Georgiana held her sister’s hand tightly as they walked the
moonlight path in the back of their garden. A cool spring breeze blew through
Williamsburg, and Georgiana could feel Alice moving closer for warmth. Clad
only in her shift and a thin shawl, she could understand her sister’s
discomfort. Gently, she placed her arm around her sister’s slight shoulders.
Alice was small for her age, and at thirteen, looked more like a child of
eleven, that and her shift made her look like a little ghost, hovering over the
garden. Alice looked up at her elder sister, and Georgiana could see the moon
reflected in her dark brown eyes.
“Are we leaving the garden tonight?” Alice asked, looking
longingly towards their gate.
“No pumpkin we cannot. Father and Mother told us to stay
right here. Besides, it is a cool night. We wouldn’t want to venture to far.”
Alice looked down at the ground. She loved the sun more than
anything, but their parents would never let her be seen outside during the day.
Georgiana’s heart ached as she walked her sister around the garden.
“You need not be sad Alice!” She exclaimed trying to
distract her sister from her melancholy. “Look dear, I think some of your
flowers are blooming.” Alice let out a squeal of delight, and ran over to her
corner of the garden. One of the few pleasers the child was allowed was to
plant her own garden every spring. Alice crouched down so that her blonde hair
fell past her shoulders, reflecting the moon light just as her eyes had.
“Oh Georgie! The lavender is blooming!” Her voice was filled
with enchantment, as if it gave her no more pleaser in the world than seeing
those delicate little flowers blooming.
“I planted a purple garden this year Georgie! Maybe some
other flowers will grow!” Georgiana found it hard to contain her smile.
Everything about Alice was charming and endearing, and she was Georgiana’s
treasure.
“I am sure your other plants will grow. You have a gift.”
“Mama said I have a green thumb! Isn’t that silly Georgie?”
“Well let me see your thumbs.” Georgiana said. Alice smiled
all the way to her eyes. She thrust her two hands forward for Georgiana to
examine. To play along, Georgiana bit her lip and hemmed and hawed, trying to
sound like the apothecary who came once a week to examine Alice. Her sister giggled.
“Ahaha!” Georgiana exclaimed.
“What Georgie?” Alice asked, her brown eyes wide.
“Your thumbs are green!”
“Where? I cannot see…” Alice said softly.
Georgiana took her sister’s hands and kissed her thumbs
“There, and there, and there.” She said each time she planted a kiss on her
sister’s fingers. Alice almost shrieked from delight. Georgiana loved hearing
her sister’s laugh. Alice was simple, and sweet, something that their parents
didn’t seem to understand. That their youngest was unbalanced caused Mr. and
Mrs. Middleton a great deal of shame, and they scarcely allowed her out in
society. Georgiana took it upon herself to bring joy to the child whenever she
could. So she encouraged her sister’s laughter more by tickling her tummy. Both
of them dissolved with laughter.
“What is this?” And their father’s booming voice echoed
across the night. Alice leaped up and scurried off behind the magnolia tree.
Georgiana, still on the ground, looked up to find her father standing over her.
A tall man, Mr. Middleton was intimidating to look at. As a
lawyer and member of the House of Burgesses in Virginia, he was not a man to be
trifled with.
“Father, we were just walking…” Georgiana said as she got to
her feet.
“Were you planning on waking all of Williamsburg with that
rabble?” He said is a soft, but harsh tone that made Georgiana want to run behind
the tree, even at the age of twenty. She bowed her head and looked at the
earth, not wanting to meet her father’s eyes.
“Get your sister and come inside immediately.”
“Aye, Father.” Georgiana said, dipping into a small courtesy
as he left the garden into the house.
It took a moment to coax Alice out from behind the tree, but
soon they were walking back towards the house.
“Tomorrow night we must be quieter, Alice. Do you
understand? We don’t want Father to be upset. Besides, if you are good you
might get to come to the ball.”
Alice looked up at Georgiana, tears rising in her wide,
brown eyes.
“Papa will never let me go to the ball.”
Georgiana sighed. There was some truth in that. But perhaps
if she worked with Alice, taught her the courtesies and customs and perhaps a
few dances, then maybe father would let the child out.
“Well we shall just have to teach you some dances then.” Georgiana
said, putting her arm around her sister again. Alice sniffled in reply and
buried her head into her sister’s side. Georgiana stopped walking and held
Alice close. She didn’t care what her father and mother thought. She would make
sure Alice went to the ball. Her sister needed wings, and Georgiana wanted more
than anything to give them to her. She kissed Alice’s soft blond head, and
together the sisters headed towards the house.
