Chapter 1
Peggy fiddled with skirt, she had told Eliza and Angelica earlier, they had both pulled her into a hug Angelica had whispered 'father's going to marry you of to the richest girl, and if I'm right you'll be marrying the Lewis girl' Peggy had chuckled at her sister and simply told her 'that she'd be married off to the highest bidder before her'. Peggy took a deep breathe before knocking on the door to her father's study, hearing a faint 'come in' Peggy opened the door, her father signalled for to take a seat "I have something to tell you" the man stopped writing and looked up at his daughter "father" Peggy paused taking a breathe in attempt to control her nerves "I'm sapphic" Peggy looked down at her hands neatly placed in her lap. "Peggy, it's perfectly alright my dear" Phillip said opening his arms inviting his daughter into his embrace. After a moment of the two embracing, with Peggy's head tucked firmly into her father's shoulder, he spoke "why don't you go tell your mother and sisters, then get cleaned up for dinner" Peggy nodded.
Her mother was sitting at the dinning table embroidering "mother" the older woman jumped "Peggy don't sneak up on me like that" bowing her head Peggy apologised "now what did you feel the need to scare me like that for?" Her mother questioned "I need to tell you something" her mother raised her eyebrows silently urging her to continue "I'm sapphic" at her words Catherine began to laugh "honey, you didn't need to tell me I knew, but I think you would have needed to tell your father as he is a bit oblivious when it comes to these sorts of things" Peggy's cheeks turned red "I've told him" Catherine put down her needle "what about your sisters, have you told them?" Peggy nodded, the other woman picked up her embroidery "alright go get cleaned up for dinner your aunt and uncle will be arriving soon, you and your sisters are going to be staying with them so your sisters can finds some suitors" Peggy laughed and began walking back to her quarters.
"So the three of you will be joining us down in Morristown in search for a husband am I correct" their aunt asked "Eliza and Angelica will be looking for husbands, Peggy will join them all though she will not be looking for a husband" Phillip informed his sister "and why is that dear brother?" The woman asked "she finds men distasteful, we will find her a wife" Catherine interrupted "mother" Angelica hissed "what is it not true, would she not rather a wife than a husband" Catherine glanced at her daughters "go to your rooms and pack, you are leaving with your aunt and uncle, your father and I shall see you in a few months time"
2 months had passed when she received a letter from her father, telling her she was to be married to Maria Lewis, and that there was a ball that she and her sisters would attend in a weeks time so she could meet Maria.
Eliza was sitting in a chair by the window reading "I got a letter from father" Peggy said walking over to Eliza's seat by the window "and?" Eliza asked as she closed her book "I'm to be married to Maria Lewis this time in a year, there is a ball next week in so I can meet her, you and Angelica are invited as well" Eliza sighed "maybe that will be mine and Angelica's chance to meet some husbands, finally" Peggy shook her head "I'm going to tell Angelica, see you at dinner"
Angelica smirked while Peggy told her "didn't I tell you" Peggy rolled her eyes at her sister "you did, but I don't even know what she looks like, you have to point her out for me" Angelica rested her hands on Peggy's shoulders "of course I will"
Peggy was nervous she had waited a whole week and now she was finally going to meet Maria, she had asked Angelica to tell her about Maria, she was 19, a year older than herself and the daughter of one of the generals based in New Jersey and an extraordinarily wealthy merchant. Their carriage had come to a stop music could be heard coming from inside the hall, Angelica stood up in the limited space once the carriage door was opened, she was helped down the steps by the driver followed by Eliza then Peggy. Once they were at the doors of the hall Peggy could hear the clinking of glasses and the laughter of those inside as well as the musicians playing.
Once inside Angelica had handed her and Eliza a glass of champagne, and linked her free arm through Peggy's and pointed to a woman with red lipstick "that my dear sister is your future wife" Peggy looked between Angelica and Maria which caused her sisters to laugh "don't look now, she's coming over here" Peggy's eyes widened at Eliza "how do I look" turning panicked to her sisters "you look beautiful, now go introduce yourself" Angelica replied pushing Peggy forward slightly.
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you, I'm Maria Lewis, and who might you be?" Peggy smiled nervously "Peggy. Schuyler. And please the pleasure is all mine" Maria's eyes brightened something Peggy hoped she didn't imagine "why don't you and I go for a walk?" Maria asked offering her arm to Peggy, "I'd like that" Peggy replied linking their arms together.
Once in the garden the women walked, until they reached a wooden bench that bathed in the moon's light. "Shall we?" Maria asked gesturing to the bench, Peggy nodded and took a seat. Maria sat next to her Peggy rested her head on Maria's shoulder "is this alright?" She asked "perfect" Maria smiled.
It was the early hours in the morning before Angelica came for Peggy, the two women had talked for hours finding out things about each other, their interests, likes and dislikes. "My dear sister I'm afraid we must be leaving" Peggy and Maria both stood up "I will write to you, I swear" Peggy told Maria before quickly pressing a kiss to her cheek which caused Maria's face to heat up and bring her hand up to the cheek that Peggy had kissed "I can't wait to read it" Maria replied just as she pulled her in for a hug.
Angelica and Eliza questioned Peggy all the way to their aunt's house, Peggy's cheeks had become a deep shade of red by the time their carriage reached the house. "Goodnight, sweet dreams sister" Eliza called after her "sweet dreams of Maria" Angelica joked.