Could you do a work where Eliza gets herself painted by Ralph Earl and Alexander is kind of worried for her going to the debtor prison to meet the artist?
Yes! I wrote a short piece for hamliza month a while back about this - such a cute idea! I can absolutely imagine him getting very nervous about her going to a jail to have her portrait painted, especially considering she was likely pregnant at the time. Hope you enjoy!!
“I don’t like it,” Alexander said from the doorway of the bedroom.
Eliza’s gaze flickered up to his reflection in the mirror. Then she resumed her attempt to coax some color into her cheeks and tease the high pile of curls upon her head into a more pleasing arrangement. As she worked, she repeated for what felt like the hundredth time, “It will be fine, Alexander. Honestly, I don’t know why this has you so bothered.”
“You don’t know why I’m hesitant to allow my pregnant wife to go spend the better part of a day in a jailhouse?”
“Allow?” she repeated, adjusting in her seat to look at him fully.
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest petulantly. “Of course that’s all you hear.”
“Pray tell, what exactly am I allowed to do, Mr. Hamilton? Should I be asking your permission if I intend to do anything beyond cleaning our house, looking after our children, cooking your meals, doing your laundry—” She ticked off each task on her fingers.
“That was a poor choice of word,” he conceded, “But my point still stands. I don’t like the idea of you being in at a jailhouse alone all day. It could be dangerous.”
“You could come with me.”
“I have court all morning.”
“Then I’ll see you tonight.”
She rose and stepped closer to him, her hands resting on his chest. He uncrossed his arms at the affectionate touch, his shoulders slumping a little. She smiled and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
“It will be fine,” she repeated. “Mr. Earl is not a criminal. He’s a brilliant portrait artist who is down on his luck and could use a little kindness. His exceptionally reasonable fee will be put towards buying his release, and my presence will, with any luck, inspire other ladies to have their likenesses made, bringing him even closer to freedom. Aren’t you the one always talking about the importance of helping those less fortunate than ourselves?”
“Don’t use my own arguments against me,” he said, though she sensed some good humor coming back into his voice at last.
“I can’t help that I’ve learned to argue from the best attorney in New York.”
“Don’t try to flatter me, either.”
She grinned at him. His arms wrapped around her at last, and he squeezed her tight against him. She could feel his fingers playing idly with the pink silk ribbon she’d wrapped around her waist in hopes of deemphasizing her growing belly.
“If anyone there so much as touches a hair on your head, I’ll kill them.”
“Good plan. Just so we’re clear, I am allowed to visit you in jail, right?” she teased.
He made a face at her, a little smile finally starting at the corners of his lips.
“It will be fine,” she promised again. “Now, go to work. I have an appointment to get to.”
He stole a final kiss before pulling away, and she swatted at him playfully to shoo him down the hallway.
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