Alex and Eliza: A Love Story(44)

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. Now I find men want to baby me, bolster me up with fine words and fine promises, and wear me on their arms like a gaudy bauble. Stephen does none of that. Rather, he looks to me—to me!—for strength, as if he can scarce believe that I should care for him. For the first time, I have found someone whose life I want to make better. It’s like coming upon a bird with a broken wing and nurturing it back to full strength. Yes, that’s it! Here’s a fellow who needs me to take care of him.”

“Dear sweet Peg.” Eliza wanted to believe it, too. “I suppose when you have the opportunity to do something of value for someone you love, you have the responsibility to do it. If that is the case, then I am truly happy for you.”

“But surely Papa will not approve,” Peggy moaned into the pillow. “He thinks Stephen is much too young and untested, and he would prefer a bold soldier like your colonel Hamilton who marches around with medals clanging against his breast.”

“What do you mean, my colonel Hamilton?”

“Oh, dearest Sister. For all of your intelligent ways, are you too pious to recognize a lovesick man when he stands before you wearing his heart on his sleeve? Everyone seems to see it but you. He was mooning over you all evening.”

The bedroom door flew open and moonlight streamed in behind a tall figure.

“Brrr . . . what have I missed?” Angelica lifted the covers and slipped in bed between them.

“Where have you been?”

Angelica smiled mysteriously. “You know where.”

Eliza did not press. “Peg is telling me what she really feels about Stephen.”

“Is that so? And what do you feel?”

“I love him, Ange. And you will do well to keep your claws away from him. He is young and has a soft heart.”

“Truly? You love him?”

“With all my heart!”

Angelica cackled. “A marvelous twist! The quietest man at the table wins the family beauty by coming up with nothing at all to say.”

Peggy bopped her oldest sister over the head with her pillow. Goose feathers floated in the air. “He’s a quiet man, not a fool.”

“I’m teasing, Peg. To tell the truth, he has rather grown on me. And no one can deny he is turning into a handsome young man, which is more than I can say for my suitor.

“Speaking of which: Did you see Church? What happened tonight?” asked Peggy.

“Oh my goodness,” Eliza said, laughing. “This bed may be too fragile to withstand any more surprises!”