on my forehead.
"Get her upstairs and put her into a guest room. Then send William to fetch the doctor while you fetch Mr. Burr." His Mama said as Philip started to walk upstairs. He laid me in a bed as I looked up at him. I started to see dark spots in my vison as the blood mixed with the tears. I tried to reach for him as he touched my hand gently and put it back on the bed.
"I'll be right back alright." Philip said as his sister and Mama hurried in with cloth and water.
"Take your father with you and go find Mr. Burr now." Mrs. Hamilton said as Philip hurried out of the room.
"What happened Theodosia?" Mrs. Hamilton said as she started to clean up the blood from my forehead.
"Eston tried…" I said as I started to drift off as Angelica kept shaking me to stay awake. I heard my father downstairs yelling.
"Where is she?! Where is my Theodosia?!" He yelled. I heard running upstairs as I saw my father's blurry image in the doorway. "Theo? What happened to you my dear?" He asked softly as I turned my head to face him. I tried to take a deep breath and he put his hand on my hand.
"Papa?" I asked weakly as he looked at me surprised.
"What happened my dear Theodosia?" He asked me softly.
"Eston hurt me…" I said through my tears as he looked at me.
"What did he do to you?" He asked shocked as I closed my eyes.
"He called me his damn whore and then told me to take off my dress, He touched me and it hurt." I said through my sobs as the doctor walked in.
"He told you to do what!?" Father asked enraged as the doctor started to clean up my forehead.
"Burr why don't we go downstairs and talk…" Mr. Hamilton said as I looked at him.
"Papa, please don't go." I said trying to reach out for him feebly.
"I'm not going anywhere, okay?" Papa said as he sat down next to me. I felt sick to my stomach as the doctor stitched my forehead up.
"I feel sick…" I said as I closed my eyes.
"Gentlemen, I believe it would be best if you were to withdraw and let us help Theodosia get comfortable." Mrs. Hamilton said indicting to her and Angelica.
"That would be a good idea. Aaron Burr sir why don't we withdraw to the study." Mr. Hamilton said as Papa nodded. They walked out of the room as Angelica closed the door.
"Angelica go grab one of your night gowns." Mrs. Hamilton said as the door opened and closed.
"Theodosia, can you lift up your arms slightly." She asked as I raised my arms slightly as she slipped the dress off of me as Angelica walked back in and they helped me slip into a different dress. I opened my eyes and looked down as I started to move my head around.
"Relax Theo…" Angelica said softly as I tried to sit up.
"Theodosia, lay down please dear." Mrs. Hamilton said as I settled. I felt my head pounding like an army drum. I closed my eyes and I feel unconscious as they covered me up with a warm blanket.
"Is she going to be okay Mama?" Angelica asked as the door was opened.
"She will…" Mrs. Hamilton said as she felt my forehead. "Poor dear, she is burning up." She said as I moved my head slightly.
"Grab me that wash cloth for me." Mrs. Hamilton said as I felt her put a cool rag on my burning forehead. I tried to open my eyes but the pain was too much.
"Papa…" I asked softly as I let out a feebly cry of pain.
"It's alright Theo, I'm right here." Papa said softly as I tried to turn my head.
"Rest my heart." Papa said softly as I went ridged in pain.
"I hurt Papa…" I said quietly. "Why didn't you tell me that Hemmings was hurting you Theo?" Papa asked softly as I felt a tear run down my face.
"I knew that it was important to you that Hemmings and I married… I was trying to do it to make you proud." I said as I finally stopped the tears.
"Theo you have already made me proud. I should have never approved you two courting when you never loved him and I would have never let him near you if I knew he was hurting." Papa said as I took a staggered breath.
"I'm sorry Papa… At first he was never this rough. He would yell at me but it was fine. But then he would hit me and call me these awful names." I said as he grabbed my hand.
"I am going straight to Jefferson when you are better and telling him that I don't care about making friends. He hurt you and he will pay for it." He said as I closed my eyes. He felt my forehead and uncovered me.
"She is burning up." He said as I started to drift away. "She must have caught something being outside in the rain." I heard Philip say as I took a breath and felt my stomach churning. "We should let her rest." Mr. Hamilton said as I felt my head lull to the side.
"I will stay with her and keep an eye on her." Mrs. Hamilton said. I started to blur the conversations out as I fell asleep. I woke up and felt my stomach churn. I grabbed the waste basket and threw up into it as Mrs. Hamilton jumped up and hurried to my bedside. Mrs. Hamilton held my hair back as I finished throwing up.
"Thank you..." I said softly as she pulled my hair back and tied it with a piece of yarn.
"It's alright Theo." She said as I finished.
"Why are you being so kind to me… My father and your husband don't get along and I was always the reason your son got into trouble?" I asked as she helped me lay back down.
"You were an older sister for Angelica like my dearest Angelica was to me. Even when you had lost your Mama. You were still there even when you shouldn't have been." She said as I laid back down.
"Thank you." I said as I fell asleep. I woke up to someone damping my forehead. I looked up and saw Philip.
"How are you feeling?" Philip asked as I barely moved my head.
"I hurt all over." I said as my voice cracked. I could barely move my lips as I felt them crack.
"Water…" I said as I tried to reach for the pitcher.
"I got it for you." Philip said as I tried to sit up. He held the cup up to my lips as I took a sip.
"Lay back down okay?" Philip said as I closed my eyes. "Goodnight Theo." He said