"Theodosia?" Her father called from his office.
"Yes, Father?" Theodosia asked, stopping in her tracks. She peered back into his office to see her father at his desk, looking down at a piece of parchment with both confusion and amusement.
"You seem to have a suitor."
"What?" Theodosia asked, stepping through the doorway. "What do you mean?"
"A young man has sent me a request to meet me..." Her father's eyes scanned the paper. "...Over the matter of your hand in marriage..."
Theodosia's stomach clenched, and she reached up to grab at one of her curls- she had a horrible habit of twirling her hair, which had been much worse in the past couple of months.
One name darted across her mind.
Philip?
"R-Really?" She stammered.
"Indeed..."
No, She thought. He'd never be so foolish.
"Who is it?" Theodosia's tongue had turned to sandpaper.
"Joseph Alston."
Theodosia almost let out a sigh of relief.
"You wouldn't recognize that name," Her father asked, looking up from the paper. "Would you?"
"Rings a bell," Theodosia said. "I've probably met him at a ball or two."
"Do you have any interest in marrying him?"
"Not particularly."
"He seems very taken with you..."
"If you think I should meet with him, I will."
"No, you're still young enough to keep you options open." Her father folded the letter. "Besides, if he really wished to marry you, he'll wait. You must be willing to wait for what you love."
"Awfully poetic of you, Father."
Her father's eyes gleamed with a hint of sadness. "Perhaps."
Theodosia swallowed. "I was just about to head into town."
"Have a good time," Her father said, turning back down to his work, clearly ending the conversation.
- - - - -
"Is this seat taken?"
Theodosia looked up from her knitting to see Angelica standing before her. She wore a mixture of irritation, nerves, and shame. She wasn't wearing a hat, causing her chestnut curls to fly in a mess around her head, her hands stuffed into a muffler. She hadn't bothered taking off her coat when she came into the pub, and it was dusted in snow. She refused to make eye contact with Theodosia.
"No, take a seat, please." Theodosia gestured to the chair on the other side of her small table. Angelica sat down, crossing her arms like a toddler.
"It's so nice to see you," Theodosia said. "Would you like something to drink? Tea? Oh, they have excellent hot chocolate here. I'll call over a waitress and get you some."
"Alright," Angelica mumbled, looking down at Theodosia's cup and saucer.
Theodosia ordered, while Angelica glanced around the room, glaring at everything her eyes landed on. It made Theodosia want to wring her neck, but she controlled herself, keeping a hold on her dazzling smile.
"How have you been doing?" Theodosia asked.
"Fine." Angelica looked down at her nails.
"Your family's been well?"
YOU ARE READING
Hello Stranger
Fanfiction"Philip, our father's hate each other. I doubt it would do us much good if we were seen spinning around the ballroom together." A smile played on Philip's lips. "I'd like to test that theory." Theodosia Burr hasn't seen Philip Hamilton since she was...
