I stumbled upon the hassock as Daphne pulled the drawstrings at the back of my gown; it was one of several fittings I'd been subjected to in the wake of John's proposal. Daphne and Mercy had immediately gone out and purchased bolts of silk and lace, all with John's purse, for, in his words, "no expense would be spared for his wedding". I knew that both William and Claire disapproved, while Jamie, Ian, and Rachel were all overjoyed. One thing that relieved me was the notion that I now lived in a time period where Queen Victoria had not yet been born, much less been married, so I would not be subjected to wear white on my big day.

I was to be trussed up in white lace petticoats, with dark green silks and velvets swathed around me, and expertly trimmed with lace. The gown itself was to be off-the-shoulder, with more lace creeping out of the neckline, and puffed sleeves, ultimately tapering downwards to more traditional long ones, which reach my wrists. The back of the gown featured a beautiful train with a large overskirt with an abundance of silk and velvet.

Claire arrived as she always did, midway through my fitting, although she appeared to be a bit more at ease that afternoon. In her hands she carried a lace handkerchief, and I briefly wondered if she had been crying. However, as she stepped forward, she caught my eye and unwrapped it with a rare gleam in her eyes. "A gift from John for your wedding," she proclaimed, showcasing what lay within: A pair of emerald earrings and a matching necklace.

I had but one pair of earrings; pearls set in white gold with small, shimmering diamonds along their dangles. They had been sent to me in England upon the occasion of my eighteenth birthday, shortly before I'd joined my mother and father back in Poland at their demand. They were one of very few gifts they had ever willingly bestowed upon me; although they were lovely, and I never took them off, I often wondered if they were spoils of war, meaning that a young Jewish woman had also worn them, but had been forced to give them up due to the turmoil of the country. The matching necklace had been traded to assist with my passage to freedom, and, although it had been lovely, I only missed it a little.

"Those shall do very nicely," Daphne proclaimed when I did not answer right away. "Lord John is a very generous bridegroom, Miss Hathaway."

"Yes, he is," I answered softly, watching as Claire held up one of the earrings towards my ear, and nodded with a smile, before checking the color against the fabric. "What do you think? Will it look all right?"

"I think you will make the most beautiful bride," Claire told me, her eyes filled with warmth as she caressed my cheek. "How are you feeling? Not too nervous?"

I hesitated, not wanting to say too much with Daphne there. "I suppose I am a little," I said at last with a small shrug of my shoulders.

Claire, seeing my expression, turned to Daphne. "Will the fitting be over soon, Daphne?"

Daphne nodded, her dark brown eyes meeting Claire's as she smiled kindly. "Yes, Madam Fraser," she said, and stuck a final pin into the skirts. "There, now. If you would like, Miss Hathaway, perhaps Madam Fraser can take your gown off? I need to see to some of my chores in the kitchen."

I flushed, not wanting to get Daphne into trouble, despite Mercy being such a patient mistress to her. "Yes, that would be lovely, Daphne. Thank you."

Daphne got to her feet, curtsied to the pair of us, and walked out of the room, pulling the door closed behind her for my modesty.

Claire set the handkerchief with my wedding jewelry on my borrowed vanity table, before she moved behind me and began unlacing my gown. "Are you having any doubts?"

"No, nothing like that," I said; I really wasn't. I liked John very much, and, while I hoped love would come, we simply did not know one another long enough to establish that feeling yet. "He is a lovely man, John is. He is excited about the baby, just not the circumstances in which it came to be."

Claire nodded her head as she got my gown unlaced, and gently pulled it down, taking me by the hand so that I could step out of it and onto the floor. "He has expressed his willingness to give the child his name?"

"He has," I said softly, standing there in my undergarments as Claire gently lay my dress upon the small table in my bedroom; I knew that Daphne and Mercy would collect it to complete its final alterations later. I held fast as Claire picked up my day dress, placed carefully upon the bed by Daphne earlier, and helped me in getting into it. "Although..."

"Yes?" Claire asked, hesitating in dressing me.

I knotted my fingers together as I did my best to remain still, only unknotting them when I was needed to place my arms into the sleeves. "It is only that he has asked me, more than once since I've accepted his proposal, for Christoph's identity," I said softly, worrying my lower lip. "I told him, initially, that he would never be able to find him. Of course, I'm sure that he has ancestors living in the same area, some likely with his name, or his face, given what you told me about Black Jack Randall and Frank..."

Claire nodded, crossing her arms as she laced the back of my gown. "It has been known to happen, and I wouldn't put it past his family to re-use some names, as all families do it. Jamie asked me to name Brianna after his father, Brian, for example."

I lowered my hands to my own belly, contemplating it as Claire finished with the lacing, before she moved away towards the opposite side of the room. "Well, I certainly won't be naming my child Raymond or Erica," I said with a smirk.

Claire laughed aloud at that, leaning up against the wall. "I doubt anyone would force you to do so." She hesitated. "Have you considered what to tell John?"

I nodded, smoothing my gown more out of something to do than it necessarily needing its wrinkles removed. "I have considered it, yes, from each perspective. For one thing, I don't want him to think me mad, if I do decide to tell him. For another, I don't want to be accused of keeping secrets from him, once we are man and wife."

"It is indeed a double-edged sword," Claire said softly. "But you don't have to decide right now, of course."

I sighed. "No, I don't," I agreed, gripping onto the edge of the vanity table, my knuckles turning white. "I did wish to ask you something, however."

Claire smiled. "Of course."

"I was wondering, if John and I are in an accessible place when the time comes... Would you be comfortable delivering my baby?"

Claire looked touched as she walked away from the wall and came towards me, wrapping me up into an embrace. "I would be honored, Alexandra. Of course I will."

I felt so secure in her embrace as I held her in return. "Thank you," I breathed. "I was also wondering how to... Well," I said, once she had stepped away, "I don't want William to dislike me entirely. I know you cannot force anyone to like you, naturally, but I don't want to enter into this marriage with only politeness on one side..."

Claire nodded. "Of course. Have you spoken to John about it?"

I sighed. "I have," I replied, "but he believes that he will come around. I trust his judgement, of course, given that he raised him from boyhood. I just don't want him to resent me, or the baby, once it comes."

"I don't believe he will resent you," Claire assured me. "Although it has always been a trying subject between Jamie and me, I have never shown William unkindness, nor has he to me. I know he will come around, Alexandra, and you must trust John's judgement."

I nodded my head. "I will," I assured her. "Thank you, Claire." I placed my new jewelry into the topmost drawer of the vanity before I shook out my skirts. "I have more questions to ask of people in preparation for the wedding."

"Well, I think you'd best get a move on, then," Claire said, grinning at me.

I grinned back at her and we left my borrowed bedroom and walked down the great staircase together, where I heard smatterings of voices coming from the parlor. I stepped inside, Claire by my side, and saw that Jamie and John were standing on the opposite side of the room in hushed conversation, while Ian and Rachel were, as expected, sitting beside the fireplace, Rollo between them on the hearthrug.

"Rachel," I said, stepping forward.

Rachel turned as I came fully into the room, while Claire went to join Jamie and John. "Good afternoon to thee, Alexandra," she said, getting to her feet and coming towards me. "I am most anxious to see thee's gown. I know thee will look beautiful."

"Aye, a beautiful bride she'll be," Ian declared from where he was sitting. "Good day to ye, Alexandra. Are ye well?"

"Yes, thank you, Ian. Good afternoon," I responded, pleased that he had given me and Rachel adequate space, before I took her over to the window, watching as he turned to play with Rollo a bit, much to our amusement. "I don't know how it works, with you being Quaker," I said, as I placed a gentle hand on her arm, "I wouldn't want to offend your beliefs..."

Rachel smiled. "I am permitted to attend thee's wedding, Alexandra. It is no trouble."

I shook my head. "No, that wasn't what I was asking... You are invited, of course!" I said quickly, leading Rachel and I to share a smile. "I haven't any sisters, nor any family around here, and I realize that we've known each other for a handful of days. However, I would appreciate it very much if you would be my Maid of Honor."

Rachel gasped. "Are you quite sure thee would want me to be your Maid of Honor?" she asked me quietly.

I nodded at her. "Yes, I'm sure," I told her, taking her by the hands. "And I know that you dress plainly, but I've spoken to Denny, and he agrees that this is modest enough," I informed her, and showed off the small gift I had for her—a Celtic brooch that had belonged to my grandmother, who left it to me in her will, spun from gold and featuring modest black onyx gemstones in three different places. "He agrees that you may wear it for the day, and keep it to wear whenever you would like. Perhaps you may pin it to your fichu."

Rachel slowly took the brooch into her hands, running her fingertips along the goldwork, as well as the gemstones. "This is truly a beautiful piece, Alexandra... And Denny truly says I may wear it?" she whispered, as if she was overwhelmed.

I smiled. "He did," I assured her. "I thought it would look lovely on you. It would go far better with your coloring than with mine."

Rachel smiled, touched as she enfolded it into her palm before she stood on her toes to embrace me, as she was two inches shorter than I was. "Thank thee, Alexandra. I would be most honored to be thee's Maid of Honor."

I watched as Rachel scurried over to the couch to share the good news with Ian, exclaiming further about the brooch, which Ian complimented. Smiling, I crossed the room towards where John still stood with Jamie and Claire, and found my smile widening as John took ahold of my hand and kissed it.

"How are you this afternoon, my dear?" he asked warmly.

"I am very well, thank you," I responded. I hesitated for a moment, but John, still holding my hand, nodded his head encouragingly, so I turned to face Jamie. "I was wondering if I could have a word with you, please, Jamie."

Jamie looked momentarily stunned, but nevertheless nodded his head. "Aye," he responded, giving Claire a kiss on the cheek, before John let go of my hand, permitting Jamie to lead me into the hallway which separated the parlor from the kitchen. "And how may I be of service tae ye, lassie?" he asked fondly.

I laughed a bit at that. "I was wondering if you would consider walking me down the aisle when John and I wed."

Jamie raised his eyebrows. "Are ye quite sure?"

"I am," I replied. "I've been... Reluctant, to reach out to the Hathaway's who live here," I said at last, for, although both John and Jamie had discovered a cluster of them, living in the city of Chester, located around a half hour away from Mercy's home in Germantown, I was unable to take the final step to make contact, as of yet. "I wouldn't altogether know what to say, which I'm sure you can imagine."

Jamie slowly nodded his head, turning slightly to see that Claire and John were still speaking to one another. "Aye," he said at last, looking back over at me. "Perhaps after ye've married John and settled into his household, ye would be more comfortable."

I nodded. "Precisely what I was thinking," I told him. "I completely understand if you don't wish to walk me down the aisle, Jamie, but I would be very grateful if you would."

Jamie took me by the hands and kissed them both. "I would be honored to walk ye down the aisle, Alexandra, dinnae fash."

I beamed at him. "Thank you, Jamie, for everything. For accepting me, for treating me as one of your own. I am forever grateful."

Jamie waved it away. "I ken that many people would say that ye are very lucky ter find a man like Lord John Grey, Alexandra, but I believe 'tis he who is the lucky one."

I beamed at Jamie. "Now, you are flattering me," I admonished him gently.

Jamie took my arm in his. "Aye, perhaps I am," he replied.

"Alexandra," Claire said gently, turning towards me as we re-joined her and John, "if we are to gather herbs in the garden, we must leave now."

I nodded. "Yes, of course, Claire," I replied, knowing entirely well that she had a schedule to keep, and turned towards John. "I'm sure we'll be back in time for supper."

John smiled, taking me by the hand again and kissing it. "I have some business to take care of at my home here," he replied. "I've informed my staff of my forthcoming wedding, and they are most anxious to meet their new mistress."

"You needn't make a fuss over me," I assured him. "The emeralds were enough. They were beautiful, John, thank you."

"Oh, but I must," John countered gently. "It is not every day that they have a Lady Grey to serve in their household. And, besides," he continued, pitching his voice low so that only I could hear him, "I knew the emeralds would suit you. I intend to present you with your ring very shortly."

I shook my head good naturedly at him, before I made to follow Claire from the parlor and into the entryway, where our cloaks hung. I draped mine around my shoulders while Claire did the same, gathering her basket as she did so, and we stepped outside together, each holding our very own basket. We caught a carriage which took us directly to the outskirts of the garden, guarded by Redcoats, who were pleased to see Claire, as they recognized her face.

"This is Miss Alexandra Hathaway," Claire informed them, by way of introduction.

"Ah, yes, betrothed of Lord John Grey," said a senior-looking Redcoat, his tone and his eyes kind as he took me by the hand. "How do you do, Miss Hathaway?"

"I am very well, thank you. General Hammond, wasn't it?" I asked.

The gentleman nodded, looking duly impressed. "Yes, I am," he responded. "General Philip Hammond, at your service, Miss Hathaway."

"My betrothed informed me of your description, although your eyes are far kinder than he initially informed me," I told him.

General Hammond chuckled. "Lord John Grey is a very fine man indeed, and it is clear that he chose his wife-to-be well," the general informed us, while Claire smiled congenially, whereupon the general nodded for the two considerably younger gentlemen to permit us both into the garden area. "Forage for as long as you like, Madam Fraser, Miss Hathaway."

"Thank you, gentlemen," Claire said, taking my arm in hers and leading me down the path. "You must be careful never to be seen as too flattering," she whispered as we walked along. "They may see you as promiscuous, and rumors could spread that one of them potentially fathered your child."

I shuddered at the very thought. "I'll try to remember," I responded.

Claire patted my hand. "There is a fine line between Loyalists and Rebels," she said softly. "Do you know what you are?"

I bit my lip. "A Rebel, of course," I assured her.

"And does John know that?" she asked.

I very nearly stumbled as we walked; thankfully, we'd rounded a bend, so none of the Redcoats guarding the gate had seen us, although Claire immediately steadied me.

"Alexandra?"

I shook my head. "Fine. I'm fine."

Claire nodded, feeling my forehead with the back of her hand, before she looked me over. "Did you twist your ankle?"

I turned both my ankles respectively, breathing a sigh of relief when neither of them caused pain to flow up my legs. "No," I responded. "It is only..."

"Yes?"

"I stupidly never had a discussion with John about where my loyalties lie," I said quietly. "I suppose it must come with the conversation about where I'm truly from."

Claire squeezed my hands in sympathy, before we ventured in the direction of the garden. "I think you'll like it," she said quietly.

Like was definitely not a word I would use; even in the autumn months, it was still quite a sight to see. Green foliage still dotted much of the landscape, with wildflowers and perennials making splashes of color here and there. "It is wonderful," I breathed.

Claire smiled. "There is a young lady I am in contact with, close in age to you, who frequents this garden. I thought I could introduce you."

I nodded. "If she is here, yes, by all means."

Claire led me through what remained of the autumn offerings—flower petals here, roots, a few scattered blooms, and leaves—before we rounded a bend. "Ah! She is here today," she said with a voice filled with delight, and pulled me towards a young lady who was inspecting some purple cornflowers. "Lydia?" she called out.

The woman turned and smiled; her brown eyes were kind, while her auburn hair was pinned atop her head. "Good afternoon, Claire," she said, her voice warm and welcoming.

"Lydia, this is my dear friend I've told you about, Alexandra," Claire said, gesturing in between the pair of us.

Lydia smiled warmly at me, putting out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Alexandra. Claire speaks of you every time we meet now."

I felt myself flushing ever so slightly, but nevertheless took her by the hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lydia."

"How are the cornflowers today, Lydia?" Claire asked.

"Charlotte has a toothache again," Lydia responded, shaking her head. "I've been doing my best, but it's proving stubborn."

"Shall I accompany you back to the house?" Claire wanted to know. "I would be happy to take a look at her..."

Lydia smiled. "You're too kind, Claire, but we've moved. We're in Chester now, you see, and I wouldn't wish to put you out of your way," she said.

"In Chester?" Claire asked. "Whatever for?"

"Tobias' business, of course," Lydia said. "He's decided to practice law out there now, since his own mother and father settled there some years ago, and likes it very much. It's much quieter now, ever since General Washington brought his troops there."

Claire's eyes widened. "I wasn't aware that you and Tobias had wed," she whispered.

Lydia shook her head. "He got the business opportunity so quickly, and wanted me to join him, which I could only do as his wife, of course. Charlotte, of course, wanted to accompany us, and so she is there as well. Charlotte is my sister, who is just seventeen," Lydia said with a quick smile, all for my benefit.

"As long as Alexandra doesn't mind, I would be willing to accompany you home to look in on Charlotte," Claire offered. "I really don't mind at all, and I would feel better knowing that I did everything I could."

Lydia smiled. "You are very kind... Do you mind, Alexandra?" she asked. "I would assure that it likely wouldn't be a long visit, and it would be nice to sit and have tea with someone while Claire tends to Charlotte."

"Of course I don't mind," I assured her. "It is only that my betrothed is due for supper at our lodgings this evening, and he has been assured that I will be back for it."

Lydia's expression warmed in understanding. "Of course. Do you believe it will be a terribly long visit, Claire?" she asked.

Claire shook her head. "No, I don't believe it will be."

Lydia nodded. "Very well. If you are done foraging for the day, you may accompany me back to the house."

Claire and I followed Lydia back out of the garden, nodded in farewell to the soldiers, and got back into the carriage. Claire had Lydia direct the driver towards her home in Chester, and, although I was reluctant, due to the fact that I may run into some potential ancestors, the excitement at seeing more of Colonial America won out. Claire sat back as Lydia questioned me about my position as a teacher in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and I did my best to answer her questions to the best of my ability.

"Many people around us speak German," Lydia said with a soft smile. "I don't speak it myself, so it's become a bit difficult..."

"Does Tobias speak it?" Claire wanted to know.

"He does, yes," Lydia confirmed. "You must speak it, Alexandra."

"I do," I told her, hoping that she wouldn't ask me what other languages I spoke and, thankfully, she did not press the subject.

We arrived at a large brick house with white pillars on either side of the front door, just a few minutes outside of the center of town, around an hour later. Lydia instructed the driver to go around the back of the house where the stables were, where his two horses would be given food and water, and he could sit in the kitchen to receive a hot meal. The driver thanked Lydia profusely, and Lydia handed over a small handful of coins, which he pocketed, before driving around the back of the house as instructed.

"Charlotte is in her upstairs bedroom," Lydia explained as a servant opened the front door for us, and Lydia turned towards her. "This is Madam Fraser, who is here to see Charlotte, and Miss Hathaway, who will be having tea with me in the parlor, Flora," she said politely to the woman, who bowed to each of us. "Do take as long as you need, Claire, and be sure that Peg is on hand to provide Madam Fraser with whatever she may need, please, Flora."

Flora curtsied to Lydia. "Of course, Mistress Lydia," she responded, her voice a rich Caribbean accent. "Shall I inform Peg now, and then get your tea?"

"Yes, please, Flora," Lydia responded, hanging up her own coat upon a hook, and instructing Claire and me to do the same as Flora slipped towards the back of the house, where I assumed the kitchen was. "It's just upstairs, Claire, the lavender door," Lydia informed her, and Claire immediate ascended the staircase. "Come, Alexandra; the parlor is just through here."

I held my tongue until we'd entered the parlor; it was more richly decorated than Mercy's was back in Germantown, and there was a fire in the grate. "Are... Are Flora and Peg your only servants?" I asked, not daring to use the word slave, as Mercy herself was free, and I didn't wish to make an inadvertent faux pas.

Lydia motioned for me to sit down, and did the same beside me; there was a table positioned between both settees, where I assumed the tea set would go. "They are all free and paid well, if that's what you are referring to," she informed me, deliberately pitching her voice low. "I know that Claire is a Rebel, and my husband and I are as well. I know that you are betrothed to a Redcoat, but realize that women are also capable of knowing their own minds."

"I am a Rebel," I answered, straightening up. "In point of fact, the woman, Mrs. Woodcock, whom Claire, her husband, her nephew, and I are lodging with in Germantown is a free woman. I take great issue with slavery; in fact, I find it to be disgusting and abhorrent."

Lydia raised her eyebrows. "Goodness, I've not seen someone react in such a way since my Tobias informed me how he felt on the matter."

I lowered my eyes. "Forgive me if I spoke out of turn, Lydia. I find that, if I am very passionate about something, I tend to speak my mind."

Lydia reached across us and clasped my hand. "You did not offend me in the slightest, Alexandra, never fear," she assured me. She turned around as Flora stepped into the parlor, bearing a tea set, along with a small platter of tea cakes. "Flora, Alexandra here is a fellow Rebel, and against slavery as Tobias," she informed her, and Flora's dark eyes widened. "Do feel free to speak freely around her, for she is a friend."

"I am," I told Flora as she carefully set down the tea set. I wanted desperately to warn her, but knew I could not, so I merely stuck with what I could say. "I know that it is seen as unusual, coming from an Englishwoman, especially one betrothed to a Redcoat, but do understand me when I say that I wish for independence for all of you, as well as the country."

Flora appeared stunned for a moment, before she nodded her head. "Thank you, Miss Hathaway, for your kind words... I shall see if Sally needs assistance with supper, Mistress Lydia."

"Thank you, Flora," Lydia responded, nodding at her, and waited for her to leave before she began preparing our tea. "Milk and sugar, Alexandra?"

"Both, please," I responded. "A generous splash of milk and two sugars."

Lydia blinked, but nevertheless doctored my cup to my liking. "Goodness," she observed, placing a spoon onto its saucer, before she handed it over to me.

"Is something amiss?" I asked.

Lydia shook her head. "Forgive me for saying so, Alexandra, but... It was the way you informed me of the way you took your tea."

I gently blew upon its surface. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

Lydia seemed to force a smile onto her face. "It is only that..."

The front door of the house opened, and two voices chattered to one another.

"...most delightful surprise to have you here!" said a male voice, one which made my skin prickle in a moment of recognition. "It must have taken you nearly a fortnight to arrive, much less on your own..."

"I am quite old, as you know entirely well, my dear," said the second person, a woman, who sounded a bit younger than Claire. "I am perfectly capable of traveling on my own, as you know very well."

"Oh, it's Tobias," Lydia breathed.

Quick footsteps came from the kitchen and into the front room of the house. "Master Tobias, you have brought Mistress Chisholm home with you," Flora said warmly.

"Oh, Aunt Eliza is here, too!" Lydia whispered happily, getting to her feet, before she rushed over to the mirror above the mantelpiece, and smoothed her hair, before shaking out her skirts and pulling me to my feet. "Tobias will be so pleased to meet you, and Aunt Eliza, too!" Her cheeks were pink and her eyes were lively as she turned around, whereupon several sets of footsteps were heard coming down the hallway.

"Master Tobias and Mistress Chisholm, Mistress Lydia," said Flora, before stepping out of the way, and going back into the kitchen.

"Darling, you're home!" Lydia cried out, rushing for the gentleman, who, at first, only had eyes for his wife, who he embraced with a kiss, before he looked past her, his eyes locking onto me, which widened considerably.

"Dia ghràdhach," he breathed.

I felt a sharp breath escaping from between my lips as I took in Tobias for the first time, who looked like an exact copy of my father, Raymond. I was just about to speak when Eliza Chisholm stepped out from behind him, and her eyes very nearly left her sockets. I felt my knees buckling then as I fell towards the ground, and would have, had Tobias not caught me. The last thing I heard was Lydia screaming for Claire, as the last thing my mind registered was the notion that Eliza Chisholm had my face exactly, where it not for the likely twenty-five-year age difference between the pair of us.