BASICS

[Annabelle Drake]

Annabelle smiled at Abigail, nodding as she spoke. It was true, she admitted to herself. While Abigail and Annabelle had been pouring over the latest fashion plates at the Mercantile, Alexandra had been lingering near the book display, flipping through novels and philosophical tracts, much to their parents' dismay. Still, Alexandra probably knew more about French politics than either of her sisters combined. Not that that would help her make a match...

Annabelle nodded, echoing her younger sister as Abigail continued speaking. "Yes, your dresses combined with Cecily's letters will certainly keep us well dressed." She smiled in a manner she hoped was encouraging to the youngest Drake. Though she had initially been annoyed by Abigail's referring to Alexandra as a child, she had to admit that, in terms of maturity, Abigail certainly seemed closer to Annabelle. After all, the middle Drake had never gone through the same rebellious streak that Alexandra seemed to finally be growing out of. Granted, her sister had been home less than ten minutes, but if the head of their school had decided that Alexandra was ready to return home, Annabelle assumed that Alex had grown out of her obstinacy.

Like Abigail, Annabelle too was surprised by her sister's question, though with further reflection, she realized that it was only natural for her sister to be curious about the gentlemen in Trenton. After all, she was sixteen, though just barely, Annabelle thought with a mental eyebrow raise. Of course, even if she wasn't interested in men before, word of Annabelle's marriage would have certainly piqued her interest, at least to Annabelle's mind. "Our sister is right, Alexandra. In times like these, we must take into consideration not only wealth and social connections but also political stances," Annabelle said baldly. "I'm sure we'll be able to find you someone, sister. Fear not!" She beamed at her sisters, looking first to Abigail and then to Alexandra.

[Alexandra Drake]

Alex laughed at her sisters again, reveling in her being useless in matters of fashion. "Anything you need to know about politics, history and literature, don't hesitate to ask. As for Fashion and parties, please hesitate to ask. I don't know a thing!" Her laugh was hearty and healthy, though she knew that the comment might make her sister's suspicious. "Some things never change..." she added to make herself more believable. "At Seminary all the dresses were fashionable. I suppose I never took the time to really notice. I found music and dancing much more engaging."

She was a little frustrated when her sisters didn't mention any names. However, Alex knew that she couldn't expect them to have kept an eye out for her, especially since they expected her to be in England or a longer period of time. "There weren't gentlemen at Seminary, and I feel like I've missed out on something! Maybe a party won't be so bad after all." She couldn't argue there, a party would be good for the sake of aquainting herself with all of the people she's want or need to know in Trenton. Of course, all of them would be Tories. She'd seek out the Patriots on her own.

She rested her chin on her knuckles, which were resting on her knees. Smiling at both of her sisters, she spoke again. "Well, you'll have to tell me... what families should I steer clear of?"

[Abigail Drake]

Abigail raised an eyebrow at Alexandra's comment about being more knowledgeable concerning books and such things than parties and fashion. Maybe some things did not change, however . . . certainly if her sister was old enough to notice boys and be interested in flirting, she would be paying more attention to those things than books and politics. What an unfeminine pastime, politics were for men! Not to mention that the two ideas seemed to blatantly contradict each other. Uncertain as to mention it or not, Abigail chose to say nothing. If she were to question her sister too greatly, it seemed likely that she would either grow embarrassed again or change the subject, she could not see her giving a straight answer. Perhaps she would discuss it later with Annabelle, and see if she was the only one who noticed the contradiction of interest.

A somewhat scrutinizing look never leaving her gaze as she studied her younger sister, Abigail barely noticed Annabelle's smile, and quick covering up of the political situation that seemed to be turning their whole world upside down. Whether or not Annabelle found it tense or disconcerting Abigail did not know - something else she should probably talk to her sister about - it was, however, how Abigail viewed it to be. She was most uncomfortable with the whole political world at the moment, and was determined to forget it as much and as often as was possible.

Tilting her head to the side, Abigail bit her lip slightly, her expression turning thoughtful. "It is funny, how one forgets the lack of male attention at seminary. Although, I must say, I didn't really think about it until just now. I suppose there was a decided lack of them, wasn't there?" Chancing a grin at her younger sibling, she then turned her gaze to her elder one. "Oh, I don't know. I would be much better at telling you which families are Tory, for they are the ones who's affiliations I know for certain. It is getting rather tricky. There are the decided patriots you know, and then there the neutrals, who supposedly have no thoughts at all on the matter. I cannot begin to fathom how that would be possible at all, but I suppose it is not for me to say. All I know is I have a horrid time keeping them all straight. And of course, there are the ones who are the worst of all . . . who have one idea that they proclaim, although they feel another way entirely. It makes the whole situation quite muddled." Pausing for a moment, she twirled a curl thoughtlessly around her finger. "Annabelle? You are perhaps more well informed than I? I confess I have not payed attention as I ought."

[Annabelle Drake]

Annabelle had truthfully never noticed the lack of gentlemen at seminary, largely because she had been far too busy enjoying her studies and her life in England. She had practiced French in the library and watercolor in the gardens. She had gossiped about fashions and other pupils on the staircase and made friends like Cecily Palmer. Only rarely did the thought of the male species cross her mind and even then, it was only in passing. After all, virtuous women did not spend time lusting after men. Though Annabelle was not a particularly pious lady, she did have a fear of God and a worry for her immortal soul. After all, if an hour spent in dull conversation was enough to make her scream from the pain, Annabelle shuddered to think what an eternity in hell would be like.

She failed to notice Abigail's scrutinizing look, which was probably due to her failure to realize how greatly she had simplified the political situation. Her simplification was not intentional, but rather due to the fact that Annabelle truly did not think that the situation merited a great deal of attention. Yes, it made things more difficult in some ways, but it also allowed Annabelle another way to determine exactly with whom she should associate. In England at least, she had titles and that Debrett's book, which really made things easy. It had always thrilled Annabelle to see her father's name in print, though it had bothered her slightly that instead of listing her name as well, it only mentioned that Mr. Drake had three daughters. After all, the children of her uncle the Viscount were listed by name. Perhaps that was simply the plight of being the child of a third child. She did take comfort in the fact that neither of her sisters were listed either. Neither, for that matter, were the Lawrences, though they were Loyalists, which brought her back to her younger sister's question.

"Well," she began, pursing her lips in thought and tapping her index finger on her chin. "There are the Lawrences, of course, though I should have to kill you if you ever set your sights on my William." She laughed lightly, though she meant the words she spoke, both the threat and the use of the possessive pronoun. "Then there are the Bartons. The oldest Barton has grown into a rather attractive man, though he's far too old for you." She shot her sister a warning look, though she softened it with a playful smile. "There is the youngest Barton, though. I believe he is near to your age, if not sixteen precisely." She glanced at Abigail. "What do you think, sister? Should we try to arrange a meeting between our baby sister and the youngest Barton? Or Mr. Ashwell's son! I have not seen him recently, though I have heard he is quite attractive." She giggled again before waiting for Abigail's take on her suggestion.

[Alexandra Drake]

Alexandra listened attentively to both of her sisters, though she was inclined to listen with greater attention to Annabelle. Annabelle was the eldest sister, and therefore was probably the wiser in these matters. Even so, Abigail's opinions were still valuable, because it let Alex calculate exactaly what she might end up against in a matter of time. Abigail seemed to be less attentive to her surroundings than Annabelle, but Abigail seemed to be more opinionated on matters of politics. However, there was still more to be seen.

She laughed at Annabelle's comment about William. "Don't worry, Annabelle. Why would I go after someone eight years older than myself?" She shuddered at the thought. "We would have absolutely nothing to talk about!" Then she heard Annabelle's proposed suggestions. Of course, Alex didn't remember any of those people. She remembered some of the surnames, but she couldn't bring up any faces. It really had been a long time since she'd been home. "I wouldn't want to impose on anyone. It has been a long time, and I'm sure many of them don't remember me very well. Was the Barton boy the one I wrestled to the ground? she thought.

Then, she asked another question that seemed almost unlikely coming from her mouth. But it was a question that Alex genuinely wanted the answer to. She had an almost dreamy look in her eyes, and she was gazing out the window. "What would you want in a gentleman? If he could be however you wanted?" Alex wasn't sure if she could answer that question, so she wasn't entirely sure that she could get an answer out of her two sisters, but Alex was curious about what she might expect in Trenton, and what others hoped for. It might give her ideas about what she was looking for too.

[Alex is a curious kitty this evening. Sorry about the wait. I had finals. Stupid ice.]

[Annabelle Drake]

[OOC: I was going to give Peanut a chance to reply, but since she hasn't yet, I'll go. ]

Annabelle nodded at Alexandra's comment regarding the age difference between William and her before smiling at Alex's declaration of having nothing to talk about with William. She had not paid particular attention to the difference in years between herself and her betrothed, but when Alex mentioned it, she supposed that she was, in fact, four years younger than William. Not that it mattered much, as Annabelle was clearly the more mature of the pair. William was always nattering on about things she supposed he found interesting and therefore assumed she was interested in, like the weather or crops. The only interest Annabelle had in crops was whether or not her corn would be served roasted or boiled. It was, she believed, a difference in maturity. Mrs. Drake had always said that women mature faster than men, which explained why she was so much younger than Mr. Drake.

Annabelle unconsciously readjusted her cap before reaching over once again and patting her youngest sister on the knee. "Darling, we Drakes never impose on anyone. People impose on us." She smiled again, not realizing just how arrogant her words sounded, so used to her family's position in Trenton society was she. What she did realize, however, was just how dreamy-eyed her sister looked as she asked her final, and certainly surprising, question. She cast a glance at Abigail. "It seems our baby sister has grown into a young woman, Abigail." She turned her gaze back to Alex before continuing. "Were I not so delighted to see you, I might be inclined to press you for the reasoning behind your line of questioning. However, there will certainly be time for that later." Her smile at that moment was almost catlike, predatory and sly. "For now, I shall settle on giving you my description, though I'm certain it will not be too surprising. Perhaps Abigail can be persuaded to divulge her dream gentleman once I'm finished."

Annabelle cleared her throat, calling to her mind an image of William Lawrence. "He would, of course, be attractive, with coloring to suit my own. Brown curls, with a hint of red, perhaps to draw out the auburn hair from my own family in our children." Her eyes flicked to her sisters' red locks. "The curls, of course, would compliment my own. Green eyes, which would look lovely should our children have either red hair or brown. He would be tall, but not so tall that I should have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. A strong jaw, alluding to his powerful position in society." Annabelle's heart dipped a bit as she spoke of how she saw her ideal man, wondering what her model was doing at this very moment. "He would be well dressed but never foppish. He would take care to coordinate his clothes with my own, making sure never to compete or worse, outshine me. He would not believe that my attention to my appearance was something shallow and unimportant. He would understand that my appearance and carriage would be a testament to him. A testament to his success. A testament to my pride in him, my desire to look beautiful for him and so that all who see me will know that I am his. So that they will envy him, for having such a beautiful and loving wife." Annabelle's gaze had fixed itself onto a spot in the distance and it was only a blur of movement in the corner of her eye that drew her back. Realizing that she was making a bit of a spectacle of herself, she blushed and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, Alex. I...I don't know where my mind ran away to." Her blush deepened, because she knew that her excuse was a lame one. She prayed her sisters would take pity on her and not fun her for it.

[Abigail Drake]

[[I apologize profusely for the inexcusable wait on this reply! Anytime I am late, just go ahead without me.]]

It seemed that there would be no end to the surprises this day! Half tempted to let her almost expressionless face take on a look of shock, Abigail nevertheless refrained. Alexandra was growing up, she supposed she would have to expect such conversations now. Still, it seemed more like something she and Annabelle might have talked about, rather than she and Alexandra. To see such a dreamy look cross her sister's face was almost as stunning as the question, causing Abigail to wonder just what she had missed when she had been burrowed in her feelings of selfishness and pity for all these years. It seemed such a normal, girlish reaction, yet Abigail could not recall ever thinking of men in a way that would cause such a thing. Meeting Annabelle's glance, she raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, it does appear that she has." Whether her tone conveyed her shock at the notion, she did not really care to worry about, for she was far too busy getting lost in her own thoughts on the matter.

The question had thrown her off guard in another respect. What did she want in a gentleman? It was something she had not really been forced to think about, and it gave her considerable pause. Had she missed some important indoctrination that both her sisters had been privy too? Of course, she did think about her husband, but not in terms of his looks or his stature, nor really his personality. Only half listening to Annabelle prattling on about her dream gentleman, who was very obviously Mr. Lawrence, she sought to conjure up a similar dream in her own mind. She had no ideals when it came to appearance, she cared not whether his eyes were brown, blue, green, or even grey. Blonde hair, brown, black, or even red like her own ... none of it really served to make a man more attractive to her than any other. She noticed his facial shape, whether his features were appealing to look upon ... but none of that really served to make a difference to her, not when she considered her future.

Realizing that she had missed the last part of the conversation, she quickly turned her attention back to her sisters. Noticing that Annabelle was daintily flushed from what appeared to be embarrassment, she determined that her presence of mind had not been missed. Letting silence fall for a moment, Abigail cleared her throat softly, her gaze distant as she picked at some lint on her skirt. "I suppose I never really thought about it. Would it sound foolish to say that I always assumed I would marry who Father and Mother chose for me, and that what I wanted had little point or merit?" She smoothed her skirt over her knees, then went back to picking at the fabric. "Do you expect to marry for love, sisters? I suppose it is rather a profound topic, considering that you have just returned, Alexandra. Do forgive my questioning, however, my curiosity has been aroused."

[Alexandra Drake]

[[SORRY! I've been forgetting everything lately. It's been so long!!! I've had so many things to do!!!]]

Alex listened intently, for once being able to forget that she was harboring secrets that would shake her family to the core. Annabelle's description gave Alex a picture in her head. The picture in her head was handsome, of course, but too high strung for her. Maybe an aristocratic stiff was good for Annabelle, but Alex already couldn't stand them for a few minutes, much less a lifetime.

And of course, Abigail had to be the submissive sister: the one to do exactly what their parents wanted. Alex couldn't be pushed into any other either. Had she really grown so different from her sisters over the past few years? They were all such different people now. Especially Annabelle, she wasn't the playmate that had left her for seminary years ago; she was a high-strung society lady, who spoke to Alex like a child, or so it seemed.

"It doesn't matter to me so much what he looks like," Alex replied. "I just want a man who loves me, who accepts me just the way I am. He will think of me first in the morning, and lastly at night." She giggled a little bit, like a schoolgirl. "Perhaps we shall host a party, and do a little surveying ourselves!" Alex suggested, out of the blue. Honestly, only a few minutes with Annabelle and Alex already felt like she was being influenced by some invisible force. What would tomorrow be like?