Part 1. Mary's Reply

I was silent for a moment after reading the contents of the parchment, not quite knowing what to think. William had mentioned twice in the note that he left that I needn't worry about him. But of course, I couldn't help myself. I knew he was well known in battle for causing more damage to his foes than he received from them; however, his head was wanted by so many people that it was near impossible not to worry. So, to help ease my feelings of concern for William, I wrote a reply to his note:

Early August 1779

William,

I thank you for your note. I hope you and the captain are alright. Yes, I realise that you told me twice in your note not to worry about you, but I couldn't help myself.

I guess my feelings toward this war have gone from patriotic to neutral. My family was patriotic and had raised me to be as such. However, I am no longer accepted among my fellow Colonials because of the acts of treachery committed by my father and brother. Also, my relationship with you has influenced my political views. I fear that if my family was alive, I would be rejected by them, however, as this is not the case, I feel not the slightest feeling of shame for my beliefs.

I pray that you will return safely to me upon your steed and not a stretcher. Until then, I remain most affectionately yours.

-M.K. Selton

Part 2. The Servant

I had just finished writing the letter when there was a knock at the door and the servant appeared. He looked familiar and I soon recognized him as the recruit who had shot William in the arm at camp. Something wasn't right; surely this man wasn't the servant William had instructed to care for me while he was away.

"So, you're the one William sent to care for me; I thought you to be the recruit who shot him in the arm."

The young man blushed bright red.

"I used to be a recruit but I decided to become a servant here because of my poor combat skills."

"How is it that William chose you, as you shot him in the arm at camp?"

"I myself am still trying to figure that out. I guess either he forgave me or forgot about the incident."

I gave the man a disbelieving look, but said nothing of what I was thinking. Somehow, I didn't believe William forgave or forgot this man.

"May I please have your name, Sir?"

"My name is Harry; Harry Owens."

"And what did William instruct you to do?"

"Well, he instructed me to change your bandages every thirty minutes during the day, have your meals brought to you, and make sure you're in bed every evening at eight."

"Well then, I need my bandages changed don't I?"

"Yes, I guess you do."

After he finished changing my bandages, Harry went to my quarters to get me a dress. He returned shortly with a light blue dress and a corset. I glanced at the corset questioningly.

"Is something wrong, Miss Selton?" He asked.

"I don't believe I should wear a corset at this time as it is tight on my wound."

"Nonsense; your wound isn't even that serious; I don't even see why the colonel bothered about it so much. You'll be fine."

I glared at Harry angrily and he left the room, glancing fearfully at me out of the corner of his eye as he did so.

I muttered angrily to myself as I changed. Surely this had to be a mistake; William would never instruct someone as incompetent as Harry Owens to care for me.

After Harry that evening, I sat down at William's desk and wrote another letter to him, expressing my concerns about Harry.

Early August 1779

William,

I hope you are well. The servant, Harry Owens, came today. However, I am afraid there has been a mistake, as I know you wouldn't send someone like him to care for me. He is quite rude and incompetent. He even undermined your doctoring skills, saying that my wound wasn't serious at all and that you were bothering too much with it. Harry is even making me wear a corset! Please write back and sort this out!

-M.K. Selton

After I finished the letter, I sent it with the one I had written earlier that day, and sent it with the fastest post rider I could find.

That evening, I went to bed without eating supper; I didn't feel hungry and after finally growing annoyed at Harry's threats of force-feeding me, I slapped him hard across the face and yelled at him to stop pestering me. He left William's quarters whimpering like a puppy, rubbing the side of his face.

Part 3. William's Reply

The next day, I was just waking up in William's quarters when there was a knock on the door. I crawled out of bed and opened the door.

A girl of about fifteen years of age stood in the doorway, her face framed by her bushy brown hair.

"Are you Mary Selton?"

"I am she."

"A letter arrived by post rider for you this morning."

She handed me the letter and left. I walked over to the four-poster, sat down on it, broke the seal of the letter, and began to read:

Mary,

I was quite pleased to receive your letters. Bordon and I are quite well. The battle is over with another victory for the British. I should be returning to the estate soon.

I was quite displeased when I heard that Harry Owens was serving you. That idiot believes himself to be the best at everything and slights those who think differently about things than he does. He shouldn't even be serving you. It was his twin, Edward Owens, whom I asked to serve you. Anyway, I'll sort things out when I return. However, before I return, I instruct you not to listen to Harry's instructions, as it is clear that he has been doing a poor job of caring for you. I miss you and I hope to see you soon.

-William