Chapter 10

So at last the dilemma was settled. Obviously some miracle must have been involved, for without one, how could anyone have expected the plan devised by Edward Rutledge to go quite so smoothly? Never in his life (or at least the past twenty four hours) had Mr. Rutledge felt quite so exhilarated.

His chest ached from the corset and the multiple layers of petty coats weighed him down like an anchor. Yet somehow, none of it bothered him now. He was at last ready to return to his own lodgings and more importantly, his own appearance. His home was no more than a few buildings away from him.

Considering how unlikely it had been from the start that this day would go accordingly to his original plan, Mr. Rutledge could not help but feel a little pleased with himself. Surely had he not been quite so bold and brilliant about it, it would never have worked. He thought of what might have happened had he listened to the warnings of McNair the previous day. Surely Jefferson would have been quite upset, had he found out that Rutledge nearly caused Martha's demise. This could have led to Adams not giving him his veto. Yes, for this reason alone, all of what Mr. Rutledge had been put through was worthwhile. And, he thought, smiling to himself villainously, not a single person had seen through his disguise! How inexcusably ignorant of all of them. Yet, they would never find out; Mr. Rutledge was certain of this. But how he would take delight in the thought of him, the insignificant Southern dandy, making a common mockery (in his mind, at least) of supposedly the two sharpest minds in Congress: Adams and Franklin. Part of him wished that he could tell them, just to see how they might react. But a little common sense as well as a large measurement of vanity forbade him from doing so.

As Rutledge approached the gate leading to his lodgings, he glanced up to see two gentlemen walking towards him. The larger of the two was John Hancock and beside him was the ever-pensive Charles Thomson. Rutledge had thought that there were no more people he would have to fool with his disguise. Yet he was not the least bit timid. In fact, the way that the events of the day played out caused him to develop an even more pompous spirit. He actually wanted to run into the two gentlemen. It would be the perfect opportunity to give one final performance. He quickly approached, swaying his shoulders from side to side confidently.

"Mr. Thomson, I am well aware of General Washington's request…" Hancock grumbled, hardly even glancing up to see the fairly attractive young woman who was about to pass.

"Good day, gentleman!" Rutledge squealed in his raspy falsetto, as he approached the gate.

"Good day to you, Mr. Rutledge," Hancock murmured, giving him a slight bow. "Anyway, Thomson, as I was saying…"

Rutledge whipped his head towards Hancock, as though his words had struck him like a bolt of lightning.

It could not be… It was impossible…

Rutledge began to wheeze and then gasped for breath, clutching at his corset.

His disguise had been infallible! He told himself this almost every moment! And yet…

For some reason, Hancock hardly even broke his original train of thought. He continued walking with his companion, discussing congressional matters. Thomson, however, had been somewhat more observant. Thomson was not a man of words, unless of course he was reading a letter. But words were not necessary for him to convey exactly what he was thinking as he stared back at Mr. Rutledge. Even from several yards away, Rutledge could still see Thomson's eyebrows, furrowed in the most horrific manner.

After briefly considering the idea of chasing down the two gentlemen and forcing them to be sworn to secrecy, Rutledge decided perhaps it would be best to leave well enough alone. After all, he couldn't expect to go a whole day as a fair lady without someone discovering it.

As he opened the door, Rutledge let out a sigh of relief. At last this was finished. And now he had his uncontested veto. But what would he prepare to use it for? There was always the issue of self government in individual colonies… Or perhaps he would protect the colony's right to export and import goods to and from other countries… But perhaps there was a more important issue for which he would use his veto, though he doubted that any of the Congressional radicals would dare mention it. He had never even thought about it before, but it seemed more important than any other trifling matter he could worry about.

Perhaps he would use his uncontested veto to protect the colonial slave trade…

THE END