Charlotte woke up fresh and ready for travel, at the same time the sun rose. Florence helped her to dress and did her hair in a simple bun. The girls heard the officers talk in the kitchen and got downstairs to join them. They stopped talking the second they heard the footsteps coming closer. She thought they were talking about her. It happened a lot in London, and she truly hated gossip. Every ladies getting together for afternoon tea in Mayfair would only ramble about who did what.
"Good morning, Lady Charlotte. You seem in better shape this morning than yesterday" Bordon asked, holding out a cup of tea.
"Thank you. People overestimate how a good night of sleep on a motionless bed is. I feel much better. When are we departing?"
"After breakfast. Take the time you need to eat; I get the men ready to leave in an hour or so. Would that be right with you?"
"Of course, I'll be ready."
Bordon bowed his head and left the kitchen, leaving Wilkins in the kitchen with the two ladies. They sat down quietly while the servant brought out the plates.
"This is a lovely house you own, Captain."Lady Charlotte asked.
"Thank you, my lady. It is very well situated in the city center; it used to be close to work."
"You mean there is a military station close to here?"
"No, before the war, I was a lawyer, and my office was a few blocks from here. I would walk there every day."
"It's true, sometimes I forgot there is a war going on, that people had other businesses before. It must have been hard while the rebellion evolved neighbors who may not still support the king. I'm sorry, maybe I am bothering you." Charlotte said, suddenly shy since Wilkins wasn't saying anything.
"No, no you don't bother me at all. It's just that I don't meet very often a lady as beautiful as you who can talk politics." Wilkins answered, blushing when he realised he said that out loud, and when he heard Florence giggling.
"Well Captain, you'll probably come to find that I am not a very traditional English lady."
The hour passed rapidly and she couldn't wait to be on her way. She met the Dragoons outside, they all saluted her. Bordon opened the carriage door and held out his hand to help her get in.
"Captain, I may wonder, since it is such a beautiful day, if I could not ride a horse for a part of the path."
"Colonel Tavington told me you would ask for this specific privilege, but I afraid I must decline. It will be safer inside the carriage."
She nodded and held his hand to climb the few stairs. Florence followed her right after. They sat in silence for a moment, looking outside. The city became fields and she wondered how long the travel will be.
A wooden gate circled a house made of bricks appear on the horizon. The gate open and the riders went in. The carriage door opened and there he was, holding his hand for her to take. She felt exactly the same butterflies than the first time they met. Gosh he was as handsome as he was before. Her foot touched the ground and she was still holding his hand. He was keeping her hand in his too. For a moment, they just stood there, gazing at each other. She wanted to jump in his arms, but maybe it wasn't the best idea in front of all those others soldiers. Tavington thanked Bordon for bringing her safely, and the couple headed inside the fort. Every soldiers standing outside could not help but to look at them. They rarely have seen the colonel so warm with someone; she must be special to handle such a bad temper they all thought.
Inside, he directed her upstair, where General Cornwallis was waiting in his office.
"Father! I'm glad to see you, you look well." Lady Charlotte exclaimed as she walked toward the General.
"My dearest Charlie, you seemed to have had a safe travel. As much as I was against your idea, I am happy to see you here. Colonel Tavington, since you two are just reunited, I am giving you two days leave, so you can help Charlotte settle in."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Oh and there is an officers dinner where you will be expected in two days. This will be a way to introduce Charlotte to the other officer's wives who are here. Now, off you go. You must have a lot to talk about."
Tavington put his hand on her back and showed her out of the office. They had a lot of catch up to do indeed.
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M content in next chapter.