~Best of wives. Best of women.~

~chapter 9~

[hi!, this one of a little shorter than usual. Feel free to leave comments whenever, I would love to read/respond to them. Enjoy!]

It was already nearing 2:40 and dinner was set for 6. Indeed, only family friends and family members were invited. Usually to dinner parties or just parties in general, both men and women of all high titles were invited, this often included General Washington himself, and others such as William Livingston and Benjamin Franklin. But since Alex wasn't an official member of the family just yet having such guests was deemed unnecessary. Not like Alex was complaining, he was overjoyed that her family would consider doing something so thoughtful for him and John.

However, Peggy's joy probably topped his by a million. She was ecstatic. She was already getting ready. She told the maids how she wanted the plates placed, which plates to use, how she wanted the food cooked, etc. It was almost as if the dinner was for Stephen and not Alex and John. But he didn't mind, seeing her excited made Alex even more excited.

“I don't know how I feel about this John” Alex buttoned up the waistcoat John handed him, having barely any dressing clothes for himself. They were back at the temporary base getting ready. The waistcoat was a rich emerald green color, which suited him greatly.

“You don't know how you feel? You look fantastic!” John slipped on his long sleeve white shirt, identical to the one Alex was wearing under his waistcoat. He was planning on wearing a blue waistcoat, darker than the one Alex wore the day before.

“Remember, you're meeting the rest of her family today.”

“I feel like the air is being sucked out of me, now I know how women feel in corsets” he pulled at the waistcoat, as if it was too tight for him yet it was his perfect fit.

“I think you're just nervous. Relax, you'll be fine. You already won over her father, you practically already won yourself into the family”

Alex rolled up his sleeve, going from his wrist to just below his elbows.

“I feel as though that is not the case. Her father…isn't exactly the welcoming kind. I've only saw him 2 times during our stay, and in those 2 times he barely spoke to me”

“He's a busy man. I'm sure he spends the majority of his time working away in his office. He barely spends time outside of it for his family, let alone for a chit chat.”

“Politics”

“They keep the men busy”

Alex picked up his comb and started brushing through his still wet hair

“Once we leave Albany, I just know I'm going to miss the warm water at the Schuyler manor dearly” John said, still not over the coldness of the river they had to bathe in. He was already spoiled rotten by the warm boiled water that would be prepared for them by the Schuyler's maids.

Alex nodded in agreement.
“So will I. And the soap”

John groaned, “Yes…that too.”

“What time is it?”

John looked at his pocket, “15 to 3, 2:45”

“I think we got ready a little too early”

“You think?”

John took the comb when Alex was done, combing his own hair.

“Should I put it in a plait?”
Alex pinned up his hair with his hand.
His hair reached just a few inches under his shoulder, not too short but also not too long. It was the length he always preferred his hair to be at.

“Up to you. Personally, it looks good down”

Alex sucked his teeth
“Then it get frizzy”

“Then just put it in a plait!”