Lord General

Upon their arrival at Fort Carolina, the Dragoons branched off to different areas, and fort life officially began. It would prove to be a short-lived life.

The Colonel had been called immediately to the Lord General's office, and had left Catherine and her servants in the care of Captains Borden and Wilkins. He did not trust the men of the fort, simply because he knew how they could be. Many had not seen a woman in ages, and the appearance of a very attractive, and young, woman, would definitely peek their…

He shook the thought from his mind. He did not wish to dwell on what they could do to his wife, never mind her female servants, and so he had left them in the care of two of his most trusted officers. He knew they would be well taken care of.

And, watched closely. Nothing would happen to them. And if it did…

Neither Borden's, nor Wilkins', lives would be worth living. He would see to that easily enough. Both Captains knew his reputation, and what he could, and would, do to them. Fear worked miracles.

As he neared the Lord General's office doors, he heard the exasperating voice of General O'Hara carry outwards into the hall.

Great, he thought heatedly, why did this fool need to be here? What purpose did he really serve to the Lord General? And why, did he always need to be here when Tavington was to meet with his superior?

Grudgingly, he knocked on the doors, and when the voice of the Lord General bid him enter, he did so with an attitude of distrust.

"Ah, Colonel! I see you made it safely, and without incident?"

"Yes, we did."

He heard O'Hara chuckle.

Cornwallis ignored it. As did Tavington.

"And my daughters?"

The Colonel sighed softly to himself. Here it was then, and right to the point.

O'Hara chuckled again. Cornwallis shot him a glare, and the General fell silent.

"Yes, she, they have arrived as well, my Lord."

The Lord General did not catch anything Tavington had said.

Odd how the Lord General rarely, if ever, listened to his subordinates.

"How have you gotten along with them? I've heard of your mistrust of women in general, but I am certain you have not stooped to that with my daughters?"

Tavington stared at his superior for a moment, stole a glance at O'Hara, and grinned.

"No, my Lord, I did not."

"Good, it would have proven bad on your part, as I'm sure you well know? I need not remind you then, that they will still be in your care, as well as under your protection. Especially, my eldest, Catherine. However, again I am sure, that you know she can take care of herself? She is the closest I have to a son. Had my wife lived longer…" the Lord General trailed off, lost in thoughts of his late wife.

When the Lord General finally spoke again, his voice was wrought with bitterness.

Nothing new. Tavington thought wearily.

"Mona, I'm sure, gave you a bad time of it? I wouldn't have expected anything less of her, but just this once, I was hoping she'd behave herself."

Colonel Tavington snicked at this.

"She did, indeed, give me a bad time of it. However…"

Cornwallis looked up at him.

"However?"

"I don't know how to tell you this, Sir, but it would seem that she has…"

Yet another laugh from O'Hara echoed around the room.

Did he know what the youngest Cornwallis daughter had done?

"Out with it, Colonel!" Cornwallis barked, making Tavington jump slightly.

O'Hara smiled knowingly.

Stupid little bastard. I'd dearly love to wipe that smile off your nauseating face. The Colonel thought angrily.

"Well, my Lord, it would seem that Lady Cornwallis, the younger, has taken up with the Rebels."

Cornwallis' face turned an angry shade of red.

"Took up with the Rebels, my Lord." O'Hara repeated.

The colour on Cornwallis' face went from red to purple. He turned slowly to face O'Hara, and gifted him with a murderous glare.

"What do you know of this situation, General O'Hara?"

The smile that had graced the General's face faded quickly.

"I..nothing, Sir! I am as surprised at this news, as you are."

Cornwallis stared at him furiously, then turned back to look at the Colonel.

"When did this happen, Colonel Tavington?"

"Before we left the Ohio Territory, my Lord. She was caught speaking in secret with one of the Rebel leaders. Captain Borden put a stop to it, but I'm afraid the damage was already done."

"And, how do you know she has gone over to them, Colonel? Perhaps, they simply kidnapped her?"

Tavington shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, Sir. Cath…" He stopped himself quickly. "Lady Cornwallis, senior, saw her leave with another Rebel on horseback the night before we were to leave. She, by all appearances, went willingly with him."

"It might have been a ruse, Colonel Tavington."

Both the Lord General and Tavington turned to stare at O'Hara.

"Oh?" Cornwallis inquired.

"It's a possibility."

Tavington sneered at him.

"I beg your pardon, General O'Hara, but that is not a possibility. Lady Cornwallis went over to the Rebels willingly, and without a fight. She was not kidnapped, nor was she manhandled in any way."

Cornwallis glared at both men.

"However she left, we have to get her back."

Tavington shook his head.

"Lady Cornwallis, senior, has said she wants nothing to do with her sister if she is brought back. I do believe her exact words were, 'I will hang her myself.' Bringing her back, despite how it could be of use to us, would not be a good idea."

The Lord General cursed under his breath.

"I see your point, Tavington. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'm sure you know this cannot get around the camp, am I clear?"

"Perfectly, my Lord."

"Very well then. Send Catherine to me, and say nothing to her of our conversation. I wish to question her, myself about this matter."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Dismissed." He waved Tavington towards the doors.

When the doors clicked shut behind the Colonel, Cornwallis turned to O'Hara.

"What say you about this? How much do you know?"

O'Hara shook his head quickly.

"As I said before, I am as surprised by this, as you, my Lord."

"I see." Cornwallis eyed O'Hara.

"He may be lying, my Lord."

Cornwallis grinned.

"No, I do not think he is, O'Hara. I know my daughters well, and Mona has always been one to do as she pleased. If she has determined to join the Rebels, well then, that is what she did."

O'Hara nodded.

"So, you do not believe she was kidnapped or forced in any way?"

"No, I certainly do not believe she was. If Catherine is this incensed over it, then I will heed her words and actions. No, Mona has joined the Rebels willingly."

"What of the words the Colonel said she spoke?"

Cornwallis shuddered slightly.

"I have no doubt, that Catherine is true to her word. She would indeed, hang her sister herself."

O'Hara nodded once more.

"And, Colonel Tavington?"

"He would gladly help her."

O'Hara stared blankly at him.

"Why would he help her? She is nothing to him."

Cornwallis snickered softly.

"Well," Cornwallis sat back in his chair and smiled, "A husband would willingly help his wife to do anything, regardless of whether she has asked him for help, or not."

"My Lord!" O'Hara looked extremely shocked by this latest news. "You mean…Colonel Tavington, and Lady Cornwallis are…married?"

"Indeed they are, my friend. And have been for some time. Quite possibly, before they ever left Kentucky Territory. Two months at most."

"What do you intend to do about it, my Lord?"

The Lord General smirked.

"Do about it? Why nothing, of course. As much as I detest Colonel Tavington, I much prefer this union, over my other daughter's. Nasty piece of work, but one I cannot undo. Therefore, I will do nothing about my eldest daughter's marriage. She has, in my opinion, married well. He is, after all, a ranking officer…"

"Without money or title, my Lord."

"That will change, O'Hara, that, will change."