"Fine! I'll do it! You win!" Constance cried, storming into her brother's tent. Imagine his surprise—she was back as herself, proclaiming that he had just won something. But what? Her face was stormy, and her green eyes swirled in rage like twin maelstroms. Her brother shuddered involuntarily, somewhat frightened.

Tavington sat up and lay his book on the desk. "I would be elated, Constance, had I any idea what you are talking about."

"I never should have come as myself in the first place. I wasn't thinking—what am I even thinking now? Now every man in your corps wants to tup me, save Bordon, who only wants to do that eventually."

He was still confused. "But—but what did I 'win?' You've got me lost, little sister."

"I'll get married. It'll stop all this foolishness. If I'm shackled to—"

William laughed. "Constance, you are a very comely young woman. Marrying you off does not stop men from goggling at you. As long as you have a pretty face and a fine form, you will turn heads."

"Then what am I going to do-ooo?" she stamped her foot childishly and balled a lock of her hair in her fist. The woman's brows were clenching and stormy, and knitting so furiously, they may as well have turned out a sweater. "It would be simple if the whole lot of you were eunuchs and not soldiers."

"Oh, the cruel fates," he responded, crossing his legs.

"Oh, you poor men," she sneered, waving a hand at him coldly. "No brains to speak of in your head…."

"Hey!"

She threw up her hands. "Where would I be, brother, if that was not true? Just think on it, all right? Imagine where your beloved little Kitty would be right now if men truly thought."

"Well—"

"Well, I would likely be married now, had father known he needn't prove he had such big—"

"Constance." William looked at her drily. "You need not venture there."

A dark look crossed her face, followed by the Tavington purse-lipped scowl. "Depending on which interpretation, no, I've no desire to venture there. However, I say there is the root of all evil. Try and figure it out via all the cause and effect, 'metaphysico-theologo-cosmolologo-noodleology*' you male scientists have come up with. You'll see I'm right." Her tone and eyes were deeply cynical and mocking.

There was an odd smile now lighting his features, and she continued:

"I absolutely cannot get anywhere in this world, now that I'm not wealthy and pure. Funny how things that aren't your fault suddenly become your faults. But you see, the only way I can do anything is to marry. Pah! Fine luck I would have if the most wonderful man just fell from the sky right now and professed his undying love."

"Sister, you mustn't give up hope just yet."

"And why not? I've no chance of attaining anything good in this life by any other means."

"I will see what I can do for you, Kitty. You were ruined because I wasn't there to help you." He flashed a smile he thought guaranteed to redeem himself to her. It was met but the most acrid glare one can imagine to throw across her fair visage.

Constance shook her head. "Wonderful. Now you are patronizing me." She put her fingertips to her temples, mind reeling.

Tavington took one of her hand and covered it with his. Kindly, he kissed his sister's hand. "Dear, I can assure you your fortune is made. There are many fine Tory men around here, many distinguishing themselves in military service. There are gentlemen who will love you. But who do you have in mind for marriage?"

Constance shrugged. "Hopefully someone who will at least give me some consideration, someone loyal."

"Loyal as in fidelity, or loyal as in Loyalist Lieutenant Tobias Fife?"

"Oh-ho no, not Fife, brother."

"Why not?"

"He'd forget me the moment some trollop walked by."

He gave a forced smile squeezed her hand. A humid blanket of silence fell on them for a moment. "I cannot immediately think of anyone who would meet your—"

"Sir?" Bordon's quiet voice came from the entrance.

* "Metaphysico-theologo-cosmolologo-noodleology" is from Voltaire's Candide, and is a degree held by the philosopher Dr. Pangloss (also the name of one of my goldfish, Candide naturally being the other one :P)

Next chapter: A brief conversation with Captain Bordon, and the horrible fete.