Spirit of the Nation ★ Female America

17. England's Border Dispute

October 3, 1899

United States Embassy

Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuela gave me an awkward smile from across the table. I returned it, trying to resist the urge to check my pocket watch again. The meeting should have started well over an hour ago. Three stacks of notes sat on the table—one unclaimed.

"I'd like to apologize, on his behalf," I said.

He lifted an eyebrow. "He is no friend of mine either."

I had to smother a smile. Though our countries didn't share much in common, we were united by our mutual hatred of European interference in our affairs. I rested my hand on the stack of papers before me. "I believe the commission rendered an excellent decision."

"Sí," he agreed, nodding earnestly.

"It's a fair dispensation of land, it preserves the current economy," I mused, turning to the new border map, "and it does not compromise the Monroe Doctrine."

Suddenly, the conference room door opened, and England entered. My stomach twisted into knots at the sight of him. He wore civilian clothes—a gray pin-stripe suit—and carried a hat under his arm. Venezuela and I stood simultaneously.

"England," I said, gesturing stiffly. "I don't believe you've met Venezuela."

He stepped forward to take his offered handshake without sparing me a glance. "A pleasure."

"Sí, likewise," he replied nervously.

Taking his seat, England began automatically scanning the notes before him. I watched his face as I slowly sat. The fact that he didn't set his hat down indicated how long the meeting would be.

"Ambassador Haggard briefed me in the hall," he said, flipping a page over. "It seems that a fair decision was reached by the US commission."

Venezuela folded his hands tightly on the table. "British Guiana does benefit our economy, but our—our borders..." His eyes darted to me. "Must be respected."

I gave him an encouraging nod.

"Indeed," England said shortly. "All sorted, then?"

When he made to stand, I placed a restraining hand on the table between us. "If I may, there is one point I would like to emphasize."

He finally made eye contact with me. His eyes, just as green as the first moment I saw them, had dark circles under them. They traveled over every inch of my face. "Yes?"

I drew in a steadying breath. "The Monroe Doctrine, as you may recall, warns against foreign interference in the Americas. We consider existing colonies to be 'interference,' unless a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, à la the present agreement."

He seemed unphased by this. "US law is not and shall never be recognized internationally, how—"

"It is not a law," I interrupted. He narrowed his eyes, sending a pang of nerves through me. I turned my chin up. "It is a declaration."

"...However," he continued emphatically, "the ways in which you go about enforcing it shall be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, as is the precedent."

I withdrew my hand from the table and smiled. "Then we agree."

We rose simultaneously, and Venezuela hurried to his feet. After they shook hands again, England waited. I gave Venezuela a handshake before reluctantly offering one to England. His larger, softer hand seemed to swallow mine. When I tried to pull it back, it was stuck.

"Thank you for your diligence in this matter," he said in a low voice, his eyes following Venezuela out the door. "I have been to Africa, Asia, and South America in the span of six weeks."

To witness the fall of an Empire, I wanted to say. "You're welcome," I said instead.

When he released my hand, I folded my arms securely across my chest. He stuck his fingers into the pocket of his suit as he briefly scrutinized my appearance.

"I find you...improved," he told me. "Recognizing our nation's shared interests becomes you."

His too-familiar tone grated on me. I made sure to clip my voice as much as possible. "Trust that I won't make such allowance again."

His expression became tolerant. "Quite so."

With nothing further to say, I let my eyes wander to the door. He did not pick up on this cue. "After you," I instructed with a nod.

With a slight smirk, he made a sweeping gesture toward the door. "Ladies first."

I practically stomped out of the room.