Revolution (Hamilton)

Red velvet

1777

The water below is clear and lovely. Though I did not like the idea of being on the sea, Alexander told me that he was once on a boat that caught fire. He is lucky he made it out alive and for that I thank whatever gods or god there is. I can only hope that this boat does not meet the same fate. Howe has been getting more and more handsy, but I've been able to avoid basket making as so to say. Instead opting distracting him with kissing and other options... ''Hi little lady'' Howe comes onto the deck, thankfully waking me from the disgusting memories I was reminiscing ''Hi your excellency'' I reply, giving him a little bow. He keeps on saying that I should call him William, but I can tell the title strokes his ego in a way that makes him blind to my actual intentions.

''William, please'' he replies a proud smirk around his lips. He told me about his wife, during an drunken rant. Apparently she is barren, which gives him one more reason to try and strum me. Even if the child would be a bastard, he would have someone to carry on his legacy in a way. ''Would you like to return to our chamber, little lady'' Howe asks, kissing my hand. ''Oh but I love to stare at the water so your excellency, couldn't we stay here and chat'' I plead, avoiding the attempts he will definitely make when we get inside. At least here there are some deck crew, so he won't do anything substantial. ''Al right, my little lady'' Howe sighs, taking my hand in his. We talk about nothings, until we see land in the distance. Finally we've been on this ship for 6 weeks, everyday I write a letter to all my friends in my mind. Not daring to actually put my quill down on the paper. ''Your excellency, look we can see Britain'' I enthustiastically say, pointing towards the thin line of land in far distance. ''Yes little lady'' he responds, smirking at my enthusiastic reaction.

''I must get my belongings together, see you soon my little lady'' he goodbyes, giving my cheek a kiss and walking off. I find myself staring at the water once again. The sun reflects perfectly on the waves, almost making it look like a glass suncatcher. The water shattering if someone was to dive in. The surface looks so beautiful, but we all know the water below it is treacherous and full of dangers. The tides and waves able to bring death upon someone in a matter of minutes or even seconds. If John were here he would probably try to fight the waves, charging into a battle that he cannot win, but he would try anyways. He seems to have no appreciation for his earthly life, Lafayette once told me he saw him try to defeat ten redcoats on his own. I miss his recklessness and gentleness and Alexanders wittiness and irrationality. I must admit I have imagined Howes lips to be those of Alexander or Johns, but Howe is not even close to the kissers they are. Lafayette would gossip with me and tell me that he could tell I hated Howe from the moment I met him.

After another 2 hours of staring at the water and contemplating life. We finally dock ''You ready to go, little lady'' Howe asks, taking my elbow in his. ''Yes your excellency'' I enthusiastically respond, a big fake smile on my face surrounded by the 2 locks that I pulled out of the bun. I am wearing the red dress I wore when I met Howe, thinking the red colour might please the king and his men. We step unto the stones and I for one feel thankful for the solid ground beneath my feet. Howes body language actually shifts from comfortable to anxious. Probably scared of the king, not without good reason. The king can execute anyone he wants for whatever reason he concocts. Which frankly should make everyone anxious. We sit silently in the drive, Howes mind is somewhere else, as is mine. Once we arrive at the castle, Howe drops me off at our room. ''I must go meet with the king little lady'' he states, already leaving the room. His forehead bathing in sweat and I can see the sweat stains trough his red uniform as he scurries of.

The perfect opportunity for me to sneak trough his papers. I can feel my heart start to beat faster, while I am waiting for a few minutes to make sure he left. I look around one last time, feeling my own forehead getting slightly hot too. After skimming different documents I finally find something of interest. A letter from king George 3 to general Howe, basically an angry rant that he didn't stop the revolutionaries earlier. I take a mental picture of that letter and a few others. I grab my quill and papers to quickly copy some of the details. After I am done I quickly put them in my bag, hiding them between my monthly rags.