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Chapter 3:
Ansley barely had time to secure her shawl around her shoulders when Wesley dragged her out of the mansion. None of the other guests had begun to leave, so they were alone besides the guards outside the house. Their coach was already waiting for them, with the driver at the door, ready to help the lady into the carriage.
Wesley had his arm locked with Ansley's and he pulled her along across the courtyard to the coach. She let the driver assist her into the carriage, plopping down into one of the cozy seats. A moment later, Wesley climbed into the dimly lit interior, flipping his coat tails so he could sit with comfort next to Ansley. The little door slammed shut, the curtains rustling from the disturbance. Ansley's skin crawled as she felt Wesley next to her. She had a sudden impulse to move to the other side of the coach, but resisted, as she would surely be reprimanded. A second more, and the coach jolted as it moved forward. And Ansley waited. She waited for her fiancé's harsh words. And as predicted, they came in a matter of a few seconds.
"How dare you disappear like that." He spat, glaring out at the dark woods the coach passed.
Ansley narrowed her green orbs at the man. "I did not 'disappear', Wesley."
"For God's sake, Angelica, a woman is supposed to practically hang off her fiancé's shoulder!" He almost yelled, but was amazingly keeping his voice calm, albeit laced with anger.
"And my fiancé is not supposed to practically breathe down another woman's chest!" Ansley retorted, her voice this time reaching a decibel that could be considered yelling.
Wesley spun his head to look at her, the light of the lantern hung inside glinting off his eyes. "You dare to accuse me of infidelity?!"
"I only know what I see." Ansley replied frostily.
Wesley tried to conjure up a proper response, but his brain, not surprisingly, failed him once again and he looked away. Ansley smiled to herself, grateful to have won this battle, even though, ultimately, she knew that she would lose the war.
---
The coach came to a gradual stop outside the doors of Middleton Place, the Lord General Cornwallis' current home, as well as Ansley's and Williams, until General Cornwallis conquered something else, and they'd move to the more balmy conditions of North Carolina. Wesley was the Lord General's eldest, and most liked nephew. Cornwallis considered Ansley's fiancé to be clever, practical, and good with money. He also liked that his favorite nephew was an accountant of a rather large shipping business back in England. When Cornwallis heard of Wesley's impending marriage, he'd arranged for the two to be shipped immediately to the colonies.
I humbly invite you to my current address so that you may see with your own eyes the beauty of this land in which I will be imparting a portion of to you come time of your marriage and the cessation of war, he'd written. Ansley wasn't too keen on up and leaving England, but Wesley demanded her presence here. She was less than impressed with the land and even more so with the idea that she'd have to endure the torment of staying here the rest of her life, all because of her soon-to-be uncle's generous gift which she could not refuse. Wesley was thrilled.
"Imagine it, Angelica! Flourishing land as far as the eye can see! The sun constantly on your face! That's right, even when you lock yourself away in your room with those stupid books of yours, the sunshine will glow inside!" Such is what Wesley had been explaining to her on the journey to the New World. The man had no appreciation for the fact that Ansley's skin burned easily and she found herself only able to endure the sun for a short time if she had no parasol or shade from a tree. Ansley also disliked the insects and the stifling, hot moisture of the air. Wesley insisted that not all of the New World was like South Carolina. But by the first few days of their arrival, Ansley was quite ready to return home.
That had been two months ago. The two weeks they'd spent moving their things from the previous fort to this one. Ansley disliked the constant comings and goings of military personnel, but the beauty of the gardens and mansion were undeniable. And she'd stare at the gardens from the comfort of her bedchamber window as she sewed her intricate wedding vale diligently.
Wesley ushered her out of the coach, tossing a coin to the driver who caught it, examined its worth, then grunted with dissatisfaction before pocketing the money. By this time, Wesley seemed to have overcome his little mood and felt he was back in control. Without a word, he led his fiancée up the grand staircase and towards their rooms. Stopping outside Ansley's room, he gave a slight bow, taking her hand and giving it a peck.
"Good night, Angelica."
Ansley wasn't quite sure what overcame her when she snatched her hand away. And she was even shocked when she grabbed her fiancé's coat and pulled him to her, landing a kiss to his lips that would most certainly be thought scandalous. Wesley shuddered and pulled away instantly, a hand covering his mouth. His face was bright red, with anger Ansley guessed.
"What in bloody hell is wrong with you, woman?!" He screeched, confirming Ansley's deduction.
She crossed her arms tightly. "You never kiss me, Wesley. Nor do you show me any affection, am I that repulsing to you?!"
Wesley stuttered with his answer. "W--wha--well, oh, damn you, don't you realize how inappropriate that was?!"
"Inappropriate? I'm to marry you--whenever you feel the time is convenient!" She muttered.
His brow creased and the red dissipated from his face. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Wesley, it has been a year and we have not even set a date!"
He scoffed, glancing around them to make sure no one was listening. Then he closed the space between them, their noses inches apart. "If you were the least bit attentive to anything besides yourself, you would notice that I have been a tad busy!" He hissed, "How can you blame me for the delay of the wedding when I have been the one working, I have been the one bringing in money, and it is I who has the connections to ensure we live in luxury and harmony once the war ends?! I brought you to this land, for Christ's sake!"
Ansley clenched her fists to keep from striking the man. "And if you paid the slightest attention to me, you'd realize I'm unhappy with the place, I hate it! I hate this war, and this land, and those stupid woman you force me to socialize with, I hate it all!" With this, Ansley whipped away, flinging her bedchamber door open, and then slamming it shut, leaving her fuming fiancé alone in the dim hall.
---
Ansley didn't feel like crying. Instead, she wanted to fling something great and heavy at the large-paned window that overlooked the beautiful gardens of Fort Carolina. Ansley actually did pick up the sculptured bust that belonged to the previous owners of the house and raised it above her head, aiming for the window. But her strength failed her, and she crumpled to the floor, placing the marble head carefully beside her. She sat there only a moment, before realizing she was mussing one of her nicest gowns. She groaned in annoyance as she heard her mother's voice in her head:
Angelica Marie Parrish, remove yourself from that floor this instant! Are you a beast that would crawl on all fours?!
Ansley pushed herself off the tightly knit rug that covered the length of the wood floor. Brushing herself off, she began the extensive process of removing the many parts of her clothing. She did not bother calling upon a servant to help her. She wanted to be alone. And alone she stayed, though Ansley constantly expected to hear a soft rap on her door, being it either her fiancé or a servant. But no one came.
---
The grandfather clock tolled midnight and Ansley listened to its sad song echo twelve strikes. She wasn't sure what Wesley had meant when he said they "had an early morning." She did not remember him planning anything of the sort, which made her question the need for leaving the ball so early. Ansley huffed a sigh as she turned on her side in her bed to stare out the window, which she hadn't bothered drawing the curtains in front of. The moon was still bright, and no clouds hindered its light from pouring over the land. Thinking over the night's events, Ansley could almost laugh at the expression Wesley had when she'd kissed him. Truth be told, she'd only done it as an experiment--for two reasons. One, to have the slightest idea what kind of lover he'd be. And two, to punish him in the only way she knew how for embarrassing her. To answer her first inquiry, Ansley found the kiss to be quite unpleasant. Wesley had a very small, awkward mouth that was difficult to kiss. And his breath smelled like old cheese. She would never kiss him like that again--ever. She'd shoot herself first, or at least consume a great amount of vodka.
Feeling restless, Ansley swung her feet to the floor, sliding them into silk slippers. Then taking the robe from the armchair near the bed, she slipped it over her thin shift, flipping out her wavy hair. Moving silently to her door, she unlatched it, wincing as a creak emitted from its hinges. Once open enough, she slipped out, and stepped noiselessly through the house towards the gardens.
The cool night air greeted Ansley with welcoming arms and she smiled genuinely for the first time in a long while. The Spanish moss dangling from the large trees moved softly in the wind. The flowers emitted a sweet scent that could be intoxicating if breathed too deeply. And inhale deeply she did, taking in all the perfumes of the night. The night. Ironic how it was only when that part of their planet was turned away from the light, that Ansley felt most secure, yet free at the same time.
Ansley felt the hard, cold cobblestones through her silk slippers, and her feet began to protest this unusual stress. She ignored their plea and continued her midnight stroll. Ansley halted in front of a patch of roses, whose blooms showed signs of closing with Autumn not far off.
"Beautiful country, is it not?"
Suddenly, every propriety that had been drilled into her since the time of cognizance surged through her and Ansley realized she was hardly clad properly--and a man was in her midst. On instinct, Ansley tightened her robe around her thin shift before turning to the direction of the voice. The moon's light was still unhindered, and she needn't look far for the source of her disruption.
"C--colonel?"
He sat hunched on a marble bench a few yards away at the outer perimeter of the garden, which backed up to a wooded area. He was still in uniform, his black leather gloves next to him. He didn't look at her, but instead stared past her to the high brick wall that separated them from the prairie. After a moment, his gaze shifted to her, his expression deadpan.
"So you are the fiancé of the Lord General's nephew that he's mentioned?" He said with curiosity.
Ansley felt a loathing at the reference to that swine of a man who would be her husband. "At the moment." She murmured.
This seemed to pique the colonel's interest even more and he cocked his head. "Uh oh, that doesn't sound good." He quipped, a playful tone in his voice.
What are you doing, Ansley? You're in your bed-clothes talking to a stranger! "That is none of your concern Colonel--Tavington, was it?"
He let the remark slide without reaction. "That's right. Unfortunately, the only name I have for you is Angelica, and the--at the moment--future Misses Hookar."
Ansley sighed, crossing her arms. "I'm afraid neither of those will suffice, sir. But you may call me Miss Parrish. Now, Colonel, you know why I am here, but why do you stay at Middleton Place?"
The Colonel stood, and in reflex, Ansley took a step back, though she was still several yards away from him. He came closer, stopping in front of Yellow Jessamine that was being carefully grown on wooden stakes, its vibrancy also dulling. Ansley stood on the other side of it, watching the Colonel closely.
"My duties occasionally bring me to Middleton Place," Tavington explained, "and the Middletons are kind enough to offer the luxuries of their home to his Majesty's officers."
The answer relieved Ansley's nerves somewhat. The Colonel, however, seemed to be itching to say something as he drew his hands behind him.
"Forgive me for being blunt, Miss Parrish," He began, "but exactly why did you choose to become engaged with Mr. Hookar? I observed his behavior toward you…it was less than affectionate, to say the least."
The blood rushed to Ansley's head as anger dangerously brimmed upon her visage, "That is blunt, Colonel," she replied bitterly, "and also none of your concern."
The silence that followed was extremely uncomfortable. Ansley considered stomping away to show just how she felt about him, but she found her feet were rooted to the ground like the plants in the garden. Ansley did look away from him though, fixing her gaze past him and to the woods.
"It was arranged," she finally confessed. Ansley shifted her eyes to the colonel who shook his head slightly.
"Well, that's unfortunate." He murmured.
Ansley felt her brow crease and a newfound courage spiked. "And what is that supposed to mean?" She snapped.
It was then that Ansley sensed another aroma in the air. It was distinct, and it made her insides curl. The unmistakable scent of alcohol had finally made its way to her olfactory system and sent off several warnings. She had something else to add to her current predicament--not only was she inappropriately clothed and alone with a man in her midst--but with a man who had been drinking. All such ingredients made a recipe for trouble.
"Take it as you will." He said calmly, answering her question.
"Are you drunk, Colonel?" Ansley decided to ask, her voice wavering some.
The man smirked, staring at her in that same way as he did at the ball--with an unknown desire. "Probably, my dear. But I wouldn't be too concerned. I've been told that I'm actually quite dull when intoxicated."
He shifted his weight to one foot and Ansley felt her frame start. She silently admonished herself for being so obvious in her discomfort. He did notice and gawked at her curiously.
"Well, not to be rude, sir, but it is late and this situation is quite inappropriate. Good night." Ansley said all this as she turned away and headed towards the back door of the mansion, her silk slippers padding softly on the cobblestones. She could feel his eyes on her as she fled to the sanctuary of the manor. When she reached the back door, she scrambled inside, shutting it quickly. With her back against the cold wood of the door, Ansley shut her eyes, feeling her heart thump against her chest. Drawing in deep breaths, the young woman opened her lids slowly, peering into the quiet darkness. Ansley shuddered as she remembered the look in the colonel's eerie, opaque eyes.
She made her way briskly to her room, stopping at any sound heard. She only felt truly comfortable once she was back in her bedchamber with the door locked and the curtains drawn.
---
BANG! BANG! BANG!
It sounded like cannon fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
And for a moment, Ansley thought it was. But the booms of the cannon eventually quieted to a simple knock on her door. The fuzziness of sleep still clung to the young woman as she left the dream world to return to the real one. She must of mumbled a, "come in," because her servant, Winifred, opened the door, entering swiftly. The spry little woman went immediately to the large window, throwing the curtains open, allowing the blinding morning light to enter. Ansley groaned in pain, hiding her head under a pillow.
"Now, now, Miss Parrish, there's no reason to hide from the sun!" She pointed out in her choppy cockney accent.
Winifred went to work pulling the day's clothes out of the closet and gathering scented oils and soaps for Ansley's impending bath. With her head still under a pillow, Ansley listened to the woman move about. But new footsteps suddenly entered the room, and she didn't like the sound of them.
"Winifred, you're excused for now." The slightly nasal voice ordered.
Ansley whipped her head out from under the pillow in time to see her servant curtsy and then leave, shutting the door behind her. Ansley threw a frown to her fiancé, who was helping himself to the small bowl of pistachios that she always kept in her room. Pouring some into his hand, he then made his way to the end of her bed, a frown accompanying him as well.
With a sigh, he began, "I thought we might be able to talk in a civilized manner about a few things that were mistakenly said last night." Wesley explained, popping another of the greenish nuts into his small mouth.
Ansley scoffed, throwing the covers off and watching with hidden amusement as Wesley cringed and looked away, as she was still in her thin nightgown. She worked slowly, stretching her arms lazily, feelings the joints pop, before sauntering over to the window-bench where she'd thrown her robe.
"I didn't say anything by mistake," Ansley retorted as she gradually slipped on her robe. Wesley still had his back to her, but she could recognize the immediate stiffness in his frame when he was angry and trying to control it.
"Are you decent?" He growled, biting off each word.
"Yes."
He spun around, quickly closing the space between them. His face had turned the most interesting shade of red and his little mouth was so pursed, Ansley thought the lips might fuse together.
"Listen to me, girl," he hissed, his face inches from hers, "I am not a man who will tolerate your sarcasm and disrespect. For months now, I've been trying to make you happy, trying to make you comfortable an--and you might as well spit in my face!" He snapped.
Fearing that her fiancé was reaching the very end of his patience, Ansley chose her words carefully.
"As I said last night, if you paid any attention to what I actually need, we wouldn't even be having this conversation!" Ansley breezed past him, sitting down at her vanity dresser and running a brush through her long chestnut hair.
Wesley stayed rooted to his spot and neither of them said anything for nearly a minute. Heaving a great, dramatic sigh, Wesley turned on his heal and made for the door, stopping behind Ansley first. He stared at her reflection in the mirror and Ansley stared at his.
"When the war ends, we'll marry. We will stay here, graciously accept the land my uncle has promised us, have a family and be quite happy whether you like it or not. Your father promised you to me and I intend on keeping you."
With that, the man treaded heavily out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Ansley had gone frozen as he spoke, the brush having stopped mid-stroke through her hair. She stared at her pale complexion in the mirror. She didn't like his tone. Not one bit. And for the first time, Ansley realized she really was going to marry that horrible worm. There was no escaping the inevitable--not without losing her well-guarded honor.
---
Ohh, I can't wait to upload the next chapter, so many more goodies!!! Here are review responses, you guys are soooo awesome!!!
Tigerchild: Yay! You came back! I'm happy I continued this too, it's been so much fun to write. Thank you for reviewing, and you definitely get more chocolate and Tavy hugs for returning :D.
The Kitten: LMBO, thank you, Katie :D. And, well, things didn't get too awful "frisky" here, but methinks you'll rather enjoy the next chapter, heeheehee. Thank ya bunches!
Whore d' Will Turner: Aw, geezy, you're making me blush! Oh, really, it's not super accurate, I'm sure, lol, but I try to research stuff as much as I can so I don't sound like a ninny. Aww, that's so nice of you to say, I just really hope I can get Tavington to sound like Tavy and not some dolt I've made up in my head, lol. Thank you bunches for reviewing, you're my hero! :D
acdecnerd: Thank you so much, I'm ecstatic that you like it! Thank you for reviewing! Tavy thanks you too!
Jeangray666: YAY! I love enthusiasm! gives pompoms you've been granted the honorary title of Most Enthusiastic Reviewer! Tells Tavy to give jeangray a hug
Tavy: B--but, she's got pompoms! Pompoms scare me!
Me: GIVE HER A HUG, CONFOUND IT ALL!
smiles sweetly thank you for reviewing :D.
dude-monkey: grins evilly…muahahahaha! Perhaps I do like Tavy…teehee. Well, truth be told, I've always admired his character and how evil it is, but now I admit melikes the cheeky bastard :D. Thank you bunches for reviewing!!!
Gummy bears and Tavy hugs to all! Unless some of you like Wesley (gag), you can hug him too, if you want. Just don't expect him to be happy about it!8) C yas next week, folks!
-sancti-
