Wrapped in a Red Coat

Prologue

         Prologue

       I remember December 16, 1773 for a rather good reason. Most know this day as the real beginning of the Revolution against our mother country but I remember it as the day my life ended.

            Every morning since my twelfth birthday has been the same. Like clockwork I am woken up by Lyla knocking over a bucket of soot at eight, on the dot. Then I watch as the little maid tries to clean up the black mess she has made on the wooden floor as quietly as she can. She scrubs the ground with her apron until it too is black. Once the poor girl has done as much as she can, I watch her turn and leave out the door. After which I immediately hop out of bed to fix the young maid's folly so she wouldn't get beaten with a switch when Nanny comes in. When I am done wiping the soot of the floor I crawl back into bed to wait for Nanny to come in at eight-twenty. As per every morning Nanny strolls into my room and peruses the fireplace for any mishaps that may or may not have happened. Then she wanders to the curtains across the room and opens them allowing the sun light to penetrate the darkness. As the light streams in I begin to sit up in bed and act as if the light has only just woken me from my slumber.

          "Wake up Andria. We must get you dressed for breakfast, there is an important guest coming today," Nanny chirps in her high lilting voice. Nanny is the quaint old Irish woman with flaming red hair always pulled tightly in a bun, her skin is darkened slightly and dotted with freckles, her eyes are as green as grass, her face is small and wrinkled just like her hands. Nanny is rather tall and plump but, that comes from old age and bearing children as she always says.  Nanny is the woman who raised me after my mother died of a fever. I do not remember my mother very much for she died when I was five, every time I try to think of my mother I can only remember her cold hands and a tune she used to hum. I try not to think about mother though for when I do I just end up crying. When I used to cry after my mother died Nanny would hold me in her lap and tell me stories until I fell asleep.Now, however, I am sixteen and much too big to be sitting on Nanny's lap.

           "Come on now Andria. How long is it going to take you to get out of bed? Let's get movin' you are wasting daylight."

"Oh, Nanny who is coming to visit today? Is it one of Daddy's friends?" I said while walking over to Nanny's side. Nanny put her hand out for my night gown which I removed and handed to her. The she proceeded to help me put on a fresh shift and gown. As she was tying the ribbons in the back I questioned her again,"Nanny are you not going to tell me who the guest is?" Nanny turned me around, leading me to the dresser table. She picked up the brush and began to brush out the knots in my black hair. I reached behind me and gently placed my hand on Nanny's, drawing her green eyes to my blue eyes in the reflection of the mirror. "Your father has someone he would like you to meet. That is all I can say in the matter," replied Nanny as she went back to combing my hair. After Nanny had finished combing my hair, she started to plait my hair, weaving a red ribbon thorough the strands.

                Now that I was fully dressed in my new red cotton gown and had my hair in a long plait that reached my waist I began to rise from the dresser table. Yet as I was standing up Nanny stopped me by putting her gentle hand on my shoulder. "Your mother told me to give you this when the time came and as much as it saddens me poor heart, I am afraid that time has come," Nanny reached over my head and began to tie something around my neck. When I looked into the mirror I saw a red heart against my pale skin. I was awed by the sight of such a wondrous ruby I almost forgot what Nanny had just said,"Nanny it's beautiful but what occasion are you talking about?" She did not answer, instead she went to picking up my nightgown and straightening up my bed. I was very confused but, my eyes kept traveling back to my reflection in the mirror. The red ruby heart was almost hypnotizing, I did not know how long I sat there and stared at it but, I was taken out of trance when Nanny came to stand beside me.

            "You look just like your mother deary. She was the most beautiful girl in town all the other lasses squinted with jealousy at her when she passed them. Yet she was always nice and gentle and willing to give anybody a helping hand. You are like her in many ways it warms me heart to see that she passed all of her good traits to you," Nanny looked distant for a moment. Then her eyes wondered to the clock and she was back to being Nanny. "Oh my word we're late! Get a move on girly or your father will have your hide!" Nanny voiced as she walked out the door with the laundry. I sprang up from the dresser table and briskly followed after Nanny.

              Trying to keep my footsteps light on the wooden floor as I hurriedly walked down the stairs to the dining room door. Before going in I ran my hands down my gown to make sure everything was in order. Then I placed my hand on the doorknob about to open the door when the door opened from the other side. I was knocked off my feet and tumble to the floor. The hem of my gown was about my waist allowing a clear view of my shift and thighs. I looked up to see who had so rudely knocked me to the ground when I did I noticed two men in the doorway. One stared unabashed while the other averted his eyes. This drew my attention down to my appearance and at once I yanked my dress down to cover myself as my cheeks flared scarlet. I was utterly embarrassed and I dared not look either of the men in the eye. The man who had averted his eyes held out a hand to me so that I may help myself up. I just looked at it to ashamed to actually take it. Then the man who had just stared came and grabbed under my armpits and lifted me. I squeaked at the sudden contact and the man chuckled as he set me back on my feet.

             My father came from the dining room just then to see what was the matter,"Andria what are you doing?" The man with the averted eyes turned to tell him what had happened. Now that I was back on my feet and properly covered I could get a glimpse of the two men. The man with the averted eyes was known in town as Samuel Hobbs. Samuel was the talk of many girls in town for he is one of the most elligible suitors being only twenty and very handsome with his blonde hair, slightly lightly darkened skin and his gentle brown eyes. Samuel was dressed in his normal dress, a ruffled shirt accompanied by a navy blue waist coat and tan breeches. The other man differed completely with Samuel by having an oldermore experienced aura about him. This man was dark skinned with dark brown hair, and his eyes were stunning, he had one blue and one green eye.  His dress also differed from Samuel for he was dressed in full military attire. And not an American military suit but a British military suit red coat and all. I had been helped up by a British soldier. My father, William Molineux, was part of the rebellion and there is a British soldier in the house.

         Questions started pouring into my thoughts.Why is he here? What is his business here? Has he come to take father away? Who is he? Father turned to me at that moment and interrupted the turmoil in my head. "Andria I want you to meet someone," father gestured to Samuel. "This is Samuel Hobbs and he has asked for your hand in marriage. So from this day forward you are engaged." That was the last thing I heard before I fainted. I remember being caught in someone's arms and hearing their chuckle in my ear.

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This is my first time putting up a story so encouragement or creative criticism is welcomed. Also likes comments.... if oyou like the story and want me to add to it just comment and let me know or message me. I need some feedback if you guys want me to keep writing this story. :D

~ SIncerely,           Novella