Part Two: The Rattle Snake

Tavington ordered two of his men to do Susan's field work for the day, with to Susan's anger. Her glare at him would kill the dead but it wasn't a glare to challenge her authority over her own plantation but, rather, a glare because he exercised his own. Tavington wondered around the house a few minutes, taking in it's furnishings. A portrait hung above the grand fireplace of Susan. Her back was straight and legs crossed with her hands placed elegantly on her knee. Her heart shaped lips were turned up into the slightest smile while her eyes gazed on like deep wells of sadness. Tavington stood, mesmerized by this portrait of her. She looked about eighteen, it was probably painted soon before or after her wedding because she only looked slightly younger. Tavington was memorizing every curve and line of the angelic figure in the painting, storing it for just before he died, so he can say he saw an angel. A woman cleared her throat loudly behind Tavington as he whipped around, his sword already unsheathed and prepared to attack. Zaine took an alarmed step back as Tavington relaxed. "I apologize Madam-- soldier instincts." Tavington explained as he sheathed his sword again. Zaine nodded and looked up at the portrait of Susan. A frown came across Zaine's thin features as she stared up at the painting. "I remember when Master Prince brought that poor child here. A bruise the size of a hand was coming into color on her cheek bone. She had the most frightened look I think I've ever seen in her eyes, like she was completely terrified of him." Zaine paused and snickered slightly while Tavington listened with great interest. "Well, who wasn't though? Garth Prince was no man to get on his bad side. As soon as he walked in he threw her to the floor and spat at her then looked at me and the other maids. I still remember exactly what he said: 'This is my wife. You will treat her no better than you would a little whore!' He grabbed her wrist and didn't even give the crying little chit a chance to get to her feet before he began pulling her up the stairs. The other maids ran to gossip as all girls do but I stayed where I was and heard him slam and lock the door." Zaine paused as Tavington was watching her with wide eyes. "I heard her cry out loud then hit the floor. I don't know what happened next because I heard him throw her to the bed, but, one can guess." Zaine stated as she pulled her feather duster (sorry 'bout the modern term here!) out of her apron and dusted the already shinning table top. "I checked on the poor little thing after Master Prince left for the day. She had cocooned herself in the sheets, which were soaked in tears and blood." Zaine finished her story as Tavington stood still as a statue, not quite capable of thinking much less speaking. Before Zaine could say anything and loud clunk came from the archway that led into the hall. Both Zaine and Tavington whirled around to see a curvy, hour glass shaped woman standing there.

Susan was pale and trembled, literally, from head to toe. Her lips were a thin white, hard line while her eyes blazed at them in pure and unrestrained rage. All three watched each other for what seemed like a eternity but was only a second before Susan stomped, square shouldered and small fists balled, out of the door again. Zaine walked oddly over to the bucket of spilled milk and knelt down to clean it up. Tavington raced after Susan, ignoring the urgent calls from Zaine. He saw her as she rounded the corner of the barn and followed her. He made no effort to hide himself as he watched her pace back and forth in the same manner she did when she walked out of the house. Her breathing was so hard Tavington saw her chest rise and fall with each breath while her eyes burned like an inferno. He watched her as she neared him but still didn't see it coming. Suddenly Susan's right hand came up and with her long nails poised like claws, and put four gashes in Tavington's left cheek. He howled as her left fist came and nearly connected with him in the face. Suddenly he forgot his cheek and grabbed both of her wrists and while holding them apart, skillfully avoided her legs as well. Susan fought against him to no aim until she finally gave in, panting. Susan's eyes came up to meet his unusually kind cool blue eyes. Tear tracks were down her cheeks as fresh tears brimmed her red eyes. 'I've survived the rattle snake.' Tavington thought relieved as he still held on to her wrists as she wept. Slowly Tavington released her wrists and brought her into a tight hug. He rested his chin on the top of her head as she gently and pointlessly punched his shoulder and cried on his uniform. 'I may have to get a new jacket.' Tavington thought but looked down at the woman he was now cradling and thought, for the first time 'Someone is being comforted by me.' The thought stunned him as he started to stroke the cascading curls and whispering nonsense to her. Soon Susan's tears and sobs subsided as he swayed with her; he slowly felt her knees giving out as dusk was coming on them. Quickly, he swept one arm under her knees and picked her up with her face in his neck and right arm hanging limply. He walked out from behind the barn and was greeted by his worried soldiers and all of the Cuddy family. Thomas glared hatefully at him while Zaine looked thoughtfully at Tavington and the sleeping Susan. Zaine led Tavington up to the master bedroom of the house were Susan slept. He gently laid her on the bed, taking care not to wake her as Zaine moved to her wardrobe and pulled out a night dress. Tavington looked down at her without his usual cold eyes but with concern and something else, something he had never felt before. He shook it off, startled by this new feeling. "Madam," Tavington looked up at Zaine who, from the looks of it, was watching him for a time. "I was wondering if I could sit with her?" Tavington asked as Zaine lifted one thin eyebrow. Tavington blinked before holding his hands up. "I assure you, I mean her no harm. I just want to see that she is okay." Tavington stated as Zaine watched him. "Come with me, Colonel Tavington." Zaine said simply before leaving the room with the colonel behind her. Zaine went to the sitting room and reached for a book on the table before looking at Tavington again. "I will sit with both of you. I'm sure you have.questions?" Zaine asked, as she gave him a look. Tavington smiled, he did indeed have questions. Together Zaine and Tavington set off back to the room silently. Once there, Zaine made herself comfortable in one of the large chair and began reading, now completely oblivious to his presence. Tavington leaned toward her and whispered 'Madam' in a nearly inaudible voice. Zaine lowered the book ever so slightly so that only her eyes looked at Tavington. "Colonel Tavington, I really am hardly a lady; I spit, I curse, and I work. I also have a name, Zaine, if you will." Zaine stated in a slightly louder whisper than Tavington; Susan didn't so much as stir. Tavington sighed at Zaine before looking over at Susan. "Absolutely gorgeous creature she is." Tavington muttered out loud without realizing it. Zaine looked at the colonel then to the Prince plantation's Sleeping Beauty. "Miss Susan doesn't get out much; you wouldn't believe the gossip about her. What some people call her isn't at all flattering, although what other people don't call her is even worse." Zaine stated as she watched Susan shift slightly. Zaine turned her perceptive eyes back to Tavington, who suddenly felt like he were standing in front of a hundred people. Zaine leaned toward Tavington, her large black eyes staring fixedly at his. "I am well aware of you nickname, Colonel Tavington. And I assure you, if you ever hurt Miss Susan, I will see to it that you will be the butchered." Zaine threatened in a voice so low that Tavington had to strain to hear her. His eyes widened as he took in what she just said. He looked at her ebony eyes, trying to assess what she was capable of. They were like looking into an ocean abyss, where giant sea monsters wait patiently for some ignorant creature to swim, or in his case, tread too close. Zaine stood up with ease, as she marked her place in the book and laid it in his lap. She left him alone with the sleeping Susan as she gently shut the door behind her. Tavington heard her steps as she walked to the other end of the hall. A door opening, a door shutting, a door locking. Zaine had gone to rest for the night. Tavington thought about what he could do if he wanted and how Zaine trusted him in the name room with Susan if she knew his nickname was 'The Butcher'. Tavington looked over at Susan, who was sleeping soundly with the slightest content smile on her lips. He looked at the book Zaine had given him and opened it up to the page she was reading; it was a romance novel, much to Tavington's disgust. It wasn't until Tavington thought back that he realized that either Zaine had an amazing ability to read up side down, or, she hadn't been reading at all. Tavington heard a moan and immediately looked at Susan, who was trying to push herself up out of bed. He laid the book down and went over to Susan, who blinked up at him with sapphire orbs. "Are you alright?" Tavington asked gently as Susan covered her mouth for a yawn. She regarded him with the mistrusting eyes he had seen before but this time gratitude flickered deep in her eyes. He swallowed hard as Susan stared unblinking at him. "I just wanted to see that you were okay." He stated quietly; Susan reached over to the bedside table and picked up some paper and a hard back book. After dipping her pen in the ink she began writing. Susan paused and looked at Tavington, who was standing awkwardly by the bed. She pointed to the floor, her eyes flickering from his face to the floor. Tavington blinked at her and after and aggravated sigh, sat on the wooden floor. Two minutes later Susan handed him the sheet of paper.

I apologize for my actions today. They were completely uncalled for. I must ask, Colonel Tavington, that you not repeat to anyone what Zaine told you. I am very aware of my late husband's wealth as are many young men in the area. Several have been here to ask permission to court me but I am quite content as I am. Anyway, all they are after is the fortune here. How long is it that you and your men plan to stay? If your staying much longer I feel that they will have to assist us in working the plantation. Do you have any questions I may be able to answer?

Tavington read her note and looked up at her. The look on Susan's face was cold and forbidding but Tavington ignored it. "Yes madam, I have a few questions. First off, I was told you were mute but Zaine said," Tavington paused suddenly as he gingerly touched the cleaned scratches on his face; Susan made no effort to apologize. "I'm sorry about what your husband did, madam." he said quietly and looked at Susan. He marveled at how her eyes were just as beautiful as all of her other features yet harder than diamonds. Susan plucked the paper out of Tavington's hand, dipped her pen in the ink, and wrote again.

I feel that you have asked enough questions. Don't think me rude but show yourself out. Now.

Tavington read the paper and gently laid it on the bed before getting up and left the room.

There isn't a Chapter Review because I got delayed in writing the third chapter. I can say though that Susan is going to open up to Tavington some.