"Miss Theo. Thank the Lord you came back in time. You father has been worried sick about you. The storm has just grown worst." She said as I nodded and handed her my muffler and cloak.

"I'm sorry, I just got caught up in the storm." I said as my father walked out of his study. "Theodosia Burr, you scared me half to death." Papa said as he pulled me close to him and hugged me. "I'm sorry Papa. I just got caught up in the storm." I said meekly as he looked at me worried. "Is everything alright?" He asked as I nodded. "I'm fine." I said lying.

I woke up to my room freezing cold as I looked and saw snow on my floor. I got up quickly and closed it as I went to my fire place and started to tend to the fire. I warmed up as Mandy walked in. "Oh my, the snow!? Miss Theodosia, I swear as the Lord as my witness the window was closed when I came into your room to tend to the fire." Mandy started to ramble.

"It's alright Mandy. A little snow doesn't do much. Are we going to setting up for the Holidays?" I asked excited as she nodded.

"Yes Miss we are. Your father just left to go find the perfect tree for the holidays." Mandy said as I started to get excited.

"Let me get dressed then I will be downstairs to help with the decorations." I said cheerfully as Mandy nodded and curtsied as I dismissed her. I slipped on my locket and started to brush my hair out. I pinned it back as I slide off my night gown and into a simple brown plaid skirt and a warm wool top. I slipped on a scarf and slipped into my flats. I hurried down stairs and walked into the kitchen and was greeted by the warmth of the ovens and the chatter of the cooks. I grabbed my apron off the peg on the wall. "Mandy can you tie the back for me?" I asked as she hurried from the chicken she was chopping for dinner and tied my apron. I smiled at her and grabbed a bowl and started to make small cakes as I hurried my father in the parlor.

"Theo?" Papa called out as I looked up from my work and saw him walked in covered in snow.

"I'm right here." I said as I giggled as his head covered in snow.

"I see you are already in the kitchen. God you remember me of your mother with you being in the kitchen baking and laughing Theo." Papa said shaking his head as I fell silent. "Theo my dear, I'm sorry…" Papa said guilty as I shook my head.

"It's fine Papa." I said quietly as I started to roll more dough for the cookies.

"Well, I wanted to come see if the pastries Mandy made tasted as good as yours." Papa said as he swiped a small cake from my freshly baked pan.

"Papa! Those are for the Christmas dinner." I said laughing as he chuckled and pecked my cheek.

"I need something sweet because I have meeting for the next few hours with Hamilton. So that means I won't be home till supper." Papa said as I frowned. "Would you give Mr. Hamilton some credit. His son has saved me a few times." I said as I stirred more batter.

"But that boy has also nearly costed you your life." Papa said as he straightened up and brushed the fallen crumbs off his jacket.

"Papa, do you mind if I send for Angelica? I would love to have her company while you are gone? She can also help make the pastries." I asked sweetly as he nodded.

"I will send someone to retrieve her. Please do not cause any trouble." Papa said as I nodded.

"I always do Papa." I said as I powdered the top of some of the cakes as Papa kissed my cheek and hurried out to go about his business as I started to put more cookies into the oven. "Mandy?" I called out as she hurried back in.

"My apologies ma'am. Sarah is feeling sick…" Mandy said as I smiled at her sadly as I heard her little girl coughing in the back room where she sleeps with her and her son Emanuel.

"It's alright, I was going to go ride into the town to get more powder sugar. I just wanted to ask if you would watch the cookies. If you would like, I could go to the apothecary and get Sarah some medicine." I said as she nodded.

"Miss Theodosia you are as kind as your mother was. My Ma said that your mother was the kindness soul that she ever worked for." Mandy said as I blushed.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you. Emanuel?" I called out as Mandy's skinny and lanky boy came hurrying into the kitchen from outside.

"Yes ma'am?" He asked as he gave me a quick bow.

"Go saddle and prepare Coal for me please. Also I have a letter I need you to run to the Hamilton home" I said as he nodded and bowed again and hurried out as I dismissed him.

"Miss. I don't think it would be best for you to be ridding this weather." Mandy said as I shook my head.

"It's fine. I promise I will be back before Angelica is here." I said as crying filled the room.

"Please excuse me Miss." Mandy said curtsying as I dismissed her. I hurried to my room and changing into my riding habit and slipped into a pair of riding saddle shoes as I adjusted my wool gloves. I walked down the stairs and walked out the door as I slipped my coin purse into my habit pocket as I mounted my dark black stallion.

"Did the letter make it to the Hamilton home?" I said as I handed him a thick envelope for Angelic.

"Yes ma'am." He said as I smiled at him.

"Then get inside quick. I don't want your mama getting worried about you getting ill." I said as he nodded and I nudged Coal to move. He took off into a slow trot as the snow started to fall down. I made it to the village and slowed Coal down as I stopped him at the clock tower as I saw a figure run towards the tower in my normal spot. I dismounted off of Coal and grabbed his reins and peeked around the corner and saw a dark figure waiting.

"Philip?" I asked quietly as the figure walked out and revealed Hemmings. I took a struggled breath as I tried to turn away but he grabbed my elbow and yanked me back as Coal started to panic.

"Easy boy." Hemming said soothing to the horse as I dropped the reins and tried to push him away from me.

"Let me go Hemming!" I demanded as I hit him in the chest as he covered my mouth and shoved me against the clock tower.

"Little whore still up to her little tricks. Why are you looking for Hamilton?!" Hemmings said whispering into my ear as I finally slapped him away from me.

"Stay away from me!" I yelled, He held his cheek and glared at me as he raised his hand and slapped me to the ground as I heard someone running up to us.

"Theo!?" Philp said as he rushed over to me to help me stand up.

"Hamilton, why am I not shocked." Hemmings said as Philip whirled around with such a fury as he pinned Hemming's against the clock tower as Hemmings struggled to fight against him.

"Let me get this through that thick skull of yours Hemmings! Stay the hell away from Theo. Or you will have lead in there instead." Philip said as he spat at Hemmings.

"Philp, I'm okay… Let him go…" I said pulling him off of Hemmings. Hemmings glared at me and then took off.

"Your cheek!" Philip exclaimed as I felt my cheek and winced.

"Your father is going kill me." Philip said as I shook my head.

"It's alright, Thank you for meeting with me." I said nervously.

"Why did you want to talk?" He asked as I laughed at a curl falling into his face. I moved it behind his ear as I felt myself inappropriately close to him.

"I wanted to ask you the same thing. Yesterday afternoon when we meet. You never told me the real reason." I said as he looked down at me with his light brown eyes bore into my dark brown and I nervously pushed my light brown ringlets behind my ear.

"You want me to be honest?" Philip asked as I nodded.

"Well… I can't tell you right now… We are in the public eye…" Philip whispered as I took a step back.

"My apologies for being so forward…" I said quietly as he gave me a small smile.

"It's alright, what are you doing in the city unaccompanied?" Philip asked protectively as I put my hands up.

"I was going to the apothecary set some medicine and I sent a letter to your sister with a note inside for you… I thought it was you instead of that bastard." I said as he examined my cheek.

"Your father is going to have a fit then kill me." Philip said as I shook my head.

"It's alright, I'll just say I hit a branch." I said as he nodded as we stood in content silence, as it was cut short by the bell tower ringing. I jumped slightly as I realized the time.

"Oh no!" I said as I hurried back to the nervous Coal.

"What's wrong Theo?" Philip asked as I mounted Coal.

"I need to hurry home. I promised to meet your sister at my home at late noon." I said as I started to nudge Coal to move.

"Theo?" Philip asked as I turned my head back to face him.

"Yes?" I asked as he smiled at me.

"At the Christmas ball. Would you save me a dance?" He asked as I giggled and flushed bright red in the white snow.

"Only if you do the same for me." I said as I started ride away from him to the apothecary. I dismounted and walked in. I brought some medicine for Sarah and hurried outside to the general store to buy a bag of Christmas candy and a bag of white powder sugar. I paid for it hurried out as the snow started to come down thick. I got on as the snow started to blind me as I rode home. I finally made it home and rode into the stable.

"Ma'am!? You need to get inside. You will catch a cold!" Emanuel said as he helped me down.

"Is Angelica Hamilton here?" I asked shivering as he nodded.

"Yes ma'am… My ma let her inside." He said as he took the reins of Coal. I hurried inside with the medicine and the candies in hand. "Mandy?" I called out as she hurried out of the kitchen.

"Miss Theodosia. Thank the Lord that you are back. This is the worst storm I have seen since Sara was born." Mandy said as she took my cape.

"Is Angelica here?" I asked Angelica walked out of the drawing room.

"I'm right here. Thank goodness you are okay." Angelica said as I smiled at her and she saw my cheek.

"Mandy, here is the medicine for Sarah. I will be right back." I said handing her the bag of herbs to her.

"Thank you miss. You are an angel from heaven." Mandy said curtsying as I smiled at her and I turned to go upstairs as Angelica followed me upstairs.

"What happened to your cheek?" Angelica asked as I walked into my bedroom.

"Nothing, I hit a branch." I said as I took off my riding habit and gloves.

"A branch left finger marks? Hemmings attacked you again didn't he!?" Angelica exclaimed as I shushed her.

"It's fine. I took care of it…" I said as I slide out of my riding skirt off and into a warm wool skirt and bodice as Angelica tied it.

"What happened? Why did you send a note for my brother?" She asked as I turned to her.

"I needed to talk to him in private. Angie I beg of you, please don't tell your Mama and Papa, and especially my Papa." I said as her mouth dropped and she nodded.

"Let's get going. We have pastries to cook." I said as we walked down to the kitchen. "The Christmas Ball is in a few days' time. We need to hurry and get them baked." I said avoiding her questions.

"You know your father is going to have a fit about your cheek." Angelica said as I nodded.

"That is what make-up is for." I said as we started to roll out our dough quietly as my Papa walked in.

"Theodosia?" Papa called out as I looked up and throw some spare powder sugar onto my bruising cheek as Papa walked in.

"Oh, I apologize Miss Hamilton. I must have forgotten that you were here." Papa said as Angelica pulled out a tray from the fire.

"It's alright sir." She said as Papa walked in. Angelica put the cakes onto the counter next to me as I finished icing the last batch.

"Well if you would excuse me. I need to go home now. I will see you soon Theo. Mister. Burr." Angie said curtsying and then hurrying out. I went back to work on the cakes as Mandy walked out.

"Mandy how is Sara feeling." I asked as she looked down.

"The medicine stopped the coughing but her fever has yet to go down." She said as I nodded.

"Well tonight I will make dinner." I said as she looked at me and shook her head.

"No miss, It's alright. I will, she needs to rest." Mandy said as I nodded. I started to clean up the mess I made with my pastries as Mandy started the fire.

"I will be in my study." Papa said as he kissed my bruised cheek as I barely winced. I hurried upstairs as I pulled out my new Christmas dress and smoothed out the deep, dark green velvet. I heard a knock on my door as Emanuel walked in and gave a small bow.

"Supper is done ma'am." He said as I smiled at the young boy and nodded.

"Thank you Manuel." I said as he bowed and hurried out of my room. I hurried down the stairs to the supper table. I sat next to Papa as we said grace together as I started to eat some of my soup. "May I be excused?" I asked as Papa nodded.

"Yes, but Theodosia?" Papa said as I got up. "Good night my dear." Papa said as I kissed his cheek and then hurried to my room.

I walked into the banquet hall with my Papa as I brushed the velvet wrinkles and parted from him as I saw Angie flirting with some boy. "Your brother is actually letting you talk to a boy? Did you spike his drink?" I asked breaking out into giggles as the band started to play louder.

"No, I sorta snuck away from him when he saw you walk into the room. I swear you could hear his heart go boom. Gave me the perfect opportunity to sneak off." She said nudging me as I saw Philip.

"Angie there you are. Miss Burr." Philip said bowing as I smiled at him.

"Master Hamilton." I said curtsied to him as Angelica started to laugh as I nudged her to be quiet.

"Would you care for a dance Miss Theodosia?" Philip asked extending his hand as I smiled at him and took it.

"Of course." I said as he led me to the dance floor and we started to dance along to the band. I laughed as we enjoyed our dance. The song ended as I heard my father.

"I need to…" I said I took a step back while his hands were still settled on my waist.

"Oh." He said as he realized that and took them off. I hurried over to my Papa as he crossed his arms. "What is it Papa? Is something the matter?" I asked confused as he glared at Philip then looked at me with a softer glance.

"That boy is too close to you. I don't like it." He said as I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Papa he and I were only dancing it was nothing I promise." I said as he took a deep breath as Mr. Hamilton walked up behind him.

"Happy holidays Senator Burr." He said bitterly as I looked at Papa surprised.

"Papa you're a senator now?" I asked surprised as he nodded.

"Hamilton, thank you for ruining the surprise." Papa said bitterly as he turned to face Philip father.

"Burr? Since when are you a Democratic-Republican?" Mr. Hamilton asked even more bitter then before as I took a step back.

"Since being one put me on the up and up again." Papa said smirking as I heard Angelica calling me. I turned around to leave our two fathers arguing.

"No one knows who you are or what you do." Mr. Hamilton retorted as I heard Papa chuckle sarcastically as Angelica and I watched.

"They don't need to know me, But, they don't like you." Papa said as I sighed.

"Oh no…" I said with Angelica. "Excuse me?" Mr. Hamilton asked irate as Mrs. Hamilton walked over to them and stood in front of her husband.

"Alexander this is not the time or place to discuss politics. You should have this discussion at another time." She said sternly as Mr. Hamilton looked down and nodded.

"My husband apologizes Senator Burr." Mrs. Hamilton said as Philip stood behind us.

"It is alright Eliza. Before our Christmas turns even worst. Come along Theodosia." Papa said fixing his jacket and then walking out. I brushed off my skirt and looked at Mrs. Hamilton sadly.

"I'm sorry." I mouthed as she shook her head. I followed behind my Papa and retrieved my muffler as Papa helped me put on my cloak. I felt a parchment in my muffler and smiled slightly as we walked outside into the snow.

"That arrogant bastard! Ruins my holiday and argues with me in front of my child! Stay away from his son, that boy is just like his father." Papa started to rant as I sat in silence as he looked at me.

"I am sorry that I ruined your holiday dance Theo. I know how much Christmas meant to you." Papa said guilty as I looked down.

"It's alright Papa." I said as he patted my arm.

"I do have a present for you though when we arrived. It arrived yesterday from England." Papa said as I looked at him curiously.

"What is it?" I asked as we arrived home. He helped me outside as I walked in and heard barking. A small tan colored dog with floppy ears ran up to me as I laughed and knelt down to pet the puppy.

"There is your present." Papa said behind me as I picked the puppy up gently as he playfully bit my fingers.

"He is precious. Thank you Papa." I said as I kissed his cheek and set the puppy on the ground. He ran to the kitchen yapping happily as Papa smiled at me.

"I thought he would make some company for you while I am in all my meetings being Senator now." Papa said as I kissed his cheek.

"I am going to retire for the night. Good night Papa." I sais as I started to walk up the stairs. My new dog followed behind me and followed me right into my room as I put my muffler on the bed and took the paper out. I unfold the paper as I scanned it.

"Deep dark velvet hugs your silhouette. Black silk stockings. Theodosia you are my Juliet. Soft brown hair, mischievous eyes. Cool me down darling. Before I jump into your thighs.

-P. Hamilton."

I flushed bright red as I held the letter to my chest. I folded it up and put it with the other letters and started to undress. I put on my dressing gown and undid the ribbons in my hair. I took of my locket and went to my writing desk and pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment and a quill.

"Master Hamilton,

Your writing has me blushing the brightest of reds. If my father were to see that note he would say that you are a scoundrel and would take his pistol to your door step to shot you. If you call me your Juliet. Then you be my Romeo? If I were your Juliet, then… My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. In the words of our dear Shakespeare. I wish I could see you again soon but given that your father and mine nearly killed each other tonight. We must only write to each other for now. Till the spring at least.

For yours to cherish

T. Burr"

I put my quill down and let the ink dry as I rolled it up and tied it with one of my old hair ribbons. I blew out my candles and hurried to sleep as my new pup cuddled next to me for warmth.