I walked into town with Angelica as we walked into a small shop. "He proposed to you?!" Angelica asked excited as I motioned her to be quiet.
"Yes he did." I said as I touched the ring on my necklace as we walked into a shop and looked around.
"But what your father? Does he know yet?" She asked as I shook my head.
"No and it kills me that I am lying to him about everything. But he is forcing me to court Eacker. That boar only wants money." I said as I looked at the fabric on display. I went to the newspaper stands and saw the front paper.
"The Reynolds Pamphlet~ " in bold lettering as I looked at it confused then lifted the paper up and read the writing. "The charge against me is a connection with one James Reynolds for purposes of improper pecuniary speculation. My real crime is an amorous connection with his wife for a considerable time, with his privity and connivance, if not originally brought on by a combination between the husband and wife with the design to extort money from me. After this I had frequent meetings with her, most of them at my own house; Mrs. Hamilton with her children being absent on a visit to her father." I read shocked as Angelica peeked over my shoulder.
"Have you read this?" I asked shocked as she shook her head and took the paper from me. I watched sadly as my closest friend's face fell with shock and anger. She started to shake as I took the paper from her. "Let's get you home." I said as I put my hand on her arm gently and lead her out. We walked out of the shop and saw people reading the paper, they pointed and whispered at Angelica and I as I hurried with her to her house. We walked up the step and walked inside as I heard crying from the parlor and the ripping of paper. We walked into the parlor and saw Angelica mother tearing paper to pieces as Angelica went to her mother side and comforted her. I stood in shock, as an older woman walked in with a cup of tea and sat on the other side of Mrs. Hamilton.
"Aunt Angelica, when did you get here?" Angie asked as her aunt gave Angie a small smile.
"A few moments ago." She said softly as she rubbed Mrs. Hamilton's back.
"Ange why don't we go to the sun room." I said trying to get her out of the room as I heard her father walk in. She got up and walked to her the sun room. I sat here down in one of the wicker chairs as words began to fly from inside.
"God, I hope you are satisfied!" Angelica's aunt yelled as I turned to face her. "How could he do this to Mama?" Angelica asked shocked as I sat next to here.
"I don't know Angie… He must have made a massive mistake." I said trying to comfort her.
"But why Theo? He loved my Mama. I've seen all of the letters they have sent to each other." Angie said close to tears as I hugged her.
"I don't know Ange." I said as I heard someone clear their throats. I let go of Angelica and saw Philip standing with his aunt.
"Philip? What is it?" Angie asked as Philip looked at her sadly.
"I take it you read the article?" Philip said as he knelt in front of his sister. I looked at her sadly as she nodded with tears welling in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Angie." I said softly as I got up and brushed off my skirt.
"Eacker beckon?" Angie asked giggling through her tears.
"Unfortunately yes." I said sadly as Philip looked up at his sister and then to me.
"Let me escort you home Miss. Theodosia." Philip said as I smiled at him.
"I will be fine Master Hamilton. I think it would be best for you to be here." I said as he got up.
"It's alright Theo. I'm fine." Angie said as Philip got up and smiled at me. I smiled back at him and touched my necklace as I saw him turn bright red.
"Philip?" His aunt said as I turned to face her.
"Yes Aunt Angelica?" He asked as I turned to face his Aunt.
"Keep her." She said as I flushed bright red and walked out as he followed after me. We walked out of the house through the back door and into the wooden area that gave us some privacy as he took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. I tried to pull away.
"Philip someone will see." I said softly.
"Let them. I don't want to hide the fact that I am in love with the most beautiful girl in all of America!" Philip shouted as I kissed him to shut him up.
"Shush! If my father or anyone sees us, then we are both doomed to hell." I said as he shook his head.
"You worry too much for one woman, Theo." Philip said as I bite my lip and put my hand on his chest and laughed.
"I have to." I said as he looked down at me and smirked.
"Come on let's get you home." Philip said we started to walk to the back fields of my home.
"Philip? Does your Aunt know that we are secretly engaged?" I asked as he nodded.
"Yeah… I sort of told her. She asked if I had my eye on someone and I told her everything." Philip said guilty as I kissed his cheek.
"Don't feel guilty. I told Mandy everything." I said as he looked at me shocked.
"What if she tells your father?" Philip said as I shook my head.
"Mandy has been with me since I was a child. Remember Mindy? Mandy is her daughter. She is like an older sister to me. She won't tell a soul." I said as he nodded.
"Alright." Philip said as I pecked his cheek. "
I will see you soon Master Hamilton." I said giving him a deep over dramatic curtsy as he chuckled.
"Goodbye for now Miss Burr." He said bowing as I smiled and walking to the front of the house and walked in.
"Miss Theodosia, so glad you can see you made it." Eacker said bitterly as I stiffened in anger at his voice.
"I am sorry for my tardiness Mister. Eacker. But I had some personal matters to attend to." I said as Sarah ran out from the kitchen and took my cloak.
"Thank you Sarah." I said as she gave me a toothy smile as she put my cloak up and Eacker and I walked into the parlor room and sat down. Mandy walked with a tray of tea and biscuits and poured a cup of tea for me.
"Thank you Mandy. Mister. Eacker, would you excuse me. I need to go check on something." I said as she smiled and started to pour Eacker some tea. I got up and walked out of the room. I went upstairs and took off my necklace with Philip's ring and heard yelling down stairs. I hurried out of my room and down the stairs.
"Damn you, you foolish bitch!" Eacker yelled as Mandy held the pot close to her chest, terrified.
"I-I am sorry s-sir." She stuttered out as Eacker raised his hand and slap her to the floor.
"Mister. Eacker!" I yelled as he froze and Mandy tried to pick up the piece of the now broken tea pot.
"Mandy, leave us please." I said softly as she nodded and hurried out of the room.
"How dare you, attack my maids. You are a guest in my house. Just because we are courting does not mean that I will not hesitant to kick you out." I said angered as he stood up.
"That bitch…" Eacker started to say as I put my hand up.
"If you ever refer to her by that term or any other. Then I will end this courtship here and now. Now see yourself Mister. Eacker." I said angered and glaring at him as he grabbed his coat and stormed out. I sighed angered and hurried to the kitchen where Samson was examining Mandy's cheek. "Mandy, I am so sorry." I said sadly as Manny ran in with his sister.
"Momma what happened to your cheek?" Sarah asked as Mandy looked at me and turned away.
"Emmanuel, I need you and your sister to run an errand for me." I said as they turned to face me.
"What is it Miss?" Emmanuel asked as I pulled the money pouch out of my cloak and gave each of them two dollars.
"Sarah, do you think you can go buy some flowers for me? I want to get Mrs. Hamilton something to help cheer her up." I asked as Sarah nodded her head excited.
"Yes miss!" She said excited as I handed Emmanuel two dollars also.
"Manuel, do you mind finding some hard candies? I am going to do baking and need some hard candies to top my small cakes." I said as he nodded. "Now hurry you two." I said as they hurried out of the room through the back door and closed the door. "What happened Mandy?" I asked as she closed her eyes.
"I got a spot of tea on Mister. Eacker's jacket Miss… He lost his temper when I tried to clean it up. He called me foolish bitch and then slapped me. I broke your mother's tea pot Miss. I am so sorry." Mandy said starting to ramble as I put my hand up to stop her.
"It's alright Mandy, it is not your fault. It is Eacker who broke the tea pot." I said as I walked to the bucket of cold water used to make tea and wet a cloth and handed it to her. "Now go and get some rest." I said as she nodded and got up. "Samson, take the broken piece to the silversmith and have him fix it?" I asked as he bowed.
"Of course miss." Samson said as he picked up the pieces and walked out. I pulled out a hunk of meat and started to make dinner as Papa walked in.
"Theodosia?" Papa called out as I looked up from the pot that I was cooking potatoes and meat in. "In the kitchen Papa." I said as I stirred the pot. He walked in and sighed.
"Mister. Eacker came by my office." Papa said as I looked at him.
"He did?" I asked as I stirred the meat and took it off the heat.
"Mandy?" Papa called out as Mandy walked out of her room.
"Yes sir?" Mandy asked as Papa shook his head.
"I am sorry to say this but you and your family are dismissed from your services." Papa said as Mandy's mouth dropped as I dropped the spoon.
"No." I said shocked as Mandy burst into tears as she fell to the floor.
"No please sir! This is the only home my children and I have ever known. Please sir, show some mercy?" Mandy said crying at Papa's feet as Papa kept a straight face. I hurried over to Mandy and helped her off the floor. I walked her into her backroom and set her down on the bed. "Please Miss. I have done no wrong. Please don't let him send me and my family away." Mandy said pleading with me as I nodded.
"I won't let that happen, Mandy. I swear that you are going to stay here." I said to her softly as she nodded. I walked out her room and closed the curtain that divided the two rooms and faced my Papa. "Why on earth is Mandy being sent away. Her family has done nothing to deserve this after they have served us so faithfully?" I said enraged as Papa put his hand up to stop me.
"Mister. Eacker said that she acted inappropriate with him and he caught her stealing sliver. He brought to me said sliver. She must be sent away Theodosia." Papa said as I shook my head.
"That woman has been serving me since I was a young child. Papa she has done nothing wrong. It was Eacker. That man is a horrible human! I refuse to marry such a beast!" I said upset.
"Mister. Eacker, has done nothing, Theodosia. You are going to have to like him because you are going to marry Mister. Eacker in three weeks." Papa said as I covered my mouth shocked.
"I won't do it!" I yelled as Papa's face grew in anger.
"You will! I am your father and you will obey me!" Papa yelled as I froze and ran past him to my room, sobbing. I fell onto my bed as I heard someone knock on my door.
"Go away." I said as I looked up from my bed. Figgie jumped onto my bed and licked my face as someone walked in.
"Theo, please look at me." Papa said softly as I shook my head. "I am not make Mandy and her family leave." Papa said as I looked up.
"They aren't leaving?" I asked as he nodded.
"I won't send them away. But you need to make peace with marrying Mister. Eacker." Papa said as I sighed.
"Please Papa. I don't love that man. I could never love that man." I said as Papa put his hand on my cheek.
"You will love him in time Theo." Papa said as he got up and left me alone with Figgie. I finally wiped my tears away and went to my writing desk. I pulled out my quill and my lavender colored ink. I wrote to Philip.
"The Shed, Midnight.
~Theo"
I wrapped in purple ribbon like normal and walked out of my room.
"Emmanuel?" I called out as Manny ran back into the room.
"Yes Miss?" He asked as I handed him the note.
"Take this to the Hamilton household, and give it to Philip Hamilton." I said as he nodded and hurried out of the house. I watched the sunset as I held my chest. I took the food off the stove and served me a portion. I started to eat in the dining room as Manny hurried back in.
"Master Hamilton received the letter Miss. Miss. Theodosia are you alright?" Manny asked as I nodded.
"Yes Manny, I am fine. Are the horses care for?" I asked as he nodded.
"Yes ma'am. Coal and Diamond are taken care of." Manny said as I smiled.
"Thank you, now go take the rest of the evening off." I said as he nodded.
"Yes ma'am." Manny said and went away as I heard the clock signal it was almost eight. I walked upstairs to my room and sat at my desk and started to read in the candle light. I heard my cloak strike at eleven thirty as I got up. I grabbed my ring and my cloak and hurried out of my room. I ran out of the house silently and went to the Shed as I saw the candle in the window. I walked in and saw Philip sitting at the small bench.
"Hi…" I said as he got up. "What is the matter?" He asked as I looked at him and clutched the necklace.
"Papa is making me… marry him…" I said as he shook his head. "Philip… I can't do this anymore…" I said as he looked at me confused.
"What do you mean Theo?" Philip asked as I took off my ring.
"This is the last time we can see each other like this." I said as tears welled in my eyes.
"No… Please Theo. Don't do this." Philip said as I took a deep breath and put the ring in his hand.
"I'm sorry Philip." I said as I kissed his cheek slowly and reluctantly pulled. I looked at him sadly and turned and walked out.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked as I turned to face him.
"I'm sorry Philip…" I said as I turned away and walked away from him with tears going down my face. I walked back to my house and latched the door quietly. I walked up to my room and undressed and slipped into my night gown as blew out my candle. I climbed into my bed and covered myself up as Figaro cuddled next to me. I closed my eyes in tears as I took a gasping breath and finally calmed down. I felt Figgie lick my tears away as I rubbed his ears. "Thank you, you silly thing." I said sleepily as I finally fell asleep.