Kings College

Chapter 4

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter is particularly short, I plan on the next one being very long and being the entire dinner/ball/Darcy vibes so yeah. I also am having some home problems so it might take a while to come out.

Within three days, Dr Collins had allowed Jane and I to return Papa home. Jane had made his bed into the most delightfully comfortable yet functional item I'd yet seen. Along the edge she placed pillows of silk atop wooden rails to keep Papa from trying to leave on his own accord. He'd already tried it twice within the hospital, and we both knew he would try to race to work again.

"Theodosia, would please hand me my letter so I can do something instead of lying helpless in this bed?" Papa insisted, holding his hand out and expecting me to place the letter in his palm.

"Papa, I love you so but no. You are not well and despite your hands working I am not letting you do anything business related. This letter is from James Madison so I hardly expect it to be light and airy."

"At least read the damn thing to me!"

Papa was being unjust this morning and I knew if I mentioned I would cause turmoil with him.

Using a golden letter opener some distant relative had gifted my father, I revealed the contents. I hadn't read it aloud to Papa yet but he quickly began to make verbal protests.

"It's a dinner, Papa. Madison is holding it as a way of apologizing to the families involved in the dispute." I said the last word sourly. The events of their brawl had become more known to me within these past days. Papa, like I predicted, had not started the fight but caused the most injury, accidentally. Jefferson had a broken shin from Papa's entire body landing on it.

Jefferson did indeed start it, with Papa. The thing was more of a miscommunication between all parties and Hamilton had tried to stop the fight. That of course resulted in his own injury.

"When is it?"

"This upcoming Saturday. Five days from now."

"Damnit!"

"Papa!" I scolded his language. I expected better from the Vice President of the United States of America and he knew it. "We will attend, I will comprise a letter and have Jane send it today."

"Theodosia, I wish not to attend, please. My humiliation after such a brawl is one I cannot bear so swiftly." Papa whined and I felt bad for him, but I knew it would reflect poorly to have him not attend.

"I'm sorry Papa, you and I both know we must attend as per the invitation."

I left his chambers and headed down the hallway. Paintings of lakes and glorious forests covered our walls, Papa and Mother were both patrons of the arts and made it known in our home. Even one she did was above the mahogany staircase, a painted portrait of Marie Antoinette with a bloody line across her throat. Morbid, yet beautiful.

Our home wasn't much in way of thrilling, the outside of course had the beautiful Greek inspired columns but the inside was more homely. Paintings, books, oak furniture with a touch of mahogany in our staircases and writing desks here and there.

I called upon Jane when I entered the study, requiring items to write our response. She returned with them swiftly.

"Here you are, mistress."

"Thank you, Jane." I said, dipping my pen into the ink.

'Dear Mr Madison,

My father and I are both honored and delighted at the prospect of reconciliation over a dinner. The event which caused our meeting was not a pleasant one, though our wishes for the evening to be boisterous and lovely will exceed the circumstances.

We will see you Saturday evening at 5, as per your invitations.

Best Wishes,
Theodosia Burr Jr and Father.'

I let the ink dry for a moment as the window caught my attention. There was a group of women outside, towards the park that sat not far from our home, giggling like schoolchildren. Something about their obnoxious laughter caught my ear and I wondered what could cause such a ruckus.

As I stood slightly to catch a better view, I saw the man who was causing such attention; Philip Hamilton. My lips drew themselves into a firm line in disgust for the man. He was the son of one of the largest men in the country, yet he flaunted himself to these young women who knew no better than him being a handsome and fortunate young man. I felt sorry for these women, they would not get the courtship they wished for. He was simply playing them for attention, perhaps even sexual relations if he went that far. I couldn't fathom why anyone would do such a thing so purposefully. Perhaps I should school myself on the ways of the world if the case is to be I am the one without the proper knowledge.

Alas, I did my best to ignore the group and folded my response into a brief letter. I sealed it myself then gave it to Jane who got herself ready and left for the post office.

With my time alone, I went to my room and began looking through my evening gowns for a possible outfit to wear on Saturday. Violet was my favorite shade on myself, though I quite adored a light orange gown I had. The dark ribbon tied round my bust would look far better with a light tone than the dark, so the orange I have decided. I haven't worn such a fine gown in a while, that type of dress was reserved for special occasions such as this. My excitement was rising, what a fine occasion this was!

I held the dress to my collarbone, letting it drape over my front. I imagined the soft fabric on my skin with a beautiful hairstyle. My body twirled itself, imaging a soft melody in the background as I danced along with my dress. The violin would slowly start to get intense as the swirls of the body ran up. My head got dizzy but my laughter grew as I imagined a symphony of music drowning out any other sound. The strings of the instruments vibrate in my mind, sending chills down my body. Crashes of notes, differing climaxes all coming to a perfect conclusion that strikes me between the ribs as a deadly, elegant source.

Boom, boom, my arms lifted with each beat until I bent in exhaustion and as a curtain call. The dress fell to the ground as the music came a dramatic halt.

I fall onto my bed, laughing and out of breath. Dancing was customary for dinners like this, and it would be a large event full of all founding fathers. Was I childish to admit this dinner was one I was looking forward to?