Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser Page B

George’s behalf. “George has a personal stake in such action.” I did not want to mention his first humiliation at the nearby Fort Necessity, lest Mother not know of it, but since she had implied knowledge of the fort, I could mention the common news of Braddock’s defeat. “Certainly you know of our defeat when General Braddock was killed?”
    “That was years ago. Two, maybe three years.”
    I stopped walking, forcing her to face me once again. “So old news is best forgotten? We should suffer a defeat and move on? I think not. The French are still persisting in their quest for land—land they do not deserve. If we are ever going to have the space to expand westward, we need to stop—”
    “Since when do you care about the expansion of our colonies? Or politics? Or war?”
    Since George. I resumed our walk and this time it was Mother who was led. “I see nothing wrong with having knowledge and interest beyond the Tidewater. There is a large world beyond our simple borders.”
    “One you need not worry yourself about.”
    I understood her desire for ignorance. Until George, I too had been content to know little beyond the boundaries of my small world. But now . . . George had made me see a larger picture. “It is a world that may thrust itself upon us whether we like it or not, Mother. Braddock’s defeat effectively started a world war. Prussia and England allied against France and Austria, fighting each other there as we fight here . . .’tis quite a mess.”
    “You were raised to be the wife of a plantation owner, not a soldier.”
    “George’s greatest desire is to quit the military and concentrate on Mount Vernon. In fact, he has promised me once this campaign is over, he will do just that. In spite of all that should be fair, there is no future for a Virginia regimental—however honoured—to rise in the ranks of the British army and have true power. The British hierarchy think of him as a mere colonial and lesser than themselves. No matter how hard he fights or how brilliant his strategies might be, they will not allow him into their fraternity as an equal. That being a truth, once his duty is fulfilled, he will come home and be a planter again. Be my husband.”
    She sighed. “When do you plan to marry?”
    “Perhaps December. We both must order our wedding clothes with the sailing of the spring ships. We will not receive them until late autumn . . . .” It was my turn to shrug. Such things took time.
    “So. You are determined.”
    “I am determined.”
    “Even though . . .” She took a second breath. “Even though he is in love with another woman?”
    My feet halted. Mother had to come round to face me.
    “You didn’t know?” she asked.
    “You had best not make such an accusation unless—”
    “I only have gossip, but gossip is oft based on some modicum of fact.”
    I wished I had stayed home. Why had I come thinking I would get my mother’s congratulations and support? I did not wish to know more, yet . . . I needed to know more. I swallowed with difficulty and asked the question that begged to be asked. “What is her name?”
    “Sally Fairfax. She is married to his best friend, George William Fairfax. They are neighbors at Belvoir, just a few miles from Mount Vernon—within sight of each other, I have heard.”
    Belvoir.
    At the mention of this place, my memories returned to George’s first visit at White House. “The happiest moments of my life were spent at Belvoir. I cannot trace a room in the house that does not bring to mind the recollection of pleasing scenes.”
    “Apparently Sally is very beautiful. Tall and quite sophisticated.”
    And I am short and simple.
    After a moment, reason interrupted my fears and I shook my head vehemently. “George would never do anything untoward with a married woman, especially someone married to his best friend. He is too honourable a man.”
    “He is a man .” Mother looked toward the house. “Your father was a man of