~*~Late Summer 1769~*~

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Twelve-year-old Lydia Woodhull's brow furrowed at the near constant tapping against her window pane. She got up from her desk, where she had been reading, and walked to the window. It was dark outside, aside from the light given by the moon and stars. Lydia didn't see anything, so she turned to walk away when something once again struck her window.

Lydia opened her window and poked her head out to look around. "Psst. Lyddie. Down here," a voice whispered from the darkness. She glanced down and squinted her eyes to peer through the darkness. After a few seconds her eyes recognised Benjamin Tallmadge standing down below. She waved at him before she pulled herself back inside to go get Abraham. But Ben's voice hissed, "Lyddie, where are you going?"

With an eyebrow arched she poked her head out the window. "I was going to get Abe," Lydia whispered back, her curls tumbling in her face. She blew a puff of air at them and then pulled them behind her ears.

"I wish to speak with you, Lyddie. Not Abe."

His words puzzled her. "Me?" she questioned.

"Aye. You." There was a momentary pause before he said, "Climb down the trellis and go for a walk with me."

Lydia was rather flabbergasted by his request. "You can't be serious."

"But I am." Even though she couldn't see his face, she just knew that he was grinning, clearly amused by the situation.

She folded her arms across her chest. "Perhaps you should come up, then. You've done it before, Benj."

"Aye, but to sneak into Abe's room, not to speak with you. I fear it would be highly inappropriate to do so now, given the circumstances."

Lydia sighed. She was too curious to find out what Ben wanted to refuse him. But she would do it on her own terms. "If I fall..." she warned.

"I'll catch you," Ben chuckled. "I promise."

After chewing her bottom lip in contemplation for a moment, Lydia said, "Just let me grab my cloak." She grabbed her cloak and then hoisted herself onto the ledge of the window. She glanced over her shoulder at the door to her bedroom to make sure no one was watching before she jumped onto the roof of the porch. She then began to climb down the trellis. It would have been much easier if she could see where she was going. Lydia accidentally stepped on her cloak causing her to lose her balance and fall backward.

True to his word, Ben easily caught Lydia in his arms and didn't hit the ground. "I told you I'd catch you," he whispered to her. In the darkness, Lydia rolled her eyes before she jumped from Ben's arms. He made sure to steady her, but he had hardly helped her when she brushed his hand away from her. Ben chuckled at her stubbornness, a Woodhull trait she had certainly inherited. "Come on, then," Ben said turning around, slowly beginning to cross the lawn.

"Benj, where are we going?" Lydia groaned following after him.

Over his shoulder, Ben responded, "Come on, Lyddie. Where's your sense of adventure?"

She muttered, "Caleb's been a bad influence on you."

He couldn't help but smile. She might have had a bit of a point, but he could get into trouble all on his own, without Caleb. Ben stopped and turned toward her, the moonlight softly shining against her so that he could barely see her. "Don't you trust me?" he asked her.

Lydia folded her arms across her chest. "You know I do."

Ben cocked his head a little before he held his hand out toward her, glancing at her earnestly. For a moment, she just looked at his hand, which was a bit worrisome for Ben. But his worries subsided when she gently placed her hand in his. He gripped her hand before he took off running with Lydia at his side. She breathlessly laughed as she held tightly onto him with one hand while holding the hood of her cloak in place with the other.

Lydia was nearly out of breath when Ben finally came to a stop at the cove. The sight of the moon reflecting on the water was bewitching. Still holding onto Ben's hand, she absently leaned against him as she took it in. He glanced down at her and softly smiled before he looked out at the water. "Will you miss Setauket?" Lydia asked before her hand slipped from Ben's and gathering her cloak in her hands.

"Of course," Ben softly chuckled before going silent for a moment. He then continued, "Some things more than others."

"Your brothers?"

"Among other things."

Lydia looked up at Ben curiously, but she didn't say anything. She shifted her stance, twigs snapping beneath her as she said, "I'm sure you'll enjoy Yale, Benj." Lydia could see his head nod in the darkness. "I must confess that at time I find myself wishing that I could go away to school like you and Abe. I fear it will be ever so lonesome here."

"You were quite fortunate that your father allowed you to be educated alongside Abe. Most members of the fairer sex are not as fortunate."

"I know." Feeling slightly chastised, Lydia kicked at the dry leaves on the ground.

Not having meant to cause Lydia distress, Ben quickly added, "But perhaps when I return for holidays I might be able to help you continue your studies."

She paused for a moment and smiled at Ben before she responded, "I would like that."

"You would?" Ben asked, his tone unable to conceal his sense of shock at her words.

Lydia chuckled, "Of course I would. Why would I not?" She looked up at him rather innocently. Her blue eyes glistening in the moonlight.

Ben shifted uncomfortably and pushed the stray tendrils of hair that fell on his face behind his ear. "I-I..." he stammered for a moment before making eye contact with Lydia. He sighed. "You're only twelve Lyddie."

"I'll be thirteen in November, Benjamin," Lydia stated rather stubbornly as she folded her arms across her chest. Ben shook his head and chuckled under his breath at her response. Her hands then moved to her hips. "And you have only asked to help me continue my studies. Unless there is something of which I am unaware."

Ben was thankful that the darkness covered his flaming face from Lydia's scrutinising gaze. For a brief moment he chewed his bottom lip, pondering whether or not he wanted to proceed. He sighed and stood a little taller, opting not to deter himself. "Lyddie, I-I was wondering if I might be able to write to you while away at Yale."

Lydia's brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't you be able to write me?"

He groaned and shook his head. "No, Lyddie. I-I..."

Again, for a brief moment, Lydia was puzzled. She had never known Ben to be lacking for words. But she quickly caught onto what Benjamin was trying to express. She softly smiled at the fact that Ben wanted to write to her and hoped that maybe it could mean something. Someday.

She knew they were both too young yet for anything serious, but perhaps there might be a someday. Ever since she was young, she had been taught to pray for a God-fearing husband and in Lydia's mind there was no one better than the reverend's second son. Although, that meant she had to hope that her father would allow her to marry for love and not out of family obligation, which seemed to be the direction things were headed for Thomas, Lydia's eldest brother.

But Lydia knew she was quickly getting ahead of herself with such romantic notions for a girl of twelve, nearly thirteen. Besides, Ben had only asked if he could keep up a correspondence with her. That was all. Nothing more. Although he did look rather nervous standing there, waiting for her answer. Lydia smiled coyly before she evenly responded, "Yes, I suppose that would be all right."

"Oh thank the Lord," Ben said rather breathlessly as he leaned over and rested his hands on his knees.

Lydia threw her head back and laughed. "You didn't honestly think I'd refuse you, did you?"

"No, not initially," Ben commented. "But you sure gave me a fright waiting for your response."

Lydia giggled and looked at Ben as he stood there. At times, having grown up with only brothers seemed to get the better of her. She desperately wanted nothing more than to give Ben a proper shove. He was in the perfect position for one which would send him tumbling to the ground. While her lessons with Widow Browne told her such a thing wasn't ladylike, sometimes she gave over to her impulses. And so, Lydia gave Ben a playful shove and sent him falling to the ground.

Ben groaned from the ground as Lydia covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. "Now who's the one acting like Caleb?" Ben questioned playfully as he glanced up at Lydia. She looked shocked that he had actually heard her earlier. "Now you've done it," Ben said as he got to his feet. "Now you've done it."

He lunged for her, but Lydia squealed and took off running through the trees. "There's no use in running, Lyddie! I'm faster than you!" Ben called out as he began to chase after her. The moonlight streaking between the trees, giving them just enough light to run.

"Then catch me, Benj!" Lydia called over her shoulder before her laugh echoed through the trees. The echo of Ben's laughter entwined with Lydia's mixing with the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves.

For a moment, Lydia stopped and rested against a tree, panting for air. She listened for Ben's chasing footsteps bounding behind her, but she didn't hear them. The only sounds came from the water lapping the coast. Lydia knew he had to be somewhere close. She peered around the tree and whispered, "Benj?" She listened for a response, but none came. "Benj?" Lydia repeated, only to be met with the same response. She could feel her heart begin to race quickly in nervousness. She hated knowing that the inevitable was coming and there was nothing she could do to predict it more precisely. "This isn't funny, Benjamin."

Seconds later, Ben jumped out of the trees with a shout and wrapped his arms around Lydia from behind. A scream had barely escaped her lips when Ben's hand quickly covered her mouth, muffling it. "I got you," Ben whispered before the hand that covered Lydia's mouth grasped the arm holding her tight. He held tightly onto her before he lifted her and began to spin, laughing as he did so. Ben's laugh was so infectious that Lydia threw her head back against his shoulder and her laughter joined his.

Eventually, Ben set Lydia down safely on the ground, but she turned toward him and placed her hands on his forearms to steady herself. When the brief spell of dizziness had past, Lydia, still holding onto Ben, looked up at his face. Lydia's breath slightly hitched as Ben pulled the hood of her cloak down so that it hung down her back. For a moment, neither spoke a word. They just stood there looking at each other, the moonlight casting just enough light for them to see each other.

Ben cleared his throat and shifted his stance, causing Lydia's grasp on him to loosen. "I ought to get you home now," he said, shattering the moment they had just shared. But it was a moment Lydia would never forget. Despite the fact that she was only twelve, years later, Lydia would cite as the moment when she completely lost herself to the spell Benjamin Tallmadge had somehow placed on her.

Like a good gentleman, Ben offered Lydia his arm. She accepted his arm and together they began the trek back to Whitehall with the moonlight guiding their way. Their walk back was a rather silent affair. Neither Ben nor Lydia were quite sure what to say to the other, but they both appreciated the nearness of the other's company, knowing that was all about to change.

Back at Whitehall, Ben and Lydia slowly approached the back porch for Lydia to climb back up. Neither really wanted the night to come to an end, but alas it must. "I'll be sure to see you before I leave for New Haven. Good night, Lyddie," Ben said with a hint of melancholy in his voice.

"Good night, Benj," Lydia responded with a near identical hint in her voice. "God bless."

"God bless," Ben responded before he helped Lydia onto the trellis, holding the bottom of her cloak up for her so that she didn't step on it and fall like before. She was a few steps up when something Ben didn't quite understand overtook. "Lyddie, wait," he whispered.

With a look of confusion on her face, Lydia turned her head to face Ben. She blinked at him rather innocently as he stood there with his head cocked and his jaw set. His expression was rather intense. Then his look softened and he seemed somewhat unsure of himself as his whole body bobbed left, then right, then left again before his head suddenly propelled toward hers. Ben's lips placed a gentle kiss on Lydia's cheek before he pulled away, looking rather sheepish. He slowly backed away wondering if he had been too forward.

But Lydia only motioned him to come closer with her index finger. Ben slowly plodded forward, closing the distance between them. Having known Lydia her entire life, Ben knew that she wasn't afraid of slapping any cad who had even dared to be as forward as he had just been. She had done a lot worse to boys who had done far less and he had seen it happen. So needless to say, he was surprised when she returned the favour and gently kissed his cheek. Ben couldn't help but smile as his hand immediately covered the place where she had kissed him. And instead of ruining the moment with any words he would likely manage to stumble over, Ben retreated from Whitehall.

~*~ Autumn 1776~*~

Lydia sat downstairs in front of the fire working on her needlepoint when her father returned from having visited Abraham at his farm. It was because of her father that Abraham had been released. Yet, Selah Strong still remained imprisoned. News of the incident had spread like wildfire through the town.

After the chain of events that had taken place earlier, Lydia knew she was next to bear the weight of her father's disappointment. While she hadn't really done anything wrong by the law, the daughter of the town magistrate had a certain image to upkeep. It was an image Lydia wasn't entirely keen on upholding, but as long as she lived under her father's roof she required his protection which meant she had to abide by his rules.

"What were you and Abraham thinking?" Richard Woodhull hissed as he stood directly in front of his daughter. Lydia timidly bowed her head, refusing to make eye contact with her father. "I demand an answer, Lydia!"

Lydia slowly exhaled and looked up at her father. So rarely had she been the one on this end of this type of conversation. It was almost always Abraham. Occasionally, Thomas. But rarely was it her. Lydia was far better at keeping secrets and not getting caught than her brothers. But Thomas was gone. God bless his soul. So, naturally the position was hers to fill. Lydia chewed her bottom lip for a moment, carefully choosing the words she would speak to her father. "I know not my brother's thoughts, but Father, you know I sell baked goods to Missus Strong for the soldiers," she said firmly.

One thing Lydia knew to be true about a good lie or ruse was that it needed to seem as if there was a sense of transparency. When she first started selling goods, she made sure her father was privy to what she was doing. Even though the reason she gave him was a false one. "It's my way to show a small token of my gratitude for the protection they offer. If there's one place nearly all the soldiers frequent, it's Strong's Tavern."

Richard Woodhull sighed and shook his head. "I don't like you anywhere near that tavern. That is no place for a daughter of mine."

"But it's fine for someone else's daughter?" Lydia immediately regretted her quick response. Normally, she was so careful with her words as far as her father was concerned, but sometimes her temperament matched the colour of her hair. But before her father could reprimand her, Lydia apologised, hanging her head. "I am sorry, Father. I should not have spoken to you like that. Please forgive me, Father."

"No, you should not have," Richard agreed, folding his arms across his chest and narrowing his eyes at his daughter. Lydia glanced up at her father rather innocently and Richard sighed. He could never stay cross at his daughter for long. Richard took a few steps and sat down on the chair beside his daughter. For a moment, he held his head in his hands and sighed. "It's times like this that make me feel like a failure as your father. If only your mother..."

Lydia reached out and gently rested her hand on her father's hand. "Father, you mustn't be too hard on yourself. None of this was your fault. It was..." Her father cut her off before she could finish.

"Perhaps, if I had only raised you better." He paused for a moment before broaching the next subject, which he knew his daughter was going to object to. "Or perhaps if you had a husband."

"Father, we've discussed that matter several times," Lydia said flatly before she removed her hand from her father's. Sometimes it seemed like he wanted to make up for his own shortcomings raising her, by pushing her off on a husband for him to fix. "I've told you, I'll marry once you remarry. There needs to be a woman managing Whitehall."

Richard shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "This is about that Tallmadge boy, isn't it?"

Of course, it was. But she couldn't tell him that.

"I wish not to talk about him." While that wasn't entirely true, it was true that she didn't wish to talk about Ben with her father. Feeling the heat beginning to creep up into her cheeks, Lydia slightly fanned at her face with her hand.

Richard nodded his head before he mumbled, "I was right to refuse him when he asked for your hand."

Lydia's brow furrowed. "What? When was this?" she asked trying to sound cool and collected despite the pang within her. Never once had she heard mention of Ben asking her father to marry her. Never. Neither from Ben nor her father. While she always knew her father would never give Ben permission, it still came as a bit of a shock to know that he had tried.

"He had intended to marry you upon his completion of Yale. But I refused to give him permission when he asked. You were much too young and he had no means to support you. And it's a good thing I didn't, the way he's chosen to sully himself. I always knew there was something wrong with him."

Lydia bit her tongue as her father continued his long-winded tirade against Ben. She didn't listen what he said about Ben, she just listened for him to go quiet for a moment. When her father quieted for a moment to catch his breath, Lydia turned to him and said, "Father, after all the...excitement...of today, I find myself rather weary. I was wondering if I might retire for the evening."

'Yes, yes, of course," her father responded. Lydia stood and walked over to him and pressed a chaste kiss on his cheek. He softly smiled and patted her cheek. "Good night, my Lydia."

"Good night, Father. God bless." Lydia pressed one more kiss against her father's cheek before she retired to her bedroom for the night. Part of Lydia wished she could run up the stairs much like she had when she was a child, chasing after her brothers Abraham and Thomas. But that certainly wasn't proper and proprietary seemed to be of utmost importance since the British has come to Setauket.

Once inside her bedroom, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, listening. She wanted to make sure that no one was following her. Not that she really expected anyone to, but she couldn't let anyone see what she was about to do next. It might reveal things she was trying to keep hidden. After a moment of listening, Lydia tiptoed across the room to her bed. She knelt to the floor as she would in prayer, but she didn't fold her hands and bow her head. Instead, her fingers wrapped around a loose floorboard beneath her bed which she then gently pulled up.

Beneath that floorboard were all her correspondences with Benjamin since he had left for Yale in the Autumn of '69. She had kept every single one of his letters. While their letters had become somewhat less frequent since the start of the war, Lydia still treasured each one. Her fingers traced over the stack of letters delicately before she searched for the letters from Ben's last year at Yale. While she was certain she had treasured each of Ben's words, she couldn't help but think she had missed him telling her he had talked to her father about being wed.

Upon finding the letters, she pulled them from the floor and set them on her bed before changing into her nightclothes, which were far more comfortable than the corset she currently wore. When she was changed, she crawled onto her bed and leaned against the pillows she had propped up to read through Ben's words to her.

As she read Ben's words, her heart hurt. Her feelings for him almost overwhelmed her. She didn't want to be separated from him any longer. Lydia felt they had been separated long enough as it was, what with Benjamin attending Yale, then taking up a teaching post, and enlisting to serve under Washington. It seemed like they had hardly even seen each other these last few years, but her heart longed for him. And she trusted that he pined for her as well.

Lydia groaned when she finished the last letter in her pile. Nowhere had there been a single mention of him talking to her father for her hand. But the tone of his letters did seem a little more melancholy after the Christmas holiday when he had returned to visit Setauket. Lydia could only surmise thatwas when Ben had spoken with her father on the matter. Her heart ached for him, for the pain he must have felt at her father's denial. But it wasn't as if they had heeded Richard Woodhull's wishes.

Carefully, Lydia put Ben's letter back beneath the floorboard. She made sure to put them back in order because it made things much easier to read them again. Her hand grazed against a small leather pouch. Lydia then pulled out the last letter she had received from him and put the floorboard back in place. She clutched the letter to her chest as she crawled back onto her bed. It had been over a fortnight since she had heard back from him. While she knew that Ben was busy with the war effort, she couldn't help but wonder if he was still living. Lydia ran her fingers over his valediction and signature.

Ardently yours,

Benj

Tears pricked her eyes. Gently she dabbed at them with her sleeve. She knew that crying over him wouldn't bring him back to her any faster nor would it keep him any safer. Instead, she got down on her knees and prayed to the Lord. She prayed for Ben. She prayed that he was safe and that the Lord would watch over him. She prayed that one day Ben would come home to her and that they could finally be a family. Lydia then prayed for her brother Abe. She prayed that his crop might somehow be salvaged. She prayed for his wife Mary and his son Thomas. She prayed for Anna Strong...and Selah.

Lydia's eyes flew open when her prayers turned toward Selah. She looked over her shoulder to see the rain pouring outside her window. A burden of guilt weighed heavily against her. Had she not gone into the tavern to visit Anna, she could have avoided the scene with Lieutenant Simcoe and Selah might still be free. She felt responsible for his current condition and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep with her conscience in its current condition.

So, she quickly redressed, sans corset and threw a cloak on to help cover herself from the downpour. She then walked to her window and slowly opened it, fully intending to sneak out it. While she wasn't an amateur to sneaking out her window, both her brothers Thomas and Abraham had used her window far more than she had. Carefully, she maneuvered herself herself onto the roof of the porch. That part wasn't too difficult. It was shimming down the porch that was rather difficult, especially with all the petticoats. Lydia had a feeling it was far easier in breeches because the boys always made it look effortless. Although, she had learned to keep her cloak bunched in one hand so that she wouldn't trip over it.

Under the cover of darkness, Lydia quietly escaped from Whitehall. She pulled her cloak tight as the rain pelted against her face. Despite the dangers she could face for being out after curfew, Lydia was determined to get to the stocks to see Selah. Although with all this rain, she suspected that the sentry would likely be keeping dry in Reverend Tallmadge's former church.

Her suspicions were confirmed as she approached the stocks. No one with a lick of common sense would want to be doing sentry duty in the pouring rain. As Lydia drew closer, Selah took notice of someone drawing nearer to him. "Who goes there," he shouted.

"It's Lydia, Selah," Lydia stated as she untied the ribbon to her cloak. For a brief moment, she uncovered herself, feeling the rain beat upon her, before she manoeuvred her cloak so that it covered both her and Selah.

Selah was quiet for a few moments, appreciating the fact that the rain wasn't pounding against his face. He then cleared his throat and said, "What are you doing here, Lydia? You shouldn't be here."

"I'll take that as your gratitude, Selah. You're welcome."

"First your brother, now you. Can't you Woodhulls stay out of trouble?"

"Abraham was here?"

"Aye. He tells me that I'm to be sent to the Jersey. The Redcoats don't want to hang anyone in secure territory."

Lydia's brow furrowed for a moment as a tendril of hair spilt in front of her face. She blew it out of the way with a puff of air. The guilt weighed heavily on her heart. Lydia's voice broke as she spoke, "Selah, I'm so sorry. For everything. I-I..."

"It wasn't your fault, Lydia," Selah sighed. "You did nothing wrong."

"I-I never should have come in the tavern." Lydia could feel the warm, sticky tears streaming down her cheeks. "Perhaps, if I hadn't, none of this would have happened.

"Nay, Lydia, you mustn't think like that. Mine and Anna's friends should always be welcome at our home and establishment. Besides, you know about the promise I made to Ben, Lydia. I do not regret defending you from Simcoe. I only regret that I will not be able to continue to keep my promise to Ben. I know how much you both trusted me."

Lydia sniffled. "Ben will understand, Selah. I-I'll write him. Perhaps there's something he can do."

"I'm not a soldier, Lydia."

"No, but you're a friend. That must count for something."

Selah was quiet for a moment, pondering her words. He then asked, "Have you heard from him recently?"

Lydia chewed her bottom lip for a moment. "No," she said, her voice faltering. "This is the longest he's gone without writing me. I-I find myself fearing that..."

"Hush, Lyddie," Selah chided. "You mustn't think like that. Not now."

"Sorry, Selah. You're absolutely right. Your current cross to bear is heavier than mine."

"It has nothing to do with crosses. You need to stay of clear mind. If not..." Selah's voice trailed off. But Lydia knew exactly what he was trying to tell her and he was right. If she became too preoccupied by other things, she could place herself in even more danger and she was already in plenty as it was. Lydia sighed and Selah spoke once more. "You keep an eye on Anna for me, you hear? She's going to be needing your friendship now more than ever with me imprisoned on the Jersey."

"Of course, Selah. But I would have done it anyway, without you asking."

"Now, get back to Whitehall before you are found out, Lydia."

Even though she knew Selah couldn't see her in the darkness, despite being only feet from him, Lydia nodded her head in agreement. She quickly returned her cloak to its proper position, feeling bad that Selah now had to go back to enduring the rain. "Good-bye, Selah. Thank you for all you've done for me. May God bless you." With that Lydia took off in a sprint toward home, mud splashing against her dress. It was likely that the dress was now ruined, but in the grand scheme of things the dress wasn't all that important. But to be honest, given the sad state of affairs, Lydia wasn't all that sure what was important anymore.

The next morning, Lydia went about Whitehall tidying up. Aberdeen kept the house clean, but with several prominent women of Setauket coming over for a sewing circle they had decided she should hold, she knew that they were bound to pass judgment on her. Especially her housekeeping skills. They were truly a bunch of no-good busybodies at times, but that was the lot in life she had been cast. Lydia wished she could invite Anna to the gathering, but it would be deemed highly inappropriate given Anna's family's allegiances and her husband being arrested as a traitor to the Crown. Her only consolation was that her sister-in-law Mary had promised to come and bring Lydia's nephew along with her.

Lydia was glad to see the wagon driven by Ensign Baker, carrying Mary and Thomas pull up in front of the house. Mary had offered to come over early and help Lydia make sure everything looked proper. Lydia thought Mary to be a very good sister. Although at times, she found herself wishing her brother Thomas had lived and married Mary so then Lydia could have had both Mary and Anna for sisters, but fate hadn't been so kind.

"Good morning," Lydia said as she approached the wagon and lifted her arms in the air to grab Thomas. Mary smiled and greeted her sister-in-law back as she placed her son in Lydia's arms. Lydia snuggled her nephew close and kissed him all over his face, making him giggle.

"You'll make a very good mother someday," Mary said as Ensign Baker helped her down to the ground.

Lydia looked at her sister-in-law knowingly with a slight smirk on her face. "And for that, I'd require a husband first," she retorted.

Mary thanked Ensign Baker and then glanced at Lydia with a knowing expression. "And perhaps if you took a look around you, you'd see there are plenty of fine, eligible men who would be more than willing to take your hand in marriage."

Ensign Baker smiled sheepishly behind Mary. Lydia didn't miss his response. She then turned around and walked toward the house with Mary, still holding onto Thomas. Lydia stopped for a moment on the stairs and glanced over her shoulder to see that Ensign Baker was still standing there, watching them. She sighed and nodded at him in acknowledgement. "Have a good day, Ensign Baker."

"You as well, Miss Woodhull," Ensign Baker said with a grin on his face.

Lydia turned back around and rolled her eyes for Mary to see. "That was just cruel," Lydia whispered to her sister before pressing another kiss against Thomas's cheek.

Mary smiled. "What? Ensign Baker's a fine man. Albeit a fine man in need of a woman's guiding hand." Lydia knew there was a story there, but now wasn't the time to ask. She wanted to stay on the subject at hand.

"That may very well be, but it was cruel to give him any measure of hope." Mary glanced at Lydia curiously, so Lydia felt the need to clarify as to not draw any suspicions. "I have nothing against the man, but do you really think he'd pass Richard Woodhull's muster?" Lydia glanced over her shoulder once more to see Ensign Baker wave as he drove away. "My father would never give him the time of day. He wouldn't make a very advantageous match, I'm afraid."

Mary sighed, knowing that Lydia was right, but hoping that there was reason to hope. "You never know. Perhaps Father will surprise you."

"Somehow, I highly doubt that." Lydia kissed Thomas one last time before she set him down on a quilt in the corner of the room. She wiped her hands on her apron and straightened her stance. "How is Abe doing?" Lydia asked.

Mary's brow furrowed. "He was gone before I woke this morning. He didn't say where he was going. You haven't seen him have you?"

Lydia cleared her throat. "Not since yesterday." She hung her head slightly, knowing that Mary disapproved of any sort of acquaintance with the Strongs. Not that Lydia was feeling ashamed of her acquaintance, but over the fact that she had helped cause Selah's distress. Thankfully, Mary didn't push the issue any further. They simply set to work with the final touches before the prominent women of Setauket arrived. The women hadn't even arrived yet and Lydia was already looking forward to them leaving.

The following day, Lydia hung the laundry she had washed that morning on the line to dry. Worry began to eat away at her. As far as she knew, Abraham was still missing. Gone without a word. He was now suspected of killing Captain Joyce, the officer who had joined in the row at the tavern. From what Lydia had gathered eavesdropping on her father and Major Hewlett's conversation, Joyce's throat had been slit. Certainly a gruesome way to die. Selah had been carted-off and she still hadn't heard from Benj. It almost felt like everything was falling apart. But she had to remain strong. She had a part to play.

Lydia hung a sheet on the line when she a silhouette appeared on the sheet drawing nearer. She glanced on the other side to find her brother walking toward her. Without a second thought, Lydia sprinted toward her brother, closing the distance between them. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Oh, thank the Lord," Lydia whispered before she released him. "We've been so worried about you. Where have you been?"

Abraham raised an eyebrow at his sister. "I think you're the last person who should be asking questions, Lyddie," he said.

Lydia scoffed and looked at her brother in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I have some questions of my own. For example, why do I have a letter for you from Ben Tallmadge?" Abe produced a letter from the pocket of his jacket and held it between his fingers, glancing at his sister with slightly narrowed eyes. "Hmm?"

Lydia slowly gulped, unsure of how to respond. She knew Abe was going to demand a response and to be honest, she wasn't sure how to respond to his question. Could she trust him? Lydia slowly exhaled and covered folded her arms across her chest pondering how to proceed because everything she had carefully crafted the last few years seemed like it was about to come crashing down around her.