Roses of Stone

The next morning, Just as Lady Tavington had said the night before, both she and Camille where up before dawn and ready to go out. When they came to the steps of the building that they were living in, a private hurried up and stopped her. “I’m sorry my lady, I can’t let you go out without an escort. Colonel Tavington’s orders.”

“Don’t be absurd. His majesties forces have seized and secured this city, I do not need an escort to walk about it. Now stand aside, my servant and I have shopping to do.” The private looked a little nervous, knowing whose wife she was, and knowing that it already spread through the soldiers how much the two were alike.

“I can’t let you go my lady, Colonel Tavington won’t permit it.” Katharine just looked at the private for one moment, and you could see the spark of temper burning within her eyes, but she kept her lady like qualities about her as she answered.

“Very well then, you may accompany us through the town. I suggest you retrieve a less imposing weapon at once so that you may not stumble and skewer yourself like some sort of entrée.” The man just stood there starring. He wasn’t sure if he was just threatened or not.

“I can’t leave my post! I could be shot for that!” He said panicked that she might actually make him go.

“Very well then, stand aside before I do the honors myself. Come Camille.” Pushing passed the guard she and her servant headed down the steps of the building and started off into the town.

Meanwhile, Tavington had just returned from a patrol and had undressed down to his vest since his uniform had been covered in dust from the road. “Colonel Tavington Sir?” A voice came from the outside. William was looking over a few dispatches that had been waiting for him upon his return.

“Yes, come in.” He said as he shuffled the papers back and forth reading over each one. Information on the rebels movements, supply lines, and some names of the rebel suppliers that would have to be dealt with strait away. As he turned he came face to face with the solider he had left behind in Charleston to guard Katharine. “What the devil are you doing here? Get back to your post!” He shouted at the man.

“I . . . well Lady Tavington isn’t there sir. She and her servant went into the town, and she insisted that I stay at my post.” He said nervously.

“She WAS your post you imbecile! Expecting you to stop her would have been far to much to hope for from one with a low rank such as you. However, expecting you to simply accompany her, apparently was an impossible dream!!” Slamming the papers he was carrying onto the table next to him he stormed passed the idiot solider and called out. “See that Major Borden comes to my tent immediately!” He growled at the orderly that was standing across the way. The man nodded and hurried off.

“What are you still doing here? GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU INCOMPATENT MORON!” William roared. The private saluted quickly and all but dove out of the tent headfirst. Tavington paced back and forth talking allowed to himself. “Of course, of COURSE she would want to go strolling about the streets of a war zone. Nothing would dare touch her; it would be like poking a rattlesnake with a blasted stick! The arrogant little fool!” Major Borden entered the tent standing at attention. “You are to take command of the Dragoons whilst I am gone Major. I will be gone into Charleston for the rest of the day.” He said through his teeth.

“Yes Sir.” Major Borden had been Colonel Tavington’s second in command long enough to know when to speak and when to hold his tongue. This was definitely one of those times.

“Dismissed.” William said wanting to be alone so he could rant and rave a bit more before heading out. It was better that he did it here then take it out on her in front of the other officers that were assigned to the building she was staying at. Major Borden gave his salute and left as quickly as possible. “I swear that I shall have that woman strung up by her bustle!” He growled as he headed out of his tent.

Meanwhile in the city, Camille and Katharine walked through the few stores that were left open after the battle that secured the city for his majesty. Of course most were run by loyalists and a scattered few by merchants who jumped at the chance to come from England and capitalize on the soldiers who were far from home.

“Look at this Camille.” Katharine’s servant hurried over to look at the object that she was holding. “I think that Williams mother would adore having this sent as a birthday gift, don’t you?”

Camille’s eyes went wide as she looked over it and she smiled and nodded. “Oh yes, but, isn’t it very expensive Miss Katharine” She asked seeing the price tag. Lady Tavington nodded.

“Yes, it is very expensive. I suppose it’s the gold filigree set into the crystal along with the jeweled decorations.” She handed it to the owner of the shop to pack it up and get it ready for shipping and to total up her charges. “Since it is a birthday present for his mother, I don’t think he’ll mind spending the money. Besides, it’ll be in her hands before I tell him about it.” Lady Tavington wrote down the name and address that it was to be sent to and paid the man generously before both she and her servant left the shop. “Mother Tavington always used to tell me how I changed her son when we were wed. He had never before remembered her birthday much less sent her gifts. Truly, he doesn’t know about the gifts until she thanks him for them, and he just gives me a look from across the way knowing that it was I who signed his name to the card. She is a wonderful lady who has always favored her son more then he ever deserved. I think she has more then earned some happiness in her life, even if it is only just small things and an illusion.”

“It sounds like you know her very well Miss Katharine. Does she approve of you too?” Camille asked curiously trying to keep up with the brisk pace that Lady Tavington was keeping.

“Yes, I think so. After all, William was an only child and I suppose a daughter in law wasn’t an entirely unpleasant prospect.” Lady Tavington came to a stop and sighed looking about. “I don’t suppose I have anymore shopping to do today. Besides, I’m quite tired and would like to sleep for a while.” Her servant nodded and turned as they both started back through the city towards their accommodations.

As they began to cross a street, a horse came thundering down the road and stopped just before the two women as Tavington dismounted flying off his horse and walking to Katharine. “It is unbelievable to me that such an educated and high class lady such as yourself can’t take the time to go over in her mind the dangers of roaming about the city unguarded when in the middle of a war zone! Have you gone completely mad!?!”

Katharine just smiled spitefully at him, “You where concerned for my well being, I am flattered beyond all reprieve.” She said taking a step around Tavington, “Come along Camille, it’s getting late.” William started to say something but hated speaking to the back of her head. Walking around her he stood in front of her blocking her path.

“I did not say you could go! I am not finished with you yet!” Katharine stopped and folded her hands in front of her waiting for him to speak what was on his mind. Tavington was just getting started, “You are not showing yourself to be the same intelligent woman I knew in England, has the three months of sea air and ship rations made your mind turn into pudding!?!”

He was going to continue but Katharine stepped forward and cut him off, “If it is your intention to stand in the middle of the street with soldiers and loyalists watching this scene you display of the ruthless and merciless Colonel Tavington unable to control his own wife, you’ll do it by yourself. I have no intention of standing here and letting you embarrass us both. Come Camille.” Before William could get a word in, Lady Tavington wisped past him with her servant quickly following. He started to follow after her but stopped realizing that what she said was far to true. His fists clinched tight at his sides pushing all the words he wanted to shout at her down inside where he would pull them up at a more proper and private time. William stormed over to his horse and seized the reigns swinging up to the horses back and riding fast from sight in just a few short moments.

Katharine and Camille took one last turn around a shop they spotted on the way back to their current place of residence. She ordered some more stationary and gave the address of where it was to be delivered before the two left the shop. Katharine felt very ill and was ready to go home since it had been such a long day. As they entered the building she stopped Camille from entering her bedroom with her. “No, you’ve had a long day as well, I’m sure you are very tired. Go to bed, or do whatever you wish.” Camille started to say something but felt as though it wasn’t her place to do so. She curtsied and left her mistress, as she knew better then to disobey an order.

Katharine sighed and pushed her door open slipping inside and closing it behind her. She felt extremely weak and groggy for it had been quite a while since they had eaten to day. Walking over to her desk, she dropped her handbag and sat down covering her face with her hand a moment to catch her breath. Reaching into her desk she took out a match and struck it lighting a candle so that she could see.

Blowing out the match she tossed it down in the match tray and covered her eyes again still feeling a little ill. Suddenly, she was snatched up out of her chair and spun about to come face to face with an extremely angry Colonel Tavington. After a moment of fear over took her she reached up in a fit of anger and pushed him away. “WILLIAM! What is the MATTER WITH YOU!?!” She yelled stepping back and turning away from him so she could catch her breath and covered her face. “You stand and rave at me in the street about being in the middle of a war and my being in danger, then have the audacity to jump out at me in the dark! Dear God your sadistic!”

“Hold your tongue you aggravating thorn in my side!!!” He said turning her back to him, as he hated speaking to the back of her head. “Once again, I have not come to argue with you! Although you could use a good thrashing after the ignorance you showed today. If you can not have the good sense to not leave this building without some sort of proper and armed escort, I’ll have you placed under arrest and heavy guard 24 hours a day!!!! Do I make myself clear!”

Katharine crossed her arms starring at William; it was obvious that this argument was only beginning. “I never needed you to ‘protect’ me in England, I doubt that I shall have need of your ‘valiant husbandly concern’ here in the colonies.” Her look was dark and her words nearly dripped with contempt and venom.

“GOD DAMNIT WOMAN! Why must you always be so pig headed and stubborn!!! You SHALL not go out again without an escort or without my permission!!!” He roared, as if his getting louder would make her submit to his whim any more then the tone he had used before. He knew well enough by now that it would make her even more avid in her defense.

“Well my darling, dashing Colonel Tavington, if you remembered one particular date once a year then I wouldn’t have to go out shopping for articles that I sign your name to each time it comes about!!!”

“Oh for god sake what ARE you going on about now!!”

Katharine closed her eyes becoming a little more angry as the moments went by. “Your Mothers Birthday!!!! Good GOD William she’s going to be 50 this year.” Katharine crossed herself spitefully before continuing, “God forgive me for speaking her age allowed, she would die of shame if she were to hear me, but she thinks you walk on water! Am I to let her know what sort of son she truly has by forgetting about it as you do!”

“Of course you were to bring her up, you have played every other card in your deck, how could I not see this one coming. Leave her out of this! You are the one who wanted to come over here, you are the one who insisted on leaving England and the streets that you would have been safe to wonder ALONE upon, so you will now do as I say or so help me . . .” He took a step towards her raising his hand over his opposite shoulder but he stopped, gritting his teeth and balling up his fist and lowering it back to his side.

Katharine was feeling another spell coming on and she didn’t want this to continue for hours as it had a history of doing each time it began. Giving a large sigh she shook her head, “As you wish, I will not leave the building without a properly armed escort or without your permission! Now go away!” She shouted at him before walking over to her bed and lying down across it. Tavington just starred at her, that was twice now since she had come here that she ended in argument by saying in essence, “You Win.”

William found this more frustrating and less satisfying then their old routine of shouting at each other until the early morning hours. Walking over to the bed slowly he looked down at her, seeing her eyes closed even though she was still fully dressed. Katharine could feel his eyes upon her “Are you still here.” She said without even opening her eyes or making a move.

Tavington’s eyes narrowed, “What the devil is wrong with you Katharine? Since you’ve gotten off of the ship from England it’s like you’ve changed into a whole other person. A rather frustrating one at that!”

Katharine gave another loud sigh, “Shouldn’t you be getting back to your unit? I’m sure they’re wondering where you are. The sooner you get back sooner you may dash their hopes of your death.” Tavington shook his head and rolled his eyes, feeling like yelling at her again, but what good would it do if she wasn’t going to fight and yell back. He crossed his arms and leaned against the bed post just looking at her, after a moment an evil half grin made it’s way to his face.

“It’s far to late to ride back this evening. I shall stay here with you tonight, and will leave tomorrow morning.” That caught Katharine’s attention and she opened her eyes and sat straight up starring at him.

“Oh by God you will not! There are absolutely no possible scenarios in this world that could make me share this bed with you!” She said just starring at him wide eyed. After all that had transpired between him this day, how could he even think such a thing? “If you must sleep here tonight, you will sleep on the floor!”

“And now who is having delusions of grandeur, Katharine. If someone must sleep upon the cold floor, I assure you that it will not be me.” Lady Tavington gave a sigh and shook her head. William smiled, “Now enough of this nonsense.” Katharine stood up and walked behind the screen in the corner tossing her cloak to a chair as she passed it.

Tavington watched her disappear before rolling his eyes and unbuttoning his jacket and taking off his vest. Walking around the room looking at everything, he found there wasn’t one drop of alcohol to be found. It was going to be a long night.

A while had passed and Tavington had sat down at Katharine’s desk reading over a dispatch that he had been given earlier in the day. Leaning back he took out his watch and checked the time, noting that Katharine had been behind that screen for an exceptionally long period. “Do you plan on spinning yourself into a cocoon, hoping that when you emerge I will have taken my leave?”

“I don’t see how it’s any of your affair. Why have you not gone to sleep yet?” She snapped from behind the screen. Tavington raised his brow at this, perhaps that was why she had not come out yet. She was waiting for him to go to sleep before she would emerge.

“Come out of there right this minute.” He said standing up from the desk and walking closer to the screen. “Either you come out, or I shall come and get you.” There was a long silence before Katharine’s hand reached out from behind the screen taking her cloak from the chair and taking it back behind the screen. Finally she emerged holding her cloak tight about her as she walked towards the bed. However, her attempt at escape was thwarted when Tavington reached out and seized her arm.

“Release me at once William!” She said pulling back. “Why must you make everything so incredibly difficult! Let me pass, it is far beyond time to sleep! What do you want from me?”

“Call it curiosity my dear wife.” He said plainly as he reached up taking her cloak from her as he had done the first time she had come to him. Katharine felt so ashamed as he stood there starring at her in her nightgown and laid her arms across her chest looking away. Tavington didn’t seem to mind or care the humiliation that crossed her face, and just tossed her cloak to the floor and walked around her looking her over. After a turn about her he came to a stop standing before her looking at her. “I don’t know why you go to such great lengths to hide yourself Katharine. Your current appearance is rather, intriguing to say the least.”

Lady Tavington’s eyes narrowed at him as she turned and walked away from him over to her bed. She turned the covers down on her side of the bed and climbed in covering herself up again. Without saying a word she blew out the candle not caring if he stumbled and broke his neck, and lay down to sleep.

Tavington watched her with an evil smirk on his face. Anything to keep her on pins and needles, was quite amusing and it was always a pleasure to find new things to aggravate her with. Walking around to the other side of the bed he lay down beside her. He leaned over propping his head up on his hand just watching her sleep. She was actually asleep, she wasn’t faking or trying to avoid a conversation or more argument, she was hard asleep.

“You would never know that she was such a raving terror whilst she was awake just by looking upon her now.” He half smiled to himself before lying down and falling asleep as well.

The next morning, Katharine turned over finding that her arm wrapped around someone and smiled in her sleep. William’s eyes opened and looked down at her raising his brow. He started to move but found her arm wrapped around him tighter, “Mmmno, please don’t go to court today William. Stay with me.” She mumbled curling up against him.

“What the devil?” Tavington muttered under his breath. She didn’t even sound like herself, her voice was different. Softer, and much more gentle then when she was awake. It was quite unnerving to say the least, considering she had never asked him to stay home when there was the slightest chance to get rid of him for any length of time. “Ah yes, the night before you’d like to see me hang rather then spend the night with you, and now you don’t want me to leave. I do wish you would make up your mind woman.” He kept his voice low on purpose so as not to wake her and just watched her to see if she would say anything else.

However, there came a knock on the door before it opened with Camille backing into the room holding a tray. “I’m sorry I’m late with your breakfast Miss Katharine, there was a fire in the kitchen and it took them a little while to . . .” Just then she turned around and saw Tavington in bed with Katharine. Her eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed red as the tray slipped from her hands and hit the floor hard shattering several of the dishes that she had been carrying.

Katharine opened her eyes and sat up looking about. She found her arm around William and quickly jerked it back giving him an evil look as if he had purposely draped her arm over him just to embarrass and anger her. William grew angry as he would have liked to see if she would say anything else before she awoke and their constant arguing and hatred towards each other resumed. Throwing the covers off himself he slipped out of the bed and stormed over to Camille, backhanding her so hard that she fell to the floor. “YOU clumsy little idiot! There would be more sense to train an animal to take your place!!!” Tears and fear filled Camille’s eyes as she did her best not to look at him, which only irritated him more and he moved to strike her again.

“WILLIAM!” Katharine’s voice came booming from behind him. He turned to find Katharine had gotten up from the bed and not even bothered to pull her robe on over to cover her obvious condition. “THAT will be quite enough!” She walked passed him and put herself between him and the terrified girl that had just been assaulted. “Don’t you have rebels to kill!” She shouted at him. Tavington had a murderous look in his eyes and Katharine just stood tall in front of him starring right back. Williams look darkened and he turned starting to throw things about, as glass and other objects shattered on the wall. Whilst his attention was turned away, Lady Tavington swept Camille up and opened the door letting her escape. “Go, to the servants quarters quickly and don’t come out until I call for you.” The girl nodded and ran down the hall as fast as she could thankful for an out.

Katharine closed the door and turned around starring at William, watching him rant and rave through her room. After a few moments William’s temper was winding down a bit and he finally turned and looked towards the door again. However, the girl that he had just been scolding was gone and the only one who stood there was Katharine, who had a very dark look in her eyes and across her face as she starred disapprovingly at the Colonel. “Feel better now? My brave and strong Solider?” Her words were dripping with contempt and sarcasm. His eyes caught a dark and evil look that was even worse then Katharine’s but she wasn’t afraid. Why should she be? She was used to this sort of behavior by now.

“Damn you woman!” He growled at her and turned starting to gather his belongings. However, there was more to say and she wasn’t going to let him escape it as easily as she let Camille escape his temper.

“I have told you countless times how I disapprove of your treatment of our servants, William. But this? A young and sweet girl who made a mistake you had to strike her! She is my personal servant not yours!!” William kept turning away trying to walk from her briskly, for hardly in the mood for her chatter as his temper still simmered. Yet she kept pace with him blocking his every turn.

William pushed his way pass her “Get out of my way! You wanted me to leave last night, and now that it is morning I may do so!”. However there was more to say, much more to say.

“It might pay you to remind yourself that I am not here as your Guest William, I am here as General Cornwallis’ guest as he has been one of my family since long before I was born. These fits of anger and hostility you have inside of the walls of our home in England are easier to conceal then a place where military officials reside!” All at once, William spun around dropping his helmet and grabbed Katharine consuming her mouth mercilessly. She tried to pull away from him and even cried out into his mouth, with the pressure he was using it was hurting her severally. However, he had one of his arms wrapped hard around her waist, and the other holding her head in place so she couldn’t pull back from him until he let her. He had only done this a few times before, and it was the meanest and cruelest way he had devised to let her know he had had enough and didn’t want to hear another word from her. It usually lasted for a few days as a reminder of what had caused it. It seemed there was no other way to do so.

Finally he let her head go and she gasped for air pushing away from him and nearly falling against the desk they were standing near. She turned towards the desk holding onto it to keep her balance feeling sick and dizzy, and rested her hand to her head for an instant but quickly put it down not wanting him to see how she felt. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Anything else you feel you should say before my departure?” Tavington spat at her. She just kept her eyes turned away and sat down at her desk sitting quietly. He smirked, “I thought not.” Gathering the last few belongings that he hadn’t yet dawned he stormed towards the door and slammed it behind him on the way out.

Katharine covered her eyes breathing deeply before running her fingertips over her mouth, knowing that it was going to be sore for a few days. Sometimes it bruised, but she hoped it wouldn’t this time, and would do her best to cover it with makeup in the off chance that it did. “Curse you William.” She said underneath her breath.

A few days went by and Tavington tore through the work that he was given. Filling out reports, holding inspections, writing dispatches to his commanding officer and then others to those below him with orders, and of course going out on patrols and fact finding missions. Needless to say, the dragoons did their absolute best to stay out of the Colonel’s way considering the rampage that he seemed to be on. “Private!” Tavington roared calling his orderly in. The young man hurried inside and saluted. “Take these to our dispatch rider, I want these taken to General Cornwallis within the hour.” The orderly saluted and started to exit the tent right when the General walked through the door and took the papers from him.

“That won’t be necessary private, as the dispatches are already in my hands.” Lord Cornwallis nodded towards the door letting the solider know to leave and the orderly saluted before hurrying out the door. Tavington quickly stood at attention when he heard the General’s voice. This was a rather unusual occurrence. When General Cornwallis wished a meeting, you went to him at his headquarters, he did not come to you. Cornwallis took a few casual steps into the tent looking at the documents, “I suspect that these are reports concerning your position and the rebels.”

“Yes My Lord.” William began, “We have not had very much rebel activity in the past few days and my recommendation is that we proceed forward a few miles to drive back the enemy line.”

“And your recommendation is denied.” Tavington’s brow furrowed, as it seemed that the General hardly even considered what he had to say. Lord Cornwallis tossed the papers down onto a table and looked at Colonel Tavington clasping his hands behind his back. “We will not proceed until the ball that is to be held on Thursday, and we shall move out the following morning. I’m sure that three days will be plenty of time to begin packing up the tents and camps to be moved.”

Tavington hardly agreed with this decision and gave a submissive nod, letting the General know that he understood. Of course Balls and such were common place for the officers to attend during the course of the war, however William had grown tired of them and preferred to stay at his post and seek out rebels then to attend anything with the aristocrats and land owners here in the Colonies. Most of them were loyalists and he didn’t have the slightest desire to mingle with them, as he considered them all to be traitors. “Of course you and Lady Tavington are expected to attend” Tavington’s eyes squinted slightly at these words. Ah yes the usual song and dance that they did when they went together to social functions such as this one. Pretending to laugh at one another’s witty remarks, making stabs at each other with smiles gleaming letting it seem as if they were only jesting each other. Cornwallis raised his brow at this, “You object to my invitation Colonel Tavington?”

“Of course not, My Lord. Katharine and I would be honored to attend at your request.” He said with a smile. He tried to make it look real as insincere as it was. He had not even inquired as to her condition in the past few days, still fuming from the exchange they had about a blasted clumsy servant.

“Good. Then you might want to extend the invitation to Katharine yourself.” Another look of confusion crossed his face.

“My Lord?” He asked, thinking the request strange.

“I had commissioned a dress maker to make her a garment befitting for a ball that they give here in the Colonies, only to find that she had sent him away. I also came by information from her young servant girl that she has not been taking visitors nor come out of her room for several days. Do you know the reason for this?”

Several reasons entered Tavington’s mind but he dare not say them allowed and simply shook his head. “No, My Lord. Perhaps she is still a little fatigued from her voyage from home, adjusting to her new surroundings and such.” General Cornwallis had heard from several others in the building about the sounds of shouting coming from Katharine’s room along with the sound of breaking glass, and shattering wood the night that Colonel Tavington spent in town. However he said nothing of it, affairs between man and wife were strictly a matter for the two involved. Even though General Cornwallis felt as though she was like a daughter or a close niece, he could say nothing directly about the rumors that had already begun to circulate. All he could do was simply let Tavington know that his actions were not going unnoticed.

“Perhaps. Three months on a sea voyage is a rather long time for a Lady who has not been upon ships for such a long journey before. Either way, I will expect to see you and Lady Tavington at the Ball on Thursday evening. I trust you will give her sufficient notice so that she has time to prepare?”

“Of course My Lord, I will see to it first thing in the morning.” General Cornwallis gave a slight nod. He had never much liked Tavington to begin with considering the tactics and general heartlessness that he held towards their enemies. Since they came to the colonies he had gotten worse and reports of his brutal and merciless orders given to dragoons piled in daily.

With that, General Cornwallis turned and left the tent leaving Colonel Tavington alone. William closed his eyes and started cursing under his breath over and over, he hadn’t intended to see Katharine again unless absolutely necessary. They were never able to get along, and he had enough on his mind without her senseless badgering in his ear. There was always something, something that had to be said, something about his actions that she completely disapproved of, something she felt she had to scold him for and after ten years of marriage, it was times like this he didn’t even want her in his sight.

Major Borden was the next to enter Tavington’s tent and stood at attention, “General Cornwallis sent me to your tent sir. He said you had new orders you wanted to give me.” William’s eye twitched slightly, as this seemed to be extra insurance that he would do as he said as if he was some sort of child. Turning back to his desk he began to give him orders for the next day, even though he hardly intended to be gone for a long period of time.

The morning at dawn, Colonel Tavington and two of his lower ranking officers rode into Charleston. William was less then happy considering his errand this morning, and having his commanding officer send him to his own wife to invite her to a ball of all things, was hardly something he considered to be worth his valuable time. This very minute they could be moving there forces forward and advancing their position that much more.

A private hurried to take the Colonel’s horse when he dismounted, and without so much as a word, Tavington began up the steps in a quick pace removing his helmet and tucking it under his arm. Once up the stairs, he headed straight for her room. He began to reach for the handle on the door but found that it opened before he touched it and Camille slipped out quietly closing the door behind. She gasped a little seeing Tavington standing before her and her eyes went down cast as she gave a curtsy. “Ah, I see that she is awake and has been served breakfast. Tell me, did you fall and spill it all over her today?”

Camille shook her head and a look of hurt crossed her face, remembering her clumsiness and walking in on the couple who were still in bed. Tavington smirked and started to reach around her for the door, but Camille threw herself against it placing her hands on the doorknob and covering it with the small of her back. “Lady Tavington isn’t taking visitors Colonel Tavington, she doesn’t wish to see anyone.” The young woman said nervously.

“How dare you! I am her husband and I have come to see my wife!” His look darkened when she didn’t move. “Stand aside at once you little fool!” Once again, Camille didn’t move. Tavington reached out and tried to pull her away, but Camille held on tightly to the door trying for all she was worth. However, the cold hard fact was that the Colonel was simply to strong and her fear made her palms wet with perspiration, and her hands slipped from the doorknob. Tavington pushed her aside roughly and started to turn the door handle. He was shocked to find that the young woman latched onto his other arm trying to keep him from entering.

“You can’t Master Tavington! She doesn’t want to see anyone! Please, you mustn’t!” Tavington felt the urgent need to teach this girl her proper place and beat her until she remembered whom she was. However, remembering General Cornwallis’s words he decided it would be best not to make another scene.

“What the devil is the matter with you girl! Get away from me!!” He let go of the door and pushed her off him roughly and she fell to the floor. Without so much as a glance to see where she fell, he turned the knob and pushed the doors open all but bursting into the room.

Katharine was still in bed, and unlike his first suspicion, she was not served breakfast. Walking closer to her he could see how pale and sickly looking she was and raised a brow. He stood next to her bed post and just looked at her a moment. “Is this why you’ve been refusing visitors.” He said in a normal voice rather then an angry loud one.

Katharine’s eyes opened to find her husband standing over her. She frowned and sighed shaking her head. “What on earth are you doing here William. Go away.” She said sitting up a little bit. William shook his head and walked to her beside grabbing another pillow and helping her to sit up, pushing it behind her back so she had something to lean on.

“Are you ill?” He asked sitting down next to her. She was really in no mood to fight today, and wished he would just leave.

“It passes. It has been my morning routine for sometime now.” She said softly raising her hand to her tired eyes. William just looked at her not quite understanding.

“It passes? What passes?” He said questioning her choice of words.

“It’s called morning sickness. Really William, have you not been explained the facts and illnesses that accompany one when with child.” William just looked at her for a moment never seeing her look so terrible, even when she first awoke.

“It was never a subject that interested me very much. To be entirely honest, I doubted it would come up.” Katharine just closed her eyes and shook her head. “Is this why you’ve locked yourself away refusing to see anyone?” Lady Tavington sighed and felt as though she was cornered. She hated when he did this, and now she could hardly fight back to ill to do so.

“Why are you badgering me over this William? I haven’t left the building, I haven’t tried to go back home as you forbid me to go, why are you badgering me about my not going out now?”

“You need to be fitted for a gown and you keep sending the dress maker away. This presents a problem since I know that you have nothing appropriate to wear. I would like to know the reason for it immediately if you please.”

“Gown? Why on earth would I need a gown? I have at least two dozen dresses that I brought with me from home.”

“On Thursday night we will be attending a ball, given at one of the estates here in South Carolina. I think it best that you be properly dressed in a manner befitting the style. So you see, the seamstress must be allowed admittance to see to your current need.” Katharine just looked at him for a long time, before shaking her head slowly.

“I can’t go to a ball, William. Not like this! They couldn’t design a dress that would hide my . . . . condition. No, I simply will not accompany yo . . .” Tavington reached up clasping his hand over her mouth to prevent her from going on and on about her reasons and excuses. Katharine quieted and just looked at him.

“You and I shall go to this ball, and even though I feel the same way about attending, we have been personally invited by Lord Cornwallis. It is not something that can be taken lightly nor ignored.” Lady Tavington sighed and looked away, but William continued, “But despite our mutual dislike of the situation, we are obligated to oblige Lord Cornwallis’ request. I shall send for the dressmaker immediately on my departure and I have no doubt they will be here in a very short time.”

“William, I simply can’t. Only three people know that I am with child. Myself, Camille, and you. I do not think it can be hidden well enough to keep others from suspecting.” Tavington rolled his eyes and sighed.

“What on earth is all this nonsense about? I would think that every living and breathing person had a mother at one point in time. It’s not as though you are an unwed woman, why on earth do you act as if it would be a disaster for all the world to see you now?” Katharine just looked at him, feeling like he didn’t understand at all. William arched his brow, “If you are so ashamed of carrying my child, simply tell those who notice that you have discovered a craving for pastries and sweets and are losing your famine shape in the process.”

“WILLIAM!” She shouted in horror in disbelief that he even thought it much less said it allowed. “Oh, you are such a boorish excuse for a gentlemen! Your nothing more then a pig disguised as a man!” Tavington just gave her a smirk.

“I shall be by to take you to the ball Thursday afternoon. I suggest you make an effort to look somewhat presentable.” With that he stood and gave her a spiteful bow before turning and leaving the room. Just as the door closed a vase came flying at the wall, only missing it’s mark because he slipped out into the hall to quickly.