Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity

I decide that I am here to see as much as I can. So I should stay to visit the Palace. Mrs. Cole says I’m welcome to come along, but we must make haste! She says she’s been saving a lovely gown that her oldest daughter has outgrown. It’s still too large for Elizabeth, but it might fit me well. Felicity says she should change into her dancing lesson gown. She’ll go home, and if her mother is all right with it, then she’ll come back.

I accompany Felicity to the door and ask if she thinks it’s safe for her to visit the Palace. Especially since she’s a Patriot. Felicity says she is a Patriot, but she wants to show that we don’t mean harm to the governor’s family. I nod, and she takes off. Mrs. Cole leads us upstairs. She helps Elizabeth change into her best yellow dress, and then turns to me.

I step into a skirt covered with embroidered flowers and vines. I immediately feel like a fine lady. Mrs. Cole smiles and reaches for another skirt. I ask if I really need both skirts. Elizabeth giggles, and says the first one was only a petticoat. I can hardly believe that somebody decorated a petticoat with so much embroidery. None of it would show under another skirt. It’s prettier than the real skirt. I look at Elizabeth, and we burst out laughing. I understand why she’s Felicity’s best friend. She’s sweet, and lots of fun.

Mrs. Cole slides the real skirt into place and laces me into the bodice. She finds a kerchief to match, and a white cap with lace and pink bow. Elizabeth says I look beautiful. The dress I’m wearing is not as beautiful as the one Elizabeth wears, nor the one Felicity shows up wearing, but that’s okay. I love the way I look!

Mrs. Kipling and Mrs. Hutchinson return, and they lead the way to the Palace. It’s a breezy day, and I keep smoothing my skirt. I ask Felicity if there’s anything I should know about visiting the Palace. I don’t want to embarrass myself.

Felicity murmurs she’s been learning manners from her teacher, Miss Manderly. But there are many rules about how proper ladies must act. Even she doesn’t know them all. They can only do the best they can.

The Palace green is mostly empty now, and no one looks twice as we approach the gate. I can’t help feeling a bit trembly, and when I glance at Felicity and Elizabeth, I can tell they feel trembly, too. I’m still a Patriot at heart, but I’ve never been inside a palace before. It’s kind of overwhelming.

A servant greets us at the gate and escorts us to the door. Another servant waves us inside. My jaw drops. The walls are covered with weapons. Muskets are mounted on the fireplace and crossed swords hang from floor to ceiling. Handguns with long barrels are arranged in fans above the doors to other rooms.

We wait while the servant brings word of our arrival to Lady Dunmore. When we’re alone, I ask Felicity why there’s so many guns. Mrs. Kipling overhears and explains that guns and swords are symbols of the governor’s power and his responsibility to protect British subjects. They’re displayed as decoration, but also instantly available in case of emergency. The women continue to whisper what could’ve happened if the troublemakers had stormed the palace. Either the governor’s men could’ve taken the weapons and fired, or they could’ve gotten in the hands of the troublemakers themselves. I keep quiet.

The servant returns and says Lady Dunmore would be honored to receive us in the sitting room. For a moment, nobody moves to follow the servant. Elizabeth’s eyes go round as saucers and Felicity sucks in her breath. Even the grown-ups look startled. I don’t think anyone thought the governor’s wife would actually invite us into a private room!