The Disastrous Effects Begin
Charles Town:
Bordon loosened his cravat. He wished he could strip his Redcoat off and wear nothing but his ruffled white cotton shirt. Unfortunately, a British Officer was required to be in uniform at all times, except under special circumstances.
"I've decided that I hate South Carolina," he muttered to Tavington, who sat across from him at the desk in Mark Putman's office.
"I quite like it myself," William admitted as he read from his field journal. He had a fair amount of administration to catch up on and was endeavouring to get some done that morning. Clinton needed his reports and Tavington was painstakingly translating his scribbled notes into something more substantial for the Commander in Chief.
"Even with the heat," he continued, distracted.
Bordon scowled and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a kerchief.
"Some wedding this morning, hmm?" He said now. "Are you going to the banquet this evening?"
"I will stay for as long as protocol dictates," William said primly.
As the Commanding Officer, there was always the expectation that he would attend the official ceremonies of his Dragoons Officers, weddings being no exception. Though he was loathe to do so, he had attended church that morning and stood with his fellow Officers as Colin Ferguson married Miss Mary Tisdale.
"Besides," he continued. "Linda will be waiting for me this evening. Rogering her will be a far more enjoyable prospect than listening to more of Tisdale's speeches."
"He was a little long winded, wasn't he?" Bordon chuckled. "Harmony and I will leave early also. She wants to have a few whiskeys tonight and she can't while she behaving like 'a fine lady'."
"Sounds as though she hasn't enjoyed herself a Hell of a lot thus far. Perhaps you shouldn't have made such a fuss to get her an invitation, hmm?" William arched an eyebrow and pinned Bordon with a stern gaze.
"Perhaps," he shrugged nonchalantly.
His argument with Colin Ferguson had caused a deep rift, one that Bordon was now expected to smooth over. Richard himself was uncertain why he had been so infuriated, why he had fought so hard, to ensure Harmony could attend the wedding. The truth was, she was uncomfortable with all the well bred women, those of the aristocracy. While she could fit in with them fairly well when she had to, she much preferred the more earthy company she usually kept with the other women at the tavern.
A knock sounded on the door. Bordon and Tavington exchanged a 'pointed' look. The reason they had taken a hiatus from the wedding celebrations was because the two men had heard whispers. Rumours, concerning William and Beth at the Simms ball. After very little digging, Bordon had discovered who lay at the heart of those rumours.
"I think I'll speak with young Arthur alone, Richard," William stated coolly.
"Just as I thought," Captain Bordon nodded. "You'll keep Harmony's name out of it won't you? She doesn't want the other Dragoons to know she repeated what they were saying at the Kings Arms last night."
"Yes, yes - your mistress will be kept out of it," William waved the comment off. He hardly had need of Harmony's testimony in any case. He'd heard the gossip from five different sources already - each story more embellished than the last.
Bordon had risen and was letting a very nervous Arthur Simms into the office. Richard shut the door behind him as he left, leaving the other two Officers in private.
"Take a seat," William waved his hand to the seat Bordon had vacated and Arthur sat down slowly.
Tavington considered the youth for some time before speaking, watching with his piercing gaze as the boy squirmed in the chair.
"Do you know why you've been summoned, Corporal?" William said finally, his deadly drawl breaking the silence.
"Yes, Sir," Arthur hung his head in shame.
"Do you understand that I wish to marry Miss Martin?" The Commander asked.
"Yes, Sir," Arthur whispered.
"And yet you felt it prudent to announce to Wilkins and the other Dragoons - in a tavern filled to the rafters with Officers - that I stole away with Beth and bedded her on the night of the ball."
"Sir, I am so sorry. I was drinking and -"
William cracked his fist on the table, the loud smack cut Arthur's protests off mid sentence.
"I gave you a confidence, Corporal!" He bellowed, out of patience. "If the drink loosens your tongue so much, how can I trust you would not reveal military intelligence to the wrong ears every time you get soused?"
Arthur closed his eyes, utterly mortified to have lost the Officers trust.
"I want her to be my fiancé, God damn it," William raged. "I want to marry her but after what you revealed, she is as good as ruined!"
Silence from the youth. Arthur had no words now, nothing to say in his defence.
"News is rife through the township and is already leaking out of the province! I wouldn't be surprised if Beth hears of it herself in the next few days! How will she be treated, hmm? Did you think of that?" William leaned in close, his eyes raging as he glared at Arthur. "Can you fix this? Are there any words you can say that will restore my Beth's reputation to her?"
Both knew there were none. It was a mute question, serving to illustrate how important it was for one to think before he spoke.
"No, there isn't," William continued quietly. "So. How do you propose to fix this?"
"Sir, I…" Arthur swayed in his seat. His mind worked furiously, wondering what he could say, what he could do. "A public retraction, maybe?" he asked softly, knowing such a declaration would have little or no effect.
The gossips would continue to speak the stories. To make matters worse, a maid from the Tisdale's employment had come forward that very morning. She stated publicly that on the night that Miss Martin had stayed over at the Tisdale's home, she'd seen William enter the chamber meant for Beth.
The maid was dismissed from service at once. Mary Tisdale - now Mrs. Ferguson, had sent the woman packing the moment the maid opened her mouth. But again, it was too late, the damage had been done.
"A retraction," William repeated softly, then scoffed. "You and I both know how little effect such a move would have."
Arthur was at a loss for words.
"Beth went to great lengths to protect you and your family, Arthur," William ground out. "The letter she sent you warning of the imminent attack was signed anon, but we both know it came from her. And this is how you show your appreciation? By breaking my confidence and destroying her virtue."
"I didn't mean to… to be ungrateful. I feel wretched about it, truly! I wish I could take the words back, I wish I could… I could kick myself! I feel so guilty, she did go to efforts to protect me and mine! She even helped me out with my mother, got her off my back! Sir, I can not tell you enough… I am so sorry. I don't know why I did it and…" Arthur trailed off, his tone was filled with remorse and he stared at his hands as though trying to hold back tears. How mortified he would be, to cry in front of Tavington? That would just be the crowing glory of his misery.
"You're drinking is becoming problematic, Arthur," William said, finally taking pity on the boy.
While he wanted to drub him from one end of Charles Town to the other, the fact remained that this was William's fault, not the boys. William, Banastre and Bordon had introduced the lad to a life of whoring and getting crocked. At the impressionable age of seventeen years, William could not really expect the lad to behave more responsibly. He was well aware the boy idolised him, and William had hardly conducted himself to a standard the boy could - or should - emulate.
He would change that now, he decided. No more carousing, no more whoring. He wasn't ready to give Linda up and he would still take her with him when the battalion moved out, but he would have her instilled in her own tent. And he wouldn't allow himself to get so thoroughly soused in future. If he wished for his men to behave in a certain manner then he must lead by example. Not chastise them afterwards when they failed him.
Besides, it was William who asked Arthur for a discreet place to take Beth. It was William who had taken the girl to Arthur's chamber and it was William's seed the maid had found splattered all over the coverlet.
While he would have liked to place the entire blame on young Arthur, it was, quite simply, William's fault.
"It is clear to me," Tavington continued now, "that the drink loosens your tongue and I can not have you revealing what you should not. I hereby forbid you to drink another drop."
Arthur raised his head, his expression chagrined. William waited him out, waited for the boys response. He was not serious, of course - especially when there was a formal wedding banquet to be held that very evening. Besides when men were forbidden a vice, they always found a way to indulge themselves. It was human nature.
William was merely attempting to gage how remorseful Arthur was. The young Corporal nodded, accepting his punishment. That was what William had been waiting for. The fact that Arthur showed his willingness to accept his punishment without question proved how sorry the youth was.
"Yes, Sir," he said softly, his eyes lowered.
"Arthur, look at me," William said and Arthur raised his eyes. As he suspected, the boys eyes shone with unshed tears. "You, young man, are an exceptional soldier, a credit to the Green Dragoons. You have shown a flare for the military and with nurture I believe you may best even Banastre and myself one day. You will be glorious in the saddle with a pistol in one hand and a sabre in the other."
"Thank you, Sir," Arthur said, slightly assuaged.
"I do not believe you would have revealed what you did, if not for the ale. Some men function perfectly fine drunk - better in fact, than when they are sober. You however, are not one of them," William pierced the boy with a hard gaze, waited for the nod of agreement. "I can not have you getting crocked and revealing what you should not. Be that as it may, I have decided against forbidding you liquor altogether. You have may partake but for the Lord's grace - show some moderation!"
"Yes, Sir!" Arthur said in a stronger voice.
"Very good. You may leave me now, I've been summoned by Clinton and must be away."
Both Officers rose and began to head toward the door. Before they got there, Arthur turned to Tavington.
"Sir," he said softly, still feeling wretched about betraying Beth. "I truly am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt Miss Martin but I know she will suffer the backlash of what I revealed. Is there anything I can do, anything at all?"
"No, Arthur," William said honestly. "Only one thing can save her now, and that is marriage."
"You'll still marry her, ruined as she is?"
William snorted.
"I'm the one who ruined her, boy. Besides, what Miss Jutland tried to tell you was quite true. Miss Martin is still a virgin. And I am a Gentleman. I will marry her."
Arthur's face lit up, he reeled slightly with relief. As soon as the rumours had begun to fly, and knowing it was all his fault, he had worried for Beth's future. He told as much to William now.
"I even told Mamma I'd marry Beth after all," Arthur confided. Then, seeing Tavington's face darken with jealousy, he rushed on, "I know you care for her, I'd never step where you have a claim. It was just the thought of her being snubbed by everyone that made me want to make the offer. But Mamma has changed her mind about me marrying Miss Martin, she flew into apoplexy at the very suggestion."
"Good, because Beth is mine," Tavington scowled. He paused and continued with a frown, "wait - what exactly did Mrs. Simms say?"
"Well, the day after the ball - when the maid told Mamma that there was… 'Evidence of coupling'… Mamma lectured me, thinking I'd taken some strumpet to my chamber. I didn't admit the truth, I allowed her to believe what she believed. But she was nagging me about Miss Martin, you see. She was worried whatMiss Martin would think if she learned I'd been with a strumpet. Mamma feared that maybe Beth wouldn't want me for a husband. That was when Mamma told me she'd disinherit me if I didn't marry Beth. Of course that all happened before Beth left Charles Town. But this morning, when Mamma learned it wasMiss Martin in the chamber all along - with you… Well, she felt duped, I guess. And now her regard for the girl has changed somewhat."
"Has she forgotten that it was Beth's words that protected her family from the damned rebels?" Tavington raged, instantly furious.
"No, but she is speaking more of my 'lucky escape' now, and less of Miss Martin's assistance to our family…"
"And how many people has she been speaking to of your 'lucky escape'?" William ground out.
"Too many, Sir," Arthur replied weakly. He was the one to have opened his mouth about it, after all. "And with the wedding today, she's been speaking to her companions…"
"I shall speak with your mother," William growled threateningly, seeing the danger at once. He had been intending to marry Beth for sometime, of course. And now with her virtue under threat because of these rumors flying about, it was even more imperative he do so. The only way he could help restore Beth's standing in Society was to marry her.
Mrs. Simms position in Society was such that a few well chosen words amongst her peerage could destroy Beth utterly. Not even marriage to the high ranking Colonel would save her then.
"What will you say?" Arthur asked nervously.
"I'll make certain she starts singing Beth's praises, come Hell or high water," William growled. "I'll not have your mother undermine the efforts I intend to make to help Beth. I will not have your mother simply forget the good will Beth has shown your family!"
With that, Tavington marched from the office into the corridor, leaving an apprehensive Arthur behind.
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As luck would have it, Tavington's meeting with Clinton was brief and to the point, he was only at the Assembly Hall for a half hour. Every moment he was there, he itched to be away for his 'chat' with Mrs. Simms. The banquet would begin in a few hours and William was determined to have his say to the Loyalist aristocrat before she could spread more disparaging comments about Beth.
He strode quickly from the Assembly Hall to the place where he had his horse tied, in the yard around the back. Mrs. Simms would, he imagined, be at her mansion readying herself and changing into the appropriate attire for the banquet. William had no need to change, having already worn his dress uniform to the wedding.
Placing his foot in the stirrup, he prepared to mount when he was suddenly seized from behind. He was pulled back down and whirled about, abruptly coming face to face with his attacker.
"You fucking bastard!" Watson screamed. The Private pulled his fist back and punched William in the stomach with all the force he could muster.
Utterly shocked, Tavington had no time to block. His breath 'wooshed' out of his lungs and he bent over himself, his eyes bulging as he clutched at his stomach.
"You've fucking ruined her!" Watson bellowed, pulling his fist back for another strike.
Instincts kicking in, Tavington responded at once. He drew a sharp breath to fill his lungs with air and raised his arm to block the blow, answering it with a quick jab of his curled fist to Watson's stomach. The Private gasped and staggered back a pace.
Stepping forward, William punched again, an upper cut to Watson's jaw that sent the Private sprawling to his back, moaning and writhing, clutching at his bleeding mouth.
Breathing heavily from rage rather than exertion, William stood over Watson, his icy gaze glaring down at the youth. Before Nicholas could rise, William drew his sabre and planted the tip to the youth's throat.
Watson froze beneath the blade, his eyes widened with fear as he gazed up at the enraged Officer from where he lay flattened to the ground. The sabre was razor sharp, the tip drawing a bead of blood from Watson's adam's apple. Nicholas gulped, then tried not to move.
"You've just attacked a superior Officer," William drawled down at the Private, his eyes cold and hard. He utterly detested the young man, the youth who thought he could court Beth. "What have you to say for yourself, before I have you clamped in irons, hmm?"
"Irons?" Nicholas rasped, careful of the sword tip at his throat. "You've ruined her, Tavington! All those rumours flying about - that you and she… That you… Are they true?"
William smiled a slow, condescending smile.
"Is it true that my fiancé and I spent a very enjoyable time alone together at the Simms ball?" He taunted, amused now. "I hardly see how that is any concern of yours."
Private Watson momentarily forgot the sabre pressed to his throat, such was his incredulity. He gasped and lifted his head, ready to rise, only to suddenly become aware of the sword all over again when it nicked him a little deeper this time. With a grimace of pain, he held himself still.
"Fiancé?" He was absolutely astonished. "You're deluded Sir. She left here to get away from you!"
William's amusement vanished, replaced with violent wrath. Nicholas, seeing his own death reflected in the Lieutenant Colonel's eyes, stiffened and waited for Tavington to skewer him through the neck. After several long, tense filled moments, Tavington calmed himself somewhat, edged himself back from the brink of murder.
"You know nothing of it," he seethed. "Nothing. She has left but she is mine still. We are engaged and we will marry, one way or another."
"What is that supposed to mean, 'one way or another'?" Nicholas asked bravely. While it was tempting to reveal what he knew of Beth's intentions to marry Burwell, just to see the look on Tavington's face, the Commander still had his sword pressed to Watson's throat. Besides, a promise was a promise and he would not betray Beth by revealing her engagement to Burwell out of spite. He would, however, tell Trellim of Tavington's words at the first opportunity.
"Again," William sneered, "it is none of your concern."
He stepped back, easing the sabre tip from Watson's neck.
"Be thankful that I do not have you seized for attacking a superior Officer, boy," he said as he sheathed his sword.
Many other Officers had stopped by now, to watch the spectacle before them. William ignored them, his cold eyes fixed on Watson - he made no move to help as the youth rose. The lad dusted himself off and pressed a hanky to his bleeding neck.
"If you are foolish enough to do so again," William continued, "I will not be so merciful. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sir," Watson said, shooting William a contemptuous glance. "Thank you for your forbearance, Sir," he sneered.
"It seems you need a lesson in manners," William said with narrowed eyes. "You are dangerously close to insubordination."
After several deep breaths, Watson managed to compose himself in order to address his superior in a more correct manner.
"Sir," he began in a neutral tone. "I beg forgiveness for my outburst and hope that you will show clemency."
"That's better," William drawled. He eyed the youth up and down and decided, after much inward arguing, that the boy simply was not worth the time and effort. He still had Mrs. Simms to deal with and time was running out. "Next time, boy - you will be whipped and then expelled from the army. Do not doubt it, I can and will enforce this."
"I do not doubt it, Sir," Watson said truthfully. Tavington was well within his rights to do exactly that, based on this attack alone.
"Furthermore, do not question me in regards to Miss Martin. She is no concern of yours."
With that, William turned and mounted swiftly. He whirled his horse, ready to gallop away but he drew rein beside Watson instead. He gazed down at the young man coldly.
"She is mine, boy. Do not doubt that, either," he ground out. "I advise you to forget her."
Watson gaped like a fool and watched in astonishment as Tavington rode from the yard. Several Officers came forward to offer assistance and to berate him for a dolt, for taking Tavington on the way he had. Nicholas ignored them all, shrugging them off and marching through them for his own horse. He needed to get word to Trellim of this development at once.
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The muscles in Tavington's stomach ached from Watson's punch. The wounds he had taken a few days previously at the Falls were stinging like fire now but he didn't think any of them had opened. Seething with fury he kicked his horses flanks, urging more speed from his poor mount.
Attacking him, in the middle of the bloody yard at the Assembly Hall! Questioning him in regards to Beth, doubting his word! They were engaged, whether Beth knew it or not. She would marry him and no other, everything he did where she was concerned was for that end.
And now it had become imperative that the aristocrats of Charleston know she was engaged to him, for it would lessen the damage done to her reputation!
That was how he would help her now, he decided. He would put it about that they were engaged, that she had 'secretly' accepted him before she left Charles Town. The damage would be lessened if people believed he and Beth had merely indulged in a little dallying before their marriage. It was not unheard of, most of their peers had fooled around with their betrothed's. In some cases, the bride was already pregnant at the time of their wedding! Though it was spoken of but rarely and when these antics were made public they were very much deplored.
They still occurred, however, even amongst the aristocracy. And if Beth had the correct support in Charles Town, she may not find herself ousted from Society.
Which was were Mrs. Simms came in.
The short, hard ride to the Simms mansion did nothing to mollify his temper. Dismounting at the broad front steps, he tossed his reins to the waiting servant and trotted up the stone steps, into the mansion proper. After announcing he was there to see Mrs. Simms and that the servant was to summon herimmediately, he was escorted to the parlor to wait. There, he paced back and forth, his rage increasing by the moment.
Eventually, Mr. And Mrs. Simms came into the parlor to meet him. Both sensed his agitation at once, as soon as he stopped pacing and stood stock still to regard them so very coldly.
"Lieutenant Colonel," Mr. Simms spoke first. "You needed to see us immediately? What can we do for you?"
"I am here to see your wife, Mr. Simms," William declared crisply, his eyes fixed on Caroline. Mrs. Simms gulped at his stone hard expression. Sensing this meeting would not be pleasant, she slowly lowered herself to a seat.
"As for what she can do for me," William continued in that same, fury filled tone, his cold gaze piercing hers, "she can damned well remember that Miss Martin warned your family of that plot - at great risk to herself - before destroys Beth's reputation with her disparaging comments!"
Mrs. Simms drew herself up in her seat, though her face reddened with embarrassment.
"Sir," Mr. Simms sat close to his wife. "If you would take a seat, perhaps we can discuss this calmly?"
"I will not be calm!" William raged, taking several steps forward to tower over Caroline. Michael surged to his feet to stand between his wife and the looming Officer.
"Sir, you will distress my wife!" Mr. Simms cried bravely. "Please, I beg of you, be calm!"
William ignored him. Staring down at Mrs. Simms coldly, he continued to berate her. "You dare? After she sent that letter to Corporal Simms, telling him of the pending attack against your family, begging him to keep you safe?"
Mrs. Simms lowered her eyes and swallowed hard.
"This is how you show your appreciation, by defaming Miss Martin to all who would listen?"
"Now, Sir," Mr. Simms said carefully, shifting to keep himself between the two. "Those rumours where true - it was not defamation."
"And yet, the derisive comments will stop," Tavington ground out. "It is within your ability to help Miss Martin keep her integrity intact. You have no other way of rewarding Beth for her efforts in keeping your family safe. Therefore, you will cease these public denouncements and begin showing support for her instead."
Mrs. Simms raised her eyes, meeting Tavington's finally.
"To do so could come at great cost to our family," she pointed out.
"As warning you of the attack could have come at great cost to Beth," Tavington reminded her. "I understand that aligning yourself with a woman others consider ruined could reflect poorly on you. But you have it within your power to alter the opinions of others in this matter. You will do so. Or I will speak with the Commander in Chief about this immediately. Must I remind you that he has taken Miss Martin under his wing? He will be none to pleased to discover your uncharitable words, not after her sacrifice for you and yours."
Caroline drew a ragged breath, her cheeks flushing all over again. Mr. Simms, however, was nodding agreement.
"It will be as you say, Sir," Michael said now. "We have no desire to earn Clinton's wrath, nor do we desire yours. Arthur is a Green Dragoon now, after all." He turned sidelong to his wife, staring down at her with a pointed frown. "Miss Martin did protect our family. If not for her, our own Therese or Alice, or one of our younger sons, may have been taken hostage. Therefore, we shall vilify the rumours to all who will listen and speak only respectfully of Miss Martin."
He held his wife's gaze until Caroline lowered hers and nodded in defeat.
"It will be as you say, husband," she said finally, softly.
"You will have the perfect opportunity to undo the damage, this evening at the banquet," William stated firmly, ensuring they begin immediately. "There will be no more talk of 'Arthur's lucky escape'."
Uttering those words caused William's fury to soar all over again. Something of his rage must have shown on his face for Mrs. Simms quailed and cowered back in her chair.
"No… No - I will say no more of that," she rushed to assure him. "And I will tell my companions that I said those things because I was shocked over the rumours. I will tell them that after much contemplation, I have decided it can't possibly true. I will speak only warm words of Miss Martin from now on."
"See that you do," William growled. "If only you'd had this foresight this morning!"
Mr. Simms, not one to back down in any situation, gathered his courage and stated, "if only you'd had the foresight to not take Miss Martin to my son's chamber. You did those things with her, in my own home, after we discussed the possibility of marrying her to our son! A conversation that you bore witness to! In doing so, you insulted us! Furthermore, her reputation has been compromised Sir, because of you and your actions!"
"I know," William curled his lip with frustration. "I am well aware of that. Of all of it. I regret insulting you, and I regret putting Miss Martin into a situation that can only come to her ruin. But she has shown you only friendship and good will, and for that I must insist you put it all behind you and help me protect her virtue!"
"My wife has already said she will, Sir," Michael ground out, then he muttered, "I need a whiskey."
He turned from Tavington and sauntered over to the side board, pouring himself and the Officer a generous portion. Even Mrs. Simms was handed a smaller glass of the restoring liquor.
"Would you please sit now, Sir?" Michael asked politely. When they were all seated and sipping the fiery liquid, he continued. "You realise that no matter what efforts we go to on her behalf - even if you were to deny it until you were blue in the face - Miss Martin's standing in Society will be lessened? It will never be the same again."
William heaved a weighty sigh, knowing Simms was speaking the truth.
"I will still do what I can for the girl," he said finally. "I merely wish her to be able to hold her head high, and not be completely ostracised."
"Its truly not fair!" Mrs. Simms cried passionately, the single whiskey had gone straight to her head. "That a young woman can face being shunned from Society while the man she dallied with walks free of all blame! You are truly too hard on our sex!"
William frowned. Never mind the fact that Mrs. Simms was herself denouncing Beth only that morning! Now, not only was she defending Beth, but her entire sex! Still, if it would help Beth maintain some modicum of respectability, he would welcome this change of heart.
"Perhaps you should have a few more whiskeys before attending the banquet," he suggested, amused at how impassioned it had made the older woman.
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A/N - Sorry its taking so long for the updates. I've had sick kiddies and life just keeps getting in the blimmin' way! Also, I'm trying to rework "Love and Betrayal". I know some of you are reading that, so I'll keep you updated. If you haven't read that one yet - don't! LOL
At least not yet. So far, I've reworked 6 chapters and I'm really happy with it but I won't post them up until its finished.
As for 3 Colonels, I need to be careful now with the future chapters, with foreshadowing and keeping everything consistent, so it will take time. Please bear with me! I'll tell you one thing that you might like about the next chapter - its over 10,000 words long! Nuts, huh? This one was only 5,000!
:-)
Its mostly been Tavington and Bordon in my chapters lately but thats because Banastre is just riding about the countryside terrorising the locals. I'll cover some of that soon. And Beth isn't doing a hell of a lot out there on the Plantation. Snogging Burwell in dark corners, sitting in the parlor, enjoying family time, crying herself to sleep each night because she loves and misses William Tavington so much... Not much to write home about yet...
But very soon, all that is going to change! Mwahahahaha! Evil laughter...
Ms A - thanks again for your review! I feel bad, I know you're enjoying reading this story and now I'm taking forever with the updates! :-)