In the midst of the war, a fine young lady from a well-to-do family in the Virginia colony, Cordelia Bellamy, had come of age. And of course, as these things go, her parents were in search of a young man suitable to court their daughter. Cordelia didn’t mind not having a suitor right away. But her parents had other plans. They had sifted through all of the young men in the colony who had not chosen to participate in the war, but they all had some sort of flaw. Some spoke poorly and some were Patriots and some were not rich enough to pass their only daughter on to. Cordelia wished her parents would find her a suitor soon, so she wouldn’t have to listen to their shouts at any Patriots they came across. As Tories, they believed the colonies should not break free of King George, and as all the good men had become soldiers, they were very sore that they could not find a husband for their daughter. If the war had not happened, everyone would be at home, and they could find someone better.
Eventually her parents found Ansel Dickinson, the most handsome, most charming young man, in their eyes. Every day when he came calling, her parents would go on and on about how wonderful he was, and Cordelia would smile politely for him. She didn’t truly care for him, however. She was always filled with felicity when he went home.
Finally her parents decided that Ansel was up to their standards. Cordelia would be married to him. Cordelia was, of course, disappointed that Ansel didn’t have some flaw like all the other men, but she dared not tell her parents. They would be very displeased at her.
The day came of their wedding, and Cordelia said good-bye to her freedom as she put on her best gown of blue silk and taffeta. She pretended to be cheerful during the ceremony and at the party afterwards at her house and wondered how long it would be before she would undoubtedly bear children.
Almost a year later, Cordelia and Ansel were living somewhat happily in their house near Chesapeake Bay. They certainly didn’t love each other, but they were getting along, and perhaps even becoming friends. Soon, the British army came to the bay. The soldiers needed places to stay, so they went to the homes in town to ask to stay for a few days. A soldier named Lesley came upon the Dickinsons’ household on that morning. Cordelia was immediately enamored with him when she opened the door. She invited him in, and offered him tea, which he strangely refused. Only a Patriot would would refuse tea! Cordelia decided to keep a close eye on Lesley to be sure he wasn’t a traitor.
A few nights later, after Lesley hadn’t exhibited too many odd behaviours, Cordelia realized she was quite attracted to her guest, even more so than her husband. She knew it was wrong of her, but she did not tell anyone, for fear her husband may grow to resent her. Nevertheless, on one of those nights, Cordelia caught a glimpse of Lesley in their guest bedchamber undressing by candlelight for bed. It was late, and dark in most of the house, so Cordelia didn’t think he would see her. As she watched him, studying his form, and noticing how much softer and rounder he was compared to other men she had seen, she couldn’t help but draw nearer. She was almost close enough to feel his breath when he turned around and gasped. He was about to yell--for Ansel, Cordelia was sure--but Cordelia, acting only upon instinct and not thought, put her lips on his. His lips were softer than Ansel’s. Lesley was, of course, surprised--Cordelia was married! This could not be! But there was something else in Lesley’s eye that Cordelia couldn’t quite understand. It was as if he wished they could be together.
Lesley whispered in Cordelia’s ear. “Mrs Dickinson, what are you doing? You know we cannot be together.”
“Oh, Lesley, I truly am sorry. I don’t know what came over me! I’m married; what have I done?”
“I must confess to you also. These past few days I have been staying in your home, I have grown to...love you.”
Cordelia could only nod. She was afraid to say anything; she loved Lesley too, but it could not be.
The pair stared at each other for a moment. Finally Lesley said, “I should rest now, and you should too. Good night, Mrs Dickinson.” Lesley turned to go to sleep.
“Wait.” Cordelia’s voice was timid. “We could still love each other; in secret. Ansel doesn’t need to know, we could--” She was interrupted by a kiss.
“Cordelia!” That was the first time Lesley called her by her first name. He liked to be proper. “I don’t think you would want me if you knew the truth.” Cordelia’s face fell. “I know I’m a member of the British army, but I am not a Tory. I’m a Patriot. And…” Lesley seemed unable to finish.
Cordelia gasped. Lesley was a traitor! And she had kissed him! “I cannot believe I have fallen in love with a traitor! Why are you fighting for the British and not the Americans?”
“I originally joined the British army because I did want the colonies to stay under the King’s rule. But after speaking with some Patriots, I realized I would rather be independent.” Lesley began to tell his story.
“Then why didn’t you leave the British?” Cordelia pondered.
“I was too ashamed to leave. I figured it would be more honorable to fight for the same side until the end rather than switch sides in the middle.”
“I suppose, but wouldn’t you rather fight for what you believe in?”
“I’m too scared to.”
“If I were a man, and I was able to fight, I would fight for what I believed in. Why don’t you do the same?” Cordelia’s voice sounded less condescending and more gentle and encouraging. Lesley looked scared.
“About that...I’m not actually a man.” Lesley said.
So many secrets! Cordelia thought. “Really?”
“Yes. My true name is Lavinia Trent. You now know all of the reasons why we can’t be together.”
Cordelia studied Lavinia’s face. She realized now why her face and body were so much softer than most men’s. She wasn’t a man at all! “I still love you.”
Lavinia shook her head. “What could happen to you if the people in town found out that the respectable, might I add married, Tory, Cordelia Dickinson, loved a woman Patriot? You would most certainly be outcast. You know what’s wrong with tribadism.”
“But, Lavinia, if we are careful, no one will ever find out!” Cordelia protested.
“Not even your husband? He’ll have to figure it out eventually, especially if I continue to stay in your home.” Cordelia’s face fell. “Besides, I’ll have to leave with the British soon. This just won’t work.” Lavinia kissed Cordelia once more. “Go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cordelia stared at her husband’s dim silhouette as she tried to fall asleep. She was thinking over everything that had happened with Lavinia. If only Cordelia wasn’t married! After the war, for Lavinia would still want to fight, they could live together and no one would suspect a thing! Cordelia finally fell asleep to these fantasies.
In the morning, Lavinia was gone. Ansel said that a British officer knocked on their door early in the morning because the Patriot army had come to Chesapeake Bay. As the battle happened outside, Cordelia stayed inside, being more affectionate with Ansel than she had been throughout their whole marriage. Cordelia would never see Lavinia again, so she might as well act as if she was in love with her husband.
After a week when the battle was over, Cordelia went outside with Ansel to see the aftermath. Everyone else from town seemed to be there. Cordelia saw the British sing “The World Turned Upside Down” after they surrendered and retreated. She couldn’t see Lavinia in their midst. She couldn’t help but look through the wreckage for some kind of sign of Lavinia. She did find a bloodstained corner of a handkerchief embroidered with the initials L.T. Cordelia gasped at it. It was clearly Lavinia’s. She had been slaughtered at Yorktown. Cordelia felt as if she had been stabbed through the heart. She could only think of Lavinia, and she wasn’t even able to talk to anyone about it. She couldn’t bear to live a life in a loveless marriage with her only counsel dead. That night, she snuck out to the bay and drowned herself.
The next day, a friend of Ansel’s found Cordelia’s body. He was telling Ansel about it when Lavinia, disguised as Lesley, who had only lost her handkerchief, not her life, had come calling upon the Dickinsons’. When she heard the news, she felt more pain than she would have if she had really been killed at Yorktown. When she went with Ansel and his friend to the bay, and saw the body of her lover, she couldn’t bear it. She came back later and stabbed herself.
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