I dont own the Patriot, though I wish, Dont own any of the characters, except the ones that pop out from my mind and such.
Charity sat on the porch of her family's estate. She was six years old and had a bad dream. So she went out of a breath of fresh air. Her parents were away at some dinner function and was left in the care of her nurse Samantha. The sky was as black as ink, but the moon. The moon shone bright, giving the allusion of mid day to everything its light touched.
She sat there just waiting watching. For what? She didn't know. She just stayed. No noise from the house or surrounding fields arose. That was until a man with red hair and green eyes, wearing a red jacket with green edges and gold trim, appeared. The Charity could hear the sound of crickets and the faint sound of music playing a lively waltz.
"May I have this dance?" His voice a gentle but deep. Charity looked down to notice she was wearing a light blue evening gown with two dark blue ribbons holding up the top skirt.
"Yes," Charity said placing her hand in his. They danced but when she asked his name he didn't answer.
Charity woke with a gasp and quickly sat up looking around. Her eyes grew adjusted to the mornings light that shone through the window across from her bed.
It had been 12 years since she started having the same dream. It came and went but now as she turned 19 it came to her about every other night. But in the pass week it came every night, even during the day when her mind strayed from her sewing or book.
"Charity?" her father asked opening the door. "Are you decent?"
Charity flew over to her screen and grabbed her robe. "I am now." She said stepping out and sitting down at her vanity.
"Sorry, are you ready for tonight?" He asked with a smile.
"Beg your pardon, but what is tonight?" She asked as she started to brush out her long strawberry brown hair.
"Why Lord General Cornwallis' ball." Charity froze as her blue eyes widened in shock.
"I thought you and Mother were going."
"Yes, well I talked to Mr. Coalmen and he has been allowing his daughter Margaret, who you should remember is your age, to go. So I thought why not you too? Who knows maybe you'll meet a young officer and fall in love." He said with a laugh.
"That's what you wish for. But I have nothing that would compare to any of the other ladies fine-"
"I was hoping you would have said that. I took the liberty of having a dress made for you." In came a servant holding a rather large box. "Here." He said taking it for the man.
Charity slowly opened it to find a light blue dress with two dark blue ribbons holding up the top skirt.
"Oh father, you shouldn't have."
"But that's not all." He then brought out a pair of matching shoes.
"Thank you so very much." Charity gave her father a kiss and a hug.
"Well I'll be going so that you may dress." He smiled at her before turning on his heel and walking out leaving Charity and her nurse Samantha alone.
"Come dear." Samantha said taking the dress and shoes from her and placing them on the bed.
"Well I guess we shouldn't over dress you today. Um we could just go with two pettie coats and a stay, oh and of course a fitted jacket,"
"That sounds great Samantha."
-----
"Your father has told me that he gave you the news." Charity's mother rushed over to her.
"Yes he has." She said trying not to sound annoyed.
"Well then we must talk about how we will do your hair."
"Mother, please. I just want to take a walk with Samantha. Then when it's time for me to get ready then we will talk about hair, for now I just want to relax."
And with that she pushed pass her mother and out the door, Samantha at her heels. "Miss Preston, you shouldn't have done that."
"Why Samantha? So she can trap me in a talk that will bore me out of my mind?" She asked turning to her nurse. "Any way I need to talk to you."
They walked in silence. Once they reached a stream in the woods, by the road Charity broke the silence.
"Sit Samantha, no one really knows this is here."
Samantha took a seat next to Charity on a log.
"So now will you tell me what is so important that we must talk all the way out here?"
"Do you remember 12 years ago when I was six?"
"Of course I do. It was the year you feel from your horse."
"Yes, but do you remember during the summer, in June I think it was, that I had a dream that was odd?"
"The one about the ball," She stated rather than asked.
"Yes."
"What about it?" Samantha asked leaning back.
"Fine I'll spell it out!" She yelled standing up. "You said it could have been a vision of the future. Seeing as how I never saw my face I couldn't tell when it was. But the uniform the man wore matched that of a British Green Dragoon. And most of all the dress! The dresses match!"
"How do you know? That was 12 years ago."
"Samantha I've had that same dream off and on for 12 years! In the pass week it came to me every night and even during that day while I day dreamed!" She yelled out of breath.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't see how it was important until this morning when my father gave me the dress." She said falling to her knees on the ground, then sitting back. "I am scared Samantha, I'm scared. What if it does come true? What if I fall in love with him? If he's abusive to me? I am scared Sam I can't even thinks straight any more."
"What do you want me to do? Tell your father that you've fallen ill and to go with out you?"
"No then he'd stay by my side until I was well."
"Then what? I can't help you if you don't tell me what you want." She said kneeling in front of Charity. "The only thing that I can do is tell you that if he lays a hand on you in any way good or bad, accepted or not I will hunt him down."
"What do you mean accepted or not?"
"If he touches you before you're married and it is welcome."
"But-"
"Do you want me to comfort you or to just let you become a loose woman?" Charity just wiped her eyes. "I think we should be getting back now."
Samantha helped Charity to her feet. She handed her a handkerchief.
"Dry your eyes dear while we walk back, we'll take the road seeing as how I can't remember the way through the woods. And you, in your state, will most likely get us lost too."
Charity laughed and walked behind Samantha till the reached the road.
Samantha didn't realize how far they had walked from the house. They were about a mile and a half from the house.
"Now how did you ever find a place like that? So far from the house."
"I've know about it since I was five. My father showed me the way to the road through the woods and the stream just happened to be on the way."
"So that's why I could never find you some days."
"That's why."
Both of them laughed but then it was cut short as the sound of horse hooves pounding the dirt road reached their ears. Both of them looked up and saw a group of Green Dragoons ridding towards them.
"Sing something." Samantha said with a smile ignoring the men coming towards them. Charity just looked at her.
"It's of a young apprentice
Who went to court his dear
The moon was shining bright-e-ly,
The stars were twinkling clear
When he went to his love's window
To ease her of her pain
And she quick-e-ly rose and let him in
And went to bed again…" They sang in unison as they kept walking. The dragoons passed by and nodded to them, all but one. The leader Colonel Tavington. He looked at them with cold eyes watching there every move.
Charity's voice squeaked when she saw one man that looked like the one from her dream but she looked again to see that it couldn't be.
"Ladies, may I inquire as to why you are walking this road?" Tavington asked.
"We are just walking back to our house," Samantha said with a smile.
"Where is your "house" and why are you out here so far away?"
"We are on our way back to my father's estate and we needed to talk to we took a walk, Colonel." Charity kept her face like a mask.
He looked at her. "What is his name?"
"William James Preston the second," Charity stated with cold eyes, just as cold as Tavington's.
"Very well," He said giving the signal to move out. And with that the dragoons continued on there way.
"…My father and my mother
In yonder room do lay
They are embracing one another
And so may you and I
They are embracing one another
Without a fear or doubt
Saying: Take me in your arms, my love,
And blow the candle out
My mother she'd be ang-e-ry
If she should come to know
My father he'd be angry too,
To prove my overthrow
I wouldn't forfeit five guineas
Now that they should find me out
Saying: Take me in your arms, my love,
And blow the candle out.
O when your baby it is born
You may dandle it on your knee
And if it be a baby boy
Then name it after me
For when nine months are over
My apprenticeship is out
I'll return and do my duty
And blow the candle out.
Now six months they were over,
Six months and a day
He wrote his love a letter,
That he was going away
He wrote his love a letter,
Without a fear or doubt
Saying he never should return again
To blow the candle out.
Come all you pretty young local girls
A warning take by me
And don't be quick to fall in love
With everyone you see
For when they're in their prenticeship
They'll swear their time is out
Then they'll leave you, as mine left me,
To blow the candle out."
They finally finished when they reached the house. By now the sun was high in the sky. And she could hear Abigail call lunch.
"Well after lunch you shall bathe then we will get you ready for the ball." Samantha said as they entered the estate.
Samantha started to walk off when Charity called after her. "Will you not eat with me?"
"No not today. You have to talk with your mother." Samantha smiled at her. "I'll have your bath ready when you come up." And then she was gone.
"Charity?" Her mother was coming out of the sitting room. "Would you like to tell me where you went on your walk?"
"We stayed on the property. You needn't worry. Now how about that talk?" Charity asked as they walked into the dinning room. Her father was to be served his lunch in his study, not much changed in 18 years.
As lunch was served to them as they talked about how Charity should wear her hair.
"A wig?!" Charity looked at her mother as if she was crazy. "Never, god graced me with my own hair and I shall show it off when ever I please." She stated before placing her napkin on the table.
"And a beauty mark," her mother added with a smile.
"No I won't. Now I'll just have it put up my hair in the latest fashion." And with that she went up to her room.
Samantha had kept her word. A bath was drawn up and steaming. Samantha had also placed rose scented oils init just as Charity had liked.
Because of Charity's fear and excitement the rest of the day passed fast and soon she had arrived at one of the greatest estates she'd ever seen.
Her parents walked arm in arm in front of her. She had no idea what to expect or what to do. As they entered the estate and went into a rather large room that was filled with people. Mostly the older couples that were chatting with one another and awaiting the musicians to play.
"Charity Anne Preston!" Charity turned around to see Margaret walking over to her. She was wearing a light green dress simpler to Charity's only with out the ribbons.
"Margaret it is nice to see you again."
"Yes I know no one can get enough of me." Both girls laughed. "But enough about me have you an escort to this ball?"
"No I don't, I came with the parents."
"So did I but I have some people I want you to meet." She said taking Charity by the arm and lead her out of the crowed room and out to a large back yard. She took her over to where two soldiers were standing alone.
"Captain Wilkins, Colonel Tarleton, this is my friend Charity Preston." Margaret pushed her friend in front of the two men. Each took their turn bowed their head and place a gentle kiss on her hand.
"It is a true pleaser to finally meet you Miss Preston." Charity only nodded her head.
"Miss Coalmen," Captain Wilkins started," would you like to take a walk?"
"Thank you Captain, I'd be delighted." She said as the two of them began to walk off.
Charity was at a loose for words. She had never been alone with any man or boy, Other than her little brother Jackson. She had no clue what to talk about she was never on to start a conversation with a man.
"Miss Preston, your family is from around here?"
"Yes, my mother is from the Americas and my father came over from England. He served for the crown during the French and Indian War."
"William Preston."
"Yes that's him."
"He's or was a Colonel. How come he's not in uniform?"
"He's not part of this war, he supports the British, of course, but he doesn't really know if he wishes for serve again."
"He should be commissioned once again. We need more officers like him." He said with a smile.
"If you say so," Charity said watching a butler with a tray of champagne walk by. "Will you excuse me?"
"Of course," He said with a nod and Charity walked off.
"Charity, my daughter, there is someone your father wishes you to meet." Her mother said just as Charity took a glass. "What are you doing?"
"I was-"
"It's ok, but take small sips, it's not like water. But come," Her mother said placing a hand on the side of her face.
Charity followed her mother and soon found her father talking to two men. She assumed one was Lord General Cornwallis; they other had to be General O'Hara.
"William." Her mother said slipping her arm around her husbands.
"Lord General Cornwallis, General O'Hara allow me to introduce my only daughter Charity." Both men's eyes widened.
Charity's hair was done in an up do of the latest fashion, with a small line of curls to adorn her neck. She wore no jewelry; she didn't like how it looked with her dress. The neck line of the dress was square with a thin line of dark blue lace. It was low but modest.
"Miss Preston, may I have to honor of the first dance?" Lord General Cornwallis asked with a bow.
"Yes you may," Charity said with a smile. She placed her hand in his and he led her out to the middle of the dance floor.
They shared one dance and just as fast she was handed off to General O'Hara.
"Miss Preston, I would have though you would have looked more like your mother. But now that I see you face to face I see that you look more like your father."
"Are you saying that I am ugly General?" Charity asked with a smile.
"No, not at all," He said quickly," You just look more like your father. You have his eyes and your mother's figure."
'Is this some sort of a trick?' Charity asked her self.
"Thank you for such a wonderful dance," He said placing a kiss upon her hand.
"You're very welcome General." And the two of them went their separate ways. O'Hara went back to Cornwallis' side. Charity went out side.
The cool night air felt good on her skin after two dances and being in a room filled with people. Charity looked up at the sky. It was as black as ink, but the moon shone brightly. Giving the illusion to mid-day to everything its light touched. Charity could no longer hear anything, not the people nor the music. Her heart beat faster and faster. This was the part where she was to meet "him" in her dream. But no one was around. Charity was alone.
"May I have this dance?" Charity looked up. In front of her was a man dressed in a red jacket with green edges and gold trim; the uniform of a dragoon of course. He had red hair and green eyes.
"Yes," Charity said placing her hand in his. Only then did the sound of the world around her come back.
The danced and Charity got lost in his green eyes.
'Those green beautiful, caring eyes.' She thought. But all too soon the dance ended. No words where spoken between them as he took her hand and lead her out side.
They walked along a well beaten path through the gardens.
"What is your name?" Charity asked carefully.
"Captain James Mark Bordon." He said proudly. "What is your name?"
"Charity Anne Preston," he smiled at her mane.
"It's beautiful." He said.
They walked and talked most of the night. But when the time drew closer for her to leave she wished the night would never end.
"You should be getting back; you wouldn't want your parents to leave with out you." He said in a playful tone.
'I would love them to leave me here with you' Charity said inwardly. "I wish tonight would never end."
"Really, Why?" He asked as he held her hand.
"Because I've waited my whole life for this night."
"So have I," She said softly, "Come, let's find your father."
"Charity," Her mother said walking over to her with a smile. "Where have you been? Well that doesn't matter now, you're here."
"Mr. Preston, sir?"
"Yes," He said turning around to find himself face to face with Bordin.
"May I speak with you?"
"Yes of course-?"
"Captain Bordon, sir."
"Of course." The two men walked away from Charity and her mother about three yards. "Now what may I help you with?"
"Sir, may I have permission to write Charity?"
HE stopped and thought. Maybe was what his mind yelled but yes came out. "Yes you may Captain Bordon."
"Thank you sir." He said with a smile.
Charity felt a smile spread across her face.