THE COLONIES ~ 2 ~ THE MARKET SQUARE

Mother had warned against this frequent trips into the market as the feared the revolt growing in the colonies could spread here and threaten our safety. As the daughter of a duke, my family's connection to the crown could serve as leverage to send a message to the united kingdom of England. But despite the various warnings I received, Ali and I could not be restrained from visiting the market.

On this particular occasion we were joined by Miss Spencer Hastings, a dear old friend we knew from finishing school. Her older sister Melissa had recently become betrothed to Sir Ian Thomas of London. Sine the engagement, Spencer was more than eager to leave the house and with it the misadventures of planning on wedding.

Myself, I am enamored with weddings and the meticulous detail that goes into them. Of course, it's much easier to do so when one is planning her own wedding to the man who has had her heart for over a decade. Not all young women are as lucky as I.

Anyhow, the instance of which I refer to, took place mid morning on the Lord's day. Ali and I were wearing our intricately beaded gowns which we had conveniently forgotten to change out of after the morning's service. Spencer followed closely behind us as we scoured the aisles of merchandise brought ashore by fishermen and sea merchants.

"This girdle is cutting off my air supply," I told the girls as I tugged at the laces snaking up the back of my gown.

"It's a corset," Spencer replied showing off the skills she had learned from our governess.

"Spencer," I reminded her, "be aware that a gentleman is not fond of a woman who admits she knows more than him."

"I'll be sure to remember that," Spencer smirked.

"Han!" Ali grabbed my arm and pointed across the way. "Is that him?"

"'tis," I smiled.

My eyes lingered on the man leaning against a post at the other end of the port. His leg was kicked up against the rotten stump of a tree. His blond locks lay delicately around his heart was caught in my throat as I gazed at his majestic silhouette.

"Who claims your attention?" Spencer asked.

"Are you daft?" Ali nudged her. "That is Clay Rivers. Her betrothed."

"My apologies," Spencer replied. "I have not had the time to reacquaint myself with the tawdry chatter in town."

"This is not idle hearsay," Ali retorted. "He's marrying our Hanna. This should be of relevance to us, to everyone in Sussex."

"Enough," I interrupted as their incessant rambling was making it more difficult for me to concentrate on the dapper picture of elegance that stood but twenty feet yonder.

"He's handsome?" Spencer chimed in.

"Of course," I told her. "He's to be my husband."

"If only he had a brother," Ali swooned.

"That he does," I said. "He's but only six."

"You need not remind me," she smiled.

Clay turned and smiled at me with a mischievous smirk sending a shiver up my spine.

"He's quite dreamy," came a deep voice from behind me.

I turned instantly and found myself facing a greasy dark haired man. His general's uniform was dirty and tattered and there was a bloody gash above his temple.

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"The entire square can see you're staring at him," the man replied. "

"And what of it?" I retorted. "We're to be married."

He let out a scoff.

"You best keep quiet," Ali warned him. "You know not...

"Damn!" our new acquaintance swore under his breath.

He crouched down and tucked himself in between my skirts. Despite my kicking and fidgeting he managed to wedge himself between my legs and out of sight.

"What do you think you're doing?" I shouted indignantly.

"Quiet," he snapped.

"Sir," Ali began kicking him. "This is atrocious behavior. Who do you-"

Ali was quickly brought to attention when a guard approached us. He scanned the surroundings and turned to Spencer.

"Have you seen this young man?" the guard held up a hand drawn sketch of the man hiding between my skirts.

"He's-" Spencer spoke up but instantly shut her mouth when a hand reached out holding a knife to her calf.

"I've not seen him," Spencer said quickly retracting her initial thought.

"As you were," the guard smiled carrying on his way.

"What are you thinking?" I yelled at the man.

"I'll keep you ladies in high regard," he smiled. "Thank you for the gesture of kindness."

"This was not-" I protested but he had already disappeared into the crowd.

"Who was that?" Ali asked.

Spencer pointed across the market square where the fugitive was walking alongside Sir Rivers and Sir Clay.

"Something tell me," Spencer said, "he's the bastard brother of your future husband."

"No," I breathed throwing my head back.

This was certainly not part of my plan.