Chapter 2
"Daddy said to be home by sundown" Peggy said as she was dragged along by Eliza, "daddy doesn't need to know" Angelica laughed and continued to weave her way through the crowded streets "daddy said not to go downtown" Peggy pleaded "like I said your free to go" Angelica answered "Angelica remind me what we're looking for?" Eliza asked, even though she knew that they were surprising Peggy, and taking her to see Maria "we're looking for a mind at work" Angelica nodded it seemed believable enough to fool Peggy for the time being.
Maria began to pace the corner she knew her father would not be pleased that she was sneaking out but she longed to see Peggy again. She had received a letter from Peggy's eldest sister, telling her about the meeting, she wrote back as soon as possible, she missed Peggy, the other woman was endearing and simply enchanting even thinking about her caused Maria to smile.
Peggy was worried, she stopped dead "Eliza where are we going? I've never seen this place before" Eliza tugged on her hand "trust Angelica she knows what she's doing, now come along" and back they went to walking through downtown.
They had reached a park neither Peggy or Eliza had visited "Angelica, tell me what's going on" Peggy demanded "my dear sister all will be revealed soon, just have a little more patience" Angelica told her, and gave a soothing kiss on her forehead "if I tell you it'll ruin the surprise" Peggy's eyes widened "a surprise" Angelica nodded "now close your eyes and we'll lead you to it" Peggy obeyed reaching out for her sisters, only to feel a pair of hands gently grip her shoulders and another pair holding her right hand leading her.
The short journey up the park hill took longer than expected, Peggy would stumble over her skirts, a branch, or a stone, Eliza kept her grip firm on Peggy's shoulders to prevent her from falling to the ground. Every time she did trip Peggy could hear her sisters' laughter, "wouldn't it just be easier if I could see where I was going?" Peggy asked she was beginning to tire of not being able to see. She could hear Angelica tutting "now, now sister, do you want to ruin the surprise?" Angelica questioned "we're almost there Peggy, just wait" Eliza giggled answering for Peggy as she was tugged on by Angelica.
Eliza's hands covered her eyes, Peggy tried to see through the gaps between her fingers "here's your surprise" Angelica told Peggy signalling for Eliza to remove her hands from over Peggy's eyes, which widened as soon as she saw Maria "Maria" Peggy called out gaining the other woman's attention as she hiked up her skirts and ran into her arms.
Eliza and Angelica watched in fondness as Peggy and Maria held on dearly to one another, Peggy's knuckles had turned a shade of white, she was gripping at the material Maria's dress as if she were to disappear if she let go. Maria's hands were never stationary, they moved from cupping Peggy's jaw, to her neck, to tucking baby hairs behind Peggy's ears. Peggy's cheeks burned, she had buried her head into Maria's neck, who had done the same and was now peppering light kisses to her neck which was not helping to calm Peggy's racing heartbeat.
"We should get going Peggy, we'll be missed" Eliza called out smiling softly at the two women. "I'll write, I promise" Peggy whispered before gently kissing Maria's cheek, causing Maria cheeks to turn red.
Maria sighed as Peggy left with her sisters, she followed them out into the street before hailing a carriage.
Peggy looked out the window of the carriage and sighed "looks like someone misses Maria" Angelica teased earning a sharp elbow to her ribs "Peggy that is not very acceptable for a young lady like yourself, especially one who is betrothed" Eliza joined in teasing her, which also earned her a slap to the arm.
Maria entered the house as stealthily as possible, but her father, Richard, was standing arms folded "where have you been young lady" the man all. It yelled at his daughter "I'm sorry, I lost track of time" Maria hung her head as she apologised, "that is not what I asked you my dear" he paused seeing that he had Maria's attention he continued "I'm going to ask once more, please answer truthfully this time, where were you" Maria sighed "I was with Peggy" this caused her father to smirk "I'm glad you two are getting along" Maria smiled and rushed of to write a letter to Peggy not caring that she had just saw her