(Mary's Point of View)
Two days passed; it was nearly noon and my husband was to return to the fort within the hour. I assisted Kezia with morning chores and then went to spend time with Ember. I had planed to take her for a short ride but just as I finished getting into my riding habit, the skies turned grey and heavy drops of rain began to fall. Undeterred, I altered my plans to just brush her instead of taking her for a ride.
When I reached the barn, Ember was happily occupied with a bucket of oats, her mouth foaming while she slurped at her food.
"I sincerely hope the stablehands are rationing your feed."
Ember looked up with a reluctant glance, crushed oats dripping from her mouth. Waiting for her to finish her meal, I picked idly at a nearby bale of hay, twisting the straw into knots. After a time, I looked over at the mare staring forlornly at her empty bucket.
"You really are a sorry sort," I commented, grabbing some brushes. Ember nickered and closed her eyes, leaning into me as I brushed burs from her neck.
I moved to her mane, quickly looking outside while I went. The sky had darkened and a couple of the horses pranced anxiously in their stalls. A storm was coming. Ember, so taken with the brushing, didn't notice until there was a drum of thunder that rattled the stables. Stiffening, the little mare tossed her head and stepped away from me. Rain assaulted the stable roof and several leaks dripped water.
"Steady girl," I left Ember's stall to find a blanket, returning with an old red thing that had a gaping hole near the rear.
"I'm sorry but this will have to do."
Throwing the blanket over her back, I secured the threadbare straps before patting Ember on the shoulder. The mare paced in a circle before settling down on the straw floor.
"I'll leave you be then," I moved to leave but was called back by a whine from the mare.
"All right, for a little while."
Sitting down, I leaned against Ember's side and within minutes, we were both asleep.
I do not know how long I slept but I awoke to someone shaking me just as thunder crashed through the sky.
"Mary? Mary! What are you doing out here? It's a full-blown storm outside! Really, love…!"
I blinked sleepily, forcing the figure before me to come into focus.
"Charles?"
"Yes! What on earth are you doing out here?"
"It was just raining when I came out." I replied, still tied with slumber.
"My dear," Charles spoke, holding out his hand.
"I'm fine here," I replied moodily.
"You'll get sick if you stay."
"There are blankets."
"Mary, don't test me; please, come." the general pressed.
"I'm staying here; Ember needs someone to sit with her until the storm abates."
"Ember will be fine. Reason, Mary; staying out here isn't going to do you any good. The child-"
"I am not leaving!"
"You most certainly are!" the general raised his voice, eyes bright with fury.
"You…!" I yelled back before breaking into tears. "I hate this! I hate you! You shouldn't have let this happen!"
Charles' gaze softened and her regarded me quietly until I had settled, curled in a ball next to Ember.
"Come here," he coaxed, pulling me to him.
"No. I hate you…" I mewed pitifully into his chest.
"Well I don't hate you," O'Hara spoke, rocking me in his arms. "I'm sorry this is so terrible for you."
I sniffed, thinking of nothing to say.
"Please, come back with me; it is warmer inside. Ember should be able to manage until the storm passes.
I nodded numbly and moved to stand but became dizzy; I needed to eat.
"Here," Charles scooped me up in his arms and I rested my head against him as we made our way back to the fort.
Some of the officers were just being dismissed from a meeting when we arrived. I had closed my eyes but could tell they were milling about by the sound of their hushed voices.
"General?" Cornwallis' voice came from nearby.
"Just an upset. She should be well and good with rest and a meal."
Charles continued to our room, laying me on the bed. I groaned and turned over on my right side.
"Not now…"
The child had begun to kick as soon as I lay down.
"What is it?" my husband asked.
"The baby is kicking."
O'Hara's eyes widened.
"It's…kicking?"
His boyish look of utter surprise dulled my ill mood almost immediately.
"Yes, our child is kicking."
"Really? You can feel it?" he asked.
"I can, and so can you."
I motioned for the general to come over and placed his hand on my lower belly. For several moments, nothing happened and I grew nervous. But then, a kick that made Charles pull away in shock.
"That… that is our child?"
I nodded with a shy smile.
