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Disclaimer, as usual: I don't own The Patriot or any of its characters.

Chapter 23

I watched for what I thought was my very last seconds in this world, as Tavington's eyes widened and his mouth fell open.

"Wait!" He ran forward, jumping up onto the platform of the gallows, then turned to face Cornwallis. "Sir, please. Don't do this. Hang me in her stead if you must hang someone, but don't kill her. She doesn't deserve it. I did let her go free. She didn't run away."

Cornwallis' expression was unreadable for a few seconds. Then, without a word, he jerked his head at the executioner. But as the man moved to release me, Tavington pushed him out of the way.

"Are you all right, Laura?" He asked as he removed the noose then cut through the ropes at my wrists.

"I am now." I smiled with trembling lips as I gazed up into his eyes. "Thank you." For a few blissful seconds, everything about me disappeared. No gallows, no soldiers...just Tavington–William and me. It was all I could do to not throw myself right into his arms.

"Let's get you inside." He took hold of my arm, his very touch sending an electric like jolt through my whole body.

As I took my first step, however, my legs buckled beneath me.

"Whoa, easy." Tavington swept me into his arms, then carried me down from the gallows. I clung to him, resting my head against his chest. Hearing his heart beat against my ear, I thought it the most beautiful music ever. How I wanted to stay right here, forever.

For the rest of the evening, I was treated like a queen. Or maybe more like a fragile Ming vase, as if I might shatter if not handled with the greatest of care. I was treated to a bath and even given new clothing to wear.

The dress was beautiful, a lovely turquoise silk. Even in my own time period, I'd never seen, let alone worn a gown so splendid. When my hair had been done up in a fashionable way, I was led back to see Cornwallis. To my great disappointment, he was alone. I had not seen Tavington for some time, not since he'd carried me into the room where I'd been so pampered.

"Ah, Miss Hanson. You look...absolutely lovely." The older man smiled and indicated a table set with more food than two people could possibly eat. "Are you hungry?"

"Maybe a little, but I was well fed at lunch."

He nodded, then pulled out a chair for me to sit. When he, too, was seated, he looked up and smiled.

"I want you to know, Miss Hanson, that I am deeply sorry for what we put you through this afternoon. However, I had a feeling something like what happened, would."

"I don't follow."

Cornwallis gave a low chuckle. "I would have never thought it, but it seems the Colonel has developed-er-shall we say, feelings? For you."

"It might appear so." Heat infused my cheeks and I could not look at the general.

"It would seem those feelings are reciprocal."

"I'm afraid so, my lord."

"You havesuch feelings for the man who would let you hang rather than tell the truth?"

Finally I managed to raise my eyes. "I'm still here, aren't I? He didn't let me hang."

"Oh come, Miss Hanson. I wasn't really going to hang you. I wanted to get the truth from that man, and I'm just glad to see I read him right." He chuckled to himself once again and turned to a roast turkey in front of him. "Shall we eat?"

I played around with my food, not really all that hungry. Cornwallis spoke off and on, asked me a few questions, mostly about how I was treated while with the dragoons. Then he spoke of trivialities, the weather, how he missed England. I responded with one word answers, my mind far away. After some time, Cornwallis put down his fork and sighed.

"Miss Hanson, I can see your thoughts are elsewhere."

"I'm sorry, General."

"I have arranged to have you sent to Middleton Place for awhile. That dragoon camp is no place–"

"Please, sir." I stood, nearly knocking my chair over in the process. "I would much rather go back to the camp." I had to look away from the intent stare of the lord general if I was to go on. "Please. It's the only way I can keep watch over him."

"Good heavens, girl. You're actually in love with him!" He shook his head. "I believed a little–"

"We are not lovers. Colonel Tavington has treated me with the utmost of decency, and I am also a young woman of good upbringing. But yes, I love him. And I don't care if what he feels for me is love or not, I just want to be near him."

"You mean, you and he-you haven't-"

"No."

He threw his napkin on the table and stood. "Very well. This goes against all my better judgement, but all right. Tomorrow you will be taken back to the camp."

"Thank you!" Without thinking, I rushed around the table and threw my arms about him. "Thank you sir."

"Miss Hanson, please." He peeled my arms away, then stepped back, rather disconcerted with my outburst.

Just then, my gazewas drawn to the window. In the courtyard below, a horseman walked his mount toward the gate. I could only make out his silhouette, but I had no dout it was Tavington. So tall and straight in the saddle...so regal.

"He's still here?" I blurted.

"Who?"

"Tavington?"

"He is just leaving to go back to camp."

I did not hesitate. I rushed from the room, leaving poor General Cornwallis muttering to himself about young people and manners. As I ran outside and stood at the head of the stairs, I saw that Tavington had almost reached the gates.

"Wait!"

Tavington turned in his saddle to look back. I didn't wait. I grabbed the concrete banister and made my way as carefully as possible down the steps, afraid I might trip on the dress and topple in a most indelicate way to the bottom.

"What is it, Miss Hanson?" Tavington asked as I rushed toward him.

"Wait for me."

He slid to the ground and came toward me, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm going back with you. As soon as I can get out of these clothes and into my own–"

I found myself tightly encircled by the arms of the man I loved. His mouth came down on mine, claiming it, and me, as his own. I seemed to melt to him, wishing this moment could go on forever.

"Why?" he whispered, pulling away just enough to look into my face. "Why would you want to go back?"

"To be with you. Why else?"

He pulled me to him again and settled the gentlest kiss on my lips. "Go change, then, so we can be off."

Smiling, I nodded. But just as I was arms length away from him, he grabbed my hand and whirled me back. "One last thing. You look..." He ran his gaze the length of my body. "You lookbeautiful in that dress." Then he smiled and let me go.

I thought my happiness could not be any fuller. But a storm cloud still hung on the horizon. I might have managed to win his heart, but had I managed to do enough to save his life? The Battle of Cowpens was still a few months away. A lot could happen in that time. I could not have come this far to fail. I could not lose the man of my dreams now that I'd found him.