And Peggy

Satisfied

Peggy had heard more absurd things in her life. However, for some reason, those words did not seem unrealistic coming out of John's mouth.

"Wow." Was all Peggy could say.

"At least your sailor dream seems pretty reasonable now." He looked down.

"Are you joking? That is an amazing goal." Peggy said.

"It is?"

"It is."

He gives her a heartfelt smile.

"Thank you."

"Would you like to dance again?"

"Of course!" He answered.

The two joined hands as he led her to the dance floor.

•••

That night, Peggy was exhausted. But instead of going to sleep, she and Eliza snuck into Angelica's room to talk of the ball.

"Alexander was a wonderful dancer!" Eliza smiled with a dreamy expression on her face.

Angelica and Peggy smiled, but Angelica's smile seemed forced and strained. Peggy wondered what that was about. She made a mental note to ask her later.

"What was going on between you and that John Laurens man?" Eliza looked at Peggy with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "I must say, I have not seen that many sparks fly since starting our fire during Christmas!"

Peggy blushed. "It was nothing. We were simply two good friends having fun at a party."

Angelica laughed. "Yes, and I am going to marry Aaron Burr!"

The girls all laughed.

"It's true I tell you. John simply wanted to get to know me better."

"Mmhmm." Angelica smirked, but dropped the subject.

"How was your night, Angelica?" Eliza asked.

Angelica became stiff, but relaxed almost immediately. It was hard to tell if anything happened at all.

"Fine." Was all she said.

"Is something wrong?" Eliza asked.

"No, no. Nothing is wrong."

Peggy and Eliza looked at each other. Something was clearly the matter.

"I danced with some men. Lafayette has some wonderful dance moves, I feel like that is the French in him-"

"Angelia, something happened. What is it?"

"Nothing, Betsy! I'm just rather tired. Perhaps we should all go to bed."

Peggy wanted to sleep more than anything, but now she couldn't. Not when her sister was upset.

Eliza yawned.

"Yes, to bed with you. I had such a grand time!"

They said goodnight and "I love you", and went to bed.

•••

The next morning, Peggy had wandered outside to walk in the snow. She was greeted by none other than John Laurens himself.