Supper that evening was awkward. Everyone was silent; even Mary, whom I allowed reluctantly on her feet to join us for supper, said nothing. We all just sat there eating and glancing at eachother warily, as if trying to figure one another's place. Braden and Brielle were staring so obviously at the lord general that Mary looked at them with a scolding glare. Meanwhile, in the guise of reaching into her lap for her tablecloth, she reached under the table and squeezed my leg in warning as she watched the awkward tension grow between my superior and I. Then she got up and excused herself and the children from the table, herding them out of the dining room. But before she left the room, she turned to Cornwallis and I and said, "I know you're both socially awkward around one another, but the at least talk to eachother! The silence is torture."
Cornwallis cocked an eyebrow in surprise and I gave a muffled snort of laughter. Mary gave us a superior smirk and left the room.
"You're going to let her get away with that tongue?" The lord general asked.
"Her tongue is the least of my worries. What she'll do if I try to quell her tongue is what I'd be more concerned with."
"She's still a feisty one."
"Indeed. But Lord knows that I despise weak helpless women. The stronger ones are more of a challenge. And Mary is as strong as they come."
Cornwallis nodded.
"You've done well, Colonel, and you have two wonderful children and a devoted wife to show for it."
"Thank you."
"I know this is a bit off topic, but I've seemed to notice that your daughter seems to have inherited your personality."
I smiled and shook my head.
"She has her mother's personality, with my patience and temperament. My son, on the other hand, seems more like Mary in patience and temperament. But I love them both very much."
"Obviously, having a family has changed you."
"In some ways, yes it has. But I'm still very capable as a soldier." I replied.
"Of course you are. I wouldn't ask you to come back otherwise."
"Pardon my asking, but why did you request my return to active duty?"
At this the lord general drew a breath and replied, "I needed someone of your ability and your tactics for the recruits in England, and for patrolling in India."
"I see."
"Colonel, are you having doubts?"
"No my lord, I am not."
"Good. Because it is too late to turn back now."
"I understand that my lord."
Cornwallis nodded.
A moment of silence passed. Then, Cornwallis stood to excuse himself from the table.
"The supper was excellent, Colonel. I'll see you in the morning."
After the lord general left the room, Mary came back in, taking a seat next to me.
"You shouldn't be up on your feet yet." I said.
"I know." She replied calmly. "You're uneasy about the lord general being here aren't you?"
"I am.. He's like a vulture. And it isn't as if I asked him to stay."
"I know you didn't." Mary replied, placing a hand on top of mine. "Just remember that even though he's your superior, you are the master of your house."
