Valley Forge

Chapter XVIII

Saturday, February 14th, 1779

The small room just beyond the door was crowded with gentlemen removing their coats, scarves, and hats, then taking turns hanging them from pegs stuck in the wall. Once that was accomplished, they headed down a long hall. One fellow paused, staring at me with curiosity and addressing Charles

"Are you joining us, Charles?" he asked.

"In a moment," Bellingham said.

I waited for the man to depart, then started in on the speech that had kept me awake all night. "Mister Bellingham, sir, I am greatly relieved to see you alive and in such good health. I pray that your Brother also fares well and that your business has not been too severely damaged by the war"

His face was somber. "Thank you for the gracious sentiments, but I fear they are of little use. Edward died last summer, and there is nothing left of what was my trading enterprise. This war has brought me countless trails." He gestured to my shabby clothing "It would appear you have suffered as well. I am grateful that Providence has brought us back together"

"Indeed sir" I answered

"We can talk later" He pointed down the hallway. "At the far end there, you'll find the kitchen. The cooks' name is Mistress Cook oddly enough. Can't create a delicacy to save her life, but she's well practiced at feeding hordes of hungry men. She should have a hot meal waiting for you. While your eating,  she'll prepare a bath." He tilted his head to the side in puzzlement. "Is something the matter?" 

"I...Sir....." I stammered.

The front door opened again. More officers crowded in before I could explain. They greeted Charles as they shrugged off their greatcoats. The pegs on the wall were all filled, so one of them tossed his coat at me. I caught it without a thought before I realized what I had done, the other men had piled their coats and hats in my arms then they, too, moved down the hall.

"Busy doing things here," Bellingham said. "We're trying to repair the Commissary Department and restore the army to strength. 

"Bellingham!" A voice shouted down the hall.

"One moment!" He responded.

My shoeless foot stood in a wet puddle on the wood floor.  "I'd be happy to eat later, sir if the congressmen want to question me now." I shifted the wet coats to one arm. "Is there a maid who can take these?"

"I beg your pardon?" Bellingham brow wrinkled in confusion "Who wants to question you"

"The men from the Congress, sir, They want to question me about the conditions for us soldiers."

His eyes lit up and he laughed. "You didn't think I was serious, did you? I spun my story to get you out of there, Didn't want the other fellows to turn on you in their envy"

"But-"

"First things first. Take those coats back to the kitchen, then eat. The cook has found some more appropriate clothes for you,  but you won't have to wear them long. I'll send a note to my tailor in York directing him to sew a suit of dresses for you that is more suitable for serving gentlemen"

I ignored the rudeness and held steady to my planned course. I would not agree to work for him without a fair wage"

"Then, What shall be my rate of pay, sir?" I asked

"Pay?" his eyes narrowed

"I know that many officers have hired soldiers to be their manservant, but I do not know what they are paid."

"Ah" He grasped his hands behind his back and stared at my bare foot before looking me straight in the eye. "Aliliana." He said softly "I own you, I'm your father and you'll do what I say"

"Not any longer." I let the officers' coat fall to the ground "You agree I'd be free if I got away."

"My circumstances have changed," He said

"That does not concern me."

His eyes widened at my tone. "I will forgive that unfortunate impulse out of respect for the service you've shown our country. But that will be the last of it." He paused and lowered his voice "I did say that I would one day let you go, but that day has not yet come. The war has complicated everything for me."

I thought of all I had endured-battle, prison, starvation, thirst, sickness and cold- and I chuckled at his complications I could not help myself

"Stop that at once" 

I laughed again, for he had become so small minded, he could not begin to understand how much had changed between us. "I won't serve you, not for pay, not for anything. However, you still owe me my signing bonus." I stuck out my hand "Twenty pounds sterling, please. Continental money is worthless"

Bellingham hit me across the face so hard, I flew into the coats that hung from the wall, then tripped over the coats on the floor

"Never speak to me with that tone!" He stood over me his fist clenched, and a blue vein pulsing by his right dark eye. "You will eat, You will bathe, and you will be dressed in a proper dress and corset! and you will do as I say!"

The ringing in my ears was so loud, I could barely hear him. I had made a grave miscalculation. There was only one thing to do.

I rose up in a fury, Shoved all the coats at him, then pushed harder, so that he was driven backward, stumbling, then falling as soon as he lost his balance, I turned, opened the door and started running

"Guards!" Bellingham yelled.

*Twenty Pounds sterling; 3,521.77 USD 2018