Roses of Stone

It was an exceedingly grand affair. Everyone turned out in their best attire, wigs powdered, and makeup caked on to hide blemishes and flaws. It was held at a grand estate with green grass, blooming flowers, a glorious manner painted gleaming white with dark red and black trim to compliment it’s features, all sorts of guests including the wives of a few of the higher ranking officers, daughters, sisters and others that were loyalists eager to entertain his majesties troops. It was hard for one who attended such an affair as this, to even imagine that there was a war going on around them.

Cornwallis and a few of his officers, including Colonel Tavington, where upstairs holding an important meeting to give reports and updates on the war before going downstairs to join the festivities. It was because of this meeting and William’s required attendance that he was not able to escort Katharine personally to the estate as first planned. Once the meeting was adjourned and all who had been in attendance immediately started to mingle with the crowd. Tavington stood on the steps scanning through the vast numbers of guests trying to find his wife, knowing that General Cornwallis would be asking to see her before to long.

However, she was nowhere to be found. There was a feeling that crept into the back of his mind that she had possibly turned down the carriage that had been sent for her and stayed in her room as she had taken to doing so these past two weeks. There was no question in his mind that she was strong willed and more then capable then striking fear into the hearts of those soldiers that he would send for her.

Tavington started back up the steps to return into the house and go back and get her himself, however he stopped finding her standing at the top of the stairs. Even he, who was most used to seeing her in a variety of ways, was taken by surprise at how radiantly beautiful she looked. Others took immediate notice of her as well as all eyes near them seemed to turn to her. The seamstress must have had her work cut out for her, since the dress was made of quite a bit of material and hid what Katharine had been so concerned about so well. The dress was a golden color with white trim and accents that intertwined with the golden color. There was a great deal of embroidery around the bust and torso, perhaps to make the extra room for Katharine’s swelling body, and the cut of the dress showed her shoulders and complimented the line of her neck. Her hair was pinned up, with dancing curls down her back. She had never taken to the idea of wigs or the thick makeup that had become traditional in England, especially for married women.

William walked slowly up the stairs still a little dumbstruck by her appearance, not sure what to say. Before he could make his way all the way up the steps, a major that was not from the dragoons approached her and bowed before offering her his arm. “May I show you into the courtyard My Lady?” He asked with a kind gentle smile. It was a loyalist solider who had no idea who she was, nor to whom she was married.

“You most certainly may not, Major.” Tavington said coming to a stop standing before them. Katherine smiled quietly to herself, seeing the green jealousy showing through his eyes when another approached her. William offered her his arm giving the Major a look and Katherine took it. The Major quickly bowed realizing the error of his ways, seeing the ring on her finger.

Tavington began to lead Katharine down the stairs a dark look on his face. “Is there ever a time when you’re not growling at someone.” She said to him in a low voice that only he could hear as she smiled politely to those whom they passed.

“Do try to act as though you are married Katharine, perhaps it would give sufficient warning to those whom approach you with an eye for more private endeavors.” Katharine smiled a little bit more to herself at his words. She wished quietly that his jealousy was out of love for her, rather then her wearing the mark of one of his positions, but she knew by now that it would always be the latter rather then the former. William led her to what seemed to be a decent spot in the crowd, yet giving them plenty of space away from others.

Katharine gave a sigh, “I can’t imagine why I felt as though we were outcasts for not being invited to such festivities anymore. They are a bit on the dull side aren’t they.” Tavington looked about to see who was close.

“I’ve told you that from the beginning, and only now do you see I was right? Good lord woman. Even what you say now is a result of your not wanting to be here isn’t it? Otherwise you would be milling about making senseless conversation to these mindless crones that you find as lifeless and dull as I do.”

Katharine half smiled, “Strange, we find common ground in the strangest places don’t we William.” They looked at each other and a smirk found Tavington’s lips. They had their moments when they were allies rather then enemies.

The night went on rather slowly, and polite conversation was made to those who passed by them, but it would take a complete idiot not to notice that most were avoiding speaking to them, and the others gave evil and glancing glares. Katharine sighed to herself, realizing that it was nothing new. The same treatment was given in England, but at least here, she wasn’t completely alone.

At dinner however, the grounds where changed since Katharine and William were seated rather far apart on the same side of the table. Lady Tavington continued to smile and nod at those who acknowledged her, even though she was getting looks of pity and snickers that were less then cleverly hidden.

All of that was quickly forgotten when the food was brought around to each guest to serve themselves what they wished. Tavington noticed that the chatter was dying down and all eyes where moving to the other end of the table from where he was. A look of shock was on many of the faces. Leaning forward he looked to see what had caught all the attention in the room.

Katharine had not only taken three times as much as anyone should, she was making it disappear so quickly, he was surprised that she could even breathe. After a moment, Katharine looked up noticing how quiet it had gotten and found every eye in the room on her. She cleared her throat and carefully set down her silverware, gently dabbing at her mouth before placing her napkin back in her lap. It was most embarrassing, but she had hardly eaten that day and the mere smell of the food invaded her every sense.
Gradually, the conversation started up once again and attention was drawn elsewhere. Tavington could hardly believe this. If it wasn’t enough that he was considered to be less then human, but his wife gobbling food as though she was afraid that someone was going to take it from her certainly did not help. He finished his glass of wine and called a servant over demanding something stronger be brought to him.

Finally, the evening had come to an end and Lord and Lady Tavington stepped into the carriage that had been waiting for them and they began on the road back into town. Once they were clear of all the other guests Katharine sighed, “Go ahead William, say it.”

Tavington turned and looked at her. “Just what is it you think I should say?” His breath was rather foul, only God himself knew how much alcohol he had consumed since dinner had been served.

Katharine could hardly stand it, very few people could steal the attention of everyone in the room without saying a word, but she seemed to have pulled it off rather magnificently. “I suppose your going to act as if you don’t know what I am referring too?” William smirked and said nothing as he looked away from her out of the window on his side of the carriage. “Well say something!!!”

“And give you the satisfaction of being scolded for making a rather large spectacle of yourself? Absolutely not, Katharine. As I have told you countless times I couldn’t care less about the opinions of those drones that call themselves the aristocracy of the colonies. You’ll punish yourself enough without my help, so why would I waste the energy.”

“You are the most . . . . .GAH!” She said turning away from him and looking out of her window. “Why on earth should I expect you to be the least bit coherent? You smell as if you fell into a vat of spirits.” The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence. Once they came before the building she was quartered in she didn’t say a word nor did she wait for the doormen to open her door. She stepped out of the carriage and slammed the door behind her walking up the stairs.

Once to her room she slammed that door shut as well and began to pace back and forth as she took off her cloak and all but tore off her gloves throwing them on the dresser. It wasn’t bad enough that she had been humiliated in front of everyone, by not being able to control her hunger, but she had a sick feeling deep inside and she felt like bursting into tears. But she wouldn’t do it, she wouldn’t let herself cry this time. She went behind the screen and undressed putting on her nightgown to prepare for bed when she heard the door of her room open and close slowly.

“Camille, I thought you went to bed already.” No answer came. Katharine sighed as she took down her hair and put her combs away. “No matter, I’m glad you’re still up. I have a few things I want to discuss with you for our schedule tomorrow.” Putting her things aside she walked out from behind the screen, “I would like to go to the . . . . .” Katharine stopped cold as her hands dropped to her sides. It was not her servant that had entered the room, it was William and the current state that he was in she was less then comfortable with his presence. “You’re due back to your unit are you not? Why are you here?”

She looked at him seeing that he had removed most of his uniform down to his white undershirt. William just turned and poured himself a glass of red wine that he had brought up with him before drinking it. “Join me Katharine. Or has your taste for food lessened your taste for wine.”

Katharine felt the urge to run but she simply couldn’t. Enough embarrassment had been suffered tonight and she would not add another incident. “I’m not permitted to drink Alcohol. Merely water and tea.” Tavington poured himself another glass and turned around walking towards her. She walked to her vanity trying to ignore his presence and his condition as she looked in the mirror and began to braid her hair. As she stood there expertly taming her hair so that it would keep out of her way, William stepped up behind her and began to run his finger over her shoulder. Katharine did her best to ignore it and continue on with her routine. However his touches became more and more noticeable.

Lady Tavington knew that she couldn’t give into this; she knew he was quite intoxicated and as wonderful as his hands felt, they were as insincere as could be. Picking up her brush she began to comb the end of the braid out before tying a ribbon to keep it in place. “I intend to go out shopping tomorrow William, you may want to instruct your soldiers that they are to escort myself and Camille and not stand and argue . . . . .” His finger had loosened the tie at her neck and pulled her nightgown down enough to bare one of her shoulders, and he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her skin. Katharine continued, still trying to ignore him. “ . . . .argue with me, wasting the daylight and only upsetting me to the point . . .” He placed a few more kissed on her shoulder before moving to her neck. For a moment, Katharine closed her eyes and leaned her head to the side to grant him better access, but she quickly opened her eyes snapping herself out of it. “. . . . to the point of my wanting to take his gun from him and end his miserable stupidity.”

William still remained silent as his arms slowly slid around her and he continued to kiss and caress her soft velvet neck. Katharine could feel her body reacting, and started to panic deep inside. She did want him, she wanted more then anything for him to make love to her, but this was different. This was pure human lust brought out by the alcohol consumed during the course of the night. When his hands moved to her swollen abdomen, she quickly took his hands and moved them away from her enough to escape his grasp and stepped away from him.

“I would prefer it if you didn’t send the same guard that was here the last time. He doesn’t seem to be that intelligent as far as merely guarding his post, much less being able to use the fire arm he has been issued.” Walking to her desk she began to shuffle through the papers that Camille had put in their place, rearranging them trying to ignore his presence once again. However, a few moments passed by before she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She put her hands on the desk and her eyes moved to the window before her as she saw their reflection in the glass.

This time he didn’t move in as slowly and she wrapped his arms about her holding her firmly as he kissed her neck a little more passionately then before. Katharine closed her eyes and fought herself all she could, and turned around looking up at him. “William, haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?” His hand slid up over her breasts as he kissed the other side of her neck moving his hands over her shoulders. Lady Tavington could only take so much. She had been hungry for his attentions in such a manner since the first day they wed, but she had come to accept he didn’t love her as a husband should and it was her father’s estate his eye was on. Her eyes closed as she lost herself in his touches and caresses, actually feeling as if her husband loved her for a few moments and not the money that had been left to them by her father.

His fingertips moved up to her jaw as he lifted her head and kissed her. She started to kiss him back but the smell of spirits was far too strong to ignore and she was once again reminded exactly of what this was. She reached up placing her hand on his chest and pushed him away, but he grasped her shoulders and started to pull her back. “Your drunk William.” She said trying to push away from him again, but the fact that he was a solider and much stronger then her couldn’t be ignored. “Go back to your camp and leave me be!” He pulled her against him and kissed her again.

It was not something she had intended to encounter when she came here. It never even occurred to her that he would have the opportunity to be drunk and in her company. She hated it when he came home at night intoxicated. Normally they would have rather evil arguments, with shouting, yelling, and even attempts to assault each other’s intelligence. When he was in his current state, all bets where off and there was no telling what would happen or come out of him.

It was hard for her to keep struggling, she had felt even more alone and abandoned since she found she was with child, and the feeling grew with each week that passed by. The only thing that was keeping her from giving in to his and her own desires was the strong smell of alcohol radiating from his being. His hands still moved over her as his kisses and caresses continued, and his fingers anxiously tried to free her body from her gown.

She took a deep breath and reached up placing her hands on his chest pushing him away from her with everything she had, “William, No!”. He fell back slightly startled at her reaction and just stared at her for a moment. She turned away from him trying to catch her breath as she placed her hands over her eyes.

“You traveled 3,000 miles over the course of three months to come here, to come to me. And you push me away?” He just stared at her for a few more moments, “How dare you. How DARE you!” His voice rose as he spoke. Katharine turned around angrily and even though a few tears escaped from her eyes she walked towards him.

“I did not come 3,000 miles to be treated like your whore, William. Your drunk, and incredibly so. How dare you even touch me when you are in such a foul and unacceptable state!”

“I wonder why I even bother to touch you at all! You are of an interesting class, my fair and proper wife! The married maidens, a virgin Goddess despite the fact you have lain with me countless times over the course of our marriage. Why should I expect you to take up your duty as a woman and a wife now! You are . . . . Not . . .” His words slowed down as it looked as if he was losing his train of thought. He raised his hand to his eyes a moment and shook his head before trying to continue, “You are not fit to . . . .be called . . . .” Just then his eyes closed and he stumbled back falling into the chair that was just behind him.

Katharine recognized the sight of the gallons of spirits he consumed starting to take over with a vengeance. Just then there came a knock to the door. Oh Lord, what an inconvenient time to be called upon. She looked at William and shook her head grabbing her robe and throwing it on about her as she walked to the door. She opened it just enough to look through it. “Ah, I see you made it home safely. I wanted to be sure that you did, and apologize that I didn’t have a chance for us to talk before you left Katharine.”

“It’s alright My Lord, I understand that you are a very busy man.” Katharine couldn’t invite him in, it would not be a good thing to let out Colonel Tavington’s over indulgence, since there reputation had already been tarnished beyond repair. Katharine saw no need to multiply it to an even worse extreme. General Cornwallis stood there a moment, before realizing that she was not going to offer him entrance, which would have been the polite thing to do. But considering the hour, he could understand.

“Well, I shall call upon you another time, I hope that I did not wake you.” Katharine just smiled and curtsied as much as she could watching the General depart before closing her door. Giving a sigh, she turned around and leaned against the door looking at her brave Colonel, drunk and unconscious. Shaking her head, she walked over picking up a blanket, and spread it over him.

“I suppose I should take some small comfort in the fact that you began your long decent into drunkenness because of your embarrassment for your wife.” She looked over him a moment longer before shaking her head and moving to blow out the candle, and turn in for the night.

The next morning, Tavington awoke with a ghastly hangover and felt like any moment his head would burst. Slowly sitting up he shook his head, waiting for his eyes to clear enough so that he could see his surroundings. He wasn’t in the dragoon camp; it was Katharine’s bedchambers. It wasn’t quite where he wanted to wake up, knowing the sort of mood he had a tendency to come home to her in when he had been drinking. Although they fought nearly all the time, it was more possible for it to turn into a physical argument, rather then the bounty of words back and forth as they were used to. He knew all to well of the capabilities that were in store when spirits had entered the scene.

Looking about, he found that Katharine was absolutely nowhere in sight, and found it strange. Perhaps she had decided to leave the night before rather then spend a moment with him in the condition he had been in. Rising from his place of rest, he walked over to the water basin and washed his face, and began to clean up. He needed to return to his unit as quickly as possible.

Katharine and Camille had left early that morning, walking down the street to the bakery. Normally, this was something Camille would be sent to do on her own, but Katharine had an overwhelming desire to leave her accommodations until Tavington had left for his camp. There was nothing that she wished to say to him right now, and preferred it greatly if she never saw him again whilst they were here in the Colonies.

“Are you alright Miss Katharine?” Camille said pulling Lady Tavington from her deep thoughts about what had occurred the night before. She took a breath and nodded slightly.

“Yes Camille, I’m alright. I’m just a bit exhausted, that’s all.” Tired in several aspects really. Tired of the daily fight that went on between herself and her husband, tired of thinking that someday it was going to change, tired of being alone. She was much younger then he, but felt like she had aged well beyond reason. Camille put the last of their order in her basket and pulled the cover over it before returning to her mistress’s side.

Katharine looked out of the window a moment down the street towards the building they were living in. “We shall give him a few more moments before we begin going back. Then if he still has not left, we will walk slowly.” Camille gave a nod and waited patiently along side Lady Tavington.

Meanwhile, William paced back and forth in his wife’s bedchambers, waiting for her to return. He wasn’t entirely sure why he cared to see her before he left, but deep down, maybe he just wanted to make sure she was all right. However, the morning was soon to be a memory and he had to get back to his camp. He growled in annoyance and left her room slamming the door behind him.

A few weeks slowly rolled past, and of course, Tavington and Katharine did not meet face to face. Katharine took great pains to make sure that she and William did not cross paths. A young solider had taken to escorting Lady Tavington and her servant around Charleston wherever they wished to go, and even went to extreme lengths to see that anything and everything Lady Tavington desired, she would have. For Katharine, it was a refreshing and rather delightful change to have such a considerate and kind companion. Camille seemed rather happy to have his company as well.

However, unknown to Katharine or her servant, roomers had begun to fly among the officers about the solider that seemed to be by Lady Tavington’s side by the light of day . . . and perhaps the dark of night as well. Of course, it wasn’t long before word would get back to Colonel William Tavington.

William was sitting alone in his tent at his desk, writing reports out by candlelight and taking a drink of his hot tea every now and then. It was late, and he had long since removed his rather restricting jacket and vest and wore only his white undershirt. His mind had been wrought with a great deal of things these many weeks, and once even rode back into Charleston for the sole purpose of seeing Katharine, only to find that she had left her bedchambers for the day. She was avoiding him there was no doubt whatsoever about that. Unsuccessful in his attempt to see Lady Tavington, he rode back to his Dragoon camp to lead the daily patrol.

His deep concentration as he attended his work was broken when he heard two of the lower ranking officers talking outside of the tent. He had heard them rambling on for the past half hour, but a few of their words caught his attention. “I’m sure that the General knew what he was doing when he sent Stevenson to Charleston. At least at first, but since he took his new assignment there, he hasn’t left her side for a minute. I’ll bet the General didn’t count on that.”

“I heard that she’s a sorceress, just looking in her eyes will make a man not want to leave her side.”

“That can’t be to true, her own husband does everything in his power not to cross her path. Although, if he were to be killed in battle, I don’t think that Stevenson would hesitate to take his place.”

“Who’s to say he hasn’t already?” The two men chuckled at the rather lewd comment that had just been made. However, Tavington was less then amused. Throwing his pen down he stormed out of his tent, shouting out to the two men that were beside his tent.

“YOU TWO!” He roared, “Tell me who this woman is you speak of or I shall have you court marshaled before being drawn and quartered!!!” The two men stood quickly at attention, not having realized whose tent they had paused to talk by. They both seemed as though their tongues had swollen in their throats, and they could barely breathe much less make understandable words. “OUT WITH IT!!!”

“Stevenson . . . Stevenson was assigned by General Cornwallis . . . to escort a lady about Charleston to make sure that she is kept safe. Someone . . . a woman from England . . . they say he knew her when she was only a child.” Tavington reached out roughly seizing the officers jacket.

“Her NAME!” He shouted. It was one of the things he hated most, to ask a question and get a completely different answer about something he didn’t really care about.

“I . . . I don’t know. When Stevenson returned to . . . move his personal belongings into town with him . . . he . . . he just called her Katharine.” Williams’s eyes grew dark and hard. The hatred and anger would have made his eyes glow red if it were possible. He shoved the officer hard away from him and stormed back into his tent.

Meanwhile in Charleston Camille, Katharine and Stevenson all sat around the table in Lady Tavington’s quarters laughing as they had their evening tea. Stevenson continued on with his story, “Here I was, holding the Captain’s horse trying not to let it go, while the drunkard was trying to mount him. I had to keep looking at the horse and patting his neck to keep from bursting into laughter. Finally, he took a step the wrong way in the mud and his feet flew out from under him. He just sat there in the mud for a moment, then fell back and was hard asleep before he hit the ground.”

Camille could hardly contain herself, and was nearly falling off the chair. Katharine had a much calmer way about her, but still she was enjoying the story as well. “It’s astounding where privilege and class will put men who belong in an asylum somewhere. It’s hard to believe that these are the ones who are in charge of running a war.”

Katharine smiled and took another sip of her tea. Camille dried the tears of laughter from her eyes before looking at Lady Tavington, “Miss Katharine . . It’s getting late, may I?” She asked respectfully as she rose from the table.

“Of course, Good Night Camille. Pleasant dreams.” The servant smiled and curtsied before giggling and hurrying out of the room. Katharine just smiled and put her teacup down. Honestly, she was feeling rather exhausted herself. It got strangely quiet for a moment as Stevenson looked at her for a moment before turning his eyes away. Slowly, Katharine got up from her seat as gracefully as she possibly could under her current circumstances. “She was quite correct, it’s getting late. You should be quite tired yourself and ready for sleep.” Katharine said as she picked up a candle and walked over to her desk.

“Please . . .” The private said as he jumped up taking the candle from her. “Let . . let me.” He turned and used the candle to light the two on her desk for her. Katharine just smiled and stood back. “And . . . call me Adam.” He said turning to her and smiling as he saw her face glow in the candlelight.

“I can’t Stevenson . . . it wouldn’t be proper. But thank you for honoring me by saying I could use your given name.” He looked as if he had been kicked in the stomach and winced as he looked down a moment. Katharine saw this but there was nothing else that could be done, she was a married woman, and was expecting as well. “It’s late Stevenson. Please, you must say goodnight and then go to sleep.”

“Please Miss Katharine . . . . it’s not fair for you to say that. I mean . . . it’s just not fair!” She smiled and reached out patting his shoulder, before leading him towards her door.

“Stevenson . . . you mustn’t voice certain feelings. It’s alright to have them if you must, but . . don’t say them allowed, and please for both of our sakes, don’t act on them.” She opened the door and led him outside before going back inside. “Goodnight Stevenson.” She said with a smile and closing the door behind her. She knew that the private had a growing crush on her, but there was nothing that could be done about that. She just tired her best to ease him down instead of making him suffer. Moving to her changing screen, she undressed and changed into her nightgown preparing for sleep. As she slipped into bed, it wasn’t long before she drifted into a deep dark rest.

However, her sleep was soon interrupted by the sound of the doors of her room slamming open and nearly puncturing the walls behind them. Katharine sat strait up in bed trying to adjust her eyes so she could see, as she was still just half awake. Suddenly the person who had burst into the room began burrowing through her covers. She started smacking at the hands that came near her body, “Who are you? Get out of my room, GET OUT!”

“Caught you alone did I? No one to keep you warm this night?” Katharine stopped, recognizing that voice. There was no other that it could be. She reached for the table beside her and quickly struck a match lighting the candle as fast as her shaking hands could move. Yet her arms were snatched and she was turned back coming face to face with her husband. “Where is he!?!”

Katharine shook her head, having no idea what he was going on about now and tried to push him away with her hands. “Get off me William, Get out of here! What are you doing here at such a late hour, ranting and raving about my bed!!!” She shouted trying to push him away from her. He grasped her wrists pushing them above her head and leaned her back whilst straddling her thighs and pinning her to the bed below them. She was only a month or two away from giving birth and her body had swollen to quite a size, laying on her back was quite painful and she wanted to roll to her side, but wasn’t as strong as William.

“Don’t play the innocent with me! Apparently your little love affair as spread through the ranks of the entire blasted Royal forces!!!! NOW TELL ME WHERE THIS “STEVENSON” IS AT ONCE!!!” Katharine cried out a bit as she tried to shift her hips beneath him to take the pressure of her back.

She grit her teeth, as she shouted back. “Private Stevenson was assigned to me by . . General Cornwallis to accompany Camille and myself about the city!!! He has done and excellent job and seen to our every need or whim!” She whimpered slightly fighting to shift.

“What other endeavors has he been accompanying you in!! Tell me!” He was so completely irrational, and not even the smell of spirits could excuse him. He had had none to speak of. Katharine relaxed a moment before using all of her strength to shove him off of her so she could sit up.

“ENOUGH!!!” She screamed as she started to hit him with both of her fists, “ENOUGH, Enough, ENOUGH WILLIAM!! I can’t keep doing this with you!! How dare you accuse me of your crimes and terrorize me every available moment you can find! ENOUGH!” Tavington dodged some of her hits, trying to keep away from those claws that were searching for his eyes, and finally he was able to grasp her wrists once more. Katharine took a deep breath and shook her head. “I refuse to go on this way! Leave me, leave me now and never come back to me!!”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you! You’d like it to be that easy to get away from me, and run off with some young rouge rather then stay and be a faithful wife!! I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I will not release you! You will not leave me!” Katharine struggled again, helpless, angry, and emotionally hurt inside that she was being accused of such atrocities. Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted this feud that was continuing between them. The struggling stopped and they both looked towards the door wondering who it could be at this hour.

Tavington looked back at Katharine for a moment, before shoving her away from him and getting off the bed to answer the door. He hoped it was that young private, and reached for the pistol he carried at his side. Lady Tavington quickly reached for a blanket and wrapped it around her. William threw the door open ready to shoot whoever it was, however he quickly held the gun behind his back seeing General Cornwallis standing at the door. This was embarrassing to say the very least. “Good Evening Colonel. I’m a bit surprised to find you here. Are you not leading the green dragoons on a scouting mission tomorrow morning at first light?”

Tavington was a bit dumbstruck and didn’t know what to say, “Uh . . . yes sir, I just had . . . some things I wished to discuss with my wife this evening that simply couldn’t wait . . . I shall return to my encampment immediately.” William turned and looked at Katharine shooting her a deadly look where the General couldn’t see, then turned and gave Cornwallis his salute before leaving the room. General Cornwallis watched him leave before turning and looking at Katharine who looked as if she was almost in tears.

“I’ll see you in the morning Katharine, I’ll let you rest. Goodnight.” He said giving her a polite bow before closing the doors. Lady Tavington covered her eyes and all though she tried, she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

Needless to say, The roomers of the love affair between the private and Lady Tavington where laid waste once General Cornwallis sent dispatches to every officer that extreme consequences would be set into motion if they dared to even whisper these roomers allowed to each other or even themselves. Private Stevenson was immediately assigned far away and another much older and more unattractive individual was to take the post.

Still, the damage had been done and Katharine had been refusing, once again, to see anyone. It went on to the point where she was even refusing to let Camille into her room. Finally, something had to be done, and General Cornwallis himself knocked upon her door. “Go away, please. I asked that no visitors are allowed in.” Her voice came through the door.

“Katharine, I wish to speak with you.” He said letting her hear his voice so she would know who it was that was calling on her. A few moments passed before her door opened letting the general in.

“Please forgive me my Lord, I didn’t know that it was you.” She said looking down embarrassed that she had tried to dismiss the General in charge of all of the war efforts in the colonies. He entered into the room and she closed the door behind him.

“What is all of this nonsense that I hear? You haven’t been out of your room since . . . well since I called upon you a while ago. Would you care to explain why you haven’t even let your servant in your bedchambers to . . . .” For the first time, he looked at her squarely seeing her face, and found dark circles around her eyes that were black as pitch. She didn’t look well at all. “Katharine . . . are you quite well? You look . . . well pale and a sort a gray color to your skin.” She looked away a little embarrassed that he would see her like this.

“Oh, I think that I might have caught some sort of cold, or something to that affect. It will pass soon.” She said softly turning away from him and walking to one of the chairs in her room sitting down. “I’ve just been tired and trying to rest up a bit, to speed my recovery of course.” She had been much more ill then usual, and she wasn’t just vomiting in the morning like she had been in the past. It had been more frequent for some reason, and she didn’t want a soul to know of it.

“Yes . . . of course. If you do not improve, I must insist that you see my personal physician. It will not due to have the daughter of my most trusted and dear friend to become seriously ill.” He moved to sit down in a chair across from her, knowing the subject that he was about to embark upon was a rather forbidden subject. “Katharine. It hasn’t been a secret to me, that your marriage hasn’t been a happy or fulfilling one. His actions the last time he visited you only made me realize . . . .” He stopped a moment and cleared his throat. “You are still young, you can marry again easily. You still have much of your fathers fortune, and the Tavington fortune as well.”

Katharine just looked at him for a moment, “General Cornwallis . . . what is it that you are saying? William . . . isn’t wounded or . . . .” She stopped actually feeling nausea from the thought he might have been killed in battle, “ . . . or worse?”

“No . . . no he isn’t.” he said before looking into her eyes a moment. “He isn’t . . . yet. But he could be. Easily.” Katharine felt a little shocked at what he was proposing. It seemed like he was offering to free her from a marriage in the most horrific and unspeakable way ever devised by man.

“General Cornwallis . . . . . please do not put him in harms way, on my account. It is true that we have our differences and we argue much more then any other married person in our circle of friends . . . but I would never, ever want our marriage to end in that way. I thank you ever so much for being concerned for me so deeply, but please, do not do such a thing.” Honestly, Cornwallis never expected her to agree to his proposal, but having witnessed first hand how she was treated, he couldn’t help but feel a fathers twinge of outrage. Yet he would honor her request, and not make her the young widow of a British Solider.

“Well, at any rate, I do not want to hear of anymore nonsense about locking yourself away here in this small room. This city has been secured, you have an escort to keep you safe just in case some rebel tries to foolishly start a commotion, and I think it would do you good to take a walk in the fresh air. You know it shall be Christmas soon, and there is to be a ball that I expect both you and your . . . husband to attend.” Katharine just smiled politely to him, even though she knew she couldn’t go without having her well-guarded secret exposed. He stood from the chair and she rose as gracefully as she could as well, trying to look as natural as possible.

“I shall let you rest to regain your strength, and if you are not improved in a day or two, I shall send for my surgeon to look after you.” He said, taking her hand and kissing the back before giving her a slight bow before leaving her room.

Hours later, Tavington once again was to be found in his camp, working on documents that seemed to have no end. Once he was finished with one stack, a new stack found it’s way to his desk and each day it was one of his tasks to see that they were done. However, his concentration was broken when General Cornwallis himself stepped into his tent. Colonel Tavington jumped to his feet quickly giving his salute. The General didn’t look pleased in the slightest. “My Lord, I was not expecting you to come into the camp today, otherwise I assure you that things would be more presentable.”

“I hear that you have been plundering and burning more homes across the countryside and terrorizing civilians again against my direct orders. Tell me Colonel, have you no sense of authority whatsoever?” Tavington’s jaw clinched tight as he held his tongue behind his teeth knowing that this was going to come up again and again. “Your reputation is growing among the populous rather quickly, and I am growing weary of having this conversation with you again and again!”

“Sir, these civilians are harboring the enemy and interfering with our efforts at every opportunity. Contrary to popular belief among my peers, I do not burn every home, simply the ones that house traitors.” The Colonel said quickly defending his position. He felt he was in the right, despite what anyone else tried to say.

“I am a reasonable man, I do not like to think that I am one not to give those soldiers under my command that make mistakes another chance, but you have run out of chances Colonel Tavington and my patients is growing thin!!” Colonel Tavington once again clinched his jaw knowing that arguing was only going to prolong this lecture. “Now, I suggest you find better means of carrying out your orders Colonel, or I will replace you with someone who will.”

“Yes sir.” Tavington said acknowledging the General’s warning, even though he more then disagreed with it. General Cornwallis had another matter on his mind that was outside of the war. He walked further into the tent turning his attention away from William for a moment.

“How is your wife Colonel Tavington.” He said plainly not expecting a legitimate answer from him. William was a little caught off guard by this, and was still quite angry with Katharine over the circumstances that had caused their last argument.

“She is quite well my Lord. She is a strong woman more then capable of looking after herself.” He said in a dry tone, still indicating that his feelings on the subject had not weakened or grown the slightest bit dim.

“Strange, when I saw her earlier I found that she has been refusing visitors and has not even let her servant into her room in quite sometime.” He said, making an immediate ass out of Tavington for his presumptuous and rather icy words towards Katharine. “When she allowed me into her bedchambers I found that she has become quite ill. Her eyes are worn and sickly, and her skin has turned gray and pale.” Cornwallis turned and looked at Tavington, “Is this what you call ‘quite well’ Colonel Tavington?”

William paused a moment, actually feeling concerned over this news. He had no idea that she was in such a state, but knowing Katharine she wasn’t willing to let anyone see her in such a condition and was stubbornly trying to hide it from the world. “If you have had any contact with her in anyway you would have known this Colonel Tavington. It seems you are as much a failure as a husband as you are as a solider.” General Cornwallis felt that was his final word and he had nothing more to say to this man, and turned leaving the tent.

If it had been any one else, any other man that continued to insult him in such a way, he would have long since killed him where he stood. Even now, Tavington wasn’t so sure the General could count himself as safe. There was a lot that his efforts in this war held at stake, and it was true that General Cornwallis held his future in his hands so to speak. So he would continue to take the Generals insults and scolding until he got what he wanted.

Now his mind once again turned to Katharine, and it seemed that it called for another trip to Charleston and the Colonel saw to all the arrangements so he wouldn’t leave his camp without command. Major Borden, once again was given the post and William started off towards the city.

On the ride there, he had several things mulling around in his mind. He might have been far too hasty with his accusations the last time he had seen her. Truly he never thought that he would feel such a way if she were found to be unfaithful to him. He’d always thought that he would laugh at her finally falling from grace, and made sure that he reminded her of her disgrace every day as she had done to him for the past several years. Instead, he felt an uncontrollable and unmatched rage at the mere thought and was ready to kill whoever it was that was touching his wife the way only her husband had a right to touch her.

However, he couldn’t deny the fact that she had always been more then faithful to him. Even though they fought constantly, on some level he did need her and he had a feeling that she needed him as well. He’d only started to realize it recently, and was a little taken aback to find it out. He couldn’t possibly apologize to her for their last meeting, it wasn’t their way, but perhaps he could let the matter lie and not bring it up. Yet knowing his wife a little better then that, he was almost certain that she would. But he was resolved to just ignore it and not discuss it should the matter arise.

An hour later, he rode up to the building that she had stayed at since the first day she arrived on Colonial shores. Handing his horse off to a solider to see to, he removed his helmet and walked up the stairs entering the house. Without a word, or a question to anyone he continued on his way to Katharine’s room. Outside of the door, he found Camille, his wife’s servant bent over trying to spy into the keyhole of her lady’s chambers. Tavington raised his brow at this and walked up standing behind her. She didn’t seem to notice his presence, so he cleared his throat to let her know she’d been caught.

Camille jumped up and timidly backed away from the Colonel. “Lord Tavington . . .I . . .well . . . I was just . . .” She stopped trying to explain herself, she knew there was no good reason for her spying on anyone through a keyhole. “She’s not taking visitors Colonel Tavington, she hasn’t been for quite a while. She hasn’t even let me in to see her.”

“And this is your excuse for spying on my wife’s private bed chamber? I regret to inform you, you miscreant, but it is not good enough. Remind me to punish you before I leave today.” He said with a glare, as he pushed past her to Katharine’s door. Camille bit her lip and stepped aside, knowing she couldn’t disobey him. He’d remember later and then she would just get in more trouble for not reminding him as he had said.

As Tavington pushed the door open, he looked about expecting to find the rabid wolverine that shared his name. However, she was nowhere in sight. He shut the door behind him and walked further inside, setting his helmet down on the table. “Katharine?” He called out looking around the room as he removed his riding gloves and his sword setting them down with his helmet. Still no sound or word came. This was strange, surely the one who had been spying on her all day would have seen her leave the room if she had gone.

He walked over to the bed and pulled the covers back expecting to find her sleeping soundly, but once again, she was no where to be found. “Katharine?” He said a little louder, before moving around the room, trying to see where else she could be hiding from him. “Honestly Katharine, if there ever was a more childish game you could have chosen to play this is the most . . .” He stopped as he turned the corner walking behind her changing screen. There on the floor, lie Katharine. It seemed as if she lay where she had fallen and was not simply sleeping. He quickly moved to her side, knowing instantly something was wrong.

He reached down and moved his arm under her back trying to move her into a better position, sitting her up and leaning against him. “Katharine?” He said trying to get some sort of response or action out of her, but there was nothing. He rested his hand against her face to find that her skin was ice cold, and she looked just as ghastly ill as the General had described. He looked at her in utter horror, and rested his hand against her face. Of course they had a strange and rather loud relationship, but never would he have wished such a thing to befall her.

“Miss Katharine!” A scared and panicked voice came from behind him. He turned to see that the servant had followed him into the room, and her eyes where wide with worry. Tavington still held her against him, to concerned to scold the servant for bursting in without even so much as a knock.

“Get a physician up here immediately.” Without a word, Camille turned on her heel and ran for the door. “AND DO NOT TAKE AN ETURNITY!” He called out after her. Leaning down he scooped his free arm under her knees and stood picking her up. She was a bit heavier then she was the last time he had lifted her into his arms, but the swell of her abdomen more then explained this. He took her to her bed and quickly lay a blanket over her to keep her warm.

A few hours later, Tavington stood pacing outside the door having been asked to wait outside while the doctor examined her. What on earth was going on here, why was this happening to her now, when their child was on the way? Camille was sitting in a chair out in the hall with her eyes downcast. Trying to keep her sobs silent and the tears that fell from her eyes hidden from view. “Why didn’t you tell someone about these spells she’s been having? How on earth could you let her get away with keeping such a dangerous secret you ignorant little wretch!?!” Tavington found himself shouting at the girl.

“She . . . she told me, commanded me not to say anything. If I knew . . . I would have told someone and gotten a doctor to help her. Honest I would have sir. She especially didn’t want you to know.” Tavington just grit his teeth ready to shout at her again when the latch on the door was pulled back. Camille jumped to her feet and William stood waiting to hear the news.