William was out on a patrol, again. This ghost, as the man called himself, had stricken again. He was obsessed with catching him. And she very well knew that when her husband had set his mind on something, he would not stop until he has it.
She came downstairs, she knew the officers' wives she met a few days ago were having tea, and she decided to join them. As she reached the parlor, she heard some laughing and she stopped in the hallway as they were talking about her husband.
"Colonel Tavington is seriously handsome man, he gives off a strong vibe. As much as the man is scary, he still is dashing. And, I dare to say, if he would enter my bedroom by mistake, I would not turn him down!" the women giggled some more as Margaret spoke.
Charlotte did not find it funny at all. She was announced by the staff as she made her entrance. Margaret was sitting her back toward the door, so she turned around, her face completely red. She had serious doubt that Charlotte heard her, so she was extra nice to her.
"Lady Charlotte, how are you getting accustomed to the life here?" Margaret questioned, trying to make it up to her.
"Very well. My whole family is military so I am quite use to fort, gunshots, and canon firing. I've heard you laughing on my way in. What were you talking about?" Charlotte said.
She sat down and was served a cup of tea. She looked at the other women one by one. Margaret, probably in her forties, not so pretty, very tall, and she had self confidence for two. Her husband didn't say a word at the dinner a couple of days ago. Elizabeth was probably a nice person, but wanted to please other way too much. She seemed to be living in Margaret's shadow, preferred to be on her side, than against her. Charlotte had never seen hair this blond on someone before. And the third one, what was her name again? She was young, reserved, brown curly hair, reading a book, not really paying attention to the gossips.
"Heum, Elizabeth was telling a funny story that happened when she went to the city," mumbled Margaret.
This was going to be a long day.
Charlotte finished her tea and excused herself. She walked and her feet brought her to General Cornwallis' office. He was looking at maps of the surrounding with General O'Hara. She came closer and looked at the maps. Her father began to explain what was around the Fort, where was the city, where the last ambushes were. Her father encouraged her growing up to have good analytical skills. Sometimes, she would have good ideas on tactics they should try. Cornwallis would proposed her ideas, not saying they were from a woman, and would be pleasantly surprise when they were taken in consideration. If she would have been a man, she would be a better officer than three of her brothers; the fourth one being a doctor.
"You will be attending the ball at Middleton place, Lady Charlotte?" O'Hara enquired. She noticed he didn't say Lady Tavington, but used her first name instead. He wasn't probably very fond of her husband.
"Yes, my dress should arrive any minutes now. I had it made especially for the occasion. It is a dark green shade, just like William uniform. Heum, just like Colonel Tavington I should say."
"Very well, I'll see you later than", O'Hara replied as he left the room, leaving them alone.
"Father, tell me. Everyone seems weird about William. Even you, you seem distant. Did something happen?"
The General looked at her daughter and sighed. She was so in love, she could not see the colonel's real nature. Well, nobody would have anticipated his nature would revealed to be to blood thirsty. The only thing the protective father could hope is that Tavington would not pass his anger on his beloved daughter. He saw the man on the battlefield, killing with no mercy everyone who crossed his path. His unit was effective, but most of the men would never admit it, but were afraid of him, so they followed orders and made sure they would not disappoint the colonel.
"War changes a man. You see things, you do things, and you hear things. Colonel Tavington is a good officer, although he doesn't always obey my orders. Maybe that is the tension you feel. Is everything alright, Charlie? Is he… treating you well?" Cornwallis asked, worried of the answered he might have.
"He is, of course. I don't know how it could be otherwise."
She didn't know what else to say, so she stayed quiet. She walked toward the window and looked at the fields surrounding the Fort, hoping she would see a familiar figure. The gates opened and packages were being delivered, probably her dress. She excused herself and went outside.
Hiding in the bushes not so far from the fort, John Billings and Dan Scott were able to see inside the gate this beautiful woman getting outside to greet the delivery men. They exchanged a glance. The sun was shining on her auburn hair and it almost seemed like it was on fire. She might be Tavington's wife, but they could not be sure. If she was, the Butcher was a lucky bastard.
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M content in next chapter