Riding towards my plantation I could see for miles, what I saw when I looked towards my farm I noticed my family on the steps surrounded by men in red on horses. Kicking shadow into a gallop I headed towards them to find out what was going on.
I jumped off shadow and began to speak "Father what's going..." I was silenced by the look he shot me, not one of anger but one of fear. Only then did I realize that the men surrounding us were the famous Green Dragoons. I slowly walked over to my brother Gabriel.
"What's going on?" I asked him
"I don't know, they just arrived." He whispered in my ear. I looked at the leader of the group, dark brown almost black hair tied back neatly and pale blue eyes shooting daggers at my father. He was handsome but his cold demeanor let him down. His eyebrow rose when he looked at me.
"Fire the house and barns" he glanced around "Let it be known if you harbor the enemy you will lose your home"
I stepped forward in a rage. "You can't do that; we haven't done anything but care for the wounded, are you stupid or something?" His eyes were burning a hole into me. 'Shit what was I thinking? He's angry im going to get it now' my thoughts were broken at the sound of his voice, full of anger and something I couldn't distinguish.
"Borden, grab that boy, he saddles with Wilkins"
"Yes Colonel" was the short reply.
'BOY, what the…' I thought then I realized what I was wearing. I had black fitted breeches, a loose white shirt and dark brown boots on. I only ever wear dresses when we got to town. I looked at father, my face blank.
The man I guess named Borden cam over and tied my hands in front of me and dragged me to Wilkins' horse. After being sat on the horse I heard the order to ride off. We rode further and further away from my home, my life and my family. I had nothing left now. After hours of riding the Colonel held his hand up telling everyone to come to a halt.
"We make camp here for the night" he glanced at me and continued. "Sgt make the boy up a tent" and with that he turned back to his horse. I glared at him, my mind screaming 'IM NOT A BOY!'
Camp was made and all the men were enjoying food around the camp fire. All I could here was mumbling and whispering. I looked around everyone one of them were so caught up in their food. 'If im quiet I can escape.' I crawled to the woods near by and when I was far enough in I jumped up and ran. Running is hard with your hands tied but it was all I could do. I couldn't wait there to see what they would do, better to die trying than to live wondering. I don't know how long I ran but I grew tired, I slowed down and listened for any sign that they knew I was gone. Nothing. 'Yes im free yay' mentally I was screaming for joy inside but on the outside I was exhausted. I lay down next to a large tree, covered my face with my tri corner hat and let sleep consume me.
When I woke, it was dark and I could hear yelling in the distance. I cursed out loud. I began running again, the sound of hooves growing louder and louder. SNAP, I tripped and fell to the ground, my hat flying off. I looked around me and found myself surrounded by the Green Dragoons; once again I was at their mercy.
"Thought you could run did you boy" I looked at him blankly but remained silent. Gathering my strength I pulled my self up into a standing position. As I stood my long firey red hair fell around my shoulders.
The Colonels face twisted in confusion. 'Did we not take a boy' he thought.
"Confused Colonel, you thought I was a boy, shame I thought you were much smarter than that, but looks can be deceiving." I said smirking. If looks could kill I'd be dead, he glared at me, hate etched onto his face. He dismounted and walked towards me pistol drawn. "You'd do well to watch your tongue, miss" he sneered. "Well let me just poke it out and I will" I shot back. Before I knew what hit me I was on the ground holding my face. I glared at him got up and socked him in the face with my fist he staggered back. "Don't touch me jerk" I screamed. I stood frozen to the spot as he composed him self, he was seething with rage. He spoke one last time "Borden the wench saddles with you, move out" before mounting his horse and heading to the road.
'God damn wench packs a punch, she'll get hers' the Colonel was full of rage his face burning from the punch. The Green Dragoons made their way back to the fort, in silence only talking when given orders. The fort gates opened and everyone dismounted. Borden went to her me down but I ignored him and jumped off the horse. "Colonel Tavington" a voice spoke from across the garden, "Lord Cornwallis wants to see you in his office now". I smirked at the Colonel before speaking. "Someone's done something wrong, have fun" I tilted my head sideways and waved. He walked off in a huff, cursing under his breath.
"M'lord you wished to see me"
"Yes, Colonel I hear you acquired a guest, a woman no less." He said gesturing to a chair, the Colonel sat before speaking again.
"We thought she was a boy M'lord her hair was tucked under a hat" he paused sipping on a drink before continuing. "I brought her here for questioning, she was on a plantation we were ordered to raid for harboring the enemy, she shot her mouth off and we took her with us so you could question her about the colonials."
"I see well bring her in here so we can question her." was all he said.
"With all due respect M'lord this girl is not in the appropriate attire for your presence."
"Very well O'Hara will tell Alyssa to find her a dress and help fix her up, when she is done you can escort her to my office, understood?"
"Yes, M'lord". Tavington gave a slight bow and left the room.
I waited and waited until finally the Colonel returned. I whispered to Borden
"He doesn't look happy". Borden looked at me then back at the Colonel and nodded. "You" he said pointing at me, "Come with me." "Ah… No thanks" I replied through gritted teeth. Tavington nodded at Borden, who then grabbed my arm and dragged me into the large manor. In the parlor was a girl who looked to be around my age, I'm 18 turning 19 in May. She walked over to us curtsied then grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs and into a room.
"My names Alyssa, im here to help you dress and wash"
"I'm Alyncia (A-lin-cia)" smiling at her. "What am I doing in here im dressed already" I replied.
"His Lordship wishes to see you, and for that you must be dressed as a lady not as a boy" she giggled.
"Oh" was the only thing I could get out. A knock on the door signaled that the hot water for my bath was ready, I washed my hair and body and dried my self, Alyssa gave my undergarments to put on, I was ready for the corset and dress. I held the post of the bed as she tightened my corset. Now I have worn dresses and corsets before, and there's one word that's the reason I wear men's clothes, CORSETS! I gasped as she tied it off and helped my into a wine colored dress with lace around the hem and top. The sleeves ended at my elbow and they also had lace trimming. Alyssa led me to a small vanity and I sat on the chair as she pulled half of my hair into a bun and left the rest hanging around my shoulders. I chose not to wear make up Alyssa insisted saying, "You must everyone wears it" I told her no "im not I don't want to cover up what they think are imperfections" she caved and left me to wait to be called to His lordships office.
I sat in a massive sitting chair in the room, studying my feet; I was brought back to the world when someone knocked on the door. "Are you decent" the voice was unmistakably Colonel Tavington. "I am" came my short reply. The Colonel stepped through the door, and stopped, his eyes tracing my every curve. Now im not what I think is pretty, I mean come on, red hair, blue eyes, freckles, im not stick thin, im curvy, and im tall for a woman. "Are you just going to stand there and make his Lordship wait" I asked hoping he would stop staring. "Still smart mouthed I see" he offered his arm. "That will change" I accepted it reluctantly and we headed off to see the Lord General.
Cornwallis and General O'Hara were in the office awaiting the arrival of the girl Tavington took. "I was told she was dressed as a man M'lord, hardly what you would call a woman she…" O'Hara was cut off by Tavington and Alyncia walking into the room. "By all means continue I don't think you've said what you wanted, don't let me stop you" I shot at him as I walked through the door. Tavington coughed to hide his laugh. I approached Cornwallis and curtsied.
"Pleasure to meet you M'lord". He took my hand a kissed it.
"Pleasure to meet you to Miss…?"
"Willis, M'lord Alyncia Willis"
"Miss Willis, please have a seat, we have some questions for you"
I sat down in a chair and glared at O'Hara, I hadn't met him but I already didn't like him. He was to pompous for me, even Cornwallis has some personality even he smiled at my quick remark to O'Hara.
"Now Miss Willis, why were you dressed as a man when you arrived here at the Fort?"
I sighed and explained "M'lord I don't want to bore you, I had just finished helping plant the fields when I returned to find the Dragoons at my farm, I could not plant fields in a dress so I wore my working clothes"
"I see and why does Colonel Tavington have a Bruised face?" O' Hara questioned.
I smirked and replied "Maybe you should ask him Sir"
I saw the Colonel wince when I said that. 'Payback sucks Colonel get used to it and my smart mouth' I stifled a giggle.
"M'lord" the Colonel began. "She tried to escape and was being a smart mouth, I struck her she retaliated by punching me in the face." His face was blank, no remorse or sorrow just a blank canvas. I couldn't believe it he had made it sound as if I deserved to be slapped across the face for stating an opinion. I bit back a smart remark.
"I see, well Miss Willis where do your loyalties lie?"
"M'lord I have a home or should I say had a home here in South Carolina, no matter who wins this war, be it King George or General Gates I don't care. No one ever wins a war for both sides lose men, war only decides who loses fewer men, but I will remain in this country, therefore my loyalties a neutral." I looked up to see his reaction. When I glanced over at the Colonel I saw a flicker of shock but as quick as it was there it was gone. No one said anything for a while, I assumed they were thinking over what I just said and were wondering how a mere "woman" had any idea about politics at all.
Finally Cornwallis spoke. "You side with the King or the Farmers not neither"
I sighed and spoke "I stick to my beliefs M'lord, and will not choose a side" I watched his reaction, a mixture of confusion and anger clouded his eyes. "From now on you will be working with Alyssa around the manor, cleaning, cooking and managing the rooms understood"
Now I was really angry, I have to work for this pompous buffoon all because I didn't choose a side or should I say his side. "Well M'lord I am going to get out of the ridiculous dress and put on my other clothes and if you don't like it tuff I don't care, your actions today speak clear that if anyone is neutral they are treated and colonials. Don't expect me to respect you in any way or change in any way for you" I curtsied and left making my way up to the room I was in before, cursing Cornwallis under my breath. Alyssa was waiting for me, I told her what happened and she helped me out of the dress I fixed my hair into a bun and changed into my breeches, boots and shirt. As I was about to leave the Colonel barged into the room, his anger apparent.
"Alyssa leave now" his voice boomed. Alyssa scurried out of the room.
"You are in a world of trouble missy, Cornwallis is furious at your lack of respect and I get berated for your actions." He glared daggers at me. I just looked at him smirking. "Does the big bad Colonel feel small now; is he angry because I got him into trouble? Woopsie" I chewed on my finger nail whilst pouting. I knew I had got to him because he started towards me his arm reaching for my neck, I ducked under him and ran to the door, turning left I ran down the stairs and bolted towards the back of the manor, the Colonel hot on my trail. "Borden grab her!" he yelled as I ran towards the woods, now both the Colonel and Borden on my tail. I suddenly stopped and turned around; they halted and looked at me both anger and annoyance etched onto their faces. I poked my tongue out at them and started running again, I heard the Colonel growl in frustration.
I didn't look back I know if I did I would have stopped and given up knowing I couldn't get away. What I heard next shocked me, horses hooves galloping towards me 'crap' was the first thing that came to mind. As I ran towards the back garden I realized there was no where to go, I didn't want to leave the fort, I just wanted to be away from the Colonel, I knew if he got me I'd be in for it. Well I was right I made it five steps before I was scooped up onto a horse by Colonel Tavington. 'I'm dead'
We rode back to the fort where he dragged me to his room and locked it. For the next 2 days that's where I stayed, I slept on the floor of his room, I was let out to clean, cook and tend to rooms and unknown to me I had a person following me around. How the hell was I supposed to escape jump the walls of the fort, ha I couldn't, I knew he was doing it to punish me for getting him in trouble with Cornwallis, but how can I complain I get to sleep in the same room as a good looking Colonel with an anger problem. The next few days were routine get up, get dressed, clean and cook, fight with the colonel and go to bed on a floor. I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to visit Cornwallis and change arrangements this was not working.
"M'lord can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked quietly.
"Miss Willis, what comments do you have today? Hm"
"I apologize for before, I was angry at the colonel and needed to take it out on someone, you happened to be there and send me over the edge M'lord"
"Very well accepted now what can I do for you?"
"At the present I am sleeping on the colonel's floor, god forbid I should have a bed, I was wondering if I could move to somewhere else." He smiled.
"Very well there is a room in the east wing that is free you may have that, go and find Alyssa and you can set it up, it's a room for two people so she will be moving with you. Understood?"
Alyssa and I walked into the room with fresh linens and all of our belongings, there were two medium sized chests at the end of each bed, dark red curtains, a separate wash room and two frames separating the changing areas. I stood in wonder the beds were massive and plush, pillows were soft. Alyssa and I squealed and set to work making the room ours. Be the time we were finished it was dark out and we lay in our beds talking about how we came to be there. A knock on the door stopped us mid conversation.
"Miss Willis, are you there?" the voice called from behind the door. 'what the hell' I thought. "Who is it?"
"Its captain Borden, the colonel wants to know why you are not in your bed in his room and requests you there immediately"
"Tell him I am in my bed, I no longer live in his room and that he can go to hell thank you"
Alyssa and I went down to the kitchens to get food for ourselves and headed back to our room. When we entered Alyssa nudged me and pointed to a figure in the chair.
"Play along with me ok" she nodded
"Don't you wish you could run away from all this war and from that bloody colonel, arrogant, cocky and mean what a combination?" Before she could speak the figured stood up revealing its face, Colonel Tavington.
"Oh colonel" I started with a fake sincerity "I didn't know you were there…" I couldn't finish because he cut me off.
"Alyssa leave us" he boomed.
She looked at me and left. I moved to the desk and sat my food down, before sitting down in the large chair the colonel had previously occupied.
"Miss Willis, why are you occupying a room that is not yours?"
"It is mine and Alyssa's if you have a problem go and take it up with Cornwallis, are we done here?" I retorted. He approached the chair I sat in and put his hands on either side preventing any escape, he leaned forward to my ear, his breath tickling my neck.
"I've told you once and ill tell you again, you'd do well to watch your tongue" his voice was stern and full of anger.
"As I have told you Colonel I'll poke it out and watch it for you, make sure it doesn't escape." I stifled a laugh at the look on his face. Once again by the power of the Colonel I was holding my face, pain searing through my cheek.
He stood up and made for the door. I jumped up and tackled him to the ground, I fought him punching him and kicking him, his strength over powered me and I was pinned on the floor. I spat in his face. He went to slap me again, but Cornwallis came through the door. "Colonel, get off her this instant!" I smirked and got up 'He's in trouble now' he glared at me and they left the room.
It was 10 days my row with the colonel, I was cleaning the parlor when a hand covered my mouth, I tried to scream but it couldn't I was dragged to the library and pushed into the room, the lock on the door clicked. I turned around expecting to see Tavington, but was shocked to see O'Hara standing before me.
"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted.
"Im taking what I want, and what I want is you, willing or not" he strode across the room and cleared the desk. "Now you can come over here willingly or not either way you'll be over here. I stood my ground, until he wrenched my arm and pulled me to the desk. He pushed me down and tried to undo my breeches, I kicked and screamed hoping someone would hear me, a little ray of hope appeared when I kicked him in the gut, jumping up I ran to the door, jiggling the handle trying to get it open. But as quick as the hope appeared it was gone, O'Hara had recovered and made his way over to me, I turned around to a slap in the face. He grabbed my hair and once again my back met the desk, kicking and screaming didn't help. My breeches were down around my ankle and my shirt around my neck, no matter how much I tried I couldn't escape. He was now on top of me kissing my neck every time I screamed he smothered it with his lips. I screamed and as he smothered it I bit his lip. I yelled.
"Help someone anyone, HELP ME" I heard banging on the door "HELP ME PLEASE!"
"What's going on in there" I knew that voice it was Cornwallis. I yelled again but was silenced by a fist across my face, pain seared through my jaw, I felt as if someone drove a knife into my face, im a stubborn person, so I kept shouting. O'Hara's weight was crushing me he had moved so his whole weight was on me. Breathing was becoming harder with every breath. Finally the door busted open and Cornwallis walked in followed by Tavington and Borden who had come upon Cornwallis talking through the door. Tavington grabbed O'Hara and threw him across the room to where Borden was standing; he then made his way over to me. My head was down; I was pulling my breeches up and my shirt down when he got to me. Tavington's hand reached out and touched my shoulder; I jumped at the touch and stepped back. Looking up at him, tears streaming down my face, I stared at him for a second looked around the room before I whispered. "I-I-I need A-a-Alyssa" he nodded and sent Borden to get Alyssa. Alyssa ran into the room and come over to me. She led me out of the room. Before we left I heard Tavington speak. "Alyssa take her to my room give her a hot bath and some of my clothes to sleep in, let her rest, stay with her" his voice was stern and full of anger. Alyssa nodded and led me up-stairs.
Some other people bought up hot water and filled the bath, whilst I stared off into space I felt so dirty and low, my face was stained with trails of my tears. 'Why me, why me?' was constantly running through my mind. I was brought out of my thoughts by Alyssa "Lynci your bath is ready, come it will help" I slowly walked over to the bath, stripped myself of my clothes and got in the bath I washed my skin over and over again trying to rid myself of the feeling of O'Hara. I washed my hair and lay there. I slipped under the water holding my breath, trying to escape the world, until Alyssa pulled me out. "You could have drowned doing that what were you thinking?" she scolded "I wanted to escape for a while" I burst into a fresh set of tears, I had never felt this down in my life, Alyssa handed me a towel to dry myself off she then led me to where a large white shirt and large black breeches were. I got dressed, and only then did I realize where I was, Tavington's room. I was to tired and upset to care, I climbed into the large bed and lay back.
"Don't leave me Lyssa, I don't want to be alone, can you lock the door?" I asked softly.
"Sure" she got up and locked the door and came and sat beside the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not now, my face is killing me" I almost jumped out of my skin at a knock at the door. I got out of bed and hid behind the frame separating the room from the changing area.
"Who is it?" Alyssa asked
"Colonel Tavington and the Lord General." the voice replied.
She unlocked the door and they entered. As they looked around the room they couldn't see me.
"Where is she?" Tavington inquired.
"Hiding sir, she's not in a good way sir she was underneath the water when I came back and she's jumpy, sir she's over behind the screen, I'll go and get her."
Alyssa came over to me.
"Its Tavington and Cornwallis" she whispered. I walked out from behind the screen head down, fiddling with my hands. Cornwallis was the first to speak, "O'Hara has been locked in the cells and awaits a court martial in England, he has been removed from his majesty's army." I nodded and walked over to Alyssa "I want them to leave now"
The next few days I spent in my room, looking out the window. Occasionally I was visited by Cornwallis or Alyssa, but neither of them stayed long. It had been three days and I wanted to get out of the room, tying my hair in a ponytail I got dressed in a new set of breeches, my boots and a shirt, and slipped out of room. Reaching out side I went to the stable and asked if I could borrow a horse, they saddled one and I mounted. I rode out of the stables and round to the field behind the fort. It felt so good to be free of the confines of the fort; slowing the horse I dismounted and tied him to a tree, I sat at the base of another one near by. I thought back to my home and family, Gabriel, my brother, he's one year older than me, my father John Willis, what were they doing now, did they care that im gone, where did they go when the house was burnt? All these questions running through my head. The sound of yelling and horses brought my attention back to the fort, people scattered across the fields on foot and horse. I watched as they searched for something. I never occurred that it could be me. I sat there watching them until a man pointed at me.
"Found her she's over there!" he yelled. Two horse fast approached I rose off the ground and walked to my horse; I mounted and rode towards them.
"Trying to escape were you?" I heard from behind me.
"Oh no you caught me, damn." I began. "do you honestly think that I would ride towards you if I wanted to escape, I've been out here for hours and you only just noticed I was gone, I would be half way to anywhere if I wanted to escape." The colonel went to speak but I cut him off. "You should really keep an eye on your stable boys handing out horses to anyone" I scolded and with that I rode off towards the fort leaving three stunned officers behind me.
Up in our room, Alyssa and I sat discussing how much the colonel hates me.
"He hates me and my smart mouth because I always talk back to him." I laughed
"I know, you wouldn't believe this but he stares at you when you can't see him, I think he likes you" she smirked.
"Do you think he's capable of feelings?"
"Everyone is he just finds it hard to express them, I guess his work gets him riled up and then he doesn't ever come down"
"I guess, he is good looking, I enjoy our verbal sparring matches. Any way im going to bed night"