'Matrimony!' Tavington said indignantly, 'but my Lord, Grace is a bas-'
'If you use that word Tavington,' cut in Cornwallis angrily, 'Colonel or no Colonel I will have you flogged.' The rest of the sentence died on Tavington's lips. He knew that Cornwallis was not being serious – even if he wanted to he could not flog an officer – but the reference stung him. He knew (and so did Cornwallis) that when he had been a young Corporal he had received the lash for insubordination. It had been a false allegation. The Colonel who had ordered the lashing had lent a small fortune to Tavington's father, who gambled away the lot and died before the debt could be repaid. Though it had been almost twenty years Tavington had never forgotten the humiliation of being lashed in front of the other men - tied with his arms around a tree like a common thief; he had only been given twenty licks but each and every one of them had cut through his pride like a knife. He pursed his lips together and said nothing. Lord Cornwallis sighed.
'Perhaps I am too defensive, Colonel,' he went on after a moment's pause, noting the disgruntled expression on the Colonels face - it had not been his intention to alienate him so early in their conversation. 'Grace has been on my mind of late.' He crossed the room and sat back down in front of Tavington. 'I know that Grace's history is chequered Colonel, but if I remember an earlier conversation we had correctly so is yours.' He held his hand up as Tavington opened his mouth to protest. 'Hear me out, Colonel. Grace is, regrettably, showing the same type of spirit that her mother had. You yourself witnessed her disobedient behaviour the other night at dinner. But she is young, and I think that with the right instruction she could become a refined, respectable lady.'
Tavington's lips curled, he doubted very much if this was true, but he made up his mind not to give away his doubt to the General just yet. After all as much as his granddaughter was a spoiled brat she was an heir to Cornwallis's fortune.
'You think that I have time to instruct a young girl to be a lady, my Lord? Surely not. Only the other day you were telling me that I had not been working quite hard enough to catch the 'Ghost' and his merry men.'
Cornwallis watched his Colonel's face carefully for a few moments wondering if he was making the right decision. Tavington was always full of thinly veiled insolence and a cockiness not fitting on a British officer. Lord Cornwallis had been reluctant to recommend him for the commission of Colonel at first, but he did have ruthlessness that was needed in the colonies and whatever anyone said about his character he was a good officer. More practically he knew that Tavington would be one of the few that could control Grace, and one of the few who might be persuaded to marry her despite her background, and would not mind remaining in America after the war.
'I did not say I wish you to instruct her. But I can think of no one more suitable for dealing with her – behaviour,' he said at last, honestly.
Tavington allowed himself a cursory smile. Cornwallis was obviously extremely concerned about his granddaughter, and if he thought Tavington was the answer he might decide to provide a more than generous incentive.
'And,' Cornwallis went on, 'Grace is certainly not unpleasant to regard, I'm sure you'll agree.' Tavington gave a slight, grudging nod. He had noticed her blossoming beauty at dinner the other evening. She had soft smooth skin and clear dark eyes which were full of un-harnessed fire, and he had found himself glancing at her more than once. 'There is of course an age difference, but I think that it will be good for Grace to have the influence of someone older than herself.'
'My Lord,' Tavington said, 'You are forgetting that I am not of the marrying disposition. I do not believe it the duty of an officer to take a wife – he should be completely committed to –'
'Oh stuff and nonsense!' Cornwallis interjected. 'It is the duty and privilege of every man to take a wife.'
'Is it not also the privilege of every man to choose a wife, my Lord?' Tavington said icily.
'Granted. But Colonel, you might find there are certain advantages in marrying some ladies over others.' He got to his feet again and crossed the room to the tall oak cabinet and retrieved a crystal decanter filled with smooth matured brandy and two glasses. He poured the Colonel a drink, which Tavington accepted.
'Go on.'
'You have expresses an interest in remaining in the Colonies after the war is won. It is my desire that Grace do the same. I have every intention of building her an estate much like this one, perhaps in one of the more eloquent southern states. It is my wish that Grace retain a standing in the new aristocracy, and if you join with her in marriage - well, lets just say that I will take care of the finances until you get on your feet. It could be a new start of the both of you.'
Tavington sat back in his chair and absentmindedly swilled the brandy in his glass. He had to admit that Cornwallis's offer was appealing. Not only would it not do his military career any harm to have a (near) father-in-law who was a Lord and General, but he would be financially secured for life. His own father had squandered his inheritance on his love of drinking, gambling and women, and though it was this which had created in Tavington the drive needed to win battles and take victories, he thought that it would be pleasant indeed to know that he would grow old in the style of life he had become accustomed to when he had been a young aristocrat in England.
He thought rapidly over the lines in Cornwallis's family trying to frame exactly where Grace was positioned as an heiress. He knew that Cornwallis's elder son had died in battle abroad, childless. His two daughters were also dead, though the elder one had had two children, Eliza and Jane. He also believed that Cornwallis had a younger son – a redcoat serving in the colonies. Grace then was fourth heir behind Cornwallis's son and his other grandchildren. It made for a fairly alluring proposition. True, Tavington had never considered taking a wife before - though he was far from chaste – but Grace was young and her figure and face were not disagreeable, and, he thought will some relish, would be under his charge. It might actually be quite sporting to tame the General's daughter.
'And Grace …? She is agreeable to the match? It is, so they tell me, usual for courtship to take place before marriage.'
Tavington found it highly unlikely that Cornwallis had sought permission from his grandchild. She had looked at him with such disdain when he had relayed her antics at dinner the other day, and her face had flamed as she had been forced to apologise to him.
'Let me worry about that, Colonel. I simply want your answer.'
'I will not propose to Grace, my Lord. I do not believe in the fanfare which fills so much of the trite literature that ladies are so fond of.'
'That will not be necessary. I will make the arrangements. It is my intention for you to marry two weeks hence on Grace's seventeenth birthday in a small ceremony. Of course, Colonel, you must agree to the terms of the marriage.'
'Terms, my Lord?' Tavington raised an eyebrow.
'Simply that you will supervise Grace's instruction to become a lady.
I believe that you have sisters?'
'Four,' admitted Tavington with a scowl – he found it quite indecent to have so many women in a family.
'Good, then you will know what is expected.'
'Agreed my Lord. - Of course,' Tavington went on, watching Cornwallis carefully, 'When I am married to Miss Grace I will not expect a more than the normal interference.'
'I don't follow Colonel …'
'I simply mean, my Lord … well to not put to fine a point on it, Grace will be my responsibility, I trust that you will relinquish some of the – attention – you give to her at present.'
'I will leave you to get on with married life as best you please Colonel. However, I will not see her disgraced. I have heard tell of your colourful reputation with women – I do not desire to know if there is truth to it, but when you are married that behaviour will of course not be acceptable.' Tavington smiled wryly.
'Certainly my Lord,' he said. He knew what the General meant. It was well know and, in Tavington's opinion quite acceptable, that married men played away – after all they were men – but it would not do to display this publicly. Tavington could live with that, even if he had no intention of retaining the 'sanctity' of his marriage.
'Very well, the matter is settled. I shall arrange furlough for you beginning in precisely a fortnight. One week will have to be enough at present.'
'Furlough? I do not desire to leave battle my Lord,' Tavington said astounded. The way the militia was progressing at the moment Tavington did not want to leave the field for any more than the time it would take to complete the ceremony (and perhaps the commsumation).
'You cannot avoid it Colonel. Every bride deserves a honeymoon. It is routine for an officer to be granted leave of a week after marriage.' Tavington hesitated. He had no desire to have a 'honeymoon' with anyone, least of all in the middle of such an important campaign against the militia. On the other hand it was a small price to pay for the kind of security he had so badly desired.
'Very well, General. I will take the week. Only on the condition that if there is a significant field battle I will be allowed to participate.'
'Granted.' Lord Cornwallis filled their glasses again from the decanter. 'Then I will speak to Grace in the morning.' He held up his glass and tipped it towards Tavington. 'To prosperity for both you and Grace, Colonel,' he said, 'And to marriage… '
'To prosperity,' Tavington muttered, before draining the glass in a single swig.
Thanks to bizziebee - my first review of my first Patriot fanfiction
If anyone else gets chanceI would appreciate a review. Especially what I might be doing wrong (or even right) ...
