Country or Love

my dearest ...

-Boston-

Lillian walked down the stair, into the ballroom. She spun around, she was free but in the back of her mind, she could fell Cornwallis's arms around her his head on her shoulder, a knife in hand. She shivered as the door opened. She turned her head sharply and saw Alexzander. "Sorry Miss Anderson Did I scare you?" He said with a smile. "You did, sorry I am still a little jumpy, I can still hear his voice in my ear. Many men would love your Loyalty." Lillan said bile riseing in her throat. 

He looked at her, "I just wanted to say what you did was unexpected." Alexzander said as he smiled. "I am not feeling very well, may I be alone, I will come out in a minute." Lillian said as she looked at him. Lillian changed and she carried the dress outside, Lafayette and William looked up. Lillian threw it on the ground and grabbed the pan full of hot coals that was warming up on a fire. She set it on fire. She just watched it burn. She looked at them. "Sorry the smoke is blowing your way isn't it. I did not think about that." Lillian said as she grabbed a bucket full of dirty water and put out the fire. 

"What did he do to you...?" William said walking up to her. "He...He... threaten my life, he threaten to hurt me, he did hit me but not as hard I thought he would, but other wise respectful." Lillian said as she looked up at him. He didn't smile, she looked away and turned on her heel. "MISS ANDERSON!" Some young kids yelled running to her.

 "We are glad your safe." A boy said smiling at her. "I am glad all of you are safe to, I was worried about all of you." Lillian said as a smile spread across her face. "Did you see General Cornwallis, My Papa sent a letter to big sister and she says he is scary." A young girl said holding a doll in her arm. "He is a terrible monster." Lillian said as they children stop smiling, "Did you my papa? He been gone along time..." A another young boy said. Lillian stopped smiling. "I am sorry but I didn't see anyone I recognized nor any other Americans." Lillian said as she patted his head. "Miss Anderson." A young man said running to her. "Oh my JAMES!" Lillian said running up to him. William and Lafayette stood confused and Mr. Anderson came running out. "James!" Mr. Anderson said as they tackled him. "Who is this." Lafayette said looking at James who was laughing. "Oh this is my childhood friend, well more of Henry's friend. " Lillian said with a smile. 

"Sorry I didn't introduce myself... I am James Arthur."  James said getting up. " Mr.. Anderson I need to ask a Question." Lillian looked at him confused, "Sure, Stay for Dinner." Mr. Anderson said as Lillian looked at James with a loving smile. "Children, I have to go help the maids prepare, I will see you all in an hour." Lillian said as she walked away.  James watched her leave and Mr. Anderson smiled, "I know what you are thinking young James." James turned red, "For you would never allow me." James mumbled. "I have you in consideration. You always worked well with Lillian."

William felt a twinge of pain in his chest. James was very handsome, he seem to be around Lillian's age with black hair falling over brown eyes. The maids talked to Lillian with a smile as they made Dinner. "He was fighting in the south under General Greene, you should consider him, he also very handsome." The kitchen maid said as she reached for plates. "He is very nice." Lillian said as she looked at the bread. Soon as Dinner was ready, William and James talked as Lillian came out as she set the table.  James noticed something on Lillian's neck. "Lillian? are you okay? You I hiding something. I know that look on your face."  James said as Lillian looked up. "It is nothing, I am just tired, it been very hectic the last few days." Lillian lied as James frowned. Lillian walked away, and finished setting the table. A knock came to the door and Lillian opened it, the post man handed her a letter. It was addressed to her, she opened it carefully.  She dropped the envelope. She saw the seal, it was British. She hid the letter in the pocket of her skirts and threw the envelope in the fire place. 

Lillian sat at the table quiet, eating with everyone else. James looked at Lillian's neck again, "What is that on your neck, you are trying to hide?" James said leaning closer to her. She looked at him the color draining from her face. "It is from a tight necklace, I got a rash from it." Lillian lied. "Okay..." James said as everyone noticed how close he was to Lillian. Lillian stood up, "Pardon, I need to get some fresh air, James will you join me?" Lillian said looking at her father. "Of course my dearest Lillian." James said as he smiled. They left and everyone else followed them, they walked into a graveyard. 

"James, I have a question? Why didn't you help carry Henry when he was hurt?" Lillian said turning to him. "I was scared. Okay I admit it, I was scared. I was confused they just opened fired," James said looking at a grave stone. "But he was your friend! He was my brother! He was your cousin fiancé." Lillian said as James looked away in shame. "I was scared, the last thing I heard him every say to me,  protect Lillian. Lillian, I am in love with you. I never told you how much I want you, I want to hold you and protect you with everything I have. I want your hand. I want to kiss you." James said as Lillian looked at him.  

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close, "I am sorry for being so weak, I miss him as much as you do. Forgive me." James said as he moved her head to look at him. "Did may father pay you to ask for my hand?" Lillian said as she looked at him. "No.. I talked with him to ask permission but nothing more." James said as he looked at Lillian. "I need time... things like this are hard for me." Lillian said as she backed away. "That is not what I want to here-"

Lillian felt fear run threw her body. "But... you are right. I will wait." James said smiling at her. Lillian walked back with him and went upstairs. Lillian buried her face into her pillow, and let out a sigh. She got changed and stayed awake a long time. She heard a crash, she got up and took a candle out. She walked out pulling her cover up around her. She saw someone coming out of there room to. She walked down the stairs as well. She felt a tap on her shoulder and spun around. She saw William and almost fell, but she was caught by him. He had took off his vest and his jacket, he still wore his boot's his undershirt and his dress pants. She blushed a but, He looked up and down at her. She pushed him away. Lillian stood quietly and she looked around. "Did you hear that?" Lillian said as she walked into a Salon. She saw a vase had fallen. William came behind her and she looked at him. "There is something wrong I know that look." William said as James slowly walked down the stair. "I don't know... I am scared.... If you leave, will you die. Will everyone Die?" Lillian said as tears began to fall. "I will live for you... I want to live for you. My love." William said as he hugged her. "Don't say that..." Lillian said pushing him away. William was confused.

"I got an offer for my hand... but I don't know what to do?" Lillian said as she looked outside. "What should I do. My father wants me to be happy but will he even let me pick you? Because you where once a Redcoat." William took her hand in hers. "I will try... once this war is over. I will make you my wife..." William said his kind eyes starring into her soul. She smiled and walked back up stairs. James felt sick to his core, she had fallen in love with an enemy. James knew what had to be done.