Becoming A Founding "Father"- Historical Hamilton

Chapter Twenty-Six: Lover Boy

"Well, I was feeling horrid for quite a while now," I reply, still holding onto his forearms. "Surely, you've heard of what happened at Monmouth."

He nods, and his lips quirk up. He's the only person I've encountered in camp whose lips aren't cracked. "Oui- in fact, I was put in charge of rounding the escaped troops while von Steuben took control of the vanguard."

I look at him, shocked. "Oh wow, that's quite impressive, knowing how many people managed to run away."

A blush rises to his cheeks and he smiles shyly, but before he could say anything, someone cleared their throat behind me.

I didn't realize that there was someone else in the room, but I wasn't that surprised when I turned to see "Tallmadge. We meet again."

The blond smiles tightly, and I'm not really that surprised that all the Major Generals know each other. Lafayette looks between us both. "Ah- I wasn't aware that you know each other."

"Well, I had to interrogate Layden on behalf of Washington a week ago," he says, and his voice is much warmer than I remember. Lafayette lets out an 'ah' and Tallmadge continues. "After all, we're all aware of how confusing Monmouth was. It's a shock that we even won, considering all that happened."

Lafayette nods. "Oui. I have never seen such a terrible case of hearsay in my life." A pause of silence, and then his head suddenly snaps to me. "Oh, where are my- Solomon are you alright? I was told that you were shot!"

"Oh, I'm fine now, Laf- though I'm upset that you didn't visit." I frown for a second, before smiling again. Though it was both dreadfully boring during my bedridden state- since Margaret refused to be in the same room with me for over five minutes- I understand that everyone's busy.

Lafayette looks apologetic. "You will have to forgive me, monsieur, even when I had tried, I was not permitted to visit! The nurse forbid anyone inside during your initial recovery, but then- I have heard- nous petit lion's patience grew thin, and he shouted at the poor missus, demanding entry!"

"Oh my fucking God," I say, shocked. "And of course the bastard didn't tell me about that."

 Lafayette's shoulder's shook with suppressed laughter. "Oui, I would have paid a hefty amount to see that myself, but I unfortunately reside forty minutes away from this part of camp. Alexandre apologized, of course, but the fact is still astonishing."

I feel Tallmadge looking at both of us with a tight smile. I can't tell what he's feeling, but he starts talking before I could ponder more on that. "Why should we not all sit down by the hearth, and you two can catch up?"

"Oh no, we can catch up later. If you two are here on business, then don't let me interrupt," I quickly say, but the spymaster shakes his head. "It is not urgent, and I believe I have tired the Marquis enough for the night."

"Okay then-" Lafayette chuckles and Tilghman looks confused, "-I've got a few drinks hidden somewhere. Wine or whiskey, gentlemen?" 

When both of them answer with wine, I take out a bottle from the 'alcohol stash'- The collective effort of all the aides for special occasions. Even I contributed in filling the cupboard, despite not drinking alcohol myself. When I come back with three glasses, Lafayette and Tallmadge are already by the hearth, conversing lightly about their homelands. 

"Merci, mon loulou," Lafayette pauses from his speech to take the wine glass from me. I haven't heard that nickname from him before, but it rolls nicely on his tongue. Tallmadge nods and smiles when I give him his glass, and then I sit down by the Marquis. "Though I am from France, I admit that I have not seen much of the country. I was born and raised in Versailles, and the only other city I have visited is Paris."