America's Favourite Fighting Frenchman

Chapter 1

Sadie POV

"C'mon Sadie hurry up!"

"I'm sorry I'm almost ready."

"We're going to be late!"

"No we won't be!"

"Yes we will! I swear if I miss out on finding you a suitor tonight you are in so much trouble!"

"Fine fine here I come."

I slowly walk down the stairs in my fanciest evenig clothes. A flowing navy blue, shimmery, floor length dress adorned with tasteful teal jeweles on the neckline. I wore a simple diamond neckalace with matching earings. I wore my long blonde hair up in a wave of curls. I was happy with my appearance but I was happier when I saw the way that my Father's eyes lit up.

"Oh Sadie you look wonderful. I'm sure that all the men at the ball will wish to dance with you." He said.

"Thank you Father." I said, taking the arm that he offered.

It was true, tonight was the night I was meant to find a suitor. I had turned 16 2 weeks ago which meant I was now eligible to marry. And since my Father was of such high station, it was better I get married sooner than later. I didn't really mind, as long as the man I found was a nice, well-respected being. And it would also help if he was easy on the eyes. Now saying that, I'm not going to go to this ball and throw myself at the first man that I see, but I'll definitely have my eye out.

  Carry, my older sister, the one who had been yelling at me to hurry up, was already waiting in the carriage with her husband Charles. She looked rather excited, this being the first night out for her since her daughter Emily had been born. Not that she didn't love her child, she just looked like she needed a night out with her love.

Father and I met them at the carriage and Carry gushed over how beautiful I looked the whole way to the ball. It was being held in honour of the soldiers that had been fighting so adamantly as of late. 

When we arrived at the ball I stayed close to my Father, not really wanting to go off on my own just yet. Person after person came up to us, wanting to talk to my Father.

"General Washington!" A man said. "Aaron Burr."

"Good Evening......"

I decided that I didn't want to listen anymore so I squeezed my Father's hand in farewell, curtsied to Mr.Burr, and wondered around until I ended up outside.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the railing, thinking that I should probably be inside dancing. I should probably be looking for a suitor. I should probably doing what everyone expects of me. I sighed, I really wasn't trying to be all self-pitying. I really did have a life that lots of girls dreamed to have. I lived in a nice house, had nice things, I didn't need to worry about anything. The only thing that slightly bothered me was having my whole life already planned for me. But again, I really didn't have the right to complain.

My thoughts were thrown out the window however, when I heard the most lovely accented tenor voice speak. "Excuse me miss, but I couldn't help but notice that you were out here all alone. I was wondering if you might like some company?"

I spun around and my eyes were met with the most gorgeous brown ones I had ever seen. They belonged to a very tall man with dark skin and curly black hair. I had to admit that he was very attractive.

"Oh." I curtsied, not forgetting my manners. "Yes that would be lovely. Sadie Washington, may I inquire as to what your name is sir?"

He smiled. "I have but so many names. In short it is Gilbert, Marquis de Lafayette. But you may call me whatever you wish."

Oh how that accent made me want to drop dead right there. I held my composure however, and linked my arm with the one he held out. He guided me along the terrace and we paced at a slow pace.

"Washington? Might you happen to be the daughter of General George Washington?"

I giggled, not used to hearing my Fathers name being spoken so fondly. "Yes, I am his second child. My sister Carry is probably the one you've heard all about."

"Oui I have heard of her. But I have also heard of you, I have heard that you are very beautiful, and it appears as though the rumors are true." He says, smiling at me.

I blush and try to think of a way to change the subject. "So you're French?" I said, not really using proper sentence form but I was too flushed to care.

He laughed softly. "Oui. I came to America 5 years ago, when I was 19, I wanted to assist the rebels in anyway I could."

"That is very noble of you Monsieur." I replied, using one of the only French words I knew.

"Ah tu parles Francais ma belle?"

I stared at him and almost cried at hearing him speak French, it was just so beautiful! "I'm sorry I really have no clue what you just said." I told him, smiling slightly.

"Ah no matte mon Cherie, there is always time to learn no?" I just nodded, not being able to get over his accent.

I discovered that we had made our way back to the back doors. "Would you like do dance Ms. Washington?" He asked.

"Please, call me Sadie, and yes I would love nothing more."

We strode into the large ballroom and he lead me to the dance floor. A slow waltz was playing at the moment so I placed my right hand on his soldier and he placed his on my waist. He interlocked our fingers together instead of just holding my hand and I raised my eyebrow slightly at his provocative manner but I decided to let it slide, since I really didn't mind.

We glided around the dance floor and I could feel people looking at us, but the only thing I could look at were his eyes. They really were quite beautiful.

"You are a terrific dancer Monsieur." I told him.

"As are you Miss." He said, not looking away from my eyes either. It truly felt as if we were the only 2 people in the universe.

When the dance was over I excused myself to go find my sister. "Thank you for the company, and the dance." I said.

"The pleasure was most definitely mine." He said, taking my hand and brining it up to his lips. He held it there probably longer then he should have, but who was counting?

I found my sister shortly after and told her about the whole ordeal. She gasped when I  told her his name. "Sadie! He's a Major General! Oh Father will most definitely approve! In fact, I would bet that Father already knows him!"

I held up my hands. "Hey slow down! I've only just met the man, you can't possibly be thinking of church bells already!"

She shook her head and laughed. "Of course I am! You're my little sister and I want what's best for you. Heck if I knew I had a chance with a Major General I'd-"

"You'd what Darling?" Charles asked, coming up behind her.

Carry smiled. "I'd tell him that I have a husband who I love more than anything else in the whole world, and I know that he will always forgive me for saying stupid things?"

Charles took her hand and smiled right back. "Good answer Darling. Quick thinking, you've always been good at that."

I smiled at the 2 and went off again, wondering around, really in search of 1 particular person.