Your Interest At Heart

Chapter 14: Eliza's Wedding

Samuel and I had received word that his family is almost in America. They get in tonight, after Eliza and Alexander's wedding. I got ready, wearing a green ball gown. Samuel wore a light grey button-up shirt and his blue coat, which I had sewn up perfectly.

He showed up at our door to take me to the wedding. Eliza went with Mother, and Peggy and Angelica with with Father.

Samuel politely took my hand and kissed it, looking up at me. He kisses my hand differently than others. With other, he doesn't look at them. But with me, smiles up at me.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked. "And are Terri and Jane going?"

"They already left with their husbands." I told him. He nodded and we stepped into a carriage to go to our grandparents house, where both Eliza and I were both planning on getting married.

"Are you excited?" Samuel asked me. I nodded. "Me too."

"Did Alexander make you one of the groomsmen?" I asked, glancing at him.

"He did." Samuel nodded. "He was between me and John to be the best man."

"Is York going to be there?"

"No. Lafayette's afraid of dogs."

"He is?" I grinned. Samuel returned the smile. We arrived at my grandparents estate to find a load of people inside and outside. Eliza decided that they were getting married outside, so the food was inside.

Samuel got out first, and helped me out. As soon as the carriage ride away, my grandmother rushed up.

"Are you Samuel Seabury?" She demanded. She was a scarier woman than Angelica. Samuel gulped and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am." He replied nervously.

"You're going to marry my baby?" She pressed. My face flushed.

"B-Bianca?" He checked. "Yes."

"I'm going to have grandsons!" She squealed, kissing both his cheeks. She's just scary to people who don't know her.

"Cornelia." She introduced herself.

"Okay, Grandma, let's go inside." I glanced at Samuel with a smile and we went inside. That was where we found my father and grandfather. Grandma broke off to converse with others.

"Are you Samuel?" My grandfather asked sharply. Samuel flinched.

"Yes, sir." Samuel nodded, offering him his hand to shake. "Samuel Seabury."

"You, Samuel, treat Bee like a queen." Grandpa grasped Samuel's shoulders.

"She is." Samuel stared at him. "Well, not a literal queen, because that's what we're fighting against, but-"

"I like him." Grandpa looked at Father. Father grunted in agreement. Samuel's eyes shone at the praise.

"I have to go find Eliza." I told them.

"I-I should find Alexander." Samuel stuttered. Grandpa laughed and released him. I led Samuel to where Eliza had previously told me he'd be and opened the door.

"Seabury!" Voices erupted from the room happily, and Samuel went in. I went to Eliza's room.

"Finally, Bianca!" Mother examined me to see if I was acceptable. "Good."

Eliza was sitting in a chair, wearing her dress, as Angelica did her make-up and our aunt did her hair. Terri had done my hair and make-up before she left. So Peggy and I were talking in the corner of the room.

"Is Samuel here?" She asked.

"Yeah, he's with Alexander." I told her.

"What did Grandma and Grandpa think of him?" She questioned.

"I think they liked him." I thought aloud.

"You think?" She echoed.

"They seemed happy so meet him." I explained. "I'm not sure they love him though."

"Do you love him?" Peggy asked teasingly, waggling her eyebrows.

"Well, I-uh-" I stammered, blush creeping up my face.

"You do!" She gasped, beaming. "I told you I'd make you marry Samuel Seabury!"

I let out a little laugh as my mother collected all of us into our order. She told us who we walked down the aisle with.

"Peggy, you're with Lafayette." She glanced at my sister. "Bianca, you're with Samuel."

I did a yes! type motion. Peggy rolled her eyes at me.

"Everyone's already in their seats." She told everyone. "Angelica, go."

Women left one by one until it was just me, Peggy, and Eliza left.

"Bee, your turn." Mother nodded at me. I stepped out of the room and instantly met up with Samuel. We linked arms and walked down the aisle, parting ways at the end. Peggy came just after, then Eliza. Mother walked just behind Father and Eliza. Hercules flicked rose petals out of a small basket before standing beside Lafayette.

After the ceremony, people went to eat. I couldn't find Samuel at first, bit then saw him with Alexander and his friends. Peggy caught me gazing at him and cooed in my ear.

"You're in love!" She whispered in a sing-song voice.

"Where's my grandson?" Grandma asked.

"Over there." I pointed at the group.

"Oh!" She grabbed mine and Peggy:s hands. "Both!"

We then were forced over to them. Samuel noticed and chucked giving me a quick hug, then kissed my grandmother's hand. He didn't look up at her as he did. He then kissed Peggy's hand.

"Mrs. Cornelia!" Alexander gave her a hug.

"So formal!" She scoffed. "You call me Grandma now."

"Okay. Grandma." Alexander laughed.

"And you!" She turned to Samuel and I. "You're getting married tommorow!"

"We are." Samuel nodded, smiled. I grinned and Peggy winked at me.

"Seabury, Bianca, come on!" Alexander grinned, leading Eliza onto the big wooden deck. We were using it as a dance floor. Samuel took my hand and we followed them onto the deck.

All the married (or soon to be, that is) couple took to the dance floor.