Lady Shannen Brobeck
"Do you believe your sins have been forgotten, Colonel Tavington? They have not been. Forgiven yes, forgotten, no."
Lady Brobeck
For thirty days, Lady Catherin Cornwallis-Tavington mourned the death of her husband, Colonel William Tavington. And for those thirty dark days, she was seen by no one.
It was also, the days when Doctor Elijah Harris worked long into the night on one particular patient.
Colonel William Tavington.
The medical tent was off-limits for the thirty days of so-called mourning, and the sentry posted at the entrance sent anyone who dared to try to enter it, away. There could be no mistakes or interruptions. Time was of the essence. And as the days drug slowly by, it seemed that something was not right.
Catherine woke with a start. Thunder rumbled overhead, lightning flashed here and there, and rain pounded on the windows.
She sighed deeply.
She thought longingly about William, and for a brief moment, everything that had happened in the last month, seemed to be only a horrid nightmare.
She sighed again. She knew it to be real, though, and fought back the tears she knew would come if she thought anymore about it. Still, it was difficult. When her mother had passed, she thought her world had ended. It had not, but the feelings of helplessness and loneliness overwhelmed her.
But now…now her world had ended, and the same bitter helplessness and loneliness seemed to overwhelm her even more. She had not expected to feel this way so soon after her mother's passing, let alone reliving it over and over again, but it could not be helped.
Wiiliam, she thought woefully, why did you go to this willingly? You knew what was to happen! Yet, you went anyway. Mother could not help dying, it was God's will! You had a choice in whether to die or not! You went against my wishes! Why?
Her angry thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Not wanting to leave her bed, she simply called out for them to enter. The door opened slightly, and Banastre Tarleton slipped into the room.
"You look quite atrocious, my lady!" He chuckled.
Catherine glared icily at him.
"How do you expect me to look, Lt. Colonel?"
He chuckled again.
"My dear lady, you know as well as I do, that you have lost no one."
"Yes, I do know that…it is just taking far too long for him to return. Why is that?"
Banastre shook his head.
"If I knew, I would most certainly inform you of the reason. However, as I do not know, and neither does Doctor Harris, I cannot tell you."
Catherine sighed deeply once more.
"Does he not want to come back?"
Tarleton shrugged.
"Again, I do not know. Doctor Harris has opined the same thing, as has Lady Brobeck. However, she seems to believe that Will is simply biding his time, and enjoying our suffering. Cannot say I blame him any."
Catherine eyed him curiously.
"Lady Brobeck?"
Ban smirked slightly.
"Oh yes, the Earl Haverhill's lovely wife."
"When did she arrive? I thought she was still in England with her husband?"
"She arrived about a month ago. Unfortunately for her, the Earl seems to have gone to the Rebels, and is fighting with them."
Catherine's lips curled up in a disdainful sneer.
"He what? Why would he do that? I always believed he was a loyal supporter of King George?"
"As we all did, Catherine. Still, that is what he has done."
"And his wife? How does she feel about it, especially since she is here with us?"
Tarleton grinned his usual lopsided grin.
"As any well-borne wife would feel. She was horrified when he turned traitor. Then, she was angry. Now, she is bitter."
"What of her own sympathies? Is she loyal?" Catherine inquired.
"Very much so. In fact, she said if she even sees a hair of her husband's head, she will cut it off. His head and the hair." Tarleton snickered.
"I look forward to meeting Lady Brobeck."
"You will get along with her quite well, my dear Lady Tavington. If I am not mistaken, and I rarely am you know, the two of you are quite similar in temperament and bearing."
"Oh?"
"Oh yes, the two of you together would have given both myself, and Will, a run for our coins! And," He smiled coyly at her, "You both are quite the ravishing young ladies."
Catherine smiled at him.
"Why thank you Lt. Colonel Tarleton." She smiled warmly. "Have I ever told you just how handsome you really are? I f I have not, I am remiss in my duty as a woman."
The Lt. Colonel blushed under such a compliment.
"I do believe you have, and I thank you sincerely for it. Now, are you going to get up and leave this dreary room, or do I need to throw you over my shoulder and take you forcibly from it?"
Catherine waved this question away.
"No, I shall get up. I am tired of this mourning. Besides, I doubt William would have approved of me doing so. You know he was with that sort of thing."
Banastre nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I do know. Now, do get dressed and I shall meet you downstairs in the parlour. Doctor Harris is expecting you in the Medical Tent in half an hour's time."
Catherine grinned faintly.
"Of course. Off with you, Lt. Colonel, so I may get dressed properly, and in private."
He chuckled good-naturedly.
"I shall await you downstairs then." He bowed to her and slipped quickly from the room.
Catherine rose from the bed, and began to attire herself in the proper fashion of a widow. When she had finished, she stood observing herself in the long looking glass near the bed. When she was satisfied by her appearance, she heaved a heavy sigh. Time to see her fallen husband for the first time since Martin had killed him. This would prove to be a test of her will, and her love, for him.
Sighing again, she looked about the room for a brief moment. She would order one of the servants to clean it properly. It must be ready for the Colonel's return.
She looked back at the mirror once more. Yes, Tarleton was right, she was indeed quite ravishing. And, he was quite handsome.
A cool smile spread across her face.
"Ah, my dearest Ban! I do believe I have found you a wife!"
Lady Shannen Brobeck.