Elizabeth woke the next day to see Bordon sitting in a chair next to the bed. He was asleep. Elizabeth looked around she didn't notice where she was. She was not in her estate or one of her family members or a maid she knew would be sitting with her. Then the memory of falling came back and someone picking her up. She knew it must have been Bordon who saved her. She owed him. She tried to get up but it was as if all the strength was taken from her. She let a little whimper of frustration out. At this Bordon woke.
"Miss Watson, are you alright? Do you need the doctor? I'll go get him."
"Captain, I need to know what happened."
"You have Hypothermia. You need to rest and keep warm." Bordon was worried and it showed. Most of the time he kept his emotions concealed.
"But I can't." She began to shake. Bordon ran out and got the doctor.
He retuned with the doctor. "Elizabeth, I'm doctor Harrington. How are you feeling?"
"Hungry and cold, very cold." She said trying to swallow.
"We can arrange for some food to be brought up to you and we'll try our best to keep you a warm and comfortable." He smiled down at her.
Elizabeth tried to sit up but couldn't.
"No don't do that, you need to rest. Take it easy. Bordon will be here." And with that he left and Bordon followed.
Once out in the hall he told him, "There are more blankets in the closet, top shelf. Oh and if she continues to complain about being cold, I'd hate to ask you but lay next to her. Your body heat will help warm her."
Bordon looked surprised at his request.
"Trust me it will help her, its not like I'm asking you to make love to her." The doctor laughed and walked away. Bordon just watched the man as he left.
Bordon returned to find Elizabeth shaking in her sleep. He walked over to the closet and pulled out two more blankets. He opened them and covered her. He then removed his Jacket, vest and boots. He climbed in behind her and pulled her close to him. Soon he too fell into sleep.
Elizabeth sat in the corner of the library in a chair reading. It had been a week since she had come to the fort. And three days since she had been strong enough to get up and walk around. Twice Captain Borden had to carry her up to her room. She still was weak and couldn't climb the stairs after short walks through the fort. Now she would have breakfast in her room, then walk down to the library and read until dinner.
"Miss Watson." Elizabeth looked up to see General O'Hara.
"General." Elizabeth smiled at him. He graciously returned the smile and took a seat next to her.
"It's almost time for dinner, and I thought you could use some company. Seeing as how you were down her all day with no one to talk to."
"Thank you General." Elizabeth closed her book and set it on her lap. The General, along with other; mostly single soldiers privets or Officers, seemed to be attracted to her or at least her looks.
The General reached for the back of the book and looked at it. "William Shakespeare?"
"I love his writings." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"'From you I have been absent
When proud-pried April, dress'd in all his trim
Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,
That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue,
Could make me any summer's story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grow;
Nor did I wonder at the Lily's white,
Nor praise the deep vermillion in the Rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.
Yet seem'd it winter still, and, you away,
As with your shadow I these did play.' "
"I Have Been Absent. I am very impressed General."
The General began to glow at her praise.
"But I must rather like this one." Elizabeth cleared her throat and began. "'Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand' ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor on man ever love.' "
"Well that was Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds." The two of them gave a short giggle. They had not heard the dragoons arrive.
"I hope we're not interrupting, General." O'Hara and Elizabeth's head sharply turned towards the door. There stood William Tavington and his dragoons.
"No not at all Colonel." O'Hara said looking back at Elizabeth.
"Well if you please General, my men and I would like to hold our meeting. So I will ask you to please leave." O'Hara nodded and helped Elizabeth to her feet. He then offered his arm and she reluctantly took it.
"Miss Watson! I must say I never expected you to be out and about. You've healed well." Colonel Tavington said eyeing her.
"Thank you, Colonel." She mumbled. As they left she saw Bordon. Horror written all over his face. He watched as O'Hara escorted her away.
'How could he? The nerve he had to do that!' Bordon thought to himself.
"You know Bordon; you should show her how you feel. It will help you get her." Tavington said whispering in his ear. Bordon turned his head to look at his commander.
"Is it that obvious?"
"You spent a week nursing her back to health. And you stare at her when ever you get the chance. Just show her how you feel before that excuse of a man gets in your way or worst..."
Bordon didn't need his commander to continue. He walked into the meeting and shut the doors.
O'Hara led Elizabeth out side and into the gardens. Elizabeth had to admit that the General had qualities she liked about him. He was soft spoken and very gentle. He knew his poetry that alone made Elizabeth like him even more. But at the back of her mind she knew she also wanted to be with Captain Bordon. He was your average man. He worked to earn his money, and he gave people respect and compassion when they needed it. And most of all he help heal her.
"Miss Watson, look at those roses." He said leaning down to whisper into her ear.
"Yes. Roses are my favorite flower."
"Really? All colors as well?"
"Yes General, all colors as well." Elizabeth said sounding a little annoyed.
"If you don't mind me asking, but if you had to choose your favorite color what would it be?"
Elizabeth thought for a moment before answering him. "Deep Red."
"Ah, the color of passion."
"And blood." Elizabeth added with a smile. O'Hara was a little taken back at her statement.
"Well, maybe we should be getting back."
"Yes, your right General."
They walked back to the house. A carriage had arrived while they had been on their walk. Elizabeth thought she knew it, but bay no mind to it.
By now the dragoons had finished their meeting and the Officers were starting to sit down.
"General O'Hara," Lord General Cornwallis' aid came walking up to them.
"Yes?"
"His lord General to wishes a word with you about-"
"Say no more." He waved his hand. "Duty calls Miss Watson." He took her hand and placed a gentle on top of it.
He left her standing alone in the hallway. She watched as he started up the stairs.
"Miss Watson." Elizabeth turned around to see captain Bordon.
"Captain!" Elizabeth smiled at him.
"You look much better."
"I feel much better. But I never really got a chance to thank you for what you did. I am truly grateful." Bordon smiled.
"I do my best to help where I am needed."
"Thank you so very much." She looked up the stairs when she saw her mother come out of the Lord Generals office. Elizabeth gasped. Then her father came out talking to the Lord General and O'Hara. Elizabeth's heart raised and she became very pale.
"Miss Watson?" Bordon asked, worry once again written all over his face. "Are you alright?"
"Fine, why do you ask?" Bordon followed her gaze to her parent and the lord General and O'Hara walking down the stairs.
He let out a small, "Oh."
"Elizabeth!" Her mother rushed to her side. Elizabeth pulled away. "Well... you look better." She said with a smile.
"Thank you." Elizabeth looked at the faces of the men around her, all were smiling but only O'Hara was glowing.
"Let us go eat." Cornwallis said.
"Yes." Her father offered his arm to her mother and followed the General.
"Miss Watson." O'Hara offered his arm and Elizabeth took it. She risked a look at Bordon. He looked hurt, but there was nothing she could do. She walked into the dinning hall her arm wrapped around O'Hara's. Her parents sat to the left of Cornwallis, as O'Hara and Elizabeth sat to his right.
The dinner had passed faster than Elizabeth had expected. But she was forced to endure the dry conversation of the women she sat next to. When the dinner had ended Elizabeth's parents went out for a walk and asked Elizabeth and O'Hara to join them. Elizabeth put up no fight even though she was tired and need to rest. They soon made their way to the gardens.
"Elizabeth, would you come take a walk with me?" Her mother asked. Elizabeth nodded and let go of O'Hara's arm.
The two women went behind a bush and sat on a bench. Elizabeth's mother turned to her.
"Please be truthful, do you have any interest in General O'Hara?"
"He has some, well a lot of qualities that I like about him." Elizabeth sighed. "Why?"
Her mother laughed.
"Why?!"
"Shh, do you not know how to be bloody quiet?"
"I asked you why and you should tell me why."
She took a deep breath. "General O'Hara has asked to court you."
"Huh? Wait, what?!" Elizabeth was shocked. Why would someone like him want her? She was a country bumpkin! She had head Cornwallis say that all the Colonials were country bumpkins.
"Please Elizabeth; General O'Hara is a good match for you. Please do it for your family, be better than your sister. The General is much better than that Farmer who can make more children than he has money for." Her green eyes were pleading.
"Do I have a choice?" Elizabeth asked. "But why me? I am nothing compared to the other ladies."
"Elizabeth don't say that! You're the same as them, maybe even more. You know what hard work is and you do what you're told!"
"Elizabeth nodded and got up. "I will." She muttered to her self.