Kings College

Chapter 8

A/N : historical accuracy varies chapter to chapter my friends. Also, holy wow is this late. I'm so sorry people!! (There is a Phantom of the Opera reference in here, though I think it's a little more subtle than some of my others. I wanna see if anyone gets it!)

Women's luncheons were possibly the most dull activity to exist in the 19th century. I sat amongst women who couldn't remember my name but recalled each detail of my father and his father before him. Talk of feathers in hair rather politics seemed to be the way of the ladies. I knew that it wasn't the fault of these women, rather the lack of education provided to them. I'd been fortunate in that area. It did not make this encounter any more engaging.

We sat on a large blanket on the grass. Including the families, there must have been 5 blankets with at least 20 people here. There were baskets full with fruits on each spot and Dolley Madison was quick to break open a loaf of bread she had brought us. We were having a picnic rather a luncheon, but I didn't find myself complaining.  Despite the lack of enthralling conversation, the beautiful scenery was worthwhile. I stared into the green meadows, listened to the trickle of the stream nearby and ran my fingers through the wind. What a beauty nature was.

"Hello, Miss Burr, correct?" A voice broke my silence and I turned to look at its beholder. The sun blinded me for a moment, but my eyes adjusted to the young man standing before me.

There was a man. He was tall, a little stocky with a full beard that nearly hid his shy grin. His voice had an odd note to it, but I couldn't identify where it came from.

"That is I, may I ask your name, sir?" I spoke gently, not knowing who this man before me was.

"Joseph Alston, Miss Burr. Mrs Madison spoke quite highly of you, I wished to introduce myself."

I glanced to Dolley, who was shoveling bread in her mouth with a very excited smile on her face. Joseph seemed a kind man and I did not want to make him uncomfortable. I stood up, brushing any crumbs off myself and smiled at him.

"Why yes, Mrs Madison has spoken of you as well." I glanced to Dolley, who gestured for me to speak with Joseph. Turning back, I grin. "Say, Mr Alston, would you care to join me in picking wild flowers?"

There were some children in the meadow not far from us playing. A little boy tugged on a girl's hair and she swiftly slapped him. I had to bite my tongue to stop from giggling. It was a place we could talk privately without the need of a chaperone. His eyes lit and he was quick to offer his arm to me. We began to stride towards the flowers and away from the families on blankets.

"Did Mrs Madison put you up to this?" I inquire.

His cheeks flush. "Not really, she simply suggested your name and beauty repeatedly. I felt guilty ignoring her... persistance."

To that I chuckled slightly, "Dolley is not one for subtlety."

"That she is not."

There was a silence between us. Not necessarily one of comfort, though not one I would describe as uncomfortable. I didn't know if I should press in conversation, or if I should leave the social duty to Mr Alston. He broke me from my thoughts.

"Miss Burr, now that we are in a more private setting, I must say how extraordinary you look this afternoon."

My mouth formed an 'o'. While I had anticipated the intentions of Dolley to be entirely rooted in romance, Mr Alston proved himself a very eager participant. I wasn't opposed to the young man, though I knew of nothing but his name.

"Why thank you Mr Alston," I paused, trying to think of something. "Are you in education at the moment? College, perhaps?"

There was a slight disappointment in his eyes from my brushing off his compliment, but he responded the like. "Why yes, I've been studying in South Carolina at the moment. My father would fancy me a lawyer."