The next day I was still heated and upset; all I could do was sit in my room and dream of Virginia, where everything used to be perfect, and feel sick with guilt as I read the numbers of deaths in the newspaper.

Mother checked on me every once and while, thinking I was sick, while Joseph was busy making plans for his wedding, and Father went to work. At about four I got up and pulled myself together. Get a hold of yourself, I thought violently as I prepared myself for an evening of torture. Men are dying on the battle fields while you're pouting upstairs about your perfect life. Suck it up and act like a woman!

I got ready quickly, putting on a simple evening dress since I knew that I would be "fixed" by Sophia later. I had decided I'd go to the market before the ball, hopefully to clear my head and calm me down. So with one last look in the mirror I raced downstairs, bid goodbye to mother and walked outside.

It was a beautiful day, (which was unlucky for me; I was hoping the weather would be terrible and the ball would be canceled) with a baby blue sky and clouds that dotted the horizon, and I basked in the sun filtering between the leaves of the multi-colored trees and the soft breeze that pulled at my dress. I began to walk down the cobblestones I knew so well, hands swinging the basket I carried.

When I arrived at the market it was as busy as always. I took a deep breath of the familiar spices and sounds that hit my senses,, relishing the feeling of comfort that came with it. To the right of the square Mr. Taylor was smoothly convincing customers to buy his meats, while to the left Ms. Gibbs flirted with every man that based by, winking at me and laughing as one of her customers, thinking they'd swooned her, bought all of Ms. Gibbs fruits. I stifled a giggle as Ms. Gibbs muttered sucker under her breath and counted her money, all while pulling a new crate of fruit onto the table.

Next to Ms. Gibbs a line of stalls rounded all around the block, salesman selling anything from jewelry to food and clothes to tools. What I needed today was some new cloth for mother, some fruits and eggs. I decided to get the cloth first and walked over to Mrs. Krowkiski's stand. Mrs. Krowkiski was a plump woman, with rosy cheeks and a short bob. She was thumbing through her cloths organizing them by patterns, shapes, and colors.

When she noticed me her face lit up and she took my face in her hands, like she always did. "Oh Rose! What a pleasure to see you here again! You haven't come in so long," she said, her British accent so thick it was hard to understand her.

"What's it going to be? The usual? I was saving some of your mother's favorite calico silk for her, she was raving about the shortage at the last sewing club meet." Mrs. Krowkisiki said earnestly, and I replied that the calico would be fine. "Alright, you stay right there, I'm going to grab it from the back crates." She said, and I nodded, waiting for her.

When Mrs. Krowkiski came back she handed me the fabric and I thanked her and was about to leave when soldiers pulled into the market, causing the crowd to part and cheer. Confused, I turned to see the General on horseback, waving to the crowd.

"General! General! General!" The crowd screamed, and the General smugly put his hand down to silence the crowd. "Loyal citizens of Britain, it is my greatest pleasure to assure you that the men that caused the riot two nights ago have been caught!" He said, and at his words the crowd burst into applause and jeers as about fifteen men in chains were dragged out of one of the wagons that the horses were leading.

My sympathy ran through me as I saw the men's state; they were filthy and full of bruises, their eyes haunted and far away, and I felt my heart drop to my shoes as I realized what they're fate most likely was. The General cruelly ordered his soldiers to line up the men one by one, and they obeyed him until the men were side by side, their hands in chains.

Some of the men were crying, and the General hit one of them on the back of the head with his rifle, and he fell to the ground and never got up again. I let out a gasp and felt shock course through me as I saw Mrs. Krowkisiki jeer beside me, her face screwed up in hatred at the rebels. The woman had always seemed so kind and sweet; I'd often wondered if she was really a Tory after all. But she had proved me wrong, for she was joining in on the mocking along with everyone else.

"These men are about to pay for the crimes they have done. May their punishment be an example of what will happen if you disobey your king; and I hope you understand that we take loyalty very seriously." The General said, and I muffled a scream as he loaded his gun and shot down every man, until they fell to the ground, dead as a door-nail.

The crowd wasn't cheering now; instead they were whispering mockingly to each other about the victims, while Mother's made a point to their children that they should always be loyal to their king. A few onlookers weren't so keen on the situation; they muttered worriedly to one another, and I felt a stab of satisfaction as I saw some of them look up at the General with a whole new perspective, as if they were seeing him in a whole new light.

"If any of you would like to know where I am or need to give me information you should know that I will be attending Princess Sophia's ball tonight. Men will be here to clean up this mess in a minute." The General said before riding off in the distance, his soldiers following him. So he is going to Sophia's ball, I thought as I watched as the group disappeared around the corner. Well he could come to the ball all he liked, but I'd be staying as far away from him as possible.

Gradually the market's earlier chatter and cheery air returned, and the people returned to their daily activities like it was no big deal. I felt myself begin to feel sick, and I knew I had to get out of the market soon. I thanked Mrs. Krowkiski, grabbed my items from the other stalls, and ran out of the market as fast as I could.

How could the people of Britain be so blind? Didn't they know that those men that died died because they believed in something? Didn't they know those men had mother's, father's, possibly spouses and children that were crying because there was now an empty chair at the dining room table? Suddenly the beautiful day didn't seem so nice anymore, and I felt a chill run through my bones. The British were all mice, blindly following their leader because it was the hand that fed them.

When I got home I dropped the groceries on the kitchen counter and didn't answer my Mother's cheery hello. "Anything wrong darling?" She asked, concerned. "I'm fine, just so excited about the ball!" I managed to choke out before racing upstairs, Mother's chuckle echoing through my ears. I pushed open my door with as much force as a hurricane and collapsed on my bed, sobbing as the scene of the men dying playing in my head again and again.

I remained up in my room, thinking about my feelings and gazing at my paisley printed walls for a long time, until I pulled myself together for what felt like the hundredth time this week. Was this how it was always going to be? Experiencing the bad and then crying it out and then trudging through it? Was that how I wanted my life to be like? I dearly hoped not.

Around half-past five I wiped my eyes, combed my hair and straightened my white dress, glancing at myself in the mirror. I was feeling more confident, more put together now after convincing myself that the best thing to do was to go to Sophia's party instead of staying home like at child. And while I was there I would suck it up and figure out a way for me to help the colonies, if possible.

Then with one last spin I grabbed my fan and walked downstairs. Usually Joseph and I would go to the ball together, but he was busy doing an urgent errand that couldn't be missed. When Joseph told me this I almost laughed; he would be becoming a prince, couldn't he just skip it? I mean he was practically royalty. But Joseph refused to throw his values away even when becoming a royal.

I'll see if he still thinks that after the wedding.

Mother was on one of our armchairs, drifting off to sleep, so I lovingly tip-toed past her and outside, where the earlier sunshine was replaced by a gorgeous sunset. The carriage was already waiting for me, and I approached it with as much dignity as possible.

To my disappointment it wasn't Greg driving me but a stony-faced man, sneering at me as he held a hand on the reigns. Forcing myself not to roll my eyes I began to sit in my usual spot when I noticed General Cornwallis sitting in the back. "M' lady," he said silkily, taking my hand and kissing it with as much grace as a swan.

I felt my hands begin to shake, from the fear of seeing him or the nerves from his touch I didn't know, but nevertheless curtsied deeply. I felt my heart beat race as he pulled me into my seat, a feeling of spiraling fear and desperation sinking in my stomach. I recognized the look on his face, a look I've seen on men plenty of times before. He was interested in me; and I couldn't help but wonder if Rose had set him up with me, or if he just happened to be in the same carriage as I.

But whatever it was it didn't matter; he was dangerously close to me, and I could read his body language like a map. I tried to seem calm and collected as I arranged myself on the seat, sneaking a quick a look at his face and studying his features close up. I already knew he was 23, but what I didn't know was how dangerously handsome he was.

He had a heart-shaped face with soft but strong features, and eyes that were drop-dead gorgeous; green pools with flecks of gold that complimented his swept brown hair so glamorously. I felt our eyes lock, and I had to will myself to move away from his captivating gaze. If I didn't know what he could do, who he was and the damage he'd done, I'd be in love.

The carriage began to move, and I bit my lip as I saw the driver sneak a glance at us, his smile smug and his ears pricked. "Fair maiden, please give me the pleasure of learning your name." The General said, and I tried all my might not to look at him for fear of being captivated again. "My name is Rose Indenza. It is a pleasure to meet you General." I replied politely, trying to keep the conversation light.

The young commander laughed at my words. "Call me Charlie" he said, a smile tugging at the edge of his irresistible smile. But even as I felt myself fall for Charlie's appearance, I knew what was underneath, and it was ugly as war. That was what I told myself over and over again when I felt my natural instincts swoon for him; that he was ugly inside and that was what happened.

My feelings for him were so complicated I could barely figure them out; I hated the man with all my heart, for all the terrible things he's done and still continues to do. And I knew for sure I wasn't in love, but the way he was looking at me made my heart rate race to the speed of light and my palms grow sweaty. Was I intimidated? Scared? Or just losing control over his handsomeness? I couldn't figure it out.

"So Charlie, tell me about your work as General." I requested just to get him talking so nothing else could happen, and I felt a wave of relief crash over me that I wasn't completely losing my mind and could still somewhat think straight. But unfortunately for me, Charlie for once didn't want to talk about himself. "I'd rather talk about you, Rose." He said, and I felt my insides freeze as Charlie leaned in and held up my chin with his white gloved hand, his touch burning my skin with a fire I'd never experienced.

"I think we're going to get along fine," he murmured softly into my ear, his eyes piercing me with a curious yet intense look. "M-M-Me to," I stuttered dumbly, the only reply I could think of.

Luckily for me the carriage then stopped outside the castle before anything else could happen, and I let Charlie help me down onto the ground. "I shall see you at the ball," I said, curtsying, and Charlie bowed with a smirk, his eyes glimmering with a dangerous amusement, as if saying "we're not finished yet." I felt shivers run down my spine and my chin burn from where he touched it, and I hurried into the castle, trying not to seem like I was in a rush.

When I burst through the doors Sophia was already waiting for me. "Rosie!" She squealed, displaying an over-the-top evening gown that puffed from her waist so that she looked like a gigantic, bratty cupcake. "Come, come I have all the finest fitters and some of my closest friends to help us!" She chatted, and I faked an excited grin, letting her push me up the stairs.

When we got to the dressing room the obnoxious girl practically pushed me through the doors, and to my annoyance some of Sophia's "finest" daddy's girls were busy curling their hair and applying powder, all in extravagant diamond dresses that cost as much as a Virginian man's four years of crops.

Sophia introduced me to the girls, snapping her fingers at the servants to bring out my dresses as she did it. "Lila, Hennrita, Judy and Meg meet Rose! Rose meet Lila, Hennrita, Judy and Meg." Sophia said, I curtsied to the ladies and they nodded their snobby heads in return, as if dismissing me. Sophia grabbed my hand and pulled me to a pedestal and then beckoned the nearest fitter.

I stood there as the fitter held up fabrics to my dress when Lila, a girl with long orange hair and eyes like chips of blue ice finally put down her hairbrush and spoke. "I hope the General's here. He's hotter than New York in the summertime." She crooned, Sophia clucking her tongue at her while the girls giggled at her words, and I felt my cheeks flush at the memory of our meeting in the carriage.

Hennritta noticed. "Oh no, Rose has a crush on the General. How sweet." She said, but the competition in her deep brown eyes and the forcefulness in her laugh told me that she didn't find it sweet at all. Judy stepped away from her fitter, flouncing her blond hair. "You do know you can't possibly marry him; he's far too higher class for you. You'll just have to settle for someone a little less." She tittered, and the girls nodded in agreement.

I felt anger began to bubble inside of me, and it took all of my self restrain to yell at them that I did not have a crush on the General, (I hoped) and tell them just how much he was flirting with me when we were in the carriage, just to see the jealous looks on their faces.

Sophia patted my shoulder sympathetically as she examined her pink cupcake dress. "It's true Rosie; you're like a little sister to me but your class is just a little to low for him." She said, and I wanted to scream at her that she was marrying a man that was the same class as me, but I held my tongue.

"Your right," I said through gritted teeth, and the girls continued to talk on and on about the suitors downstairs and other what not. Finally the fitter chose a lavender dress for me, and after Meg had curled my hair so hard it made my head hurt (I think she wanted me to have such a bad headache I'd have to miss the ball and wouldn't get a chance with some of the men) we were finally done.

As I caught a glimpse of me in the mirror my heart sunk. I looked beautiful; maybe even more beautiful than I have been in my whole life, and that just made me more noticeable to suitors, especially the General. Before I could mess myself up in some way Sophia grabbed my hands and lined me up next to all the vain women.

"Alright girls. Before we go downstairs we must make sure we look absolutely stunning." She barked, scanning each of us with a critical eye. "Lila straighten your posture, you're slouching like a heathen, and Judy for heaven's sake, stop looking like at us with your mouth open like a slack doll. Meg straighten your dress, and Rose... be like a lady I beg you." She said, her eyes lingering on mine for a second longer than the rest.

Then, with one last look at herself in the mirror, Sophia whisked us all downstairs, my heart pounding at the thought of meeting the General once again.