(Back to Mary's POV)
One week had passed. William and Bordon had moved a cot into the sitting room so that I didn't have to be in the master bedchamber all day.
It was twelve noon; I had just finished giving Braden his arithmetic and spelling lessons while Brielle sat quietly next to me when Cristabel entered the room, carrying a tray of food.
"Braden, Brielle, you're dinner is ready for you in the dining room."
After Braden and Brielle left, Cristabel sat down next to me, handing me the tray of food.
"Thank you." I replied.
"You're welcome. Has the colonel made his decision? About going back to active duty?"
"Not that I know of. He has been thinking about it a lot though."
"He seems stressed."
"He is; he hasn't been able to sleep at night. But I don't blame William in the least; with the possibility of active duty, along with Alastor's return, it's no wonder he doesn't sleep at night."
Cristabel nodded.
"But do you really believe he'll go? I mean, he does have two children and you're pregnant. Certainly he must take that into consideration."
"I don't know quite what to think. It's difficult to tell with William. However, if he does decide to go, he's not leaving until I after give birth."
"What will you do if he leaves?"
"If he stays in New Brunswick or goes to India, I'll stay here with the children. But if he goes back to London, we'll probably move there, depending on how long he's on duty there. It would be a shame though; I really like it here, and so does William."
"We all do." Replied Cristabel.
Just then, William, who had been in his study for the majority of the day, stepped into the room, a perplexed look on his face.
"I need to speak with you Mary."
He turned to Cristabel, who nodded politely and with an acknowledging "Sir", left the room.
"Have you made your decision then?"
William nodded, sitting down next to me. I didn't need to ask what the decision was, for it was clearly written in his eyes.
"You've accepted…"
"Yes… I'm sending the letter out tomorrow. It should reach Cornwallis on time if not a little earlier."
I began to shake my head.
"William no…." I whispered, nearly choking on my words.
"He needs me, Mary, England needs me. It may seem optional but I cannot ignore the call."
"I understand." I replied hollowly, feeling as if my world had suddenly gone from secure to on the verge of crumbling; I had lost my father and brother to war, and I had even nearly lost my husband; 'I don't want to go through this again!'
"Mary…"
In no mood to eat anymore I set the tray of food aside and clung to William, feeling his protective and loving embrace around me as I buried my face in his chest and cried.
"I'm sorry."
(Bordon's POV)
It was one in the afternoon. I had just finished reading a book that I had started a couple of days earlier; I set it down and reached for a piece of parchment, a letter requesting my return to active duty to the Crown, and read over it, just as I had done countless times since receiving it. But this time I knew what I would do. I would return to active duty, to serve the Crown yet again. And somehow, I knew I wouldn't be alone, for I had a strong suspicion that Col. Tavington would answer the call as well.
I got out a piece of parchment and wrote my response; after my response, I dipped my quill into the inkwell and signed: Capt. Fredrick Bordon, British Green Dragoons.
That was it. I shuddered thinking of the food I'd eaten while traveling with Col. Tavington on duty in the colonies. 'The life of a soldier.' Oh well, one can't have it all. Being a soldier was dangerous, but nearly addictively surprising and chaotic, and yet, strangely structured. But I would miss the fine meals here. 'At least I won't be alone. Never alone.'
I chuckled to myself.
"You'll heed the call Colonel. Like a wolf to the dying cry of its prey, I know you'll heed the call. And when you do, I'll be there."
