Roses of Stone

Katherine stood at the window not able to turn around, her eyes red and filled with tears as she just stood quietly looking towards the tree line. “I knew. Somehow I knew.” She whispered her voice breaking with each word. “I dreamt that it had happened, and . . . I knew.”

Tavington walked up behind her and gently put his hands on her shoulders rubbing them gently before wrapping his arms around her. Katherine closed her eyes fighting to stop herself from bursting into utter disappear. “They said there was nothing that could be done. His temperature was simply too high and they could not bring it down. I’m sorry Katherine.” He whispered holding her tight.

She opened her eyes and looked towards the horizon again. The sun was setting and the sky was rose and lilac colored at the same time. “Did he have a proper burial.” She whispered softly.

“Yes. There was a small service for him.” Katherine closed her eyes again and reached up covering them with her hand. “Jeanette has been tending his grave, and it’s covered in a blanket of blue flowers.” He whispered hoping to give her a little bit of comfort. Katherine’s hand began to shake as she started to weep again. Tavington didn’t know what to do, and he despised having to tell her on the same day of her return about their sons death.

After a moment she wiped her eyes, forcing herself to regain control of her emotions and looked out the window again. Tavington still held her close until she took a deep breath, “I am alright, William. I am just . . . a bit fatigued . . . from the trip.” William recognized this. It was a routine that said she wanted to dismiss the subject, at least for a while. He nodded a little.

“I want the surgeon to look at you, Katherine. You have been gone for sometime, and I doubt with any sort of proper medical care.” He released her and walked towards the door, “I shall send him in presently.” With that, he exited the room and closed the door carefully behind him. Katherine tried to hold back, but she felt like she couldn’t breathe and gasped for air, until she finally burst into tears and nearly fell to the window ledge burring her face in her arms and crying.

“Oh God.” She whispered talking to the Almighty, “You took him from me . . . why, God why. He was my world, he was everything to me . . . how could you be so cruel. How could you cut out my heart like this?” She wept hardly able to form a thought much less a word.

Cornwallis met Tavington in the hall well away from their room and kept his voice low, “How is she, Colonel?” He inquired looking towards the door, knowing there was quite a bit that she had to take in whilst she was exhausted. He knew what would have to be done when he heard her telling Tavington she wanted to return to Charleston in the morning to see young William, asking questions about weather or not he had spoken, or taken his first step.

“How do you think she is, My Lord?” He said. He closed his eyes shaking his head knowing better then to talk to the General in such a way. “Devastated.” He told him answering his question. “I would like to request that the surgeon be sent to make sure she is in good health.”

“Of course. He shall be sent for immediately.” Cornwallis sighed slightly looking towards Katherine’s room once again. “She can’t stay here Colonel Tavington. As soon as we are certain she is well enough to travel, she will have to return to Charleston. I don’t want to risk her falling under capture of the enemy again.”

“I agree My Lord. But perhaps a few days before she is sent away would be prudent, so she will have time to rest and recover from her ordeal.” The General thought for a moment before giving a nod of approval.

Two hours later, Tavington entered into his room finding the surgeon putting his things away. Katherine lay in bed with the covers pulled over her to keep her warm, as she looked asleep but also awake. William approached the bed carefully and looked at her.

“She’s sedated Colonel, I gave her something to help her sleep.” He closed his bag and looked at William, “Lady Tavington was almost in hysterics. She’ll be better after she’s had some rest.”

“How is she otherwise?” Tavington said without looking away from Katherine for a single moment.

“The scars on her body are rather extensive. I restitched the few that weren’t quite healed yet, to reduce the scaring. A small infection had started in one of them, but I believe I was able to remove most of it and clean the wound so it will not become a problem.” The surgeon walked to the door and opened it, “She’ll be alright. She just needs time to recover.” Then he left closing the door behind him.

Tavington removed his coat and vest before walking over to the bed and sitting beside her, taking her hand in his. It felt like he should say something, but he was just happy that she was home now. She had taken a bath and she was given a clean nightgown to sleep in, to make her more comfortable. “I wish that the death of our son was the only bad news I had for you my dear. That in itself was devastating enough. To find out that we will not be returning to England . . . might cause you even more agony.” He kissed her forehead gently and blew out the candle.

Early the next morning, Katherine awoke to the feel of gentle kisses on her eyes, then her cheeks, and then finally to her lips. It was William’s familiar kiss and as she slowly started to wake she kissed him back. Yet when he started to touch her body, she stopped and pushed him away. “William no.” She whispered turning away. “Please.” She was more self-conscience about her body then she thought, and she was certain that Tavington would be petrified.

“What is it?” He whispered moving closer to lay behind her, wrapping his arm about her waist, and kissing her neck. “Is it to soon for me to make such an advance?” He whispered resting his cheek against hers holding her tight. Katherine didn’t say anything and just remained still staring at the wall. Tavington took her silence as an answer and kissed her cheek. “I understand. You were just recovered only yesterday, you are still weary from your ordeal. Perhaps another time.”

He moved into a more comfortable position and just held her tight falling back asleep. Katherine saw a flash of light followed by thunder and the sound of pouring rain. When she was a little girl, she loved to lay in bed listening to the sound of the rain fall on the window class, and the terrace outside her room. She used to crawl out of bed and go out onto the terrace dancing in the rain, with her arms outstretched towards the sky. Each time she heard rain, she couldn’t help but remember that time in her life where she felt so free. Slowly, her eyes started to close and the sound of the rain gently lulled her back to sleep.

Katherine awoke to find herself alone and the shutters closed and she went to open them. It was bright, and well past morning. She sighed and decided to wash up again, just to make herself presentable again. There were some clean dresses and garments laid out for her, more to the style she was used to and she slipped into them before tending to her hair.

When she emerged from her room, she looked around wondering where everyone was. She walked down the hallway hearing voices coming from the General’s office. When Katherine looked inside she could see the General talking to a few of his officers, Tavington being one of them. She stood quietly until Cornwallis saw her out of the corner of his eye. “Katherine. You’re looking well today.” All eyes in the room turned to her and for some reason she felt very uneasy about standing in front of these men. She knew them all well, by name, and some from her childhood. Still, her stomach felt tight and there was a knot in her throat, but she managed to smile a little for them.

The General put down his instruments he was using to outline the next phase of their attack in the war. “Yes, well I think that will be all for now Gentlemen. We will continue this later.” All of the men made their salute and quickly left, except for Tavington who walked over to Katherine. The General smiled and walked to her, thrilled to see that she was all right. “I am so glad that you were found and made it back to our own lines unharmed, my dear. We had almost given up hope.”

“I was well cared for . . . even if it was not in the manner I was used to.” She said softly when the General took her hands in his. Only for a moment before he reached out and pulled her into a warm embrace. “I helped bury your mother, and then your father. I could not bear to imagine that I would have to bury you instead of you having to oversee my funeral.” Tavington arched a brow at this, not sure if he should say what he thought or just stay silent. He supposed that silence might be the more prudent of the two choices.

“I am sorry about your son, Katherine. There was nothing that could be done.” He said looking at her again. Katherine just nodded accepting his condolences. There was nothing else to be said about it, he was gone and there was no brining him back. Tavington was growing a little annoyed and impatient. Now that Katherine was rested and allowed to clean up, she might be in more of a mood to talk to him now.

“I have heard a few reports concerning your whereabouts and captors. Perhaps when you’ve had a little more rest, we could discuss it?” Katherine knew that it was going to come up sooner or later and she just gave a nod. He smiled and kissed her cheek, “Go on. Rest. I’ll see you again this evening.”

“Thank you my lord.” She gave a curtsy and left quietly, going back to her room. General Cornwallis moved to stand next to William as they both looked towards the door.

“Have you spoken with her yet, about our arrangement?”

“No my lord, I felt that news of our son was harsh enough on her first evening home. I would like to wait a few days before informing her that we shall not be returning to England.”

“Very well, I shall not say anything.” He looked at William, “At least for a time. Be sure you tell her. Now that young William is gone, she’ll want to go back. As your wife, she’ll be no more welcomed there then you.” The tone in the General’s voice was one of extreme disapproval. It was to late to change the deal that was made, and the honor that was lost was not retrievable. “Dismissed Colonel.”

Katherine sat at the vanity combing her hair over and over whilst looking at herself in the mirror. The first proper one she had seen in weeks. After a moment, she carefully set the brush down, and reached up opening her blouse slowly. Her eyes began to tear a little when she saw the horrendous scars left on her skin. She was going to be marked for life now. There was no way to undo the damage and they would stay with her forever. Katherine closed her eyes and covered her face, trying to hold back the tears but they were ripping their way out of her.

She was horrified by the way her body looked, but at the same time ashamed of herself for feeling so vain about it. The style of dress she wore for parties and for special occasions would have to be modified to keep the marks covered, and she intended to dress or undress in the dark for the rest of her existence.

“How did you come by them.” Katherine jumped a little recognizing William’s voice. She didn’t even hear him come in. Quickly she wiped the tears away from her face trying to act as though she had not been crying. William pulled a chair close to her and sat down. She turned facing him, still trying to wipe her eyes dry. William slowly reached up touching her blouse, and began to open it.

“William, no. Please.” She whispered reaching up and wrapping her hand around his wrist. Tavington didn’t say anything and slowly reached up with his other hand pulling her shirt back over her shoulders. She closed her eyes afraid to see the look on his face when he saw her.

William was horrified, but not for the reason Katherine had thought. Lady Tavington felt his fingertips trace each mark and she slowly opened her eyes. “What happened to you.” Katherine’s eyes began to tear, as she wiped them again.

“So many things. Things that I never even dreamed of happening to me.” She said softly. William’s hand moved from scar to scar, touching them ever so gently as he waited for her to tell him more. “I was bound. By the ones who took me, and made to walk behind their horses for days. Without food, without water.” She whispered. William reached for one of her wrists and saw that there were still marks from where the rope had rubbed her skin raw.

“Then both of them died. Someone shot them from their horses.” She swallowed the lump in her throat as William continued to caress the marks tenderly. “The gun fire scared the horse whose saddle I was tied to, and began to run . . . dragging me behind for who knows how far. I just remembered how much it hurt, the way I was pulled by my arms . . . the rocks underneath me . . .” She stopped not able to go on. Just remembering what happened was causing her to relive the horror of it all.

“Shhhhh.” William comforted her, letting her know it was alright to stop. “Shhh.” He reached out and pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tight to him letting her know that she was safe now.

“When I woke, . . .” She continued, “I found myself in the care of a band of Colonial militia. I was afraid. Afraid that if they heard me speak that they would kill me instantly. They would have. If their leader Benjamin Martin didn’t stop them.” Tavington grew still and listened quietly. It was one of the things he wanted to know about. She buried her face in his shoulder, “I don’t want to think about it anymore, William. I’m home safe now, with you and our countrymen.”

“Yes.” He said not quite satisfied with the little bit she spoke of the criminals. “Do you know . . . where they had stationed themselves whilst in their captivity? Perhaps . . . where they were going?” Katherine shook her head, and wiped her eyes. William had hoped there was more to that, and perhaps there was. But asking her now would only upset her more, so he would have to inquire later.

A knock came to the door and Tavington sneered slightly, annoyed by the interruption. He untangled himself from Katherine and rested his hand on her shoulder as he walked to the door. When he started to open it, he was pushed aside as Jeanette burst into the room. “Katherine? Oh, Katherine! You’re alright!”

“Jeanette? What are you doing here?” She said standing to her feet as she finished buttoning up her blouse. They walked towards each other and embraced one another tightly. William just glared, not knowing that she had been allowed out of her confines yet.

“I’ve been here! General O’Hara had me locked in my room with guards by the door!” She said in a horror filled voice not understanding why she had been treated in such a way. “I saw you ride in, and when I went to greet you, I was arrested.”

Katherine’s look changed to be just as horrified, “What? Why . . . why on earth would they do such a thing!?!?” She looked at William wondering if he had anything to do with it. “Do you know something about this, William?” Tavington rolled his eyes and walked out of the room slamming the door behind him. Katherine looked down realizing that she may have been far to quick to accuse him of such a thing.

Jeanette pulled out her handkerchief and wiped tears from her eyes, “But . . . I am glad that you are back. I was so worried about you. I was afraid that something might have happened and I would never see my sister again.”

Katherine smiled a little, “Well, I am back and I am unharmed.” For the most part, if she didn’t count the scars she now wore. But she kept that in her mind and said nothing. “Thank you, Jeanette. I was told that you arranged my son’s funeral and burial. I’m glad you were here to over see it.”

“Of course I would. I am your truest friend and I have been since we were young. I stayed with him, until he passed away.” Katherine stood silently feeling a lump move to her throat and nodded.

“I know. William, must have been petrified when it happened.” She said softly taking Jeanette’s hand and holding it just to know someone was there with her who she could confide in.

“He didn’t even know, or inquire until I traveled to the Dragoon camp and informed him about Will.” Katherine stopped and looked up at Jeanette. For some reason, she had taken it for granted that William would have made his way there to stay with their son. Knowing how terribly sick he was, and wanting to make sure he got the best care. It was a little bit of a shock, and Katherine moved to sit down. Jeanette followed after her, “Oh Katherine . . . I tried so hard. I wouldn’t let him forget about you, not for a moment. I made sure that all the women around him knew that he was still married so they wouldn’t take advantage of your absence,” Jeanette sat down beside her, “Except . . .”

Katherine looked up at Jeanette, already feeling the front that she had been able to put on every since she returned start to weaken. “Except . . . what?”

Jeanette had a pained look on her face, but anyone privy to the entire situation wouldn’t be to impressed by it. “I’m sorry Katherine. I couldn’t watch him whilst he was in his camp with the other dragoons . . . and the women in the camps . . . . . well you know how insatiable his lust is . . .and . . .” The door opened and a private walked in to informed Lady Botts that her husband was requesting to see her. Jeanette sighed, “I’ll come back as soon as I can Katherine. Just rest.” She smiled and squeezed her hand before hurrying off following the solider.

Katherine just sat there stunned, her eyes wide, and unable to close her mouth. She took it for granted that William would be just as broken about their sons death as she was . . . and she never even thought of his seeking carnal pleasure with other women while she was gone. It stunned her even more to hear it when she was tempted, but did not submit to it . . .while he indulged his own temptations as he had always done. How could she return home to find all of these horrible things, when she had strived so hard to get back to him and the British. She covered her eyes with her hand, feeling sick and lightheaded. She thought it would be best if she lay down and stood starting to move towards the bed. But everything went black, and she fell to the ground.

In the hallway, Tavington reached out and seized Jeanette by the arm jerking her into a room where they could speak in private. Jeanette struggled and couldn’t believe this audacity in Cornwallis’s own headquarters. He looked down at her glaring, “I hope, for your sake, that you did not run into my quarters so quickly to divulge everything your poisonous tongue could tell her. She has been through quite enough, and it is my responsibility to tell her of what occurred whilst she was away.”

“I’m sure painting yourself with quite a wonderful light! She deserves to know what kind of man she is married to. How you were so anxious to hear of her death, that you couldn’t wait to take a child into your bed!”

“QUIET YOU LITTLE TROLLOP!” He hissed at her squeezing her arm tighter, “She knows who I am, and the sort of man she is married to. She does not need your constant reminder each time she turns about.” He released her roughly, “And she certainly doesn’t need to know you have taken so well to your new position in the aristocracy, that you have managed to become a whore like all of the others.”

“How . . . . DARE you! How dare you say such vile things to me! I am not one of your . . . women! I shall not be talked to in such a manner!” She said with almost a pout in her voice.

“Oh I see, and if I had accepted your offer and not turned you out, I would have earned the privilege to call you whatever I wish, is that it?” Jeanette’s eyes just narrowed as she began to say something but Tavington wouldn’t give her the chance, “You disgust me. This is the only warning you shall receive woman. You keep your distance from Katherine and keep your mouth shut. Otherwise I will shut it for you!” He pushed pass her and left her standing there more frustrated then ever.

“Idiotic moron of a human being.” He grumbled under his breath returning to his quarters. He knew that she had said something to Katherine, but it could have been a number of things, that she could have twisted to fit her narrow view of him. He stood at the door taking a deep breath, not knowing what lay in wait for him behind the door. William took a breath and burst into the room. “Katherine . . .I have no idea what she told you but I would like to tell you my side of the . . . .” William stopped seeing Katherine on the floor. Her skin was pale and almost white.

“Katherine . . .” Tavington rushed towards her and turned her over helping her sit up. “Katherine, are you alright? What’s wrong?” She seemed to be a little out of it, and her skin was cold. He swept her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed laying her down and pulling a blanket over her. “I’ll call for the surgeon . .” He started to leave but her soft voice stopped him.

“I fought so hard to get back to you.” She whispered looking towards him. William turned and moved back towards her.

“I know you did, and look you made it home.” He took her hand in his and gently felt her face that was still cold as ice. “I never expected to find you so well. But I knew I would find you.”

“Did you.” She said looking into his eyes. William paused, realizing that Jeanette had already managed to give her some sort of ill explained news of what had gone on while she was gone. “Did you want me to be found alive.”

William thought a moment and tried hard to find words, and to choose them carefully. “Tell me what she said to you Katherine.” He said looking into her eyes wanting to know what he had to explain and set straight. She closed her eyes and took a breath.

“I was under the care of a man whom I hated. I loathed and despised him as soon as we met. He loathed and hated me even more.” Katherine’s eyes closed tighter as she could feel so many emotions coming from within her. “Temptation grew . . . and grew . . . but I refused it. I wouldn’t give into it. I would never give into it, I’m faithful to you as I have always been.”

Ah. That was the one thing that Jeanette couldn’t wait to tell her. It seemed that she didn’t even care how it would affect Katherine. As long as she could spread her insidious gossip. “You’ve always been better and stronger then I, Katherine. I make no excuses for my weakness. Even though I could tell you that it was an uncontrollable moment in a fit of utter drunkenness . . . I know that it is no consolation.”

“How did we arrive here?” She whispered looking up at him. “How did we arrive to speaking like civilized and caring human beings?” He paused not sure exactly what she meant. “We have always pitted ourselves against one another . . . we have always . . . made it a point to hurt each other how ever we can . . . a practice that you have managed to perfect over the years. This is not who we are.”

“I didn’t know what I had Katherine.” He said stopping her words. “I had no idea how much I needed you in my life until you were gone.” Katherine looked into his eyes and took a breath. He leaned over her and looked deep into her eyes. “You can’t imagine what a horrid feeling it is to realize how valuable something you always had and took for granted, only to late.”

“William, this is not like you. Why are you doing this? Why are you speaking to me in such a way.” She whispered trying to turn her face away from him only to have him cradle her face in his hands.

“You think I’ve become weak . . . a coward . . . don’t you.” She didn’t say anything, she couldn’t say anything, even though it was not what she thought or felt. She was simply not used to it, and it was frightening. It was strange how quickly William took it as an insult and how utterly disappointed it made him to finally speak words he would have never ever allowed himself to . . . and to have her think him weak for it.

“William . . . I . . .” He reached up and clasped her mouth with his hand, as the look in his eyes changed. His mouth drew tight and his jaw clinched as he grasped her mouth even tighter. Tavington’s anger was growing second by second.

“The entire colonial settlements fear me. It sends chills down their spine when they see the dragoons riding towards them. It keeps them from performing foolish acts that will bring my wrath down upon them . . . and you . . . think me coward.” Katherine tried to say something wanting him to know that it was not what she was thinking at all, but his hand clamped down even tighter. “You have no idea, how I have suffered. How I have dreamt of holding you again, only to awaken and find you gone. To have lost so much, my entire family ripped away from me within hours.”

Katherine reached up and tried to pull his hand away from her face, she was having trouble breathing as it was. William was not quick to release her, he just wanted to hold her there, rendering her powerless. Finally Katherine managed to pull his hand away with both of hers pulling at him with all her strength. She gasped for air. “Stop this madness! Are you to strangle and torture your only ally?” She glared into his eyes, “Never, have I thought you a coward or weak. Except in your frequent adultery. But this is not new information to you.”

“And now? Is it now you think me weak? For speaking words I have only thought these years we were married!?!” He hissed becoming annoyed and irritated with her once again. Katherine just took a breath and looked into his eyes.

“No.” She whispered not breaking eye contact with him for a moment. “I do not count you weak, or think of you in a cowardly way.” He still glared down at her holding her brutally beneath him. “I fear you too.”

He was stunned by those words. She had never in her entire life feared him for even a moment, and was always equal to whatever challenge he presented to her. “What.” William breathed.

Katherine knew just how this was going to effect him when he heard her say it, but it needed to be said. “I saw the church at Prembroke, William. The new graves freshly dug and filled. Of the old, the crippled, the women and children.” Tavington was still in shock.

“You were never meant to see those things, Katherine.” He whispered.

“They made a point of showing me everything they could that you have done in the field, William. They wanted me to see. I never realized how much I didn’t know about you, until I saw the faces of the men whose families you slaughtered.” Tears were coming to her eyes, even though she had long since grown weary of weeping.

“Katherine, You mustn’t fear me.” He said cupping her face gently in his hands once again, “Everyone else fears me . . . . not my wife.” The tone in his voice was almost desperate. Katherine couldn’t say anything, she simply lay beneath him quietly. A tear rolled down her cheek. What else could she do but tell him the truth. “Katherine . . .”

William closed his eyes and took a breath, before shaking his head and removing himself from the bed. He quickly exited out of the room and closed the door behind. Katherine turned over and covered her face with her hands.

Two days later, William rode back to his camp without so much as a word to anyone. Katherine felt more then responsible for that. Jeanette had mysteriously disappeared without a word as well. Katherine never felt so alone in her life as she did right now. She saw the General walking down the hall and hurried to catch him, perhaps he knew what was going on.

“My lord,” She said giving him a proper curtsey. “I’ve not been able to find Lady Botts. Have you seen her?” She asked hopefully.

“Yes, she’s been sent back to Charleston. I’m sorry that she didn’t have time to say her goodbyes, it was a rather sudden departure.” Katherine closed her eyes. It was no wonder that she was sent back. William most likely blamed her for most of this. Perhaps she was a bit to blame. It was Tavington’s place to tell her, not Jeanette’s.

“When am I to leave, My lord?” She inquired softly, not knowing any reason for her to be here any longer. William seemed to not have anything more to say to her, and now she was the only woman left in the fort. She was only in the way here, and she decided that she was nothing much else then a nuisance.

“You can leave today if you wish.” Katherine nodded with her eyes downcast. “I’ll have an escort assembled to take you back, as soon as your ready.” Katherine nodded and curtseyed again, and started to walk back to her quarters. “Katherine.” The General said stopping her. She looked back at him, “I’m glad you are back, and were found safe.” Katherine nodded quietly before continuing on her way.

The General didn’t know what to say to her, and he was well aware that Tavington had left only a few moments after he had spoken to Katherine. He had never seen a broken look in her eyes at any time in her life. It was haunting.