Complications of War

“Take care of yourself.” Jane Thompson hugged William Tavington tightly as he prepared to leave their quarters early the next morning. “Come home safely to me.”

“Do not fear, I shall be back within a week or so,” he murmured,dingding to kiss her. “It is just a routine patrol.”

“I shall be counting the minutes,” she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Take care of yourself,” he said. “And the baby. Get plenty of rest while I’m gone.”

“I will, I promise,” she said.

After giving his mistress one final kiss, Tavington headed out the door.

The first tendrils of sunlight were spreading across the morning sky as he entered the courtyard. The dragoon commander wanted to get an early start, as they had a lot of ground to cover that day. Pausing to take a deep breath of the crisp morning air as he donned his bear fur crested helmet, Tavington was eager to be off. Time in the saddle would give him the chance to distance himself, if only for awhile, from the sudden changes in his personal life.
______________________________________________

Caroline Tavington awakened as the sun was coming up. Slowly coming to consciousness, she was momentarily befuddled, forgetting for a moment where she was. As she sat up, Caroline realized she was naked and smiled to herself as she remembered making love with Tavington the day before. Rolling over, she was disappointed to find herself alone.

She eased out of bed and hunted for her shift. A moment later, she found it on the floor, along with the rest of her clothes, which had been carelessly discarded in their haste to make love. After donning it quickly, she went to close the window, as the room had gotten rather chilly during the night.

Caroline paused to look out the window as she reached up to c it. it. Looking toward the front gates of the fort, she saw a large group of dragoons preparing to leave. Her eyes flicked around until she spotted Tavington. She felt a curious mix of relief and regret to see him returning to duty. Remaining at the window, she watched until the entire group of dragoons had ridden out of the fort and the gates had closed behind them.

After she’d lit several candles in the room, she saw a piece of paper propped up on the night table. Snatching it up, she sat back on the bed to read the brief note, reading the last sentence several times: “…Thank you for this afternoon. William.”

She was confused and bewildered as she considered his words, clutching the note like a talisman. First, Tavington went out of his way to purposely destroy her respect for her father, then he’d gently made love to her as if he loved and cherished her! He’d been easier to understand when she saw him only as a vicious rapist, but, now, she didn’t know what to make of this man, obviously a study in contradictions. She marveat hat how the same man who had brutally raped her, had also tenderly made love to her…and she’d truly wanted him last night.

Her own actions puzzled her as well. Caroline had not only tolerated Tavington’s amorous attention last night, she’d encourahim him and had even enjoyed his touch. For the first time, she had a glimmer of hope that some good might come of this situation, after all.

As Caroline pondered these bewildering, conflicting emotions, she spied the long black ribbon that had bound Tavington’s queue poking out from under the pillow. She drew it out slowly, idly rubbing it between her fingers. The mixed smell of leather from his dragoon helmet, the pomade from his hair, and the cologne he wore wafted to her nose as she handled the ribbon. On an impulse, she removed the drawstring that held her shift closed at the neck and replaced it with the ribbon. Satisfied with the results, she gathered up her clothing and began to dress for the day.

A knock came at the door shortly after she finished getting dressed. Caroline opened the door to find Deborah Wilkins standing there.

“Mrs Wilkins!” Caroline said, visibly brightening at the sight of .her old neighbor. “Do come in. I’m so glad to see you.”

“I thought I’d come by to see how you were settling in,” Deborah Wilkins said. “And I thought you might like a tour of the fort, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’d like that very much,” Caroline said. “I haven’t been out much since I’ve been here.”

“Shall we start with breakfast?” the older woman said with a smile. “Now that our men are away, there isn’t any need for either of us to have to take ourls als alone.”

“A wonderful idea,” Caroline said. “I could use a friend.”

A short time later, while the women were enjoying the morning meal, Deborah said, “You seem to be holding up rather well, considering the circumstances”

“I suppose everyone here knows what happened to me and how I came to be married to Colonel Tavington,” she said.

“No, not everyone,” Deborah assured her. “I will warn you that there has been speculation about the suddenness of the Colonel’s marriage and much curiosity about you, but only a few people know the full details.”

Caroline put her spoon down as she considered this. “How am I going to handle it?” she asked. “I never wanted this marriage. I was engaged to another until all this happened.”

“Well, you are married now, for better or worse, like it or not,” the older woman said. “You might as well try to make the best of it. You cannot escape this marriage it it would be in your best interests to try to win Colonel Tavington over. Who knows, you might even come to love him one day” Looking sideways at the young woman, she said in a lower voice, “You must admit that he is extraordinarily handsome.”

“That he is.” Caroline sighed loudly in agreement.

“One thing you must do as a proper military wife, is to never make any critical remarks about your husband in public, no matter how angry you might be with him at the time,” Deb sai said. “Your disagreements and disappointments with your husband must remain absolutely private.” After making sure that Caroline was paying close attention, she continued, “And the first thing you must do is to have a believable story ready for those who will inevitably ask you about how you came to be married to Colonel Tavington.”

“What should I tell them?” she asked, perplexed.

“Perhaps you could say that you met him in Charles Town and that your courtship took place mainly through letters,’ Deborah said slowly. “And when your baby is born only seven months or so from the wedding, people will realize why the wedding was sudden and quiet. You aren‘t the first bride, nor will you be the last, who was with child on her wedding day.” Patting the young woman on the arm, “And whatever you do, make sure to hold your head high and look people straight in the eye. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I’ll try my best,” she said. “Maybe it will be easier when the baby comes.”

“Maybe.” Deborah Wilkins gave what she hoped looked like an encouraging smile.

Giving the older woman a hesitant look, Caroline asked, “I need to ask you a few questions.”

“I don’t promise to know the answers, but I’ll do my best to help you.”

“My husband told me that General Cornwallis had known all along what he’d done to me; that he’d known since the day it happened, but that it didn’t matter enough to him to do anything about it.” Caroline couldn’t yet bring herself to refer to Tavington by his first name in conversation.

“Yes, Jim and I were quite shocked when he kept the entire matter quiet.”

“You both knew about it, too?”

“Jim was the one who brought it to the General’s attention,” Deborah explained. “He came along and witnessed what Colonel Tavington did that day. Unfortunately, it was too late for him to do anything to help you.”

Caroline looked away and was silent for a long interval as she assimilated what the other woman had told her. First, the soldier yesterday had confirmed part of what Tavington had told her, and now Deborah Wilkins had just confirmed another part. She was almost afraid to ask her more questions, suspecting that her answers would prove her husband truthful yet again.

Glancing up at the older woman, was was regarding her with almost motherly concern, Caroline suddenly remembered Tavington’s vow to take revenge on the dragoon who had told Cornwallis about the rape. She swallowed hard in dismay, knowing that she couldn’t repeat her husband’s words to her new friend.

“What’s wrong?” Deborah had noted the pensive expression on the younger woman’s face.

“I was just thinking of the next question I have for you,” Caroline lied, wanting to put Tavington’s plans for revenge out of her mind. “My husband also told me some disturbing things about my father, about things he is supposed to have done during the French and Indian war. And he told me that Captain Wilkins is the one who told him these things. I need to know if what he said was true.”

Deborah stood up and looked away from Caroline She’d heard the stories about the brutal things Benjamin Martin had done during that war. “Well, uh…..,” she began, not quite kng wng what to say.

“I think I have my answer,” Caroline said softly, Tavington’s words having yet again been proven accurate. She sighed loudly.

“I’m sorry you had to hear about it that way,” Deborah said slowly. “But you must remember that your father loves you and your siblings very much. He’s done such a wonderful job raising all of you since your mother died. Nothing can ever change that.”

“I know,” Caroline replied. “But it will take me some time to reconcile that my own father is not quite the man I once thought him to be. So much has happened to me in the last few months…..” Her voice trailed off.

At that moment, a loud knock sounded at the door.

“Let me go see who that is,” Deborah said. “I wasn’t expecting anyone right now.”

Two young dragoons waited as she opened the door. “Begging your pardon, Mrs Wilkins,” the first dragoon said. “Do you know where I might find Mrs. Tavington? We have brought her belongings from the Selton plantation.”

“I am Mrs Tavington.” Caroline said, coming out from behind the older woman. “My quarters are upstairs. You may bring my belongings there.”

“Right away, ma’am,” the dragoon said.

After the dragoon had left to do her bidding, Deborah said, “I’ll help you put your things away, then we can take a walk around the fort.”

“Thank you,” Caroline said, “I’d like that.”

About an hour r, Cr, Caroline and Deborah had put away all the younger woman’s belongings and hung her clothing.

“Why don’t we go visit the fort store?” Deborah suggested. “You can buy things by charging them to the Colonel’s account.”

“I don’t know if I should dare,” Caroline said. “He might get angry.”

“You’re his wife,” Deborah said. “I don’t think he should mind as long as you are not extravagant.”

“I would like to start knitting a blanket for the baby,” Caroline admitted.

“We’ll go and get you some knitting needles and yarn, then,” Deborah said. “And probably some cloth, so you can begin making clothes and diapers for the baby as well. You’ll be a mother before you know it.” Putting a gentle hand on the younger woman’s arm, she added, “And I’m sure the Colonel will approve of you doing something useful with your time while he is away.”

“I hop,” C,” Caroline said doubtfully. “I cannot bear to be idle any longer.”

“Well, let’s go, then.” Deborah opened the door to leave.

A short time later, the two women entered the fort’s store. Other than the storekeeper, the store was empty. Deborah led Caroline to a small display in the back, which contained knitting supplies.

“Look and see what you want and I’ll see if I can find some suitable cloth for baby clothes,” Deborah said. “Take your time; we are in no hurry.” With that, she walked off, leaving the younger woman to ponder the yarn selection.

Caroline quickly selected a set of knitting needles, but took a bit more time deciding on the yarn. As she considered which yarn to buy, she noticed a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye.

“Mrs Wilkins, which yarn do you……” Her words died in her throat when she saw it wasn’t Deborah Wilkins standing there, but rather the camp follower that she’d seen Tavington kissing on the morning her father left. She stood there for a long moment, her mouth hanging open, not quite knowing what to say to this woman.

“You must be Caroline,” Jane Thompson said, softly and hesitantly. She was just as nervous as the younger woman appeared to be.

Caroline drew herself up to her full height. “Mrs Tavington,” she corrected automatically.

“Yes, of course,” Jane Thompson said, her voice tired. “However, it would seem that you and I have a bit in common.” Indicating the knitting supplies, “I take it you are planning to knit a baby blanket?”

“Yes,” Caroline admitted warily.

“I came back here for the very same reason,” Jane said in a low voice. Looking around to make sure no one was listening, she continued, “I don’t want to be at odds with you. I had hoped that one day William and I might be able to marry, but now, that will never be.”

“That isn’t my fault!” Caroline said. “Surely, you must know how I came to be married to him.”

“Yes,” Jane said simply. “And that is why I bear you no ill will.” Sighing loudly, “Though I love William, I realize that he isn’t always a gentleman, and that you and I are in this situation through no faults of our own.”

Caroline nodded, waiting for the older woman to continue.

“But make no mistake; despite his many faults, I love him with every fiber of my being,” Jane told her. “He’s been very good to me since my husband died. I’ve seen a side of him that few people have witnessed.” Putting a gentle hand on Caroline’s arm, “He really isn’t as bad as he sometimes seems to be. And if you’re patient, you will one day see that side of him as well.”

“I know,” Caroline admitted.

“In the meantime, can we agree to be civil to one another, maybe even friends?” Jane asked.

“I can try,” Caroline said. “I could use all the friends I can get, to be honest with you.”\

“Wonderful.” Jane Thompson gave Caroline a genuine smile. “We could visit some afternoons and knit our baby blankets together.”

“I think I’d like that,” Caroline said. The young woman was hesitant about befriending her husband’s mistress, but was also quite curious about the other woman.

At that moment Deborah Wilkins reappeared. Shocked to see Colonel Tavington’s mistress boldly talking to Caroline, she hurried over to them.

“Come, now!” she said to Caroline with a haughty sniff. “We must be leaving!” Grabbing the younger woman’s hand, she began pulling her away from Jane.

Caroline didn’t want to cause a scene, so she allowed Deborah to lead her out of the store. With a sheepish smile, she said to Jane in parting, “It was nice to finally meet you. I’ll try to see you soon.”

Jane smiled at the younger woman’s natural friendliness, which almost made her forget about Mrs Wilkins’ haughty, disdainful attitude toward her. If she only knew how often Captain Wilkins sought relief among the camp followers…. she thought as she watched the bossy woman lead Caroline away.

Before Deborah could get Caroline out of the store, they were accosted by two women near the door.

“Deborah Wilkins!” the first woman said. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your new friend?”

“This is Colonel Tavington’s new bride, Caroline,” Deborah Wilkins said unwillingly with a tight smile. Turning to Caroline, she said, “And these ladies are Anna Culpepper and Sally Baker.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Caroline said in a small voice. She gulped as the two older women regarded her with insincere welcome.

“Colonel Tavington?” Anna Culpepper said. “I didn’t know he’d gotten married. It seems as if I was not invited to the wedding.”

“It was a very small wedding,” Caroline said. “Err…William and I wanted something quiet.”

“I wasn’t even aware he was courting anyone,” Sally Baker said. “A rather sudden wedding, it would seem.”

“Not really,” Caroline said, growing more uncomfortable by the moment. “William and I have known one another for quite some time. We met in Charles Town and most of our courtship has been through letters.”

“I see,” Anna said. “You seem rather yo my my dear.”

“I am seventeen.”

Both women barely repressed gasps, knowing that Colonel Tavington was nearly twenty years older than his bride.

“Will you look at that!” Sally said, abruptly changing the subject. She pointed to Jane Thompson in the back of the store, who had returned her attention to the knitting supplies. “That camp follower looks as if she is with child!”

“I wonder who the father is?” Anna Culpepper said with a nasty chuckle.

“I couldn’t imagine,“ Sally said, eyes rolling heavenward. “Those women are quite indiscriminate about the men they choose to entertain.“

Both women shot pointed looks at Caroline as they spoke.

Before Caroline could react, Deborah said, “It was nice seeing you both, but we really must be going now.” She moved to open the door.

“Nice meeting you both,” Caroline said, moving quickly to follow the older woman. She couldn’t get away from these two harridans fast enough.

“Those women made me so nervous!” Caroline said to Deborah once they’d left the store.

“With good reason,” Deborah agreed. “They were looking for some gossip to spread. The news of the Colonel’s wedding is common knowledge in the fort now, but they wanted details.”

“I suppose they also know who the father of Jane Thompson’s baby is as well.”

“They have their suspicions, but no, they don’t know for sure.” the older woman said. “But you handled them well, with grace and tact.”

“I nearly stammered I was so nervous.”

“Remember what I told you,” Deborah reminded her. “Hold your head high and look them in the eye. You have no cause for shame.” After a pause, she said, “But I would be careful about being seen talking with Jane Thompson in public. It will only cause the gossips tok mok more. It simply isn’t done for proper wives to be seen associating with the camp followers, as they are loose wo”
”

“She seemed very nice.”

“Be that as it may, you must do nothing that would cause shame for your husband,” Deborah said. “And, especially in this instance, you must do nothing to fuel the gossip that is already being passed around the fort.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Caroline admitted grudgingly. Changing the subject, she asked, “Who tho those women? Who are their husbands?”

“Anna Culpepper is Captain Culpepper’s wife,” Deborah said. “He’s one of Colonel Tarleton’s dragoons.” Lowering her voice, she added, “And Sally Baker isn’t anyone’s wife. She’s General O’Hara’s mistress!” After a moment, she concluded, “Well, she is technically married, but General O’Hara sent her husband up to New York so he wouldn’t be in the way.”

“Oh, my.”

“It is a good thing those two didn’t see you speaking to Jane Thompson,” Deborah said. “Everyone in the fort would have known before sundown if they had.”

“I’ll keep be careful with them,” Caroline promised.

______________________________

Tavington and his dragoons returned to the fort one evening nearly a week later. Weary from a week of living out the saddle, the dragoon commander headed directly to Jane Thompson’s quarters after dismissing the men and leaving his horse with a stable boy.

“Jane,” he called softly as he entered their quarters. His mistress was in bed, fast asleep. Sitting down beside her, he put a gentle hand on her shoulder, calling her name again.

“Mmm,” she said, slow to wake. “William. You’re home.”

“Are you not well?” he asked, concerned. “It’s only seven o’clock.”

“I’ve been feeling unusually tired and weak lately,” she admitted. “I’ve been sleeping much more than I used to.”

“Ah, but you’re sleeping for two now, my dear,” he said, leaning over to give her a quick kiss. “Surely, your condition has to take a lot out of you.” Leaning over to reach into his satchel, which was on the floor near the bed, he took out a large cloth bag. “Look what I’ve brought you.”

“What is it?” Jane slowly eased herself up to a sitting position. She watched eagerly as Tavington reached in the bag and brought out a ruby and diamond ring, along with a matching bracelet.

“Oh, William, they’re beautiful!” she said as Tavington slipped the ring on fin finger, then attached the bracelet to her wrist. “You shouldn’t have!”

“It was my pleasure,” he murmured, leaning over to kiss her again. “It was worth it just to see the look on your face now.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll alwaysr thr them.”

He kissed her more thoroughly, twining his arms around her. She pulled him down to her, working the buttons of his jacket loose. Very shortly thereafter, their reunion was complete, as they fell asleep together in the afterglow of their passion.

After a leisurely breakfast with Jane the next morning, Tavington crossed the compound to c in in on Caroline. As he opened the door to their quarters, he found her sitting quietly in a chair, knitting spread out on her lap.

“You’re back,” she said quietly.

Caroline had seen the dragoons ride into the fort the evening before. When Tavington hadn’t appeared by the time she’d been ready for bed, she’d realized that he’d spent the night with his mistress. Though she didn’t love him, the young woman could not help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Walking over to his young wife, he said, “I see you’ve found something useful to do while I was gone.”

“It’s going to be a blanket for the baby,” she explaine“I’m“I’m also going to start making baby clothes as well.”

“Good idea,” Tavington said absently. “How else have you been keeping yourself occupied while I was gone?”

“Mrs Wilkins has been spending a lot of time with me,” she said, as she put away her knitting and stood up. “She’s given me a lot of advice on how to be a good officer’s wife.”

“I’ll bet she has,” Tavington said, shaking his h “Y “You need to beware of Deborah Wilkins.”

y?” y?” Caroline was perplexed. “She’s known my family for years and she was quite helpful to me when you were gone.”

“Be that as it may,” he said, with a dismissive wave of the hand, “She and Captain Wilkins are nothing more than opportunists and sycophants. They have no real loyalties to anyone and go with whichever way the wind happens to be blowing at any given moment.” Sighing loudly, he continued, “I am his commanding officer and, as such, Wilkins would do anything to get into my good graces, even directing his wife to make friends with you.”

“I don’t think he was worrying about your approval that day when he…..” Caroline’s voice trailed off as she realized the likely consequences of what she was about to say.

“When he what?” Tavington pounced on her immediately.

“Errr…….uhhhh……ahhh…..” Caroline stammered.

“Tell me now,” he demanded, taking her chin roughly. “I simply won’t have my wife keeping secrets from me.”

Sensing the real threat in his cold eyes, Caroline began to talk. “Captain Wilkins saw what you did to me that day and reported it to General Cornwallis,” she finally said. “Mrs Wilkins told me this a few days ago.”

“Aha!” Tavington said, a malevolent smile spreading across his face. “Somehow, I am not surprised.”

Moving closer,leanleaned over and gave her a slow, unhurried kiss. After releasing her abruptly, his demeanor turned cold again. “If I find that you’ve been keeping secrets from me ever again, you will sincerely regret doing so, I promise,” he warned as his hands idly explored her body. “You would be wise to remember that your first loyalty should always be to me. I do not tolerate disloyalty from my men, and I certainly won’t tolerate it from my wife, either.” Bringing his face close to hers again, he murmured, “Do you understand?”

Caroline shivered. “Y-yes.”

“Good,” Tavington purred, brushing away a tendril of hair from her face. He reached into his pocket with one hand, as he reached for her hand with the other. “And to help you remember where your loyalties should lie, here is a reminder.”

The young woman looked at her hand in surprise as he slipped a large emerald ring on her finger to rest against the wedding ring her aunt had given her.

“Oh, my,” Caroline breathed as she looked at the exquisite ring. “It’s beautiful.”

“I assume that means you like it?” Tavington didn’t bother to tell her that the ring was part of the plunder they’d taken in during their foraging mission into the countryside.

“I love it,” she said, turning her hand to the side to admire the ring from every angle . “Thank you…….William.” This was the first time she’d spoken her husband’s name aloud to him.

Reaching to loosen her bodice, he said smoothly, “And I’ve thought of the perfect way you can thank me for it, too.” Tavington nipped her neck as his hands stroked her bared breasts.

Caroline blushed in response as she timidly began unfastening his breeches. As he led her to the bed, she’d totally forgotten her betrayal of Dah Wah Wilkins’ confidence.