Super sorry everyone for taking my time with this story! The Forth of July kept me busy then other summer camps so Sorry!
I spent the rest of the morning at Elisabeth's house. Somehow Mother slipped my sampler bag into the basket and upon sight of it Elisabeth suggested that we sew. While she went to retrieve her sampler I stared at the sampler before my eyes. There was light lines on it and after turning it this way then that I realized that it was a flag. Only the white stripes and pole were stitched in and with a sudden feeling of dread I examined the stitches. The stitches were angled in such a way, I never recalled seeing before.
Elisabeth was a dear though and helped me replicating the stitches. It took so long to remember to put the needle into the right hole from the bottom left hole before sticking it back into the bottom left. We refreshed ourselves with tea after the slightly tedious lesson. It was over tea that Elisabeth told me that she was considering pulling from Ms. Mannerly's classes. Elisabeth is already quite the lady and I see her wisdom in this matter- still lessons wouldn't be the same.
After we had tea I left and walked back through the town. On the edge of town I spotted my Mother leaving with Nan in tow. I waited until the door was closed and Mother and Nan were on the street before I walked up to them.
"Hello!" I called out to Mother and Nan.
They turned and Nan gasped, "Lissie! Your bonnet!"
I put it on to avoid any other comments saying, "Oh, I just left the Cole's house and being so busy saying farewell I forgot to put it on."
Mother responded with a slight raise of her left eyebrow before saying, "Just be sure to keepon." She paused, "We still have one more stop- the Carpenters. Will you join us?" Mother didn't wait for my response but plowed on, "Williamina is a year younger than you but you have become friends. You met at the Winter ball and if you talk to her just talk about the Spring Party. And Charlotte is Nan's age and she most likely will talk off Nan's ears more than yours."
Even though my Mother asked me if I wanted me it was clear. I was going. Nan slowed her step to match mine and whispered, "The Spring Party is at... and you have been there before. Just chatter about her dress she will be wearing, the food- no don't, the dancing, and of course who might come. She isn't courting yet."
I smiled in response and half appreciated her wisdom. Upon catching my Mother's gaze I added, "Thank you, Nan."
We turned down a dirt road and all too soon we approached the Carpenter's house. Their house was an averaged sized house with a red hue to it. A picket gate surrounded the house and garden and I pushed it open with little difficulty. Nan knocked twice and I was just feeling relieved when it swung open to reveal a middle aged lady.
"Mrs. Carpenter!" Mother exclaimed
"Mrs. Merriman!" Mrs. Carpenter replied with a high pitched voice. They hugged for a brief moment before she smiled at us and said, "Nan, Felicity how nice to see you again. Won't you come in?"
"Of course," Mother said lifting her basket of goods, "We brought a little something for you."
Mrs. Carpenter smiled a genuine smile saying, "You are too good, my dear." I saw a slight pain expression pass over her face for a moment then she said, "Felicity, Nan Williamina and Charlotte are inside. They would love to see you."
As we were led into the parlor I wracked my brain for a Williamina and found none. I shut my eyes willing myself to say the right words. I heard some voices upstairs before they slowly went down the stairs. My eyes immediately latched onto the taller girl- the one in assumed to be Williamina. If I did meet her at a ball she must have been shy or we were forced together but found common ground when discussing war or horses. Either case I noted her brown hair and long legs. Her eyes were shifted downward and a light blush of possibly embarrassment colored her cheeks. The only cause I could think of for this was her dress. Her dress was at least three or four inches above her ankles and a bit tight around her waist. I put a light smile on my face and rose when they entered.
The girls sat down across from us and Mother and Mrs. Carpenter sat on the other side of the room. Charlotte was the first to break the spell of silence that rested on our side of the room. "How are you doing Nan? Felicity?"
Nan sweetly said, "Fine thank you. How are you?"
Charlotte responded, "Why, very well. You will never guess! I was invited to the Spring Party."
"Me too!" exclaimed Nan and small squeals of excitement arose from them and they received a look from across the room. They moved to one couch a few feet away and continued their happy chat.
"Hello Felicity. How are you?" Williamina said.
"Fine thank you. How have the past few weeks been for you?" I asked. All of a sudden Nan said Spring Party a bit more louder and I got the clue.
Williamina glanced Nan's way before replying, "It is going as well as expected."
Something seemed off so I took up Nan's suggestion, "Are you coming to the Spring Party too?"
"Why yes," she paused, "It's only two weeks away, aren't you excited?"
"Quite excited. Do you have a escort yet?" I asked.
"Why no," her eyes dropped downward again. "But perhaps soon I will," she added with a smile, "Have you?"
"Yes. I-" I started to respond
"Who?" asked Williamina a bit too eagerly.
"John Cole- Elisabeth's cousin. Have you met him before?" I asked.
"Nay, do you fancy him?" Williamina asked.
"I can't quite say. He makes me smile and he is rather handsome. I'll be sure to introduce you to him at the party." I replied with a slight blush, "Now who is this possible escort?" My mind wandered when she stared talking. Once she started talking about something she found interesting she didn't stop. I heard over Williamina's chatter about George Forbes Nan say, "Yes, I will GO with you."
I glanced at Nan and she cast a warning look in my direction as she stood up and followed Charlotte out of the room.
I snapped my attention back to Williamina as she asked, "Don't you agree?"
"Pardon?" I asked wishing I paid more attention.
"Don't you agree that they shouldn't be so close to us? I mean we don't have that many horses but the gun shots to frighten them horribly." Williamina explained.
"Poor horses," I muttered still trying to catch up.
"Yes, the militia is rather close to our house..." Williamina said.
"How is your Father?" I asked and silence swept over the room. My throat got dry quickly and when I blinked I saw Nan's scowling face. I gulped and said, "Never mind."
Williamina smiled slightly and said, "It's fine. But he's gone."
My heart sunk, "Sorry, I forgot." I internally scolded myself for as Mother tried to continue talking to Ms. Carpenter.
"Tis fine. It's been a year now. The militia camp reminds me of him though," Williama explained with a confused expression.
"Right, well," I lapsed into silence and I caught my Mothers worried gaze. "Um..."
I was interrupted by giggles from the staircase and arm in arm two girls came down the stairs. Nan crinkled her brow when she noticed the silence. They joined us and I excused myself. Obviously something you aren't supposed to do in someone's house but my mind wasn't clear- at all.
I pushed the front door open and ran past the stable and through the tall grass. I didn't know what I was doing I just wanted to clear my head. Well- it was clear enough. I suppose I just wanted to straighten things out.
My mind felt like glue. Nothing moved through my brain and the same thoughts haunted me. The thoughts of embarrassing my family and me of being worthless after all this time bugged me the worse. Finally I sat down and buried my head in my arms and cried.
Bang! Boom!
My head jerked upward to see five blanks shoot through the sky followed by a smell of heavy smoke. I wiped my eyes hurriedly with my cotton sleeve before I jumped up. My eyes caught something white through the trees. My mind erased the fears instantly as I recalled Williama say something about a militia camp close by. I winced at the thought of her name and shut my eyes as if to block the feelings that could come back.
Shaking my head I thought,A bit of adventure always clears my mind. I'll just take a peek to see what they are doing.I took a step but felt that my skirt was stuck in between my legs. I gave it a good yank before striding to the tree line. I saw four rows of men clothed in patriotic garb and armed. A man stood to the side shouting out orders. The beat of the drums soon drowned him out and I noted his appearance. He was of average height but, very stocky. He had dishwater blonde hair that was pulled back into a thick ponytail. Dirt splattered most of his costume but, I did make out something shiny hanging from his pocket. A gold pocket watch.
As the soldiers lifted their guns to their shoulders it occurred to me I might be to close. Picking up my skirts I turned and ran looking over my shoulder. I was just turning my head when I ran into something. I felt myself on the ground. It couldn't by a tree... Not a soldier! My mind raced as I grasped the grass to pull myself up.
"Damn it," I heard from the person on the ground.
I sighed. Great a typical soldier. I plopped myself on my stomach and slowly rose trying to get a better view of the man.
Strangely the figure of the man face down was familiar. My eyes traced the outline of the man. His brown hair. Slightly wide shoulders. His back. My eyes skipped past what comes next and focused on his long legs. A groan followed from the man and it occurred it me that he might be hurt.
Hesitantly I made my way over and helped him roll over by tugging on his right shoulder. His green eyes opened and he muttered, "God, Felicity." He covered his mouth with his right hand and said, "Sorry." He wasn't apologizing for knocking me over but the language he used before.
My mouth twitched into a smile as I helped him up. "Ben?" I asked.
He nodded as he sat up. He fumbled with his pack as he said, "I'm sorry, my arm."
"Let me," I said motioning to the bottle in his hands. I pulled the cork and poured the desired amount. He took it in a gulp and I tried to keep my mind from wandering to the thought of how much he could drink at the taverns.
"Did you fall on it?" I asked while pushing the cork back in place.
"Yes," he simply answered.
Quietness lapsed over us and then we asked at the same time, "Why are you out here?"
We shared a chuckle before Ben looked me straight in the eyes and said, "As a man and a former soldier I deserve to be answered first."
"A man," I spouted out, "Really? And a solider-that might explain why you are out here but doesn't grant you permission to have your question answered first." I crossed my arms as I sank down on my knees.
"And so your suggesting?" He asked.
"Answer me first." I demanded my spirited side rising a bit.
"Fine. We took a walk the other day and we saw this camp and I wanted to check it out today." Ben said lying back down. His right hand propped his head up as he shot me a look of curiosity, "Your turn."
I sighed.
"This should be good," Ben said with a smile tugging on his face.
"How come I have a feeling that I told you not to come here?" I asked.
"I don't recall promising you anything. And if we did... I think we both broke it and so we are even." Ben said matter of factly."Now, tell me."
"I was visiting with the Carpenters..." I faded off while fighting the uncomfortable memories. I stared into the sky when I looked back down Ben was staring at me.
"Would you like to tell me what happened there?" He asked gently.
I shook my head and continued choosing my words carefully, "Its just my... memory. When I left there I went to the field to clear my brain. The gunshots captured my attention and... I went over to see. We should be getting back."
"To the Carpenters?" Ben asked sitting up.
Before I could reply I heard twigs cracking behind me. I glanced behind me to find a short man followed by a larger man. I scooted next to Ben and glanced at him. He looked calm.
The smaller one said, "Hello Romeo. Juliet," he added with a bow, "Wrong place for a picnic."
"Sorry Simon," Ben said, "We will be getting back." Ben stood up and offered me his free hand.
"You better Ben," Simon said. "Farewell Miss."
I nodded as I took Ben's hand still very confused. As soon as they disappeared into the tree line and we walked a few steps I stopped.
Turning to Ben I said, "You know them?"
"Yes," he said.
"How?" I asked.
"Not now," Ben said taking a step toward the center of the field.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Just because." He said.
"Please?" I said with more irritation than politeness.
"Fine. Jack (the tall one) and Simon (shorter one) found me and brought me in. I was questioned and then approved to the Patriot cause. And they asked to see me next week."
"Because?"
"Because Felicity. They might need my services."
"You're leaving again!" I said walking through the field.
Ben caught up in a few strides, "No promises, okay. They just said come back in a week and I said I would!"
I hiked my skirt higher and probably a bit too high to be proper. I caught Ben's eye shift downward and I shot him an accusing eye as I lowered the skirts an inch. I spun toward him and yelled, "Romeo and Juliet?"
"What?!" he said stopping.
"You didn't contradict it!" I said throwing my hands up.
"I wasn't thinking!" Ben said.
I pulled up my skirts and said, "You should!"
I took off again leaving a confused Ben in the middle of the field.
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