Alex and Eliza--A Love Story by Melissa de la Cruz

Author:Melissa de la Cruz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2017-03-14T10:06:28+00:00

19

Girl Talk

Eliza’s Bedroom

Morristown, New Jersey

February 1780

The dinner over and the guests gone home, the Schuyler sisters retired for the evening. Eliza readied for bed, thinking dreamily of the passionate way Colonel Hamilton had spoken to her at the table that evening. His brilliance, his enlightened mind, and his mischievous good humor were hard to dismiss, and in fact, she kept dwelling on the small, precious moments they had found together all evening. The way his eyes shone when hers caught his across the room upon his arrival. The feel of his hand on her back when he led her out of the room to the ladies’ parlor before retiring to her uncle’s study for whiskey and cigars. The way he had sought her out afterward, to say a particularly sweet good-bye.

She closed her book and plumped up her pillow, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while; she was too excited, thinking of him. But she licked her fingers and snuffed out the candle like a good girl nonetheless, just as a knock came at the door.

“Can I come in for a moment?” It was Peggy, shivering in her cotton nightgown and bare feet.

Eliza pulled back the covers and patted the bedding beside her. “Of course!”

Peggy hopped up on the bed and snuggled in beside her older sister. The both of them let out a contented sigh, reveling in the warmth of each other’s bodies.

Peggy spoke first. “Remember when we were children and how we shared a bed and all our secrets, too?”

“Yes, Peg. Happy memories, those.” Eliza closed her eyes, thinking back to the lively Schuyler home with each of the sisters playing a musical instrument. The brothers would chase them all through the fields with their dogs. As often as not, Eliza would lead the way in the footraces.

“Well, I have another secret for you, Sister.” Peggy sat up in bed and turned toward Eliza. In the darkness, Eliza could barely see Peggy’s perfect nose.

“I have found the only man I shall ever love. And I intend to marry him.”

“But, dear Peg! You are younger than I. How can you know such a thing at such a tender age?”

“Because of his . . . kindness. He is the only suitor I’ve ever had who doesn’t pretend to know all there is about me, or tells me how beautiful I am, then proceeds to step all over my toes in the most careless ballroom manner. In fact, I can see it in his eyes that he is most comfortable when I am at his side. Of course, Stephen says relatively little but—”

“Stephen? We’re talking about Stephen?” Eliza said, trying not to sound too shocked for her sister’s sake.

“Yes, of course. I know you and Angelica find him tedious.”

“We do not!”

“But he is just young; he doesn’t know yet not to ramble.”

“He is very earnest, that.”

“Earnest and sweet. And you see, Eliza—do not think me a silly goose—but I have always been the one people took care of. First Mama babied me, then you and Angelica.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.