Chapter 3
Peggy was in her room with her tutor, writing which she hated, Peggy unlike her sister was not gifted in French like Eliza, or writing like Angelica was gifted in maths and sciences she was years ahead of Eliza and Angelica, but with writing and French she struggled to keep up. "Peggy, I have something for you" Angelica giggled as she stuck her head through the door "what is it?" Peggy Asked paying no mind to her tutor "a Miss Lewis has written a letter to you" at her sisters words Peggy blushed "i think Peggy has done enough work today, thank you" dismissing Peggy's tutor, as the man gathered his things Angelica handed Peggy the letter "I'm going to get Eliza then you can read the letter to us" Angelica told her with a wink. Peggy opened the letter.
My dearest Peggy,
The days feel longer when you are not by my side, I long for the day we are to be married, and can spend our days filled with nothing more than quaint talks, readings and time spend with each other. I am aware that there are very few opportunities for us to meet but there is to be a ball next week in town, with all the men fighting for our freedom, I hope that you will attend and I can finally see you again.
Ever yours, Maria
Peggy read over the letter smiling to herself, Angelica barged into her room Eliza in tow they both sat down on her bed "well go on tell us what she wrote" Angelica urged Peggy, "read it for yourselves" Peggy replied handing the letter to Angelica, cheeks burning. Angelica, whom had a flare for dramatics, stood in front of Eliza, holding the letter in her right hand and Eliza's in her left, began to read Eliza the letter
"My dearest Peggy" Angelica paused as Eliza placed the back of her hand on her forehead and pretended to swoon.
"The days feel longer when you are not by my side, I long for the day we are to be married, and can spend our days filled with nothing more than quaint talks, readings and time spend with each other. I am aware that there are very few opportunities for us to meet but there is to be a ball next week in town, with all the men fighting for our freedom, I hope that you will attend and I can finally see you again. Ever yours, Maria" Peggy's cheeks had become a deeper shade of red, "awe look she's blushing" Eliza giggled causing Peggy to cover her cheeks in attempt to hide their redness, Angelica pulled Peggy's hands down to her sides and pinched her cheeks "it's sweet how infatuated you are with her" Peggy reached up and slapped her sisters hands away, crossing them over her chest she huffed "I'm not infatuated with her" Eliza gasped "what are you going to write back" Peggy's eyes widened "that's none of your concern" this earned a nudge from Angelica "I can help you write it if you like" Peggy scoffed "no thank you, I'm not letting you write it" Angelica gasped in distain "I, the best writer of our siblings, turned down, what are you afraid I'll tell her your true feelings" "n-n-no that's not what I meant-" before Peggy could finish she was interrupted "then what did you mean" Angelica asked staring her sister down, "I simply meant that I'd rather do it myself, with my own words, rather than another's" Peggy's gaze fell to the floor as she spoke, "as long as you promise to let us read then" Angelica told her with a smirk, Peggy nodded "alright we'll leave you to it" Eliza told her dragging Angelica with her out the room. It was hopeless, Peggy couldn't think of anything to write, sighing she got up from the chair at her desk and began to pace aimlessly. Quill grasped firmly in her hand Peggy finally began to write,
My dear Maria,
I too cannot wait to see you again, I can count the days passed since I saw you last on one hand, but the days feel more like years, an eternity spend, without you, is not something I could easily bear. I'm afraid writing has never been my strongest way of expressing myself, or in fact something I am capable of capturing ones heart, I wish it that could write you poems of love and beauty things that come easily to others but alas I am a woman with skills in fields such as mathematics and the sciences, but even with my skill in math I could not calculate my love for you.
Ever yours, Peggy
Peggy sighed it had taken her most of the night to finish her letter to Maria, and she wasn't even sure if it was good, but there would be no chance of letting Eliza and Angelica read what she had written, it was strictly between her and Maria. As Peggy readied herself for bed she thought how it best to give Maria the letter, the next time she saw her at the ball with the soldiers, but as they departed, so as to not be in Maria's presence when she read it and she would write another in it's place, one that she could show her sisters and not become so easily flustered about it. Just as she was about to blow out the candle, that provided the only source of light in the room, she walked back over to the deck in the corner of her room and hid the letter in it's top drawer, still not satisfied, she placed some ink wells and quills over it, nodding to herself at the letter hidden in her drawer. Blowing out the lantern in her hand, Peggy noticed her curtains were open and was drawn to gaze into the night and admire the countless stars in the sky, she could name only a few of the constellations, the most common, like Orion's Belt, the Big Dipper and the Andromeda to name a few. She stood up, pulling the heavy curtains shut, barely allowing any light in, as Peggy stumbled toward her bed she had regretted blowing out the lantern, but alas she finally reached her bed. Climbing under the covers, envelopes in their warmth she smiled and thought of future things, her future with Maria. Peggy began to drift of content, thoughts consumed by Maria.