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Oaky doaky...on to the chapter.
Chapter 22
The sun had risen fully by the time we arrived at the fort. We were herded into a make-shift cage, made of thin logs nailed together. If not for the soldiers standing guard, it might have been easy for several men to tear down the whole contraption and escape. As the last of us was shoved through the door to our jail, Morgan turned to the Lieutenant.
"You're going to lock up the woman with the rest of us?"
"Why wouldn't we? She's no less a rebel because she's a woman."
Morgan chuckled. "Don't you know who this woman is? This is Tavington's girl. His love."
The Lieutenant frowned and gazed at me a second. "I'm surprised the colonel knows how to love."
I opened my mouth, about to correct the misconception, but Morgan shushed me with a look. With one last glance in my direction, the lieutenant hurried away.
As soon as he was gone, the men began to grumble.
"I told you she was a trap."
"They probably think they got them the Ghost."
"Shouldn't have trusted her."
"That'll be enough," Morgan snapped, then turned to me. "You might have a chance to get out of this. If they believe you're Tavington's woman, they probably won't hurt you. I doubt very much that we'll get out of here, but you might. And if you do, don't let our deaths be in vain. Don't let us be forgotten."
I swallowed hard and nodded. "If I get out, you can be sure I will never allow anyone to forget you."
About fifteen minutes later, the lieutenant returned. "Young lady, the lord general wishes to see you."
I glanced at Morgan and threw him a shaky smile. He nodded, urging me to go.
"Why does the lord general wish to see me?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to ask him." The lieutenant took hold of my arm and led me across the courtyard, up the long set of steps and into the building.
The memories of my first time here crowded back into my mind. How I wished the man holding on to my arm now was the same as at my first visit. Would I ever see him again?
The lieutenant ushered me into the large room that was General Cornwallis' "office." The general sat at his desk, looking very much the same as the first time I'd seen him, General O'Hara standing just behind him.
"Miss Hanson?" Cornwallis stood, pulling his bushy brows into a frown over his nose.
"Good morning, my lord," I said, and gave a slight bow of my head.
"You know this woman?" The lieutenant almost choked.
"Yes, I know her." Cornwallis let out a long breath. "Tavington brought her here some time ago. First claimed she was a spy, then changed his mind and said she was a lunatic." He walked slowly around to the front of his desk and looked down at me. "Why are you here, Miss Hanson? Why are you not with Colonel Tavington as I ordered?"
"Well, sir, he just up and told me to leave yesterday morning."
"He told you to leave?"
"How absurd." O'Hara shook his head. "So like Colonel Tavington."
"Were you captured by the band of colonials?" Cornwallis asked.
"N-no, actually. I was riding alone when they came across me. Mr. Morgan offered me protection until I found my way back home."
The lord general walked behind his desk once again. "I don't like this." Heturned to O'Hara. "Send for Tavington. I want him here immediately."
"Yes, sir." O'Hara bowed and hurried out of the room.
"Miss Hanson, I'm sorry if you've been treated roughly."
"Thank you, my lord, but I'm all right. No one treated me roughly."
I was shown to another room where I was then given something to eat and drink. A pitcher with water and a bowl were brought so I could wash up a little, and then I was left alone for some time. I paced the length of the room, wondering what would become of me.
It was afternoon when I was called once again to see the lord general. As I entered the room, I saw Tavington already standing before him.
"What's this?" Tavington stared at me, his eyes wide with surprise.
"She was caught, along with that band of rebels you must have seen in the courtyard."
"Caught–with rebels–?" Tavington's eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared.
"She claims you sent her away."
Tavington pulled in a breath through his nose, his glare still glued on me. "She ran away, sir."
My bottom jaw fell open. "I what?"
Tavington looked away from me, fixing his gaze on Cornwallis. "She waited until we were off our guard. She knows this country well, and I assume hid out in the woods until she could get away."
A million thoughts went through my mind, not the least of them the fantasy of beating the daylights out of that brute of a man. How I hated him!
"That is not the version of the story she told us, Colonel."
"It wouldn't be, would it?" Tavington returned his gaze to me, that smirk on his face that made me want to tear his hair out all over again. "You don't really think she would tell you the truth?"
"I'm shocked, Colonel, that you would be so incompetent, that you let a woman get away from you. No wonder you can't find this Ghost! You can't even keep hold of the prisoners in your care. And a woman, no less!"
"If I may say so, sir, Miss Hanson is no ordinary woman." Tavington tried to defend himself, but Cornwallis went on for several minutes in a belittling speech that might have brought a lesser man to tears.
I just stood there, my anger seeping from me with each word that came from the general's mouth. I felt every one as if it had been aimed at me. The effect was as strong as a punch in the gut.
It was no use. I couldn't even use anger as a weapon against Tavington. I wanted to say something that would make Cornwallis stop, but if I repeated my story, then it could go even worse for Tavington. I kept silent, looking down at the wooden floor at my feet, and tried to block out the general's tirade.
Suddenly he was silent. I chanced a glance up at the general, and saw him studying first me, then Tavington. The muscles in Cornwallis' jaw twitched. When he finally spoke, I jumped.
"Very well. Take her outside and put her with the others."
"Sir?" Tavington took a step forward, as if he'd been suddenly struck on the back.
"What is it, Colonel?" Cornwallis raised his eyebrows. "Did you not claim she was a spy? And do we not now have proof?"
"Yes, sir, I did claim she was a spy. But–"
"Then she will be hanged along with the other prisoners."
Tavington's face paled. "Sir, is that really necessary?"
"Colonel, she was found in the middle of the woods with a band of men we are certain are militia." Cornwallis stopped a moment, his brow again furrowed. "What is one more colonial to you? Why defend this one when you've killed so many others?"
"I–" Tavington's mouth remained open, but nothing more came out.
Cornwallis shook his head, his eyes thrusting daggers of disdain at the colonel. "General." He nodded to O'Hara.
Tavingtonmarched to the front of Cornwallis' desk, leaning forward with both hands on the top of it. "But, sir–"
"What is it, Colonel?" Cornwallis snapped with impatience. "Is she not a traitor to the crown? Is she not deserving of death? I think we'll send a strong message. Anyone who rebels against king and country--man, woman or child--will be severely punished. Is that not your theory anyway? No mercy. No compromise."
"But she isn't a spy."
Cornwallis frowned. "Your original conclusion was that she was indeed a spy, working in league with your Ghost."
"I-I was wrong, sir. She couldn't have been a spy."
O'Hara had opened the door and called for the lieutenant, who now strode in and took hold of my arm. As he led me away, I could not help gazing up at Tavington, but he would not look at me.
Penned up back outside, I waited, keeping my gaze aimed at the entrance to thebuilding. Maybe half an hour later, Tavington and the generals ambled down the long flight of stairs. Drums rolled, and lines of soldiers stood at attention.
"Bring the first prisoner," Cornwallis called.
A soldier rushed to open the door to our pen, and pointed at me. "You. Let's go."
"M-me?" My finger trembled as I used it to point at myself.
"Let's go, lady." The soldier grabbed my arm and nearly dragged me out.
Fear twisted its icy fingers about my heart. A chill ran up my spine.
I searched the crowd until I found Tavington and locked my gaze with his. But what I saw in his eyes momentarily washed away all my fears. Pity, remorse, anger, frustration...anguish. I read the words, I'm sorry, clearly in his eyes.
I was led up the steps of a gallows with places for three, but it seemedI was to be the only victim.My hands were tied behind my back, and the sentence proclaimed.
"For the crime of treason against the king, for spying against His Majesty's troops, and for giving aid to the rebels, Laura Hanson, you are hereby condemned to death by hanging."
I heard the words, yet I didn't. All I could do was gaze at the man with whom I'd fallen in love. If he did not realize it before, at least he would see the love I felt for him shining in my eyes...Up to the last minute.
Once again a noose was placed about my neck. Tavington stiffened. A black hood was pulled over my head.
"Please, no." I gasped. "I want to see."
"Very well."
The hood was removed and once again I found myself staring into Tavington's eyes. This time it was the end. I had nothing left to lose.
I love you, I mouthed, and smiled as tears trickled down my cheeks.