Liberty and Love | A Historical Hamliza Story

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈

1776

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐒 a complicated, exhilarating thing. It can be beautiful, like rich, vibrant colors filling a dull sky on a rather boring day. It can be a euphoria, it can be blissful. It can last from your "I do's" to when God claims your soul into the heavens, or in an unfortunate situation it can last much shorter. Love is strengthened over time, and if one pins down their other perfectly, then it shall create a bond like no other.

I watched the looming trees blow with the breeze, the snow that tops them lays on the branches as if they were topped with powdered sugar. The wind occasionally picks up, whipping the pines in a dancing rhythm.

The snow that sprinkled the tree suddenly disappears, moving with the powerful gust onto a different tree. The snow falls easily and is falling faster than it was yesterday, reminding us that winter is on its way, although not many are looking forward to it. Sucking me from my thoughts, Mamma pounds on my door.

"Elizabeth!" She lets out a low hiss. "Our guests are arriving. Please welcome them with Margarita in the parlor." I let out a low sigh, standing up to smooth my periwinkle dress. Not wanting to keep our guests waiting, I hurry downstairs--careful not to trip on my shoes. I carefully slip next to Peggy, trying to be as discreet as possible so that Mamma doesn't notice. Fortunately she was nowhere to be seen, yet.

"And where were you this entire time?" She demanded lowly. I shrug.

"Upstairs. I don't want to be in the same room as these lobsterbacks a second longer than I have to." I spat. Peggy chuckles in a fashion that leads me to believe she knows something I do not.

"Oh Elizabeth! Haven't you heard? Tonight we are dining with no redcoats, we're dining with His Excellency himself, General Washington and two of his aides!"

That certainly got my attention, for I stumbled back and began to regret not powdering my hair. Peggy looks incredibly handsome, and I feel almost as if we were supposed to be dressed up as if we were to attend a ball.

She has a light green dress on with golden lining on the bodice, complimenting her pale complexion quite nicely. She has her rich, dark hair up and powdered, with a feather stuck in for good measure.

I, on the opposite side of the stick, could be compared as a housemaid. My dark, curly hair was down and I tied a thin, black ribbon around my neck. Noticing a bit of leftover lace on a nearby seat, I swoop it up and tie it loosely around my waist. Peggy rolls her eyes at my low efforts and unties the lace.

"Put it like...this." She wraps it so the crooks of my arms are holding the lace. Smiling, I turn back to my sister.

"Thank you, Margarita, although it seems I should have also touched up my face a bit more." I put a touch of powder and paint on this morning, though nothing compared to how Peggy decorated her face. She dismisses me with a wave of her hand.

"You have a naturally clean complexion, Eliza. You don't need to touch up your face." She compliments. Mamma rushes in a haze, looking as equally handsome as my younger sister. Even in her mid forties, Mamma was just as beautiful as she was when she was my age.

"Eliza, did it seem to slip your mind that we happen to be accompanying His Excellency tonight?" She asks coldly, eyeing me up and down. I purse my lips.

"It could never have slipped her mind if she wasn't informed about it." Peggy says nonchalantly, taking my side. "She was never told that we were to be in the presence of General Washington and the Colonels."

Mamma looks incredulously at Peggy. "I-" She is cut off by the sounds of a horses rapidly approaching. Mamma's eyes widen quickly, and she stalks off to find Papa. I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding in, dreading the looks I shall get when the soldiers catch sight of me.