BASICS

[Elizabeth Neely]

Today, she had no difficulty believing that summer was fast approaching. Only a few wisps of cloud interrupted the otherwise perfect blue sky above whilst the sun beat down upon Trenton as if it were July, not April. The heat could have been stifling, overwhelming even, if it was not for a lively and constant wind blowing through the town providing necessary relief. Parasols and hats abound, the ladies as well as the gentlemen were out in force, she noted with an amused smile. The people had suddenly become less fractured and far more sociable and presuambly all due to an upturn in the weather. If only every day was so bright she thought to herself wistfully before turning the page of a newly acquired book very carefully.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? How apt" Elizabeth Neely muttered to herself with an amused smile passing over her features. It was, of course, a small book of Shakespeare's sonnets purchased only today from the local bookshop. Unfortunately, her battered old copy could not stand the test of time and had fallen apart the week before, much to her dismay. Thankfully, her brother had offered to escort her into town proper for a fresh copy. When she had woken up that morning, earlier than usual due to the bizaarely high levels of sunshine through her window, she had insisted on the two of them taking a picnic as well. How could she possibly pass such an opportunity?

True, they had at least ten particular spots around their house that they could have spent the afternoon at but she felt in need of a change. All it took was a quick word with the cook, who provided them with more than enough food. In the meantime, she dressed in a cream chemise style dress, a pale blue sash around her waist for good measure. Rather than run the risk of returning redder than the apples they grew, she donned a wide brimmed hat, a few of her pale blonde curls escaping underneath. It never took long for her to dress and before long they had reached the centre of Trenton. Naturally, she hurried to the bookshop whilst her elder brother lingered outside with a companion who he saw fit to invite to their little picnic on the Courthouse Lawn.

If she did not have her book, Beth was sure she would have quickly tired of their conversation. She barely even followed it, only picking up a few words when her attention was diverted by something else. One such distraction was her hunger, prompting her to delve into the hamper in search of a morsel of food. The book was placed carefully cover up on the blanket whilst she retrieved a piece of apple from the basket. It seemed her brother and his friend, she forgot his name was...John something, had wandered over to the next blanket, on which sat a number of rather appealing girls. She couldn't blame him, she was hardly being sociable. She took a deep breath in as she scanned the lawn, brimming with other groups who had the same idea as she. Savouring the taste of the apple as always, she had to admit it was a beatiful day.

[William Lawrence]

A sun-drenched Trenton found William Lawrence strolling down King Street. He would've whistled if he knew an appropriate tune to fit the weather. It wasn't often the climate became so warm, so radiant this early in the year. Only last week Will had been cooped up due to blowing sheets of rain. But this weather... it glowed. Most passersby smiled at him, many tipped their caps. What a relief. Seems like the winter ennui is melting. Even Will couldn't resist dressing in sunnier colors today: a bright blue coat, yellow waistcoat, brown breeches.

And quite a few couples were parading through town today, as well. It was spring after all. Would Annabelle and he been among their numbers, if...? Two months had flown by since their engagement was dissolved, but only three months ago he was still dutifully bringing her flowers as she talked of their wedding. Oh well. Will puffed a sigh through his nose and turned his face toward the sun. Things were better off this way, he had to admit. It would have just been too risky, having the Drakes for in-laws.

So. With only two hours left before he was to head to the Royal Oak to work, Will was determined to savor each one of those hours in the sun. He had already perused the outdoor market, purchased a length of ribbon for his sister. The coffeehouse was nearly empty, so he only had a small cup before returning to the crowd outdoors.

Oh, I almost forgot-- That book of Shakespeare sonnets. Father wanted something portable for a long carriage ride, not that giant tome in his library. He'd have to have Hannibal's elephants lug that thing around. And to think he'd almost gone straight to the Courthouse Lawn to bask in the sun instead of the bookshop. Heaven forbid!

"My apologies, sir, but we sold our last one not but ten minutes ago," the meek young man attending the bookshop said, looking almost nervous.

"Is that so?" William said, curiously. Too bad he couldn't make one appear out of thin air, and he doubted Father would want him to venture too far to find another copy.

Will resumed his former path and walked to the Courthouse Lawn. Maybe someone would be giving a speech, or talking about the war. It didn't seem like much of a day for politicking, though: picnickers covered the green, and as he lazily strolled through the spots of grass uncovered by blankets, he spotted one blanket with a book laying conspicuously on it. The title glittered from its cover. Shakespeare's Sonnets. Hmm. Will stopped.

"So you're the culprit," he said, grinning down at the figure whose hat hid her face from view.

[Elizabeth Neely]

Sometimes she believed that her brother was quite at a loss as to what to do with her. He clearly had not invited just a vague acquaintance along to their little picnic without some sort of motive. He was a planner, a thinker, a schemer. He clearly intended for them to form some sort of relationship, he never did anything without thinking through every single possible outcome. And yet there she sat, paying little or no attention to her brother, let alone his gangly looking friend. Anyone who thought that the cut of a jacket merited an entire conversation inspired no admiration on her part. She hardly found it surprising that they had crossed over to the next blanket.

Even she felt inadequate next to them, she who rarely cared about her appearance. They were, of course, all perfectly dressed for the weather, had glossy dark hair and had the kind of skin that would never burn. How envious she was of that last fact. And they were quite evidently related, giving them that extra interest. Elizabeth gave them a cursory glance whilst she paused. They seemed generally pleased with her brother's company. Though they were now just recently made friends, she could not help but hope that something would come of it. He was twenty-six years old and not yet married, she longed to see him made happy with a loving wife. She could not help but think that their father's death and her unmarried state had somehow delayed him.

She supposed he saw himself as her protector, her guardian now that she had no father. Anyone would have expected that from a brother who was quite substantially her senior. And she loved him for it, she really did but she could not help but wish he would forget about her happiness for once and find his own. It did not settle well with her that she should be the cause for his prolonged misery. As if they had not had enough of late, Beth did not want to be blamed for drawing it out. How could her conscience handle that fact? The only way for them to escape the situation was for one of them to marry, presumably her. However, she hurriedly pushed that thought back in her mind rather than dwell upon it.

She nibbled upon the last piece of her apple, almost thoughtfully as she surveyed the area, paying close attention to her brother's recognizable figure. A slow smile spread across her face, the apple consumed, as she managed to hear the subject of their conversation, an upcoming ball of some sort. Perhaps they caught her smile, for one of them instantly began "Pray, is that your sister?" to which he replied "Indeed it is, would it please you to meet her?" Now, Beth was usually a sociable girl, but she was loathe to hinder her brother's chance meeting with them. Fortunately, before they could assent to his request, another voice, much closer to her, called her away. "It depends what you are accusing me of" She replied instantaneously before she could even identify the prosecutor. Raising her head, Elizabeth was more than surprised to see William Lawrence standing before her and could not hide a characteristic smile from appearing.

[William Lawrence]

Miss Neely! Will's mouth opened in surprise, but he quickly recovered when he realized she wasn't offended. In fact, she was smiling. And it must have been infectious, for one of his own smiles appeared in response.

"Why, I accuse you of cunningly buying this book right out from under my nose." Will crouched on his haunches and picked up her new copy of Sonnets. He weighed it in his hand and raised an eyebrow. "Not ten minutes ago, in fact. A certain bookshop keeper told me. Now if you could convince my father to purchase it back at a higher cost, you'd make a very astute trader, Miss Neely."

A glance over his shoulder and Will realized she was, naturally, with her oldest brother. And another long-limbed boy, probably a friend of her brother's. Both were animatedly discussing something with two dark-haired preening women. Her brother motioned towards Miss Neely with a convincing smile. It promptly dissolved when he spotted William.

Will cleared his throat. Maybe her brother was more upset over the fact that another man, formally unintroduced, was talking to his beloved little sister. But-- Will was certain it was, in fact, the political divide which caused the summer like temperature to drop to a wintry chill. If only her brother knew!

Will turned back and gently returned her book to its spot on the picnic blanket. "I fear we're being watched," he said with an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Miss Neely, for assailing you so boldly."

[Elizabeth Neely]

Why should she be so suprised to see him here? Virtually everyone of her acquaintance that was in Trenton had already passed by her, she should have expected for him to turn up at some point. She ought to have scolded herself to be taken so suprised but, truthfully, she was far too distracted to criticize herself. Rather than worrying over the minor details like how her hair was, her dress and the like, she wondered if he had been aware that it was she he appraoched. By the expression on his face, a reflection of hers, she supposed not. Then again, she had not realised it was him either. Still, the conversation had been started and was therefore to be continued.

Elizabeth listened to him speak with her smile still in place, a small laugh escaping after his first sentence. It was rather coincedental, she admitted, that she purchased the only copy in the bookshop just moments before he. However, the smile faded gradually as he continued. How could she possibly cheat a respectable man out of his own money? "Fortunately for your father, I am not one of these 'astute traders'." She replied, smirking faintly, before she softened her tone and continued "As your father clearly has such good taste in literature, take this copy. I have no real need for it" She replied nonchantly. However loathe she was to part with it, it seemed as if his father needed the book more than she.

She followed his gaze over to her brother, a shadowy expression forming across his face as he disengaged himself from the conversation. Beth shot her sibling a reassuring smile, knowing that a barrage of questions would be asked on their return home. She knew full well what the objection was- her brother was opinionated, especially on politics. The Lawrences, unfortunately, had contrasting ideas to his. "Assailing me so boldly? Sir, there's nothing to forgive on your part! Do not take offence at my brother's distance, he does not mean it." She replied, praying that her brother's startling obvious hostility had not put him off staying.

[William Lawrence]

(OOC: Oops, I hope you don't mind I inserted Beth's brother's reaction to Will in that last post!! I didn't mean to just take control, LOL :P)

"Take your book? I'd never be so cruel as to deprive a lady of Shakespeare," William objected theatrically, but returned to as much solemnity as he could muster... although his smile persisted. "Besides, I think you might enjoy it more than he. He wanted to be indulgent and have two copies -- one for home and one for when he was traveling." Will thought it sounded silly coming from his own mouth, almost ostentatious. But he opened the book and idly paged through it, words and phrases greeting his eyes.

"Tell me, Miss Neely," he asked suddenly, glancing at her over the book, "Do you have a particular favorite?" The women he knew hardly read, if at all. Or if they did, it was for their schooling only. It would be interesting to hear which one she might choose.

Although Will was preparing to go his own way, to give her brother the security that his sister was not convening with a Loyalist, something in Miss Neely's smile kept him at the blanket. There was no harm done in simply discussing a book of poetry with a woman.

Even so, he'd better not stay too long. Heaven knew tongues were still wagging about his and Annabelle's engagement so recently dissolved, and even one or two bizarre rumors about him and Miss Betsy Tanner. Those rumors he'd let persist; they were serving their unintended purpose as a cover for the real reason of their frequent meetings quite well.

"As long as you're certain he won't lecture you when you return home, but I have a feeling you're far past the lecturing age."

[Elizabeth Neely]

{{Lol! Don't worry about it! It's fine!}}

The Neelys had a generous nature that was passed down along the lines, culminating in the youngest three of the family, Elizabeth in particular. She would always give assistance if needed or not, whether she was supposed to or not and occasionally despite her better judgement. This scenario was probably an example the latter. Did she really want to give away her copy of Sonnets, purchased a few minutes ago? Of course not. But she felt compelled to nevertheless. Beth knew she could not have gone back on her word had he accepted, but now there was no need to. She could not help but let out a sigh of relief as he turned down her offer. "No-one should be deprived of Shakespeare. He's brilliant" She replied simply with a shrug of her shoulders, stating the obvious in her mind.

Beth absent-mindedly watched him flick the pages of the book as if it was the most casual thing in the world for a few moments. She was no longer paying any real attention to her brother's hostile glare, still lingering on the man on their blanket. In fact, she was barely focussed on anything. Now, head tilted back, she was watching the birds circle above quite cheerfully. It was only brought back down when his voice called her, questioned her, asked for her opinion. That was a refreshing change. "A particular favourite, you say? Hmm. Eighteen I suppose. 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' Do you know it?" Elizabeth replied cheerfully.

"He will certainly lecture me Mr Lawrence. Whether I shall listen to his warnings or not is a different matter entirely." She responded with a mischevious glint to her otherwise clear blue eyes. Beneath this rather carefree reply was a more complex matter. Beth still had difficulty accepting her brother's superiority as the oldest male in the house. For far too long, he had been the co-conspirator to all her plans, the loveable, doting older brother. It had been a year, true, but she doubted she could ever become accustomed to the change.

[William Lawrence]

"I agree, and that is exactly why you ought to keep it." Will responded, tilting his head. The Neely generosity was well known throughout Trenton but he had no desire to take advantage of it. He studied Miss Neely's face for a second, catching a hint of relief as she sighed. Just as I thought. There was something admirable about her offering the book to his father, who certainly didn't need another volume to stuff in his library -- but something even more likable that she, in fact, wanted to read the book.

When Miss Neely mentioned which in particular was her favorite, Will replied: "Eighteen? Let's see." He flipped through the pages while trying to remember beyond that first line. Shall I compare thee... hmmm. Of course, he had read Shakespeare's sonnets several times, but the one time he was supposed to be knowledgeable about the man's work-- well, it all flew from his head like a startled flock of birds!

"Here we are. Eighteen." Will's eyes ran down the lines, and he enjoyed the cadence of words that came to him like old friends, acquaintences renewed. ". . . So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see; so long lives this, and this gives life to thee." Will lifted his head to meet eyes with Miss Neely. "It's been quite some time since I've read Shakespeare. Not since I was in Harvard, in fact. But perhaps I should read him more often."

"Now, now, it's the sisterly thing to do, to obey an elder brother." William commented with a rather dangerous grin of his own. Woefully, he added, "My own sisters have too often paid the price for not taking their omniscient and knowledgeable brother's advice."

"May I sit?" Awkwardly crouching on the corner of the blanket was not Will's ideal way of speaking to Miss Neely. Lifting his eyebrows along with the question, he motioned to the blanket -- not to sit beside her per se, but rather with his back turned to her brother. He just hoped he would not have holes bored through to his stomach by his glare. And there was a tiny satisfaction, though a childish one Will gladly admitted, in ignoring him while chatting away with the cheerful Miss Neely.

[Elizabeth Neely]

She had always been an avid reader, encouraged by her father to take advantage of the library at her disposal. The Neely family library was little more than a small room yet all the walls were taken up with the world's most famous works, some lesser known authors and personal favourites. Her enthusiasm for reading had now got to a point where she could not sleep at night without reading something. Her copy of Sonnets would provide her with such assistance for a few days yet. "I'm sure they'll have another copy in soon..." Beth responded, feeling marginally guilty for surely being the cause of his father's frustration.

Sonnet eighteen was by far her favourite due to its simplicity and beautifully chosen words. It felt much more personal and heartfelt. Well, to her anyway. She supposed everyone who read it interpretted it in different ways. "Perhaps? There's no doubt about it at all, Mr Lawrence!" Elizabeth replied, unable to keep a slight laugh to herself. She recalled something about him leaving for University, mainly because it had caused something of an upset in her household. Her brother had brought the subject up, requesting permission from their father to attend as well. If the Lawrence boy could go, why couldn't he? She frowned ever so slightly at the memory of the argument. If they knew then how long they had left with their father, none of the children would have behaved so.

If she had been left in this way, Beth could have become quite morose. However, his next comment soon had her laughing and smiling once more, any negative thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind. "True. But I'm sure you had their best interests at heart." Elizabeth replied, worries she might have touched on an uncomfortable topic of conversation on his part. "Oh yes, of course." She responded, frustrated she had not invited him to do so earlier. "Would you care for something to eat?" She added, gesturing to the basket. Their cook had little concept of portions and had given them more than enough food for two.

[William Lawrence]

The burning stare from Miss Neely's brother was no longer threatening to set his coat aflame, and giving a smile of relief, William reclined on the picnic blanket with her permission. Now the only thing on his mind -- besides their conversation -- was the ever increasing temperature as noonday approached. He found a patch of shade towards the edge of the blanket, and leaned halfway into it so he wasn't looking like he'd just bitten into a raw lemon, wincing into the sunlight.

"Aye, their best interests at heart. And a fish for their shoe." Unable to restrain himself, William began chuckling at the memory. His poor little sisters, how he tormented them when he was younger! -- and still occasionally did. "We were arguing over something silly and inconsequential. You know, as siblings tend to do when they're bored." He grinned. "I must have been only twelve, at the time, and absolutely convinced that my sisters were wrong and I was right."

Will plucked some blades of grass and rolled them between his fingers as he continued, "Our bickering must have gotten out of hand, for the next thing I knew, I received a good scolding for upsetting my sisters. Well. 'Absolutely convinced' of my being in the right, I had to make my point known. I went fishing the next day, and delivered a present to each of their shoes. Some tiny fish I had caught. It took them at least a month before they stopped shaking out their shoes before putting them on..."

Why was he going on about such a silly memory? Will didn't know, other than the fact that he found it quite easy to talk to Miss Neely. Normally, just about now, he'd expect a look of shock from Annabelle (provoking one from her had become almost a sport for him!). A bit red from embarrassment, he offered a regretful smile and shake of his head. "In the end, I still received what was coming to me. Fish at dinner, every day for two weeks."

When Miss Neely offered the goods inside the picnic basket, Will smiled and folded his hands. "Certainly-- as long as you don't have fish in there! Actually -- if you have an apple to spare, that would be perfect. Did the orchards fare well through the winter?" He asked of the Neely farm, but perhaps it held an underlying question -- also of the family. It had been some time since the death of Mr. Isaiah Neely, and he earnestly hoped the family was finding their way now that they were without him.

[Elizabeth Neely]

Here she was doing her best to socialize with someone outside her typical circle of friends and all her brother could see was some bemused, certainly brainwashed Tory. As far as he saw the opposition, they were all either lunatics or hypnotists- they must be to believe in such a ridiculous cause. If she was honest, sometimes she did not quite understand Tory motives but she would never label them insane. Seeing as they rarely argued and Beth detested drama of any sort, the number of heated discussions she and her brother had conducted on the subject was rather suprising. Currently, she sent another one of her comforting, assuring smiles which apparently had no effect on her sibling.

She made a point of diverting her attentions onto the young man now sharing her blanket. Elizabeth could not ever recall conversing with his sisters, perhaps when they were younger and before politics had reared its ugly head, so therefore the memory was unknown to her. She knew enough to piece together the details, two sisters, a few years older and younger than herself, and imagination enough to picture the scene. It was certainly a pleasing one, she could not help but smile and laugh along with him. She had two brothers and felt she could understand the relationship the Lawrences shared. "A just punishment I think! Though I would have made it three. I hate fish-unless its salmon." She replied, though it was only afterwards she felt rather silly for it.

As he had accepted her offer, she leant over to the hamper and pulled out an apple. Beth could already tell what kind it was but that was besides the point. Passing it over, she responded with a laugh "Apples are one thing we will never be short of." She was rather taken aback by his interest in their farm. Most overlooked their farming ways as if they ought to be ashamed of it. "Well enough I suppose. Not the best winter we've had but I think the trees will hold up." She replied enthusiastically- she was an orchard girl after all. Before long, a rosy tint spread over her cheeks "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned it, should I?" How many times had her mother advised her just to gloss over any subjects she or any other self-respecting person ought to know little about? Apples, for goodness sake! It was hardly a conversation starter.

[William Lawrence]

After accepting it with a word of thanks, Will munched on the apple, wondering if it was from an early crop. It tasted particularly crunchy and fresh. Or maybe it was just the bonus of the sunshine, the carefree laughter from the parties around Will and Miss Neely, which added to its flavor. In a moment of sudden bittersweetness, he wondered how much longer this all would last in the face of brewing war.

"Good thing, too," Will replied, snapping out of his momentary reverie when she mentioned that they would never run out of apples. He smiled, admiring the blush spread across her face, dappled by shade from the nearby tree. "Without apples, there would be no cider, no apple pie, or dare I say no Neely family in Trenton!"

Indeed, he held their farm somewhat close to his heart. They had become a fixture, a regular sight on his way out to the forest when he would hunt or simply ride his horse to clear his mind. When he was little (before he understood that the apples were the Neelys' business and not just a convenient group of apple trees off of which he could nibble) he'd even nick one or two from a tree as he rode by -- though he'd never admit it of course. Although the Lawrences had little to do with farming, Will would be concerned if the apple orchards had been damaged over the winter.

[Elizabeth Neely]

She was supposed to know by now exactly what to say in these kind of situations after twenty years of training but she still ended up blushing brighter than the apples they farmed. Her mother had gone to great pains for her only daughter to be brought up properly and taught all the etiquette she ought to know. But it came to no avail- the minute young Beth was free she'd be out with her brothers playing in the hay. It was at times like these she'd bothered to pay attention. She bet a new dress Annabelle Drake would never come out with half the stuff she did.

It had gotten to a point where even she was embarrased to be in the same room as Trenton's ideal young woman. Though the Drakes were not that much more well off than the Neelys, Miss Drake could do no wrong. However, people were quick to point out the flaws in Elizabeth, though her father's recent passing had given her more breathing room. For instance, this impromptu conversation would be a direct result of her fragile state. Otherwise, they assume, she would never act so improprietously. Beth knew, on the other hand, she would probably have started up a conversation anyway.

His response settled her nerves considerably. It seemed she had gotten away with her rather bizaare topic of conversation. Her confidence reinstated, the blush faded as quickly as it appeared. She took an apple for herself and disposed the stalk in the basket- the only part of an apple she couldn't stand. She laughed slightly in reply before speaking "Oh I think we'd have found our way here with or without the apples! Though the town would have a severe pie shortage..." She finished with a smile before taking a mouthful of the apple- lovely as always.

[William Lawrence]

William caught the red sheen overtaking Miss Neely's face. Had he said anything to upset her? Let's see -- what have we been talking about? Apples? I don't think she would find that very offensive... Maybe he was being too forward or silly. He couldn't help it, though, especially when speaking to a girl. Occasionally he'd been prompted by his father to put on a more serious face, even at times when William thought he was being as serious as a pallbearer.

But in the next second, she had bounced back with her own joke, causing Will to grin and nod. "And heaven knows we couldn't have a pie shortage in Trenton. Especially not with the way I've seen a few of our finest down them as if they were mugs of beer." A particular rotund customer of the Royal Oak floated into his mind, who came for the beer and the fresh baked pies and little else.

His apple had gone from skin to core in just the little time they had been speaking, and he noticed quite a few of the other picnickers had finished their lunches, packed up, and were heading back to their daily lives. He wasn't so ready to leave just yet, although he took a quick consultation of his pocket watch to make sure he had enough time before he needed to be behind the bar of the Royal Oak.

"Would you like to take a stroll about the lawn?" William offered hopefully.

[Elizabeth Neely]

The Neely's apple pies had always been nothing short of legendary. The number of acquaintances that dropped by with a request for a pie was inordinate, she never knew how the cook coped with it all. Sometimes even Elizabeth was roped into helping if a particularly large order came through. The recipe, of course, was one handed down over the generations from mother to daughter or daughter in law, whichever was available. The only stipulation for having it was you had to make sure it remained a secret.

As far as the pies were concerned, they had no political alliance. They frequently made their way onto the strongest, most vehement Tory dinner table. Beth liked to think that, in a small way, it united the divided town. A very small way indeed, but it was better than none. She gave him a warm smile in return for the compliment towards the pies, she'd tell the cook if the cook wouldn't tell her mother she'd been associating with a Lawrence. "The secret's in the spices" She whispered covertly before laughing somewhat."You should take one for yourself next time" Beth offered, sincerely.

She was paying rather too much attention to eating her apple. Beth always did, they were her favourite food to eat. It was only when he spoke again that she took a moment to cast a glance around the lawn, slowly growing emptier as the previous inhabitants moved on. Her brother had seen to fit to wander to the edge, accompanying the two women she spied him with earlier. Seeing this, she smiled inwardly and outwardly and did not hesitate in accepting. "I would indeed" Elizabeth responded cheerfully.

{{Sorry for taking so long!}}