Richmond, Virginia, United States of America, end of February 1814

Richmond was the capital city of Virginia. It had seen incredible growth in the past years, very much like the rest of the state that had a total population of close to nine hundred thousand people. It had a main street and fine buildings where much of the region’s tobacco wealth had found its way.

Anna and Amelia strolled idly, gazing at the merchandise in the shop windows, which had grown in scarcity since the advent of the war. She had been to the town on a few occasions before, and it never ceased to amaze her how much farther it needed to grow to become anything like a European city. To Amelia, London was the center of the world. Would something so magnificent ever exist in America?

Jake had gone off to purchase tools and other materials needed for the plantation in preparation for the springtime. While Amelia waited, it dawned on her how many of the menfolk in the town were missing. She watched the street only to find predominantly women of all ages walking hither and thither. Virginia and the other southern states were the most ardent supporters of the war against the British. This was the reason why the British focused even greater attention on harassing them as of late.

“Amelia, how nice to find you here. Jake didn’t tell me that he was taking you into town,” said a familiar voice.

“Jonathan…yes, Anna and I needed a change of scenery.” Amelia’s eyes opened wide as she studied him. She liked the way he smiled at her whenever he was near.

“Are you bored of plantation life already?”

“No, not at all. I really like it at Fair Weather Heaths’. It is a beautiful place.”

Jonathan smiled. “I am so glad you think so. You and Anna have become a part of it. It will be difficult…” his words trailed off when he thought of her ever leaving.

It was an inevitable prospect that he had put to the back of his mind. Once upon a time, he would have relished the notion of being rid of the irritating Englishwoman. Now, he could not imagine life without her. He enjoyed having her at his table every day. It had become so ingrained into his life at home that he could no longer envisage a meal without her partaking in it.

Amelia added certain flamboyance to Fair Weather Heaths’. She was made for the place. Her enthusiasm for everything and her happy disposition defied all he knew about women. Having Amelia around had somehow put a dampener on the pleasures of bachelor life. His few encounters with prospective female candidates before he had met her had paled in comparison to every experience he had shared with Amelia, and that included the acrimonious ones.

As of late, Jonathan often found himself thinking about having a woman in his life. And not just any woman, but her. Mammy had said as much. Jake confirmed with the same fervor. Anna never spoke to him on the topic, but Jonathan knew that she also was a proponent of the concept.

It just eluded him how he would convince her. They had grown close; that was for certain. Yet, an invisible barrier stood between them, keeping any burgeoning deeper affection at bay. It was as if the war between their two countries separated them as well.

Amelia was so refined in her way – the manner in which she held the stem of her glass during mealtimes or the style in which she conversed or how elegant her poise. These were all things that made her the most magnificent creature he had ever seen and also an unobtainable dream. Jonathan felt that she was that apple in a tree, which was just out of reach. Could he find a ladder, a way to get to it? The way they were around one another did bode well for some greater mutual affection to grow; of this he was certain.

In the evenings when he was home, they often played cards or chess in the library. Jonathan knew that she loved the room. He had also taught her how to play backgammon. It was now a game she invariably beat him at. The little chuckles of satisfaction she emitted after these bouts endeared her even more to him. Jonathan often found himself wanting to take her into his arms and hold her.

Naturally, he was not completely immune to the signals she sent him. When he wasn’t paying attention, Amelia would study him closely. Her ladylike comportment was exemplary, and yet, when he made her laugh, she would occasionally slightly brush her hand over his arm. The gestures were so soft and fleeting that they might even have gone unnoticed. Not to Jonathan who had become so attuned to her every wile. She was doing it now, in that very moment, as she gazed into his deep blue eyes, waiting for him to provide her with some more information.

“You were about to say some more…about something being difficult?”

“Oh, I just trailed off – it was nothing. Being near you often robs me of my wits. Anyway, would you care to join me for some supper? The hotel here serves very nice food.” His candor concerning the way he felt about Amelia slipped out of his mouth just as it should have – true and frank and without the veil of subterfuge in all things romantic.

Amelia looked shaken. Two things affected her at once – I rob him of his wits; does Jonathan Mitchell harbor romantic feelings for me? She intuitively knew that he did. But every time she thought of it, she quickly denied the possibility.

The second, she voiced with ladylike conviction; it was the way in which she had been brought up. “I don’t think it would be proper. Ladies don’t frequent hotel dining rooms with men that are not their fathers, brothers or husbands.” She looked about nervously, but Anna had disappeared, most likely to join Jake in the store.

“You have the choice then.”

“Oh.” Amelia had never encountered the mischievous grin he currently displayed before. She wasn’t sure whether she liked or disliked it - the dislike not being because it looked evil or unattractive, but because it was new, worrying and as a result of that, a step into the unknown.

“I can be either your brother, fiancé or father this late afternoon. You choose, Amelia.”

She couldn’t hold back a slight laugh at the outlandish nature of his suggestion. “Everyone will know that I am not your sister…and as to being your daughter…I don’t quite think that would work. You may be older than I, but you are not an old bucket.”

Jonathan bowed. “I am so glad you would think so of me. Well, that leaves only one possibility. I will be your fiancé.” Come along, I am hungry, and I am certain that you are too.”

“But, but…”

“No further protests or attempts to make a simple supper between two people who share a house more difficult. I could also be your guardian, or maybe we could make it more morbid…what do you think of me being the evil pirate that captured and abducted you on the open seas? Yes, I like that. But you ultimately decide what to display to the waiter when we get there.”

Amelia let herself be guided in the direction of one of the larger buildings on the main street. She had to admit that she was famished. The thought of having to wait until they got back to Fair Weather Heaths’ made her flinch and her tummy rumble at the same time.

His enthusiasm and domineering manner were contagious. She had come to appreciate his masculine bluster the more she got to know him. Amelia no longer saw it as chauvinistic in the way she once had done on board his ship but as something that was innately Jonathan. Without it, he wouldn’t be the man she had come to know. Of course, it had not slipped past Amelia that the good captain had toned down his overassertive manner a great deal with regard to her. It made her think that he may harbor a soft spot for her.

And what did it matter that she behaved as an easy woman would. Nobody knew her in Richmond. She could more or less do what she liked there. Anyhow, she would be leaving one day, and not a soul would be aware that she had ever frequented the place. I can be his fiancé for one day, she thought, subtly thrilled by the prospect. Templeton French had never cajoled such emotions from her, concerning their official betrothal.

As they stepped into the hotel, Amelia felt a rush of sadness course through her. Did she really want to leave and never return? Did she never want to see him again? Could life as the Duchess of Brandon ever top this – Fair Weather Heaths’? Jonathan? She snuck a quick glimpse at the man who so chivalrously escorted her toward their wanton rendezvous. He was happy as he regaled her with the history of Richmond and how it had gotten its name from its namesake, a village outside of London, in England.

No, I do not, she thought. I want to stay with him. Is that even possible?

The final steps to the dining room, they had decided that pirate and woman snatcher was too harsh a title for Jonathan and brother just plain silly; everyone in Richmond would know that he did not have a sister and not choosing the title of father was self-explanatory. That only left fiancé. She had agreed to that last minute with a small chuckle.

Amelia fidgeted the entire way to their table. As she was directed past the many tables boasting crisp white tablecloths bedecked with fine crystal and silver, she felt the eyes of the other diners bore into her. Goodness, what am I doing here? It was too late; the meticulously attired headwaiter helped her into her chair.

“This is very nice,” said Amelia, looking around the dining room nervously. It wasn’t what she was used to, but it had a certain old-world flair to it with the high ceilings and thick burgundy-colored curtains.

“I knew you would like it.” Jonathan looked about him happily. “Would you allow me to order for you, Dearest?” he asked when the headwaiter had finished dispensing with the large snow-white napkins. He looked like a scoundrel despite his grey topcoat, maroon waistcoat, crisp white shirt, and tight light blue neckerchief around his neck.

Amelia nearly sunk under the table when he called her that. It felt good, but it was so wrong. People of a certain class did not comport themselves as charlatans. She felt the heat rise up to her cheeks with rubicund abandon – she was blushing in front of the waiter, worse, in front of him.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Amelia watched him as he ordered their supper. It warmed her heart that he included all of the dishes she liked. Obviously, Jonathan had been paying attention the past months. She had never expected that he would recollect that she loved gratin dauphinoise, thinly sliced potatoes with milk and garlic slow cooked in the oven. With it, prime rib of beef with a side dish of vegetables was promised and two-dozen fresh oysters to round off the meal.

“You remembered,” said Amelia when the waiter was gone.

“Of course, I did; I remember everything you tell me. You will love the Virginia oysters. I never had them anywhere else, but they are the best.”

“How do you know they are the best then?” asked Amelia.

Jonathan shrugged. “I just do.” The expression on his face became serious. “I have something I have been meaning to discuss with you.”

“Oh.” Amelia waited for Jonathan to taste the wine. After, they took a sip without making a toast. The ruby liquid was exquisite and like anything she had tasted back home.

“Jake has asked me for my permission as to whether he may ask Anna for her hand in marriage. Of course, he doesn’t really need it. He is my friend and very much his own man. He just asked for it out of respect for me and the mutual affection our late fathers shared.”

For a heartbeat, Amelia felt an icy shudder claim her. She was aware of the fact that Anna had strong feelings for Jake, but she had never spoken to her of their plans. All manner of thoughts came to Amelia’s mind: does that mean Anna would not return to England with her when the time came; of course, she wouldn’t – her place was with her husband.

The notion of being back home without her made Amelia feel slightly nauseous. Life just wouldn’t be the same. Anna was the only person who would’ve kept her sane. Now, the prospect of leaving was completely unappealing. The thought of missing Jonathan had been taxing enough but Anna too.

“You were unaware of this?” asked Jonathan, reading her inner turmoil. “I could of course refuse to give my blessing, but it would only cause a rift with my friend and they would go through with it anyway.”

“No, I wouldn’t want that. Anna deserves to be happy and she loves Jake very much.” Amelia refused to be selfish. Anna was more than just a lady’s maid. She was her friend.

“All right, that is settled then. I will tell Jake the good news when we get back to Fair Weather Heaths’. He will be overjoyed.”

Jonathan nodded at the waiter when he brought the oysters. He smiled at Amelia and indicated with his head that they both delve in and enjoy the saline taste delivered by the sea creatures.

They ate in silence. Amelia was lost in her own little world that consisted of the salty taste of the oyster and the worry she felt at losing her friend.

Jonathan felt for her. Even though Jake and Anna were very obvious about the way they felt, it still must have come as a shock that Anna would be staying in America. While he ate, he weighed up the options in his mind. He could ask Amelia to stay but for what reason? They had grown close, but it was nowhere close enough for him to propose such an alternative.

When their plates were cleared away for them, Jonathan decided that it was time. He would do what was right. He cleared his throat. “Amelia…”

She looked up hopefully. A frown materialized on her forehead when she saw how serious he had become. “Yes, Jonathan?”

“As you know when we arrived in Baltimore, I sent word to your family in Canada regarding your release.”

“My ransom, you mean.” Amelia did not mean to sound so icy. Being reminded of those days still rankled her.

“Yes, quite – your ransom. Well, I still haven’t received word,” said Jonathan, taking a sip of wine.

Trust that maggot, Templeton French, not to respond. He’s probably found another woman to punish with his inept advances. “What will you do now?” she asked. “Will you still let me return home?”

“Yes.”

Amelia could not help recoiling. All this time, she had dreamt of England and returning there. However, the dreams had weakened as time went by. Her memories of her parents and her life there had become but a blur as if none of it had ever existed. Fair Weather Heaths’ had taken center stage, the slaves, the magical land and him, Jonathan Mitchell.

It astounded her that he wanted to return her to her family. It saddened her more that he had not asked her first. Amelia looked at Jonathan who peered back at her. He seemed as if he was in pain. He does not want this, she thought. I am certain of it.

Say that you wish to stay with me and I will gladly accept. Say it, Amelia. We could have a beautiful life here and better than anything you could have in England. Jonathan willed her with his gaze to say something, but she didn’t. All Amelia did was stare back at him, expecting the same from him. The arrival of their main courses broke the spell.

Once more, they ate in silence. The meat was tender, the sauce excellent and the gratin daupinoise just how Amelia remembered it. Neither of them risked another look at the other. All focus was on their plates that rapidly emptied as if they were sharing their last meal together. The sad irony was, it may well have been.

“When do you plan on taking me back?” asked Amelia. The silence was killing her. With the plates gone, there was nowhere for her to look, no place to focus her attention, other than on the handsome man that had robbed her of her otherwise sensible comportment.

“Soon, I was thinking in a few days time. I will, of course, accompany you. I will ask Jake to come too.”

His manner was so matter-of-fact, it had Amelia thinking that she had misread all of the signs – nothing had passed between them other than possible friendship. Jonathan abided her and now he was getting rid of her.

His aloofness hurt Amelia more than she thought possible. She tried to think of all of the times they had shared together. In a heartbeat, her fretting brain jumbled them all together in a blurry presentation of laughter, light touches and heated discussions. She realized, there and then, that no other man existed who would accept her for who she was. Jonathan was unique, and soon she would never see him again.