The siege had started on the 29th March and had ended on the 12th May 1780. Mainly, the goal of the siege was to deplete the food supplies and other supplies of the city. Even after the British had established siege lines, on April 8th, General William Woodford had managed to arrive in the city with seven-hundred and fifty troops. On the same day, Admiral Arbuthnot managed to bring fourteen vessels to the safety of the harbour and past the roaring guns of Fort Moultrie.
In order to defend their siege lines, the British made the decision to face General Isaac Huger and his detachment that was stationed at Moncks Corner. The loyalist British legion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, attacked the patriot forces in the early hours of the morning which quickly caused a rout. On May 12th, Lincoln had formally surrendered over three thousand men to the British.
The news brought Tavington great relief, he had survived another battle and lived to fight another day. Over the course of the next few days, Sir Clinton made quick work of assigning billets to the higher ranking officers and then to the mid-ranking ones. However, for some reason, William and John had to wait until the 13th to finally be assigned to a billet.
"And they didn't know if the musket was loaded?" William sighed as John shook his head. The colonel let out a groan and burrowed his head between his hands "With more than two hundred dead and six houses destroyed? Sir Clinton will have that man's head. Please" When Borden remained silent, William walked over towards the window of the newly conquered custom house, overlooking the ships docked in the harbour "That will surely come back to bite us in the arse" He growled low in his throat.
"Ah rejoice for a second or two, you are far too tense. Anyway, you have a letter" The Major smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out the piece of parchment "From Miss Midland, I presume?" He carefully inspected the writing, noticing that it was rather neat.
"Erm, yes, probably" William reached for the letters and hid a grin when he noticed how he was addressed on the parchment "What day is it?"
"The 20th" James said "furlough has been granted for the 64th regiment of foot and the 33rd, maybe Clinton will be kind enough to allow us a few days off duty, afterall, we deserve it"
William rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips when he recognised Effie's stationary. He always noticed the difference between hers and Miss Midland's letters as Effie addressed him as Col William Tavington whereas Miss Midland addressed him as Colonel Tavington of his Majesties Green Dragoons. And whenever Danielle wrote to him it was filled with bad grammar.
"Have you got your signet ring?"
"No, why?"
"Weren't you supposed to use it as an engagement ring?"
Shit. Tavington sighed and turned back to face the windows, looking down at the letters in his hand once again "I…I gave it to Miss Collins" I'll read these later. He thought as he carefully put the parchment in his breast pocket "As a keepsake of all things"
"Well about that…" Borden continued when his commander raised his head "there is a ball to be held at the loyalist family Applebury's home" James noticed the slight change in his friend's facial features before smirking slightly "I overheard that the Applebury's are closely connected to the Collins' family, they regularly have dinners together, or so I heard" Those words made William's lip curl upwards "I will finally meet this lady of yours, hmm?" Major Borden bowed his head before turning on his heel and walking towards the door frame "I will wait outside, it is far too stuffy and warm in here"
"And I must stay here? A little unfair don't you think"
"Thank you, dear little brother" John wasn't his biological brother though at times he acted like it, especially when they were younger "I'm older, what I say goes"
"And who is the Colonel and who is the Major?"
"I'm too sleep deprived to care, Will"
"Go, I shall wait here until we have the address of our billet"
The colonel shook his head and sat down on a nearby bench and took out Effie's letter, breaking the wax seal and unfolding the parchment within a few seconds,
Dear William,
Thank you for returning my last letter, you have no idea how much it meant to me! My father wishes you all the best along with Charlotte and, surprisingly, Adam. I am happy to say that we have been invited by the Applebury's to their ball to celebrate the British capture of Charles Towne. You must be pleased now that you aren't fighting for the time being. Papa had spotted a few redcoats passing by the plantation yesterday, for a moment I dearly hoped that you had returned, alas you have not.
I suppose that if you are invited to this ball, which I'm sure you will be, we will see each other again. By past experience I will be standing on a balcony overlooking the harbour. Maybe if we see each other we can share a dance or two? Though I must admit, you may need to shield your toes in a suit of armour as I am not a good dancer.
Even though we only knew each other a couple of days before your departure, it is so strange not to hear your voice, though I shall never forget what you sound like, your voice is imprinted on my mind.
My mamma has introduced me to at least a dozen old, nearly dead, suitors while you've been away. Thankfully my father put his foot down and told my mother that she was not to bring anymore, and I quote, coffin dodgers back to our home.
I wish you all the best William,
Yours faithfully
Effie Collins
William looked around the hall and noticed that a few of the lower ranking officers had received their pay. Maybe he could buy Effie something as a gift, a new journal to draw in perhaps?
The colonel reached into his waistcoat pocket and picked out Effie's bundle of letters, which were wrapped together by her hair ribbon that he kept as a keepsake. Tavington added the letter to the pile before hiding the bundle back in his waistcoat. He'd read Miss Midland's letter when he was bothered, knowing full well that the letter would be full of bad grammar. After waiting in the assembly hall for almost an hour, William was finally given the name and address of his new billet. He would be sharing with John as the home could only apparently fit two.
When he eventually found Brecken, he mounted up and steadily trotted through down Broad Street, taking in the sights of the newly conquered city. The colonel quickly noticed that many civilians had started funnelling out of their homes and into the streets. Much to his surprise a group of five young misses were walking on the pavement, a few of them giggling when he passed by. He brushed it off, they had probably never seen a British cavalry officer before. William steered Brecken to the left, smiling slightly when he saw the size of the homes on Church Street. He glanced to the side and noticed a small plaque stating the house number. Seventeen . His billet was number twenty-one. As he trotted down the street, he noticed that Borden was no longer at his side. But when he looked over his shoulder, he saw that he was speaking with the young misses they had just passed.
"Borden!" William shouted causing the officer to flinch "Entertain the young ladies in a moment, after a bath perhaps?"
John turned back to the ladies, bowed his head before spurring his horse forwards, catching up with William in a matter of seconds "Are you serious? They actually like me!"
"They look too proper to ever bed you, no offence"
"But the red haired one blushed when I called her pretty!" John blustered as William slowed his horse "I hope that they are ready for us" his second groaned as the colonel dismounted "They look rich"
"It is their hospitality that matters above all" William smiled slightly as he handed his reins to a waiting servant before turning back to John. The Major shrugged as he too gave the servant his reins "Come, make a good impression, I beg of you"
And that they did. They were billeted with the elderly Weatherby couple who had already had bath's sent up to the officers chambers upon their arrival. After bathing, William dressed in a fresh pair of breeches and linen shirt before sitting down at a desk that was perched just in front of a window. He sat down, picking out a piece of parchment from a side drawer in the desk along with a quill and inkwell. But as soon as his quill met the page, the tip snapped. How ironic. He had met Effie after that happened. Maybe it was for the best? He was supposed to propose to Miss Midland soon enough.
It wasn't until William took a sip of some rather fine whiskey after dinner that evening, that he decided that he would hang onto whatever he had with Effie. He would see her at the ball regardless, he would probably see both women, that would be a catastrophe.
But it took a few more drams of whiskey for the realisation to hit him. And it hit him like he had fallen off of Brecken onto a floor made of bricks. He was in love with Effie…
My dear Effie,
It is currently the 13th of May as I am writing this.
Words cannot describe how much I miss you. It has been almost two months since I saw you last. My heart aches more with each day that passes but I know that we will soon see each other again, soon. We have taken Charles Towne as on May 12th Lincoln surrendered, this is a major victory for us. Dearest Effie, nothing can describe the joy I felt knowing that I will be returning to you alive. However when I do return to you I expect at least a hug or kiss, it has been far too long since we've done that, wouldn't you say?
I hope that made you smile, by the lord I adore your smile! It could light up an entire room in my opinion. Effie, my dear Effie, I miss you more than you can possibly imagine. A mere month ago I used to love the thrill of a skirmish, now all I want is for the battles to end so I can see you again.
If I could I would abandon my troops just to run away with you. I am willing to commit treason to be with you. God's woman you have my head in a spin! One day we'll look back on these days and laugh at how desperate I am. They have assigned me a billet. I'm writing from the elderly Weatherby couple's residence. And they are treating John and I like kings, we even had baths drawn for us upon our arrival!
However as I sit here all I can think of is you. It has been far too long since I've seen you and I cannot wait to see you again darling
Yours Faithfully,
William Tavington.
Effie practically beamed as she read through his words once, twice, thrice more times. Words couldn't describe how much she missed that man. Over the course of the past month however, her mother kept introducing her to suitors, old suitors who looked around fifty as all the others were either fleeing or fighting in Charles Towne. She had indeed rejected every one of them of course.
Her father and Charlotte always sat down with her when she received letters from William. They both enjoyed the fact that she was happy, something Agatha couldn't quite comprehend though Adam had started to warm up to the situation. When the Collins' received an invitation to the Applebury ball Effie secretly hoped that William had also received an invitation. As he was a high ranking officer it was rather likely. Maybe he'd offer her a dance or two? She could hardly wait to find out!
"Do you think that the Colonel will have any friends he can introduce me to?" Charlotte hopefully asked. Effie glanced up from reading William's latest letter and smiled over at her sister "At the ball I mean…oh nevermind, mamma won't allow it"
"And when have you ever seen me listen to our mother?" Effie shot her a smirk before leaning forwards and placing a few jam tarts on a plate, handing them to Charlotte when she shat back "If you wish to dance with Major or Captain, I'm sure that William will introduce you to a few"
"Really?"
"Yes lottie"
"You are my most favourite sister!"
"I'm your only sister"
"Exactly" Charlotte giggled as Effie rolled her eyes "Hence why you're my favourite" The elder sister shook her head and read through William's letter again, memorising each word.
After dinner that evening, Effie made her way into her room and closed the door. She sat at her vanity, picked out her jewellery box and opened it. The box contained William's ring along with the necklace he had graciously gifted; she had reluctantly taken them off after her mother told her that she had to. She picked out his ring and gently brushed her fingers over the Tavington family crest. But when all was said and done, he was a soldier, he would always have a risk of death every time he was on a mission. She barely knew him and yet he had such a great effect on her life.
Effie let out a sigh and picked up her embroidery along with her needle and thread. She still hadn't finished it even though she had started it just before William left (Almost two months ago). Although she didn't quite have a use for it just yet, she thought that it could be the start of a blanket cover. Effie glanced up from her stitching, catching sight of her father standing there.
"Are you excited for the ball?" Asked Arthur, smiling slightly when he noticed the numerous letters scattered around on her desk "I am sure that Colonel Tavington will be in attendance" Effie flushed a tinge of pink at the mention of his name. Her father shook his head "We are departing in the morning, we will reach the city by midday and will stay at our city home for a few days"
"Papa…" She began "Do you know where the Weatherby estate is? It is where William is billeted, I was hoping that I may visit him…"
"I'm sure that the moment we arrive in town he'll probably be there waiting for you, for now you need sleep" And with that, Arthur left the room.
Even when she laid down in the comforts of her bed, she couldn't help but focus on William. His eyes. His smile. His annoying accent. She knew full well that her mother would attempt to pair her off with a man of her choosing at the ball. Though, for some odd reason, she didn't care. She was looking forward to seeing William again and that's all that mattered in her mind.
Effie turned onto her right side before quickly flopping back onto her back. Was it the excitement? Or was it the dread of seeing him again? She couldn't help but imagine his arms wrapped around her, holding her close, uttering soft sweet words into her ear.
But that was only happening in her mind, she wasn't too sure that he'd ever do such a thing with her.
