Roses of Stone

Katherine sat quietly on a sofa downstairs with another rather large book that she had started reading only that morning. She was already halfway through it. Around suppertime, the General walked pass the study where Katherine had spent the day reading, and stepped back looking at her. It seemed like she purposely submerged herself into another world to avoid the one she is now.

Cornwallis took a breath and entered the room. Katherine didn’t acknowledge him in the slightest and turned a page to continue reading. “The doctors tell me that Colonel Tavington awoke this morning. The progress he’s made in a single day is very promising.” Katherine still didn’t say anything and just starred into her book. The General didn’t know how to approach this, she seemed so incredibly anxious for him to recover. “I am told . . . that he does not yet know that you are still in the Colonies. He believes you have returned to England.”

Katherine turned another page and still sat in utter silence. He had a suspicion that she was struggling with what course of action she should take, now that he was recovering. “There were quite a number of gifts in his room when I stopped by earlier.” He decided that he should get right to the issue that was most likely upsetting her. “Strange, I didn’t think that anyone would send their sympathies.”

“Yes, and I wasn’t aware how many of his concubines were here in the colonies.” She snapped unintentionally. “Those gifts and trinkets started pouring in the day after we came into Charleston. There were names I’d never been acquainted with, and one . . . seemed to be the combined gift of a mother and a daughter. I do my best not to consider what that could possibly suggest.” Then she turned another page.

The General took a breath and sighed feeling very uncomfortable at the moment. That quiet temper was one he was familiar with, and he had seen it in her mother more then once. If the wrong words were spoken, it could easily turn into a full-scale assault on everyone around her. “What is it that you wish to do?”

“I was told that it will be at least a month before another ship I can book passage on returns to port.” She said simply, with an irritated tone in her voice that warned she was beginning to get upset. “I have considered moving to one of our strongholds further south until that ship arrives under an assumed name. Personally I believe that it would be a nice reprieve from being ‘Lady Tavington’ for a few weeks.”

“You don’t wish to see him at all?” The General carefully inquired. It seemed rather odd after the attentive and thorough care she had provided for him the past weeks. Talking to him constantly and encouraging him to wake, whilst she attended his every need and watched over him each moment that he lie there unaware of what was going on around him.

Katherine didn’t say anything and just turned another page. The General took that as a sign that he should just let her alone for the time being. He stood and excused himself from the room, returning to his duties.

The Colonel lay in bed, half asleep and nearly sedated with a medication intended to dull the pain in his body. He had already been instructed not to speak, but if he absolutely had to, to whisper and keep it brief, as the wound in his neck just narrowly missed his main artery and airway. The swelling would have to go down before he could speak at his leisure again. William was awake enough to see the volume of frilly and ‘happy’ gifts that surrounded him, and felt absolutely nauseous at the sight. A servant, unaware of what the glare of the Colonel usually meant, made a point to go around to each gift and read the name from the cards. Some names he hadn’t even heard of for years. Yet all of them were as insincere as could be, and they were quite obvious in some cases.

One of the servant ladies brought in some warm broth and helped him sit up so that she could help him eat. As usual, William was proud and not about to let someone feed him. He smacked the spoon away and then pushed the tray off the bed. The woman quickly picked up the dishes and hurried out of the room, whilst the Colonel pelted her with any other objects in his reach.

The Colonel was incredibly frustrated with being disabled to the point that he could not care for himself, and it wounded his pride deeply. He had no intention of accepting pity or charity from anyone. He lay back and stare up at the canopy over the bed, and closed his eyes. Katherine. Katherine had left for England, and he never found the words to tell her what he wanted to tell her about the rather large mistake of Tawnie. The words to simply apologize in a way that showed her how sincere he was completely eluded him. Perhaps if he had more time . . . but there was no use thinking about what he should have done. It was over now, and she was gone.

He opened his eyes and looked around the room again, but stopped when he saw a familiar, small in size painting of Katherine, that could fit in ones pocket. Someone had put it on the table next to the bed where he could see it. Reaching over, William carefully picked it up and brought it closer resting it on his stomach in his hand. He slowly ran his thumb over the picture, and felt his heart twist in his chest. He tossed the picture down and shook his head, closing his eyes again and throwing himself against the pillow in anguish.

Two days later, Tavington lay in bed going over some reports from the front, and a summery of the first lost battle of this war. The General had not seen Tavington face to face as of yet, but he was sure that it was not going to be pleasant or pretty when that time arrived.

Just then, a knock came to the door and Tavington’s eyes shifted that way. He still was to keep his speaking limited so as not to irritate the wound further. The door opened slowly and a woman peered in, “Are you decent?” She said lightly before she smiled and walked in closing the door behind her. Tavington just lay there giving an annoyed sigh. It was absolutely unbearable to not be able to get out of bed and lock the door or throw trespassers out. The woman was cheerful and pulled a chair close to the bedside and sat down making herself comfortable.

Tavington just glared at her, imagining that she burst into flames or simply disappeared. “I was so incredibly devastated to hear you were almost killed, William. I’m sorry it took me so long to come by. I haven’t been here in the colonies for more then a few months, otherwise I would have met with you long before this.”

The woman took out a few little objects from the bag she carried, but mainly focused on one thing in particular. It was a solid gold pocket watch, with a gold chain and silver accents. “I made sure that it would match your uniform, so that you could carry it with you.” William rolled his eyes and went back to reading his reports.

The woman’s name was Abigail, and she was incredibly fair with blue eyes, golden hair, and crimson lips. Here mere appearance was that of a porcelain doll, and she was quite charming if that was the sort of woman that attracted you. Tavington on the other hand, had no intention of keeping any of his conquests for more then a night or two at a time. When he was finished with them, he was just that, finished. If a woman caught his eye, he took her, just because he could. There was no romantic involvement, no desire to keep any of them; they were just playthings and nothing more. Unfortunately, most of them, including Abigail had a tendency to dream of grander things and believed that they were in love with him and followed after him hoping that he might decide that she was the one he wanted more then any other. Katherine filled that place in his life, and she was the only one that he would share his name with and call wife. Of course, none of the woman he had consorted with over the years paid it any mind, and hated her with everything in them. Even though most had never even met her.

Abigail took out a bottle of wine and smiled as she opened it, “The doctor said that you could have this, and I made sure that it was the finest to be had.” She picked up one of the glasses on a nearby table and poured a small amount into it. Tavington took the glass from her as though she was nothing more then a servant, and took a drink as he read his reports. Even thought it was obvious what he was doing, Abigail ignored it and continued on cheerfully. “The war effort seems to have stopped cold, since the devastation of being defeated seems to have shocked everyone. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about; it was just one silly battle. There will be more and we will win those as well.”

God she was annoying. You would think that one would sense when they were not wanted, nor welcomed. Except the brainless women who tripped over themselves competing over a man who was not on the market. “I already asked the doctor if I could stay and help, but he seemed so anxious to forbid it. Like someone had threatened him not to let anyone help you in your recovery.” She sighed as the smile on her face faded, “I’m sure that I know who was responsible for that. Her treachery knows no end, when it comes to thwarting attempts of happiness.” That was it. He’d had enough. He reached up and smacked her hands away from him as they were resting on his arm, and pushed her so hard the chair she sat in fell over throwing her to the floor.

Abigail stood up quickly, stunned and shaking afraid of him even though he was incredibly at a disadvantage with his injuries. He picked up a paperweight that was on the table next to him and threw it at her, striking her arm so hard that she clutched to it with a very hurt look on her face. William picked up another object, and she turned and ran as fast as she could out of the room. He rolled his eyes in disgust and tossed the object down on the table. Putting his papers aside he settled down into a comfortable position and drifted into sleep.

Katherine stood at the snow-covered grave of her lost son, brushing all of the new fallen snow from the stone so that it was readable once again. Then as per the custom she had began, she left the flowers she had brought, even though they were small considering the frost and chill had almost wiped them out completely. She placed them carefully on the stone and whispered soft words to her baby, hoping that he could hear her. Wherever he might be.

Then she turned and slowly walked from the graveyard and going on her way down the street. Children had been the one thing that had been on her mind lately, and she found that she did want to be a mother so desperately, it was hard to breathe when she realized that she might lose the chance altogether. Perhaps William was right, a large family full of life and youth sounded as if it would be a blissful heaven on earth.

Still there was that feeling of fear. The feeling of loss and failure with the death of young William, and worried that it might happen again if she were to have another baby was terrifying. The doctor said that after the first child, there was a good chance that the next time she gave birth would not be so complicated. Which was encouraging, and might mean that she could feed and care for her baby herself.

Katherine did her best not to think of Tawnie, and she realized that she felt resentment towards the girl for carrying her husbands baby, and perhaps a little envious as well. But it felt like with the departure of the girl it was history and that chapter in their lives was behind them.

She came to the familiar place where she could order a meal and eat in private peace and quiet. For some reason, Katherine felt that sitting with the others to share meals at the quartering house was somehow in bad taste. Not to mention she didn’t want to see any of those people right now. Not even Jeanette and Andrew.

Picking out a small table in the corner, she ordered her meal and waited for it patiently as she removed her warm winter cloak and put it aside since the fire was built up so high. It was welcomed, and felt good. Christmas had come and gone, but it felt like it had never been there at all. So many cluttered things had happened it seemed like an eternity since the Christmas Ball. She had not heard from nor seen Jean since the last time they met, and she wondered if he met his fate on that battlefield with so many others. Yet he was not someone she needed to see right now, especially feeling like she did.

Katherine’s solitude was found in books, and she had already read quite a few thick ones. Perhaps it was considered rude, but looking around at the other customers tonight she doubted that anyone would care, or even notice. She found the place she had left off and she began to read.

“Well, Hello.” A voice came distracting her a few pages after she had begun. “What’s a beautiful lady like yourself doing here all alone?” Katherine turned the page as her eyes narrowed. Why couldn’t people see she was busy and have the common courtesy to leave her alone? “I’ve noticed that you come here often and dine alone. I was hoping perhaps that tonight I could join you?” He didn’t even wait for her answer and sat down in the other chair at her table. This man had no idea who or what he was irritating.

“I hope that you don’t think it terribly forward of me to say that you are the most vibrantly gorgeous woman I have seen in quite a long time. I hope that perhaps we could get better acquainted?” He was moving far to quickly to be genuinely interested in ‘getting to know’ Katherine. There was one thing he was after, and his arrogant tone showed her just how much he thought of himself. The man reached over and ran his fingertips along her arm, “You seem as though you need . . . a bit of comfort, to bring a smile to that face of yours.”

Katherine slammed her book closed and then slammed it against the table. It was unexpected and the man quickly drew his hand back. “Did you know that to castrate pigs here in the colonies, I have discovered that they use a sharp blade to remove the beasts hard round breeding section of it’s genitals and then pack the wounds with salt? A practice that interests me greatly as it is so simple and swift. I am anxious to perform myself.” The man just sat there wide-eyed and in shock. He started to say something, but stopped and simply got up and left her alone. Katherine had heard the militia talking about it one night when a pig farmer was explaining his trade to another colonial who apparently needed advice. It turned her stomach to talk in such a way, but being propositioned by a man like that, turned her stomach even more. Shaking her head, Katherine picked up her book and continued to read.

A woman came running out of Tavington’s room as object after object hit the wall directly across from his doors. It was the fourth one today and he was growing more and more agitated. A solider came in and he motioned for him to come closer, whispering to him, “If one more trollop makes it past the front door of this house, I swear to you I shall cut you open and show you your insides!” The solider nodded and quickly saluted before rushing out of the room to inform others of the Colonel’s threa . . . . wishes.

William was forcing himself to move around more and fight through the pain. He could not stand to be immobilized for to long. The reports that he had been receiving indicated that they were losing skirmishes even more then before. The loss of the one major battle had apparently shattered the sense of immortality that the British Army had acquired through months and months of victories, never being defeated on the field, as they were that day. Not to mention the substantial casualties that they had sustained.

Two doctors stood at the end of the hallway talking to one another seriously, “His progress is regressing, he refuses to eat or accept help of any kind. He has started to weaken again, and the rapid healing that he seemed to have has stopped almost completely.”

“I know, I’ve observed it as well. It seemed as though he was doing much better when he was unconscious those days after he was returned here to Charleston. Why is it that now he is awake his progress has decreased?”

“I think we both know the answer to that.” The other doctor nodded looking down the hallway to the Colonel’s door.

“Perhaps it’s time that we ask Lady Tavington to take charge of his care again? I don’t think that he’s going to allow anyone else near him, or that any one else can handle him and his temper. I have never seen her run from him in the years I have known them.”

“The thought has crossed my mind, but you heard what she said. Lady Tavington does not want Colonel Tavington to know of her presence. I absolutely fear being the one to break that demand. Especially with the stories about how she is so much like her husband.”

“We have to ask her, and we have to ask her now. Before he falls back to the point where no one will be able to help him.” The two doctors starred at each other and agreed, but it seems as though neither wanted to be the one responsible for asking.

William was growing more frustrated by the day. He could barely stay awake and felt as weak and helpless as a kitten. It was infuriating, but at the same time, he almost wished for death. All of the hard work he had done, all of the sins he committed, where to carve a new life, a better life for him and Katherine so they could at least attempt to raise a family without the surrounding influences taking a hold of them. He leaned back and closed his eyes trying to rest.

Katherine opened the door slowly and stepped inside closing it silently behind her. She approached the bed and stopped by the bedpost looking at him. There was still time to turn around and walk out without his knowing she was there. Katherine turned back towards the door and took a step, but stopped and shook her head turning back towards the bed. “There are simpler and swifter ways to end your life.” She said bluntly, still rather annoyed with him for more reasons then anyone could count.

William’s eyes opened instantly as he looked up seeing Katherine standing there. His eyes grew wide as though he wasn’t sure he was hallucinating. She was far to committed now to leave, and she moved to sit down next to him on the bed. “The doctors tell me that you have been weakening due to your stubbornness.” William still couldn’t believe that she was here, and he reached up covering her hand with his almost as if to make sure she was real.

Lady Tavington refused to let the joy at the fact he was awake and looking at her with those clear blue eyes that she had grown to adore over the years looking into hers. Reaching over Katherine picked up a bowl of soup that had been left there no more then 15 minutes earlier. “You have to eat William. And you have to start small like this until the doctors say that you can speak again.”

He narrowed his eyes at her as his pride was in danger. Katherine picked up the spoon and took some soup holding it up for him to drink. William just clinched his jaw and looked away from her. It reminded Katherine of a small child that didn’t want to take their medicine. Yet she was in no mood to trifle and she leaned towards him, “Take the soup, or I shall hold your nose whilst pushing your head back and pour it down your throat.” Tavington looked at her, and was a little shocked. Especially since the look in her eyes showed that she meant it. Katherine felt as though her point was effectively made and took some more soup in the spoon holding it up. William paused a moment before he reluctantly and definitely let her feed him.

In all honestly the fact that she would feed him and demanding that he do something that would help him was incredibly welcomed. He found himself enjoying the experience immensely, but his pride wouldn’t let him show her how much. Katherine was so conflicted at the moment. She wanted to take care of his every need, nurse him back to health, make sure that his wounds and bandages were kept clean. Yet at the same time she was resisting the urge to ram the spoon down his throat and throw the hot soup at his face. It was absolutely confusing, and she had to separate herself from the thoughts of all those other women.

“The doctors say that if you eat and do as they direct, you should be able to talk by the day after tomorrow.” She gave him yet another spoonful as the two had seemed to figure out a rhythm and the bowl was now half empty. “You cannot continue to abuse those who try to help you and scare them from your room. It will absolutely not help you and it has made the house staff afraid to even walk past the door.”

Tavington gave her a smug smile, quite proud of himself for finding a way to keep from being bothered at any given moment. “I am told that your wounds are healing well, and an infection has not set in. They are confident that you will keep all of your limbs, even though no one expected you to live after all the blood you had lost that day they took you back to the General’s headquarters.” Suddenly William reached up and snatched Katherine’s hand that held the spoon as he starred at her. It was obvious that he had no idea that she was there that day, and the fact that she had seen such atrocities apparently on his behalf, was unsettling.

Katherine read her husbands look well and she decided to answer him. “Yes, I was there. I stayed with you after your surgery, I came with you back to Charleston, and I cared for you whilst you lie injured.” She continued on giving him spoonful after spoonful of soup. “I did not trust anyone to watch over you as well as I could.” When the bowl was empty she put it aside, and picked up the glass of water that was mixed with medication he was meant to drink and put her arm behind his back to help him sit up. Once again, he took it without to much of a fuss. Just enough to let her know that he didn’t honestly need her help, he could take care of himself. Then she helped him layback down and put that aside to.

“I suppose you need to rest now. So I shall be seeing you again when it is time for your next meal. Try not to make such a fuss next time.” Katherine turned as she began to rise but Tavington reached up and caught her arm. She paused a moment before turning and looking at him. ‘stay’ was the only word he mouthed silently to her. Katherine just starred at him, not sure what she was to do. Grant his wish or knock his hand away and go about her business. After thinking about it, the doctors told her he had regressed a bit from his condition improvement. Perhaps it was better that she stay with him until he was stronger. “Alright. But rest.” Tavington started to pull her arm and motioned for her to lie down next to him.

Once again all she could do is look at him, trying top push so many things out of her mind, since he was wounded and she couldn’t assault him without possibly killing him. Katherine stood up and walked around to the other side of the bed, so that she wouldn’t crawl over him and lay down next to him, taking his hand in hers. He turned over onto his side with a slight grunt gritting his teeth. Yet William counted it as worth the pain and wrapped his arm around her resting his head on her shoulder. Katherine hesitated before placing her hand on his shoulder rubbing it gently to help him relax so he could rest. It wasn’t long before he was deep in sleep and resting comfortably.

With the way his arm was wrapped tight around her along with his warmth, Katherine felt the lure of sleep as well and it wasn’t long before she joined him. She hadn’t honestly slept since she found out that Tawnie even existed, much less that sinful secret she carried inside her. Yet the fire was built up, the door was closed, and it was incredibly warm and cozy in the room compared to the chill outside that Katherine had purposely thrust herself into, wanting to avoid being in the quartering house and around such unfriendly characters.

Two days later, the two doctors were looking at each other again, “That did the trick, didn’t it? I suspected he would improve but not this much in just the short time she’s taken charge of him again.”

“It’s a really strange relationship those two have. It is though they hate each other, but it is obvious that Colonel Tavington can’t live without her. Perhaps it is the same way with her. I’m told that she’s taken ill several times since she arrived from England, yet I was not her doctor then so I didn’t observe her.”

“The General ordered that he have constant updates on the Colonels condition. I have a report to attend to.” The two men parted and went their respective ways.

Katherine sat at the desk writing a long letter to one of her cousins in Spain that she hadn’t seen nor spoken to for years. When she was done with that, she was going to write several more to other family members that she had throughout Europe.

“You look so beautiful in candlelight.” A voice said interrupting the silence. Katherine turned and looked to see that William was awake and might have possibly been watching her for some time.

“You heard what the doctor told you as well as I William. You may speak again but you must drink much more and not rattle on for hours or speak to loudly. Whenever we talk we seem to have raised voices, so perhaps it is better if you go back to sleep.” She dipped her quill in some ink and continued to write.

“I have done nothing but slept for days on end.” William started to push himself into a sitting position, even though his wounds obviously still caused him pain. Katherine put down her quill, and walked over helping him up and placing several pillows behind him so that he could sit up for a bit. As she did this, Williams gaze was once again fixed on her eyes. Katherine tried her best to avoid looking at him.

“I thought that you were returning to England.” He said simply. “I never thought that you would change your mind and remain here.” Katherine still didn’t answer as she fixed his sheets and blankets about him, putting another pillow under his knees. William reached out and gently took her hand in his pulling her closer to him so that she would have to pay attention to what he said. “Katherine.”

“I am to tell the doctors when you wake and when you sleep. I will return shortly.” She slowly pulled her hand from his, careful not to jerk it and possibly injure him again. Then she hurried out of the room closing the door behind. William just watched after her, recognizing when she was upset but hiding it. He sighed and looked up towards the ceiling.

The next day, around noon, Katherine was on her way back to the Colonel’s room that had been Katherine’s room, yet she gave it up so that he could have a comfortable and familiar place to sleep. Yet she found her path halted when Jeanette stopped her in the hallway. Lady Tavington was still upset with Jeanette, and what she had found out only a few days ago had made matters that much worse. “Katherine . . . please. I miss being able to talk to you and coming to see you so that we could spend time together.”

“We have both been far to busy.” She said bluntly as she started to walk again, but Jeanette stopped her once more.

“I want to fix this! We have been friends for so long, you can’t truly want to let all that we have shared together slip away!” Once again, Katherine would not look at her, since she found that she couldn’t control to many of her actions when she looked into the eyes of those she was rather annoyed and upset with. Not to mention the fact that she just plain didn’t want to see or speak to them. “I’m . . . . I’m sorry about what happened to William.” Jeanette said softly with sincerity in her voice. “I said a rosary for his recovery to be swift and painless.”

Katherine’s eyes narrowed. This seemed like an act, and she did not appreciate it one bit. It was patronizing and infuriating at the same time. “I’m sure you did.” She snapped, “But you’ll find reciting a rosary will not work if in your heart and mind you are rejoicing at the mere fact that William could die at any moment.” This scene was taking place rather close to William’s door and he could hear it rather clearly.

“No . . . Katherine that isn’t true. I swear to you . . . I wanted him to recover! I still do!” She said almost pleading for Katherine just to listen to her. However, Katherine had no mood to trifle with insincere nonsense.

“And your happiness and joy that you expressed about Andrew’s being given command of William’s Dragoons?” Jeanette stopped and starred at her, how did she know that? Katherine half smiled in disgust, “These walls are paper thin, and they might as well not even exist as quickly as news travels through the mouths of officers wives.” Jeanette felt her attempt at rekindling their friendship quickly melting away and stepped forward starting to say something else, yet Katherine wouldn’t give her the chance. “To be honest I do not care about William’s military position, as I am just thankful that he is alive! Yet he does care about it, and your pathetic excuse for a husband is to eager to flaunt it in an attempt to make William suffer!” Katherine took a step towards her, “I suppose that it has been assumed that the fact he and his unit came out of that battle without so much as a scratch has been ignored.”

Jeanette was stunned; Katherine had NEVER talked about Andrew that way. William was a little surprised at what Katherine had said about just being glad he was alive, but he listened anxiously to hear more. “Now I would prefer it if you would stop pestering me with your silly childish stories. You have made plenty of ‘new friends’ that you may go and talk to whenever you wish. Friends that will abandon you at the first and slightest mistake that you or Andrew make. Yet that is your choice, and you have been so proud of that fact since you arrived.” Jeanette had tears starting to form in her eyes, “Leave me be and return to your make-believe world. I have a husband who needs me that I will not abandon.”

With that Katherine continued on her way to William’s bedroom. Jeanette covered her eyes and started to weep uncontrollably and ran to her room. When Lady Tavington opened the door, she peeked in to see if William was awake. To avoid her realizing that he had heard everything she said, he quickly looked as if he was asleep and never had awaken at all. Katherine slipped inside quietly and moved to the desk. She had just returned from sending the letters she had written on the next ship bound for England. From there they would be sent to the different counties where her extended family resided. She removed her cloak and put it down on the desk before Katherine sat down and leaned back resting her head in her hand.

William opened an eye and looked over her. Katherine look so run down and exhausted. Of course he wasn’t foolish or blind enough to realize that she had been taking care of everything since he had been wounded. Things that he would normally see to, and she would not have to. Quietly, he pulled the blanket and sheets back gritting his teeth as he slipped from the bed and stood up. The pain was beyond anything that could be described and he felt like he would pass out at any moment.

Katherine opened her eyes and uncovered her face deep in thought. When she saw William and instantly popped up and went to his side taking his arm. “William! What on earth are you doing!?! Get back to bed immediately!” She wrapped his arm around her neck and took him back sitting him down on the bed. “Have you lost your mind! Do you want to pull a stitch or undo all the work that it took to save your life!?!”

“I can not lay in bed forever Katherine.” He grinned as he looked at her, “Besides . . . you have just answered me what I wanted to know.” Katherine paused realizing that she had shown herself to be extremely worried about him, an afraid for his health. She felt so foolish and closed her eyes before looking away from him. “Come here.” William said offering his hand up to her. She slowly took it and he pulled her to sit down on the bed next to him. He couldn’t move very well, but he reached up sliding his hand in her hair and kissing her deeply. Then he looked into her eyes and swiped the hair away from her face.

Neither of them said anything, and Katherine refused to look at him. Giving a baby to someone besides her was so incredibly heart crushing, when she thought about it, her heart broke all over again. That girl was going to have his baby, not her. William reached up and turned her face to him, cupping it in his hands as he kissed her again looking into her eyes. “If I could,” he whispered to her, “I would make love to you here and now, and show you how much I love you.”

“It is not that simple to forgo what has been done, William.” She whispered back with tears starting to invade her eyes. “I have forgive you for so many sins, all the women that you have forsaken me for in the past . . . the way your deviance was flaunted all through the court . . . ” She swallowed the lump in her throat, “I don’t think that I have enough left in me to forgive you for giving your baby to another.”

William still gently held her face stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. He knew that she was right, the pain that he had caused her could never be repaired. “I know that you have cared for that wretch. I know that you have arranged for her to start a new life, and to be educated. You allowed her to sleep in your bed, and stay with you here.” His voice was still quiet as he spoke. “You could have killed her, you could have strangled her with your hands. Or even ordered that she be killed. There is no one in this world who would have shown kindness in such a situation.” He kissed her ever so gently once more. “Can you not show the smallest measure of compassion for the life you saved . . . out of your love, that I have never deserved.” Katherine wasn’t sure how he knew that, she had told every one in Charlestown not to breathe a word about the events that took place whilst he was wounded so badly. William saw this, “Lord Cornwallis came whilst you were out, and told me everything to the last detail.”

“William you’ll just hurt me again.” She whispered quickly, closing her eyes trying not to let the tears fall.

“I know. Even though I will strive not to . . . even though I never wish to hurt you again . . . I will hurt you. We both know this.” He kissed her once more. “I’ve discovered you anew in the time we have been here. I do not want to lose you now, when I have so much more to explore and discover.” He looked into her eyes, “Please . . .”