Edit from September 2018
I have gone back through these chapters and begun the slow process of rewriting and correcting. So if upon rereading you discover that things have changed or been removed then just know that it has all be done with my knowledge.
Hi Guys,
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As always, Happy Reading,
Sarah x
Trigger Warnings - M.A (High Mature Rating) Includes explicit content, graphic descriptions of violence and injury, implied and descriptive acts of both physical and sexual assault. Strong Language throughout and explicit descriptions of childbirth and miscarriage.
This story is NOT entirely historically accurate. Please check your facts before criticizing my work!
Chapter Summary -
Alexander and Eliza get formally introduced at a Ball, both knowing instantly that they were meant to be.
"Eliza, stop fussing" exclaimed Angelica.
"But it doesn't look right" mumbled Eliza.
She sighed in frustration and pulled the infernal piece of ribbon from her hair and sat down on the chair beside her.
"That's it I'm not going"
Angelica leant against the doorpost and sighed "let me fix it"
"I don't even know why I am going?" moaned Eliza slumping down on her vanity, resting her head on her arms
"You're going because there are going to be very important people at this ball, including soldiers, lots of soldiers" commented Angelica
"You mean lots of little boys playing dress-up" replied Eliza.
Angelica laughed "you will have to marry someday my darling"
Eliza lifted her head up "I'm 23 not dead"
"Even so, it is important that our country becomes settled, there are going to be plenty of rich and good looking bachelors at the ball, so us women must look our best," said Angelica walking to Eliza and plucking her hairbrush from the table.
"Well how am I going to marry if I can't even get my hair to look right!" exclaimed Eliza in frustration and flopped back down onto the vanity desk
"I don't see why you don't just leave your hair down Eliza," said Angelica
"Mama wouldn't approve" replied Eliza, it was slightly muffled as she had her mouth pressed against her arm.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, just this once," suggested Angelica.
"Fine" agreed, Eliza.
"Now sit up so I can fix this mess" ordered her sister, tapping her head lightly with her hairbrush
Within minutes Angelica had turned Eliza's mane of hair into a neatly parted style, pulling half of it back and tying it in place with the 'infernal' piece of ribbon.
"There" proclaimed Angelica "will that do your majesty?"
Eliza looked in the mirror and smiled "Yes and thank you"
"Now, I have secure knowledge that a certain Alexander will be attending the ball this evening" whispered Angelica.
Eliza's eyes shot to her sister's "Alexander Hamilton"
Angelica cocked an eyebrow "you do remember him?"
"How could I forget, that dinner was torture, he didn't stop staring at me for the whole evening" retorted Eliza.
"If I recall correctly you couldn't stop staring at him" teased Angelica.
"Stop it" whined Eliza "everyone knows he likes you"
Angelica laughed "He may like me but that doesn't mean that I like him, anyway Father has a match already lined up for me"
Eliza tilted her head
"Alexander is penniless," reminded Angelica. "He's a young soldier after all"
"So?"
"I won't marry a penniless man Eliza, I am the eldest daughter, I have to marry well," said Angelica.
"Then why are you telling me about Alexander?" asked Eliza. "Surely if he was so undesirable to you why would I care?"
"If I can't have him, it doesn't mean that you can't" urged Angelica
Eliza scoffed "he's a flirt"
"He's gorgeous and would suit you marvellously" commented Angelica.
Eliza blushed "do you really think so? He does like me?"
"Yes, and I will prove it to you later, after the dinner once the dancing and the real fun begins I will bring him over and properly introduce you" explained Angelica.
"Really?" smiled Eliza.
"Yes really!" exclaimed her sister.
"What would I do without you" sighed Eliza pulling her sister into a warm embrace
"You would die an old maid" retorted Angelica.
Eliza scoffed and laughed before breaking the hug
"Angie, Eliza!"
They both watched as Peggy swung around the door "Mama says if we want the carriage we have to leave in half an hour"
"Margarita Schuyler!" exclaimed Angelica "what are you wearing?"
Peggy looked down at herself perplexed.
"We are going to a state ball and you feel it's appropriate to have your chest out like that!"
"Angie, it's not that bad" protested Peggy.
"Look at yourself, we are going to a ball, not a brothel!" exclaimed Angelica.
Peggy gasped, obviously insulted by her eldest sisters remark.
"Go and put on that divine dark yellow dress you bought just yesterday" ordered Angelica
"But this my best dress, I do not want to wear the yellow!" whined Peggy.
"Nonsense, you look beautiful in it"
"You really look nice in the yellow Peggy" added Eliza, steering well clear of this sisterly drama.
Peggy groaned and stomped out the room.
"That girl is twenty-two and still acts like she is a child, God help and bless the man who falls for her, that's all I can say" exclaimed Angelica,
"Oh she's not that bad," said Eliza "you are too tough on her"
"Because Mama is not" concluded Angelica pressing a kiss against her sister's head.
"Now finish getting ready, one of us is going to get a man tonight if it's the last thing I do"
"Come on Alexander, there must be one girl in this room who is worth your attention" exclaimed Lafayette.
Alexander laughed "I'm afraid not"
"What about the delightful Schuyler sisters?" pointed Mulligan.
Alexander paused "that gentlemen is uncharted territory even for me"
"I bet you would like to chart some territory though wouldn't you Alexander" commented Laurens.
The group of men descended into laughter.
"That Angelica is very pleasing to the eye," said Laurens leaning into Hamilton.
Hamilton kissed his teeth "not really my type John"
"Monsieur Hamilton I wasn't aware you had a type" teased Lafayette.
Alexander laughed "surprisingly enough dear friend I do. Her sister Elizabeth, now that is territory I would very gladly charter"
"Why don't you court her?" asked Mulligan taking a gulp of wine
Alexander scoffed "I don't court"
"Well, then I fear your cause is lost. A woman like her will not give herself to you, you want her you must marry her" proclaimed Lafayette.
"Marrying is not really my style" sighed Alexander throwing back his cup of wine
"You should marry soon Alexander before his war really kicks off" urged Mulligan.
"Can we change the subject, you all sound like Washington" groaned Alexander.
"He's right Alexander" urged Laurens.
"It seems like such a task and a challenge to remain faithful to one woman! Lafayette, your wife is in France, how do you manage to not get distracted" said Alexander.
Lafayette smiled "Because when you find one woman who completes you, you find that other women become less to you. When your wife is perfection itself, why would you want to settle for anything less"
"How very poetic," said Mulligan rolling his eyes.
"Don't forget Hercules, he is French" commented Alexander.
Lafayette laughed, "I am married and you are but a single bachelor, my legacy is secure, when will you secure yours?"
"Don't hold your breath, Angelica Schuyler is heading this way" murmured Mulligan, "now is your chance, Alexander"
The group of men came to silence as Angelica arrived at their table.
"Forgive me gentlemen, but may a pull Alexander from your side for just a moment," she asked.
"As his legal guardian I have no problems" proclaimed Lafayette with a smile.
Alexander kicked Lafayette from under the table causing the whole party to laugh as Lafayette's wine flew off the table.
"Ah!" he exclaimed "I hadn't finished that!"
"Make sure to return him before 11 Miss Angelica, else he will miss his bedtime" teased Laurens.
"Go to hell," said, Alexander, as he took Angelica's arm
Once out of their hearing Alexander asked: "Where are you taking me?"
Angelica smiled "There is someone who you must meet"
Across the ballroom, Eliza sat nervously. She had been silently watching Alexander all night and now she watched as Angelica walked arm in arm with him, heading her way. She brushed a wayward curl away from her face and rose, keeping her head up, shoulders back to push her chest forward and smiled.
"Alexander Hamilton, may I present my younger sister Elizabeth Schuyler" smiled Angelica as she released him from her grasp.
"It's a pleasure to see you again," said Eliza calmly, inside her stomach was reeling. "I hope that you remember me?"
"Miss Elizabeth of course, we met at Washington's last state dinner did we not?" replied Alexander.
"Yes, we sat opposite each other" replied Eliza.
"I remember now" smiled Alexander.
"You are taking a great part in the revolution aren't you Alexander?" asked Angelica.
"Yes, I work alongside Washington" replied Alexander
"These times ahead will be uncertain, I must commend you for your bravery," said Eliza.
"You are most kind Madam," said Alexander pressing a gentle kiss against Eliza's hand
"I'll leave you to it" smiled Angelica and quickly left the pair alone.
"Would you care to dance Miss Elizabeth?" asked Alexander.
"I would be delighted" she replied.
The night seemed to extend forever and both Alexander and Eliza wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way.
They had danced and talked well into the morning and it was only when Angelica came looking in the gardens did she find the pair happily watching the sun rise over the city.
"Miss Angelica"
She spun as she saw a rather flustered Lafayette rush to her side
"Monsieur Lafayette, how may I help you?" she asked.
"I was wondering if by chance you had seen Alexander Hamilton?"
"He is enjoying the company of my sister in the gardens, would you accompany me to retrieve them? she asked.
"Of course Mademoiselle" he replied and tucked her arm under his.
"I never knew the city could look so beautiful in the sunlight" breathed Eliza.
"The city isn't the only thing that looks beautiful in the sun's rays" smiled Alexander.
Eliza took a moment to understand the meaning of what he said and blushed "you are too kind Sir"
"Miss Elizabeth, may I write to you?" asked Alexander taking her hand in his.
She looked up at him and smiled "I would like that very much but-" she stopped
"But?" asked Alexander.
"You must promise to not call me Miss Elizabeth anymore"
Alexander sighed deeply and then laughed. He was glad that he not caused any serious offence. "What shall I call you then?"
"Simple and plain Eliza will do" she replied.
"My dear Eliza," he said, gently brushing a curl behind her ear "there is nothing simple and plain about you"
Her breathing quickened as she saw him lean in and gently wrap one hand around her face. Every instinct told her to lean into him and mere millimetres away from their lips touching Eliza heard her sister call her name.
She pulled away and quickly replied "Coming Angelica"
Rising to her feet she dared to look at Alexander who shared the same look of disappointment and equal embarrassment.
"It has been a pleasure Alexander," she said quickly, her breath still fast.
"Likewise Eliza, I should hope to see you again soon" replied Alexander rising from the bench.
"Well goodbye" she smiled, curtsied and held out her hand.
"Goodbye Eliza, let it not be for long" smiled Alexander leaning down and pressing a firm kiss on her hand.
Eliza then hurried to her sister's side, bowed her head in recognition of Lafayette and quickly followed her sister back up the stone steps into the ballroom.
Lafayette sat down beside Alexander and shook his head and sighed, "Dear me, I never thought this day would come"
"What are you talking about?" asked Alexander.
"Alexander Hamilton is in love" proclaimed Lafayette.
"I am not" protested Alexander, but is lack of enthusiasm betrayed him
"If you are not in love then I am not a Frenchman" exclaimed Lafayette "it is utter nonsense trying to deny something that is written all over your face"
"She's even more beautiful than I remember" sighed Alexander rubbing his hands over his tired face.
"What about her personality? She doesn't seem to be just a pretty face?" observed Lafayette.
"More so" replied Alexander "she is everything I have ever wanted"
"Then for goodness sake, display true interest, visit her, ask her to join you for walks in the park, write to her Alexander" urged Lafayette "and do it before you go to war"