Chapter Text
Anna was currently a guest of Ben and his new wife, Elizabeth, who were now living in New York City, and this evening she was to attend a ball being hosted by Ben and his wife. The War was over and Ben was enjoying a successful career in New York. Meanwhile, Anna was working at a local tavern. As Anna sat in her bedroom she could hear the guests beginning to arrive at this extravagant affair, but she was so hesitant to go downstairs to attend. Ben was hosting the party for former officers of the Revolution, local politicians and merchants, and even a British trade delegation which was hoping to restore its profitable trade with the former colonies, especially with New York merchants.
Anna was just about dressed and was fixing her hair. One of Ben’s servants came in to help her finish dressing and to help her with her hair. As the servant was fixing Anna’s hair, Anna just stared into the mirror looking at how she had aged since the War. It had taken so much out of her as well as away from her. She lost her tavern in Setauket and her husband to disease. She was a widow now and free to marry. Yet, as well as feeling so much older, she also felt that she had become so tired looking and plain. She even voiced this out loud to the servant, but the servant rebutted her respectfully by continuing to tell her how beautiful she looked. Yet, Anna was not too convinced.
Anna finally made it downstairs, and sure enough she was joined by Abe and Mary who seemed to be as close as ever. The War actually brought them closer together. Ben, who still had his boyish looks and looked very handsome in his new expensive civilian clothing, eventually joined them along with another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Linwood. Mr. Linwood was a very successful City merchant and was excited to make new contacts at this party. After introductions, another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, joined this now growing group. Anna did not feel much like talking as she had nothing in common with the group, and she was still wondering why she was still at the party. There were so many distinguished looking women and gorgeous young women in attendance. Why was she still here?
Mr. Lewis was happy to see Mr. Linwood as he was hoping that Mr. Linwood could introduce him to some of the very influential people and merchants attending the affair. Mr. Lewis started the conversation by asking if the British trade delegation had made it to the party. Mr. Linwood responded and pointed out two gentlemen standing across the room. He referred to one as a Mr. George Harper and a Mr. Edmund Hewlett. With that Anna almost choked on her drink while Abe, Mary, and Ben looked over to her. They all recognized the name!
Anna then looked across the room and sure enough she saw Edmund although he looked different. He was no longer wearing his powdered wig. His hair was a dark brown and tied back in the fashion of the day. He was wearing some very fine silk clothing that made him look very distinguished. He was laughing with the gentlemen and ladies that he was speaking to, and he seemed somewhat younger than she remembered. His eyes seemed soft and his face looked relaxed. Anna thought that he looked as handsome as ever although most women in the room would never think that.
Ben then asked, “Do you know if that is the same Major Edmund Hewlett who was assigned to Setauket during the War?” Mr. Linwood responded, “I believe so. I know that he was in the War and commanded a post in Long Island before returning to Scotland where he was able to rebuild his family's business. He has proven himself to be a very wealthy and successful businessman. My wife and I actually had the privilege of staying with Edmund Hewlett and his lovely wife and children for a week during our trip to London.” Anna now was ever more interested when Linwood mentioned that Edmund had a wife and children.
Linwood continued with his story. “Yes, my wife and I travelled to London to attend a trade conference. Merchants from all over England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and even Canada and the United States were in attendance. The Hewletts traveled from Scotland and rented a house while there. When our own living arrangements fell through, the Hewletts were kind enough to take us in for the remainder of our stay.” Anna then spoke up and asked about Mr. and Mrs. Hewlett while Ben, Abe, and Mary all turned to look at Anna with some concern.
Mrs. Linwood then took over the conversation and responded. “The Hewletts are such a sweet couple. I really enjoyed my stay with them, and although we were only there a short time, I really felt that I got to know the Hewletts, especially Mrs. Hewlett. She is so friendly and charming. She would do anything for you. And, she is very cultured and intelligent. I was so impressed by her musical talents and knowledge of the classics. I myself like to read and play the piano, and Mrs. Hewlett was such a good companion. And, she seems to have Mr. Hewlett wrapped around her finger in such a good way. Unlike my husband, (Mrs. Linwood poked her husband in jest and he just rolled his eyes), Mr. Hewlett was so attentive to her and he would even light up when she walked into the room.” Upon hearing this, Anna remembered how Edmund was so dedicated and attentive to the woman that he loved. Only this was not her now!
Mrs. Linwood continued. “It was such an interesting story regarding how they met. Mrs. Hewlett told me the story one evening. She was married to a British officer who eventually was stationed in New York during the War. She was very young when she married and her brother, the same George Harper standing across the room with Mr. Hewlett, had warned her against the marriage. Mr. Harper was very concerned with her soon to be husband’s character and thought that she was acting too hasty. And, Mrs. Hewlett admitted that her brother was right. Shortly after their marriage, her husband began chasing other women even after she became pregnant with their child. Shortly after giving birth, her husband was killed in the War, and so she decided to return to England once her young daughter was old enough to travel across the ocean. She met Edmund Hewlett on the ship returning to England. It seems that he had a heartbreaking experience in the colonies although Mrs. Hewlett did not provide any details on what could have happened." At this point, Anna looked down to the floor and took a deep breath. Mrs. Linwood continued. "Mr. Hewlett began courting Mrs. Hewlett almost right away. They discovered that they lived fairly close to each other in Scotland, and in fact, Mr. Hewlett escorted Mrs. Hewlett to Scotland. They were married within the year. Edmund Hewlett adopted Mrs. Hewlett’s young daughter and they just recently had a boy of their own. Now, let me see if Mrs. Hewlett is in the room and I can point her out to you.”
Anna looked over and sure enough two women walked in and went over to Hewlett and Harper respectively. Edmund gave one of the women a very affectionate kiss which brought a big smile to her face. That was Mrs. Hewlett! Mrs. Hewlett had dark hair and was rather slim. Although she was not a beauty, she was pretty, and she had a certain grace and elegance without looking haughty or arrogant. Anna did not want to admit that she was feeling very jealous, but she was, especially as Mrs. Hewlett seemed to resemble her a bit. And, Mr. and Mrs. Hewlett looked so happy together!
Mrs. Linwood further commented. “Yes, they seemed like a very happy couple. They would finish each other’s sentences and really enjoyed spending time with each other. They both played the piano together and enjoyed riding. I was even taken back one night when I saw them both outside looking through a telescope to study the heavens. They even invited us to join them, and of course, Mr. Linwood agreed. Imagine though a woman interested in such a pursuit!” This really hit Anna hard! She just wanted to run outside and get away from hearing how Edmund had found a life with another woman. Yes, she wanted him to find happiness, but she was having a hard time realizing that he was very happy and in love but not with her!
As Anna looked over again to the couple, she realized that she still had some unfinished business and that she needed some closure. She decided that she would try to find an opportunity to speak with him. She wanted him to know that she did love him and that she did not use him for her spying efforts. She remembered that night at the pub when Edmund had asked her whether she loved him. Now, she had the opportunity to explain to Edmund that she did love him but that she had to remain quiet in order to save his life. She could not lie to him but she could not say yes, and so she said nothing. For years, she never got to say a proper goodbye and maybe this was what she needed to do now. Maybe, she needed some closure about her feelings for him and to let him know that she was not a cold hearted woman who used him, but rather someone who really did love him.
Sure enough, Edmund left his group to get some drinks in another room. Anna summoned her courage and left her group to speak to him. She was not sure what she was going to say but she knew that she had to do it. When she walked into the room, Edmund was at the drink table by himself and seemed to be in a very good mood. While Edmund was picking up two drinks, Anna walked up and said, “Welcome Edmund to the United States!” Then Anna felt very stupid thinking about what she had just said. All of a sudden, the smile from Edmund’s face was gone and he seemed very taken back. His jaw dropped, but then he regained his composure. He managed to say “Good evening Mrs. Strong.” His voice, however, was very formal and very distant.
Right away, Anna noticed the formality and the distant "Mrs. Strong" greeting. Trying to regain her composure, Anna then went on to say, “It is so good to see you. I hope that you are in good health and that you are enjoying your stay in New York.” Edmund only responded with “Thank you Mrs. Strong, but I need to get back to my party.” He went to take the drinks and leave when Anna said “Wait, Edmund. I was wondering, if you have a few minutes maybe we could talk in private?” Edmund quickly stopped her and said with a very agitated and commanding voice, “Mrs. Strong, anything that you have to say can be said here. As far as I am concerned, I do not believe that there is anything that I want to hear from you. I congratulate you that you played me for a fool and did it so well. You are so good at your craft and I congratulate you. I congratulate you on your effort in winning your freedom that you and your fellow countrymen so desired. I have moved on and have found the life that I was so looking for. Setauket and the War is nothing but a nightmare for me although I learned a few things about myself and about people. I just want to put it behind me and enjoy the new life that I have found.”
Anna was so taken back by this assertive speech and upset by the contempt that he now had for her. Surely, she overestimated that he might have some residual feelings for her. It appeared that he resented any feelings that he may have ever had for her and now he wanted nothing to do with her. And, she had to admit that she deserved this very cold and resentful shoulder. Anna did try again to appeal to their past and asked again for a few minutes to speak with him, but Edmund simply stated that he had to get back to his party and could not spare her another minute. He still pressed that he had no idea why she would even want to speak to him and he certainly did not want anything to do with her. He again emphasized that she was nothing but a bad memory!
Anna now was in tears as she watched him walk back to his party. She watched as his composure relaxed as he approached and kissed his wife. Anna wanted to leave the party but Ben coaxed Anna to stay a little longer. During the night, Anna eventually made her way out to the garden to get some fresh air. Sure enough the Hewletts were also getting some air in the garden and a little more. They were having a fairly passionate make-out session in a dark corner not realizing that someone had just walked out to the garden. They, however, were quickly interrupted by another couple walking into the garden also looking to get some fresh air. Anna could not take it anymore and left running upstairs to her room.
All of the sudden, a gunshot was heard and some troops were outside laughing fairly loudly. Anna woke up and realized that she was having a bad dream, a dream about a ball where she met up with Edmund and his fictional wife. It was all a dream! She was sweating even though it was cold outside. As she sat up in her cot, she realized that it was just another day in the encampment. Then she started to feel guilty for dreaming about Edmund because she had just recently received notice that Selah was dead. Her husband was dead and yet she was dreaming about another man.
Anna did not feel like getting out of her cot. Here she was dreaming about another man even though her husband had recently died. Also, she did not want to admit it, but she was further feeling frustrated because even though she only recently found out that Selah was dead, the notice listed his date of death as being before her attempt to marry Edmund! All that she could think of when she saw the date of death was that she was actually a widow on the day of her wedding with Edmund and that she never had to go through the whole fraudulent divorce story! Anna was not happy. She wanted to be the person that she was before the War began, but as her life was changing so much during the War, she was afraid that it would not be possible. And, she had come to know what love really was with a man who was on the other side of the conflict and was now probably on the other side of the ocean in Scotland.