My apologies everyone for the late release! My device froze and I had to restart the entire device (and yes... that meant deleting my chapter). So, here it is. Not exactly like draft 1 but, very similar. I want to thank Lisa Cooper for supporting me from the very start! You are great! THANK YOU! Thank you all for the reviews or PMs! I value them all! So, please continue to do so! Now on with the story. :)

Mr. Merriman POV

It was just before sunrise when I awoke. I pulled on my everyday clothes and quietly slipped out of the room leaving my wife to have some more sleep. I walked out of the hallway and into the kitchen. After saying a few "Good mornings!" to the servants I climbed the stairs to the upstairs level. Do I want to check on Felicity after last night? I might have been a bit hard her. Maybe she needs some quiet time- Martha sometimes does. I stopped walking. Her room was the next door. I continued walking and stopped again. No, she's probably sleeping. Well, if that is the case I won't bother her if I just peak my head in. I took another step and turned to Felicity's bedroom entrance. I would have probably shaken my head and waited till breakfast however; at the sight of her door being open I looked inside. "Felicity?" I called out.

Her curtains on her bed were pulled back revealing an empty bed. I repeated Felicity's name glancing around the room. Her pink dress that would be worn today was not draped on the chair like it normally was in this hour. I made my way to her window and looked out. Her window gave a lovely view on the side of the house and angling my head I saw the stable. The stable door was open again and moving with the crisp morning breeze.

I exited her room and darted down the hallway to the stairs. I took the stairs two at a time despite the steepness of them. I glanced both ways before sprinting down the hallway to the back door when Ben stepped out of the guest room. I stopped my run and asked, "Good Morning Ben! Have you seen Felicity this morning?"
He seemed offended almost, "No, I just woke up. May I ask why?"
I shook my head, "Oh! I um, it's not- nothing. I'll tell you if I find her. I don't think the rest of the house is up yet. Good morning again!" I just gave it away. And why didn't I tell him right away? Yes, because I wanted to find her and talk to her myself.
He responded with a "Of course, good morning again. I'll be as quiet as a ghost."
I smiled in response and continued down the hall. I reached the back door and opened it slowly so it wouldn't creak. I ran across to the barn avoiding the puddles left from the other day. My eyes focused on the door way and when I made it inside I walked quickly to Penny's stall. It was empty.

Why Felicity? The damp weather and the slippery grass wouldn't be ideal weather for riding. Not to mention your ankle! Why? I pushed the chiding thoughts out of my mind and focused on where she could be with Penny but, the question that prodded my mind was the word: WHY? I shook my head and decided to answer it. I knew why. It was because of last night, no doubt. After Martha and I overheard the confessions of young love we had escaped back to our room stifling the urge to turn back around and break up the couple.

After a few minutes that seemed like hours we did make our way back down the hall talking and laughing loudly. We probably sounded like a couple of idiots because of our random talk and absent minded laughter. We entered the room to find Felicity sewing her sampler and Ben talking about the kindness of the people who lodged him as he was making his way to Williamsburg.

As soon as the conversation ended Martha said, "Oh! I'm sorry if we are interrupting." She nudged me secretly and I took it as my cue to talk.
"Yes, we just wanted to sit down. Do you mind?"
Felicity looked down at her sampler to fix the thread before answering, "Not at all."
We had sat down and the talk continued lighthearted and carefree. I was sitting next to Ben and across from Martha who was sitting next to Felicity. The hands on the grandfather clock seemed to take big leaps. We were all surprised when the clock chimed 8 o' clock.
Felicity expressed her surprise when she said, "My 8 o' clock already. Why time flies. I best be getting to bed since I had a bit of a long day."
I offered to see her to her room in case her ankle decided not to support her. She had accepted and after she exchanged pleasant good nights we had left. Martha most likely showed Ben to his room.

What possessed me I didn't know but I started talking about John. She seemed to listen politely as I went on and on. Finally we stood inside her room and she sat on the edge of her bed. She asked, "Is there something else I should know about him?" She wasn't being flippant; at least her voice didn't betray that tone...
I swallowed once and shuffled my feet. "Well there is. John asked me something the other day."
She sat with her green eyes glowing with something I couldn't describe. It was almost like a 'What does he want now' and 'I'm tired' look. "And what was it?" She asked.
I answered, "John asked if he could have my permission to court you."
Her eyes betrayed every emotion that flashed through her soul yet she spoke with a steady solid voice, "And what did you tell him, Father?"
I sat down next to her and replied, "You see I observed you two as you ran errands and chatted in the store. I thought you might be interested in-"
She had cut me off there. "I'm not interested in John, Father. Do I have to tell him when he asks me to court him or will you?"
I had honestly thought they had feelings for each other masked under the pretense of friends. "I did give my permission. He was unlike any other of the lads that have come to ask for you hand. But, perhaps I can tell him I changed my mind."
Felicity shook her head and let out a sigh, "I'm sorry if I let on like this but, I don't fancy John in the least bit. I'll make that clear when he asks me."
I swallowed the spit that had been forming for the last minute and asked, "Is there someone who you might prefer over John?"
Felicity had flushed and shook her head. I raised my eyebrow and then added, "If that is the case why don't you accept John's offer. He is a nice gentleman." John was literally begging me to allow him to court her...
"Father!" Instantly as she said this my mind circled back to the confessions of youthful love an hour ago.
"I'm sorry. Good night my dear girl," I said and retreated out of the room. As I shut the door I heard her mutter something that she meant me to partially hear.

I had stood frozen in the hallway for half a minute and reprimanded myself. I didn't want to tell her about the courtship that night. It wasn't the right night. Yet, something seemed to compel me after overhearing Ben and Felicity's conversation. After all, John was going to ask her out himself...

Creak, Creak, Creak. The barn door swung in the breeze of the morning snapping me to reality. I had answered the question in my mind and now my eyes darted here and there looking for some obvious clue where Penny and Felicity went. Felicity... Concerned for her ankle and the conditions of the day I mounted my horse, Lightening, and rode back to the house. I ran inside and alerted the nearest person I could find that I was going to find Felicity. In my haste, I believe I didn't even think I told him to spread the news to the household.

I shook off the slight urge to return to clarify and rode off into our pastures.

Felicity POV

I had to get out… again. That was that. I had gotten dressed and downstairs without my ankle being too much of a problem. Today Penny was just Penny. Loyal, kind, and my good friend. It was up and seemed eager to be ridden when I had entered the stable. Slipping on the bridle and saddle I still didn't have a concrete plan of where I was going to go. I led Penny out of her stall and made sure she stood still. I put my right foot into the stirrup and pulled myself up.

I gave my horse a pat and it took it as her cue to start walking. We started out of the back door and walked across the yard to the pastures. The morning breeze had a light chill to it but it was a beautiful day. Colors of red, orange, and yellow swirled around the flaming ball of sun as it crept above the horizon.

As I inhaled the cool air I tried to clear my mind by focusing on the beauty of the green, wet nature around me. When it didn't help I started to speak to Penny. "Yesterday, Father told me I was to be courted by John." Penny just flicked her tail. "John is a nice fellow. Better looking than most, has manners, and is taking up a notable trade. I like him, Penny. I really do but, as a friend." At this Penny neighed softly. I continued, "He was a new face to brighten up my world that is touched by so much war drama. I guess I released my stress at Father's store and in doing so... Oh! I probably showed too much of an interest in Father's newest apprentice."

Penny dipped its head and snorted. I looked about for a wandering rabbit or fox but saw none. I continued in a joking voice, "Tired of me already?" Penny shook its head and I had to laugh. "Good, I guess I saw John too much. He stays at my best friend's house since he is her cousin and my Father's store. I don't think I flirted with him though." I shook my head to clear the image of Annabelle fussing over Ben, "At least I didn't go to those extremes."

Birds started to start piping their various songs of joy about us. We were in an open field and I let Penny trot happily around the field for a while. I didn't know exactly where we were but neither did I care. Long grass brushed against my feet as we continued to make our way through the field.

"Well, Penny. I should just tell Father Ben and I are in love. I mean I think I am. What does love feel like? Elizabeth says her heart beats thrice as fast when he is around and butterflies are released in her stomach. I feel a deep longing and quiet passion burn inside me when I'm by Ben. Must be the same. Perhaps Ms. Manderly has something to say." I pulled on the reins and sat upright. "Ms. Manderly!" I shouted out, "I have lessons today." The sun already shot its golden beans around the world and the earth seemed to come alive with birds and an occasional creature. I have still some time to get back. Penny pawed the ground and I kicked her sides hard enough to urge her into a trot.

Boom! Bang! Boom! The orchestra of nature was interrupted by target practicing in the near distance. Penny was normally great with these sounds; however, this time she reared a little bit and broke off into a gallop. I tried to rein in Penny but she continued to fly toward the nearest patch of trees. I pressed myself closer to Penny's side as we brushed past some trees. My hands intertwined with her mane trying to slow her pace. "Easy Penny, Easy my precious girl," I whispered in her ear.

Bang! The sound sounds close. I lifted my head and saw the forest ending and what looked like open pasture. "Easy girl," I said. Bang! Bang! Bang! My headshot upward and my eyes and ears seemed to pick up everything in slow motion. As we broke out of the last cluster of trees I saw a patriot flag waving. Below those red and white stripes were a group of twenty men all with guns. A man barked out to the front line, "Stand ready!... Prepare!" They all lifted their muskets to their right shoulder. No! no! No! Penny closed the distance between the trees and the rope fence in three strides. Penny neighed as she lifted her legs to jump over. The man yelled, "Stop! Stop!" Shutting my eyes I clung to Penny's neck.

Bang! A stray fire? Dear Lord, protect us! Penny landed in the middle of the area and stumbled. Her right front hoof must have gotten nicked... Suddenly I was lurched over Penny's head. And all went black.

I felt the wet grass beneath by back and muddled figures bent over me. The closest by my face was the most distinct. Brown hair, green eyes, and concern etched over his brow. I whispered, "Ben?" And everything went black.