How had Alexander afforded such finery? I couldn’t imagine, but I could barely think on it through my embarrassment that Washington may have thought me a frivolous girl to want a clipping of his locks. Still, I wasn’t so embarrassed that I didn’t wish to wear it straightaway!
Fastening the chain, I said, “I’ll cherish it forever.” I looked up to find Hamilton beaming, and I added, “But I should not like you to think that I am the sort of woman who expects expensive—”
“You are the kind of woman who deserves this and every last penny I have squirreled away,” he interrupted. “Besides, I am not entirely impoverished, my angel. And I am fortunate in my friends. John Laurens regrets very much that he cannot be with us on our wedding day and insisted upon advancing me a tidy sum to purchase this for you.”
“I shall have to thank him when we finally meet,” I said of his mysterious and much-admired friend. “His generosity of spirit shall stand present for him as if he were a guest. And I shall wear this pendant near my heart on our wedding day.”
“Good.” My beloved’s voice turned stern. “But don’t think it will not irritate me a little to have another man’s name so near your heart. Even Washington’s.”
I laughed. “Near to my heart, but not inside it, for there is room there for no man but you. Oh, and the box is a most perfect gift, too.”
“Oh, ‘and the box,’ she says,” Alexander grumbled playfully. “My turn, then?” When I nodded, he tore at the ribbon, and then unfolded the plain ticking I’d used to cushion the framed matting and portrait. “Oh, my angelic girl. What have you done?”
“I had your portrait rendered by Mr. Peale in Philadelphia, and then I designed and sewed a frame for it,” I said, suddenly nervous. “I wanted you to see how much I’ve thought of you all these months.”
“What fine, detailed work.” He paused in his admiration of my embroidery. “Only you must think me vain to keep a portrait of myself.”
“Well, I hoped you would leave it with me if ever you should have to go away again,” I said, feeling a little foolish that I’d made him a gift I wanted myself.
But he intertwined our fingers and leaned to kiss me. “I love you more every hour.”
I very much wanted that kiss, but unfortunately, we were interrupted.
“There you are,” Peggy said, leaning into the room.
Alexander cleared his throat. “Why hello, little sister.”
“Sorry to intrude on your private celebration,” she said, though Peggy was never sorry for such things. “Mama beckoned me to find you to say good night. Guests are leaving.”
Before long, everyone was gone, and I had the great pleasure—for one last night—of sharing a room with both Angelica and Peggy for old time’s sake. Years had passed since the three of us had stayed together, and just like we used to, we talked and laughed and teased until long after we should’ve gone to sleep. “I can hardly believe that tomorrow, I’ll be wed,” I whispered into the darkness, for the candle had burned down some time before.
“And bed,” Angelica said.
“Angelica!” I cried, my stomach tingling.
But she only laughed. “What’s the use in having a more experienced older sister if she can’t divulge the secrets of marriage?”
“Do tell!” Peggy said.
I pulled the covers over my face, which of course they tugged back down. “I’ll say this,” Angelica began in her world-wise way. “A man enjoys a woman to be an active participant and desires her pleasure. So don’t be shy, Betsy. What you don’t know, Hamilton will teach you.”
My face burned, but I couldn’t deny my interest in her advice or the way my body warmed at the idea of what Alexander might teach me. “I shall take that under advisement,” I said with as much dignity as I could. “Now, please be quiet before I die.”
My sisters burst into giggles at my expense, but I was too happy to care.
*
December 14, 1780
Albany
“Betsy?” Papa called from the hallway. “It’s time.”
With teary eyes, Angelica took my hands. “You are a vision.”
“I doubt that,” I said, a little discomfited by the attention. I wished to be a vision, but I would content myself to be unmercifully handsome in my bridegroom’s eyes.
“Oh, but Angelica’s right about something for a change,” Peggy said, her hands clasped to her breast.