Vivienne had always imagined her wedding to take place in an elegant church, she wearing a white dress and a flowing veil, holding a vivacious bouquet of white lilies.
All that frivolity had once been her utmost desire . . . and now Vivienne had only a simple white dress and wild flowers she had plucked from the sunny edge of the trees, but she was satisfied.
As she stepped into the rundown church, meeting Tavington's eyes, she couldn't have felt more beautiful.
The priest spoke over the Colonel and his bride, droning on and on with the formalities. Soon he came to the vows. Cornwallis's spine straightened in the first pew.
"Do you, William Michael Tavington, take Vivienne Marguerite Kent to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Tavington's whole world seemed to slow and all he could see was Vivienne's shining face, blossoming with a smile, eyes sparkling just for him.
Tavington swallowed. No more sleeping around then. . . Perhaps it was about time he got married and brought in some new blood to help smooth the ruffled reputation of the Tavington family legacy. And if he had to choose a woman to marry, he would undoubtedly choose Vivienne.
"I do." His voice was low, as he looked back at her, not quite smiling - his usual look.
"And do you, Vivienne Marguerite Kent, take William Michael Tavington to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
This is it. . .
Vivienne saw, out of the corner of her eye, Captain Bordon. He sat stiffly, his gaze seeming to say, "Don't do it!" Vivienne took a slow breath before turning her attention back to Tavington.
"I do." The words flowed easily from Vivienne's lips.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Tavington took Vivienne's hand as they turned to face the scant crowd that had gathered in the church.
The witnesses and townspeople who came to the simple ceremony clapped politely for the couple. Cornwallis clapped the loudest, hugely relieved Tavington and Vivienne had gone through with the marriage. Maybe this woman would distract Tavington from his disorderly escapades - give him something to do besides disobey orders.
Every eye in the church was so intent on the newly weds, not one person noticed a single form slip out the front doors . . .
"She married him? After she knew what he did?" Benjamin Martin was intensely irritated at the news Richard brought. The foolish girl had gone ahead and married Colonel Tavington.
"She must care about him very much." Gabriel's voice was grave. Richard stood beside him wordlessly, twisting his hat in his hands. Benjamin paced the room, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Now there seems to be only one question remaining: does he care for her?"
Richard licked his dry lips, not liking where this was going. Gabriel tried to reach out to his father.
"Father, I realize your reason for wanting revenge on this man, but he is only one man. We have a whole war ahead of us - "
"No!" Benjamin's voice was hoarse. "This 'one man' is responsible for what will be years of misery for me and my family. I cannot let that go unpunished."
Richard knew there would be no talking Benjamin out of it, so he nodded in farewell, and slipped out of the tent with Gabriel close behind, feeling a dark future ahead of them all.