The Surf Between the Waves:
Chapter 6:
AN: I'm sorry it has been forever and a day! You have no idea how frustrated I am with this stupid tin can of a computer.. blah. Well my story is back with yet another chapter! Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers… so sorry I let you down.
Tavington sat uncomfortably on the same stool from the night before now leaning his sleeping head on a miniscule desk opposite the cot. O'hara burst into Tavington's quarters gawking at the unusual scene. "Tavington!"
The sleeping man jolted awake nearly knocking the candlestick that was next to his arm, off of the desk. He rubbed his eyes in an effort to drive away his grogginess. General O'hara marched towards him, his eyes burning into the pits of Tavingtons' as he spoke. "The Lord General has asked for your presence in his quarters over an hour ago when the first messenger arrived here. I was sent to make sure you were on your way and what do I find?" O'Hara turned sideways showcasing the room, "you're asleep and haven't even made an effort to show you were intent on leaving."
The Colonel stood, shuffling over to the dressing screen ignoring the impudent General in his wake. It was very much unlike Tavington to be sleeping in or late to a meeting with the Lord general Cornwallis but the thought of yesterday made him exhausted. Besides, he had always been disobedient when it came to the rules, being late today would not be against his personal morals. He glanced over the screen and noticed that the General was still rambling on about how crude he was and how he has no respect for this army. If Tavington had been in his right mind he would have been arguing with O'hara until the end of time over his loyalty to the crown.
He stepped out from behind the screen donning his full uniform in all of it's royal air. "General, the woman. What has Cornwallis said about this pest?" The Colonel's face was as stern and cold as a stone; whatever kindness he had shown last night was replaced with his smug cruelty. He would not show that side again for he prided himself on being strong and worthy, not weak and disloyal.
"Th- Oh yes the woman. Lord Cornwallis wishes to speak with you concerning her presence here. He said that if he deemed her loyal enough and you had explained to him her reason in being here that he would make an exception." The General glanced down at the woman still asleep in the cot. "He requested that you bring her with you so that he may also determine why she is here through your reaction to her. Your-," he starred curtly up at Tavington with a sinister glare, "relationship with her."
Tavington gritted his teeth, "Fine. But you are going to wake her." The colonel turned to leave the tent when the click of his pistol caught his ears.
"Take me where, Colonel?" My eyes were heavy with exhaustion and my mind was fuzzy. I could only remember bits and pieces of what had happened, I knew my body took somewhat of a punishment though because I could feel the dry blood on my lip and my bruised back.
The pistol was clutched in my right hand aimed at the back of the Colonel; I was standing in Ms. Selton's ragged dress coated with dirt and blood, my blood. He turned very slowly facing me with a crooked smile, "Good morning my dear. Had a bit of a fit last night didn't we?"
My hands both shook with anger that I knew I could not hold. I toppled forward into General O'hara's arms dropping the pistol onto the ground. Tavington picked up his pistol , examined it and replaced it in his holster. The general beamed up at him with confusion, "Tavington, have you not the kindness to help her out?"
"Take her to be washed up." He took another stride toward the entrance, "I have a meeting to attend, I do hope that when I return you will be in a much better mood or atleast decent." With that cruel remark he exited.
"YOU WRETCHED BEAST OF A -." I squealed trying my best to hold my pain. They weren't that bad of injuries to someone who had fought wars but for someone of my stature they were well worth a good cry. I was nearly lying on the floor at that moment tears swelling in my eyes. A tear slid down my cheek and onto the bandages that had been wrapped around my hand. Bandages? Had he? No, no I'm sure he didn't.
The colonel waited for a moment just outside of the tent, his mind somewhat astray from his normal duties. What am I standing here for? Incompetent wench. He bound off toward the palace without another thought.
"Sir, you wished to see me?" He had entered the decorated office of the Lord General.
Cornwallis sat in his majestic chair facing the window just behind the desk. His prestigious eyes scanned over the guarded gate of the fort, pondering over several situations within his mind. "Yes, it has come to my attention that you have brought a woman into this fort. A woman who not two days ago was accused of murdering two of his majesties soldiers." Cornwallis was now facing Tavington a sense of frustration looming in his appearance.
The colonel shifted the weight in his feet slightly. "My Lord, you had left her in my charge just after she was accused. Is it not part of my duty to protect her as well as restrain her?"
"This is not a whore house, Colonel!" His fists slammed down onto the desk in disgust. "I will not have you lose your wits in this war because of a woman." There was a brief moment of silence.
"I only request that you keep her as a working servant within the palace, sir, so that it is easier to focus on the war without galavanting around watching over a brute of a woman."
"Sir!" O'Hara entered the room standing just in front of the closed doors. "I thought it best if you had a word with Miss Ruther first before you make your decision. Especially since you had requested it in the first place." O'Hara's gaze was burning into the back of Tavington's head, who nearly clenched his fists.
"My resolution will be based solely on her conduct in my presence, is this understood Colonel?" Tavington gave a curt nod. "Bring her in," O'Hara opened the doors blinding light from the hallway windows beaming in.
I strode in, the heals of my shoes clanking against the wood floor. "You wished to speak with me, Lord Cornwallis?" My arms were held at my sides, my chin up and both eyes on him. It was the only thing I could do to keep me from lashing out at the Colonel next to me. But O'Hara had warned me to keep my demeanor and not to act desperate when speaking to the Lord general.
"Yes, please take a seat." I sat down, my back straight as a board thanks to the corset O'Hara had found. He had gone rooting through the palace, whilst I was bathing, to find a decent outfit for me to wear. My hair was still damp and so I pulled it back into a bun, yet another effort of mine to impress the General into allowing me to stay. Where else had I to go?
"Miss Ruther was it?" I nodded. "Why, pray tell, would you wish to serve within my palace?" He was up and walking around to the front of the desk as he spoke.
"Well sir, I haven't much else of a choice, do I?" The General shifted his gaze to Colonel Tavington in a menacing way and for some reason I felt the need to explain myself. "I mean, I have no family within the town to speak of and I'm supposed to be watched anyway. So why not be here working for you if there is no other place suitable enough?"
"I see, you're willing to become a captive for no explainable reason, my dear, you baffle me." At this he made a small chuckle.
"For protection, my lord. In here supporters of the Continental Army nor British soldiers can do harm to me. Is that not a worthwhile cause?" I was now ringing my fingers and pulling on the bandage wrapped around my hand in nervousness.
After a silent moment Cornwallis nodded his approval and requested that O'Hara readied a room for me. I smiled broadly, in a desperate attempt to be thankful. For in all actuality this would probably have been my last resort, but judging by how my life was going lately, this was better than nothing. I followed O'Hara out of the room an into the brightly lit hallway.
"Tavington, you have not been dismissed." The General was seated once again.
"Sir?" The colonel made his way back to the desk in confusion.
"If I hear one word of being anywhere near her I will have you stripped of your ranks, continuing abuse of this rule will result in whippings and your discharge from this army."
"But sir, she is my charge."
"Not any longer, she is my servant and I will make sure she is properly watched and protected. Dismissed!"
Tavington stormed out of the room, the large oak doors slamming behind him. "That man will be the death of this war."
AN: I hope this chapter turned out all right… it's a little more boring than some of the others but just as necessary. I will try to update again tomorrow and get this story on the right track. Please review, thanks again! Ta!