𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐑 | turn: washington's spies ↠ benjamin tallmadge

~*~ Chapter 5 - Who By Fire ~*~

~*~Early November 1767~*~

The people of Setauket had gathered for their yearly celebration. A large bonfire burned in the centre of the green. The men chatted with ales in hand. The women prepared tables of food soon to be served. Most of the children ran about playing games. But not nine, almost ten-year-old Lydia Woodhull. Lydia shifted uncomfortably on the bench from where she sat watching the other children run. She was quite envious, wishing that she could be out there with them. But, her father had insisted she sit and not wear herself out because she was finally on the mend from an early autumn cold she had caught. So, there she sat wrapped in her cloak with a blanket spread across her lap staring at the fire.

Lydia frowned as Abe ran past with Ben and Caleb. She felt fine, but she knew her father to be over cautious as far as she was concerned. She fidgeted on the bench before folding her arms across her chest to pout. Lydia knew that she should be grateful that her father even allowed her to come in the first place, but she couldn't help her feelings on the matter. All she could do was try to conceal them and that wasn't going so well.

"Are you feeling better, Lydia?" a woman's voice asked as she approached the bench where Lydia sat. Lydia turned to see that the voice belonged to Missus Tallmadge, Ben's mother. The woman smiled softly at the young girl before taking a seat beside her on the bench. "Benjamin tells me that you've been ill."

Lydia nodded her head. "But I'm feeling much better now, thank you." She tried to give Ben's mother a smile, but when the boys ran by once again. This time Annie Smith was even running about with them. Lydia couldn't help but show her jealousy as her face fell and her bottom lip jutted out.

Missus Tallmadge chuckled before she gently pressed her hand against Lydia's forehead and held it there for a few seconds. "No fever," she muttered to herself. She then cupped Lydia's cheeks with her hands and eyed her curiously. "Your colouring is good. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be allowed to play for a bit."

"My father..."

"Surely wouldn't object between a game of graces between us girls." Missus Tallmadge smiled, her eyes shining in the firelight. The Tallmadge children must have gotten their rebellious streak from her. The older woman took hold of Lydia's hand and led her to a set of hoops and sticks that two girls had left lying there. Missus Tallmadge picked up a pair of sticks and handed them to Lydia. "Do you remember how to play?" she asked, having taught Lydia the game during the summer.

Lydia's brow furrowed. "I believe so."

Missus Tallmadge gently patted Lydia's shoulder. "I'll start and we'll see what you remember." Lydia nodded her head, causing her hood to fall back. "But first, fix your hood, child." Lydia quickly did as she was told as Missus Tallmadge picked up a hoop. The older woman slipped the hoop on one of her sticks before she managed the second stick through it, crossing the sticks so that they looked almost like scissors. "Now, you try to catch the hoop with your sticks, Lydia."

Lydia chewed her bottom lip and carefully watched as the hoop hurtled toward her. A slight breeze caused the hoop to veer in a different direction. Lydia chased after it, but it fell to the ground before she could get close to it. It was then her turn, she bent over to pick it up before she put the hoop on her sticks and flung it toward Missus Tallmadge. The older woman caught it and Lydia clapped in excitement. She liked spending time with Missus Tallmadge much better than she did Widow Browne. Missus Tallmadge acted like what Lydia thought a mother would act like, Widow Browne never did that. Besides, Missus Tallmadge said that despite the good Lord blessing her with five sons, she had always hoped for a daughter.