Summary: During the Revolutionary War, Lillian Atwood makes some life altering decisions that change everything for her lover, her best friend, and herself. Follow her journey through the war as she grows into a woman who faces that decision of her past.

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A fortnight later, in the throes of a Virginian afternoon sun, I sat on the porch of my large and stately house. One of the servants had set out apple cider should I become thirsty, and I fanned myself lightly with a gorgeous fan Father gave me on my last birthday. We were to have company over, and I was forced to wear my very best dress. It was made of a deep burgundy velvet, imported from England and was the most fashionable style. Though I knew my appearance was quite becoming, the itchy fabric was unbearable in the heat.

I lazily watched the front of the house, awaiting for a coach to appear on the dirt road. The coach would contain our most popular dinner guests: the Elwoods. Adam Elwood would be included in the rather large family; he was my closest and dearest friend. Our friendship began with our mothers. My family moved to the Atwood plantation in 1765. My father had always been eager to return to his plantation after the end of the French and Indian war, of which he was a part. He wanted to settle down and raise a family in the country, where he himself had been raised. My mother had always been an over controlling, spoiled girl, and she had wanted to stay in the city of Yorktown where she had grown up. It was only when dangerous riots began to break out that we moved from the city into the country of Virginia. Father had finally convinced Mother that the city was no place to raise a child.

That was nearly ten years ago. I was only six when we moved, and my mind had forgotten many things about the city as I'd grown accustomed to the soft, pleasant atmosphere of the country. I now thought of each and every city as a place for fear, death, and politics. Though I had been supportive of Joseph's trip to Yorktown, my brow was now almost always wrinkled in worry over his well being.

I was jerked out of my thoughts of Joseph when I recognized the faint silhouette of a carriage coming down the road. I knew it was coming from the direction of the Elwood plantation, so I leapt off of the wooden bench I'd been perched on and walked to the doorway of the porch leading out to the road. I waited impatiently to greet our guests.

The carriage finally stopped at the road in front of our house. Two slaves were already waiting to escort the carriage to the carriage house. The doors to the carriage opened, and Sarah Elwood was helped down to the ground by their black coach. After her came her husband, Matthew Elwood, and four of their eldest children: Adam, Sam, William, and Faith. Sarah hoisted up her skirts and glided elegantly down the short pathway surrounded by our beautiful flower gardens to the front porch. She embraced me with a powerful hug and a kiss on each cheek.

"Lillian! You look simply splendid! Is that a new dress? 'Tis a beauty," Sarah complimented, looking my dress over with admiration.

" 'Tis not very new," I replied. "I've worn it once before. Father had the fabric shipped over from England a few months ago. Surely Mother must have told you."

"Yes, I think I remember now," Sarah said. She reached for Faith's hand. "Do admire Lillian's dress, Faith dear."

Faith smiled at me shyly. She was twelve-years-old, and we had never become close friends. She was quiet and intelligent, and often I imagined she was quite overwhelmed by her mother's conflicting personality.

Sam, fourteen, and William, thirteen, passed by next. I held out my hand for both of them, and they in turn placed a chaste kiss on it. Sam was a troublemaker, and William generally followed along in his schemes.

"Hello, Lillian," Matthew Elwood greeted. We shared a brief hug, and he went into the house next.

Last was Adam, smiling at me. Adam was one of those people with such a cheerful disposition that he was always smiling. He was friendly and kind to everyone he met. Often he would strike up a conversation with one of the slaves! None commented on this oddity though, for Adam was too nice a boy for you to hold contempt for. We met when he was nine and I, six, and I was under the conviction that his soul hadn't aged a day.

"How are you, Lilly?" Adam asked, taking off his hat and bowing to me.

"I'm overcome with worry, as you well know," I informed him. "Though your presence does make my heart more content. I believe I shall enjoy this afternoon. I have been quite unable to think of anything but Joseph. Especially with all of this talk of rebellion! I hear news of riots happening everyday now. It's enough to have me weak with worry."

Adam put a friendly arm around my waist and we walked into the house together. Due to a slight limp in his right leg, our walk was slow. When he was younger, he was trying to save a rabbit that had had a paw run over and couldn’t move. In the process, Adam himself had gotten hit by an oncoming carriage. He was lucky to survive the ordeal with a mere limp. "Don't trouble yourself, Lilly. Joseph will be safely home in a matter of days."

I squeezed his arm in gratitude. One might find it odd that Adam and I spoke freely about such things as romances, but I had no one else to talk about them to. Adam did not mind, and he often gave me good advice. He was always there to comfort my woe when Mother was being particularly disagreeable.

We reached the sitting room to see that Mother was greeting each of the children in turn. Father and Matthew were sitting in two chairs by a small table and talking animatedly. They had grown up together on the plantations and were part of the reason that Mother and Sarah had met and become so fond of each other.

Adam and I sat down on one of the lovely couches with an original floral pattern and thick cushions. Faith came to sit next to Adam, and he put a brotherly arm around her shoulders. William and Sam went to sit on the floor and play a game of cards by the fireplace. Mother and Sarah sat across from Adam, Faith, and me and began to speak of the latest gossip.

" 'Twill be awhile longer before dinner is served," I explained to Adam and Faith. "Would you like to go out into the gardens and have a stroll?"

Faith smiled in her usual shy manner, but Adam had enough enthusiasm for the both of them. "A splendid idea, Lilly. Faith is fond of your pink roses, though she is too quiet to say it."

Faith blushed as we all three stood up. I smiled at her, and she smiled a small smile in return. I turned to Mother and Sarah. "We are going to have a stroll in the gardens, Mother. Send one of the servants to fetch us when dinner is prepared."

"Yes, of course, Lillian," Mother said, sounding slightly annoyed at being interrupted. She turned away from me and went back to chatting amiably with Sarah.

I rolled my eyes slightly, knowing that Mother and Father were too occupied to see my small act of defiance. Adam, Faith, and I all left the sitting room and walked through the front doors to the gardens that surrounded our mansion.

I picked up my parasol from where it rested by the bench I'd been sitting on earlier. Faith pulled out her own, and we three began walking down the path and straight into the gardens.

"Perhaps after dinner I could play the piano and you could grace us with your beautiful singing voice," I said, directing my suggestion at Faith.

"I don't know," Faith said reluctantly. I noticed that she was much more eager to talk when not in large crowds or around her mother.

"Oh, please do," I prodded. "It would please me very much so."

"And I, as well," Adam added.

Faith's smile grew into a full-fledged one, and her cheeks were slightly pink at all the praise she was receiving. "I suppose 'twill not be so bad," she agreed. I'd also noticed that she was very fond of Adam. If Adam wanted her to do something, she was always quick to abide.

Because that was done and over with, I began to talk of the latest gossip. There were only about ten plantations nearby, including our own, so there wasn't much gossip to be had. There was a road that went straight through, and if you followed it long enough you could visit each and every plantation. At the end of the road there was a small town with a general store, blacksmith, a few small farms, and some other necessary stores. Mother made it a point to visit the general store at least once a week. That was where the gossip generally circulated.

"Have you yet heard of what befell poor Rachel Hugh?" I asked gravely.

"Rachel Hugh?" Adam looked contemplative for a moment. "Is she the eldest daughter at the Hugh's plantation?"

"Second eldest," I corrected. "She has fallen into a situation." I said the last word meaningfully, and both Faith and Adam understood.

"Who is she to marry?" Adam asked.

"No one," I said. "A black slave on their farm took advantage of the poor soul. Naturally, he is at the jail in Williamsburg."

Faith gasped. "That's horrid! Rachel was such a darling. Shall we visit and offer condolences?"

"Tomorrow, I imagine," Adam replied. "Though I'm not sure if her situation is one that would provide joy at many visitors."

"Nevertheless, we will visit her tomorrow," I said blandly. "Mother has already made plans. One of the servants is probably baking up a storm of cakes for us to bring over."

"You shouldn't let your mother go over there," Adam said. "She will ruin the girl's esteem."

"That is why we must accompany her," I said smoothly. "We, perhaps, can protect Rachel from my mother's terrifying mouth. I did not know her well, but, Faith, did you not go to dame school with her?"

"For two years, yes," Faith replied. "She is only fourteen."

"And now she shall be ruined," I said sadly.

"She shan't," Faith said in what could only be vehemence. " 'Tis not her fault that such a tragedy happens. I myself will make sure that she is accepted socially for the rest of her life."

Adam had a proud smile on his face as he regarded his sister. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "That's a fine notion, Faith."

Faith looked extremely pleased under her favorite brother's praise.