The men were standing by the harbour. The ship had arrived a few hours ago and they were still waiting for the passengers to get down. Families, men, women and children were reunited with their loved ones on the shore, but Lady Charlotte was nowhere to be seen yet. A young woman came toward the Dragoons and Bordon took a couple of steps forward.
"Where is Colonel Tavington?" the young girl asked, with a heavy French accent.
"I'm Captain Bordon, the colonel's second. He sent us to fetch for Lady Charlotte in his stead"
"You would better come with me. Lady Charlotte is not well. You may follow me, I'll lead you to her. I am Lady Charlotte's maid, my name is Florence."
Bordon looked at Wilkins and both men boarded the ship. They were led in a room, where Lady Charlotte was lying on her back, a wet cloth on her forehead. If anything would happen to her, the Colonel would not be pleased at all. Both men didn't know how he would react, but they sure didn't want to find out.
"Lady Charlotte? It's Captain Bordon. I was told you find yourself unwell? What happen?" Bordon enquired.
She lifted her hand to take down the cloth from her face, and turn her head to look at Bordon. She then slowly try to sit down. Bordon came closer to reach for her arm to help her sit.
"Oh, Captain Bordon! I am glad to see you. It's been such a long time. I am sorry you have to see me in this condition. You see, I found out quite soon that I am seasick. So last month was very hard for me. I am quite weak now, and I don't remember the last time I had a whole meal."
She reached out to hold on to Bordon's arm to stand up.
"Tell me, where is William ? I tought he would be the first person I would see once I got here"
"General Cornwallis has need of him back at the fort. A battle was plan and he could not leave, hence he sent us to escort you. Let me present you Captain Wilkins."
Wilkins bowed his head. Even if her complexion was greenish from the sea sickness, she was indeed quite beautiful. Her auburn hair was up in a simple bun, her dress was letting show her graceful figure. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, not ice cold blue as the Colonel, but warm and welcoming.
"Lady Charlotte Tavington, quite please meeting you," she said, bowing her head too. "Now, get me out of this boat please."
The first breath of fresh air she took, she savoured it. The sun on her skin felt so right. She would be alright. She would be with her husband soon enough and everything would be perfect again. They got down for the bridge and down to the land. She secretly thanked the lord for the ground under her feet and sword that the next time she would go back on the ship would be with William, to go back to England after the war would be over.
Bordon presented rapidly all the Dragoons who accompanied them. He looked at his watch; it was getting quite late and they would have to make a choice; if they would leave now for the Fort Carolina, they might get caught by the darkness. Maybe it was safer to stay in Charleston for the night and leave early in the morning. He opted for the second option and advised Lady Charlotte for the plan.
"It is fine by me. I am looking forward to a good night of sleep with a bed that would not be moving." She said, then she laughed a little.
"We could stay at my house in the city. It's just a couple of streets away" Wilkins suggested.
"Ok, that will do for the night. Lady Charlotte, let me help you get in the carriage" Bordon said, hold his arm forward for her to reach.
"If it is only a couple of street, I think I would like to walk. If it is fine by you, Captain."
"Of course, my lady" Bordon said. He really could not resist to her. He knew he would have to say no when she will ask to ride a horse tomorrow, so it was a good deal to let her walk today.
They all arrived at Wilkins house within a few minutes. Walking was doing her great and she felt like she was alive again. She looked at everything, not talking much during the walk. The architecture was quite different than London, and this city had a very different vibe than other cities she had travelled to.
She felt people gazing at her. Her light green dress, with flowers embroidery all over the skirt was standing out in the crowd. Every women she crossed by wore beige or brown gown, with aprons. She felt the women looking at her with jealousy and the men, with desire. She always felt uncomfortable being looked at like this, but she was slowly getting used to. She felt safer with her husband by her side in events or balls because she knew other men would leave her alone. But the last two years, when she was attending alone, her brothers were never far off to rescue her if needed.
They stopped in front of a townhouse, all white, with stairs to climb to access the front door. Charlotte and her maid went up, while Bordon and Wilkins made the plan clear. The dragoons would take turn guarding the front door, and one of them would go back to camp to inform the Colonel of the new plan; he would only see his wife tomorrow, when it will be safe to travel.