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Piety and Infamy	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: M through R > Patriot, The Views: 2093 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Patriot, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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    The war had already been
going on for quite sometime. Of course in the British Army�s favor for they
had amore formidable force then the colonies did at this time. The leader of the
British forces was none other then General Cornwallis. A clever and extremely
well learned military leader who had won countless battles and gained favor with
the king himself. His efforts so far in this war had already gained him
recognition, and King George awarded him property in the Colonies once the war
was over and the rebellion was stamped out.


The General had incredible pride in many things, and carried the trophies
he had earned with him through the battlefields. Paintings, wealth, two pure
breed great Danes. Things you might consider strange to value during wartime.
Yet another sign of the pride Cornwallis held. Today was no different. He had
called his aid, General O�Hara to his office to boast about his majesty�s
latest gift to his most prized war artist.


Colonel William Tavington was one of General Cornwallis�s subordinates,
in title only. Tavington had a particular idea about doing things, and followed
his own orders rather then anyone else�s. He understood that orders couldn�t
always be followed in the field. To beat an enemy that had no attack pattern,
fired at the British troops and then disappear to reload, he also understood
that certain measures had to be taken to keep his own troops alive. Something
that seemed to go unnoticed and unrealized by the rest of the British Army.


William had been sent for not long after their previous battle, and the
house servant showed him to the General�s office allowing him to go inside.
General Cornwallis, and General O�Hara stood behind the desk looking over a
map that had come with King George�s compliments. �It�s an imposing piece
of land my lord, you will be a country unto yourself.� O�Hara said with a
large grin. Upon hearing footsteps, his eyes shifted upwards to see Tavington
standing before the desk waiting to be addressed. O�Hara already knew what
this meeting involved, and quickly gathered his papers, and began to leave the
room, giving Tavington an unmistakable look if disgust on his way by.


Tavington was used to these sorts of silent daggers being thrown at him,
and refused to acknowledge it less they might think he cared. �His Majesty is
most generous my lord.� The colonel said anxious to find out what he was here
for feeling as if there were far more important things to do. Yet as the general
was his commander, he had to stay on his good side for countless reasons.
Neither of these men were fond of each other in any sense of the word.
Cornwallis just gave a slight nod at Tavington�s attempt to congratulate him.
�Of course . . .� Tavington continued feeling as if his words had been
ineffective giving yet another try. �. . .your efforts in this war more then
warrant such a gift.�


�Yes.� The general said rolling up the map taking this opportunity to
turn Tavington�s own words back against him. �This is how his majesty
rewards those, who fight for him as gentlemen.� Cornwallis turned to put the
map away as a smile swept Tavington�s face. Without a doubt, he would be
rewarded as well since his dragoon�s had not yet tasted defeat and they had
advanced the British forces much further then any other unit in the months they
had been here.


�I dare to presume, that my own meager contributions will be rewarded
one day.� The Colonel said humbly, although suffering from not an ounce of
humility inside. He had worked hard and wanted his title regained and his family
name restored.


�You may presume to much.� Cornwallis was quick to counter, stealing
away anxious joy that had adorned his face. William was a bit confused at that,
for it was true that he had done more then any other in this war thus far. �My
lord?�


�His majesty the king, like history judges us not only on the outcome
of the war, but the manner in which it was fought.� Tavington took a breath
and rolled his eyes. This sour tune again, he had heard it all before countless
times. Cornwallis saw the look in Tavington�s eyes and continued raising his
voice to let the Colonel know he meant what he said this time. �Surrendering
troops are to be given quarter, these brutal tactics must STOP!�


�My lord, is it not enough that I have never lost a battle . . .�
Tavington began, willing to argue his side of this case one more time in a vain
hope that he would be listened to and heard. However Cornwallis was not
interested in what he had to say.


�You serve me, and the manner in which you serve me, REFELCTS upon
ME.� The General had been dealing with this issue for quite some time. Most of
Tavington�s peers had been reporting to the General whenever they could, like
children wanting to tell their secrets to get each other in trouble. This was
not the first time he had called Tavington here to discuss the matter, and still
no changes had been made. Tavington�s jaw clinched as he went silent.
Cornwallis took a breath and waited a moment for his own temper to cool. �I
would have thought, coming from a family as esteemed as yours, you would
understand that.�


Tavington half laughed. Cornwallis knew full well the stains that his
family name were stricken with, and used it to throw in his face whenever he
thought it time to put William in his place. It was a tender subject that hit
close to home and anyone with decency would not bring it up. �My late father
squandered any esteem with which we were held, along with my inheritance.�
Cornwallis just starred at him. Tavington�s voice lowered as he tried to
appeal to the General�s sense of honor. �I advance myself, only through
victory.�


�You advance yourself only through my good graces.� Cornwallis
snapped at him in a tone of warning, finding it hardly a reasonable excuse for
the things he had done and continued to do. Tavington instantly fell silent
realizing that his commission was suddenly at stake and hung in the balance of
this meeting. He gave a slight nod to let his commander knew he understood. Once
Cornwallis saw that his point had been made and well taken, he had another
matter he wished to discuss.


�Congratulations on your recent marriage Colonel. I understand that you
have been engaged these past few months and were wed in a town just outside of
Yorksbourgh yesterday morning.� This was a more pleasant and desirable subject
then the pervious had been and Tavington soon found his voice again.


�Yes sir. It was a rather small affair; my Calvary riders were the only
ones to attend since she has no family nor close friends. It would have been
properly planned had we more time, but it was a bit sudden.� Cornwallis looked
down on everything that Tavington did, he was very unconventional and his ways
completely unorthodox. William was completely unaware that the General had met
his new bride years before Tavington had even come over from England when the
war broke out.


�Yes, I am well aware of the circumstances as I am that you have not
seen her since. I was informed that not moments after your vows were pledged,
you and your dragoons rode into battle with the colonials. Before you could
return to where you had left your newly acquired wife standing alone on her
wedding day, you received my dispatch and returned to your camp until you came
here.� This man had a talent for turning any subject unpleasant.


�Yes my lord, however she understands and bade me go, leaving me with a
smile to remember her until I return to her side.� Cornwallis gave a sigh of
annoyance, hating this man who stood before him with every fiber of his being.


�I am sure she did understand. You see I met her once a few years ago.
She was a very extraordinary young woman. Young, beautiful, kind, gentle and as
fair as could be.� His look darkened slightly, �I can not for the life of me
figure out how she has ended up with you.� Up until then, Tavington had been
wearing a smile. He enjoyed speaking of his bride, for he couldn�t be any more
proud to call her such and to have her wear his name. It quickly faded at the
General�s cold comment.


�My . . . lord?� He questioned. Since it wasn�t particularly
customary to congratulate someone on his or her new marriage and then disparage
it by saying the groom did not deserve to have such a bride. Cornwallis even
knew he had overstepped a bound with his words and gave a sigh sitting down.


�She came to me, several years ago at a ball I was hosting here in the
colonies.� He said as he began to recount the first time he saw her. Tavington
listened but was not becoming fond of listening to the way Cornwallis spoke of
his wife. �She was dressed in a flowing gown, sewn in the same style to the
ones courtiers wore to the place in England. It was a light blue color, and made
out of fine satin. She wore no wig nor a bit of make up as do all the ladies
born to privilege. God knows she did not need to. She must have been 14, maybe
even 15 years of age then. She walked through my guests on my lawn, leading with
her the most magnificent animal I had ever seen. A stallion whose color was as
black as a moonless sky, with a single white star that resided in the middle of
his forehead. This strange and mysterious girl curtseyed to me as if I was the
King himself when she approached me. Her golden hair captured the sunlight as he
shone down upon her through the trees. Her skin was white as alabaster, and her
eyes as blue as the Caribbean sea. I acknowledged her with a bow. Her eyes
turned up to me for the first time and she spoke with a clear voice that seemed
like music with each utterance. �I bring a gift to you, my Lord Cornwallis.
For all of the protection and the way you watch over us and keep us safe.� Her
hands reached up to hand me his reign, but I put my hand up to stop her. I
explained that I could not accept such a fine gift. This girl who was mature
beyond her years, took my hand in hers and folded it around the leather
reigns.�


Tavington though it a bit strange that the General could recount such a
meeting with extreme clarity, yet he continued to listen for much of his
wife�s past was still a mystery to him. It seemed that she did not wish to
speak of it, and he felt it did not matter enough for him to cause her to
remember unpleasant memories.


�She took a step back and curtseyed again, before she turned to leave.
It was a fine and extraordinary gift to be sure, but it was certain she would
not take it back even if I asked her to. I handed the reign of the horse to my
aid that the time, and hurried after her. She paused and turned around to look
at me. I thought I would have countless things to stay to her, or questions. But
the only thing I could ask was her name. �Heather.� She said gently. Then
she smiled once more and disappeared. It was a fitting name for such a creature
as she. Heather, like the name of a beautiful maiden.� Even as Cornwallis
spoke, Colonel Tavington found himself wanting to be with her with his arms
around her, remembering just how much everything the General said was true in
every way and more. Cornwallis began to come back from his own flight into
memories long past, �I have not seen her since.�


His eyes moved back to Tavington after a long moment of silence and his
anger returned. �Your engagement was extremely short, not even a fraction of
the time it should have lasted in civilized society. Your wedding was just as
sudden and improper. Why, I wonder, did you not wait until after the war? If you
meet your death upon the battle field she will be a widow.�

Tavington took a step forward, �We were planning to wait my lord, but
. . .� Cornwallis shook his head and raised his hand having no
intention of listening to whatever he had so say, for he was sure it was
unimportant.


�But nothing Colonel. You were married in uniform no doubt, with your
saber and pistols at your side. Only to ride of into battle and leave her
behind!�


�My lord, as you stated yourself, we are in the middle of a war in a
foreign land some 3,000 miles from home.� Cornwallis glared at him; he was not
an imbecile and was fully aware that there was a war raging just outside of his
door. The general jerked a drawer in his desk open taking out a parchment and
quill and began to write.


�I am giving you a two week furlough Colonel and the use of my
plantation in the south as it is in our control and quite a ways from this
blasted war.� Tavington stepped forward in protest, they were in the middle of
a campaign and he couldn�t afford to leave it now. �But, . . .my lord . .�


�Do not argue with me Colonel. The war will most certainly be here when
you get back. Two weeks is hardly enough time for anyone�s honeymoon. Consider
this my wedding present . . . to her. Since her very own husband could not
follow the traditional wedding ceremonies.� Cornwallis said standing and
handing him the parchment. �You are dismissed Colonel.�


Tavington stood at attention to give the General proper salute before
heading out of his office. However, the Colonel paused at the doors. He had not
felt as if his wife had been wronged, nor abused until he had entered this
man�s presence. �We had intended to wait sir. In fact I would have preferred
it greatly. However when I brought up the very point you had made about my
demise, she stopped me and said, �I would rather have a little time with you
as your wife, then a lifetime of regret for having had no time at all.��


Cornwallis just looked back at Tavington. If she had truly said those
words, she must have cared deeply for this murderer known as the butcher. �I
would say you are a lucky man Colonel. She was only thinking of you in this
venture. Not herself.� Tavington was already well aware of this and showed
himself out.


Tavington left Cornwallis�s headquarters making his way back to the
camp, to turn over his command to the next highest-ranking officer in the Green
Dragoons, Major Borden. He gave him instructions and orders to follow while he
was gone, wanting everything to be in order and ready to move or even for battle
when he returned. Almost as if he had not missed a day. Once all of the
arrangements had been made, Colonel Tavington set out to return to Yorksbourgh.
It was quite the ride away from Cornwallis�s headquarters since the forces
continued to advance each month. The war seemed to be moving like a wild fire in
that direction of that town.


He was at least thankful that he could take her away from there to safety
before the bitterness of the colonels towards the British became so great, she
would be endanger for her name and marriage to a British Officer. Especially
which British officer she belonged to. He arrived in the town just after sun up,
and brought his horse to a halt before the boarding house that she had been
living in the entire time he had known her. It was here he had first met her
when they had gotten a few days ahead of the rest of the army and were forced to
wait for the rest of their soldiers to catch up.


William headed up the stairs removing his riding gloves, entering the
house without even so much as a knock. Tavington had not cared about the rest of
the occupants in the house for quite sometime. More then once they tried to
interfere with he and his bride�s relationship and even went so far as to
treat her as less then she was. He made his way to the second story of the house
and opened her door as quietly as he could manage. He could see she was still
asleep and looked like a goddess dressed in white bedclothes and surrounded by
the white sheets upon which she slept. Her golden hair cascaded down her white
pillowcase and over her shoulders in dancing curls. Tavington couldn�t help
but smile as he stepped inside removing his helmet and closing the door behind
him. The rose color of her cheeks and lips seemed to tell the secret of an
extremely pleasant dream she was having. William only hoped that the dark
stranger she saw in her dream was he.


Without making a sound, he walked to her and sat next to her on the bed
putting his helmet and gloves aside. Tavington took a moment to gaze at his
beautiful love that lay before him, still a little shocked that she had accepted
his proposal and she now wore his name. There was no possible way that he could
resist stealing a kiss, and bent down brushing her lips with his ever so gently.
No matter what the circumstance or the time he came to her, she was always
clean, well dressed, and always smelled of flowers and roses to him. He smiled
as she began to stir with his gentle touch and looked down at her waiting for
her to wake.


After a moment, her eyes fluttered open and she saw who he was. Happiness
swept her face and she instantly retreated into his arms and breathed his name
in a soft whisper, �William.� Pulling back she looked up into his eyes,
�is it really you?� She rested her fingertips against his cheek a moment,
�Or am I dreaming again?� Tavington wrapped his arms around her knowing the
best way to prove he was there, and kissed her deeply. She smiled and looked up
into his eyes, �It IS you. I was afraid it would be another month before you
came back.�


He chuckled and kissed her cheek, �Get dressed quickly my dear.� She
nodded and slipped out of the covers to do as he had said without question.
William got up and exited the room to give her some privacy and attend to a few
things while she dressed.


Once he was down stairs in the main room he looked about. After a moment
he called for the mistress of the house. At first, the older woman came out
smiling in case there was a new boarder looking for a place to stay. However her
smile melted into a scowl once she saw whom it was. Crossing her arms she leaned
against the doorway, �Back already Colonel?� She said dryly. She had an
utter distaste for all the British soldiers, especially this one and made no
effort to hide it.


Tavington once again discounted the look she gave him as he had always
done with the others who thought themselves important enough to look down on
others. �I shall settle any debts she has before we leave.� He said wanting
to know how much she owed.


This woman had no intention of letting him get away that easily until she
had gotten her digs in for the wrongs that she thought had been done to her. Her
hateful glares and words continued. �Leaving? Good, then I won�t have to see
you around my house again.�


The impatient Colonel was growing more annoyed as the moments passed by.
Was it so incredibly hard to just tell him what her debt was so he could pay her
and she and his bride could leave? �What of her debt.� He repeated in a
commanding voice.


�She hasn�t one. She has always paid me in advance. Even with her
good credit, once you take her out of here I never want to see that traitorous
harlot trying to set foot in my house again!� That was just about enough, and
her words were completely unacceptable. William had no intentions of even
attempting to tolerate such words. The Colonel took a step forward and began to
reach for her, but the sound of a door upstairs opening and then closing stopped
his movements and perhaps saved the Mistress�s life for the time being.

His eyes narrowed looking at
the woman, �Count yourself extremely fortunate that my brides presence still
graces this house.� Tavington said through clinched teeth.
Reaching into his pocket he dropped five silver pieces on
the table in front of the widow. �A solider will be along shortly to pick up
her things. They are to be completely undisturbed by your hand or any other.�
The look in his eyes seemed to scream with murder and malice; his obvious
displeasure caused a chill of terror to creep down the woman�s spine. She was
intelligent enough to realize it was time to bite her tongue.


Just then, Heather came down the stairs as quickly as her feet could
carry her. Her hair was brushed down and pinned in the back with silver clips.
The dress she wore was cream colored, low cut and seemed to gracefully flow
about her with each movement she made. The woman was absolutely radiant with joy
that her new husband had returned so quickly as she approached him. �I�m
ready William.�


Over her arm, she carried with her yet another gift Colonel Tavington had
brought her several months ago. It was a black cloak with gold trim and
decoration that fastened at the neck with a solid gold clip. William walked over
to her taking the cloak. A brief thought crossed his mind as he looked into her
eyes that beamed with pure happiness, to sweep her into his arms and kiss her
passionately. Yet he was not about to put on a show for this rude, ignorant,
dust maid that passed off as a boarding house mistress. Instead he arranged the
cloak about his wife�s shoulders and let her fasten the clip at her neck.


Heather was suffering from the same sort of brief madness. There was
nothing she wanted more at this moment then to melt into his arms, but she
understood that his station and proper etiquette wouldn�t allow for such a
public display of affection. �My horse awaits us outside my dear. I am taking
you away from this place.� Her eyes brightened even more at this and nodded
excited at the mere thought of going anywhere with him. For she had always had
to stay behind and watch him ride away before and await his return.


William stepped aside holding the door open for her to exit the house
first, but she couldn�t help herself. Forgetting all forms of proper manners
she threw her arms around him and embraced him tightly. Tavington wrapped his
arms back around her in return nearly lifting her feet from the floor not
wishing to let her go for the rest of eternity. After a moment he felt eyes upon
them and set Heather down, glaring at the housemistress. The older woman turned
away when his attention fell on her pretending to do something else. William
leaned down and kissed Heather�s forehead. �Come my dear, we must be on our
way.�


The woman nodded as she fastened the last clip on her cloak, while
rushing over to the boarding house mistress before William could catch her.
�Thank you so much for everything Widow Styles. You have been so kind to me
with letting me stay here these past few years, I could never repay you.� The
woman didn�t say anything, just gave her an evil look accompanied by a
scornful smile.


William watched this scene in silence and in awe of the new Lady
Tavington. This woman so obviously hated her and her every action and word
seemed to drip with contempt and distain. There was no doubt in the Colonel�s
mind that she was treated even worse when he was not there, and countless
hurtful and false things may have been spat at her. �May God Bless you and
watch over all that stay in your home.� Heather said with a soft and gentle
smile, then she turned and hurried out the door.


Both the Colonel and the bitter old woman watched after her. The mistress
spoke after a moment breaking the silence, �Her heart is made of the purest
gold, Colonel. I don�t understand what offense she could have committed, to be
condemned to an eternity as your wife. I�ve seen with my own eyes what you and
your men do. My husband was one whom you murdered in cold blood and left nothing
worth burying, and my daughter. . . the one whom was friends with YOUR wife, now
walks your camps and is paid for roaming from tent to tent. You and the rest of
your countrymen can burn in hell.�


Tavington gave her a look, �Untouched widow.� His words were like ice
water and his meaning just as cold with the threat they carried with them.
Tavington turned and headed out the door replacing his helmet. His bride stood
by the fence waiting for him petting his horses neck as she always did each time
she saw him. As if he was as much of a solider as Tavington was. William shook
his head as he saw her feeding him something. �I honestly wish you would not
feed him sugar dear. You know it makes him skittish.�


She smiled looking at William, �Yes but don�t you think he deserves a
treat every once in a while?� Tavington just shook his head pulling on his
riding gloves.


�I have a horse waiting for you in the grove to the south of town.�
Heather nodded and turned on her heel starting to walk down the street. The
Colonel reached out and caught her arm pulling her back next to his horse.
�Where are you going?�


�It�s not really that far William, I can walk.� He raised his brow
at this and swept her up into his arms, placing her on his saddle before
climbing up behind her.


�I will not have you walk.� Wrapping one arm around her he sunk his
spurs into the horses sides turning them towards the south of town. Heather
smiled softly, warmed by her husbands touch taking the greatest pleasure in just
being near him. Tavington breathed deep taking in the sweet scent of her hair,
and stole a kiss from her shoulder. They rode slow and easy through town taking
their time.


It was in the truest sense of the phrase; a one-horse town and everyone
knew everyone else. Every secret, every rumor, every suspicion was shared by all
the towns people. They seemed to line the sides of the road starring at the two
travelers as if they had leprosy, and some actually spit at them. She seemed to
pay no mind at all, but Tavington saw it and was growing angry by the second.
Heather found his grip around her waist growing tighter and she ran her fingers
over his hand trying to sooth his temper before he squeezed the last bit of air
from her lungs.


Once they were completely out of the town and in the forest trees, the
Colonel seemed to relax a little now that it was just himself and her. �They
are just afraid William. Afraid of losing their homes, families, even their
lives. You mustn�t think to harshly of them for the way they act.� He
smirked slightly.


�And would you be so passive if they treated me in the same manner my
dear?� She turned and looked at him smiling a bit before looking forward. He
knew better. She was humble, and full of forgiveness for those who wronged her.
But he had seen her defend him more then once when she thought he wasn�t
looking. �You are my wife and a lady, they have no business treating you in
such a way.�


�Red, blue, or earthen colors William. We�ve all come from the same
place, and we shall all end up in the same place. Why do we insist on wasting
the time we have, or cutting it short with wars and battles?� He wrapped his
arm around her a bit tighter, feeling as if he wanted to protect her from all
the evils of the world. She seemed so pure and innocent, yet she was intelligent
and witty.


Once they came to the grove Heather looked around to see several of his
Green Dragoons were waiting for them. The Colonel hopped down first then reached
up to aid her in dismounting as well.
To Be Continued .
. .
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Piety and Infamy