And Peggy

"Girls! There you are. You told me you were just going for a walk! What on Earth happened?" Their father stood in the living room, staring at his daughters, who were soaked to the bone.

"Sorry father." Angelica walked up to him. "We had a little.... Mishap."

"Well go upstairs and dry up, please." He sighed. Then he smiled. "But you look like you had a fun time."

The girls shared knowing looks and walked upstairs, trying not to drip on the carpet.

"I have not had that much fun in quite some time!" Angelica laughed.

"But the ball last night was splendid. It has not been that long." Eliza chastised.

Again, Angelica gave a smile that seemed as if it had been forced on her face. Eliza, who had been wringing out her dress, took no notice. But Peggy did.

•••

That night, once Eliza had gone to sleep, Peggy decided to ask Angelica what was wrong. Angelica always went to bed late, due to reading or writing. It was not very healthy, but there was no stopping her once she got started.

"Angelica?" Peggy knocked on her door. "It's me, Peggy."

"Peggy?" She opened the door. "I expected you to be asleep. Is something the matter?"

"Yes. But not with me."

Angelica looked puzzled. "Is Eliza alright?"

"Yes, she is fine. What about you?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You have not been yourself since the ball. Is everything alright?"

There was a pause. Then Angelica grabbed her sister's wrist and pulled her into her room.

"If I tell you something, you mustn't tell anyone. Not father, not John, and most definitely not Eliza."

Peggy was shocked. Angelica and Eliza told each other everything. Something must be terribly wrong.

"I promise."

"Okay..."

She wrung her hands together. "I am in love with Alexander."

It came out in a rushed whisper, almost as if she regretted bringing up the whole thing.

"Hamilton?" Peggy asks. "The man Betsy danced with at the ball?"

Angelica nodded, her eyes more wet than usual. "Yes. But if I told Eliza that, she would give him to me, when she clearly loves him. I cannot take that away from her."

Peggy takes Angelica's hands into hers. "I shall not tell anyone. I swear upon it. You just need more time to find your perfect match, that is all. So do I."

The sisters hugged.

"Thank you, Peggy." Angelica sighed.

"Of course, sister."

•••

Peggy could never look at her sisters the same way again. It seemed as if Angelica's smiles were always forced when Alexander or the ball was brought up. Sadly, the ball was the biggest topic of conversation around town.

"Oh Schuyler's, what a splendid ball that was!"

"You were wonderful on the dance floor Miss Angelica, please write me a letter!"

"Oh how wonderful and kind you were Miss Margarita, if only I had been able to dance with Angelica, that would have made my evening!"

Peggy felt her heart sink. Of course. And Peggy.

Angelica could sense her sister's hurt feelings. "Shall we go to lunch?"

Eliza, who had grabbed Peggy's hand, nodded.

Once they were seated, Angelica said; "Do not let it bother you, Peggy. Those men do not know what they are saying. If they believe that I will write to them, they must be out of their minds!"

Peggy gave her sister a grateful smile. They had grown closer ever since Angelica had confessed her true feelings for Alexander.

"You will find a person who loves you that way, just you wait." Eliza smiled.

Peggy smiled and pretend to shake it off. "I know."

•••

About one week after the ball, Eliza and Peggy were waiting for the post. Eliza was hoping Alexander would write her a letter, and Peggy was hoping for the same from John.

She had gone to warm up when she heard a squeal from outside. Eliza, looking rather flushed, came holding two letters, one addressed My dearest, Eliza, the other My dearest Peggy,.

Peggy smiled as she opened the letter with her sister. Angelica was not here, so she did not to give anyone sympathetic looks, or have a nagging feeling in the back of her head.

"He put a comma after dearest!" Eliza sighed.

Peggy laughed. "I'm happy for you, Betsy."

Eliza giggled and ran up to her room to write a reply.

Suddenly, Angelica walked in. "Hello Peggy. What happened while I was gone?"

"Um." Peggy didn't really have an answer. "Well-"

Angelica noticed her letter. "Oh! John wrote to you, I see."

Peggy nodded.

"And Eliza?"

Peggy did not do anything.

"Alexander wrote to her?"

Peggy nodded, but much more subdued this time.

"That is... Truly wonderful." Angelica nearly whispered.

Peggy grasped her sister's hands. "Are you alright?"

Suddenly, Eliza came bounding back into the room. Angelica and Peggy quickly slid apart.

"Would you two read my response? I hope it sounds okay..."

"Eliza, I'm sure it sounds fine." Peggy smiled. "But I will be glad to read it."

"As would I." Angelica smiled a bittersweet smile.

Eliza blushed even more and handed her sister's the letter. Peggy did not seem to find anything wrong with it, on the contrary, it was very well written.

"I think it is perfect." She said.

Eliza smiled. "And you, Angelica?"

Angelica stroked the page with her finger. It seemed as if she was taking this all in very slowly. At last she looked up.

"It's beautiful."

Eliza smiled.

Peggy was a little shocked. Part of her thought Angelica would try to trick Eliza into setting Alexander up with her. Then she felt guilty. Her sister would never do that!

"I should write my reply to John. Then we shall head to town to send these." Peggy bounced away.

John's letter had nothing major in it, but it was sweet of him to write. She felt her heart flutter when she saw;

But sadly there are no women on the battlefield, except for Martha Washington, and believe me, I've tried to charm her one too many times. It nearly worked the second time if it were not for that damn Charles Lee! But I miss you Peggy. Do not forget to write!

Peggy laughed. She had a feeling she would hear plenty more about Charles Lee.

Giddy with excitement, she wrote her response and ran downstairs to send her reply.