Disclaimer: I don't own The Patriot, but it rather owns me at the moment.
CHAPTER THREE: The Last Thing in the Library
It was almost one o'clock, and Tavington wondered how Miss Wilde and her assistants were progressing. Too curious to hear it secondhand, he made his way to the carriage house, and nearly ran into Miss Wilde coming out.
"Colonel Tavington. Good," were Miss Wilde's first flustered words. Composing herself, she began again, rather cautiously. "I wonder, Colonel, if I might ask a favour of you. Would you return with me to the house?"
"As you wish."
They ascended the steps together and she dropped her voice, "There is one last thing in the library that I need, but I wanted to have the assistance of someone who could promise me discretion as a gentleman."
"Madam, your cousin, Captain Wilkins---"
"Just so. He is my cousin and this is something that I do not want spread all around the family connections."
His curiosity aroused in the highest degree, Tavington followed her into the plundered library.
"Please help me move the hearthstone." Tavington's face showed his puzzlement. She explained impatiently, "There is a counterweight, but it is difficult for me to operate, and impossible for me to retrieve what lies beneath."
Here was a mystery! Tavington strode to the fireplace and pressed firmly against the mantel at the spot indicated. The granite slab moved reluctantly, and revealed a hiding place roughly two feet square beneath it, holding a locked wooden chest.
Miss Wilde looked about for any witnesses, then gestured peremptorily at him to remove the chest.
He manhandled the surprisingly heavy object out. The contents shifted, and he heard the audible clink of metal inside. He looked a question at Miss Wilde, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, there is some money in it. Also quite important documents. Don't look at me like that: they have nothing to do with this war or any other war. They have to do with my family and are no one else's business. Give me your word, your sacred word of honour, that you will never mention the existence of this chest, its contents, or its hiding place to another soul."
"You have my word, madam. " He eyed the chest with a certain distaste. "I take it you wish me to convey this chest out to the wagon myself?"
"Yes, of course. First, though, I need you to move the hearthstone back into place."
Thinking words he would never utter before her, he accomplished that with some trouble; then hefted the chest up into his arms. As he strode from the room, he gritted out, "Would you be so good as to open the door?"
Miss Wilde had had the foresight to reserve a place in the wagon nearly large enough for her mysterious chest. Luckily only Sergeant Davies was about, harnessing the team, and he watched his Colonel being harassed by Miss Wilde's importunate demands with more veiled amusement than curiosity. Tavington examined the laden wagon and shrugged. It would certainly slow them down, but so too would the Crawford slaves they would encounter. It couldn't be helped.
He considered the young woman beside him.
"Miss Wilde, do you know how to drive a team?"
"Yes, of course. One has to master all sorts of skills in an isolated place like this." Comprehending him, and displeased, she drew a deep breath. "I had hoped you would allow me to ride one of the animals from the Crawfords' place."
"Your wagon, Miss Wilde. Your belongings, your sisters. I hardly think it unreasonable to expect you to look after them. Even had you proved incapable of driving the team, I still would have wanted you in the wagon, caring for the children. Your ability simply frees a dragoon to do his first duty." She sighed in submission.
"And, Miss Wilde, we will have to spend a night encamped on the way to Camden. Have Baird and Lovins bring out a featherbed so you and your sisters will have something other than the ground to sleep upon." She nodded and went to look for them. He called after her. "And please collect your sisters. We are moving out as soon as possible. It would unfortunate to have to leave them behind." She looked back at him, incredulous and indignant, and hurried away.
Within minutes she was back, supervising Baird and Lovins as they shoehorned the featherbed on top of the other belongings and under the canvas covering. The girls emerged from the house, carrying pillows and a few assorted bags.
Tavington was preparing to mount, when he saw Miss Wilde coming toward him with a glint in her eye. He nearly groaned aloud in exasperation, and went to meet her.
"Miss Wilde, it is time to go. Can this not wait?"
She stepped under the shade of the nearest tree and Tavington joined her. She regarded him warily.
"There is a matter than concerns the slaves you confiscated from the Crawford place." Tavington was sure he knew what would follow, and braced himself.
"Some of the slaves were our property, stolen by the rebels. I hope there will be no difficulty in reclaiming them."
"Miss Wilde," he began levelly, "whatever individuals were liberated from the rebels were in the possession of the rebels, and thus our legitimate spoils of war." She looked up at him, her eyes beginning to blaze. Gazing back stonily at her, he continued, "Captain Bordon, under standing orders, has offered those slaves the promise of freedom if they wish to serve the King. Do not interrupt me, Madam," he said, stifling her protests.
"I have shown you every consideration since I arrived, Miss Wilde. I have given you the assistance of men who worked when they could have rested, and sent others of my men into possible danger so you would not have to refugee to Camden riding pillion behind a dragoon with only the clothes on your back." He stepped closer to her. She flinched slightly, but stood her ground. He looked down at her grimly.
"But never ask me to make a liar of one of my officers. You appealed to me before as a man of honour. Honour, I think you will find, is a double-edged sword."
She looked up at him, eyes wide. She is trying very hard not to tremble, poor thing, he thought.
"I am not afraid of you," she said defiantly.
He leaned over, lips almost brushing her ear, and whispered. "Then you are a very silly girl." He stepped back, looking her over. She looked back mutinously, pressed against the tree, breathing heavily.
"The subject is closed, Madam. Get in your wagon. Take the place that Sergeant Davies assigns you, and do as you are told. If you ride with the Green Dragoons, you ride under my command: and I do not tolerate insubordination."