As Priscilla writes in her diary, life is becoming a whirlwind of parties, gorgeous gowns, and fancy foods.  But a change in the atmosphere, one of anger and unrest, can change the life of a young woman entering the City’s high society in a moment.  

Dear Diary,   
     What a relief it was that Becky came to me almost at once upon receiving my note. Safe in her private company, I could cry and try to make sense of what was happening. She offered me the comfort and benefit of her counsel and understanding.   

      When Nathaniel made his big announcement that shook me to my core, I had to hide my feelings. I was to leave Philadelphia and stay with my sister Abigail at Waterwood House on the Maryland Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I asked why he had made this decision, of course without screams or tears. He said it was in my own best interest. There was unrest in the City because of a few hotheads. He didn’t want me to become concerned. After all, he said, we must think of the baby. He acted as if I barely gave a thought to my delicate condition. That was untrue and unfair. I think of my child all the time.   

    I ventured to ask if he was concerned because his import business was tied to British goods like tea. Riled, he wanted to know why I would think of such a thing. I tried to explain that one only had to leave the house to hear the newspaper sellers calling out the headlines or to take tea in the finer homes of the City to hear of such things.   

    He said my heightened curiosity had already exposed me to things that should not concern me. He is concerned that my nervous reactions to things I do not understand might harm the baby. One simple question had made him adamant that I should leave. He would not hear another word. He will make all the travel arrangements. I am to supervise the packing and to make arrangements for the household to function while I am away. He would not answer when I asked how long that would be. I am to travel with my maid, Eliza. She is a good girl from the English countryside and will stay by me. Our escort will be Mr. Mercer, a trusted employee of his firm.         

    As he walked away, I stood in the hall, shaking. I could only calm myself by thinking that the stress inflicted on me by staying in the City would be worse than this trip across the Bay. I kept telling myself Nathaniel is only thinking of me and the baby.     

    Becky’s visit helped calm me, but then her brow furrowed. I pressed her to tell me what was wrong. She waved off my concern but finally admitted that she was beginning to notice things changing, little things. At a tea party of a friend, she saw a woman accept a cup of tea served by a maid. She moved aside as if inspecting a shelf of books. The woman looked at the tea in her cup for the longest while then she put it down and walked away. I suggested she was not thirsty. Becky shook her head so hard her curls bounced which made me laugh. But Becky was serious. She said if the woman was a member of society and a true British subject, she would have known it was rude to accept a cup of tea then leave it on a table, untouched.   

    She leaned closer and spoke of signs being pasted on walls near a shop offering British imports and was owned by a man loyal to the King. She said some people refused to enter his shop. The signs were quickly torn down.   

    Is that why my husband is so concerned about my safety? Does he fear for his business? I know he will not confide in me. He sees himself as my protector.      

    Isn’t it the same with the King? We are his children. When we please him, he cares and protects us. When we go against his wishes, he is right to treat us as naughty offspring. If only these rebellious souls would come to their senses. I hope it is soon because until they do, I will not be allowed to come home.  

They are part of the new Dual-Timeline novel, Divided in Time, a story of how the American Revolution came to be from a woman's perspective.