Roses of Stone

“I don’t want to hear EXCUSES!! It is difficult for me to believe that the strongest military force in the world is falling prey to a bunch of farmers with pitchforks!! After the losses we sustained on our first defeat, our causality rate is steady increasing!!” The General closed his eyes a moment and took a deep breath calming himself before he continued on. The officers were lined in his office, holding their helmets and hats under their arm feeling as though they were walking barefoot on broken glass. William was in the back listening even though he still hadn’t been restored to active duty.

“I don’t care what it takes, I want these raids on our troops to stop. Use every means necessary to boost the morale of our troops, and stop falling prey to pure idiocy!” He said slamming his hand down on the desk glaring at all the officers. “Now, get back to your posts and clean up this mess before it gets anymore our of hand! DISMISSED!”

All of the officers made their salutes before flooding out of the door, grateful for the chance at escaping the General’s volatile temper. William just stood where he was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. The General was writing a few orders to be sent to those to far out of range to attend a meeting. It took a moment for him to realize that he wasn’t alone. “I am growing tired of your constantly lurking about in the shadows about me, Colonel.”

William pushed himself off the wall and walked to the Colonels desk standing straight at attention. “Has My Lord, given my reinstatement any thought? My health has improved greatly.” Cornwallis sat there for a few moments before putting down his quill and folding his hands together looking up at Tavington.

“Did you know, that the very first time I saw your mother, was at a ball when we were both quite young. It was long before your father married her. She was beautiful, charming, witty, and quite skilled in the arts of courting. There wasn’t a man alive who wouldn’t have given his right arm to be able to call her his own.” She changed almost completely from the woman she was before, into what I can only described as a beaten animal.” Tavington half rolled his eyes taking a deep breathe. It wasn’t that he was surprised, just annoyed a bit that it was coming up yet again.

“I am rather concerned and extremely disappointed, Colonel, That I am starting to see the same change in Katherine. As strong as she is, she can only take so much before she breaks. Considering the long list of atrocities that she has experienced since she arrived on these shores, one would think that she would have given up on life by now.” William started to say something but the General wouldn’t let him get a word in edgewise. “I realize that you have requested on more then one occasion that your personal life be left up to you, and your marriage left alone with no interference. However, having heard reports from those residing in the rooms surrounding yours and Katherine’s quarters, along with the horrendous marks that appeared on her face, I can’t say that I can continue to honor your request.”

“What goes on between myself and my wife is no one else’s affair. We have nearly come to an understanding between us, and I am not about to let someone step in our way and send us back to square one again.” Cornwallis just glared at William. “I can understand how you would feel obligated to see to Katherine’s every need as such a close friend of her father. However she is a married woman, and her care falls to her and myself.”

“She is not a plaything, Colonel Tavington.” The General stated bluntly. “Nor is she a doll to be thrown around and abused as though a wild animal had clinched her between it’s teeth.” William did not appreciate being compared to a wild beast, although it was an accurate comparison. “Leave my office at once, or I shall have you locked away until I am ready to deal with you.” Tavington started to say something else, but stopped and left the General’s office immediately.

Maddy giggled and clapped her hands when she saw herself in the mirror wearing the new dress that Katherine had made for her. She turned about, to make the dress twirl around her, and looked at herself in the mirror again. Katherine just watched silently smiling that the little one was having so much fun. “Try this one Maddy, I think the color would compliment your eyes wonderfully.” The little one grinned and ran over to Katherine taking the dress and running behind the screen to try that one on too.

Lady Tavington was having quite a bit of fun as well. To have a daughter to buy dresses and shoes for, and to just see the look of joy in her eyes, was such a wonderful feeling. Even though it wouldn’t last, since William had been pressuring her to find someone else to take the child, still as stubborn as ever with his decision.

“A little small for you, don’t you think.” William growled as he pushed through the door and closed it behind him. His mood was rather dark considering the ‘meeting’ he had just had with the General.

“They aren’t for me, William. They’re for Maddy. At least before I send her away this time I shall know that she has everything she needs and that she will be well taken care of if I have to visit her every day to make sure.”

“Katherine, you are getting far to attached to that girl, you had better find her a home by the end of the week, or I shall take care of the matter myself.” Katherine glared at him. He had to know that she wasn’t going to let him kill this little girl like she was nothing more then a stray dog. Tavington picked up one or two of the garments looking them over before tossing them back down in the same direction that he had picked them up from. He was making himself quite the pest and Katherine had to take the garments and put them back where they were. “I don’t know what you see in such . . .” Just then he looked up to see Maddy come from behind the changing screen.

She was absolutely adorable and radiant in everyway since Katherine once again took charge of her. Her hair was done up beautifully with a silk ribbon, and she was clean and well groomed. The dress she currently had on was made of green velvet with little gold accents, and white stockings. William was a bit stunned, seeing how handsome the child was without dirt caked on her and her clothes a ghastly mess. Maddy ran over the Katherine and turned around showing her everything that she could.

“It looks absolutely beautiful Maddy. And it will keep you warm when you go outside whilst there is still snow on the ground.” She smiled and clapped her hands again. Katherine reached over and picked up the cloak she had bought her and held it up for Maddy to put on. Her eyes lit up as she hurried over and turned around. Katherine draped it over her shoulders and turned her around latching the clasp at her neck. “There we are.”

Tavington just starred at the two dumbfounded. Katherine’s face was positively glowing, as she looked genuinely happy with a huge smile on her face. The child . . . the child looked adorable and beautiful in her little outfits. William couldn’t help but think that Katherine had a masterful way of turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Unlike Tawnie, Maddy seemed very happy and grateful to Katherine for such things.

“Well William,” Katherine starred turning Maddy towards him, “We need a mans opinion. What do you think?” Maddy giggled and blushed a little as Katherine took her hand and turned her about so that Tavington could see the whole picture. Truthfully, he was rather impressed, and Maddy and Katherine together . . . they looked stunning. However he pushed those thoughts out of his mind quickly, he would stand by what he said and not go back on his decision. He turned away and walked over pouring himself a drink before sitting down in the chair by the fire.

Maddy’s face fell as she looked up at Katherine afraid that she had done something wrong. “You look beautiful Maddy. Grumpy over there is just to shy to say it.” She whispered to the little one. Her face lit up again as she hugged Katherine tightly. William rolled his eyes and put his feet up on the footstool having heard what she said.

The child leaned back a moment before reaching up and touching Katherine’s face where the marks were still a bit visible. “What happened to your pretty face?” The little one asked touching her other cheek. It was obvious she had wondered about it for a while, but hadn’t the courage to ask before now.

That question made a chill go up both Katherine and William’s spine. Tavington turned and looked at Katherine waiting to see what she would say, as Lady Tavington held the little girl’s hands in hers thinking a few moments. “I was riding on my horse and I wasn’t paying attention. A low hanging branch swept me off to the ground, and I woke up looking up at the sky.” Katherine smiled and hugged the little girl, “But don’t worry, they don’t hurt. They’re almost gone.”

Maddy nodded a bit and smiled brightly, “You’re still very pretty tho Miss Kate.” Katherine smiled and hugged the little one. “Can I go down to the stables? To look at the horses?”

“Hmmm. I don’t know. Promise me that you won’t go into the stalls with the horses.” Maddy nodded, “And you won’t go near the horses that are out?” She nodded again. “And you won’t stay long, will you?” Maddy started to nod, but realized her question was different that time and she quickly shook her head to correct her mistake. “Alright then, go ahead. But be back soon, it’s far to cold for you to be outside to long.” With that, Maddy hurried to the door and darted out, letting the door close behind her.

Katherine laughed a little bit, and then stood up putting the dresses and clothing that Maddy had finished trying on away in their proper places. Tavington once again felt like an ass when he heard Katherine’s explanation as to the marks on her face. “Charming, when she doesn’t look as though she rolled about in a dirt pile and had never heard of brushing her hair before.”

Katherine paused and turned around looking at him in shock. Did he actually pay Maddy a compliment? William turned and looked at her before quickly replying, “For a colonial.” Katherine just gave him a sly look to let him know that she knew exactly what he meant, and that his last comment was a cover up.

“Don’t be shy about it William. I told you she was absolutely wonderful. So small and innocent, grateful for even the smallest amount of kindness.” Katherine sighed as she continued on with her task and put Maddy’s shoes away. “What a horrible life she has had so far.” She glanced over at Tavington a moment before folding an undergarment, “I wish there was some way I could insure that the rest of her life is much more pleasant.”

Now who was the one who was being transparent as glass? “It has been discussed, and it has been decided Katherine. So do not attempt to change that what you cannot.” She stayed silent and William looked back at the fire. However, a few moments later Katherine couldn’t stand it any longer and tossed down what she was holding, as she walked over and sat on the footstool of the chair William was sitting in and looked up at him.

“Please tell me that you are not completely against the idea of having a daughter William? You know that our next child could be a daughter after all, and there isn’t a thing that could be done about it.” She said a little worried as she leaned forward and put her hands on his knee, “You won’t act like she doesn’t exist, will you?”

“Why the devil are you confronting me with this right now, Katherine? Our child won’t be along for sometime, I don’t think it’s prudent to start worrying yourself about something that might not even happen.”

She was still quite worried, “But . . . . when Maddy is around . . .”

William cut her off before she continue, “She is not my child. Nor is she yours and she should count her blessings that she found someone as softhearted as you are to take her in for a short time.”

Katherine sighed and shook her head, “Oh William.” She glared at him, “A daughter would still be our daughter. Regardless of sex, she would still be our child. Please don’t let your hopes for a boy ruin how you will care for her.”

“Katherine.” He said sternly, “I said that this is far to early to start raising such concerns. Now leave it be, I don’t want to hear one more word on the subject.” Katherine pulled her hands back from his knee and just looked away. There had to be someway to resolve the matter of the little girl without making Katherine hate him forever.

Katherine stood up and went back to doing what she was doing. “I think it would be best for the child to stay in the children’s room with the others for this evening.” William said as he took a drink from his glass.

“She has slept in this room without disturbing you for one moment in her own small corner. I doubt that she will disturb you tonight.” Katherine said as she opened a drawer and began to put away the little ones new undergarments where they could be easily retrieved.

“Perhaps that it is for the sake of not disturbing her.” He said looking into the fire. What on earth was he talking about now? Oh. Of course. Katherine just turned around with a smug look on her face with her eyes narrowed acting as naive as possible.

“The sounds you make when you are asleep are quite disturbing I must say. But she’ll grow used to them as I have whilst we are living together in the same rooms.” Katherine said as she picked up Maddy’s nightgown and put that away to.

“There will not be any sleeping tonight, my dear.” He said bluntly. Katherine just looked at him again with a look of ignorance on her face. Tavington rolled his eyes, “I intend to have private time with you this evening, but if you want her to witness all that goes on between a man and a women in marriage, by all means let her stay.” Katherine was silent and still didn’t say anything. “I want to be alone with you, Katherine.”

“Oh, I see.” Katherine walked over and smiled as she picked up a jacket that was on the chair under his arm. “And people in hell desperately want a glass of water. It doesn’t mean that they are going to get it.” She jerked the jacket from him and walked over putting it away. “You would think that you would want the marks on my skin completely gone so you wouldn’t have to look at the face you left me.”

“Katherine. Don’t.” He said looking at her. It was obvious that what had happened was still upsetting her, and just the littlest opportunity was going to open a flood gate of that pent up anger she had been holding inside of her. She started to say something else, but just bit her lip and picked up Maddy’s shoes and put them in the closet. William stood from his chair putting down his drink and walked up behind her putting his hands on her shoulders. Katherine’s body went brittle at his touch for countless reasons. “I have always tried to be gentle with you, Katherine.” He whispered before kissing her neck.

“Perhaps.” Katherine said still as brittle as could be. Something about having her back turned to him was making her incredibly uncomfortable so she turned around and crossed her arms in front of her chest to keep him at a distance, however small it was. “Yet . . . you punished me for caring for you when you were unable to care for yourself.” William just looked into her eyes. “I can’t think of anything more heinous than such a crime in this world. Can you?” When he didn’t answer, Katherine shook her head not even sure he understood what she was saying. “I don’t want to be alone with you, William. Not ever again.”

That was the last thing she said, before she moved away from him and went back to her duties. Tavington just stood there in silence for a few moments, having that gut wrenching feeling that made him feel as though he wanted to weep. He wouldn’t of course, but still, he was mortally wounded on the inside.

The next day, William had been up extremely early and had ridden out to the lines to see what progress had been made. Of course when General Cornwallis found that he had placed himself on the front line, he was instantly scolded, threatened, and promised that he would be demoted for it. It wasn’t until late afternoon that he returned. It seemed awfully quiet in the boarding house, yet William paid it little mind and made his way to Katherine’s room.

When he opened the door, he found that Maddy was nowhere in sight. He put down his helmet and weapons, before unbuttoning his jacket. Katherine was sitting at the desk, almost huddled over in a way, her body language making it clear that she was in distress. Taking off his jacket he tossed it to the side and slowly walked around her. There were several opened letters on the desk and her head was cradled in her hands. This was strange. Walking closer to her, she heard his step and looked up at him. Her eyes were red and her face was a road map of tears. William’s eyes moved to the letters that she had been leaning over and they were tear stained as well.

Tavington sat down next to her and simply waited for her to tell him what was going on. Katherine cleared her throat, and wiped her eyes as she started to gather up the letters taking several deep breaths trying to pull herself back together. “We might not be . . . going to Spain. I don’t know yet. I won’t know until another ship arrives with more news.”

“What has happened?” He questioned wondering if she had lost yet another relative and they were turned out with no place to go once again. Katherine placed her hands on the desk and looked out of the window for a few moments.

“There is talk of an uprising France, William. The people there are starving, and they are growing angry with the King.” She wiped her eyes as she shuffled through the papers looking for a particular letter and slid it out as she started to read.

“Katherine,” She began, “I do not know what is coming for us in these years. We live close enough to the French boarders to see such a difference in these two countries. War has already started to whisper its hate into the ears of all those around us. We try to help who we can, Katherine. Those who come to us looking for food, or even a warm place to sleep for the night, we have happily accommodated, even though none of them can stay longer then a day or two. They are not supposed to be crossing the Boarders of Spain, and we are not permitted to give them aid.” Katherine’s eyes started to tear again as she continued, “Unfortunately . . . the aid we gave was not enough to slake the bitterness of those who have less then others. My son Daniel’s family, and my daughter Ester’s family . . . lived just on the boarder of France. Their homes were burned, everything was stripped away. Those who attacked them . . . didn’t even leave my newborn grandson alive.”

Katherine had to stop, as her hand moved over her abdomen thinking about her own child. She dropped the letter and covered her eyes with a shaking hand. William reached up and took the letter she had dropped and finished reading what her Aunt had written her. What sort of woman wrote such explicit details to her niece? The woman had to be deranged. Tavington put down the letter and reached for Katherine’s hand, then pulled her into his lap. She buried her face in his shoulder and just held onto him tightly.

There was not one word of comfort he could offer her. All he could do was hold her tightly in his arms, and try to make her feel safe somehow. “What is happening to the world William?” She whispered resting her cheek against his shoulder. “Everything I grew up in is falling apart. Now it’s as though we have become the enemy.”

“It’s ignorance, Katherine. Merely ignorance. People who are under educated that attempt to take matters they don’t even understand into their own hands.” William gently ran his fingers through her hair.

“Why does the world desire us dead, William?” She whispered, “Why does it seem like the world is trying to wipe our families off the face of the earth?” William sighed as he turned her face up towards his and carefully wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I don’t know.” He said honestly. “Things were like this long before I ever received my commission to the colonies. Regardless of the Tavington name.” William just looked in her eyes, catching a tear and wiping it away before it could grace her skin. They found themselves getting lost in one another’s eyes, and William rested his fingertips against her cheek and kissed her lips softly. Katherine was startled a little bit, and took a jagged breath.

“My Aunt is closing her estate,” She whispered, trying her best to slip out of this situation she found herself in. “She is moving to one of her others, on the other side of Spain away from the rising unrest in France.” Reaching up she quickly wiped the tears from her own eyes once more.

William knew what she was doing, but he wasn’t quite ready to retreat just yet. He gently turned her face towards him once more and placed another soft kiss on her lips. Katherine closed her eyes, remembering for a moment just how wonderful it made her feel to be in his arms and have him kiss her so gently. When she didn’t pull away, he started to place more gentle kisses on her face and lips. She started to give in to let him kiss her, until he slid his hand into her hair and started to kiss her passionately. Her bruises were nearly gone but the pressure reminded her of last time. She quickly pulled away and shook her head, “No . . .William, no.” Katherine pushed his hands away from her body and started to remove herself from his lap, but he held tight to her even though he stopped his advances.

“Then tell me, Katherine.” William whispered to her, rather disappointed to find her retreating from him again. “What is it that you wish to do?”

Katherine sighed, “We just have to wait. I know that she will try her best to help us find a place to go.” William continued to stroke her hair with his hand holding her close. Finally she relaxed again and rested her head on his shoulder. “I just want things to go back the way they used to be, William. When we were young. Not this topsy-turvy upside down world that seems like one nightmare after another.”

“They cannot. We simply must find a way to adjust to the world as it is now.” He sighed as his hand rubbed gently over Katherine’s belly. “We will find a place to go and start again. Our child deserves some sort of chance, rather then automatically being condemned for his family name.”

The following evening, there was a sort of tea party downstairs for the officers wives and all were invited. The women sat in the parlor talking and laughing with one another, whilst drinking tea and eating small gourmet treats.

For some strange reason, Katherine felt as though she wanted to leave her rooms for a while and be amongst other people for a while. The room grew silent and the air became deathly still as all eyes turned towards the door where Katherine stood. She had been invited, but not one thought she would actually accept and show up. She paid the looks of utter horror on their faces little mind, and entered walking to an open chair and sitting down.

The women were acting as though they had just been invaded by some outside force looking to one another in shock. However, that reaction soon passed as their aristocratic poisonous nature soon took over. Many saw it as an opportunity to poke and prod to see if they could verify some facts about their gossip and perhaps uncover a few new ones.

“It’s nice to see you again Lady Tavington. We were unsure you were still in the colonies after your last absence.” That was completely untrue. Many of them were at the same funeral she was for their lost loved ones, and glared at her as they passed by Jeanette’s grave to pay their respects.

“Of course . . . there are so many reasons for you to stay here. So many camp whores to rehabilitate, so few willing to stoop low enough to mingle with them.” Some of the women smiled and chuckled at the insult.

“And how fares your sister, Lady Styles?” Katherine said looking at the one who had addressed her. “I know that being a loyalist woman is frightfully hard in this time. What was it she does again after her husband was killed by a band of colonials?” The woman’s face darkened as she looked around embarrassed. It was obviously something that she had hidden well, the fact that her sister had become a camp whore when she lost everything, and her own sister turned a blind eye.

“I have not spoken with her for sometime time. I am sure that she is well.” She said simply. Katherine wanted the subject brought to an end, and felt that she successfully halted the ringleader on that particular line of conversation. A servant came by and gave her a cup of tea and a napkin holding the tray out for her.

“How is Lord Botts these days?” Another woman said with a smirk. Katherine looked up at her for a moment before putting a bit of lemon in the cup with some cream. “I hear that he comes to visit you quite often?”

“I have not heard from him in sometime. He tends to stay on the front lines now.” Katherine said putting down the spoon and taking a sip of tea. This was a new story that she had not yet heard before.

“Perhaps. Yet you are the first one he goes to when he comes into the city.” Katherine put her cup down and glared at the woman. Now it was becoming quite clear what this rumor was about and it was very unappreciated. “Maybe you remind him of his wife?”

Katherine was counting to ten repeatedly in her mind trying to stay calm as she began to stir her tea once more. “He has given me charge of her things, and wishes that I send them back to her family. Each time he finds another trinket he brings it to me.” Katherine had a rather disingenuous smile on her face. “He knows that there isn’t another he can trust in the colonies to look after everything she left behind properly without skimming out things I might want to keep for myself. Especially ones who paid insincere respect at Jeanette’s graveside.” That was a shot at everyone in the room, as Katherine picked up her tea and sipped it again. Another servant came by and offered her something to eat, and she looked over the tray picking out a morsel to try.

“Your with child again. It is the rumor.” Katherine’s eyes looked up from the cup as the sip turned into a long drink. “One that was confirmed when your husband, Colonel Tavington made the announcement.” The woman half smiled gleefully knowing she was getting to Katherine. “As you can see, I am expecting as well. I think my late husband would have been quite the father.”

“Congratulations.” Katherine said stirring her tea again. Now things were getting heated. Pride kept her from getting up and leaving as though she was running from the old crows. “I’m sure he would have. William will make a fine father as well, as he is the father of my child.” The woman looked stunned for a moment. The woman put her tea down feeling incredibly embarrassed but even more determined then ever now.

“Oh really? Are you certain? After all, Lord Botts seems to prefer your company each time he comes more then anyone else’s. I wonder if there is reason for that.” Didn’t this already come up once? “Perhaps he is an expecting father once again.”

“Perhaps it is because he feels uncomfortable around old hens to prefer to pick at his wounds until they are open and even deeper then before. Or take advantage of his sorrow for their own selfish gain.” She said still in a calm tone. “After all . . . I’m sure the embarrassment of a child coming about when mingling with such ladies of high class society and strong moral character . . . would be most disturbing indeed.”

“Is it true?” Yet another woman chimed in from behind the others as they turned to look at her. “Is it true that you have killed, Lady Tavington?” Now it was Katherine’s turned to be stunned and embarrassed. “I’m told that your number is as impressive as your husbands.”

“Certain circumstances limit your options on what can be done. Sometimes . . . there is no other way and it is necessary.” The women all looked smugly at each other feeling as though they finally found something they could use to their advantage.

“I can’t imagine a single circumstance in the entire world that would make me take a life. I think I would rather give up my own then commit such an unforgivable sin.” She said with a smirk as she sipped her tea, with an air of superiority about her at the moment.

“And what if it was not your life you had to chose between, Lady Weatherbe?” Katherine said immediately, once again silencing the women about her. “What if it was your sons life? Your daughters life? Or even your husband? What then?” She didn’t answer and Lady Tavington had at last had enough of this nonsense, “And you Lady Styles, would you sacrifice yourself in whatever capacity was required to save your sister?”

“At least our families are worth saving.” Katherine turned and just glared at the woman, “My husband certainly isn’t guilty of such acts of treason against human kind. At least he would earn the right to be saved, and not left to die as one who have killed so many innocents deserves to be.”

“Oh? And how are you absolutely certain of that, Lady Roxburgh? How many times have you visited him in the field, or gone to see those he has waged war against? Or even the women who have shared his bed on cold nights and were paid for such a service once morning came?” Now they were all becoming very upset, feeling insulted and personally attacked. But Katherine continued regardless, “Have you met a single colonial who has been severely affected by the war? Have any of you?” Katherine turned back towards the rest of the group, “How can any of you be certain what your husbands, brothers, and sons are guilty of? Have you ever stopped to think that the reason they place blame for all death in this war on William, is because they are guilty of such atrocities or even worse themselves? That they may point at him an accuse to take the attention off of their own sins?”

“My husband is a good man! He is loyal to the crown and does exactly what he is ordered to! His men love him, and the General is pleased to have such an officer under his command. He personally gave my husband a commendation!”

“Yet you wonder why he does not advance in his career or place victories under his name that he was himself responsible for?” Katherine shook her head, “Have any of your husbands managed to take William’s place since he was injured and turned the war back in our favor?” No one said anything, “Of course not.” Katherine leaned back and took another sip of her tea. “None of you know what goes on outside of these walls, and you should count your blessings. Yet it does not give you the right to look down on those who were tossed into it.” The silence around the room was absolutely deafening. It was obvious that the women had more to say but none of them wanted to be the ones to provoke Katherine further.


To Be Continued . . .