Cornwallis' Daughter

"I am as capable of this duty, as my husband and father. Therefore, I expect the same respect from you, or the consequences will be dire."

~Lady Catherine Tavington~

/

Catherine wandered thru the camp aimlessly. Her mind was on many things that morning, William being one, and what the surgeon had done to her. Her love for Colonel Tavington reigned supreme in her thoughts, yet there were times, when she also thought of one other. Somehow, she could not rid him from her mind, and despite her best efforts, these thoughts plagued her incessantly.

She continued her wandering until she came to the tent of Captain Wilkins. For a brief moment, she thought not to disturb him, but she needed someone to speak to. Even if, it was of sundry musings and nothing more. She still needed to speak to someone.

Catherine stood outside his tent pondering all she wanted to say, when Captain Wilkins appeared within the entrance. He nearly knocked her over in his exit. When he noticed who stood there, he bowed and smiled warmly at her.

"Lady Tavington! I did not know you were standing here. I hope I did not harm you in any way?"

Catherine grinned at his boyish nervousness.

"No, no I am quite alright Captain Wilkins." She patted his arm.

Wilkins smiled broadly.

"Oh, good. I did not wish to upset the…" He trailed off.

"The Colonel?" Catherine finished his thought.

He blushed.

"Indeed, my lady. He would be quite angry if anything happened to you." He looked behind her for a moment, then back to her. "Where is Colonel Tavington?"

"When I left the surgeon's tent, my husband was still asleep. He needs his rest now."

Wilkins nodded.

"I can imagine so. Is he well?"

"Very well, thank you Captain. All he needs is some rest, after which, I am sure he will be his usual self."

Wilkins grinned silently. The Colonel's usual self was one of anger, viciousness and fear. After this, Wilkins thought morosely, the Colonel could only be worse.

"The men will glad to hear Colonel Tavington will be back." He looked past her again, half expecting the Colonel to be standing there.

Catherine noticed the Captain's apprehension. She smiled to herself. Good, William's men were still in fear of their commander.

"Do you expect my husband to be standing here, Captain?"

Wilkins blanched.

"No, of course not, Lady Tavington. I was just…"

She laughed.

"I can see why you would be worried, Captain Wilkins. Colonel Tavington does have that way about him, you know. One moment you do not see him, and the next…well, you need not worry, he is resting in the surgeon's tent. I expect him to be there for a while longer. After that, he will be looking over the men."

Captain Wilkins nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

Catherine smiled at him. She understood his wife's love for him. He was warm, gentle and comforting. She liked him despite the fact he was a Colonist, and more for the fact that he had joined her husband's men. He seemed to like his position in the Dragoons, and he was a capable officer. Ever since Borden had been killed, her husband had taken to giving Captain Wilkins more duties, and seemed to trust him more every day.

Wilkins eyed her curiously.

"Was there something I can do for you, ma'am?"

Catherine studied him for a moment.

"Oh yes, I was inquiring about whether or not you have inspected the Dragoons this morning?"

Wilkins nodded.

"Yes ma'am."

"And are they ready for the Colonel's inspection?"

Again, he nodded.

"Yes, ma'am, they are ready."

Catherine smiled warmly.

"Very good, Captain. I am certain the Colonel will not have anything to be disappointed over?"

"None, ma'am. "

Catherine nodded. Why had she not told him the real reason for her coming here? She felt silly over having lied to the Captain.

"Good," She motioned to the surgeon's tent, "I better return before the Colonel wakes, or he will wonder where I have gone. And besides, I am sure you have duties to perform this morning before Colonel Tavington arrives."

"Of course, Lady Tavington." He bowed slightly to her.

Catherine nodded at him, turned from the tent and made her way back thru the camp. She wandered aimlessly again, occasionally stopping to speak to one of the men. William would have been angry with her for doing so, but it was her right as the Lord General's daughter. She knew none would dare assault her, and continued her wandering until she came to a group of Dragoons.

They bowed quickly. She was, after all, Colonel Tavington's wife, and she deserved their respect. They also knew her as the Lord General's daughter. Had they disrespected her, they would have been flogged. Or worse. Namely by the Colonel.

Lady Tavington stopped before them, smiled slightly, and waited until they had resettled themselves.

"Ma'am." One dipped his head at her.

"A good morning to you." She smiled again. "Are the men ready for an inspection?"

He stared blankly at her.

"An inspection, ma'am?"

"Yes, an inspection. Are the men ready?"

Just as Captain Wilkins had done, he looked past her. When he did not see who he had expected to see, he looked back at her.

"Where is Colonel Tavington?"

"He is resting, Randall." She sneered at him.

"Oh. Who will be doing the inspection, ma'am?"

She smiled icily.

"I will be doing the inspection, Lt. Randall."

He stared at her.

"You, ma'am? Does the Colonel know?"

Her smile grew steadily colder.

"Yes, Lieutenant. I will be doing this inspection. My husband will do another one when he has rested. Captain Wilkins will be along shortly. I expect the same respect you would give him, or my husband."

Lt. Randall stared at her again. Was she serious? Why would Colonel Tavington allow his wife to inspect his men? She was a woman. She knew nothing of military life. She knew nothing about tactics, nor did she know anything about weapons. How, would she even begin to do an inspection?

Catherine watched him silently. He would be a hard one to break. That much was obvious to her. But, she was more like William then they realized, and breaking this man down, would be a great joy.

"With all due respect, Lady Tavington, why would you do an inspection of the Colonel's Dragoons? You are a lady, and the wife of the Colonel."

"And, the daughter of the Lord General." She reminded him.

"Of course, we do know that, ma'am. Lord Cornwallis would be most displeased at you doing Colonel Tavington's duties."

She sneered coldly at him.

"Lt. Randall, need I remind you, that I am just as capable as my husband, in inspecting the Dragoons. After all, my father weened me on war. Therefore, I might add, you will show me the same respect in this, as you would him."

He nodded.

"Of course, Lady Cornwallis."

"Tavington." She snarled.

"My apologies, Lady Tavington. I meant no offence." He bowed slightly.

"That would be a proper thing to say, Randall."

Both Lt. Randall and Catherine turned to see who had spoken. For a moment, they both expected Colonel Tavington to be standing there. They realized quickly, however, that the man standing before them was just as bad.