“I pray that in time they shall,” I agreed. Mrs. Burr and I had in fact already introduced our daughters to each other, although Theodosia, being nearly two years of age, had shown little interest in Angelica at six months, as was expected. “At present I don’t believe that Miss Burr has much regard for my daughter’s conversation.”
The colonel laughed softly, the way he always laughed, as if he were slightly embarrassed to be caught doing something so frivolous. It was another way in which he differed from my husband: the colonel was reticent to the point of being guarded, while Alexander could be ebullient almost to a fault.
“I regret that patience is not one of Theodosia’s virtues at this time,” he said. “In that I fear that she takes after me.”
“Then while Miss Burr may be forgiven on account of her age,” I said, “I will not try your patience any further. My husband received your message concerning the sale of our house. While he is unavoidably detained by a case in Chester, he has asked me to act in his stead, and offer for the property.”
He turned his head slightly, though I couldn’t tell if he were amused, or appraising me. “He must trust you, Mrs. Hamilton.”
“He does, Colonel Burr,” I said as evenly as I could. “We understand the house is offered for sale at ￡2100.”
He nodded, and I continued.
“Then we agree to the purchase at that price,” I said. “However, my husband would prefer to pay half the sum as soon as can be arranged, with the other half to follow within a year.”
Colonel Burr frowned, and tented his fingertips together while he considered. “I do not believe my client can agree to those terms.”
I raised my chin, praying I didn’t betray my anxiety.
“Very well, then,” I said. “Would the owner consider receiving the full amount at the end of ninety days?”
Colonel Burr sighed with a show of regret. “I fear I’m not permitted by the owner to accept anything less than the full amount immediately.”
I nodded, a quick little jerk of my chin. I couldn’t disappoint Alexander, not when our home was at stake, and I prayed I was hiding my anxiety.
“Is there another arrangement that would make our offer acceptable, Colonel Burr?” I knew we couldn’t offer more money, because we likely didn’t have it. Alexander wouldn’t have told me to stagger the payments otherwise. But he hadn’t told me what to do next, or what else to offer, or not. Whatever else was said now would be my own words.
The colonel nodded, as if deep in thought, though I suspected he already knew what he’d say.
“There is a possibility, Mrs. Hamilton, yes,” he said delicately. “I believe the owner would accept the additional ninety days if General Schuyler would agree to act as a surety for the debt.”
Sharply I drew in my breath, and stared down at my lap, not wanting him to see my uncertainty. I’d no doubt that my father would agree, for he’d offered this and more many times before. I also knew that he wouldn’t be called to make good the debt, because Alexander would never allow it to happen. The surety would only be for ninety days, only three months, and the house—our home—would in fact belong to us for good, and Alexander would at last be the property owner he’d so longed to be.
The decision was hardly as simple as it seemed, however. Alexander’s pride had always kept him from borrowing from my father. He’d be bound to balk at it doubly now because his rival Colonel Burr would know he’d been unable to provide for his family without assistance.
But I didn’t want to disappoint Alexander, and I didn’t want Colonel Burr to believe he’d somehow won, and most of all, I didn’t want to lose our home.
“I am sorry to have caused you such obvious confusion, Mrs. Hamilton,” the colonel said, his voice rich as velvet. “I’ll understand if this is too difficult a decision for you to make without your husband to—”
“But I have decided, Colonel Burr,” I said, resolved. “We will agree to the purchase at ninety days, with my father as surety.”
Although my heart raced as I accepted the agreement, I managed to smile serenely for the sake of the colonel, as if there’d never been a doubt. But as soon as I returned home, I immediately wrote to both Alexander and to my father, explaining what I’d done, and then prayed feverishly that I’d made the right choice.
Alexander returned home within two days, sooner than he’d expected, and because he’d been traveling, my letter with my carefully worded explanation had missed him. I had no choice but to explain again in person, standing with him in his library before he’d even shed his coat or boots, and with the door shut against any interruptions from the servants or the children.
He listened to each word, his expression not changing as I spoke. Finally, he nodded, but still said nothing.
“I’m sure Colonel Burr didn’t believe we could reach an agreement,” I said finally. “He seemed almost disappointed that we did.”
“That’s usual for him,” Alexander said, and sighed. “Are you happy with this purchase, Betsey?”
“I am,” I said quickly, my words rushing out in an anxious torrent. “I know the sale wasn’t done the way you would have wished, but it shall always be ours now, and no one will be able to make us move from it against our will. You earned it for me and the children, and I’m proud of you that you did. My father’s surety is incidental. It’s our house now, yes, but it’s also our home. Ours together, Alexander. So yes, I am happy.”
He nodded, and at last, he smiled. “My dear, wise angel,” he said. “Then I am happy, too.”
*
Finally, in July of 1785, my sister and her family returned to New York. To my sorrow, and to Alexander’s as well, Mr. Church insisted that the visit be unbearably brief; I believe they spent longer aboard the ships that brought them and then carried them away than they did on our shores. We had them in New York with us for a handful of days, and then Angelica and I and our children traveled to Albany to visit our parents. Returning to New York, Alexander would then accompany the Churches to Philadelphia to settle more of Mr. Church’s business, and finally they would sail from that port no later than early August. It was a harried, hectic pace, not one I’d wish for myself, nor did it please my sister, though she remained too politic to say so aloud in her husband’s hearing.
Although Alexander and I had invited the Churches to stay with us in New York, Mr. Church had preferred lodgings. In truth, they were probably too many for our house to accommodate—Angelica and Mr. Church, their four children, a governess, and five servants—and I knew how Mr. Church did like his privacy.