Chapter 34 A Disconcerting Situation
Life had returned to normal quickly for Melanie Prescott in the many weeks following her homecoming to Fort Carolina. She filled her days helping in the hospital tents, mending soldiers' clothing from seemingly never ending piles, or spending time in girlish silliness with Bridgett. What free time she had was spent embroidering, reading, or attending to her personal correspondence. The young woman spent the nights with Alexander Bordon in his bed or hers affirming over and again their love for each other.
The only thing different this time with her retreat back to normalcy was that Miss Prescott no longer ventured out of the fort. Her kidnapping ordeal had left her petrified. Bridgett could not even coax the frightened woman outside to help pick berries or flowers, something Melanie had loved to do just months earlier. The girl only felt safe within the confines of the garrison.
As for Major Bordon and the rest of the legion in the weeks since Miss Prescott's deliverance, the men had journeyed to Camden and won a great battle there. They had also been busy ferreting out information and capturing prisoners of which occasionally, one of importance emerged.
Mostly, they were consumed with finding Colonel Benjamin Martin of the South Carolina militia. This officer had become a thorn in the side of the British. He and his men were able to move silently and became nearly invisible within the countryside. They had the loyalty of the tightlipped locals, so virtually no information was readily available about the officer and his men.
What made him so dangerous was that he and his band of rebels did not fight rank and file. They hid wherever available and shot by surprise, killing officers first and working down to the enlisted privates last. Martin and his men had been near or in the midst of the dragoons a few times, but either had eluded them, or the redcoats had been forced to let them go by some gentlemanly circumstance or trivial rule of war. All this left Tavington and his legion extremely frustrated.
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Miss Prescott rolled over to look at the light coming through her drawn curtains, hiding her face in the pillow. She had not slept well last night, her head aching and vomiting occasionally. The girl finally fell asleep this morning, now awakening during the lunch hour, not caring that she'd missed the morning and midday meals.
The young woman still felt weak and nauseous, but willed herself to get out of bed and dress. She had been sick sporadically like this for the last few weeks, feeling good some days and awful other days. The Carolina heat of Autumn, which she thought would never dissipate, seemed only to worsen the aches, pains and illness.
She wasn't the only fort resident suffering sickness. Colonel Banastre Tarleton had taken ill earlier in the fall with Malaria, becoming so sick that he nearly died. The legion commander had been bedridden for weeks. On days when Melanie wasn't sick herself, she helped take care of the ailing officer. When he was awake, they often commiserated about the thick Carolina heat and how it served them both no favors.
Tarleton's absence was felt prominently by the cavalry, somewhat hampering them. He was sorely missed for he was a fierce and cunning warrior. Lord General Cornwallis was anxious for his prized commander to recover and return to duty as soon as possible.
On this particular day as Miss Prescott struggled to feel better despite her illness, and as Ban Tarleton lay shivering with fever in his bed, the dragoons were having much more favorable circumstances. In fact, in another room in the main house, assembled legion officers were shaking hands, offering toasts, and back slapping one another on a recent good turn of fortune and some success.
Major Bordon and Colonel Tavington were particularly happy with the events. The two had concocted a scheme to capture Colonel Ben Martin with the unwitting help of his own compatriots : the rebel militia and Continental Army. Weeks earlier, William had been 'authorized' by General Lord Cornwallis to get Martin anyway he could—the only stipulation was that the Lord General wanted to know nothing about it. With his head 'turned the other way', the dragoon commanders were now free to do anything they wanted to capture or kill the militia leader that had caused them so much trouble.
It all began weeks earlier when they captured a uniformed Continental Army messenger. Within the case he was carrying, they found documents of no particular importance from General George Washington. Although the information in the papers was of little use to them, the handwriting, signature, stationary, and wax seal would turn out to be very useful. These had been verified as authentic by one of their spies.
The officers enlisted the help of a conscripted redcoat private, who had been imprisoned back in England for fraud, to fake the documents and seal. The man had been eager to do so since "righting" himself with the superior officers meant avoiding a possible trip back to jail. The private, under the direction of Tavington and Bordon, faked a letter from General Washington stating that Miss Melanie Prescott's return to Continental custody was of the utmost importance. A reason for the commander wanting her capture was not given as the dragoons decided to leave it open to speculation on the part of the document reader—maybe she was a turncoat in British custody and should be pulled from them? Perhaps she was Washington's secret mistress? It didn't matter: the letter was to elicit interest. The document mentioned a very high reward to be paid to whichever Continental soldier delivered her first to Washington.
Several copies of this fake letter were made and circulated amongst 'selected' Continental officers. Bordon had obtained through his intelligence network, a list of Continental Army officers that were disgruntled and or weary at not having been paid recently by the rebel outlaw government, which was known to have no money to pay for anything. Even more important, at the top of this list were a group of rebel commanders with huge gambling debts. The bounty money in the letter assured that the offer would appeal highly to all the officers on the list.
The redcoats sent this letter out via messengers to the officers on the list, accompanied by their own letter from the British stating how they'd intercepted General Washington's 'letter'. The Redcoats added a little incentive of their own in tandem with General Washington's offer. The British would make it easy on the rebel officer and turn Miss Prescott over to that interested party, willing to let her go for something more precious: they wanted Colonel Benjamin Martin in exchange.
Of course all this was a ruse. They had planned to meet whatever officer might be interested, and after having dangled Miss Prescott as bait in writing, have her with them and ready to exchange for Martin. When the shift would occur, they would keep Miss Prescott and have the militia commander dead or alive. The Continental officer that had been fooled would be killed after the trade.
The dragoon commanders were extremely happy this morning as they had been receiving favorable word over the last weeks that some of the heavily indebted officers were interested in the deal. And just last evening, a successful trade had been negotiated. Seems that a Colonel Paul Johnston of a division of North Carolina Continental regulars had recently been passed over for promotion to General, and had racked up some gambling debts to boot. The reward would sufficiently compensate the parties he owed money to. The Continental colonel had access to Ben Martin and interacted with him frequently, so nothing would seem amiss. Colonel Johnston guaranteed the redcoats that he would have Martin ready to be exchanged on a particular date and place arranged already. Confirmation of this today was the cause for the congratulations this morning.
Bordon headed out to his room to look over some particulars of the trade plan. He also would need to inform Melanie that she would be joining them soon on a journey out of the fort. The decision was made not to give her any details, thus making her fright during the exchange genuine and believable. Alex knew the girl was terrified to leave the fort now, but felt certain he could convince her to do so, reminding her that she would be secure and protected by him and the other dragoons.
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A couple of hours later, Major Bordon visited Melanie in her room after he'd neatly tied up the loose ends of Legion business this morning.
"You don't look well at all, Love," Bordon commented, noticing how pale Miss Prescott looked.
"I still don't feel good," she countered. "I forced myself to get up today hoping that I would feel better."
Alex sat down next to the girl on the window seat and pulled her close to him. He slid his arms around her gently, holding her for a moment.
"Darling, you're going to be accompanying us out of the fort for a few days," Alex declared in a soft voice as he kissed her head and hair.
The girl pulled back from him immediately. "Alex, you know how I feel. I really don't want to leave the fort."
"I know you're afraid," he cajoled, "but you'll be with me and the other dragoons; you will be well protected. You know you're safe with me."
Miss Prescott looked down at the floor, rubbing her forehead with her fingers as she did. She then turned back to look at the officer. "It's not only that," she began, "After being sick, I just don't think I have the stamina to ride for hours; for days."
"I understand," he replied. "We would take the riding slowly if needed. Perhaps you'll have more strength than you think?"
Melanie became quiet, looking troubled. She heaved a sigh and turned away from Alex, shaking her head as she did.
"No," the girl answered in a far off voice. "I don't think I will be able to."
"Darling, I'm sorry but you don't have a choice," Bordon informed, his voice resonated with a bit of stern frustration. "Plans have already been made and cannot be broken."
The young woman felt lost. The girl didn't want to leave the citadel, especially to start the familiar cycle again of being used as rebel bait for one reason or another. Miss Prescott had other things as well to consider for wanting to stay within the compound.
"Alex, please don't make me," Miss Prescott pleaded as she stood up and stepped away from the window.
Major Bordon was becoming angry, upset that the young woman would not cooperate. "Melanie, our reputation is at stake," he stated harshly as he rose to his feet. "A deal has been made and we cannot go back on our word now."
"Perhaps you should have consulted me before you struck a bargain that no doubt involves me!," the girl shot back.
Bordon took a breath, trying to get his ire under control, not wanting a row with his lover. "I love you, darling, but need I say it again? This is military business, and as such, you have no say in it. And when purpose is seen fit, you will be used by us if need be."
"Yes, I know," Melanie answered coldly. "I'm never given a choice."
The major chose not to answer her retort, deciding it best to let the remark pass. He stayed silent, hoping the young woman would change her mind without further prodding from him.
Miss Prescott broke the silence, her voice distraught. "You told me over a year ago, that I was to be used as His Majesty saw fit to gain advantage. That was before we became involved. I stupidly thought that since you love me, that you would stop the British from using me as a pawn."
"We have never used you in a degrading way. We always take care that you are protected in these missions. You know that you would never be traded or compromised—"
"I'm the lure on your hook waiting to be snatched by the fish!" Miss Prescott's voice was fraught with frustration.
It was no secret now to Alexander that she was tired of being used as bait. Still he needed to coax her to keep their schemes running smoothly. He slipped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck. "Melanie, this war will be over soon—"
"And then what?!" she snapped, pulling out of his embrace. The young woman felt confused and near tears. In the moment of awkward silence that passed after her outburst, she wasn't even sure why she made that particular remark.
Miss Prescott sat down again on the window bench. The young woman looked forlorn as she stared at the floor again. After another quiet moment had passed, Alexander joined her there.
Major Bordon had just come off a huge intelligence coupe and would have no one ruin it. Although he loved Melanie, he fought to keep his temper in check, wanting to scold her again for all she'd just argued about. But he decided to allay her fears instead.
"Darling, you'll be fine," he stated. "You will be—"
He stopped suddenly feeling a little confused as Melanie took his hand. As she looked into his eyes, he could tell she was fighting tears.
Miss Prescott pulled his hand toward her, then placed it with his fingers touching her lower abdomen. "I'm carrying your child, Alex."
The officer was thoroughly stunned by the news, having become complacent to the threat of pregnancy over their time together. Bordon had put himself into denial that it wouldn't happen to them. The major reacted to the revelation by pulling his hand away, not wanting to touch her belly, hoping maybe he misunderstood her words. He jumped up from his seat and turned away from the girl.
Alexander shook his head in disbelief, truly bowled over by the news. After a moment of silence for the news to sink in, he turned back to his lover, a look of confusion clouding his features. "You're pregnant? Are you sure?"
Major Bordon half sat, half collapsed back onto the window seat next to Melanie. He still entertained small hope that he misheard what she'd said.
"Yes," she confirmed in a soft voice. "I've been sick—you've seen that with your own eyes. And I just missed my third monthly."
Both were silent for a minute, one still in disbelief at what had been said, the other amazed at having said it. Melanie had known for a few weeks, but had been afraid and unsure how to tell Alex about it. After all, he was married to another woman, albeit in name only.
Miss Prescott broke the silence. "I have things figured out," she began. "You see, the Wilkins family and ours used the same lawyer for our businesses. I'm going to ask Captain Wilkins to put me in touch with him again so that he may inquire about my inheritance; I would be the sole heir. That money should take care of me and the child. And, if His Majesty sees fit to give my plantation back, then that will be a roof over our head. The baby and I will be fine. I don't need anything from you."
"I will take care of you and my child," Bordon declared resolutely, but in a flat tone.
"Really, Alex, you won't have to do anything—"
"I'm not going to abandon you if that is what you're thinking," he said, cross that she would think that.
"It's just that you're married to someone else and it would present—"
"An awkward situation?," asked Alex. "Melanie, I'm long past caring what people think. You know damned well how I entered into my marriage and feel about my wife."
The poor girl could tell that the major wasn't exactly thrilled about the unexpected pregnancy. Her heart broke as well, wishing the situation was different; wishing that Alexander could marry her and make things proper. And though she was happy that the child of the man she loved was growing within her, she was equally as confused and sad.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Melanie stated, her voice cracking. "I'm so sorry." The young woman put her face in her hands and burst into tears over the whole unfortunate situation.
Alexander now felt badly as she wept, feeling like a scoundrel for admonishing her. It was clear to him now that her balking at leaving the fort with him was to protect her fragile condition and the baby—not wanting either to endure long rides through sometimes rugged terrain.
Bordon wrapped his arms about the girl to comfort her. She let him, too tired to fight the man again, yet wanting the security of his embrace.
"Sssshhhh, Melanie," he soothed, his voice soft now, "we'll think of something. We will work something out. As for riding the next few days, I'll see that we take it easy, at a pace that you can manage. "
After letting her cry on his shoulder another moment, he pushed her back to look into her eyes. Taking her head in his hands, he brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
"For now," Major Bordon requested, "let's keep this quiet for as long as possible. The rebel countryside already knows about us. God only knows what they'd do with this information."
Miss Prescott shook her head quietly, agreeing with him that it was best. She laid her head back on his shoulder and held tightly to him. The young woman didn't even want to think about what could be done to her should this news get out. Or worse, what might happen to their innocent child.
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Author's note: It is true that Colonel Banastre Tarleton became very ill and was bedridden for weeks in Autumn 1780, near death. He managed to pull through.
The sickness was speculated to be Yellow Fever, and that is what people of the time mentioned in correspondence of him and the illness.
Diagnosing illness wasn't an exact science at that time and medicine/treatment still crude and primitive. However in recent years, author Tony Scotti did analysis of the causes, symptoms, etc of the various fevers that were prevalent at that time and concluded with the help of modern info, the he more likely suffered from a strain of Malaria. According to the analysis, he lacked some of the major symptoms of Yellow Fever. Since modern diagnosing methods not available at the time, we may never know exactly.
And given the fact that both are Mosquito borne maladies adds to the confusion.
Thanks to Marg. B. for help/clarification on this point!