When Colonel Tavington woke the next morning, he had one of the worst hangovers imaginable. He sat up slowly and stared around his quarters. It was completely trashed. Tavington didn't care at the moment how it got that way. He was more focused on the dream he had had last night. He was sitting at his desk working on some reports when an echoing creak met his ears. Suddenly he was chasing Maria, who had tried to escape. He had brought her into his quarters and did the very thing he had threatened to do. Tavington laughed,what an absurd dream. A white something on the floor caught his eye. It was a ribbon, and Tavington knew that ribbon from somewhere. He picked it up slowly, and a flash of fear crossed his face. That ribbon belonged to Maria. He got out of bed and realized that he was only wearing a white tunic. His fear increased. It was only a dream, only a dream,he thought. He tore around his room digging up his clothes and putting them on. Once he was dressed, he left his room and went outside to the gardens. Maria wasn't there.
"You there," he called to a black man passing by," Where is the girl who works in the gardens?"
"She's been givin the day off, she has," the servant said," She real ill. Somethin' must have spooked her good. She's all pale."
Tavington knew at that point that his dream wasn't a dream. He had gone into a drunken rage and raped Maria.
"Oh my god," Tavington said. He turned around and ran into the manor house, up the stairs to the third floor, and right to Maria's door. He knocked loudly. A maid opened the door.
"Is she in here?" Tavington asked. The maid put her finger to her lips and made a shushing noise.
"She's really ill," she said," needs rest and silence,she does."
"May I see her," Tavington asked. The maid opened the door alittle more. Tavington could see the bed in the middle of the room, and a huge lump of blankets and a pillow. The middle of the lump was moving slightly up and down in a shaky manner.
"I have to get some water," the maid whispered to Tavington," Would you mind watching her for me?Just for a moment?"
"I don't mind," Tavington said.
"Thank you," the maid said, and she picked up a pale and ran out.
Tavington turned back to the lump on the bed. He approached it slowly.
"Mrs. Champernowne, I think all I need to do now is rest," said Maria's muffled voice from under the pillow," Really I'm-AAHH!"
Maria had taken the pillow off her face and screamed when she saw Tavington. She also jolted backwards off the bed, and hit the floor with a loud thud. She moaned in pain.
"Are you alright," Tavington asked.
"GET OUT!" Maria shouted," I don't want to talk to you-or even talk to you. Ever,ever,ever."
She talking through her teeth.
"I came to talk you about last-"
"DON'T-even-say it," Maria said," just-leave. Leave before I tell someone what really happened."
At that moment the maid came back in, and the Lord General Cornwallis along with O'Hara. All three of them paused.
"Miss Maria," Cornwallis said. Maria's forehead appeared from the other side of the bed.
"Good morning sir," Maria said.
"What on earth are you doing on the floor," the maid, Mrs.Champernowne asked.
"Nothing," Maria said climbing onto the bed," I just rolled over too far. Colonel Tavington was just leaving."
"Maria," Tavington said.
"Good-bye Colonel," Maria said, trying to sound calm. Tavington couldn't fight with her anymore. He tilted his head in farewell, and left the room. He could hear Cornwallis begin talking to Maria through the door.
"Now," he said," Something happened last night that has you scared pale. Please tell me what happened."
"I won't lie to you sir," Maria's voice said," I tired to run away last night."
Tavington felt his body go cold.
"And?" Cornwallis urged.
"Colonel Tavington caught me," Maria said,"and he was just so angry. I've never seen anyone as angry. He just yelled at me and took me back to my room. I was afraid he was going to strike me. Just the fact that he was so angry brought back one of the worst memories of my life, and it showed so clearly in my mind i felt like it was happening as Tavington was yelling at me. That's all."
Tavington felt his body relax. He turned and went outside. I have to do something about this,Tavington thought. Another thought struck him, and he was once again overcome with fear. What if she is to have a child. Tavington didn't know what he would do if Maria became pregnant with a child that would be his. He had to do something to show that he didn't mean any of the harm he brought to her the previous night. He may be the Butcher, but that was totally uncalled for.