Chapter 87 - Summons to Camden:

Mid August

News had reached Christopher Middleton several days ago that his fellow Patriots were about to attempt a second attack on the small town of Camden and Lord Cornwallis himself had travelled up from the city to meet this threat. And he learned only yesterday that a battle had been fought and Cornwallis had squashed Burwell's and Gates' four thousand strong force with only two thousand British soldiers. It was a times like these, that Christopher wondered if he had chosen the right side.

Another thing he learned, this time upon reaching Camden, was that Major Bordon was not there.

Cornwallis was, however, and Christopher decided that the best course of action, was to lay the problem of Cilla before him. Upon reaching Kershaw Plantation, Christopher had revealed to a British aide-de-camp the delicate nature of his visit - some of it, anyway. Enough to have secured for him, Celeste and Cilla a private audience with His Lordship.

He strode along the corridor now, with the women flagging behind him, struggling to keep up.

"Uncle, please," Cilla begged, seizing his arm and trying to pull him to a stop. They were about to enter the chamber and this was her last chance to try to turn her uncle aside. "I don't want to marry him, he hurt me!"

"He doesn't believe that anymore than I do," Celeste said, panting a little as she came to a stop as well. "I understand it now - the coolness between you and your mother before she was sent on her way. It has taken on a whole new meaning, now I know the truth of you. You and Mage weren't out of sorts over Mage's infidelity to Mark. You were jealous of each other because Major Bordon was between you! You were vying for his affections."

Christopher nodded. "I'm inclined to believe this also," he said, having come to that conclusion himself in the time since learning Cilla had bedded Bordon.

"No," Cilla whispered, feeling drained. She wanted to collapse into a heap right there in the middle of the hallway. Why wouldn't they believe her? "That's not true, that's not it at all. Not jealous, sweet Lord, I was not jealous. I have no affection for him, none at all, and I just… Please, don't do this. I can't marry him."

"What do you think is going to happen if you don't?" Celeste said viciously. "We've warned you, Cilla, we will not keep you."

"We most certainly will not. I will not have a pregnant hussy residing in my home. I have the Middleton name to uphold and I vow, if my own niece will not marry to help keep our families respectability intact, then you are no niece of mine! Be thankful I did not cast you aside, be thankful I am going to these lengths to help you! When I first discovered your pregnancy, I was going to send you on your way to whatever your fate might be. Now, you might just have a future, and I will do my damndest to secure it for you! If you refuse to marry when the option is given you, you can expect no further help from me!"

"Would you like to know what it is you'll be sent to?" Celeste asked. "What sort of life stretches before an unmarried pregnant bawd? What will you do for money, Cilla? How will you feed and clothe yourself? How will you feed and clothe the child? You have to turn to the oldest trade there is - prostitution. You will become a doxy, screwing as many men as you can for coin. And when the baby comes, you'll likely give birth alone in some dirty roadside tavern, too poor to pay for a proper roof or a midwife! We are offering you a chance at so much more than that. Don't you dare spurn this!"

"You screwed him enough times to get yourself with child - don't tell me you had no affection for him," Christopher spat.

"I'm not - I'm telling you he forced me. Why won't you believe me?"

"Because I know what you and your mother we're doing, Cilla. And I know that Bordon caught you at it. He threatened to hang both of you, did he not? You're afraid of coming face to face with him again, afraid of his wrath. And so you've made up this story of him raping you, in some misguided belief that I will feel sorry for you and not force the issue. That I will look after you. But I know the truth about you and your mother, Cilla. Don't tell me you weren't willing now." He seized her arm and she yelped with pain. When they reached the door, they stopped again. Christopher growled at Cilla to pull herself together even as Celeste dabbed at Cilla's eyes with a handkerchief and fixed the younger girls hair. Cilla was dressed according to her station, a bodice and skirts of silk. They were Colonial Gentry, and they looked it. Composed as much as they were able to be composed under the circumstances, the three of them were admitted into the chamber and presented to the Commander within. Lord Cornwallis, was not alone however, he was seated beside Francis, Lord Rawdon, the Commandant of the forces at Camden.

The chamber was large, and except for the two Generals, was empty. The noblemen rose to greet the family as they advanced at a stately walk toward him. It was of paramount importance that they reminded these peers of England and Ireland of their own aristocratic roots, especially when dealing in such a distasteful and base subject as this one.

Cilla stared at her knees as the gentlemen spoke. The introductions had been made and Christopher was now getting around to the matter he had come to discuss.

Her hair was arranged into an elaborate coiffure garnished with sapphires. Her fingers were covered with silk gloves. A ruby dangled from a silk ribbon to nestle between her breasts.

At first sight, these Lords would know that Cilla was the daughter of a Plantation Master, a member of South Carolina's aristocracy. A genteel and virtuous woman who had been corrupted by a British Officer of high standing.

"I understand that Mr. Putman was in disgrace," Christopher was finishing, after detailing how Cilla - foolish but innocent young girl that she was - had become entangled with a British Officer and was now pregnant by him. "And I understand that his property has been seized. But it is my hope that if Miss Putman is able to marry the child's father - Major Bordon - then perhaps you will release unto her her inheritance and the dowry her father had planned to bestow upon her. Major Bordon is one of your own Officers. Surely you can see your way clear to releasing that much of Putman's wealth, if the two were to marry?"

Cilla's head came up and she stared at her uncle in horror.

"It is your hope that if Miss Putman's wealth is restored to her, then Major Bordon will be enticed to do the right thing by her and marry her," Lord Cornwallis said and Christopher nodded.

Her wealth would be used to bribe Bordon to marry her? The man who'd defiled her. This was to be his punishment? Marriage and wealth? To add to her escalating horror, Francis, Lord Rawdon, began to laugh.

"Do you find something humorous in this, my Lord?" Cornwallis was frowning.

"Indeed I do," Rawdon scoffed again. "Don't you? Or perhaps you do not see this as I do?"

"Perhaps you should explain it?" Cornwallis asked, eyebrows lifting.

"My Lord, really," Rawdon shook his head as if frustrated that his Commander was not seeing what he so clearly could. "This is a ploy, General. We force a gentleman, from an esteemed family as Bordon's, to marry this… This Colonial nymph and not only is she immediately vaulted into the Gentry, but she receives her traitor father's fortune. Dear Lord."

The blood drained from Cilla's face. Beside her, Middleton drew himself up to full height, his face flushed red with fury.

"Do you suggest, my Lord, that I am lying?" Christopher asked, biting off each word.

"Not at all," Rawdon waved his arm, an uncaring gesture. "But do you truly expect us to change the course of Major Bordon's life, to force him to marry so far beneath him, because of a… fling…?"

"It wasn't a fling," Cilla whispered but no one heard her, her voice was too low. She bowed her head, unable to look at any of them.

"If Major Bordon lowered himself to bed the lass," Cornwallis said with a sniff, "then he can hardly complain at having to take responsibility for her and the child he got on her."

"Yes, but through marriage?" Rawdon shook his head. "Lord General, I'm certain you are aware that Bordon was engaged recently, to one Miss Jutland." Cilla felt herself growing very stiff at the mention of Miss Jutland - she was the reason Cilla had fared so awfully at Bordon's hands. "He was wrong in his choice then, too, for it turns out, the woman was married all along - she was naught more than a bawd trying to elevate herself to riches and nobility. The Banns were published, which drew the husband like a bee is drawn to honey and the following cancellation of Bordon's engagement has left him open slather for others trying to gain a hold of a nobleman's title."

"That is not the case at all!" Christopher spat.

Cilla's mind was whirling, her panic growing. "You definitely can't marry me to him now," she whispered, shaking her head. This time, she spoke loudly enough to be heard. Cornwallis cast her a surprised glance, Christopher and Celeste furious ones.

"Enough, niece -"

"You don't understand," Cilla said, her voice growing louder. "You can't… He is in love with her and -"

"You know about Miss Jutland?" Christopher asked.

"She's the one my mother told you about," Cilla sat up, shifting in her seat to confront her uncle. "I don't know all this about her being married, but she's the one Mr. Sumter abducted, he kept her locked away for days and he made her…" She closed her eyes. "And Bordon blamed papa. He said he found out that it was papa's suggestion. That's why he did it to me, uncle! You won't believe me but it's true! He did it to make papa talk and he did it for revenge! If he can do that because of Miss Jutland, how much worse will it be if I was married to him, now that her husband has taken her back and he can't have her at all? If I'm his wife, he'll blame me for all that too!"

"I will not hear another word of this, Cilla!" Christopher snapped.

"I believe I would like to hear every word of this, Mr. Middleton," Cornwallis announced and Christopher whirled away from Cilla to Cornwallis, panic writ large across his face.

"Nothing my niece says will alter the fact that she is no longer a maiden or that she is carrying Bordon's child! I insist he marry her, Sir!"

"I am not refuting this," Cornwallis said. "However, I will hear Miss Putman's testimony, Sir. Be silent and let her speak!"

Christopher snapped his mouth shut. Cornwallis turned to Cilla. "Please, Miss Putman?"

"Sir. My Lord… I can't marry him. Just… I don't care about his title or being elevated to your nobility! Just… Please, let me have my inheritance, just give it to me and I'll leave. I'll find a husband elsewhere, I'll -"

Rawdon snorted and nodded, as if his suspicions were confirmed, Cilla was only after her inheritance from her father's seized estate.

Cornwallis, however, was far more alert than Rawdon. He sensed there was more to this tale than was being told, and he was determined to discover the truth to its fullest.

"Miss Putman." His voice was gentle, so gentle, and his face was so kind. She thought she might weep. "I need you to be calm, Miss Putman. And I need you to tell me the truth. No one will interrupt you again," he shot a hard look at Christopher and Celeste, who were both on the verge of doing so. "Or they will be removed from the chamber. Nor will you be in any trouble, not in the slightest. Not for speaking truthfully. You said he 'did it to make your father talk'. And 'he did it for revenge'. Miss Putman, what did Major Bordon do to you?"

She stared at him, mouth working, but no words would come. She shook her head, unable to speak. He waited her out, as silent as the grave. He wasn't going to let her leave it, he appeared ready to wait there for the next full moon. She bowed her head, tears spilling onto her fingers.

"Tavington tortured my father," she said, her voice a mere whisper.

"I am aware of this," Cornwallis said, still gentle, though in truth he didn't understand what the girl had expected. Cornwallis had been in the city when Mark Putman fled it, after his treason was discovered. Tavington capturing Putman and the subsequent questioning were both warranted and deserved.

"I saw the damage he had inflicted- when I was bought to the dungeon."

"What do you mean, when you were bought to the dungeon?" Cornwallis asked sharply and she saw him stiffen with very real surprise.

"Bordon had me escorted down there," she whispered, hoping he did not interrupt again. Hadn't he told the others not to do so? If he did, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to continue again. When he remained silent, she said, "when I arrived, my father was barely conscious, he barely knew I was there. His chest was covered in blood and burns and his face was a mess of bruises and blood and…" She gasped back a choking sob. "I don't know how he did it. How he could stand the pain. But he did not give them the information they sought, they did not have the answers to the questions they almost killed him to gain. And so Bordon… He… He perceived another way to make my father speak. He dragged me into the next cell. He asked me the same questions and I refused to answer. He told me he would make me scream, to rouse my father from his stupor and make him speak to stop my pain. I told him I wouldn't. I wouldn't tell him anything and I would not scream. And so he… He hurt me," she drew a shuddering breath.

"Hurt you how?" Cornwallis asked firmly.

"He… he took my virtue."

"He forced himself on you," Cornwallis said and she could hear the fury and disgust in his every word.

"I begged him not to. I told him I was a virgin, my pleas fell on deaf ears. He took me, right there in the dungeon on a table covered in dirt and muck, he took me. I knew that if I screamed - and believe me, I wanted to, Gods, it hurt so much! - I knew my father might hear. He would wake, he would give Bordon what he wanted. I was determined not to allow it, not after everything he'd already endured. But Bordon, he wanted me screaming and this, the worst he could do, was not working. And so -"

"Take your time," Cornwallis said softly.

Cilla closed her eyes, she could not bear to look at any of them now, the shame was too deep, the embarrassment too strong. With her eyes shut tight, she whispered, "he said 'this will make you scream, I will take your virginity twice', and he entered me in my… from behind… I didn't think it could get any worse but I was so wrong. Gods, I was so wrong. I started to scream, I couldn't hold it back any longer, the pain, the humiliation." Overcome, Cilla began to weep and for a long time, her sobs were the only sounds in the otherwise deathly silent chamber.

"You are quite correct, Miss Putman," Cornwallis said at last. Cilla opened her eyes, stared into that kindly face. "For the crime of rape and buggery, Major Bordon will be courtmartialed."

Her breath caught in her throat, she was utterly stunned that the Commander believed her. Not so the other.

"Good Lord, you do not believe this, do you?" Rawdon asked scathingly. "My Lord, this young ladies testimony could destroy the career of a promising Officer! You must give it no heed."

"Lord Rawdon, this young lady has approached us with a complaint of the most grievous kind. If Bordon is guilty, he must be punished! He will be summoned to Camden, he will answer for this himself!"

"As you wish," Rawdon's lips twisted with distaste. "Another court martial over yet another Colonial lass. At this rate, we're having them daily! They are time consuming and ridiculous, we spend far too much time coddling the virtue of the very women who set themselves against us. They enter open rebellion, daring His Majesties armies to fall upon them and do our worst and when the worst is done, they weep and cry foul!" He sniffed primly.

"I would prefer to hold our Officers to a higher standard, as you said, Bordon is a gentleman! If Major Bordon cares for his reputation and career, then it is up to him to protect them, by not committing such heinous crimes."

Rawdon shook his head, lips tight.

Days passed.

Cornwallis had set a watch upon Miss Putman, fearing the girl would try to flee. The risk increased when, one morning, Mr. And Mrs. Middleton climbed into the carriage and left, leaving their niece behind. It was clear to Cornwallis that no matter what the outcome of the meeting to come with Bordon, Miss Putman's aunt and uncle had washed their hands of her.

Against Rawdon's advice, Cornwallis had taken the matter - and the girl herself - under his wing. It was his feeling that he would accede to Mr. Middleton's wishes and release upon Cilla a portion of her late father's seized estate. He spent a great deal of his time in her company, for she was quite alone with her own family abandoning her. In truth, she had been alone even with her uncle and aunt at her side. Horrid people, Cornwallis had disliked them immensely.

The girl had kept to her allocated room at Kershaw Plantation, while Cornwallis and Rawdon waited for Bordon. They needed to hear Bordon's side, to gauge if the girl was lying, though Cornwallis did not believe so. Either way, if Bordon as the father, the two would be required to marry, that was the only answer to keeping the matter discreet, away from the public. If this filthy affair could be resolved without a public hue and cry, then so much the better.

The hour had come. Tavington, Bordon and O'Hara with them had arrived a short while ago. Tavington and Bordon had not been apprised the details of the summons, though Cornwallis had taken the time to speak privately with O'Hara, in order that the Brigadier General understand the seriousness of the meeting ahead of them. After expressing utmost disgust, O'Hara had detailed to Cornwallis Bordon's other, more recent misadventures, with one Lieutenant Farshaw and his wife, with whom Bordon had conducted an adulterous affair.

That, coupled with Miss Putman's allegations, were enough to sink the Major, if Cornwallis were so inclined.

With Cornwallis and O'Hara's meeting ended, they took themselves to the council chamber. Now, Rawdon was seated beside Cornwallis, Miss Putman across from them, her head bowed. O'Hara on her other side.

Cilla's back was to the door but Cornwallis had a clear line of sight as it opened and in walked the Major and the Colonel together. Tavington's stride was confident and sure. Bordon's was also, his back was straight, his head held high. However, he looked as though he hadn't been sleeping, dark circles ringed his eyes like a death shroud and his face was drawn, lined. His gaze was fixed on the Lord General's, Cornwallis saw, but when Bordon saw Miss Putman sitting in one of the chairs, he stopped dead and stared with horror, his jaw dropped and he gave a soft, wild gasp. Tavington's reaction was almost an exact replica of Bordon's. The Colonel seemed as frozen, his jaw dropped and he shot a quick, concerned glance at Bordon.

Cornwallis, watching him, was certain he could read the guilt writ plain across Bordon's face. He shared a look with O'Hara, who met Cornwallis' gaze, lips thin and hard. They were in agreement, Bordon was clearly guilty. Still, his testimony must needs be heard. The Major continued his progress across the chamber, though with far less confidence in his stride. Bordon's legs looked ready to fold under him.

"Surprised to see Miss Putman, are you?" O'Hara said, having noted both reactions. "With your recent actions at Fresh Water, and Miss Putman's report, you are in very treacherous waters, Major Bordon."

"I could not agree more," Cornwallis added. "Please sit, both of you."

Without a word, both Officers took up the last two seats. Both Officers deliberately kept their eyes averted from Cilla. They sat stiff and nervous, rigid. Cilla by contrast was trying to push herself back into her chair, as if trying not to be noticed. She was staring at her trembling hands, looking terrified. The reactions were vastly different and quite telling. Cornwallis had spent time in Cilla's company these last two days and today was the first time he'd seen her behave with very real terror. He'd seen her weep with despair and panic, had heard the sharpness in her voice when she was angered and frustrated. It had been a fraught few days, but today was the first day he'd seen such fear in her. He'd been inclined to believe her tale from the start; but now, her reaction to Bordon, coupled with his to her, Cornwallis was absolutely certain she had spoken nothing but the truth.

"When hearing the testimony of one, I prefer to reserve judgement until I have heard the other," Cornwallis began. "I have to admit, however, that I am finding that I am quite convinced by Miss Putman's deposition."

"As am I," O'Hara joined his voice to Cornwallis'.

"Well, I am not," Lord Rawdon declared, his voice ringing throughout the chamber. "We should not be entertaining this. Miss Putman, you should be ashamed of yourself -"

"My Lord -" O'Hara began, only to be silenced as Rawdon spoke over him, continuing to rail at Cilla.

"Your conspiracy to have your dead father's estate released to you is foul and unworthy," Rawdon announced, eyes fixed on Cilla. "Now that Bordon is here, Miss Putman, I demand that you apologise to him for your ruinous testimony; you have slandered him, you slander all British Officers with your ridiculous accusations."

"It's not slander!" Cilla cried, astounded, bereft. "Everything I told you is true and it's only Bordon I spoke of, not ever British Officer!"

"Bordon is a fine Officer," Rawdon maintained. "He has his entire career ahead of him. You could ruin his entire future with those horrid things you are saying."

"He ruined my future!" Cilla said, shocked that she was the one being blamed. "He has utterly destroyed my life!"

"Enough!" Cornwallis barked with a quelling look at Rawdon. "We summoned Bordon here to speak, and that is what he will do. I shall give you this one chance, Major. You may begin."

Bordon could barely breathe, let alone speak.

"With respect, my Lord," Tavington said, "how can Major Bordon give a testimony when he does not know what it is he is being accused of?"

"He knows," O'Hara said and Cornwallis nodded agreement. "I can see it writ all over his face. You know also, Colonel Tavington, and I am quite disgusted that you would take the stance you appear to be taking. It repulses me, that you would discard so easily what was done to Miss Putman and attempt guile to distract us. Has protecting Major Bordon not landed you in enough hot water? He should have been flogged," O'Hara said, eyeing Tavington, choosing his words carefully, looking for signs of innocence or guilt in their reactions.

Cornwallis took O'Hara's tirade one step further. "Colonel Tavington, you have failed in your duty. You won your rank by valour, skill and determination. Do you now seek to strip it from yourself with guile and evasion?"

Talk of stripping Tavington of his rank snapped his mouth shut quickly enough.

"Isn't the ruining of one promising Officer enough for one day?" Rawdon asked and Cornwallis shot him a livid scowl. He wished the other General hadn't been so determined to be at this meeting, he was going to be trouble, Cornwallis knew it in his bones.

"That won't be necessary," Bordon said, straightening his spine. "Colonel Tavington is not at fault. I am."

"It bodes well that you will not attempt artifice; however I disagree. Tavington is very much at fault here," Cornwallis said. "You know fully well what you are accused of, the crime is so vile and wicked I am loathe to discuss it before such gentle Company. I shall hear your side, however. I am waiting, Major. Please begin. Give me your testimony."

"The day Tavington questioned Mr. Putman, I told him I would take over," Bordon began, determined to distance Tavington from the assault as much as possible. If he was to sink, he would not let Tavington sink with him.

Cornwallis shot Rawdon another look, this one loaded with meaning. You see? He knows precisely of what we speak. Rawdon was refusing to look at him.

"He gave full command to me before returning to other duties. To assist in the interrogation, I had Miss Putman summoned to the Provost," Bordon continued. "She and her mother were involved in Mr. Putman's conspiracy against the Crown, they should have been questioned also. I summoned Miss Putman to the dungeon in order -"

"I beg your pardon?" Rawdon cut in, frowning. "I beg your pardon? Mrs. Putman and Miss Putman were involved in Mr. Putman's conspiracy against the Crown?"

"Yes, my Lord," Bordon replied, trying to sit up straight.

"How so?" Rawdon asked.

"They were spies," Richard said, starting to feel sick to his stomach. When they learned that Richard had given a spy information between the sheets, not even Rawdon would support him then. "Both of them. They listened to the conversations of Officers, posed questions deliberately in order to gain the information they sought. As the entire family were posing as Loyalists, we were not as careful around them as we aught to have been. They then passed this information to Mr. Putman, who sent it out of the city to Burwell, who used it as he saw fit."

"Traitor!" Rawdon snapped, narrowed gaze fixed on Cilla. "You! You are guilty of treason, perhaps you are the one who should be on trial, yes?"

Cornwallis was staring at Cilla as if noticing her for the first time. Days, he'd spent in her company and not once had she mentioned any of this.

"Is it true?" Cornwallis asked her and Cilla sunk her teeth into her lip. She looked away, hiding her face, but he could hear her when she spoke.

"It is true," she whispered. "I listened and I repeated what I heard to my father. Major Bordon discovered this, he bought me to the dungeon to question me. I refused to answer and I knew he would torture me. Which he did, and… when I did not tell him what he wished, he did worse to me, to make me scream so my father would reveal it."

"Do not try to play to our sympathies," Rawdon snapped. "You committed treason!"

"I confess, I spied for my father," Cilla cried. "Hang me if you will. I don't care anymore. Anything to escape this torment, just do it. I spent time with two of Bordon's junior officers with the soul purpose of gaining information, and I reported it all back to my father. Everything they said. Bordon found out and told me I would hang. That is punishment I can accept. But this? What he did to me? I begged him not to. I told him I was a virgin, my pleas fell on deaf ears. He raped me!"

"Traitor! How many suffered for the information you gained?" Rawdon's look was pitiless.

"Is what Miss Putman claimed you did to her true?" O'Hara asked Bordon, cutting through the discussion. He had known that Rawdon was already set against Miss Putman but now, with this confession of treason, O'Hara sensed Cornwallis withdrawing his support also. While he did not condone spying in any way shape or form, he condoned the British Officer's rape of a young maiden even less.

"I gave her the opportunity to speak what she knew," Bordon began. He licked his lips to work moisture onto them. "She refused. I had no recourse left to me, than to give such encouragement that either Miss Putman would talk, or Mr. Putman would." Bordon swallowed hard.

"Yes? And is the encouragement you used what Miss Putman has stated it to be?" O'Hara's voice was granite. "For once and for all, Major Bordon, did you force yourself on Miss Putman?"

Richard blew out a breath. Staring at a point past O'Hara' head, he nodded. "Yes, my Lord. I did."

"I am told by Lord Cornwallis that you took Miss Putman's virginity. And when she still would not scream, you took it again, by use of buggery. Is that not so?" O'Hara asked and even Rawdon quieted down at this.

Tavington turned to look at Bordon, eyes as wide as they would go, which O'Hara found interesting. Clearly, Bordon had not apprised the Colonel with the details of the attack. At length, still staring blindly past O'Hara, Richard nodded once.

"Treason," O'Hara said, eyes on Cilla, for he knew her crime needed to be acknowledged. Rawdon and Cornwallis would accept no less. "Is punishable by death. Sodomy," he snapped, his eyes on Bordon. "Is punishable by death." He drew a ragged breath, trying to maintain control of himself. "Tell me, how are we to resolve this?"

"How can you compare that vile, despicable thing he did to me, to my spying on a few Officers?" Cilla asked, stunned.

"Believe me, Miss Putman, we do indeed consider spying to be every bit as despicable as what was done to you," Cornwallis announced before O'Hara could get a word in. "They are both violations of the worst kind."

"You have spies," she said, almost incoherent with disbelief. "Among the Patriots, you have spies reporting to you!"

"But that is not treason," Rawdon snapped. "For Patriots are traitors rebelling against their rightful ruler!"

"Bordon," O'Hara's voice began to rise, with heat and volume. He had had barely an hour to nurse his anger and distaste, but the week of Bordon's antics at Fresh Water were still very much in his mind. He had thought he had it under control but was just realising, as he began to shout, that he was still very livid - it was just one atop the other and learning of Cilla's betrayal did not help matters at all. Still, rape was no punishment for treason. "The effects of that vile, despicable act you committed upon Miss Putman's person did not end in the dungeon. Not for her." Each word was incrementally louder until it filled the entire chamber. "Not only is she carrying the torment of what you did to her, she is also carrying your child." These last bellowed words echoed from the chamber walls and Bordon flinched as though from a physical blow.

"My God," Bordon breathed, reeling.

"General, we shall approach this calmly," Cornwallis chided.

"Yes, my Lord," O'Hara struggled to gain control, he shuddered with the need to do violence to this man sitting before him. The others were shifting with discomfort and he saw Miss Putman tremble. "You murdered Miss Putman's virtue, Major Bordon. You ruined her in such a way that no gentleman will desire to take her to wife. Her family have abandoned her utterly, for now she is tripley ruined, for she is unmarried and with child. All of this, was your doing."

"You chastise him?" Rawdon said, every bit as heated as O'Hara. "Major Bordon has his entire career ahead of him. I shall not stand idly by and watch it destroyed for some Colonial nymph. Especially not for one that has admitted to being a traitor!"

"If we can not come to a resolution here and now, we will be forced to present the matter for Court Martial, Lord Rawdon!" O'Hara said. "And I do not believe for one moment, that our fellow General's will be as sympathetic toward Bordon as you so clearly are!"

"And nor will our fellow Generals be even remotely sympathetic toward Miss Putman, no matter what was done to her," Rawdon countered. "She will hang, General."

"Can't I just leave here?" Cilla whispered. "I didn't want to come here for any of this. I just want to go, I want to find my mother."

"You have committed treason," Rawdon snapped. "As has your mother. No. You shall not simply be allowed to leave here. If you ask me, it is my opinion that Lord Cornwallis is being entirely too lenient on you already, in adhering to your uncle's request to give you a nobleman for a husband!"

"I was not aware of her treason, then," Cornwallis said, voice hard.

"Husband?" Bordon breathed.

"You worry so much for his future," Cilla spat, suddenly furious. "As if his having potential for being a great Officer is reason to dismiss any crimes he might commit. If he is so worried for his career, he should not do things that will impact upon it!"

"If you are worried for your own future, you should not do things that will impact upon it, such as committing treason!" Rawdon shot back.

"What is this about a husband?" William asked. Bordon was frozen to his seat, having heard the same.

Cornwallis began to speak. "Two days ago, Mr. Christopher Middleton arrived here with Miss Putman. His request was this. Miss Putman, who had had relations with Major Bordon and was now with child by him, should be allowed to marry him. He suggested to me that we release Miss Putman's inheritance from her father's seized estate to her, for her dowry."

"But as you so succinctly put it, my Lord, that is before we knew of her treason!" Rawdon snapped.

"And before you knew of her rape," O'Hara shot back, having been informed of the entire conversation upon his arrival to Camden. "Miss Putman is guilty of treason. Bordon is guilty of both rape and sodomy. Her guilt does, in no way, lessen his. Their guilt does, in no way, change the fact that she is ruined and with child, gotten upon her by Major Bordon."

Tavington looked from Bordon to Cilla and back again. He spread his hands wide. "General, neither of them want this," he said and O'Hara gave him a flinty stare.

"At this moment, I do not care what either of them wants," he said, his voice low now, barely containing his fury. He was the lowest ranking of the higher Officers, but he was going to be damned if he let Rawdon and Cornwallis throw Cilla Putman over after what was done to her, no matter her crime. While it was in his ability to fight, he would do so. "It is my suggestion that we do as Mr. Middleton requested. As you, My Lord, were on the verge of doing," he reminded Cornwallis. He waited for the Lord General to finally nod, and when he did, he turned his attention back to Richard and Cilla. "Miss Putman, Major Bordon, you shall be married. If you refuse, then Miss Putman, your crime of treason shall be presented to trial. And Major Bordon, your crime of rape and sodomy shall be presented for court martial. Your decisions?"

Bordon glanced at Cilla, who stared back at him, grey faced.

"If this is my only choice, I'd rather die," she whispered.

"You have admitted your guilt," Cornwallis stated. "The punishment will be a forgone conclusion."

"Miss Putman, I suggest you do not underestimate how unpleasant hanging till dead truly is," O'Hara added, his voice slightly more gentle than Cornwallis' had been.

Her face flushed red and she looked ready to faint. As did Richard. A court-martial, for rape and sodomy. At best he would receive a discharge from the army and would be sent home in disgrace, where he would not be welcome. And his family were of the Gentry - the shame his actions would bring them…

He made his decision.

"I will marry Miss Putman," Richard said quickly. Gods, he'd thought he wanted to die - with Harmony taken from him forever this time, he'd thought nothing could tempt him to live. But now, when faced with the reality of a life spent in exile, he realised how wrong he was. He did not want to die, nor did he wish to be shunned, and he would do anything to avoid either.

Even marry Miss Putman. He risked a glance her way, saw her huddled in the chair, she'd taken on a protective position, curled in on herself.

"Miss Putman?" O'Hara spoke again. "What is your decision? I must insist you decide, or the matter will be taken from you both." The threat hung in the air - of trials and court-martials and punishment to come.

Bordon froze. He shared a quick, panic filled glance with William, as he realised that this ordeal was not yet over. He had made his decision, he would marry Miss Putman. But if she truly did not care if she lived or died - if she truly would prefer death, then her refusal of him would lead her to her trial, and him to his court-martial. He did not believe for one moment that his willingness to marry her, would be enough to soothe the angered Generals, should Cilla herself refuse.

"I am the one who will be censured," Cilla whispered. "Me. To be married in such haste. No banns read, no formalities observed. There is only one conclusion that everyone will leap to. That I am a whore, a hussy, I bedded him out of wedlock. No one will know that he is to blame. Therefore they will think I am. Everyone will think I was having… relations… with Bordon. That I have fallen pregnant by him and are now in need of a husband. Which is true, but I was never willing and everyone will think I was and I'll be vilified when he is the one who should be! Him! I was a virgin and he raped me! And no, I don't want anyone to know that - not a damned soul - so I don't want him courtmartialed for it, because then everyone will know! But what's the alternative?" Her voice broke as she stared at O'Hara, who had at least shown some little sympathy. "Tell them I was raped and be outcast for that, or let them think I was willing and be outcast still? Either way, I will be blamed. Either way, marry him or not, I am damned!"

"Choose the lesser of two evils," Colonel Tavington advised. "One situation will allow you and Bordon to continue in Society, while the other will be the end of you both. When you are married, when you have a husband, your position in Society will be assured. When they talk of your marriage, they may say that you bedded him out of wedlock. Married is married, it is only with marriage, that what came before, can be forgiven. I won't pretend there won't be talk, for of course, there shall be. At least marriage gives you a chance. Again, you must choose the lesser of two evils."

"You feel free to give me advice?" Cilla asked William, it was a challenge, but one made with bone deep exhaustion. "You didn't even punish him after." William lifted his chin, his eyes growing cold. But Cilla had closed hers, she did not see. "Two evils," she whispered. "The first - be an unmarried woman with a child, shunned from Society, or marry Bordon to maintain my respectability. The second evil, marry on the instant, knowing people will be sniggering behind my back and accusing me of hollow virtue, or tell them the truth and sink us both. I have to suffer, no matter which I choose, I am the only one who is going to suffer for it - while he suffers nothing." She wailed, tears spilling over. "I never did anything wrong -"

"You committed treason," Rawdon reminded her.

"Rape is not punishment for treason!" O'Hara voiced out loud his thoughts of earlier.

"I'm a good person, respectable, virtuous! Or I was! I was a virgin," Cilla cried.

Again, that silence descended.

"If it is punishment you want for him," O'Hara began. "Then choose not to marry him. He will be courtmartialed." He held Bordon's gaze and the Major paled.

"And you shall try for treason," Rawdon said. "We should still try her for treason," he said to Cornwallis.

"It is within our power to conduct a negotiation that will serve all of us, including helping to maintain the reputation of our Officers, which Major Bordon has so cheerfully endangered," O'Hara countered. He breathed out a slow breath. Bordon lowered his head and stared at his hands. "Marry him and your treason will be forgiven, Miss Putman. Bordon has made his choice. Please make yours."

"He hurt me," she whispered, feeling weak to her bones.

"Miss Putman, If you are worried about being treated poorly by Major Bordon," O'Hara began, recalling the girl's terror at seeing Bordon. "Then I beg you to let me reassure you. Just now, there is not a single man in the world who could think lesser of Major Bordon than I. He was already on thin ice with me and now, he has earned my utter disgust." He noticed how still Bordon had become, as if frozen in ice. "I will be returning with you to Fresh Water, and I vow to be your protector there. If you choose to marry him, and if he so much as raises a hand to you, I vow on my honour as a gentleman, you need only tell me and I shall have him flogged. But he will not, will you Bordon."

It was not a question.

"No, Sir," Bordon replied. Cilla's eyes darted to him and away. "If Miss Putman wishes it, ours will be a titular marriage, with none of the associated duties on her part, or powers on mine. I shall not demand the rights of a husband, nor will I exert my authority or use disciplinary measures against her."

"After your complaints against Mr. Farshaw, I should think not," O'Hara said tartly.

"Fresh Water?" Cilla breathed, staring at O'Hara as she drank in those two words. "Where Beth is?"

"Yes, your cousin is at Fresh Water," O'Hara said.

"And I'll be with her, there?" Cilla said, glancing at Tavington. "With my cousin?" That was all she cared about now, she had abandoned her questions regarding how she would be reflected in the eyes of her peers and was now solely focused on being with Beth, one of her last family members that loved her unconditionally.

"I can not predict where we will be in the future," Tavington said. "But yes, you will be quartered with Mrs. Tavington, there is no reason to expect that that will change, no matter where we are."

"You decision, Miss Putman," O'Hara asked gently.

"I… I will marry him," she replied. She met Bordon's eyes, saw the relief flare over his face. She'd just saved his life - perhaps not from death, but from something every bit as bad. Some of her old fire returned to her. "But if you ever lay a hand on me again, I will stab you in your sleep. It's the marriage I need, not the husband. With Lord Cornwallis releasing my inheritance to me, I will fair far better alone as a widow, than I will as your wife."

Bordon stared at her, shocked.

"I vow on my honour that he will not," O'Hara said. "Every conceivable measure will be taken to provide for and care for you. Your inheritance will be released from your father's seized estate. As yours is to be a name only marriage, I will manage this money to your benefit myself - Bordon will have no access to it. The only thing that will change for you is your living arrangement, and that you will have to, at times, be in Bordon's company. A thing I do not relish for myself," he glanced at Bordon with a curled lip, before turning back to Cilla. "And relish even less for you."

Cilla thought of the roadside tavern, where Celeste had predicted she would give birth, penniless and alone. She would not ever have a chance for that evil to happen, if the British tried her for treason here and now. At length, she nodded. "Let it be done."