Chapter 2

I'm pretty much just pulling this story from the air….so bear with me, eh?

"Let it be known," Tavington continued, "that those who attempt to escape Charles Town will be imprisoned. Now, woman, where is your husband?"

Charlotte thought for a moment. Would it be better for her and her slaves to tell Tavington she was a widow? Or was it better to lie?

"Colonel," she started with great resolve, "my husband is at our plantation, Drakespur. I was just visiting my sick aunt in Charles Town and now I am returning."

"You picked quite tiresome day to leave," Tavington sneered, "and, what, you took all the contents of your aunt's house with you?"

"I like to live comfortably when I visit."

"I see," Tavington said, "well then, what is your name, Madame?"

"Charlotte Selton."

"A pleasure to make your charming acquaintance, Mrs Selton."

"Likewise," Charlotte returned, albeit uncertainly. In spite of the fact that he did not evoke the fear in her as he had hoped, she knew he was suspicious and that bothered her. She could see it in his frigid blue eyes that would not leave her alone. Charlotte had not been looked at in that way for a very long time. It was shameful—and just a little exciting.

"So if you please, Colonel," she said, "I must be getting home."

Tavington's sharp senses told him that something was amiss. How could a husband let his wife travel alone during such tumultuous times? Nonetheless, he let her pass. There was always time later during his stay in South Carolina to find out just exactly where Drakespur was.

"Have a good journey to Drakespur, Mrs. Selton!" He called as Charlotte and her caravan hurried on. She knew then that it had been a mistake to tell him the name of the plantation.

"Mrs. Charlotte Selton," Tavington murmured softly, committing her name to memory.

Charlotte arrived at Drakespur late in the evening. It was far too late to eat supper so she settled herself in her chambers, eating only some bread that had been taken from Charles Town and some cheese. As she readied for bed, she found herself thinking of the Colonel she'd met on the outskirts of Charles Town. So those were the types that were now controlling the city. She shuddered, remembering how he'd gazed at her with a queer, unrelenting intensity. His eyes never seemed to let hers go for an instant.

The candle just being snuffed, Charlotte climbed into bed. It was a mild night and a soft breeze blew in from the open windows. There were no sounds of cannon, no sounds of chaos, only the sounds of peaceful South Carolina countryside. Charlotte had always felt so safe here at Drakespur, so far away from everything. Only with the memories of her short, happy marriage were here and nothing else.

Charlotte thought of her nieces and nephews. She was unsure of the safety of the country roads, otherwise she would have decided to go and visit them the following day. It had been a few months since she'd seen them last; they had come with letters from Gabriel and William had read all of them to her, show off his new found reading skills. It seemed as if it was only yesterday when he was learning letters!

Benjamin, of course, was the seams of his family, holding everyone together. He had always been close with the children but since his wife died they'd become inseparable. Charlotte was always a part of their lives, for the children needed a maternal figure. The idea of the two marrying had lingered in the air since things had started to become more chaotic. The war had been a trying time for all involved and now seemed as good a time as any to secure some sort of future; a future for Benjamin and his children, a future for Charlotte. Yet she was hesitant. The idea of sharing the same bed as her sister had done only a few years before was dishonorable to Charlotte. It could very well be construed as incest—to marry her brother in law. Charlotte, therefore, had resolved to never accept or encourage any of Benjamin's advances (and there were some). To honor the memory of her sister, she vowed to be a loving aunt to Elizabeth's children and nothing more.

But that left the question of Charlotte's future still up in the air. After the war had ended, whether the colonies won independence or not, she'd still be a widow. Charlotte tried to get some sleep last night but only tossed and turned as many things weighed heavily on her mind.

She wondered if she'd ever have to cross paths with Colonel Tavington again.

Ok guys, you know the drill. I still have no clue as to where this will go but what the heck. And yeeeesss you can expect some pairing of Charlotte/Tavington. Coupling, if you will. But what will happen when Charlotte finds Margaret, Susan and William at her doorstep telling her Gabriel has been taken hostage and Thomas is dead? oooo