The Story of Tonight

Balcony Persuasion

Evangeline POV
I wondered why Lafayette would need to talk to my father, since he was already a soldier fighting. What else would he need? In the midst of my pondering, Peggy found me.

"Hey, where've you been? We've been looking for you." Peggy asked.
"Oh, I um....was finding a treat for Angelica. She seemed a little down earlier."
"Oh, you noticed too? I thought I was the only one. I've tried talking to her a bit, but she wouldn't really pick up the conversation, claiming she was too tired. I don't believe her but-"

My mind drifted off again and found Lafayette still talking with a few other men around his age and my father. He's charming, but may not be right for just me. Perhaps the flirtation I've demonstrated before was probably just impulsive, a will to have something to hold temporarily. As charming as he is, women just flaunt themselves at him with no hesitation. I bet he doesn't turn them away. I bet.

To my family, I've been branded as problematic when completing tasks most women my age would have no problem doing. Tending to children, cleaning the house. All thing I will do at some point of my life, but it won't be the only thing I have going in my life. I simply refuse it.

"Eve? Evangeline?"

As I snapped back to reality, Peggy began finger-snapping at me.
"Eve, are you ok? You're acting like Angelica now."
"Huh? What were you talking about?"
"That's it, I'm taking you home now."
"What about Angelica and Eliza?"
"I guess they'll ride home with your parents. We took two carriages remember?.
"Oh, yes."
"Oh you're really out of it."

My father saw Peggy drag me across the ballroom floor with a puzzled look on his face. Peggy mouthed "I'm taking her home. She's not well right now" while pointing at me. He nodded and continued military talk.

Once we arrived back at my house, Peggy began to grab my robe and one of the several bars of dried lavender I keep in my cupboard in my room. The water was already pumped from the well and heated by the maids in the house. When I entered the bathing chambers, they waited for me to start. Peggy then told them that they can tend to a different matter since she will be tending to me all night. They nodded and left. Peggy hung my robe, poured the warm water into the tub, handed me the lavender and began to lather my back. When I was rinsed off and done, Peggy grabbed a towel and handed it to me. I then grab my robe and tie it together. Soon enough, we are both laying on my bed, giggling about nothing and everything while she brushes my cascading hair. As I get dressed, Peggy bathes and changes into her night gown. Since we were the only people on this floor, I showed her dozens of shell collections and leather-bound notebooks of mine filled with journal entries and political thoughts. It seemed only she knew and respected my life choices faithfully. No one else, not Angelica, not my parents, not even my siblings would. But who could blame them I guess?Some time passed and before we knew it, my parents, my sisters and brother, and the remaining Schuyler sisters entered the house. Of course, they're staying the week while their father is on the war front. How could I forget?

Eliza bursted in my room and immediately began talking about the gent that turned her helpless. She seemed so happy and full of glee. I felt happy for her happiness, but as I saw Angelica walk by the room, without even a glance towards us, my smile slowly faltered.

"Ok Eliza, this is great news and all but it's all so early and the time is so late, so we can finish this tomorrow at breakfast.", interrupted Peggy.

Then Emily, my 9 year old sister, and Corrine, my 5 year old sister, burst into my room giggling about their time at the ball.

"Girls, out you go to your rooms. It's past your bedtime.", in came my mother. They obeyed and followed Peggy and Eliza out into the living room.

My mother strides toward me, worry plastered on her face. "Are you ok Eve? Your father told me you left the ball very early. Are you sick, a fever maybe?"

"No mother, I promise I'm fine."
"Ok. I'll trust your judgement. I'll see you in the morning." She kisses my forehead and leaves.

I sit back and sigh. As soon as I am about to blow out my candle, I hear a rustling near the garden outside my window.
Natural instincts kicking in, I walk towards it.

"Hello?", I call out.
I turn back around towards my bed.

"Evangeline!"
No, it can't be.

I turn back to my window in one swift motion and I am soon met directly face to face with Lafayette. I mean so close our lips only grazed each other, but I abruptly took half a step back.

"Lafayette, what are you doing here-"
" I had to see you again. I tried finding you at the ball, but you had left."
"Oh, um yes. I had to leave early."
Silence. Just two young adults looking up and down at each other like kids. Until I began.
"Did-did you enjoy our time at the-the library?"
"It was the best time of my life."
"And the garden?"
"It was the second most beautiful thing I've seen."
"What's the first?"
"You're telling me you don't know it's you?"
When I tell you I've never blushed so hard, I mean it. I shake my head, smiling at the thought of his words.
"Oh really it's me?" He inches closer.
"Yes."
"Do you really think that monsieur?"
"Oui ma belle." A few more inches.
I lean foward to where our noses begin to touch. "Listen," I begin. "It was exhilarating and new but I mu-"
With a passionate kiss, he brings my words to a halt and allows me to breathe in his blissful touch. I close my eyes and stroke his stubbled cheek.
He pulled away, trapped in a trance. Until he realized he was leaning backwards. Without thinking I quickly pull him forward towards me. Apparently, I pulled him too hard and he came through my balcony window. We both landed on my bed, with his muscular body on top of me. I hear the door creak.

"Eve, your mother wants to know-", Peggy began as she abruptly came to a halt....with Corrine behind her.
Peggy's mouth opened so wide and quickly told Corrine to wait outside but not to move.

As Peggy turns, I hurry to get Lafayette back out the window in one piece. He scurries out the window and slides down the balcony's covering. When he lands he meets with three young men who are about the same age as him. They all begin to laugh and run towards the town. I notice one of the men as Eliza's new beau.

Peggy turns around. "What just happened?"
"We'll talk tomorrow Peg."
"Evangeline Noëlle Washington, I didn't want to be the mom in this friendship but if that's what it'll take then damn it, I'll be it. Now tell me, what happened?"

"Well, he just fell in."
"He fell in?"
"Yep." I smiled brightly, dazed even. Gosh, I guess I am lovestruck. Oh well, it's official.

Put down your torches and pitchforks. I know I've been gone about all summer, but I'm promising that I'll try to update more often. Hope you like this chapter.~🐢🌹