Roses of Stone

William returned to the front with the other officers when the holiday was over to continue advancing their forces. General Cornwallis returned to his headquarters at Fort Carolina, having orchestrated a rather large and important battle that he was going to personally oversee. Tavington and Katherine did not even attempt to make contact with each other again before he left for the front. It seemed too painful to both to even try.

Colonel Tavington sat in his tent writing a few letters. Even one to his mother which he intentionally never found time for. Yet for some reason, he felt as though he needed to talk to her, and receive some sort of comfort or guidance where this issue of his marriage was concerned. It seemed it was over, and Katherine now hated him enough to not ever see him again.

His mind was far from the field and not on the impending battle that was just ahead of them later in the day. Not only did he betray Katherine in an unspeakable wrong, but she was seeing that the girl herself was being cared for. Frankly, William would have thrown her in a ditch and left her to die as she should be for countless reasons.

“Colonel Tavington.” A voice came from just outside the tent, “The General is asking to see you sir.”

“I will be there presently.” William said closing the last few lines of his letter, before sealing it. He stood and put his jacket on buttoning it up and reported to the General. He stood in the commander’s tent for nearly a half hour until the other officers left and Cornwallis finally acknowledged his presence.

“Are you aware, of who Katherine has personally decided to care for? She has already made arrangements for the young scamp to return with her to England.” Cornwallis said starring disapprovingly at William.

“Yes, My Lord.” William stated and said nothing else. A few moments went by as the General waited for more to be said. “There is nothing I can do about the matter.”

“You should have done it long before this catastrophe took place. I know Katherine is upset, and perhaps she feels that helping this girl somehow will help matters or give her some sort of peace.” Sighing he stood from his desk, “I am making different arrangements for the girl. As Katherine wishes, she will be placed in a convent away from the colonies, but Katherine will not know which convent nor it’s location. That way it will prevent her from having any further feelings of responsibility concerning this matter.” The General picked up a letter and handed it to Colonel Tavington. “Your orders.” William took them and opened the paper beginning to read. “Despite the agreement that we have made, Colonel Tavington. Let me assure you the consequences for executing a premature charge before I give the order, will be swift and severe.”

William looked up at the General a moment. There was more behind this now. Not just the struggle between them for claiming glory of won battles, but he was going to make life even harder for William after the dramatic circumstances that solidified the public opinion that had been formulated. “Do you understand me, Colonel? Wait, for my order.” Tavington nodded and gave his salute dismissing himself. The General stood at his tent door watching the Colonel walk away.

Tawnie sat up straight on the couch in Katherine’s room, with her hands folded in her lap and her ankles crossed. Her appearance had changed drastically in the time Katherine had taken her in. She was clean, very well groomed, and well fed. She wore a beautiful peach colored winter dress with white lace trim and long sleeves. Her hair was done up in braids, and accented with barrettes to match her dress.

Katherine sat across from her reading her book silently. Tawnie started to swing her feet a little bit since they barely touched the floor as it was, and hum. Katherine just glanced up at her in a warning, and Tawnie automatically stopped. Katherine then turned her attention back to her book. Finally Tawnie gave out a loud groan, “I’m so bored, isn’t there anything to do?”

“There are plenty of books feel free to explore them as you wish.” Katherine said with a slightly annoyed tone that her own reading kept being interrupted. Tawnie frowned and looked down a moment. “You can’t read can you.” Katherine realized, and Tawnie nodded. “Well lunch will be brought in shortly, I think you can survive until then.”

“Why do I have to sit like this all the time?” Tawnie was growing tired of sitting properly, and walking with her back strait and not letting her eyes glance towards the floor. “It’s so uncomfortable.”

“So that you may make an attempt to be mistaken for a lady and not an un-kept wild animal. Learning a few good manners and a bit of grace will not harm you, and advance you greatly in life.”

“Why are you taking me to England?” She asked starting to swing her feet again. Katherine was becoming more and more irritated by the moment.

“So that, again, you may have the chance to be transformed into a lady. You will be the ward of a convent, and the sisters there will teach you reading, writing, and speaking properly. You will have a warm place to sleep, food, and help whenever you require it. Which is more then you would ever receive here.”

A few moments of silence passed by until Tawnie’s voice broke the silence yet again, “How long will it take for the baby to come?” Katherine had just about enough of the endless questions and slammed her book closed. Tawnie jumped sitting up even straighter then before.

“Stop with your incessant speaking! One of the first lessons you should learn is that being able to sit silence is one of the many virtues that makes a polite young lady!” Katherine was nearly at her wits end. Already she was extending more charity then she should be, and every time the topic of the baby was spoken of, it was like a red-hot blade was shoved into Katherine’s chest. Just then a knock came at the door, and the servants brought in lunch. Katherine put her book aside when they finished setting the table and sat down in her chair.

Tawnie hurried over and plopped down in her chair scooting it forward quickly. Katherine just watched her disapprovingly. It was like domesticating a wild beast. She had had enough meals in these surroundings by now to know how to act, what to do, and what not to do. Especially when Katherine had walked her through the proper protocols more then once. Tawnie looked up and saw the look on Katherine’s face and frowned folding her hands in her lap again, “Sorry.”

Katherine laid her napkin on her lap, and Tawnie quickly followed doing the same. Katherine poured the tea in each cup before setting it down and putting a lump of sugar in her own. “Sugar?” She asked Tawnie holding it out to her. She nodded and took it from Katherine, and started to shovel lump after lump into the glass. Katherine just glared at her again, as Tawnie instantly stopped and put the sugar down.

Then the two began to eat in silence. “Everything is so pretty in here, it’s so brand new, and bright.” Her eyes wondered around the room anxiously, “I’ve never seen such pretty curtains before, and the bed . . . it’s so soft and warm . . .”

“TAWNIE!” Katherine looked at her nearly at her wits end, as her temper almost jumped out and smack the girl. Lady Tavington took a deep breath and counted to five, before she tried to speak again. “I realize that all of this is new to you, and it is a lot to take in when you are thrown into it head first. But at least make an effort to become accustomed to your surroundings.” Katherine picked up her fork again, “You are old enough to know better as it is. You are 15, and even though you would like to be, you are not a child anymore. You saw to that when you chose your profession.”

Tawnie started to say something, but felt very hurt and ashamed at what Katherine said and just ate quietly. Katherine hated herself for being so harsh with the girl, but there was nothing she could do to prevent it. The amount of resentment she held towards Tawnie was nearly driving her mad, and taking every last bit of strength she had to keep it in check.

William sat on his horse at the head of the dragoons just north of the battlefield. There position was on a hill, hidden in the trees just slightly. The battle was about to begin, and already Tavington was looking over the lines planning his first moves, regardless of the warning he had received earlier in the day.

All of those Colonials, down there on that field, were the reason he had been called up for duty in the first place. Their incessant whining about taxes, and laws, and sheer desire for rebellion had brought down the volumes of pain and suffering that had occurred between him self and Katherine. If they could have just acted like adults and done their duty, then none of this would have occurred, and he and Katherine will still be home in England. Perhaps things would have stayed the same, but at least their marriage would still be intact.

Just then his thoughts were interrupted as he watched through his looking glass. Benjamin Martin . . . the ghost . . . he was there! And he was leading the militia! “Prepare to charge.” The Colonel said throwing down his looking glass and removing his sword from his sheath. His second in command was a bit confused at this and whispered that they hadn’t been given that order. William glared at the man letting him know that he would happily slit his throat if he did not obey his command. “CHARGE!!!” Then the Colonel took off riding down the hill. The rest of the Dragoons had to run there horses just to catch up with him as they rode into battle.

The General’s eyes narrowed when he saw Tavington and his unit charge onto the field prematurely without his command. Within an instant he ordered the rest of his ground soldiers onto the field as well. “We shall see who takes the glory from this field.” Cornwallis growled, as General O’Hara quickly carried out his order.

Katherine heard a knock at the door and sighed as she rose from her seat and went to answer it. “Yes?” She said when she saw four soldiers standing outside of her door.

“General Cornwallis has ordered that we escort Miss Tawnie back to England and see that she is safely delivered to a convent.” Katherine just stood there looking at them a bit confused.

“I’m taking her back with me when the ship arrives the day after tomorrow. I do not see how an escort is necessary.” Tawnie stood up and walked a little closer to the door wondering what was going on.

“Lord Cornwallis has instructed that she is to be taken further south to a different British port and sent back today. That way the Lady Tavington will be able to rest on her way back to England without having to worry about another passenger.” Katherine closed her eyes a minute and shook her head.

“Alright. However she had better get there safely or I shall have all of your heads removed from your shoulders.”

“Yes My Lady. We received a similar warning from the General before we came to fetch her.” Lady Tavington arched a brow at the tone that the solider took. He instantly realized his mistake, “Forgive me My Lady.”

“What’s going on?” Tawnie said standing behind the door having heard only half of the conversation. Katherine sighed and dismissed the soldiers to go and have a meal whilst she prepared Tawnie for travel. Then she closed the door and walked back further into the room past Tawnie. “Is something wrong?”

“You’ll be leaving today instead of Saturday. General Cornwallis has made arrangements for you to be taken back to England on a much faster ship. You will be there weeks before you would have been if you went with me.” Tawnie looked very dismayed for a moment.

“But I don’t know anyone in England. I . . . I won’t know anyone on the ship.” She said in a shivering voice as her eyes filled up with tears, “Can’t I go with you, please?” Katherine turned and looked at Tawnie in pure and utter amazement.

“Tawnie,” She began, “You have no idea how much it took for me to arrange for you to be taken care of. To have a place where you are safe, well fed, and can keep clean whilst you receive your schooling.” She walked a little closer, “We are not friends, we are not family. You are carrying my husbands child, which is a sin I cannot possibly imagine is matched by any other.” Katherine turned and walked into the closet bringing out the several dresses she had purchased for Tawnie. “You should count yourself fortunate that I am helping you. For I assure you no one else would. Colonel Tavington himself would have killed you if I had not stopped him.”

Tawnie started to cry as she walked over and threw herself down on the couch. Katherine couldn’t take this, and walked out of the room ordering some of the servants to go in and pack Tawnie’s things so that she could leave as soon as possible. “Katherine.” A voice came from just down the hallway. She turned and saw Jeanette standing by her door way. She motioned for Katherine to come to her room, but Katherine sighed and turned away walking downstairs. Jeanette looked like she had just been smacked in the face, and sadly turned to go back into her room.

She sat down in the foyer waiting quietly until her room was made vacant once more. “Lady Tavington?” A solider said carrying a mail sack. Katherine nodded and he handed her a bundle of mail.

“Will the ship be ready to sail by Friday?” She asked as she shuffled through the letters to see who hand written.

“Yes, M’Lady.” With that she dismissed him and he turned to continue on with his morning duties. Shuffling through she stopped, finding one that was a bit out of place. The Handwriting looked official and didn’t belong to anyone she knew. Katherine put the other letters aside and broke the seal on this one beginning to read.

Katherine frozen in place as she read, not believing the words written before her eyes, and read them again to make sure she was not mistaken. It was real, and it was true, Katherine crushed the paper between her hands and covered her eyes with it. William’s mother, lady Tavington, was dead.

Why was it that one tragedy after another was drawn to their family? Everything always seemed against them, and roadblocks that no one could possibly imagine arising blocked their path. Katherine took a breath and quickly folded the letter back the way it was and picked up the other letters, slipping them in the pocket of her cloak. Drying her tears the best she could, she walked out the front door and found a private standing just outside. “I require a carriage. Immediately.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Tavington. I’m afraid that all carriages have been rendered out of service by order of General Cornwallis until he repeals the order with our victory of today’s battle. Some Colonials were found planning to spy on our efforts, by using a carriage to enter into the city.”

“I do not care about that nonsense!” Katherine roared, “Bring me a carriage, NOW!”

“I’m sorry M’Lady! I can’t! I am not the only one to receive this order, every solider in Charleston has received the same word!” Katherine couldn’t just let this wait, by tomorrow her luggage would be aboard the ship, and she would be gone before William returned. He would not be able to receive word about this until months later, and it was something he needed to know now. Even though it wasn’t foremost in Katherine’s mind . . . she needed to see William. Considering that she shared greatly in this loss as well.

“Have horses been outlawed as well?” She said impatiently.

“No, My Lady. I will have one brought to you immediately.” With that he turned and went to the stables to do just that. Katherine covered her eyes with her hand, taking a few deep breaths. This was a foolish endeavor she was about to embark on. Riding into the battlefront, where there was plenty of Colonial rebels to try and take advantage of her in various ways again. Yet she knew that by the time she arrived, the battle would be over, and the tents would have already started to strike, to be moved forward again.

It seemed like hours she had ridden, and the sun was starting to go down. The air was freezing and she could see her breath. Her hood was pulled up over her head, and her cloak tightly draped around her shoulders to keep the chill out, but even that was starting to fail.

Finally she saw the familiar outline of the fort she had been brought back to when she was rescued. So to speak. She hissed and smacked her horse’s rump with the long leather reign she held in her hands and they bolted towards the gates.

When she road closer, she was a bit stunned at what she saw. Dozens of wounded soldiers making their way into the fort, and a general commotion that she had never quite seen in their forces before. Katherine road through the gates, and dismounted, feeling her stomach turn and the sight. The stables were overflowing with wounded, blood everywhere, doctors and surgeons working as quickly as they could. Captain Wilkins had a head wound that wasn’t to serious and he recognized Katherine instantly. “Lady Tavington?”

She turned and saw the Captain, and saw the blood that was spattered over his face and on his uniform. Most of which was not his. “Captain Wilkins . . . what has happened here?”

“We were . . . defeated?” Katherine couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t possible. They had never lost a battle before. “The Colonial Militia seemed to have taken charge of their forces . . . he led them, and killed most of our soldiers with a deceitful tactic.” Katherine looked around to see a few other officers, but not Colonel Tavington.

“Where is he Captain Wilkins’s?” The Captain took a breath and looked down a moment. Katherine read that rather well, but she couldn’t just let it go at that. “Where is he!”

“He’s inside. The surgeons are working on him and doing whatever they can.” Katherine turned on her heel and ran as fast as she could into the house. Wilkins’s tried to catch her but she was simply to fast. The scene inside was no better then outside, with wounded officers and soldiers lining the hallways. She ran from room to room looking for William, but finding horror after horror instead.

Finally, she ran up the stairs to find several officers being seen to and ran to each room, until she came to the one at the end. It was William’s, he was covered in blood and choking violently while the surgeons did their best to stop the bleeding and tend his wounds. Tavington was struggling a bit, since every single touch was causing him more pain then before.

“Katherine, what are you doing here!?” Katherine jumped, startled by the General’s voice. “You should not be here, and frankly I’m disappointed in the lack of judgment you show traveling out here like this.” Katherine looked back towards Tavington watching as they worked. The General looked at the scene and then started to turn Katherine away from it. “You do not need to be here for this, you should go back.”

Lady Tavington finally snapped out of the daze she was in and pushed the General away, “William!” She cried as she ran to his side. His wounds looked even worse up close, and she felt sick at the thought he might soon join his mother and their son. Finding his hand she took it in hers and looked into his eyes, trying to calm him down. “William . . . please look at me. Look at me.” She repeated until she gained his attention. His eyes were almost gray in color but they found hers and he seemed to have some recognition in his eyes. She held his hand tighter as he stopped struggling so much, and she gently ran her fingers over his hair trying to comfort him however she could.

Cornwallis just watched her for a moment, before turning and leaving them alone. As it had been pointed out several times as it was, he had interfered in their marriage far to much already. There was a great chance that it was about to end abruptly.

The surgeons started to stop working on him, and Katherine frowned. “What is it, what are you doing? Why did you stop?” She demanded.

“His wounds are far to extensive, there are others that need our attention.” Katherine’s sense of outrage started to flare in her eyes, when she recognized the tone in there voice. It wasn’t that others needed their attention; it was that they counted William not worth there attention.

Katherine still held onto him tight as she looked at the two doctors with fire in her eyes, “If you do not get back to work on him this instant, and save my husbands life, I assure you that no amount of medical assistance will help you from being SENT TO HELL BY MY HAND!!” She screamed. The two doctors looked at each other and instantly continued to work on William.

This was all simply to much, it felt like a nightmare. It seemed to be one horrid thing after another, and if she had not come out here with news of his mother, then she may have never seen him again. She looked down at William again and took her handkerchief wiping the blood from his face and mouth. “William . . . you are not to leave me. Do you hear?” She whispered with tears in her eyes, “If I have chosen to stay with you and find a way . . . then you should do me the same courtesy.” His eyes started to lose focus, and Katherine tried to think of what else to say to make him hang on. “What shall we name our daughters and sons when they come? Hmmm?” She whispered, “We should name one Elizabeth, after your grandmother, and then another James, after my father.”

Now his eyes started to regain focus as he looked up at her. “This house . . . this house that you want to be built on our land . . . it should have enough rooms so that each of our children can have their own to sleep in. And a massive table so that we can all share our meals together.”

Katherine continued on talking, and talking, until her throat felt numb and her mouth was dry. It felt like days when the surgeons finished, and bandaged him up tightly to prevent any more bleeding. At some point, Katherine had laid her head down next to William’s and drifted off to sleep, her fingers still entangled with his, and her other arm lay across his chest.

She awoke to the feel of a hand on her shoulder, and looked up seeing the General standing over her. William’s blood was smeared on her face and on her dress, and her eyes looked so completely exhausted. She looked down to see William’s eyes closed, and started to panic, “William? Is . . . is he!?!”

“No, no. Calm down. He’s just resting.” Katherine took the General’s advice and took a few deep breaths. “You need to eat something, and get cleaned up a bit. It’s been two days now.”

“No. I can’t. I can’t leave him. He might wake up, he might need something.” The General motioned for a solider to come into the room that he was intending to post there to watch the Colonel. She started to shake her head, “No . . . absolutely not. I don’t trust any of these vultures to watch over him and make sure he’s all right. Not after those two butchers were going to let him die.”

“Katherine . . . I promise you that nothing will happen to him, if you wish, I shall stay with him personally until you return.” She frowned a bit as she looked into his eyes. The general gave a sigh, “Is it that you do not trust me either?” Her eyes shifted back down to William’s as she still held his hand. “I give you my word.” Katherine looked up at the General again, knowing that she couldn’t stay this way forever. She nodded a little and Cornwallis helped her to her feet, giving her to one of the soldiers to help her however she needed.

Katherine hurried as quickly as possible, not wanting to leave William alone for a moment under someone else’s supervision. She washed up and removed her bloody clothing for others. They weren’t stylish, but that was the least important thing in the entire world at this moment.

When she returned, the room had been cleaned up quite a bit. All the bloody cloths, material, and shredded clothing had been removed, and the floor had been washed. William had been cleaned up too, with his skin washed and his bandages changed for clean ones. Which Katherine would have done herself if she was given the chance. They had moved him to the bed in the room, and taken the sort of stretcher he had been on earlier.

The General stood from his seat and walked over to her, “You are looking much better my dear.” He said taking her hands and kissing her cheek. “I know you have been through quite a lot. You have even missed your ship back to England.” He glanced towards Tavington, “But I don’t suppose that is a noteworthy concern at this point in time.”

“Will he be alright?” Katherine said still scared that she might lose him yet. The General took a moment, even though he had a grave look on his face.

“It will be sometime, before we know. He lost a lot of blood Katherine. It’s a miracle that he’s alive now, with his limbs attached. Which . . . I’m afraid might change later.” Katherine looked at him with terror in her eyes.

“What? What do you mean?”

“Infections take time to show themselves, and it might still be necessary . . . to operate again.” Katherine felt that sick feeling rising in her stomach again and she shook her head looking away.

“No. I refuse to let that happen.” She whispered, “I will NOT let that happen. I will keep his wounds and bandages clean myself . . . and make sure that he is given his proper medication at every moment he needs it.” She walked away from the General and went to William’s side sitting down next to him and taking his hand in hers. Cornwallis was afraid that Katherine was getting her hopes up, which would break her heart even more if what she wished for didn’t come true. Yet no one could speak with her about it, not now.

Katherine held Tavington’s gray hand in hers; feeling how cold it was and she wrapped both of her hands around his trying to warm it. “So this is what it felt like?” Katherine whispered, “Those times when I lay sick in bed, and . . . there was doubt that I would ever wake?” Reaching up she gently lay her hand against his cold cheek and kissed his forehead ever so softly. “Stay . . . please, William. Don’t leave me here alone.” Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to suppress the cry of desperation in her voice.

As she had said, she took care of him around the clock whilst he slept, watching for the slightest sign that he might need something more and she would call the doctors to tend to him immediately. His wounds were looking better, but his color had not improved and he still had not awakened.

The General found her sitting in the room by his bed, with her hands wrapped around his, and her eyes fixed on his face. Almost as if she was willing him with everything in her to open his eyes and wake up. Cornwallis quietly sat down next to her and looked at her. “You can’t continue on like this Katherine. You’ve become so obsessed that you are beginning to . . . well . . .worry me.”

“He watched over me when I was ill. The only reason he left my side is because he ordered me to. Forgive me my lord, but I am not one of your soldiers and I have no intention of leaving his side until he is well.”

“Katherine, your mere attentiveness rings of guilt.” Katherine’s eyes turned downcast when he said that. “You did not do this to him. The enemy did. It had nothing to do with your choice to return home to England. I know that Lady Tavington would have felt quite glad to see you and understood your returning, as she was married to a similar man . . .”

Katherine closed her eyes and shook her head cutting him off, “She’s gone . . .” tears streamed down her face, “I came to tell William before I left . . . otherwise news would have never gotten to him. I received a letter . . . explaining that she was ill, and had passed. She never . . . even said a word in her letters.” Katherine wiped her eyes, as Cornwallis listened. “I didn’t think that we were going to lose the battle . . . I never even imagined that we wouldn’t win. It has never happened before.”

“It wasn’t intentional I assure you.” Cornwallis’s pride was wounded beyond recognition. The loss of the battle was such an incredible blemish on his otherwise flawless record. “That aside . . . I thought you should know, that the girl you had taken as your ward . . . left as planned on the ship. She will be in England and taken to a convent as you requested.” Cornwallis made a point not to remind her of what the girl really was, and made an attempt to hide it. Katherine just nodded, hardly caring about that situation. It had caused so much turmoil as it was, and it was not something she wanted to think about right now.

“There is another matter that must be discussed . . .” The General said. It was bad news; there was no denying that familiar tone. “Everyone is being evacuated from this area. Which means that you and Colonel Tavington are to be moved as well.”

“Will he survive if he is moved now?”

“It’s uncertain. But he will have no chance if he is left here. He is far to well known, and they will wish to finish what they started. I have arranged for one of our supply wagons to transport him back to Charleston.”

“Those are such rough things to travel in. The mere movement of the wagon . . .” She began. But she stopped knowing that the General was right. William had to be moved, and he had to be moved quickly. It wouldn’t be long before the Colonials would be bold enough to overrun the fort, and kill any of the red coats that were left. Katherine quieted and took a jagged breath, giving a nod.

“We will make him as comfortable as possible, I promise.” He touched her shoulder before rising and leaving the room. Katherine felt absolutely helpless, and just held tightly to William’s hand, afraid that if she let go of him, he would slip away.