Lost And Found

Tavington was having one of the strangest dreams he had ever had in his life. He had asked Cornwallis if he could court Jillian, and the next thing he knew he was standing at an alter putting a ring on her finger. An angered yell echoed around him, and he turned around to find O'Hara pointing a pistol at Jillian. There was a loud bang, and Tavington shot upward in bed. There was another bang, smaller then the first. Tavington jumped out of bed. He was stil fully dressed, because he had been too tired to take them off. He went out into the hall. There was noise coming from Jillian's room. O'Hara was already at her door and knocking on it.

"Not now," Jillian's voice said.

"Jillian what's wrong," O'Hara said.

The door opened and Jillian came running out. She slipped on the carpet and Tavington caught her before she fell.

"Oh," Jillian said," I'm sorry Colonel."

"What on earth is the matter," O'Hara asked.

"Tavy," Jillian said," he's gone. I went to feed him this morning and I can't find him."

She wrenched herself out of Tavingtons grip and ran towards her uncles quarters. She found when she entered that her uncle was still sleeping. Tavington came up behind her and was about to ask what she was doing when she started giggling.

"What is so funny," Tavington whisered. Jillian pulled hi mfurther into the room and pointed at Cornwallis. On seeing what she was pointing at, Tavington couldn't help but chuckle. Tavy was laying on Cornwallis's chest sleeping. Jillian moved towards the bed. Tavington backed out of the room. O'Hara walked past him into the room. Jillian had sat down next to her uncle, and petted Tavy, who opened his eyes slowly and began kneading Cornwallis's chest. Cornwallis was startled awake.

"Don't," he said not realizing he was even awake.

"Good morning uncle," Jillian said.

"Oh, good morning Jillian, dear," Cornwallis said," What are you doing in here?"

"I lost my cat, and I was going to ask you if you knew where he was, but i was saved the trouble when I came in here."

"How so," Corwallis asked. Jillian pointed to his chest, and Cornwallis looked down, noticing Tavy for the first time. He laughed,"I thought i felt something sitting on me when I was sleeping." Tavy arched his back purring loudly. He then rubbed his face against Cornwallis's face.

"Congratulations uncle," Jillian said as Cornwallis scratched Tavy's tiny back," You are now marked as Tavy's property."

"I'm at least glad we're friends," Cornwallis said laughing. Jillian hugged him," oh I must admit Jillian. You and Tavy the best things that have happened to me since this war started."

"I was thinking the same thing about you," Jillian said.

Cornwallis looked at O'Hara, and a light seemed to flicker on inside his head. Tavington came back into the room.

"Which reminds me," Cornwallis said," Jillian, O'Hara came to see me yesterday about something."

Tavington froze,oh no.

"He said he asked you a week ago to let him court you," Cornwallis said," And I want to know how you feel about it?"

Jillian looked helplessly at Tavington," I don't know howI feel about it."

"I gave her time to think about it," O'Hara said.

"I take it you haven't decided," Cornwallis said.

"No," Jillian said," I-I don't really know if-if I-"

"The decision was made a bit difficult for her," Tavington spoke up. Jillian looked at him.

"Colonel what do you mean?"

"Well," Tavington said," I asked Jillian a couple of days ago the same question O'Hara did."

O'Hara dropped all the papers he had been holding," You did WHAT!"

"That's right O'Hara," Tavington said," I have been spending all this time with Jillian, and I found that her personnality is exactly whatIwant in a wife. She told me that O'Hara had already asked, but I told her that whatever decision she makes I'll be happy for her."

Jillian looked like she could just jump for joy. She hoped that Tavington would do something like this.

"Well," Cornwallis said slowly,"I don't know if I should approve of any of you, but I will wait and see what Jillian wants, because this is a big thing for her."

O'Hara looked so abgry at that moment.

"Yes well," O'Hara said," Tavington might I speak to you for a moment?"

He walked out of the room without waiting for an answer. Tavington got up, and was about to walk out when something with a soft silky feeling touched his hand. It was Jillian's hand. She was looking at him with eyes full of gratefullness. He smiled at her and went onto the hall where O'Hara awaited him.

"Yes," Tavington said. O'Hara grabbed him by the collar and got in his face," I don't know what you think you are doing, but if you are smart you will back down now. Jillian will be my wife, not yours."

Tavington pulled out of his grip and hissed back," Don't you dare try to decide her future. Jillian will make her choice, and go with the one she wants. If you're smart you will stay out of my way sir.In case you are wondering, this is not for my benefit. I'm doing this for Jillian, and just be lucky it's just me. When she's sixteen she'll have more lining up for her."

Tavington stared at him as he began to move away," We'll see who she wants now won't we? You think they call me the butcher out there? Wait til you see me in action if you get in my way."