Bianca Schuyler, the second youngest Schuyler Sister, observes a speech given by a man named Samuel Seabury, a British loyalist. Although he is completely different (politically), her sisters help/force her to be with him.
"Bianca, come downstairs!" My father called. I had told my sisters about what Samuel told me yesterday when we got home. I jumped up and ran (gracefully) down the stairs. Father was holding an envelope with blue writing on it. "I've received a letter from a Samuel Seabury."
"What does it say?" I asked, sitting down at the kitchen table.
"He's informed me that he'll be fighting for America." Father told me solemnly. I widened my eyes. "He's also asked for your hand in marriage."
"What?" I exclaimed, standing up.
"He's asked for my blessing to marry you." Father eyed me. I sat down. "Did you know about this?"
I shook my head. "I've not seen him in a month."
"I know that's not true." He rolled his eyes. I flinched. "You saw him yesterday."
"How did you know about that?" I asked.
"Oh, please." He laughed. "A good friend of mine owns the orchard."
"I'm sorry." I hung my head.
"Do you actually like him?" He asked.
"Yes." I nodded. I don't quite love him (yet), but I do like him. He's a great person.
"Do you want to marry him?" He pressed.
"Yes." The word left my mouth before I thought about it.
"I'm going to have him and Alexander over for supper in a couple hours." Father decided.
He's being very vague. I don't know what he's going to do.
Mother walked into the kitchen, saw the letter, and read it.
"Samuel Seabury?" She muttered, continuing to read. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she looked at me. Then at Father. "Philip, leave."
"What?" He gaped.
"Girl-talk." She told him, pushing him out of the kitchen and called to my sisters. "Girls!"
The three of them rushed downstairs and saw the letter, which was now in Mother's hand. I heard the back door close, which meant Father had left.
"What's wrong?" Angelica asked. She had clearly not seen the happy look on Mother's face.
"Nothing at all." She smiled, sitting us all down. All their eyes landed on the letter. Mother cleared her throat and began reading.
Dear Philip Schuyler,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you in good health. You've already met me, but my name is Samuel Seabury.
I wanted to inform you that I've decided to fight in the Revolution against Britain. I spoke to your future son in-law and his friends, and they convinced me that the King was wrong. So, in order to prove to you that loyalist can in fact change to patriots, I'm going to fight.
On another note, I have a very formal question to ask you. I have yet to cover this with her, because I wanted your approval first. May I have your blessing to at least ask Bianca to marry me? If not, I understand. If so, thank you. You'll have two sons.
Kindly, S. Seabury.
Eliza was beaming, Peggy squealed, and Angelica was already congratulating me. Mother took a seat in between Peggy and me.
"Peggy's gonna get married before me." Angelica sighed, although she was still smiling.
"I'm sixteen!" She swatted our sister's forehead.
(A/n: I don't know how old they all are so I made stuff up. I decided that Peggy's 16, Bianca's 17, Eliza's 19, and Angelica's 20.)
"My two baby sisters are getting married!" Angelica said in a pouty voice.
"We've not decided on anything yet!" I reminded them.
"Do you want to marry him?" Mother asked. My mind went back to how quickly I said yes to my father. I nodded. My sisters and mother all made cooing sounds. I buried my face in my hands.
"It's all a matter of what Father says." I sighed.
"When will we know?" Eliza asked.
"Father's inviting him for supper." I told them.
"And Alexander." Mother added. I guess she'd heard that part.
"Alexander." Eliza sighed blissfully. Angelica was eyeing her.
"I've always wanted sons!" Mother squealed, then turned to me. "Let's get you ready for the big night."
She then ushered us all up to my room. Angelica sat me down on my bed and she, Eliza, and Mother rifled through my closet.
"You don't have anything!" Angelica told me in frustration.
"Come on, girls." Mother led us all to her and father's room, where she flung open the doors of her big wardrobe. I spotted the dress that Eliza had worn when Alexander asked Father for his blessing.
Peggy lurched forward and pulled out a greenish dress.
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"Lovely choice, Peggy!" Mother beamed, leading me over to the dressing bit. It was the platform you stand on to get changed. "Stay."
They fitted a tight corset on me and pieced the dress on me.
"Hair?" Eliza asked. Peggy pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit. I did, and Mother brushed through my hair.
She ended up braiding it and putting it into a neat bun on the back of my head. She then touched some makeup to my face and stood from a distance to admire her work.
"Perfect." She breathed. My sisters nodded in agreement.
