Chapter 26 A Just Punishment?
Colonel Tavington stood in the clearing by himself watching his men scurry about. He was tired and just wanted to get back on the road toward the fort.
They had gone to meet secretly with General Nathaniel Greene, trying to set up some terms for prisoner exchange. The General was a former pacifist, who had renounced it to join in the struggle. They had brought along Miss Prescott as a 'show of good faith' and also hoping the legacy of her pacifist father might sway the colonial leader. But the negotiations fell through and the small detachment of cavalry soon found themselves on their way back home with bad news for the generals.
The unit was breaking camp after spending a cold night on the road toward home. The small wedge tents were being taken down and packed away. Saddlebags were loaded and put back onto the horses. The men were finishing up with breakfast and some were attending to their morning grooming.
Tavington looked at his pocket watch for a moment, only then realizing that they were running late. Although not on a time schedule for today, the commander was hoping the group could make a quick detour to sweep through the village of Hunter Creek to check out the validity of a rumor circulating in the area. If they could get going in the next few minutes, they would have time to ride through the village and make it back to the fort before sundown.
The dragoon leader looked around for his commanding officers. He saw only Captain Wentworth and Lieutenant Scott and motioned for them to join him.
"We seem to be moving a bit slowly this morning," Tavington commented.
"Yes, sir," Wentworth replied.
"I'd like for us to be out of here shortly in order to take a run through Hunter Creek," the dragoon leader this the two junior officers jumped into action gathering the unit up to leave.
"Make haste, men," Wentworth shouted, "We leave in a quarter of an hour!"
Tavington watched his subordinates getting the group together, wondering where his second in command was. "Lieutenant," he called as he motioned to Kidwell to come back toward him, "Where is Major Bordon?"
"I believe he accompanied Miss Prescott toward the woods," the young officer answered.
Tavington nodded, understanding that his aide-de-camp had taken the prisoner to relieve nature, and would probably do the same as well. Satisfied with that answer, the leader walked to his horse to secure his saddle and pack upon the beast.
After a few moments, the colonel looked about at the men who were near ready to leave. He sighed in frustration as he noticed that his adjutant and Miss Prescott were still not back yet.
"Captain," he called to Wentworth as the junior officer passed him, " is Major Bordon back yet?"
"I haven't seen him lately, sir," he answered. "Would you like me to find him?"
"Uh…no. I'll look for him myself," the colonel replied. "I need to stretch my legs before our ride anyway." With that, William began to stroll towards to forest in search of Bordon and Miss Prescott.
********************
"Oh Alex….I've missed you," Melanie murmured into the officer's ear, as she kissed his neck.
"Darling…..I promise to take you properly..," he whispered against the skin of her cheek, " in one of our beds when we get home this evening."
Moments earlier, the couple had excused themselves from the group to relieve nature. Then afterwards, took advantage of the few extra moments away from the group to nuzzle and hold one another. After weeks of a successful clandestine relationship shared only in each other's rooms at the fort, they hadn't quite found a way to sneak into one another's tents when away on dragoon missions. This morning, Melanie and Alex were exceptionally hungry for each other.
After Major Bordon had rebound Miss Prescott's wrists, he pushed her up against a tree to become affectionate with the girl. As the couple kissed and teased, they quickly became aroused and forgot about their surroundings. The couple had become complacent in their secret relationship, feeling overly secure that they were careful not to get caught.
The two lovers continued to kiss deeply, becoming even more aroused as they did. The couple nuzzled and teased each other, smiling and playful as they did.
"Alex take me now," Melanie said breathlessly, knowing they didn't have time for it but needing to voice her desire.
"I wish I could darling," he replied as he nibbled her ear.
In an instant his mouth moved back to hers to kiss her deeply. Melanie's mouth left his to trail kisses along his jaw to his ear.
In a breathless voice, Melanie begged, "Put your fingers in me."
"You're a naughty girl," he replied to her request, kissing her ear playfully.
Alexander complied, quickly gathering her skirt and petticoats up. In another moment, his slipped his hand underneath the material. He heard Melanie gasp when he sank his fingers into her wetness.
"Will this due until tonight at the fort," Alex asked in a whisper as he nuzzled her neck and moved his fingers within her.
"Yes," she answered with a gasp. Her head dropped back as she felt his fingers moving in and out of her, satisfying her in one way yet making her want more.
******************
William Tavington was still in the foliage of the forest as he neared the clearing. He saw Major Bordon with his back turned to him, from several yards away. He looked around for Miss Prescott but did not see her. He assumed she had been sent back to the group while the major relieved himself on the tree.
As Colonel Tavington moved a few steps closer and the path took him a little to an angle of where he was when first spotting Bordon, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open at the sight before him. He now saw Miss Prescott, held against the tree by his second in command, who was taking advantage of the bound girl. The colonel could see his aide-de-camp's hand under the girl's skirt.
He was immediately furious at Bordon for taking liberties with their captive. The officer began to stomp out of the brush toward the couple but was stopped instantly in his tracks by yet another sight. He saw Melanie lift her bound hands up and over Alex Bordon's head, resting them encircled about his neck, and kissing the man back. William noticed that she smiled blissfully up at the second in command.
William felt a momentary pang of jealousy within himself. He liked the girl himself, and had still hoped deep inside that he might have a chance with her when the conflict was over. He cursed his self discipline now at the fact that his own second in command had beaten him to the prize.
The commander moved purposefully again toward the couple. They did not notice him there. William stopped about 10 feet from them and crossed his arms in disgust.
He cleared his throat, then spoke. "Major Bordon."
The couple, clearly startled, jumped away from each other. "Sir," Alex answered, moving to 'attention' stance. Miss Prescott pushed her dress skirt down, which had folded itself over her petticoats, surprised at the interruption.
"Interrogating the prisoner, were you?" the colonel asked with an irritated look on his face. His arms were still crossed in front of him as he spoke.
"No sir," Bordon answered.
"I seduced him," Melanie blurted out, wanting to shift blame from Alex.
"She's wrong, sir," the major corrected, wanting to be a gentleman and take the blame. "I was trying to seduce her."
With that, the couple both set about taking the blame for the incident with a barrage of words buffeting the colonel. He looked back and forth from the major to Miss Prescott and wasn't sure what was going on. Confused, irritated, and tired he shouted, "SILENCE! Both of you!"
"Major, get back to the camp immediately. We'll discuss this when we return to the fort," Tavington commanded.
"Yes, sir," Bordon acknowledged without even stealing a glance at Melanie.
"Miss Prescott, come with me," he said, taking her arm and nearly dragging her along with him. "You'll ride back to the fort today with me."
**********************
It was early evening when Tavington's detachment of dragoons returned to the fort. The dragoon leader had been mostly silent the whole way back, furious at having found his adjutant with a prisoner. Once through the fort gates, William immediately started shouting orders.
"Higgins, Gwynne, you are to escort Miss Prescott to her room," he ordered. "She is confined there until further notice. Post a guard."
Major Bordon dismounted his horse and instantly protested his commander's order.
"Sir, she—"
Tavington cut him off right away. "Bordon, I'll see you in my quarters now!"
Alexander said nothing and headed into the manor house with a sense of dread to meet his superior. He knew that Tavington wasn't happy at having found him in intimate quarters with a prisoner.
The major followed Colonel Tavington into his quarters. Both men stayed standing making ready to face off against each other.
"Sir I can explain," Bordon began to his commander, who was glaring at him.
"What's to explain? You were caught with a prisoner—with your hand beneath her skirt to be exact." Tavington shot a condescending look to his subordinate.
"It is consensual. We're together by choice," the major stated.
"Am I to believe that? When I caught you, both of you said you seduced the other," Colonel Tavington remarked. "Just weeks ago, I'm told by Miss Prescott herself that you had been taking liberties with her person. Now you tell me this is consensual?"
"Yes sir," Bordon confirmed, purposely hiding emotion. "I'll admit that we have feelings for each other."
"Why should that matter to me?", Tavington asked. "You broke decorum."
Alex faced his commander and bravely stood his ground. He challenged the colonel at the risk of being insubordinate.
"With respect sir, decorum is broken frequently." Bordon pointed out. "You and I are both guilty of 'looking the other direction' when our men get out of hand with prisoners. You and I, and Colonel Tarleton for that matter, have participated on occasion in activities that have been less than valorous. We were both in that group in Charles Towne that took advantage of that woman when she wouldn't cooperate."
"Be that as it may, you know better than to do what you did," Tavington admonished.
"And why is Miss Prescott any different from any other prisoner that we……..take advantage of?," Bordon questioned.
"She's not," answered William. "But your conduct is unbecoming an officer."
"And what makes my conduct any different from yours or any other officer or man here?"
"You're insubordinate, Major!"
"Why?," Bordon demanded. " For arguing a point?"
"For questioning my words and for breaking decorum," Tavington replied in a heated voice.
The colonel walked to his door and called down the hallway. "Private?" With that, two infantry sentries posted within the house appeared inside the room.
"Sir," one of the privates acknowledged.
"Please escort the majors to the cells," Tavington directed. "He's under arrest."
He turned back to face a stunned Bordon. "Major, you're being remanded to the jail," Tavington announced. "You are hereby stripped of your rank and duties until further notice."
"You can't arrest me for breaking decorum," protested the aide-de-camp. "It's not a law—it's just a guideline."
The colonel said nothing back to his adjutant's protestations. "Private, apprehend him and take him to the cells. Bordon, please turn over your sword and your sidearm."
Bordon took one last stab to keep his freedom. "Why are you making an example out of me after all this time that things like this have been allowed to happen?"
The privates stood there, a little confused at the known commander and his aide-de-camp, at one having the other arrested. Neither made a move, not sure if the protesting was going to continue.
"Private," Tavington urged the soldier on, wanting them to go ahead and take Bordon into custody.
With that, Bordon could see that he wasn't going to sway his commander. It was below him to beg, so he begrudgingly gave up his weapons and allowed his hands to be bound. He held his head up as he was led away to the cells. It caused quite a stir and sensation among the fort inhabitants to see Major Bordon being led away in chains across the common green to the jail.
******************
Melanie paced the floors during her confinement to her quarters, wondering what had gone on with Colonel Tavington and Alexander. She couldn't imagine the amount of trouble he might be in.
Hours later, she was once again allowed to leave her room and roam the compound freely. Not finding Alex in his room, she immediately inquired of everyone she passed as to his whereabouts. The young lady was alarmed to find that he had been detained, then arrested and thrown in jail.
She immediately ran to the cells and found her lover there. They embraced through the bars as best they could.
"Alex! Why?" she asked tearfully.
"I suppose to make an example out of me."
"I'm so sorry, darling," Melanie cried. "I just wanted to be in your arms this morning, if I wouldn't have, then we….". The poor girl's voice trailed off.
"Melanie, even though we've been discreet we were bound to be caught sooner or later," Alex remarked as he kissed her temple.
"I don't understand," she murmured as she held on to him through the iron bars. "It's not as if you are the only soldier doing something you shouldn't."
"I know you're worried, but things will work out somehow," Alex comforted.
*******************************
Moments later, Miss Prescott sought out Colonel Tavington. She found him in the dining room eating a late dinner and confronted him there.
"Why did you arrest Alex?," she asked, hands on her hips, clearly upset with the commander.
"This is military business—it doesn't concern you," Tavington snarled back, not bothering to stand up.
"Yes it does," she argued. "He was caught with me." She was trying to keep her temper in control.
"Very well," William conceded, just wanting to get the girl out of there. "If you have to know, he violated decorum and was insubordinate."
"Colonel, he may have broke decorum but I can assure you that I am a willing partner," Melanie contested.
"Willing?," the colonel questioned as he rose to his feet. "Just months ago you were bawling to me that Bordon had forced himself on you. This morning you told me you seduced him. He says he seduced you. What am I to believe?" Tavington, now exasperated with the young women, looked menacingly down at her.
Miss Prescott suddenly felt scared. "It is consensual, sir. We love each other—it just happened," she pointed out sheepishly.
"I am not concerned with whatever feelings you two may share," he growled. "The major violated decorum."
Melanie could not believe her ears. She could hardly believe that Colonel Tavington was standing behind good manners when she'd witnessed impropriety from the dragoons on more than one occasion.
"Decorum?," she sniffed. "THAT is broken frequently around here! I've heard of the incidents and seen one with my own eyes!"
The officer tried to speak up but Miss Prescott cut him off straight away.
"I heard about the woman in Charles Towne and how you and your officers AND Colonel Tarleton's officers had a go at her," Melanie challenged. "I've also heard about you and Alex looking the other direction when your men get out of hand with area women."
"Miss Prescott, this really—"
Melanie stopped him sharply once again, continuing her point. "And then there was that time in Cascadia at the pub. Did you forget that Alex stayed outside to keep guard over me and the bar matron whilst you and your men locked yourselves in with the barmaid and took turns with her?"
William said nothing. He narrowed his eyes at the young lady. How dare she challenge me, he thought.
"So why start to crack down now and why make an example out of Major Bordon?," the girl questioned.
"I have my reasons," Tavington stated coldly.
"Your reasons," she queried. "That sounds personal instead of military. Perhaps you have an axe to grind with the major?"
"No," he answered. "I won't answer any further inquiries from you."
Melanie was frustrated as she seemed to not be getting any straight answers from Alexander's commander. She decided to test him with a bluff. "Perhaps you're jealous."
"Jealous?"
"Yes," she said with a sly smile. "One can't help but notice how the Tory ladies of all classes high and low, as well as the whores seem to throw themselves at you because you're handsome."
Miss Prescott turned away from him and went on, matter-of-factly. "I don't find myself among them. I had my eye on Alex from the first moment I saw his face at my bedside. Perhaps you thought I'd be like all the other women and find my way into your bed."
"Miss, you may claim to be a pacifist," William began, "but you are a colonial nonetheless— a colonial who was engaged to a known spy. I have no desire to share my bed with a woman who consorted with a rebel spy."
"You won't get away with this, Colonel," Melanie warned. "I'll go to the Generals."
"They can't help him," he laughed. "It's their decorum that he broke, not mine."
With that, Melanie turned on her heel and left the officer in the dining room. She thought about the colonel's parting words and knew deep down he was right. She ran the two flights of stairs up to her third story room. Once there, the girl packed herself into her bed, where she cried herself to sleep, spending the long night without Alex.
*********************
The last few days for General Cornwallis had gone completely awry. Many area bridges and ferries had been burned which caused delays for express riders carrying messages as well as an expected supply convoy coming from Charles Towne. Then news that another supply train had been ambushed and confiscated by the rebel militia. And this morning, the worst news of all. Overnight, a carriage and small escort carrying one of his staff, a general who was a liaison between him and officials in Charles Towne had been attacked on the road last night. Apparently the rebel militia men got away with the carriage and the general within. The small escort were able to apprehend two Indians of unknown tribe that were apparently working with the militia. This was strange since Indians were usually allied with the British.
Cornwallis was in a dither, desperate to get this important General back and the papers he brought with him from Charles Towne. He also needed to know why the Indians were working with the militia, and get any information from them. Lord Cornwallis was also particularly eager to get General Wheeler back because he had racked up a huge gambling debt, and if the colonials got wind of this, who knows what might be offered to get the General to turncoat on his Redcoat friends?
Already in a foul mood from the week's events and the overnight happening, Cornwallis had become furious when he found out that his only Indian interpreter, Major Bordon, was in jail, stripped of his rank and unable to perform his duties. Finding out that it was Bordon's own commander that had him arrested, the Lord General stormed through the house looking for Colonel Tavington. He found the dragoon commander conferring on the porch with Colonel Tarleton.
"Colonel Tavington, why is Major Bordon in jail?," demanded Cornwallis.
William was momentarily startled, but regained his composure almost as fast. "He was insubordinate. Why does that concern your Lordship?"
"Because General Wheeler was kidnapped last night on his way back here," he informed. "Our escort apprehended two natives that were inexplicably working with the rebel militia.I need information immediately from these Indians and Major Bordon is the only interpreter around here of native languages. General O'Hara informs me that he has been stripped of his rank and can no longer perform his duties."
Tavington straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back in a formal stance. "That is true. He broke decorum, then became insubordinate with me when confronted."
"What decorum was violated, Colonel," asked Cornwallis, clearly exasperated.
"Your Lordship, he was caught with Miss Prescott…having relations with her."
"Relations? Just what do you mean, Colonel? He took advantage of her? She seduced him for her freedom?" Lord Cornwallis just wanted a straight answer.
"I don't know exactly, sir," Tavington answered. "I caught him with his hand beneath her skirt."
Lord Cornwallis rolled his eyes at the revelation as General O'Hara drew in a sharp breath. Tavington wasn't sure what to make of their reactions, whether they were upset at the revelation of Bordon and Miss Prescott, or upset that he was jailed for it.
Tavington went on explaining things. "She told me months ago that he had assaulted her. But yesterday he stated that he seduced her, and she stated that she seduced him. Last night she told me she is his mistress. I don't know what the nature of their relationship is. But whatever it is, it is against decorum."
"Oh, blast decorum, especially now," Cornwallis stated, clearly surprising the officers around him. "I need his expertise this instant!"
"Sir, he's been arrested and charged. He must go before the court martial before any release," O'Hara pointed out. "And do not forget that she had been engaged to a colonial spy. We cannot let our guard down around her even though her father was a pacifist—she may not be who she says she is."
The Lord General heaved a frustrated sigh, rubbing his forehead with his hand. He was silent for a moment, staring at the floor, then he spoke up.
"General O'Hara, would you please gather both their diaries and personal correspondence to each other for me to check over," Cornwallis requested. "We'll find out the exact nature of their illicit activities."
*******************
Moments later, after raiding Bordon's room and collecting his diary and letters, he found himself at the door to Miss Prescott's chambers. She was irritated and taken aback with his demand.
"No! I will not give you my diary or my letters from Alex. It is too personal!"
"Miss Prescott, this is the only hope you have of getting Major Bordon released quickly and without a court martial," O'Hara proclaimed. "The General needs him today and can get him out this morning, but you will have to turn over your personal correspondence to help with this."
"General O'Hara, I swear to you, Alex and I are together by choice," Melanie tried to persuade. "It is of my own free will. You have to believe me."
"Be that as it may, these written documents may help absolve the major of wrongdoing," O'Hara stated.
Melanie relented with a sigh as she placed her diary and letters to Alex Bordon in the general's hands. She knew that she would be embarrassed at having her personal things read, but it would be a small sacrifice to make if it would help her lover.
**********************
Cornwallis and O'Hara poured over the letters and diaries from both parties. And within an hour, they were convinced that a Major Bordon's and Miss Prescott's relationship was indeed consensual thing with no covert spy activity or underhandedness involved.
The two generals called both their dragoon leaders into the dining room. They explained the findings in the letters and diaries and why they thought that the relationship, though against decorum, was not a threat.
The Lord General stated that he found the couple to be in love. He concluded by reading a couple of excerpts from their diaries to the two colonels. The last was from an entry in Miss Prescott's journal.
" 'Oh for this war to be over and to think of the future with Alex. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him. I love him so,' " Cornwallis read out loud.
"Scandalous!", Colonel Tarleton exclaimed.
"I agree," the Lord General stated.
"That it is scandalous to read aloud from her diary?," Banastre quipped, trying to keep an innocent demeanor.
An instant later, William and Banastre broke into laughter over Ban's joke.
"This is not amusing Colonel Tarleton," Cornwallis said, shooting an angry look at his two dragoon commanders. "And don't you encourage him, Colonel Tavington."
"Sorry sir," both colonels said in unison.
"In fact, I should throw both of you in jail with the major," remarked the Lord General. "You two and your men are just as guilty of breaking decorum. Come now. Did you really think your whitewashed reports fooled me?"
Both Colonels tried to speak up to explain, but were immediately waved off by Cornwallis.
"You two are guilty of turning a blind eye to your men's activities, and yes—I've heard you sometimes partake yourselves," Cornwallis stated. "Do you know how many complaints I have received from area farmers and merchants about their women being defiled? Do you have any idea how many times I've held up for you and your men because I need you? How many times I've covered things up for you?"
The Lord General paused for a moment to let his words sink in. He then went on. "Now, it is apparent to me that while Major Bordon has broken decorum, that his advances to Miss Prescott were welcomed and returned. The couple is plainly in love and that is a strong emotion to deal with. I'd have more luck parting the Red Sea than parting two lovers. I am not happy with them carrying on like this but would rather have them perpetrate their illicit activities here within the fort where we can keep an eye on them than the alternative. Sure, I can try to stop this and transfer him elsewhere and chance her escaping a fourth time to be with him. Or I can send her away and risk him deserting to be with her."
Cornwallis looked at his officers surrounding him, then continued. "No—I'd rather have them carrying on within the fort than to have to deal with expending manpower to hunt either of them down. You've heard the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer, well if I allow them to carry on here, then we know they will both stay around and I can go about the business of fighting this war."
The Lord General sighed, then spoke again. "Yes, while I do want you men to try to adhere to decorum, in the grand scheme of things, I've got larger problems to worry about in this war rather than who is jumping in and out of bed with whom."
Cornwallis turned to Tavington and shot him a stern look. "So, Colonel, you will have the charges dropped, have his rank and duties restored, and released immediately!"
Tavington nodded his head showing that he understood his superior's request.
"General O'Hara, please send Major Bordon to me immediately upon his release so that we can interrogate the savages and get General Wheeler back before he turncoats!"