Not sure exactly what he should do about O'Hara, the Lord Gen. ordered him to be sent away to camp, where he was to stay until further noitice.
"Make sure that someone is watching him," Cornwallis said to the surrounding soldiers in his quarters," He is not to leave the area."
He looked disgustedly at the Gen., who kept his eyes to the floor, lest he wished to take another blow to the face from his outraged superior.
"I am very outraged and dissapointed in you," Cornwallis said," I thought you would make a rather fine husband for my niece. But now the thought of her being bound to you just..just...SICKENS me! How dare you even lay a hand on her. What shame, General!"
O'Hara said nothing. He could not manipulate his way out of this one. He dared not even if he could.
"Get him out of my sight," Cornwallis growled.
Two pairs of hands snaked under O'Hara's and he was hauled from the room. As they passed by, he glanced at the closed door of Sadie's room, and glared. They escorted him outside, where he recieved nasty stares from all around him. He was shoved into the back of a covered wagon, where three officers grabbed him and held on as the wagon pulled away from Middleton Place.
I'll have her, he thought to himself, One way or another.
Sadie watched from her window as the wagon rolled down the winding road and out of sight. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"He's gone," she said out loud," He's gone and i no longer have to fear marriage to him."
She sat at the table in the middle of her room and sipped happily at her tea. There was a knock on her door. She put her cup down gently and strode to the door.
"Who is it," she asked.
"It's Samuel, my lady. Your Uncle sent for me."
Sadie unlocked her door quickly and opened the door," Samuel. I'm so relieved to see you. Please come in."
Samuel entered the room. Sadie left the door open, so as not to arouse suspicion of an affair of some sort. She and Samuel sat down at the table. She offered him some tea, which he accepted with a smile.
"I heard about what happened," Samuel said," That scoundrel."
"He is an absolute pig," Sadie replied bitterly,"Horrible man."
"Well at least the Col. was there. He told the Lord Gen. that he had never requested my services at any of the times that O'Hara sent me off."
"I knew he was lying," Sadie said," But it's in the past now. Let's enjoy our tea and speak of happy things."
Samuel smiled at her and nodded. Just outside the door, Cornwallis smiled at the two, who were now chattering and laughing together. Col. Tavington came and stood before him. Cornwallis turned to him and motioned for him to follow.
"Wonderful boy she has found. He is a good friend. I thought seeing him would make her feel better. Ah you there," Cornwallis stopped a passing servant," Would you mind tending to my niece and her guest for a short while?"
"Yes sir," the servant said.
"Thank you. Make sure they are not bothered."
The servant bowed to him and made his way towards Sadie's room.
"You are not nervous about the boy being in her room?" Tavington asked.
"Not in the least. Lord knows Sadie needs a friend her own age, and she seems quite taken with Mr. Hawthorn. He makes her happy, and that's what I want to see."
Tavington nodded. They entered Cornwallis' quarters and Tavington was offered a seat, which he took. Cornwallis sat across from him.
"Must she still choose by her birthday, sir?"
"After what happened today I don't see a point," Cornwallis replied," I think we can lay that to rest for the time being."
They were silent for a while.
"Colonel, do you really wish to have my niece?"
Tavington stared at him,"Sir, if Sadie could not find a man suitable for her, I would hope that I could take the role of her husband. I realize it's quite an age difference, but she needs someone who can take care of her. I am keeping in mind my financial situation of course, but I have been taught well, and I think I can take care of her if no one else."
"Well said Col.," Cornwallis said with a smile," I feel confident that you will be good for her if it comes to that. You have, after all, proven it to me several times."
"I wonder, sir, if this Samuel character might end up a candidate as well."
"I thought about it too. I trust him so far. Perhaps he will please her. Only time can tell us that."
As the days became warmer and warmer, Sadie found herself outside more often, enjoying the sunlight and the cool breezes. Tavy was growing bigger everyday, and was starting to explore around more. Sadie was no longer seen carrying him everywhere. He followed behind her, stopping now and then to swat at something. Sadie watched him with a smile. She could walk around outside-or anywhere for that matter-without fear of being followed by O'Hara. She and Samuel began to spend more and more time together, with the permission of her uncle. Samuel showed her things he had learned while in the company of his fellow soldiers. Sadie found it all amusing. One day, as they walked through the gardens, Samuel's hand accidently brushed with hers. The two jerked apart and stared at each other. Sadie blushed while Samuel cleared his throat.
"My apologies," he said.
"It's quite alright," Sadie said as Tavy ran past the two, chasing bugs and rolling into flower beds. Over by the manor, the gates opened to allow entrance to a large carriage carrying guests for the upcoming party.
"So," Samuel said," Will I have the honor of dancing with you tonight?"
Sadie laughed," You certainly will, if you can catch me before my uncle does."
The two laughed as more carriages came through the gates. It was then Sadie noticed that Tavy was nowhere in sight.
"Where is my cat?"
The two looked around them and began calling for the cat. Sadie started pushing flower bushes apart when a shout from the house caused her to look right as her cat disappeared under a carriage wheel.
"TAVY!" She screamed. The wheel rolled around, painted in crimson streaks. Sadie screamed again and fell to the ground grasping her chest and crying. Her uncle came running to her while Tavington stopped the carriage. The men inside the carriage could be seen pushing their women's heads back or covering their eyes. Cornwallis pulled his niece to her feet and held her close as she choked and sobbed. Samuel, not knowing what to do, stood by and watched.
"Tavy," she cried," No, no, no..."
"Come inside Sadie," Cornwallis said," Don't look."
Sadie grunted and pushed away from him, and then turned and ran.
"Sadie!" Cornwallis yelled. He turned to Samuel," You are her friend. Try to console her."
"I will try, sir," Samuel said with a shaky bow, and took off after Sadie.
Cornwallis joined Tavington by the carriage and looked down at Tavy's body. His middle was crushed and ripped open, a rather sickening sight. Cornwallis ran his hand over his face and leaned against the carriage.
"I'm so sorry," the driver said," I didn't see it."
"It's quite alright," Cornwallis said," I don't think anyone saw that coming."
"Will the young miss be alright?" a woman in the carriage asked.
"I'm sure she will be in time," Cornwallis replied, bowing to the people in the carriage," Thank you for your concerns. And now, I shall have the driver pull the carriage around so none of you will have to see this. I apologize for this. I promise this was not supposed to be your welcoming gifts."
The people in the carriage laughed, and wished his niece well.
"The poor dear," Cornwallis heard one of the women say as the carriage was moved.
"Be sure that wheel is washed," Tavington ordered a servant," I'll...clean this up."
"Thank you Col.," Cornwallis said. He turned and headed in the direction his niece ran.
Samuel had been afraid to touch Sadie at first, but when she turned to lean into his arms, he decided that it was alright to stroke her hair.
"I'm sorry," he said," You don't seem to be having the best of luck lately do you?"
Sadie looked up at him while wiping her eyes and laughed, which made him relax from thinking he had said the wrong thing.
"I wouldn't disagree, Samuel," she said," My poor Tavy. I should have kept a closer eye on him."
"It wasn't your fault, Sadie," Samuel replied," He was a growing cat, and like any growing thing, he just wanted to explore. He didn't know any better."
Sadie smiled at him," Thank you."
"Sadie?" Cornwallis approached and hugged her," I am very sorry Sadie."
"It's alright, Uncle," she replied as he pulled away from her," I guess it was just meant to be."
She stared down at the ground in front of her.
"Sadie," Cornwallis said," Though I know it is a hard loss, don't dispair. Tavy was your only friend when you first came here. You were like a mother to him, and you gave him a second chance, and a wonderful life. I'm sure that he was happy, and will never forget what you have done for him."
Fresh tears rushed from Sadie's eyes at her uncle's words. She hugged him again," I know Uncle. Thank you."
"And if it makes you feel any better, you have Samuel now to keep you company. And if I know you, another animal will come your way for you to give a second chance. Just please, no wild animals."
The three started laughing.
"Thank you all," Sadie said, wiping away her tears," I really do appreciate it. As long as Tavy was happy, I am content. Though I will miss him terribly."
"Are you well enough to come to the party tonight?" Cornwallis asked.
"I am," Sadie said," I have a few hours to prepare."
"Then i shall see you both tonight," Cornwallis said, then grabbing Sadie's chin he said," Everything will be alright. You will see."
She smiled at him and nodded.
