Author's Note: Ok, this is just the standard, disclaimer thingy. The only character born from my imagination in this chapter is that of Alys Tavington. The rest were created by someone else in the motion picture The Patriot. First off, thank you for reading! Please, feel free, nay! ENCOURAGED to review. I'm not a review junkie, but feedback is always very much appreciated. Well, enjoy the read and I hope to hear from you soon!
The sun rising molten over the fields, a soft breeze cooling the humid air; it was a beautiful morning. In the colonies, it was the best one could ask for. The only thing that could improve the day would be a ship full of new recruits - fresh faces, strong, rested bodies all ready to be put to use in the fields. And that was exactly what Colonel William Tavington, standing in the glow of the South Carolina sunshine, was looking at.
The ship was a glory. It's sides gleamed in the morning light as men rushed about to lower the gangplank. Tavington breathed deep the remnants of sea air as well as a whiff of class. Any craft sent by the King himself was no dinghy after all.
General Cornwallis sighed contentedly and beamed at the young healthy prospects making their way to the dock. "Glorious day, isn't it?" he said, in a rare good humor.
"Quite enjoyable," Tavington answered, smiling mirthlessly.
"Reminds you why we bother with this oversized chunk of a country."
"Indeed, sir."
Cornwallis glanced at Tavington sideways. "By all means, Colonel, don't overexcite yourself." Getting no reply he scoffed, "Good lord, is it possible for you to show a little passion?"
Tavington bit the inside of his cheek in irritation. Measuredly, he replied, "Respectfully sir, you'll find me a much more passionate man when I am putting this ship's cargo to the test on the battlefield."
"Ah ha. Very good, then. Very good" The General's eye's flicked to the first men who were disembarking. "Well, then." He shifted and straightened his waistcoat. "I suppose we should... eh, shall we?"
"If you insist, sir." Tavington made a motion for the ranks behind him to stand at attention as the General gave the old smile and nod at every lad that signed in. A few, surprised and pleased, grinned and looked to Tavington for a similar gesture of welcome. He sneered coldly and that was the end of that.
A whistle came from one of the ranked men behind him. The Colonel whirled around to silence the individual with a ferocious glare before turning his attention back to the ramp. He had to swallow a gasp and watched with his fists clenched and his teeth grinding together as a tanned, solid girl of nineteen sauntered impudently down to the dock.
She was plainly and cheaply dressed, although - much to the Colonel's relief - the clothes were tasteful. She wore no bonnet over her closely chopped hair and there was a wide, cheeky smile on her wide, cheeky face.
She stepped onto the dock with a little bounce and planted herself directly in front of Tavington and the General. "Daddy!" she cried, moving in for an embrace. Tavington stiffly jerked his head at Cornwallis. The girl drew back, thrown off, but then turned to the superior officer and lowered her voice. "I beg your pardon. General." She firmly offered her hand to the General - as a man would. Tavington squeezed his eyes shut.
Cornwallis took a moment to evaluate her and then turned her hand gently so that the palm faced down. She blushed with embarrassment. The General kissed her fingertips and then looked her in the face. "Ah yes, Miss Tavington. Alys? It is Alys, is it not?" She nodded, silently. "Well then. You are most welcome to the colonies, my dear. I trust your stay will be an enjoyable one."
"Thank you very much indeed, my lord," she answered. She looked hopefully at Tavington, but her eyes were drawn beyond him to the soldiers struggling to cover their smirks. She sighed and curtsied, eyes downcast. "It is very good to see you, father." And with one last curtsy, she began the walk toward the manor.
Tavington could barely contain himself. He paced rapidly back and forth across the General's office, fuming and breathing like a dragon. Cornwallis allowed himself a secret smile to see the cool, calculating Colonel in such a row. "Do be good and have a seat, won't you Colonel?"
Throwing himself into the chair, Tavington took a deep, deep breath before hissing, "What is she doing here?"
For his own amusement, Cornwallis took his sweet time. He produced a letter from his coat and handed it to Tavington, who snatched it and, finding it already opened, began to scour it furiously. The General spoke as he read. "Her mother seems to have run onto a bit of hard times. Illness and that sort of thing, am I right? And the young lady was unable to find a job that eh, society would not condemn. So she has been sent here to you."
Tavington groaned slightly at that but continued reading. He slowly lowered the paper, his face blank except for what could have been construed as a touch of regret in his eyes. Cornwallis peered at him. "Oh. Apparently, it's more serious than all that."
The Colonel cleared his throat. "Lucy's doctor has also enclosed a note. He does not believe that she will live out the month. And given the time it takes to travel to the colonies by sea..."
"She has died already," Cornwallis finished. He looked for a very long while at Tavington, watching for some sign of sorrow or remorse. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Colonel." The man merely folded the letters and put them in his pocket. "Yes, well," the General stammered. "I understand that you were not married..."
"No," Tavington said sharply.
"Then, perhaps the ties that bind were not quite as..."
"No. They weren't." Tavington looked up and met the General's eyes with his own, unwavering gaze. "I request permission to take my leave of you sir. It appears that I have a..." he shook his head as if the word put a bad taste in his mouth. ".. daughter to tend to."
"Indeed. Very well." The General waved his hand in dismissal and the Colonel rose and strode curtly out of the room.
Alys sat cross legged on the unfamiliar bed, listlessly folding and unfolding her clothes. Every now and then the view would catch her attention and she would stare out at the golden, rustic countryside, eyes flying like birds over the rolling hills and far away trees.
A sound at the door startled her back to earth. Her father, Colonel Tavington, stood stiffly in the frame. Despite the glower he was sending her, Alys couldn't help but smile. He was a striking man; tall, dark and commanding. It was easy to see why her mother had fallen for him. What woman wouldn't feel safe in the presence of such strength? A ripple of pride ran through her blood to think that she was descended from that strength.
But no such affection would be given her. "Is that any way for a lady to sit?" Tavington demanded. Alys uncrossed her legs hurriedly and put her feet on the floor. The Colonel winced to see bare toes under those skirts. Alys looked at them too and grinned sheepishly. It was not returned.
After a moment, Alys's grin withered under the Colonel's icy stare. Ever buoyant, she ventured, "Haven't seen me in a while, have you?"
"Where is you hair?" was the short response.
She touched her shorn locks and laughed loudly. "I sold it!" she giggled. "Isn't that a stitch? A wigmaker bought it for quite the pretty penny. Said most would pay good money for curls like mine. Although, I wish you could have seen them. They were something." She searched his eyes and shivered at their cold blueness. "Mother sends her regards," she said finally.
Tavington sniffed. And tossed her a package.
"What's this?" She picked at the paper.
"Open it up," he said curtly. She did and a beautiful green muslin dress spilled onto her lap. Before she had time to gasp in appreciation, he let fire, voice as clipped and measured as musket fire. "You are to stay on the grounds of the manor at all times. You will not speak unless you are spoken to first. You are not to associate with the enlisted men and you are most certainly not to associate with me." Alys bit her lip and set her face in an oblivious smile.
"This is quite the dress," she said, voice strained despite her best efforts. "Thank you."
"It is a gift from the General."
She tossed her head and looked him dead on, soft brown eyes against hard blue. Her teeth flashed in a bright grin. "Then I shall be sure to thank him." And with that, she swung her legs back up on the bed and crossed them under her, still staring at the Colonel, daring him to comment.
He barely raised an eyebrow and turned his back on her just like that.