(AN: Okay I have three reviews so far, I've gotten a request for longer chapters and an explanation on the wedding situation. So for that response here it is, and my friend edited and added to it.)

Ch 3

Anita sat in a chair next to Tavington as she watched the guests' dance and laugh.

Why couldn't she be out there right now enjoying herself? This was her father's fault.

Why did her friend have to elope with Captain Roberts? Catherine was promised to Tavington before she had run-off. Then she too decided she wouldn't marry him and left Anita to fill in her spot. General Sullivan was looking for a gentleman for Anita to marry. He already had denied Bordon her hand when he had discovered Tavington 's problem.

Anita was introduced to the colonel and immediately she had replaced Catherine through nature and beauty. Tavington had arranged for the wedding five months after he had met her.

Normally her father despised Tavington for his brutal and ruthless actions on the battlefield; but Anita's mother wasn't getting any better and she wanted to see her daughter get married. So General Sullivan had agreed and Anita had to suffer.

"Anita? Dearest?" a soft voice asked behind her.

She turned to see a person she least expected.

" Mother? " She asked in disbelief.

Lady Sullivan gave her daughter a hug and sighed happily.

" I'm so sorry your father forced you into this," The woman apologized tears forming in her eyes.

Anita embraced her mother again as they both comforted each other. Then someone tapped Anita on the shoulder.

" You have never introduced me to your mother," Tavington said.

Anita stood up and reluctantly introduced the two.

" Mother, this is my husband, William," Anita said softly.

" William this is my mother Lady Sullivan,"

Lady Sullivan offered her hand and glared at William. He shifted uncomfortably under her sharp gaze. Anita gave her mother a look of 'see told you he was a jerk'

" Anita would you care to dance?" William asked her. I t felt more like a threat or command to her. She nodded in agreement as he led her to the dance floor. A slow waltz was playing in the background. William slipped a hand around her waist as she put her hand lightly on his shoulder as they began to sway and twirl in almost a trance. William was an excellent dancer but she hardly noticed, she was interested in trying not to cry.

" Can't you at least try to smile, people are staring." He hissed.

" Well maybe I would if you actually cared about how I felt and not how I looked," she snapped.

He looked at her giving an overly fake smileand spoke again.

" We'll talk later" he said.

Anita gave a weak smile and cursed herself in her head for not saying something in James' defense at the ceremony. They waltzed on when she finally had enough.

" We'll talk when I'm ready." Then she stepped away from her husband and walked out to the garden.

(AN: Disclaimer, I do not own the movie The Patriot nor its characters, But I do Own Anita's family and Catherine.)