"How do you know that?" I said, sweat dripping down my brow.

Big Mama knelt down until we were looking eye to eye. "Rose, I work as a mail sorter at the post office. I know who Josie is, and how badly you want to go back. I know you're not really a Tory." She said, and my jaw dropped. "You have no right to read my mail!" I cried indignantly. "That might be true, but I am right, that you would like a different life?" Big Mama asked, and I hesitated, thinking.

It was all so odd at once. Any other lady would be whimpering and calling for their husbands, but somehow this woman knew where my true loyalty lay. And what was the point of not trusting her? Have her release me (hopefully) and then try and have the guards find her? She'd already made it very clear she wouldn't be able to be found.

I cleared my throat. "Yes, you are correct." I said slowly, and Big Mama gave me a small smile. "Wonderful. Now it was most rude of me to tie you up, so let me undo your knots. I apologize for the precaution, but I've learned it's the most effective way to convince others." She said, and I snorted as her grin widened.

As she untied me, I stayed put, pushing down the sudden urge to tackle her and call for help. The reason was because she had a massive knife, but the real reason was because she was right. I was unsatisfied with my life, and I was close to the royal family. And if I turned her in then I'd have to go back to my life, feeling guilty and dreaming about a life I didn't have.

A life that she could possibly give me.

When my ropes were untied I stood up, brushing the dirt off my dress and taking a deep breath, shaking off the drunken feeling that was slowly fading. "Now that that's settled, is there any questions you have for me before I move on?" Big Mama said, and I decided to be honest with her. "Why are you trusting me?" I asked, and Big Mama gave me a wry smile. "Same reason why you're trusting me," was her answer, leaving me more confused then I was before.

Big Mama continued on. "Rose, I set a proposal for you. I'm a part of a group called the Shadow Group. We smuggle information from the King to the colonies. But lately we've had little info, and we need someone who's extremely close the royal family and can smuggle real secrets for us. Someone who's engaged to the British's general, and can act as a double agent."

Suddenly my eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How do you know I'm engaged?" I asked, and Big Mama laughed. "Ha. You royals are pretty loud." She said, and I began to pace. "You want me to help the colonies?" I asked, and Big Mam nodded. "The only question now is if you'll do it. And if you refuse you have a choices. You can either go and try to turn us in with the little info you have, which won't work because the group moves locations every meeting. Or you can go on with you're life knowing this information and knowing you did nothing to help."

My heart began to ache, because I knew the possible consequence of agreeing to this extreme act of treason. And if I were caught, my family would get the worst of it. When I was dead, they would be know for the shame their daughter brought to the royal family, and would possibly be killed themselves.

The thought of my brother's shattered face as I walked to be hung, and my father's drunken gaze as my mother sobbed on his shoulder, made me shudder with a despair I've never known. I looked at Big Mama, and my eyes must have expressed my distress because Big Mama's features softened, and she took my hands in hers.

"Rose, I know this is a lot to ask, and we both know the punishment of this going wrong. But I knew you were torn between two worlds from the moment you obeyed my orders. I'm like you Rose. I felt torn too, but I realized that I had to go with my heart, which was with the colonies.

Trust me Rose. I won't lead you astray." She said, and as I looked at her earnest gaze shining in the moonlight, which had changed from the disgraceful one she'd given to me moments ago, I thought of what might happen if I refused, living a life that everyone was happy with but me.

So as I looked Big Mama straight in the eye, my stomach fluttered with excitement and something I hadn't felt in a long time: Hope. "I'll do it." I said, and Big Mama's face fell into a relaxed state, as if I'd just freed her from the hardest burden she'd ever experienced. "Thank you Rose. Thank you so, so much." She said, and I gave her a smile.

"Now before you go, I want to tell you to be careful around that General. From the look of misery and guilt that was on your expression ten minutes ago, I can tell that you've realized your mistake of falling for my son's outstanding looks." Big Mama said, and I gasped. "General Cornwallis is your son?!" I said in disbelief, and Big Mama nodded, her gaze bitter.

"Yes, he is. He used to be such a kind soul, I'll tell you that. But when his father died in battle and he had to take his place and became a player with a heart of stone. He doesn't know I'm his mother though; I faked my death ages ago after he threatened to hang me after I said I'd like to return to my hometown, New York and see my other son and know if he's alive." She said, and I touched her hand sympathetically.

"I'm sorry Big Mama," I said, and she shook me off, pushing her glinting knife back into her satchel. "It's so funny to think that just minutes ago you were cursing me and I was threatening to kill you, and now we're friends." She said, ignoring my sympathy. "Yes, very." I laughed. Her son was obviously a touchy subject, but I planned to learn more about it in the future.

"Alright Rose. Go back inside and pretend you know nothing. It is very important you do so; even the slightest hint could blow everything, and our new hope is you, so don't mess this up.

The Shadow Group is meeting tomorrow at Jacobs Pub and Brewery on 3rd street, next to the printers. There should be a woman in a red gown behind the counter, her name is Samantha. When you see her ask her if her gown is satin, and then she'll know you're from the group." She said, and I nodded.

"Goodbye Big Mama," I said, and she clutched my hand one last time, her eyes smiling but expression grim. "Good luck Rose," She responded, before fleeing the garden, her light gown swishing in the grasses as she silently ran. I watched her until her figure had completely disappeared into the cold autumn night, before sitting down on the cobblestone bench and pondering over what had just happened.

I didn't even know this woman, or who the Shadow Group was. What if this was a trick to test my loyalty to the British? I felt my heart race at the thought, but pictured Big Mama's hopeful face, and the way her eyes shined in the moonlight when I'd agreed to help, and my worry's evaporated.

Right as I was about to get up and move back into the castle I heard someone call my name from and I jumped, my nerves shook. My heart pounding across my chest, I heaved up my skirts and walked back inside to find that the ball was over. Only a few people remained, mostly drunken soldiers laughing and a few women still gathering up their things. I scanned the room and spotted Sophia, Lila, Judy, and Charlie in the corner, and I made my way over to them, watching as Charlie studied my face.

As he did my heart seemed to throw itself against my chest, and I prayed my soon to be husband couldn't see the secrets that seemed to burn within me. Luckily Charlie misunderstood my blush for admiration for him and he grinned, pulling me into a kiss that made my insides flutter and Sophia giggle and ooo. "Hello," I said flirtatiously when we broke apart, figuring that if I was going to help the colonies by being a kiss up I might as well start now.

My fiance took a sip of his wine. "Hello Rose. I was just telling Sophia how excited I am to have you as my wife, and how I'm having an estate built for us." He said, looking me over in a way that made my insides tingle with nerves, as if he could see the treason that burned inside of me. I tried with all my might to bat my eyelashes and giggle like some of the girls in the market did, trying to seem innocent.

"I'm sure it will be lovely," I said and Charlie nodded curtly, his warmth gone faster than weak winter sunshine. I could feel my stomach fall to my feet once more at his quick change of mood; Charlie was already acting as if I didn't exist, the one thing I was most afraid of. It seemed like his feelings for me were a switch; on and off. With a jolt I realized that tonight might be the most affection I would get from him for our whole span of relationship, which seemed to break my heart.

I didn't even love him; it was just the thought of spending the rest of my whole life in the background that brought me to tears, but I held them in and tried to pay attention as Sophia talked, reminding myself that this was all to help the colonies.

"So Rose, I was thinking of some designs for your wedding dress. I have the most gorgeous lace pattern that would look stunning on you, and I recently sent in an order for powder from Spain, which I heard is the best there is. I want you to come over in the next few weeks and watch as I get ready for my wedding, so you have some ideas." She said, and even though I was only half-listened I felt annoyance sting my insides.

Even though I didn't exactly want to be married, it was still my wedding and Sophia had to make it hers, like she did with everything I had. "Sounds great," I said, and Judy rolled her eyes. "What's wrong Jude?" I said innocently, satisfaction settling in my stomach as she pursed her lips at me calling her Jude.

"Nothing." She said, tilting her head and clutching her glass of wine. "What a poor, suck up," I heard her mutter, and I leaned closer into Charlie, gazing up at him in admiration and letting him embrace me with another kiss. When we broke apart I made sure to sigh with delight and glance at her, feeling as dirty as the devil.

Judy's eyes narrowed dangerously and she whispered to Lila, and I made sure to smirk at both of them before nodding along to Sophia's words once more. We talked for a little while longer, mostly about estate and wedding plans (Judy and Lila left shortly after Charlie cooed about how lucky he was to have me) and soon enough it was so late that Sophia was beginning to fall asleep.

"Sophia I really must be going, but it was a pleasure to see you. Joseph would've loved to be here tonight." I said and Sophia grabbed my hands. "I told you we'd find you a man tonight! Did I expect it to be the General? No, but I'm very happy for you Rose. You must come over at some point so I can give you some more ideas about the marriage." She said, before bidding goodbye to Charlie and disappearing around the corner, leaving Charlie and me alone.

"Come along darling," Charlie drawled, extending his arm. I took it and the two of us strolled outside, where the carriage awaited us. As I climbed on, the cold autumn breeze blew against my skin, sending a shiver that seemed to sink deep in my bones, and yet again I was still shocked about how much my life had changed from this morning. Immersed in my thoughts I got on the carriage, barley hearing Greg's curious hello.

"Oh good evening Greg. This is my fiance, General Cornwallis." I said absentmindedly, saying a quick thanks as he congratulated me on our engagement and then letting Charlie and him talk while I still failed to wrap my head around the nights events. When the carriage stopped at my house Charlie helped me off the carriage and led me to his doorstep.

We stopped there, and I turned to Charlie to say goodbye. "Farewell Rose," he said, gorgeous eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Goodnight Charlie," I said, heart pounding. He gave me one last look before disappearing in the night, the carriage taking him away.

I sat down on the step for a second, taking everything in for the hundredth time. Then I took a deep breath and creaked open the door quietly, expecting everyone to be asleep. But I was wrong, for as soon as I turned the knob I noticed Joseph was up, reading by the fire.

"How was the house?" I asked as I walked in, and Joseph jumped, his book falling to the ground. "Rose you scared me!" He swore, standing up and pulling me onto a chair beside him. "The house was fine, just a plumbing problem like I suspected. How was the ball?" He said, and I let out a sigh and Joseph clucked his tongue. "That bad?" He asked sympathetically, and I felt a rush of affection for my brother; Joseph was one of not so many men who actually cared about my feelings.

"Well you decide..." I said and flashed him my hand, which displayed a beautiful diamond ring on my ring finger. "Oh my gosh Rose you're engaged!" Joseph yelped, grabbing my hand and eyes flashing with happiness. "Oh Rose this is wonderful! Who's the lucky man?" He asked.

"General Charles Cornwallis," I replied and Joseph let out a low whistle. "Very impressive Rose, almost as astonishing as getting the King's daughter to marry you." He chuckled, his eyes suddenly growing teary. "It seemed like just yesterday we were playing in Virginia, playing pretend and running through the fields. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to be back." He said, and my heart fluttered with hope.

Maybe he was feeling the same way as I was, and I was too busy to notice. Maybe Joseph was different than I thought, and that he wanted to go back to Virginia too. Possibilities and daydreams flew around my head, and I made the decision to tell him about the group.

"Joseph, at Sophia's party I-" I began, but Joseph interrupted. "It really is a shame you're a woman Rose. You would've made an absolutely wonderful student." He said, and my hopes and warmth towards my brother were replaced by a whirlwind of anger. How could he say that? Like being a woman was a bad thing? Not even a week after Joseph was engaged and he was already acting like a prince.

The thought made me sick to my stomach.

"Yes, what a shame." I said mildly, but bitterness was burning my insides, and I had the strongest urge to scream at Charlie that he was even worse than the General himself. "Anyway, Rose, I just want to say congratulations," he said, and I noticed his eyes were burning with a deep emotion. My earlier bitterness began to fade at his sweetness, but I forced myself to stay mad at him. I decided to change the subject, because I knew that if we kept talking about memory's I'd fall into forgiving Joseph.

"Where's Father?" I asked, feeling my anger rise once more at the thought of my father who was always missing and treated my mother like trash. "Out at the bar with a few British officers," Joseph responded like he did every night I asked, and I clenched my fists at the image of father coming home drunken again. "Speaking of parents, Mother get down here! Rose's engaged!" Joseph hollered from his chair, and my mother came racing downstairs.

"Rose!" She screamed in delight, holding my cheeks with her hands while tears streamed down her face. "General Charles Cornwallis" Joseph said proudly and Mother began to sob. "My little girl is getting married!" She sang, and I let out a nervous laugh. "Mother it's not a huge deal." I said, and my mother slapped my arm, wiping her tears with the corner of her apron. "Rose Jullian Indenza this is a huge deal! Oh my goodness, both of my children getting married so soon. What will I do without you?" She said, and my heart clenched.

That was another worry that surfaced along with all the others. What would my mother do once both of her children were gone? Sit even more hand and foot on my disgusting father? The thought of her sewing alone by the fire, cooped up in the house and waiting until my father came home made me wish for the billionth time I wasn't engaged.

I suddenly felt extremely tired; the constant worry, hope, and strife that tonight had brought were bricks weighing on my heart. "Mother I must get to bed, I'm exhausted," I said and Mother nodded, wiping away a few loose tears.

"Yes, yes get to bed Rose you must be so tired from the night's events." She said before embracing me in a crushing hug. "Oh Rose," she said. "I'm so happy for you." I patted her back, and couldn't help but wish that I could be too.