Disclaimer

"Bananabelle Davidson" is a story I wrote years ago on a different FanFiction account, under the name "ballerinastar7," but after forgetting my login info and repeatedly attempting to contact Support for help—to no avail, I've decided to start a new account. With it, I've decided to edit this old story, and republish it with my new changes.

Chapter One:

Elizabeth Discovers a Dreadful Ambition

Annabelle Cole was a girl of much moping after the cancellation of her engagement to Lord Harry Lacey. When Harry had first announced this decision, Annabelle put up an initial front of grace to save face and hide her disappointment. But deep down within herself, she knew she'd missed out on the chance of a lifetime. The passing of time enabled the hurt Annabelle felt to become more apparent to those around her.

Whenever she received an invitation to tea or to a ball addressed to "Annabelle Cole," she'd sigh and complain how it should have read, "Lady Annabelle Lacey." Whenever Annabelle passed a fine house, she'd sigh and complain how her estate in England would have been much finer. Whenever Mrs. Cole attempted to cheer Annabelle up by taking her to the milliner's shop to be fitted for a new gown—a rare, expensive treat—Annabelle would turn up her nose and walk away from all of the available fabrics, flip through the latest London fashions in the shop's pattern books, and sigh. She'd complain how such gowns could have been hers; adorned with lace, silk bows, pearls, and maybe even jewels.

Of course, the sensitive subject of "Lord Harry Lacey" would often arise at Miss Manderly's house during the girls' instruction in penmanship, dancing, stitchery, and tea service. Anywhere and everywhere she could be found, Annabelle was miserable. As weeks turned into months, Felicity and Elizabeth only hoped Annabelle's continued melancholy and decided irritability would end someday, somehow, as even months after the broken engagement she was still unbearable to be around.

The three young ladies often walked home from Ms. Manderly's lessons by way of Mr. Merriman's store, and occasionally, Annabelle and Elizabeth would stop in for a bit. After a while, Felicity and Elizabeth again began to notice that Annabelle became flamboyant—and even a little silly—whenever Benjamin Davidson happened to be present working in the store.

"Could it be possible that with Harry out of the way, Annabelle fancies Ben once more?" Elizabeth whispered to Felicity.

"I don't know," Felicity shrugged as she continued to watch Annabelle.

"Poor Ben," Annabelle thought to herself one afternoon, as she watched Ben sweeping the front steps of Mr. Merriman's shop. Lately, she could be found sitting in her bed chamber during a good part of the afternoon, for her windows afforded the best view of Mr. Merriman's store. Every day at four o'clock, she could count on Ben coming out to perform his duty of sweeping the front steps and front walk. "He works so hard, and for so long each day. It barely leaves him any time for leisure or social calls. I can't remember the last time I saw him at a social gathering. I'm sure he misses the enjoyment of his family's wealth back in Yorktown. But what is to be done?" Annabelle pondered.

Just then, it occurred to Annabelle exactly what could be done. Annabelle gallivanted out of her bed chamber and into the hallway as spirited as a wild pony, clapping her hands and squealing with delight. Just as she was turning the corner to the balcony that lead to the staircase, Annabelle crashed straight into Elizabeth. With a loud "thud," the pair bounced a few feet off each other, and landed on the floor.

"Gracious, Annabelle, whatever could have happened to make you so wild all of a sudden?" Elizabeth asked with amazement. This lively, happy girl was a stark contrast from the dull, sulky version of Annabelle to which Elizabeth had grown accustomed over the past few months.

"I've just excited myself with a life-changing notion, 'tis all!" Annabelle confidently panted as she rubbed the soreness of the collision out of her forehead.

"Surely you are not thinking of writing to Lord Harry to beg his reconsideration, are you?" Elizabeth gasped. Elizabeth could not allow Annabelle's emotions to compromise etiquette.

"No, indeed! Don't be ridiculous. Nor do I have time for idle chatter. I must speak with father immediately," Annabelle rudely said without any apology for her rowdiness. Instead, she pulled herself off the floor and stepped over Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wondered what on earth Annabelle could have in mind! As Annabelle hustled down the mahogany staircase, Elizabeth's curiosity got the best of her, so she followed closely behind. Upon arriving downstairs, Annabelle anxiously knocked on her father's study door, immediately allowing herself admittance—without waiting for her father's permission to enter from the other side. At the same time, Mrs. Cole had walked out of the drawing room and into the hallway and had seen the whole thing. Taking note of Annabelle's uncharacteristically lively presence, and Elizabeth's close trailing, Mrs. Cole gathered that something suspicious must be afoot. Mrs. Cole squeezed in right behind Annabelle, cutting Elizabeth off. Just before Elizabeth could enter her father's study too, the door was promptly shut in her face—a signal that the following conversation was important and private.

Though it went against the grain of her upbringing, Elizabeth yielded to the strong temptation to eavesdrop, and slowly leaned her ear against the door. Despite the thick, strong wood of the door, Elizabeth could clearly make out everything that was being said.

Annabelle's father looked up through the rim of his spectacles as he sat balancing the family's accounts at his desk. "Annabelle! Charlotte! What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Cole asked with shock and disgust.

Mrs. Cole looked disapprovingly at Annabelle, and Annabelle looked at her mother inquisitively. Annabelle then realized that she had been the one to make the mistake of intruding into her father's study.

"Oh! Do excuse me, father. I was so anxious to discuss something with you that I suppose I wasn't thinking clearly. It won't ever happen again." Annabelle said.

"See that it doesn't." Mr. Cole lectured. "Heavens, you must have something very important to say indeed! Otherwise, you would never have forgotten a manner so elementary, that it goes unspoken. What is it?" Mr. Cole asked sharply.

"Mother, I'm glad you're here too, for there is something of a very serious nature that I must discuss with you both immediately," Annabelle said.

"What is it, my love?" Mrs. Cole asked, walking over to her husband. Mr. Cole removed his spectacles and closed his book.

"As you both are perhaps aware, I've felt rather discouraged as of late, after being jilted by Lord Harry Lacey," Annabelle exaggerated.

"She makes it sound so very bad," Elizabeth thought to herself on the other side of the door. "'Tis not as though Harry left her at the altar of the church mid-ceremony. Besides, Harry gave Annabelle a good reason, which had nothing to do with her at all—all he wanted to do was join England in the war against the patriot rebels. He even told Annabelle he considered her a wonderful and pretty girl!"

Annabelle continued. "I must confess, the situation has left me quite undone. I've felt so terribly hurt, confused, and even embarrassed. But there is something that I feel could make me happy," Annabelle said.

"Oh, what is it, my dear?" Mrs. Cole asked with relief. Mr. Cole scooted to the edge of his chair. They too were sick of Annabelle's irrational amount and duration of brooding. If there was something within their means they could do to cheer her up, they would do it in the blink of an eye.

"Well, to come straight to the point…" Annabelle dramatically dragged on.

"Oh, please do, dear!" Mr. Cole begged with anticipation. Mrs. Cole nodded excitedly.

After feeling secure she had her parents in the palm of her hand, Annabelle dropped the act, and declared, "I'd like to marry Benjamin Davidson." Mr. and Mrs. Cole were shocked. Elizabeth gasped. Annabelle was perfectly serious.

This was the last thing Annabelle's parents had expected to hear. Benjamin Davidson? An apprentice and a patriot who came from only God knew where. And who were his family? Only a moment ago, the Coles had been perfectly willing to do whatever it took to pull Annabelle out of the dumps, but marriage to a perfect little nobody was another matter entirely. Mr. and Mrs. Cole looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

After a long pause, Mrs. Cole ventured first. "Why, Annabelle, you have given us a shock! I had no idea you'd developed such feelings for this lad," Mrs. Cole said, trying to put it nicely.

"Indeed," Mr. Cole chuckled with astonishment. "Is Ben—or anyone else, for that matter—aware of this plan?"

"No, sir." Annabelle said.

Mr. Cole breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank heavens for that, at least!" Mrs. Cole nodded in agreement. Mr. Cole continued. "Well, dear, he's not exactly the type of young man we'd all come to envision for you in the past, now is he?"

"Father, you don't know him terribly well, I know. But surely, you must know I'd never select any marriage partner that was truly inferior."

"True," Mr. Cole admitted. Much to his upper-class delight, Annabelle was about as big of a snob as any Englishman ever had been.

"I've long admired Ben. He comes from a wealthy family in Yorktown, and I must confess, I find him very handsome. Of course, he is a patriot, but I can put his ridiculous notions of defying the king out of his head for good. I cannot think of a thing in the world that would prevent a happy marriage. Besides father, what else is left for me here? As Ben's wife, I would enjoy a life finer than most girls here in the colonies could boast. Please, write to Ben's father and make the arrangements," Annabelle appealed.

After a long pause, Mr. Cole said, "You do argue several legitimate points, my dear. And based on that assurance, well…" Mr. and Mrs. Cole looked at each other, and smiled. "…I see no reason not to proceed in pursuing these wishes!" Mr. Cole laughed merrily.

Mrs. Cole excitedly dashed towards Annabelle with outstretched arms and squeezed her into a loving embrace. Annabelle hugged her mother back, and they both threw propriety to the wind as they began squealing and jumping up and down in a circle. Mr. Cole sat at his desk laughing and shaking his head as he affectionately admired his wife and daughter.

Annabelle finally broke free of her mother's grasp. "Now, Father. We must write a most elegant and charming letter. You must convince Mr. and Mrs. Davidson that like them, we too are good society, but also that we are a warm, cordial family. However, you must not sound overly sentimental. Then again, you mustn't sound too 'contractual.' Oh! What are you waiting for? Write! Make haste! We must have this letter delivered as soon as possible!" Annabelle bossily commanded.

"Yes, my dear!" Mr. Cole laughed heartily, overlooking her overbearing behavior towards him. "But we will omit that this is all according to your wishful thinking, Annabelle. 'Tis highly improper, and they need never know the truth of this proposal's origin."

On the other side of the door, things were not as joyous. Elizabeth was dumbstruck. She didn't know what to make of this, nor how to feel. All she could think to do was run to the cloak room to fetch her blue cape. She just had to tell Felicity!