William Tavington did not speak as he accompanied Captains Bordon and Wilkins on the short ride from Charlotte's home to the new dragoon encampment. Both Bordon and Wilkins had both so far proven to be able officers, with Wilkins taking over recruiting efforts, while Bordon concentrated on training and administrative matters. Recruits were currently being trained at the encampment as they waited for deployment into the field and Tavington thought it was high time for an inspection. Lost in his own thoughts, he was oblivious to the lively conversation his adjutants conducted as their horses made their way down the street.
In the last few days, Tavington had spent nearly every idle moment not devoted to work thinking of his new relationship with the delightful Mistress Selton. For the first time in his life, he was actually seriously considering marriage. Though he'd lived his adult life thus far contentedly and avidly as an unrepentant rake, moving easily from one lover to the next, meeting Charlotte had changed all that. He always figured that he would marry eventually, most likely after returning to England after the war, but he'd realized that he'd finally found the right woman to marry without even trying.
Looking over at Wilkins, who was pointing out various sights to Bordon, Tavington made a mental note to get the man alone to interrogate him about Charlotte Selton's background and financial standing. It had been a stroke of luck that Wilkins had joined the Green Dragoons, considering the man had known her for much of his life and would have just the information Tavington would need before considering proposing marriage to her.
Twenty minutes after leaving the Selton home, the three dragoons arrived at the encampment, which was on the grounds of the large estate in which Cornwallis' headquarters was housed. Infantry soldiers, including fusiliers and grenadiers, were also encamped on the grounds as they awaited orders for deployment.
After they'd ridden through the gates, dismounted, and turned their horses over to waiting grooms, they strolled over to the encampment, where mounted sabre practice was going on. Tavington silently gestured to his two aides to hang back; to remain concealed behind some large bushes as they observed Lieutenant Ogilvie put the men through their paces. Ogilvie, a recent transfer from the 17th Light Dragoons, was also turning out to be a fine officer.
Tavington watched the practice intently for a long interval, well satisfied with the performance of his men. Turning to Bordon, he said, "It seems your idea to get Ogilvie from the 17th was a good one. He's made amazing progress with the men in a very short time."
"Yes, I'd say they're about ready to do some actual fighting," Bordon agreed.
Giving his attention to Wilkins, Tavington noted, "And your knowledge of the area and people was of invaluable assistance in finding the right men in the first place."
"Thank you, sir," Wilkins replied, quite pleased with his superior officer's praise.
Now walking forward to reveal himself to the mounted dragoons, Tavington said to his two adjutants, "We'll be ready any time Cornwallis gives the order, I'm thinking."
Lt. Ogilvie, seeing his commander approaching with the two captains, signalled to the men to take a break.
"You are to be commended, Lieutenant," Tavington said to the junior officer. "I never imagined that you could whip such raw recruits into shape in such a short amount of time."
"Thank you, Colonel," Ogilvie replied. "I was fortunate to get such apt students. I'd say they'll be ready to fight when Lord Cornwallis sends us upcountry.
Looking down at the neat row of tents where the dragoons and camp followers slept, Tavington asked, "And the baggage train? Is it fully equipped and are the camp followers ready to go when the General orders it?"
"We're just about there," Bordon put in. "Several of the men have brought their families along to serve as cooks and laundresses. The farriers and blacksmiths have been ready to go for at least a week now and we just signed on two surgeons just this week."
"Excellent," Tavington said. "Bordon, if you'll assist Ogilvie here in finishing the training session, I think I'll take a walk to inspect the camp." Gesturing to Wilkins, he said, "Wilkins, you're with me."
Several minutes later, as Tavington and Wilkins left the stables, Tavington paused at the entrance to a long row of tents. No one was nearby, so the dragoon commander thought it a perfect place for a private conversation.
Turning to his junior officer, he said, "You've known Mistress Selton and her family since your childhood, am I correct?"
"Yes, sir," Wilkins affirmed, wondering where Tavington was going with this line of questioning. "Our families had adjoining plantations and I can't remember ever not knowing the Putnam family."
"She had just the one sister, I take it?" Tavington asked. "That's all I've heard her mention."
"She had a set of twin brothers," Wilkins told him. "But they were born sickly and neither one lived to be a year old. Her mother was never able to have more children after that."
"Such a shame," Tavington remarked. "I take it that Charlotte inherited the family plantation, rather than her sister?"
"Yes, sir," Wilkins confirmed. "She was the elder sister by one year and her father felt as if she'd made the better marriage of the two sisters. John Selton, being a younger son, had come to South Carolina to make his fortune in exporting rice back to England. This is how he met Charlotte, as her father's plantation grew mainly rice."
Taking a deep breath, he continued, "I'd courted her sister, Elizabeth, and we'd had an understanding that we'd be betrothed after I returned from my education in England. Unfortunately, her heart was fickle and she married a local man before I could return."
"That's too bad," Tavington allowed. "I'm sure it would have been exceedingly profitable to merge your two plantations together."
"Yes, that is what our fathers had desired," Wilkins admitted. "But Elizabeth ran off with a local man who had distinguished himself during the French and Indian War. No money, you see, but only a good reputation." Sighing loudly, he continued, "Once they'd eloped, there was nothing her father could do, so he was doubly determined to make sure Charlotte made a good match."
"And did she?" Tavington queried. "I can assume Selton was a successful man judging from what Charlotte has now, but was he a good man? Did he love her?"
"Yes, I think so," Wilkins said slowly,
"How long were they married before he died?" Tavington asked.
"About ten years, I think," the other man replied.
"It seems odd they had no children," Tavington observed. "It would seem as if they'd have had several in that amount of time."
"Oh, she did have one baby," Wilkins told him. "Unfortunately, it only lived for three weeks."
"And what of Selton's loyalties?" Tavington pressed. "Was he loyal to the King or had he thrown his lot in with the rebels?"
"John Selton was not a political man," Wilkins told him. "He was a businessman first; trading with England allowed him to be quite prosperous. I can't say he would have been involved with anything that would change that."
Pleased by what he'd heard, Tavington said, "Thank you, Captain Wilkins. You were most enlightening."
"If I may be so bold to ask…" Wilkins began.
"Why am I asking so many questions about Mistress Selton?" Tavington finished for him.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I might as well tell you, as it won't be a secret much longer," Tavington said. "I've been considering proposing marriage to Charlotte. Because you've known her quite a long time, I knew you would have the answers I needed to make that decision."
"And?" Wilkins asked.
"Yes, I believe I will ask her to marry me," Tavington said. "I'd not been planning to marry for a few more years yet, but when one meets the right woman, one must act."
"I wish you every happiness, sir,"" Wilkins said sincerely. "Charlotte is a fine woman."
"Thank you, Wilkins," Tavington replied.
At that moment, both men turned to see a messenger hurrying toward them.
"Begging your pardon, Colonel Tavington, sir!" the young man said as he reached the two officers, somewhat out of breath. "General Cornwallis had requested your presence in his office immediately."
A short time later, Tavington entered the Lord General's commodious office. As usual, General O'Hara was in the room, hovering over Cornwallis, who was seated at his desk.
"Ah, Tavington," Cornwallis said, looking up at Tavington entered the room. "There you are. I have good news for you."
Tavington did not speak, but waited for the Lord General to finish.
"I'm sending you and your dragoons to the upcountry," Cornwallis continued. "Tarleton has been having considerable problems with rebel activity along the Santee in the last week. I need him to move on to handle other things, so I'm ordering you and your men to head to the Santee to deal with the rebel activity and to guard our supply line up to Fort Carolina. I will be moving my headquarter there shortly and it is imperative that the supply line between Charles Town and Fort Carolina remains safe and passable. You will leave at the beginning of next week."
"Thank you, sir," Tavington said, relieved to finally get moving at last. "I've just made an inspection of my men and they're ready for combat."
"Excellent, Colonel," Cornwallis said. "That will be all for now".
As Tavington left the General's office, he found Bordon and Wilkins waiting in the anteroom.
"The general has ordered us into the field by the beginning of next week," he announced to his two junior officers. "Bordon, supervise the men and camp followers getting ready to move out." Turning to Wilkins, he said, "Wilkins, you're in charge of making sure we're fully provisioned before we head out."
Later, as he was riding back to the Selton home by himself, Tavington thought again of Charlotte. Despite being glad that he would finally be able to take his dragoons into the field to teach the rebels some hard lessons, he regretted that he would not have more time to properly court Charlotte at his leisure. Knowing that Charles Town would be continue to be filled with administrative level officers, many of whom outranked him, Tavington vowed not to allow Charlotte to slip through his fingers. Though he'd normally prefer a much longer courtship as was proper, he decided to propose to Charlotte without delay. After all, it wasn't as if she'd not been married before and would expect a large wedding.
William Tavington intended to be safely married to Charlotte Selton before he left to take his dragoons upcountry. Eager to propose to her, he spurred his horse on.
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Author's Note: Through much of history, people did not marry for love. Marriage was a practical matter, with love not being a primary consideration, if considered at all. Of course, many couples grew to love one another over time, but it wasn't the reason to get married in the first place. By the 17th century or so, things began to change and love became a more important consideration in choosing a spouse. The late 18th century was still a time of transition in that while love was now playing an increasingly important role in mate selection, practical considerations were still very important. Thus, Tavington's conversation with Wilkins about Charlotte's financial status would have been fitting for the times.
Next Chapter: Haste to the Wedding