"Well, I need to know one thing from you, John," Ben said, his voice betraying his weariness and despair. "Will you be able to accept this child and love him as if he was your own? I need to know this before you marry Caroline, because this child is innocent and deserves to be loved and wanted no matter how he came to be in the world. And regardless of what man sired him, he will be my grandchild and is part of Caroline."

"I don't know." John said in a small voice. He walked to the window and leaned his head against one of the panes and stood silently brooding for a long interval. Suddenly, he turned around to face Benjamin Martin with tears in his eyes. "Every time I'd look at that child, I'd always imagine Caroline with that dragoon. I couldn't help but think of it. I'm sorry, but that's how I honestly feel."

"I appreciate your honesty," Ben said, obviously disappointed. "But it's better to know that now, and not after you were married."

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Please give Caroline my regrets." Moving to leave, he said, "I imagine it would be better if I returned to camp with the rest of the men." Before Ben could reply, the young man hurried from the room, still in shock from the news.

"Well, John reacted just about like I thought he would," Ben said after the young man had left. "There aren't many men who would be willing to marry a woman who is carrying another man's child."

"I'm afraid you're right." Charlotte sighed loudly. "I'd hoped that he might have been one of the exceptions, though. Now, it's unlikely that Caroline will ever find a husband once everyone knows of her disgrace."

"Might I make a suggestion?" Reverend Oliver asked.

"Of course, Reverend," Ben said.

"You need to go to see General Cornwallis and tell him what happened," he said. "Demand that he order Tavington to do right by Caroline and to take responsibility for what he did to her."

"I can't believe what you're saying," Ben said, amazed. "I could never give my daughter to be married to that vicious bastard. It would be a living hell for her to live with someone like that."

"Just hear me out," the older man said. "What I am proposing is a marriage in name only, to give Caroline's baby a name, so she can retain her place in polite society. And Tavington can and should be made to support Caroline and his child. A man like him doesn't want a wife and a family; he won't want to live with her. He'll no doubt be glad for you to take her back home with you and to get her out of his sight."

"He's right, Benjamin," Charlotte admitted. "This would spare Caroline the shame of being an unwed mother."

Martin exhaled loudly. "I don't like this, but I don't imagine we have much of a choice."

"When do you want to go see Cornwallis?" Oliver asked.

"We'll go tomorrow morning," Ben said. "The sooner we get this over with, the quicker Caroline can move on. We need to get her married before her condition is apparent to everyone." Looking at Charlotte, he asked, "Will you come with us? Caroline will need you to get through this."

"Of course, Ben," she replied.

"Good, it's settled then," he said. "Gabriel will stay here and take care of the children while we're gone."

At that moment, Caroline returned to the room. Looking at her father, she said, "I saw John riding out of here in a hurry just a few moments ago. When I called out to him, he just ignored me and kept riding. I wonder what is wrong."

"Sit down, Caroline," her father directed. "We've got some things to discuss with you."

The young woman looked around fearfully at the serious expressions on all the faces in the room. "What is it?"

"John had come into the house with Gabriel a little while ago and overheard us talking about your condition," Ben began.

"Oh, no!" Caroline exclaimed. "You didn't tell him what happened to me, did you?"

"He deserved to know if he was going to be your husband," Ben pointed out. "It wouldn't have been fair to keep it from him."

"He doesn't want me anymore, does he?" she asked in a small voice. "That's why he rode out of here in such a hurry, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so," Charlotte told her, her tone sorrowful. She held out her arms to hug her niece, who was now weeping in helpless frustration.

"What's going to happen to me?" Caroline asked. "No one respectable will want to have anything to do with me if I have a baby without a husband."

Ben cleared his throat nervously. "Reverend Oliver has come up with a solution that will spare you any further humiliation."

Caroline looked at her father expectantly, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Tomorrow, we're going to go see General Cornwallis at Fort Carolina," her father said. "I'm going to tell him what happened to you and demand that he order Tavington to take responsibility for what he did to you."

"Take responsibility?" she asked, confused. "How?"

"By marrying you," he said quietly.

"I don't want to marry that horrible man!" Caroline exclaimed. "How could you even consider such a thing?"

"If he's married to you, he'll have to support you and the baby." Ben explained. "And he'll give the baby a name and you'll retain your place in the community."

"I think I'd almost rather bear the shame than have to live with him," she said in a hesitant voice.

"You won't have to live with him," Ben said. "Men like him don't want wives or children. He'll do what he's ordered to do, but he won't want you to stay with him. After the ceremony, I'll bring you back home and you won't ever have to see him again."

"I don't even want to see him for the wedding," she said.

"We'll all be with you," he said. "He won't hurt you, I promise."

"All right, Father," she said. "I'll do whatever you think is right."

"It will turn out for the best, you'll see."

William Tavington had been out on patrol for three days straight and was now more than ready for some rest and relaxation. He had some administrative duties to take care of that afternoon, but was now in search of Jane Thompson to set up an assignation with her for later that evening.

Tavington smiled to himself as he spied Jane heading in his direction from the tent encampment. Obviously, she'd gotten the same idea after getting news that the dragoons had returned to the fort. He'd noticed that their thoughts of late had become increasingly more congruent, which both pleased and amused him to no end. He'd come to greatly enjoy her company and did not look forward to the day when he'd leave South Carolina forever and she'd be out of his life.

Jane Thompson noticed Tavington heading in her direction at about the same time he'd seen her. She was both nervous and elated at the sight of her lover, as she had a matter of great importance to discuss with him. Nearly a month before, she'd realized that she was with child, but had not been able to summon the courage to tell him of her pregnancy. She knew that the child was Tavington's, as no other officer had lain with her in nearly six months. The young woman grinned tightly as she thought of how the other whores teasingly referred to her as "Mrs Tavington" when they chatted among themselves. "If this could only be true!" she thought to herself with a loud sigh.

In the three days that the Green Dragoons had been away from the fort, Jane had gathered the courage to tell Tavington of his impending fatherhood. She had prayed that maybe some miracle would occur and he'd want to do right by her, but didn't hold out much hope for that. Jane would be satisfied if he would simply acknowledge the child and give it his name.

"Ah, Jane, just the person I was looking for," he said as they came within earshot of one another.

"I'd heard you were back, so I decided to come up here to save you the trip down to my tent," she said, blushing like a young girl. "I wanted to make sure I didn't miss you. I've got something I need to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Tavington asked. "It sounds important."

"Let's wait until we get back to my tent," she said. "It will take awhile."

"I have some work to do for a few hours," he told her. "I won't be able to come down there until this evening." Taking her into his arms, he said, "Can't you just tell me now?"

"I'd rather wait until we're in private." She looked around at the busy courtyard as she spoke.

"All right," he said, sighing loudly. Leaning his head forward so that it touched hers, he gave her a quick kiss, then continued, "I'll be at your tent as quickly as I finish my work. With any luck, I'll get there in time to eat with you."

"And hopefully do more than share a meal with me, I hope."

"Of course, my dear," he said with a lopsided grin.

As the couple stood talking they did not notice the Martin wagon slowly enter the fort by the front gate. Benjamin Martin had come up to the fort holding a white flag to indicate his peaceful intentions. After he'd driven the wagon inside and the gate had closed behind him, a soldier approached him.

"State your business, sir, " the soldier said briskly.

"I have business with General Cornwallis of a personal nature," Ben told him.

"If you and your passengers would kindly step out of the wagon, I'll have word sent to him that you wish to speak with him," the soldier said. Indicating a shaded area near a tree, he told them, "You may wait there until we have the General's response."

As her father took her hand to help her down from the wagon, Caroline spotted William Tavington on the other side of the compound, standing facing away from them. His arms were around an auburn-haired woman and as Caroline watched, he bent to give her a kiss.

Caroline felt strangely disgusted and relieved all at once. She was disgusted to see what a womanizer he apparently was, but relieved in that it seemed as if her father's words were true about Tavington not wanting a wife. Averting her eyes from the dragoon commander, she did not alert her father to Tavington's presence.

The young woman knew that there would be an ugly confrontation if her father was aware of her rapist's close proximity, which was the last thing Caroline wanted. She felt humiliated enough that they were there in the first place; she certainly didn't want anyone calling attention to the purpose of their visit in public. As they stood under the tree waiting to be escorted to Cornwallis' office, Caroline prayed that Tavington did not notice them and that he'd go away.

A short time later, General Cornwallis' aide, Thomas Miller, came across the compound to greet the Martins. "General Cornwallis will see you now," he said. Looking down at the cloth satchel that Ben carried, he asked, "What do you have there?'

"I have something I need to return to the General," he explained briefly.

"I'll just need to have a look at that," Miller said, "Security and all."

"Of course," he said, handing the bag to the aide.

After taking a brief look at the contents, Miller was satisfied that Ben Martin was not carrying any concealed weapons. He handed the bag back to Martin without a word.

"This way, please," he said with a sweeping gesture.

A short time later, Miller escorted Benjamin Martin and Reverend Oliver into General Cornwallis' office. Charlotte Selton and Caroline were ushered to seats in a waiting area in the outer office.

General Cornwallis was seated at his desk and looked up expectantly at the two men as they came in. After Miller had left his superior's office and shut the door behind him, Cornwallis looked at Martin and asked, "Mr. Martin, I presume?

"Yes. And this is Reverend Oliver," he said indicating the other man.

"How may I help you?"

"Well, I don't know of any diplomatic way to say this, so I'll get straight to the point." Exhaling loudly, he continued, "About two months ago, my seventeen year old daughter was brutally raped by one of your officers and she is now with child."

"I'm very sorry for your misfortune," Cornwallis said formally, his tone neutral. "Does she have any idea what unit this officer was in and, perhaps, be able to describe him?"

"Yes," Martin replied, his tone cold. "It was the commander of the Green Dragoons, Colonel Tavington."

"Colonel Tavington? Surely you must be mistaken." Neither Cornwallis' tone nor his facial expression betrayed his previous knowledge of this incident.

Carefully opening the satchel he carried, Martin slowly drew out the blanket Tavington had covered Caroline with after raping her. Holding it up and extending it toward Cornwallis, he asked, "This is a British regulation issue dragoon blanket, is it not?"

Cornwallis glanced at the blanket, still stained with Tavington's semen, which bore silent witness to the vicious attack on Caroline Martin.

Shortly after the Martin family had arrived at Charlotte Selton's home two months before, Charlotte had taken the blanket from Caroline and had stuffed it into a storage chest just to get it out of their sight. When they'd left Charlotte's farm that morning, she'd retrieved it from the chest, saying that it might be useful to strengthen their claim, if General Cornwallis proved to be skeptical.

"Yes, that is a dragoon blanket," Cornwallis admitted. "Might I speak with your daughter and have her describe the man who assaulted her? I want to make sure we have the right man before proceeding any further."

"That will be acceptable," Martin replied in a clipped voice. Although Martin was certain of the rapist's identity, he saw no need to antagonize Cornwallis at this point. "She's waiting right outside."

"I'll get her," Reverend Oliver said. A moment later, he escorted Caroline into the office, with Charlotte trailing close behind.

"Hello, I'm General Cornwallis," he said to Caroline in a gentle tone of voice. Indicating a chair near his desk, he continued, "Why don't you have a seat? I just need to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."

She looked at her father, who nodded encouragingly. "Yes, sir," she said.

"I'm sorry to have to ask these questions, but I must be sure we have the right officer."

"I understand."

"Can you describe the man who attacked you?" Cornwallis asked.

"He was a Green Dragoon," she said firmly. "He was about six feet tall with a strong build. Dark brown hair in a queue. Blue eyes the color of a cold winter's day. Haughty voice of about medium pitch. He looked like he was about thirty-five or so."

Cornwallis held up his hand. "That will be sufficient." The young woman had provided an accurate description of William Tavington.

"Caroline, please go back to the waiting room with your Aunt Charlotte," Martin said. "The General and I have some things to discuss."

"Yes, Father." The young woman followed her aunt gratefully, glad to be through with the questions.

Turning back to the British general after the women left, Martin said quietly, "I want Colonel Tavington to do the right thing and take responsibility for what he did to my daughter. I want my grandchild to have a name and for my daughter to retain her dignity and respect in the community."

"I would expect the same if I were in your shoes," Cornwallis conceded. "I will have Colonel Tavington called to my office immediately and I will make sure he is married to your daughter before the day is over. Will this be satisfactory to you?"

"Yes, sir," Martin said. "My concern, first and foremost is with my daughter's welfare."

Walking to the outer office, Cornwallis opened the door to speak to Miller. "Please find Colonel Tavington and tell him to report to my office immediately."

"Right away, sir," Miller replied.

Cornwallis turned back to Martin. "I have a conference room near my office where you and your family can wait until I've spoken first with Colonel Tavington," he said. "It will give your daughter a chance to prepare herself to see him again."

"Thank you," Martin said. "That is very kind of you."

Thomas Miller found Tavington a few minutes later on the other side of the building in the map room conferring with Colonel Tarleton, Captain Bordon, and Captain Wilkins.

Sticking his head inside the room, he said, "Colonel Tavington? General Cornwallis wishes to see you in his office immediately."

"What about?" Tavington snapped in irritation.

"I do not know, sir," Miller replied. "He just said that it was of the utmost urgency."

"All right, Miller," the dragoon commander said, sighing loudly. "You have delivered your message. You may go."

"Well, we were about done here, in any case," Colonel Banastre Tarleton noted. "Come on, Tav, I'll walk with you. I needed to see the general about something, anyway." Turning to the two junior officers, he continued, "Why don't you both come along. We can have those drinks we talked about earlier, after we're done with the general. Perhaps we can even get a card game going and make a few friendly wagers."

"I'll take you up on the drinks, Ban," Tavington said. "But I'll have to pass on the card game. I have other things to do this evening."

"Could those 'other things' involve a certain comely auburn-haired wench ?" Tarleton asked in feigned ignorance.

"What do you think, Ban?" Tavington said with a lopsided grin.

Tarleton chuckled knowingly. "Ah, William the Conqueror strikes again!"

Looking sideways at his fellow officer, Tavington said in jest, "I haven't seen 'Ban the Man' miss too many nights down among the camp followers."

"And I don't plan to miss tonight, either," Tarleton said. "But it will be business before pleasure." Looking back at the two subordinate officers, he continued, "Today was pay day and I feel it's my duty to relieve these two fine gentlemen of some of their burdensome funds."

"I'd watch Bordon if I were you," Tavington noted. "He's quite good with card games. I'd imagine that it just might be you, Ban, who is relieved of your excess cash tonight, and not Captain Bordon."

"We shall see," Tarleton said as they came to the door to Cornwallis' office.

Miller was waiting for them by the door as they arrived. "General Cornwallis said you were to go right in, Colonel Tavington." As Banastre Tarleton moved to follow Tavington, Miller said, "I'm sorry, Colonel Tarleton, the general specified that this was to be a private meeting.

Turning to Tarleton, Tavington said, "I shouldn't be more than just a few minutes, Ban."

Cornwallis stood as Tavington walked into his office. "Shut the door behind you, Colonel"

After Tavington had complied, Cornwallis said, "Well, Colonel, it seems as if your misdeeds have come back to haunt you."

"General?" Tavington was baffled.

"I have Benjamin Martin and his daughter waiting in the conference room," Cornwallis explained. "Miss Martin is with child and she has named you as the father. Her father is demanding satisfaction and I have promised him that you will do the right thing and marry his daughter."

"Marry her?" Tavington snorted in derision. "For all I know, that little wench could have been spreading her legs for every rebel militiaman in the countryside! I have no way of knowing if that child is mine."

"Colonel Tavington, my patience is wearing thin," Cornwallis growled. "I have been quite lenient with you concerning this incident and you would do well not to antagonize me any further. Mr Martin will be satisfied if you simply marry his daughter and give his grandchild a name. He has agreed not to pursue the matter any further if you do so.

Exhaling loudly, he continued, "Sometimes, there are unforeseen complications when fighting a war, and this just happens to be one of them. If it were not for the fact that I need your assistance in winning this war, I'd just as soon turn you over to Mr Martin and allow him to take his revenge on you in whatever way he saw fit." Glaring at the younger man, he concluded, "You will be married to Caroline Martin before sundown. That is an order."

Tavington pressed his lips together tightly, knowing there was no way to avoid this marriage if he wanted to remain in command of the Green Dragoons. "Yes, sir," he said through gritted teeth.

"Fine, we'll do it right here, right away, then, " Cornwallis decided. "Mr Martin kindly brought along a minister to perform the ceremony." Moving to open the door to the conference room, he beckoned the Martin party into the office.

"Colonel Tavington has wisely agreed to marry your daughter," he said as Benjamin Martin entered the room, with Caroline clutching his arm fearfully.

Martin turned to see Colonel William Tavington regarding him with a scornful sneer. The older man gazed at the cavalryman with open contempt, sorely tempted to tell him just what he thought about him. He kept silent, however, not wanting to upset Caroline any more than she already was.

The dragoon commander sighed loudly, not believing that a few moments of amusement had turned into this.

"We'll need a few witnesses," Cornwallis said "I believe that Colonel Tarleton is waiting outside?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Cornwallis opened the door to the outer office and motioned to the three officers waiting outside. "Come in, gentlemen, you're just in time to witness Colonel Tavington's wedding."

The three men looked at one another in amazement. "Wedding?" Tarleton asked. "What haven't you told us, Tav?"

Captain Wilkins caught sight of the Martins waiting inside the office and suddenly understood everything. He kept his face carefully neutral, however, pretending to be as confused as Tarleton and Bordon.

Captain Bordon caught the aggrieved expression on his commander's face and he immediately realized that this was no happy occasion. Moving to stand by Tavington, he asked in a low voice, "Is there anything I can do for you, Colonel?"

Sighing loudly, Tavington said, "You might as well stand up for me as my best man, as it seems there is no way for me to avoid this charade."

"I'd be honored, sir."

"I appreciate that, Bordon."

"All right, everyone," Cornwallis said. "Please take your places. I have an engagement this evening, so let's get this over with as quickly as possible." Turning to Reverend Oliver, he said, "Reverend, if you please?"

Reverend Oliver stood in front of Cornwallis' desk, gesturing for Caroline and her family to stand on one side, and Tavington and his fellow officers on the other.

Caroline shivered as she moved to stand by Tavington, who stood half a head taller than her. She did not dare to look directly at him, instead, she was half turned toward her father, who stood close by on her left. Charlotte also stood on her left side, as her matron of honor.

Tavington rolled his eyes heavenward and sighed again as he noted how terrified Caroline was of him. He had little sympathy for her; after all, she wouldn't be stuck here about to enter into a loveless marriage if she hadn't stupidly identified him to her father as her attacker.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join two people in holy matrimony..." Tavington tuned out and let his mind wander as the minister began reciting the marriage ceremony. As the clergyman droned on, his eyes flicked around the room, finally coming to rest on Charlotte Selton, whom Tavington estimated to be close to his own age. "Hmm, too bad I didn't ravish that one," he thought as he gazed upon her The dragoon visualized the older woman lying beneath him, calling out his name as she writhed in passion. A sly smile played about his lips as he continued to fantasize about taking her to his bed.

Charlotte Selton sensed she was being observed and suddenly noticed Tavington staring at her with a frank look of desire on his face. Though she'd not recently seen a man who was as handsome as this British cavalryman, she looked away in revulsion. She was heartsick that her beloved niece was obliged to marry such a vain, arrogant man

"Do you, William Jeremiah Tavington take Caroline Amelia Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect her......"

Tavington's mind was still wandering and he missed his cue to respond.

"Colonel Tavington!" Reverend Oliver had raised his voice.

"Hmm?" Tavington said distractedly. "Oh, ah, yes, I do."

"Do you, Caroline Amelia Martin, take William Jeremiah Tavington to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and obey him, for as long as you both shall live?"

After a short pause, she took a deep breath and replied, "I do."

Charlotte suddenly remembered that there hadn't been time to get a wedding ring for Caroline. Quickly slipping off her wedding band, she handed it to Reverend Oliver. "Here. Caroline can have my wedding band until she gets one of her own. I've been in mourning long enough and it's time for me to take it off, anyway."

Looking at her aunt with love, Caroline whispered, "Thank you, Aunt Charlotte."

Oliver handed the ring to Tavington. "Take her hand and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."

Tavington took Caroline's hand and could feel her fighting her urge to pull her hand away "With this ring, I thee wed," he recited without emotion.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," Oliver said, repressing a sigh.

"Well, that's over with," Ben Martin said to Caroline, taking her hand. "Let's go home." They turned and began walking toward the door.

"I beg your pardon." Tavington had moved to block their path. "Just where do you think you're going with my wife?"

"I'm taking her home, if it's any of your business," Ben Martin said coldly

"Her home is here at the fort," Tavington said. "A wife's place is with her husband."

Caroline looked at Tavington and then back at her father with alarm. She didn't expect this.

"Why are you doing this?" Ben asked, almost desperately. "You don't love her; you don't want her." Raising his voice a degree, his said, " After what you did to her, you don't have any right..."

"Right?" Tavington shot back, his temper barely under control. "I have every right. This was a legal marriage ceremony and I am now her legal husband. I would say that gives me the right to do exactly as I please with her. My wife is no longer your responsibility, nor your concern."

Martin turned frantically to Cornwallis. "Can't you do something?" he asked. "Order him to release her back to her family? This was to be a marriage in name only."

"I'm sorry," Cornwallis said. "The law is on Colonel Tavington's side. There is nothing I can do."

Tavington reached down and took Caroline's hand possessively. With a derisive smirk, he said, "Come along, Mrs Tavington.. The marriage bed awaits." Without another word, he half led, half dragged the unwilling young woman to the door.

"Father!" Caroline pleaded, wrenching herself away from him. "Don't let him take me!"

Without a second's hesitation, Tavington reached up and slapped her across the face. "Hold your tongue!" he hissed "I will not have my wife carrying on like an infant in public."

"You bastard!" Ben Martin lunged at Tavington. "Why don't you try hitting someone who can fight back?"

Colonel Tarleton and Captain Bordon instantly appeared at Martin's side, dragging him away from Tavington. "You're just making it worse for your daughter," Bordon told him in a low voice.

Regarding Benjamin Martin with a contemptuous expression, Tavington spun on his heel, and herded Caroline out the door with no further ado.

"What have I done?" Ben Martin said, leaning his head against the closed door after Tavington had taken his daughter away. "I cannot believe I just gave my daughter in marriage to that despicable man."

Charlotte Selton came up beside him and put a gentle hand on his arm. "You did what you thought was best for her," she said. "You can't blame yourself."

"Who else can I blame?" he asked bitterly. "She trusted me to do the right thing for her and look what happened!"

"Excuse me," General Cornwallis interrupted. "I'm sorry to rush you, but I have other matters to attend to now."

"May we stay overnight at the fort," Martin asked. "It's nearly sundown and it's a long ride back to my home. I'd also like to say goodbye to my daughter in the morning and make sure she's all right."

"Permission granted," Cornwallis said, now growing impatient. "Now, if you'll excuse me....."

Captain Wilkins caught up to the Martin party as they filed out of the general's office, with Banastre Tarleton and Captain Bordon trailing behind.

"Ben?" Wilkins said as Martin turned to face him. "Might Deborah and I offer you a place to stay for the night? For old times' sake?"

Benjamin Martin looked at his old neighbor with a weary expression. It amazed him how much their once similar paths in life had so radically diverged over the last few years.

"Thank you, Jim, we'd appreciate it." Martin accepted the offer out of consideration for Charlotte, knowing that they would have had to sleep outside in the wagon if they'd not been offered indoor lodgings.

As they walked toward Wilkins' quarters, Ben turned to him and said, "Although we don't share the same ideas about this war, I do respect you for the courage of your convictions." Taking a deep breath, he asked, "But I must ask how can you in good conscience serve under the command of such a contemptible man as Tavington?"

Regarding his old friend with a pained expression, Wilkins knew he had to answer carefully. Though he shared Martin's opinion of Tavington, he also knew he could not openly criticize his commanding officer. "I had to serve where I was assigned, Ben," he finally said. "You should know that."

"I know," he said. Clenching his hands in frustrated rage, he continued, "It was all I could do to keep from beating him to death in there."

"Just what happened, Ben?" Wilkins asked, carefully affecting a blank facial expression.

"The son of a bitch raped my daughter!" Martin stated baldly "That's what happened!" Exhaling loudly, he said, "And now she's with child."

"I'm so sorry," the dragoon replied. "I had no idea."

"Can I ask you to see after Caroline for me?" Martin asked, desperate. "She knows you and it would help for her to see a familiar face now and then."

"I'll do what I can," he said vaguely, clearly unwilling to get involved. "There's not much I can do to interfere in her marriage with Tavington, though."

"I understand," Martin said. "Nevertheless, anything you could do would be appreciated."

"Ah, here we are now," Wilkins said as they arrived at his quarters, glad to change the subject. "Deborah will be pleased to see you."

"I want to thank you again for having us," Martin said. "I'll feel better once I've had a chance to say goodbye to Caroline in the morning."

William Tavington took his new wife's hand in a vise grip as he led her across the courtyard. Several people turned to stare in curiosity as they watched the grim faced dragoon practically dragging the noticeably unwilling young woman in the direction of his quarters. No one dared to interfere, however, as no one wanted to incur Tavington's wrath.

As they neared the door to the officer's quarters, Tavington spied two dragoons loitering a short distance away.

"You there!" he called out to the higher ranking of the two.

"Yes, sir?" the dragoon said.

"I need for you to take a detachment to the Selton plantation to retrieve Mrs Tavington's belongings and have them brought here as soon as possible," Tavington said.

"Uh, yes sir, right away." the other man replied, surprised at the news of his commander's marriage. He glanced uneasily at the obviously unhappy woman, but said nothing, as it was not his place to intervene. Turning away, he hurried off to carry out Tavington's orders.

A moment later, the newly married couple entered the common room of the officer's quarters. The housekeeper, who was cleaning the room looked up at them with a quizzical expression. Normally, the women that the handsome dragoon commander brought to his quarters acted happier to be with him than this pitiful young woman did.

"Mrs MacKenzie, this is Mrs Tavington," he said as he continued to propel Caroline forward in the direction of the stairs. Not waiting for the older woman's reply, he continued, "Please arrange to have a complete set of nightclothes delivered to her by this evening, as her baggage has not yet arrived."

"I'd be happy to, Colonel Tavington," Mrs MacKenzie said, looking up at the now-empty staircase. Shaking her head and muttering to herself, she went to the back of the house to get one of the maids to go find a nightgown for the new Mrs Tavington.

Tavington let go of Caroline's hand once he'd shut and locked the door to his quarters behind them.

"Please, can't you just let me go home with my father?" Caroline pleaded as she backed away from her new husband.

"Your father brought you here so that I would be compelled to marry you," Tavington pointed out. "He achieved his goal. And yet, neither of you are satisfied." Moving to where Caroline stood cowering against the wall, he said, "Your father seriously underestimated me if he thought I would marry you and be obliged to support you and your child, without there being any benefit for me."

Suddenly pulling her into a tight embrace, he bent his head to kiss her roughly. "If I must be married to you, I can assure you that you will not be a wife in name only," he murmured after the kiss ended. "I expect that you will perform all your wifely duties without complaint, considering that I am so kindly saving you from a life of shame."

"You don't love me," she said. "Why are you doing this?" Tears appeared in the young woman's eyes as she was no longer able to hold them back.

Grabbing her upper arm hard enough to leave a bruise, he said, "Stop that infernal whining, I simply won't have it." After shoving her away from him forcefully, he went and sat down on an upholstered chair near the foot of the bed.

Leaning back confidently in the chair, he said, "Come here."

Slowly and timidly, Caroline obeyed him, still silently crying.

"Remove all your clothing," he instructed. "I wish to thoroughly inspect what I've been obliged to buy."

Caroline hesitated, totally humiliated by his demand.

"I can assure you that you won't like it if I have to get up from this chair to make you comply," he said in a deceptively soft voice. "You came to me with only the clothes on your back. I would so hate to see them get ruined."

Visibly shaking, the young woman carefully began disrobing, starting with loosening her bodice. A short time later, she stood completely naked in front of him, her arms crossed over her breasts in a pitiful attempt at modesty.

"Put your arms down," he said. "Then turn around slowly."

As Caroline complied, Tavington regarded her coolly, appraising her with an almost bored expression. He silently noted the almost imperceptible swelling in her stomach that indicated her pregnancy.

"Hmm, I suppose you'll do." Reaching up, he placed one hand over her stomach, gently rubbing it. For a split second, he was awed by the thought of the new life, his child, that grew within.

Caroline looked down and caught the uncharacteristically gentle expression on his face, which faded as soon as he was aware of her gaze upon him.

Standing abruptly, Tavington again took Caroline into his arms, drawing her close so she could feel his erection pressing against her unclothed body. With one hand, he deftly removed her hair pins, then ran his fingers through her hair as it cascaded down behind her back. With the other hand, he began lazily exploring her body, as his mouth descended upon hers once more.

Caroline whimpered as his finger suddenly penetrated her. Tavington paid no attention as he worked his finger inside her slowly in a rotating motion. His kisses deepened, then his mouth trailed down her neck, alternatively licking and biting.

After a few moments, he leaned down and picked her up and carried her to the bed, then dumped her upon it unceremoniously. Curling his lip in scorn, he looked down at her as she immediately snatched up the bedspread to cover herself.

Tavington stood by the bed and began removing his uniform in a methodical, unhurried manner. Caroline watched him with a mixture of dread and fascination. She feared his touch, yet was drawn by him all at the same time. He was undeniably handsome, she had to admit. She trembled in anticipation when he finally stood proudly naked before her.

Noting her reaction, Tavington murmured, "You might even enjoy this if you allowed yourself to."

Caroline was deeply ashamed of herself for her instinctive response to him. Shrinking away from him, she quickly got out of bed on the other side and ran to the door, with the bedspread trailing behind her.

Finding it locked, she called out through the door in desperation. "Please! Someone help me!"

Almost instantly, Tavington was at her side. Violently jerking her around to face him, he hissed, "Very stupid, my dear. No one is going to help you. People do not interfere between a man and his wife." After wrenching one arm up behind her back, he dragged her back to the bed. He released her arm, then shoved her backwards upon it.

Caroline began sobbing in great heaving waves as she saw his blue eyes narrowed in fury, combined with the rock-hard erection jutting forth from his body. Turning over, she again attempted to crawl away from him to the other side of the bed.

Tavington anticipated her move and grabbed her by the shoulders as he swiftly entered her from behind. Without giving her a chance to react, he immediately began driving into her relentlessly. As he continued to pound into her with an ever increasing tempo and intensity, he leaned forward and muttered, "This could have been a pleasurable experience for you had you willingly chosen to cooperate. Instead, you chose to antagonize me and now you are paying the consequences."

Caroline did not reply, but merely continued to weep as he took out his anger on her. She grabbed the sheets tightly to anchor herself so that his hard thrusts would not send her off the other end of the bed onto the floor. She cringed as he leaned over to nip at her neck and his hands reached around her to fondle her breasts.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity to Caroline, Tavington reached his climax and collapsed on top of her. Both fell flat onto the bed, still lying sideways across it. He panted raggedly as they remained entwined. Caroline was surprised when she felt his arms encircle her waist to gently hold her against him. Neither moved nor spoke for several minutes

Tavington remained silent as he disengaged himself from his new wife some time later. After sitting on the edge of the bed for a moment, he got up and began to put his clothes back on. Caroline retrieved the bedspread and covered herself with it as she quietly watched her new husband dress.

As soon as he'd made himself presentable, Tavington headed to the door without a word.

"I just want to know one thing," Caroline said calmly just as he opened the door to leave. "Why did you come back and cover me with your blanket that day?"

Tavington paused momentarily at the door, leaning his head against it. Closing his eyes, he had a fleeting visualization of the sad-eyed little boy he'd once been. Quickly banishing the unhappy memory, he continued out the door without responding, closing it with a decisive click.

After she heard the sound of Tavington's heavy boots fading as he descended the stairs, Caroline rose gingerly from the bed to retrieve her shift. She felt as if she'd been split wide open from the way he'd viciously taken her, so her steps were careful and deliberate. The young woman found the shift on the floor near the foot of the bed. She donned it quickly, then went to stand by the window. As she looked out at all the normal, everyday activities going on outside, tears rolled down her eyes. Again, she'd been brutally raped, but no one out there knew or would care. The tears came in earnest now and the young wife felt totally alone and abandoned. Feeling suddenly weary, she returned to Tavington's bed and fell asleep within five minutes.

William Tavington paused at the bottom of the stairs to check his reflection in a mirror before entering the common room. Satisfied with it, he casually strolled into the room to find Ban Tarleton and James Bordon seated at a table playing chess.

"I told you to watch out for Bordon, Ban," Tavington said as he noticed the large pile of money in front of his second in command. "As you can see, he is quite an accomplished chess player."

Both men exchanged glances as Tavington approached the table. They'd both heard the sounds of Caroline struggling with him earlier and her cries for help.

"Would you care to join us for a drink?" Tarleton asked. "This is probably as good a time as any to take a break."

"I'd enjoy that," Tavington replied, pulling up a chair. "I can't stay long, though. If you remember, Ban, I've got plans for tonight."

"Ah, yes, the comely wench of the auburn tresses," Tarleton said, " But if you don't mind my asking....."

"What about my new bride upstairs, you mean?" Tavington said. "Ahh....just another of the complications of war, you might say." He sighed loudly.

"That's why I always make sure the women I bed are willing to be there," the younger man said. "There are so many agreeably eager young ladies to pick from, Tav." Taking a sip of his drink, he continued, "I always leave the faint-hearted ones alone. Being led to the altar with a musket at one's back can seriously put a damper on one's social life."

"I don't intend for it to put a damper on my social life," Tavington said, his tone testy. "Cornwallis may have been able to order me to marry her, but he can't make me be faithful to her. I promised Jane I'd visit her tonight and I have no intention of disappointing her."

"Sir, you might want to know that Benjamin Martin and his sister in law are still at the fort," Bordon told him. "Wilkins offered to put them up for the night."

"Wilkins," Tavington said. "I'm not surprised; I've always suspected that he has conflicting loyalties."

"Undoubtedly," Tarleton agreed.

"I also heard Martin saying that he would attempt to see his daughter to make sure she was all right," Bordon said.

"Help her to escape, you mean," Tavington snapped. "Well, that just isn't going to happen. I may not have wanted to marry his daughter, but now that I have, I intend to use her to my advantage." With a nasty laugh, he continued, "He'll be so worried about his precious little girl having to live with 'the Butcher', that he'll be so off-balance that he won't be able to properly concentrate on fighting us." Laughing again, he said, "And he has only himself to blame."

Rising to leave, he said to Bordon, "Do not allow Martin to see his daughter tonight. Post a guard, if you have to, to keep him away from her. If I am not back by the time he is ready to see her in the morning, let him see her, but supervise their visit closely."

"Yes, sir," Bordon replied. "I'll take care of it."

"I will leave you gentlemen to your game of chess," Tavington said as he headed to the door. "The lady awaits and I don't care to keep her waiting any longer than necessary."

After taking a leisurely walk across the fort compound, William Tavington headed directly to the area where the camp followers had their tents. Jane Thompson's tent was the first of the row. Without hesitation, Tavington lifted the flap to enter.

Blinking his eyes to adjust to the dim light within, he found his lover sprawled across her bed in tears, clad only in her shift. Tavington sat down gently beside her on the edge of the bed. He leaned toward her and rested one hand tenderly against her cheek. "What's wrong, my sweet?"

"You're here," she said, sitting up to face him, her face streaked with tears. "I didn't think you'd come."

"I promised you I'd come, didn't I?" he said.

"But I heard that you were m-married today," Jane said, trying to choke back her tears.

Tavington sighed loudly. "News travels fast around here."

"So it's true, then?"

"I'm afraid so," he admitted. "Just what exactly did you hear about it?" After a pause, he said, "Tell me everything."

"Captain Bordon came down here to reserve Phyllis for later tonight and I overheard him telling her that you'd ravished some Colonial girl while out on patrol one day and that General Cornwallis ordered you to marry her because she's now with child."

Disengaging herself from him, she got up from the bed and stood silently, facing away from him.

He rose from the bed to join her, wrapping his arms around her from behind and drawing her against him. "This doesn't have to change anything between us, you know," he said quietly, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. "You must know that this marriage is not a love match. I only entered into it under duress. Lord Cornwallis made it quite clear that I would marry this girl if I cared to retain command of the dragoons."

Jane did not speak for a long interval. Finally, gathering her courage, she said, "Do you remember me telling you earlier today that I had something I had to tell you?"

"Yes, I was just about to ask you what it was."

She took his hands from her waist and guided them slightly lower to cup her belly. "What do you feel?" she murmured.

Tavington felt a distinct roundness that he had not noticed before when making love to her. Turning her around to face him, he took her face gently in his hands. "You're with child?"

The young woman nodded shyly, then looked away.

"And this child is mine?"

"Yes," she said firmly. "I have not lain with anyone but you for at least six months now."

He did not protest, knowing that his lover spoke the truth. "Oh, Jane," he murmured, gathering her into his arms. "I promise you that our child will be taken care of. I will not abandon you, even though I cannot marry you."

"I know you won't," she said, hoping he was telling her the truth.

Neither spoke for several moments as they clung to one another, almost desperately.

"Please don't leave me," Jane whispered after a few minutes. "I want you to hold me all night long."

"There is no place I would rather be tonight," he said as he guided her back to the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed watching him as he quickly shed his uniform, unbound his hair, then crawled into bed beside her.

"You won't be needing this," Tavington said as he helped her to remove her shift. "I will keep you warm." He tossed the garment onto the ground, then drew the bedspread up to cover them both.

Pulling her close, he began kissing his lover as he gently caressed her body. Jane held him tightly, never wanting to let go. When they eventually made love, it was almost as if they were doing so for the first time. Afterwards, they remained contently in one another's arms, almost forgetting about the world outside the tent.

"I love you, William," Jane whispered some time later when she realized he'd fallen asleep in her arms. Snuggling closer, she soon joined him in slumber.

Benjamin Martin rose early the next morning. He had not slept much the night before, spending most of the night pacing the floor as he contemplated the horrible mistake he'd made by marrying Caroline off to William Tavington.

Shortly after dawn, Charlotte Selton came outside and found Martin on the porch watching the sun rise Noting his exhausted expression and unshaven face, she realized he'd spent most of the night brooding.

"It's time for breakfast," Charlotte said softly. "Have you been out here all night?"

"Most of it," he admitted. "Every time I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, all I could see was Tavington dragging Caroline away to do God knows what to her."

"Have something to eat," she urged. "Then you can go check on Caroline."

"I'm afraid I haven't got much of an appetite," he said. "But I'll try to eat something."

Twenty minutes later, Benjamin Martin walked resolutely toward the building that housed the unmarried officer's quarters. Charlotte followed hesitantly behind him, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Reverend Oliver had gone to the wagon to prepare it for the journey home.

Colonel Tarleton and Captain Bordon stood on the front porch drinking their morning tea as Martin approached. The dragoon officers exchanged knowing glances as they each noted the determined expression on Martin's face.

Facing Tarleton, Martin said, "I would like to see my daughter, if you please."

Ban Tarleton raised an eyebrow at Martin's peremptory tone of voice, but did not reply. Instead, he leaned back carelessly against the porch rail, regarding Martin with an amused, tight grin. Turning to Bordon, he said casually, "Help the man, Bordon."

Bordon nodded at Benjamin Martin. "I will go check and see if Mrs Tavington is ready to receive visitors this morning," he said. "Please wait here."

Caroline Martin Tavington had passed the night in intermittent, fitful slumber. Every time she'd heard someone coming up the stairs she would jolt awake, afraid it was her new husband coming back to brutalize her once again. Sleep had eventually won out, however, so she was fast asleep when Captain Bordon knocked loudly on her door.

"Mrs Tavington!" Bordon's voice was muffled as he called through the door. "Are you awake?"

"Just a moment, please," Caroline said. She spied Tavington's bathrobe hanging from a hook and went to put it on before going to the door.

"What is it?" she said, opening the door a crack. "I'm afraid my husband isn't here and I don't know where he went."

"I'm not looking for Colonel Tavington," Bordon said with a reassuring smile. "Your father is waiting outside to see you."

Caroline brightened immediately. "Just give me a few moments to get dressed and I'll be right there."

"I'll wait out here for you," Bordon said. "Take your time."

On the other side of the fort, William Tavington sat on Jane's bed waiting for her to finish dressing. The dragoon commander gave his mistress a lazy smile as he watched her fuss with her hair.

"You're only going to the fort store, not to a grand ball, you know," he teased.

"I know," she said. "But I want to look my best, no matter where I'm going."

Rising to stand behind her, he took the hairbrush from her hand and set it down gently, then bent to kiss her on the neck. "Ah, but you'd look beautiful even if you showed up to market wearing a burlap bag."

"Flatterer!"

"I try." Moving to the tent flap, he opened it and held out his arm for her. "Shall we?"

"I'm ready," she said, as they walked out into the morning sun.

"I've been thinking," Tavington said as they began walking toward the fort's main compound. "Now that you're carrying my child, I don't want you living among the other camp followers any more. I don't want to chance you getting involved in an ugly scene should some other officer decide that he desired your services."

"The other officers haven't chosen me for a long time." she told him. "They do not choose me out of respect for you."

"Respect?" Tavington laughed heartily. "Don't you mean fear?" Squeezing her hand, he continued, "Nevertheless, new officers are assigned to the fort all the time, and I don't want to chance one of them choosing you for a night's pleasure. I doubt if any of them would care that you are with child, even if the father is the commander of the dragoons."

"Where do you want me to live, then?" Jane asked.

"My quarters," he said. "I'd feel better if you were not sleeping in a tent. And, of course, it will be easier for me to protect you from there."

"But what about your, err.....wife?" Jane asked. "What are you going to do with her? Surely, you don't expect all three of us to live together?"

Tavington laughed again. "I think I'd rather face Washington's entire army by myself than deal with the prospect of living with both of you together." Serious once again, he said, "I will move her to the married officer's quarters, now that I am eligible for them. I will retain my old quarters for your use."

"I can just hear the gossip now," Jane pointed out, sighing.

"I don't care what anyone thinks or says," Tavington snapped. "I am doing what is best for my future children and their mothers."

"I know," she said, putting a gentle hand on his arm.

Caroline Tavington dressed in record time, eager to see her father.

"I'm ready," she said as she emerged from the room. James Bordon was standing by a window at the end of the hall waiting for her.

"He's waiting for you right outside, Mrs Tavington," Bordon told her.

"Do you know where my husband is?" Caroline asked as they descended the stairs. "I haven't seen him since....uhh...late yesterday afternoon."

"I really couldn't say," Bordon said blandly, though he knew full well where William Tavington had spent the previous night. Indeed, he himself had spent a better part of the night in the tent right next to his commanding officer with a lovely young woman named Phyllis.

Just before they reached the front door, he said, "I would imagine Colonel Tavington will be back soon, however."

A moment later she stepped outside and found her father standing near the entrance to the porch looking expectantly at the door. Banastre Tarleton was still on the porch drinking his tea, now having an animated conversation with his second in command, George Hanger, each man relating how he'd spent the night before.

"Father!" Caroline hurried down the steps as soon as she saw him.

"Caroline!" Ben hugged her tightly. "Are you all right?"

"I'm as well as can be expected under the circumstances."

"Where is Tavington?"

"I don't know, Father," Caroline said. "He didn't spend the night with me."

"He didn't --" Martin began.

"Yes, he did," Caroline said quickly, knowing what her father was about to ask. "But he got up, got dressed, and left right after and I haven't seen him since."

"Did he hurt you?" Ben took a close look at his daughter.

"Not really," she said, embarrassed, not wanting to talk about it.

At that moment, both Ben and Caroline spotted Tavington kissing Jane Thompson as they parted in front of the fort's store Tavington's shirt was hanging out of his breeches and his hair was loose, unqueued. Ben Martin frowned in disgust, as it was now obvious where his daughter's new husband had spent his wedding night.

William Tavington sighed in exasperation as he approached and saw Caroline holding on to her father for dear life.

"I see that you didn't waste any time rushing over here this morning," he said, as he reached and pulled Caroline out of her father's embrace. Taking her by the shoulders and turning her around, he said, "As you can see, she is none the worse for wear. Hardly any bruises on her at all." The cavalryman laughed harshly. "And now that you've ascertained that I didn't kill her during the night, you are free to leave the fort."

"This marriage was a mistake," Martin muttered, shaking his head. "I don't know what I was thinking, bringing my daughter here to be married to the likes of you. I only hope God will forgive me for this."

Regarding Benjamin Martin with utter contempt, Tavington said, "I had to pay for my mistake, now you'll be paying for yours as well. I'd say that makes us about even."

The dragoon commander took Caroline's hand and began to lead her away from her father. Turning to Bordon, who still stood on the porch, he said, "See that Mr Martin is escorted out of the fort and make sure that he actually leaves the area once outside the gates."

"Right away, sir," Bordon said.

"I love you, Father!" Caroline called out as Tavington pulled her up the steps. "Write to me!"

"I will," he promised. "I'll write and I'll see you as soon as I can."

Captain Bordon left the porch to carry out Tavington's order. "If you'll come this way, sir," he said briskly, indicating in the direction of the stables. He gestured to a couple of dragoons standing nearby to join him, to ensure that Martin and Charlotte Selton would comply with a minimum of fuss.

After taking one long, last look at Caroline as she disappeared inside the building with Tavington, he reluctantly obeyed the dragoon captain, his heart heavy with regret..

As the door shut behind them, Tavington turned to his young bride. "Have you eaten breakfast?"

"No, Father came before I awakened this morning, and I went right outside, so as not to miss him," she said.

Leading her to a table in the common room, he said, "I will have Mrs MacKenzie bring us something to eat." After seating himself at the table and indicating a place for Caroline to sit, he continued. "I have a few things I need to discuss with you, so we might as well do it over breakfast."

A short time later, they were sharing their first meal together as a married couple. Though the provisions was plentiful and delicious, Caroline didn't taste a thing, as she forced down hard lumps of food. She was fearful of Tavington, even more so now that her father had left and she was totally at his mercy.

"Later today, you are going to move to the married officer's quarters," he told her. "There will be a bit more room there, enough space for a nursery, plus your belongings." Looking down as Caroline's wrinkled, limp dress with a curled lip, he said, "Hmm, we're going to have to do something about that. It will take my men at least another day to get your belongings back here. I simply won't have my wife walking around the fort looking like a common slattern."

"I can't help how I look," she whined. "This is all I have. I didn't expect to have to stay here and live with you."

Tavington sighed loudly. "Ah, well, I imagine it isn't really your fault," he conceded. "I'm sure the idea of compelling me to marry you came from your father, and as an obedient daughter, you had no choice but to comply." Not waiting for Caroline to reply, he demanded, "Did Mrs MacKenzie bring you any nightclothes last night?"

"Yes, she did," Caroline said.

"Well, I will see if she can find you another dress to wear, then."

At that moment Mrs MacKenzie returned to clear away the plates. "Will there be anything else, Colonel?"

"Yes," he said. "I will require a tub and hot water brought to my quarters as soon as possible.

"Right away," she said.

Tavington stood, after folding his napkin and placing it on his plate. "Come along, Caroline." Leaning over her and sniffing deeply, he said, "You most definitely could use a bath."

Caroline reddened in humiliation as he followed her husband up the stairs, hoping no one had heard what he said.

As soon as the door to their quarters had shut behind them, Tavington immediately began stripping off his uniform. Caroline sighed loudly, figuring she was about to be brutally used once again.

Hearing the sigh, Tavington gave her a knowing smirk. "I could use a bath, myself," he said softly as he dropped the last of his clothing onto a chair. Picking up his robe from its hook, he put it on, tying the sash neatly. Turning back to Caroline, who hadn't moved since they'd entered their room, he said, "Take off your clothes, so that you can bathe as soon as I'm done."

The young woman complied readily, realizing that Tavington did not intend to take her to bed now. She donned the nightgown she'd worn to bed the night before, then sat on the bed to wait for the bath tub to be brought.

Tavington leaned casually against the wall, gazing intently at his young bride as she sat demurely at the end of the bed. She shifted uneasily under his scrutiny, which reminded her of a predator toying with its prey

"Ah, you are truly lovely to behold," he said, noting how the sunlight glinted off her long, golden hair. Shaking his head ruefully, he said, "And it was precisely that loveliness that got me into this unfortunate situation."

Before Caroline could comment, a knock came at the door. Tavington opened the door to let the slaves in who had brought the tub and water. As he began to close the door, Mrs MacKenzie rushed up, holding a couple of towels.

"Here are some towels," she said, out of breath. "I had forgotten to send some with the bath tub."

"Just as well, Mrs MacKenzie," he said as he took the towels from her. "I'd forgotten to tell you about something else I needed." Grabbing some money that was on top of the dresser, he said, "I need for you to acquire a dress for Mrs Tavington to borrow, as it will be a day or so before her own clothes arrive." Handing her the coins, he said, "Here is something for your trouble."

"I'll find her something within the hour," the woman promised, taking the coins and slipping them into her apron pocket.

"Thank you."

"I'll leave you newlyweds to your privacy, then," she said, blushing as she hurried away.

Once the Tavingtons were alone together once again, Tavington went directly to the tub. Turning to face Caroline, who still sat on the bed, he unbelted his robe and let it slide to the floor. As he climbed into the tub, he noted that Caroline had automatically swept her eyes over him from head to toe. He smiled tightly as she unsuccessfully tried to disguise her prurient interest in her new husband's body. The expression on her face was clearly that of avid arousal.

"Bring me my razor and soap," he directed after settling himself into the hot water. "Both are on the dresser."

She slowly crossed the room to do as he asked. After retrieving the items, she approached him warily to hand them to him.

"Come closer," he said. "I don't bite." Looking at the bite marks he'd left on her neck the day before, he chuckled and said, "Ah, well. I guess I do bite, but I promise I won't do so now."

Caroline giggled, in spite of the fact she was still very much afraid of him.

"Hmm, I think this is the first time I've seen you smile," he said. "I like that. You should do it more often."

"You haven't given me much reason to smile."

Tavington did not reply, but began to shave himself with quick, sure strokes. After a moment, he said, "Come here and wash my back for me while I finish shaving." He extended the soap for her to take.

Taking it from him, she quickly dunked it into the water for a split second, then rubbed it awkwardly across his broad, muscular back. After working up a good lather, she put the soap down, then began massaging it into his skin.

Tavington arched his back in pleasure as Caroline continued to wash him. "Mmm, you've got gentle hands," he said. "That feels wonderful."

"I've bathed my younger brothers and sisters for years," she told him, shrugging.

"And soon, you will have a baby of your own to bathe," he said quietly. He turned to look at her, and for the merest millisecond, she regarded him as something other than a vicious rapist. But as she placed the soap back onto the dresser, she caught a glimpse of his bearskin crested helmet sitting on a nearby chair, and the truth of what sort of man he was came crashing back in all its ugly reality.

Caroline fell silent as Tavington rose from the tub a short time later. As he stood before her, vigorously toweling himself dry, he said, "I would suggest you get into the tub right away while the water is still warm."

She obediently approached the tub, then modestly turned away from Tavington to slip out of her nightgown. Before she could step into the tub, she felt his strong hands turning her around to face him.

"You are my wife now," he said, his hands still gripping her tightly. "There will be none of this ridiculous modesty. It is my right to gaze upon you any time I see fit."

The young woman did not reply, but quickly stepped into the tub and sat down. The water was beginning to cool, so she immediately began washing.

As he slowly dressed, Tavington watched Caroline washing herself, knowing it made her nervous. Though quite satisfied with what he saw, his mind had moved on, now thinking about Jane, whom he intended to move in here as soon as he got Caroline settled in new quarters. He sighed loudly as he marveled to himself at how he managed to impregnate two women at the same time.

After Tavington had finished dressing and had queued his hair, Caroline was still in the tub waiting for him to leave. She shivered as she heard the sound from his spurs as he walked up to the back of the tub.

"I have some business to attend to now," he said, as he reached down absently to stroke her breasts. "You will wait here until Mrs MacKenzie brings you a new dress. After that, you may go downstairs to the common room until I return. I shouldn't be gone more than an hour or two."

She trembled as his hands continued to lazily explore, whimpering when he rolled one nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Caroline held her breath, praying that he wouldn't become aroused to the point where he'd postpone his business and force his attentions on her yet again. The young woman breathed a sigh of relief when he abruptly released her and began walking to the door.

As he walked down the steps, William Tavington chuckled to himself. He was well aware of Caroline's fears, but he was confident that she would soon long for his touch as he gave her lessons in the art of lovemaking. He did not love his young wife, but considered that now that he was married to Caroline, he might as well make good use of her.

It had been a slow morning for Procurement Officer Samuel Norris. Not a single person had entered his office since he'd opened early that morning. He had not slept well the night before, as he'd spent most of the night coughing and sneezing from a bad cold. Now, as the time slowly approached noon, he was exhausted. He leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on the desk, figuring that no one would be any the wiser if he took a short nap. Within a few moments, he was sound asleep.

Colonel William Tavington entered the Procurement Office and found Norris still leaned back in his chair, feet propped, and emitting raspy snores. Incensed to find the soldier so blatantly disregarding his duties, he quickly rushed up and kicked the chair out from under the younger man.

"Wha-?" Norris was confused to find himself on the floor. He looked up to find the furious dragoon commander glaring down at him. The hapless soldier quickly scrambled to his feet, gulping nervously as Tavington continued to glower.

"If you were one of my dragoons, I'd have you flogged for dereliction of duty," Tavington informed him coldly. "However, I cannot be bothered reporting you to your commanding officer at this time, as I've got other, more important things to attend to."

"T-thank you, sir," Norris said, gulping again. "How can I help you?"

"I require a suite in the married officer's quarters," he said.

"How soon do you need it?"

"Right away."

"Major Wemyss' quarters are still available," Norris told him. "He moved back into the unmarried officer's quarters after his wife returned to England."

"Fine," Tavington said. "I trust that the suite has been cleaned since he moved?"

"Oh, yes sir!" the procurement officer assured him. "When will you be moving from the unmarried officer's quarters? I need to have it cleaned for the next tenant."

"I will be retaining those quarters as well," the cavalryman told him.

"That is highly irregular," Norris said. "You are not entitled to have more than one location at a time for your quarters."

"Hmm, perhaps I can find the time to inform your commanding officer of your lack of diligence to duty," Tavington said. Leaning over so that his face was only inches from that of Norris, he continued softly, "And I think he would also be most interested in what happened to all those supplies that have gone missing in the last few months. I can just imagine how he would react if he were to learn that you have been selling the property of His Majesty's army to the black market, where it no doubt ends up in the hands of the people we are here to fight."

"No need to bother him, sir!" Norris said quickly. "I'll make the necessary arrangements to have both locations reserved for your use."

Tavington regarded him with a feral grin. "That's more like it."

Norris opened a desk drawer and rummaged around for a few moments. Finding a set of keys, he handed them to the dragoon commander. "Here are the keys to Major Wemyss' quarters. You can move in immediately."

"Thank you," he said, heading to the door. As he reached the door, he paused and turned back to Norris. "Oh, you will also provide a new shirt for each of my dragoons. You have a week to deliver them." Without waiting for a reply, the dragoon commander left without another word.

A few minutes later, Tavington had entered Jane Thompson's tent, where he found her tidying up.. Striding over to her quickly, he took her into his arms and gave her a gentle kiss.

"No need to do that any longer," he murmured after the kiss had ended, still holding her in his embrace. "I have made all the arrangements -- you will be moving into my present quarters just as soon as I get Caroline out of them and into new ones."

"How did you manage that?" she asked. "Even Lord Cornwallis only has one suite here."

"Ah, let's just say that I was rather persuasive," he said, grinning. "The procurement officer eventually came around to seeing that I indeed was entitled to more."

Knowing his reputation, Jane knew better than to ask any further questions. Instead, she asked, "When will I move in?"

"As soon as you can pack up your things and have them brought to my quarters," he said. "I am returning there to move my wife into her new quarters and, as she came to me with no more than the clothes on her back, it won't take long. I shall return for you shortly."

"I'll be ready when you get here," she murmured.

"Until then, my sweet," he said, bending his head to give her a long, lingering kiss.

Tavington entered the unmarried officer's quarters a brief time later, where he found Caroline sitting on the couch in the common room. He approvingly noted the sage green gown she wore; Mrs MacKenzie had chosen well for his young bride.

"Are you ready to go?" Tavington asked her as he walked up to the couch.

"Yes," she replied. Gesturing to a cloth bag which rested on the floor on one side of the couch, she continued, "I have my night clothes in there and Mrs MacKenzie promised that she'd bring my other dress over to me once it had been washed."

Reaching out to take her hand, he said, "Let's go, then."

As they left the building and were walking across the compound, Caroline idly wondered why he hadn't brought along any of his belongings. Finally, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. When they were finally alone in the new quarters and she noted that nothing of his was there, she blurted out, "Where are your things?"

"Back in my quarters, of course," he said.

"You aren't going to live here?" she asked, bewildered.

"I will spend the night with you from time to time," he told her. "But I will be spending most nights in my old quarters. I require my privacy."

"Privacy for what?"

Tavington exhaled loudly, not wanting to have this discussion with her.

After a moment, Caroline suddenly understood what Tavington meant.

"Oh, I think I understand what you mean now," she said. "You want that room to bring other women to. Like that woman my father and I saw you kissing this morning! You spent the night with her, didn't you?"

"Don't you think your jealousy is rather misplaced considering that you didn't want to marry me in the first place, hmm?" Tavington said, sidestepping her questions. "It is not as if we are in love." Giving her a hard stare, he continued, "Just because I was compelled to marry you does not mean that I will give up the life I had before."

"But people will talk!"

"People will talk regardless of what one does," he pointed out. "And I care little for the opinions of other people."

Tavington walked over to where she stood looking out the window. "We need to get a few things settled about the way things are going to be. Yes, I am going to share my other quarters with that woman you saw me kissing this morning. And, yes, I spent last night with her. And before you inevitably hear it from the fort grapevine, she is also with child -- my child."

"But she is nothing but a camp follower.....a fallen woman," Caroline said, shocked. "And yet you treat her better than you treat me and prefer her company to mine."

"I would advise you to guard your tongue," he warned, his eyes narrowed in barely controlled fury. "Jane is the widow of an fallen dragoon and has done what she has needed to do to survive." Gripping both her arms tightly, he shook her in anger. "Yes, I greatly prefer her company to yours. For, unlike you, she loves and respects me." Now grinning malevolently, he continued, "I'll have you know that you were nothing more than a momentary pleasure to me. It was so wonderfully satisfying to ruin you, knowing how angry it would make your father. Revenge is the ultimate aphrodisiac, my dear." He laughed harshly when he saw her deflated expression.

"You are no gentleman!"

"I agree!" he said. "There are no gentlemen in war."

"I beg to differ," she said with a haughty sniff. "General Cornwallis is a gentleman. He was just as shocked and horrified as my father was when he heard what you'd done to me. And my father has always been a gentleman, regardless of the circumstances. Furthermore, you don't know the first thing about being a gentleman, either as a soldier or as a man. I've heard what the Patriot soldiers call you; the Butcher!"

"Are you quite through?" he demanded, rapidly losing what little patience he had.

She nodded nervously.

"I don't know if you can comprehend this, but war is not a parlor game," he said, speaking to her as if she were feeble minded. "It is deadly serious business and there is no place for gentlemen in war." Moving to open a window, he continued, "My purpose here is to help win the war for the British side as quickly and efficiently as possible, and if some brutality must be employed to make this so, then so be it."

He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to speak. "You are naïve if you think that Lord Cornwallis is a gentleman," he said. "Your so-called 'gentleman' General knew that I'd ravished you the day it happened."

"I don't believe you," Caroline said half-heartedly.

"Believe what you will, but it seems that one of my dragoons saw me taking you and ran to tell Cornwallis as soon as we returned to the fort," he said. Turning to gaze intently at her, he added, "And if I ever discover who that disloyal dragoon was, he will rue the day he was ever born."

Caroline shivered, knowing he meant every word he said.

"Even though the general knew what I'd done, he kept the entire matter quiet," he said. "I retained command of the Legion then and I retain command of it now." Tavington was now smiling. "Why, you might ask. It would seem as if having me in command of the dragoons is more important to him than the honor of a young woman, wouldn't you say, hmm?"

"And if you think your father is a gentleman, then you're more deluded than I thought," he told her, laughing scornfully. "That man is even less of a gentleman than I am, it would appear." Bringing his face close to hers, he murmured, "It seems as if your father has a fondness for mutilating corpses."

"How could you tell me such a horrible lie?" Caroline cried. "My father is a good man, a much better man that you could ever hope to be."

"Do you know what your father did after he left you alone on the day I ravished you" Tavington demanded.

"He rescued my brother Gabriel from British custody."

"Did he tell you how he accomplished this?"

"Not really, he didn't want to talk about it."

"Let me enlighten you, then," Tavington said severely. "He ambushed and killed 20 men who were escorting your brother back to the fort. The last man he killed he hacked into chunks long after he was dead and had ceased to be a threat to anyone. When he was done, he was covered from head to toe with blood and gore. and had completely forgotten about his three sons who stood there and watched him do it. You see, his lust for killing had gotten the better of him."

"You're a liar!" she screamed. "You weren't there! How could you possibly know what happened?" Caroline's lip quivered; she had a sick feeling in her stomach as she instinctively suspected that her husband was telling the truth.

Tavington was oblivious to her distress. "And that isn't anything compared to what he did in the French and Indian War. Why, Captain Wilkins told me that your father participated in a massacre that included civilians, where he, along with others, cut off the heads and fingers of the people they killed."

Caroline was sobbing. "I don't want to hear this! Please stop!"

Tavington finally relented and gathered his distraught wife into his arms to hold her as she cried. "You know I'm telling you the truth or you wouldn't be so upset," he said softly.

"I don't b-believe you." She didn't want to believe him.

Tavington rose from the couch, taking Caroline's hand. "Come on, there's someone you need to meet."

"Where are we going?"

"To the infirmary," he told her. "There was one survivor from your father's attack. He witnessed your father mutilating that soldier's corpse and will corroborate everything I have told you. And, if it is still necessary, we will have Captain Wilkins tell you what he knows of your father's activities during the French and Indian War."

A few minutes later they entered the infirmary where Tavington led her to the bedside of a soldier whose wounds had healed into many ugly scars.

"Private Jones," he said as the young man looked up at him. "This is Mrs Tavington. I wish for you to tell her everything in detail that happened the day you were injured. Leave nothing out."

Jones looked at the dragoon commander in shock after hearing his strange request.

"Tell her," Tavington urged. "That's an order."

The young man had told his tale several times in the months of his convalescence, so it didn't take long for him to relate the events to Caroline.

"Please describe the man you called "The Ghost," Caroline asked when he was through with his story. "What did he look like?"

After Jones had obliged, Caroline turned away in tears. The young man had described her father perfectly.

"Take me home," she whispered, still crying.

Tavington nodded, leading her out of the infirmary without a word. He'd accomplished what he'd set out to do.

Once back in their quarters, Caroline looked at him with wounded eyes. "Why did you have to do that to me?"

"It was necessary," he told her in an uncharacteristically gentle voice. "You're married to me now, for better or for worse, and you needed to know the truth about certain matters if we have any hope of getting along."

The young woman did not reply, so great was her anguish. She collapsed onto the couch, now sobbing in heaving waves.

Tavington looked away, his mind traveling back to the time when he realized that his own father was nothing more than a petty scoundrel. He turned to his young wife, and some of her anguish touched him. He sat down next to her carefully and took her awkwardly into his arms, uncomfortable with the unaccustomed sympathy he was feeling.

Caroline's sobs lessened until she was merely sniffling, as her husband continued to silently hold her, his stiff posture betraying his unease. It slowly dawned on her that he was trying to comfort her, however clumsily, and she gradually relaxed and snuggled closer to him.

Tavington was surprised to feel Caroline's arms going around him and he, likewise, began to loosen up. After a few moments he bent and gave her a gentle kiss. Caroline raised her head and they regarded one another hesitantly for a long interval. Leaning forward, he kissed her again, this time with growing ardor, with one hand stroking her hair.

Caroline was not afraid when she felt Tavington's erection pressing against her thigh a short time later, as she dimly registered her own feelings of growing arousal. Instead, she drew him closer, his hands now subtly working her bodice loose. An instant later, he took her hand and led her wordlessly to the bed, where they sank back together onto it, still gently kissing and touching.

When they were both naked together a little while later and Tavington was poised above her, Caroline reached for his rigid shaft to guide him inside her, giving herself willingly to him for the first time. Not a word was spoken, as neither wished to break the spell.

He penetrated her smoothly and soon, the only sounds heard were their soft sighs and moans as their lovemaking crescendoed to its inevitable peak.

Afterwards, he reclined on his back holding Caroline close, her head on his chest. Her hands tangled through his unbound hair, enjoying its soft, silky texture.

Tavington held Caroline until she fell asleep, then carefully disengaged himself from her embrace. He dressed quickly as the time has long since passed when he was supposed to meet Jane. As he was ready to leave, he paused to spare a glance at Caroline. He walked over to the desk, where he pulled out a piece of paper, a pen, and a bottle of ink. Tavington hastily scribbled a note and left it on the nightstand where Caroline would be sure to see it when she woke up.

Once he'd placed the note, his thoughts turned to Jane Thompson. Early the next morning, Tavington would be leaving with his dragoons on another patrol mission, and he was eager to spend his last night at the fort in bed with Jane. Taking one last look at his sleeping wife, he left with no further ado, quietly closing the door behind him.

"Take care of yourself." Jane Thompson hugged William Tavington tightly as he prepared to leave their quarters early the next morning. "Come home safely to me."

"Do not fear, I shall be back within a week or so," he murmured, bending to kiss her. "It is just a routine patrol."

"I shall be counting the minutes," she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Take care of yourself," he said. "And the baby. Get plenty of rest while I'm gone."

"I will, I promise," she said.

After giving his mistress one final kiss, Tavington headed out the door.

The first tendrils of sunlight were spreading across the morning sky as he entered the courtyard. The dragoon commander wanted to get an early start, as they had a lot of ground to cover that day. Pausing to take a deep breath of the crisp morning air as he donned his bear fur crested helmet, Tavington was eager to be off. Time in the saddle would give him the chance to distance himself, if only for awhile, from the sudden changes in his personal life.

Caroline Tavington awakened as the sun was coming up. Slowly coming to consciousness, she was momentarily befuddled, forgetting for a moment where she was. As she sat up, Caroline realized she was naked and smiled to herself as she remembered making love with Tavington the day before. Rolling over, she was disappointed to find herself alone.

She eased out of bed and hunted for her shift. A moment later, she found it on the floor, along with the rest of her clothes, which had been carelessly discarded in their haste to make love. After donning it quickly, she went to close the window, as the room had gotten rather chilly during the night.

Caroline paused to look out the window as she reached up to close it. Looking toward the front gates of the fort, she saw a large group of dragoons preparing to leave. Her eyes flicked around until she spotted Tavington. She felt a curious mix of relief and regret to see him returning to duty. Remaining at the window, she watched until the entire group of dragoons had ridden out of the fort and the gates had closed behind them.

After she'd lit several candles in the room, she saw a piece of paper propped up on the night table. Snatching it up, she sat back on the bed to read the brief note, reading the last sentence several times: "...Thank you for this afternoon. William."

She was confused and bewildered as she considered his words, clutching the note like a talisman. First, Tavington went out of his way to purposely destroy her respect for her father, then he'd gently made love to her as if he loved and cherished her! He'd been easier to understand when she saw him only as a vicious rapist, but, now, she didn't know what to make of this man, obviously a study in contradictions. She marveled at how the same man who had brutally raped her, had also tenderly made love to her...and she'd truly wanted him last night.

Her own actions puzzled her as well. Caroline had not only tolerated Tavington's amorous attention last night, she'd encouraged him and had even enjoyed his touch. For the first time, she had a glimmer of hope that some good might come of this situation, after all.

As Caroline pondered these bewildering, conflicting emotions, she spied the long black ribbon that had bound Tavington's queue poking out from under the pillow. She drew it out slowly, idly rubbing it between her fingers. The mixed smell of leather from his dragoon helmet, the pomade from his hair, and the cologne he wore wafted to her nose as she handled the ribbon. On an impulse, she removed the drawstring that held her shift closed at the neck and replaced it with the ribbon. Satisfied with the results, she gathered up her clothing and began to dress for the day.

A knock came at the door shortly after she finished getting dressed. Caroline opened the door to find Deborah Wilkins standing there.

"Mrs Wilkins!" Caroline said, visibly brightening at the sight of .her old neighbor. "Do come in. I'm so glad to see you."

"I thought I'd come by to see how you were settling in," Deborah Wilkins said. "And I thought you might like a tour of the fort, if you're feeling up to it."

"I'd like that very much," Caroline said. "I haven't been out much since I've been here."

"Shall we start with breakfast?" the older woman said with a smile. "Now that our men are away, there isn't any need for either of us to have to take our meals alone."

"A wonderful idea," Caroline said. "I could use a friend."

A short time later, while the women were enjoying the morning meal, Deborah said, "You seem to be holding up rather well, considering the circumstances"

"I suppose everyone here knows what happened to me and how I came to be married to Colonel Tavington," she said.

"No, not everyone," Deborah assured her. "I will warn you that there has been speculation about the suddenness of the Colonel's marriage and much curiosity about you, but only a few people know the full details."

Caroline put her spoon down as she considered this. "How am I going to handle it?" she asked. "I never wanted this marriage. I was engaged to another until all this happened."

"Well, you are married now, for better or worse, like it or not," the older woman said. "You might as well try to make the best of it. You cannot escape this marriage, so it would be in your best interests to try to win Colonel Tavington over. Who knows, you might even come to love him one day" Looking sideways at the young woman, she said in a lower voice, "You must admit that he is extraordinarily handsome."

"That he is." Caroline sighed loudly in agreement.

"One thing you must do as a proper military wife, is to never make any critical remarks about your husband in public, no matter how angry you might be with him at the time," Deborah said. "Your disagreements and disappointments with your husband must remain absolutely private." After making sure that Caroline was paying close attention, she continued, "And the first thing you must do is to have a believable story ready for those who will inevitably ask you about how you came to be married to Colonel Tavington."

"What should I tell them?" she asked, perplexed.

"Perhaps you could say that you met him in Charles Town and that your courtship took place mainly through letters,' Deborah said slowly. "And when your baby is born only seven months or so from the wedding, people will realize why the wedding was sudden and quiet. You aren't the first bride, nor will you be the last, who was with child on her wedding day." Patting the young woman on the arm, "And whatever you do, make sure to hold your head high and look people straight in the eye. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'll try my best," she said. "Maybe it will be easier when the baby comes."

"Maybe." Deborah Wilkins gave what she hoped looked like an encouraging smile.

Giving the older woman a hesitant look, Caroline asked, "I need to ask you a few questions."

"I don't promise to know the answers, but I'll do my best to help you."

"My husband told me that General Cornwallis had known all along what he'd done to me; that he'd known since the day it happened, but that it didn't matter enough to him to do anything about it." Caroline couldn't yet bring herself to refer to Tavington by his first name in conversation.

"Yes, Jim and I were quite shocked when he kept the entire matter quiet."

"You both knew about it, too?"

"Jim was the one who brought it to the General's attention," Deborah explained. "He came along and witnessed what Colonel Tavington did that day. Unfortunately, it was too late for him to do anything to help you."

Caroline looked away and was silent for a long interval as she assimilated what the other woman had told her. First, the soldier yesterday had confirmed part of what Tavington had told her, and now Deborah Wilkins had just confirmed another part. She was almost afraid to ask her more questions, suspecting that her answers would prove her husband truthful yet again.

Glancing up at the older woman, who was regarding her with almost motherly concern, Caroline suddenly remembered Tavington's vow to take revenge on the dragoon who had told Cornwallis about the rape. She swallowed hard in dismay, knowing that she couldn't repeat her husband's words to her new friend.

"What's wrong?" Deborah had noted the pensive expression on the younger woman's face.

"I was just thinking of the next question I have for you," Caroline lied, wanting to put Tavington's plans for revenge out of her mind. "My husband also told me some disturbing things about my father, about things he is supposed to have done during the French and Indian war. And he told me that Captain Wilkins is the one who told him these things. I need to know if what he said was true."

Deborah stood up and looked away from Caroline She'd heard the stories about the brutal things Benjamin Martin had done during that war. "Well, uh.....," she began, not quite knowing what to say.

"I think I have my answer," Caroline said softly, Tavington's words having yet again been proven accurate. She sighed loudly.

"I'm sorry you had to hear about it that way," Deborah said slowly. "But you must remember that your father loves you and your siblings very much. He's done such a wonderful job raising all of you since your mother died. Nothing can ever change that."

"I know," Caroline replied. "But it will take me some time to reconcile that my own father is not quite the man I once thought him to be. So much has happened to me in the last few months....." Her voice trailed off.

At that moment, a loud knock sounded at the door.

"Let me go see who that is," Deborah said. "I wasn't expecting anyone right now."

Two young dragoons waited as she opened the door. "Begging your pardon, Mrs Wilkins," the first dragoon said. "Do you know where I might find Mrs. Tavington? We have brought her belongings from the Selton plantation."

"I am Mrs Tavington." Caroline said, coming out from behind the older woman. "My quarters are upstairs. You may bring my belongings there."

"Right away, ma'am," the dragoon said.

After the dragoon had left to do her bidding, Deborah said, "I'll help you put your things away, then we can take a walk around the fort."

"Thank you," Caroline said, "I'd like that."

About an hour later, Caroline and Deborah had put away all the younger woman's belongings and hung her clothing.

"Why don't we go visit the fort store?" Deborah suggested. "You can buy things by charging them to the Colonel's account."

"I don't know if I should dare," Caroline said. "He might get angry."

"You're his wife," Deborah said. "I don't think he should mind as long as you are not extravagant."

"I would like to start knitting a blanket for the baby," Caroline admitted.

"We'll go and get you some knitting needles and yarn, then," Deborah said. "And probably some cloth, so you can begin making clothes and diapers for the baby as well. You'll be a mother before you know it." Putting a gentle hand on the younger woman's arm, she added, "And I'm sure the Colonel will approve of you doing something useful with your time while he is away."

"I hope so," Caroline said doubtfully. "I cannot bear to be idle any longer."

"Well, let's go, then." Deborah opened the door to leave.

A short time later, the two women entered the fort's store. Other than the storekeeper, the store was empty. Deborah led Caroline to a small display in the back, which contained knitting supplies.

"Look and see what you want and I'll see if I can find some suitable cloth for baby clothes," Deborah said. "Take your time; we are in no hurry." With that, she walked off, leaving the younger woman to ponder the yarn selection.

Caroline quickly selected a set of knitting needles, but took a bit more time deciding on the yarn. As she considered which yarn to buy, she noticed a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye.

"Mrs Wilkins, which yarn do you......" Her words died in her throat when she saw it wasn't Deborah Wilkins standing there, but rather the camp follower that she'd seen Tavington kissing on the morning her father left. She stood there for a long moment, her mouth hanging open, not quite knowing what to say to this woman.

"You must be Caroline," Jane Thompson said, softly and hesitantly. She was just as nervous as the younger woman appeared to be.

Caroline drew herself up to her full height. "Mrs Tavington," she corrected automatically.

"Yes, of course," Jane Thompson said, her voice tired. "However, it would seem that you and I have a bit in common." Indicating the knitting supplies, "I take it you are planning to knit a baby blanket?"

"Yes," Caroline admitted warily.

"I came back here for the very same reason," Jane said in a low voice. Looking around to make sure no one was listening, she continued, "I don't want to be at odds with you. I had hoped that one day William and I might be able to marry, but now, that will never be."

"That isn't my fault!" Caroline said. "Surely, you must know how I came to be married to him."

"Yes," Jane said simply. "And that is why I bear you no ill will." Sighing loudly, "Though I love William, I realize that he isn't always a gentleman, and that you and I are in this situation through no faults of our own."

Caroline nodded, waiting for the older woman to continue.

"But make no mistake; despite his many faults, I love him with every fiber of my being," Jane told her. "He's been very good to me since my husband died. I've seen a side of him that few people have witnessed." Putting a gentle hand on Caroline's arm, "He really isn't as bad as he sometimes seems to be. And if you're patient, you will one day see that side of him as well."

"I know," Caroline admitted.

"In the meantime, can we agree to be civil to one another, maybe even friends?" Jane asked.

"I can try," Caroline said. "I could use all the friends I can get, to be honest with you."

"Wonderful." Jane Thompson gave Caroline a genuine smile. "We could visit some afternoons and knit our baby blankets together."

"I think I'd like that," Caroline said. The young woman was hesitant about befriending her husband's mistress, but was also quite curious about the other woman.

At that moment Deborah Wilkins reappeared. Shocked to see Colonel Tavington's mistress boldly talking to Caroline, she hurried over to them.

"Come, now!" she said to Caroline with a haughty sniff. "We must be leaving!" Grabbing the younger woman's hand, she began pulling her away from Jane

Caroline didn't want to cause a scene, so she allowed Deborah to lead her out of the store. With a sheepish smile, she said to Jane in parting, "It was nice to finally meet you. I'll try to see you soon."

Jane smiled at the younger woman's natural friendliness, which almost made her forget about Mrs Wilkins' haughty, disdainful attitude toward her. If she only knew how often Captain Wilkins sought relief among the camp followers....she thought as she watched the bossy woman lead Caroline away.

Before Deborah could get Caroline out of the store, they were accosted by two women near the door.

"Deborah Wilkins!" the first woman said. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your new friend?"

"This is Colonel Tavington's new bride, Caroline," Deborah Wilkins said unwillingly with a tight smile. Turning to Caroline, she said, "And these ladies are Anna Culpepper and Sally Baker."

"Pleased to meet you," Caroline said in a small voice. She gulped as the two older women regarded her with insincere welcome.

"Colonel Tavington?" Anna Culpepper said. "I didn't know he'd gotten married. It seems as if I was not invited to the wedding."

"It was a very small wedding," Caroline said. "Err...William and I wanted something quiet."

"I wasn't even aware he was courting anyone," Sally Baker said. "A rather sudden wedding, it would seem."

"Not really," Caroline said, growing more uncomfortable by the moment. "William and I have known one another for quite some time. We met in Charles Town and most of our courtship has been through letters."

"I see," Anna said. "You seem rather young, my dear."

"I am seventeen."

Both women barely repressed gasps, knowing that Colonel Tavington was nearly twenty years older than his bride.

"Will you look at that!" Sally said, abruptly changing the subject. She pointed to Jane Thompson in the back of the store, who had returned her attention to the knitting supplies. "That camp follower looks as if she is with child!"

"I wonder who the father is?" Anna Culpepper said with a nasty chuckle.

"I couldn't imagine," Sally said, eyes rolling heavenward. "Those women are quite indiscriminate about the men they choose to entertain."

Both women shot pointed looks at Caroline as they spoke.

Before Caroline could react, Deborah said, "It was nice seeing you both, but we really must be going now." She moved to open the door.

"Nice meeting you both," Caroline said, moving quickly to follow the older woman. She couldn't get away from these two harridans fast enough.

"Those women made me so nervous!" Caroline said to Deborah once they'd left the store.

"With good reason," Deborah agreed. "They were looking for some gossip to spread. The news of the Colonel's wedding is common knowledge in the fort now, but they wanted details."

"I suppose they also know who the father of Jane Thompson's baby is as well."

"They have their suspicions, but no, they don't know for sure." the older woman said. "But you handled them well, with grace and tact."

"I nearly stammered I was so nervous."

"Remember what I told you," Deborah reminded her. "Hold your head high and look them in the eye. You have no cause for shame." After a pause, she said, "But I would be careful about being seen talking with Jane Thompson in public. It will only cause the gossips to talk more. It simply isn't done for proper wives to be seen associating with the camp followers, as they are loose women."

"She seemed very nice."

"Be that as it may, you must do nothing that would cause shame for your husband," Deborah said. "And, especially in this instance, you must do nothing to fuel the gossip that is already being passed around the fort."

"I suppose you're right," Caroline admitted grudgingly. Changing the subject, she asked, "Who were those women? Who are their husbands?"

"Anna Culpepper is Captain Culpepper's wife," Deborah said. "He's one of Colonel Tarleton's dragoons." Lowering her voice, she added, "And Sally Baker isn't anyone's wife. She's General O'Hara's mistress!" After a moment, she concluded, "Well, she is technically married, but General O'Hara sent her husband up to New York so he wouldn't be in the way."

"Oh, my."

"It is a good thing those two didn't see you speaking to Jane Thompson," Deborah said. "Everyone in the fort would have known before sundown if they had."

"I'll keep be careful with them," Caroline promised.

Tavington and his dragoons returned to the fort one evening nearly a week later. Weary from a week of living out the saddle, the dragoon commander headed directly to Jane Thompson's quarters after dismissing the men and leaving his horse with a stable boy.

"Jane," he called softly as he entered their quarters. His mistress was in bed, fast asleep. Sitting down beside her, he put a gentle hand on her shoulder, calling her name again.

"Mmm," she said, slow to wake. "William. You're home."

"Are you not well?" he asked, concerned. "It's only seven o'clock."

"I've been feeling unusually tired and weak lately," she admitted. "I've been sleeping much more than I used to."

"Ah, but you're sleeping for two now, my dear," he said, leaning over to give her a quick kiss. "Surely, your condition has to take a lot out of you." Leaning over to reach into his satchel, which was on the floor near the bed, he took out a large cloth bag. "Look what I've brought you."

"What is it?" Jane slowly eased herself up to a sitting position. She watched eagerly as Tavington reached in the bag and brought out a ruby and diamond ring, along with a matching bracelet

"Oh, William, they're beautiful!" she said as Tavington slipped the ring on her finger, then attached the bracelet to her wrist. "You shouldn't have!"

"It was my pleasure," he murmured, leaning over to kiss her again. "It was worth it just to see the look on your face now."

"Thank you," she said. "I'll always wear them."

He kissed her more thoroughly, twining his arms around her. She pulled him down to her, working the buttons of his jacket loose. Very shortly thereafter, their reunion was complete, as they fell asleep together in the afterglow of their passion.

After a leisurely breakfast with Jane the next morning, Tavington crossed the compound to check in on Caroline. As he opened the door to their quarters, he found her sitting quietly in a chair, knitting spread out on her lap.

"You're back," she said quietly.

Caroline had seen the dragoons ride into the fort the evening before. When Tavington hadn't appeared by the time she'd been ready for bed, she'd realized that he'd spent the night with his mistress. Though she didn't love him, the young woman could not help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Walking over to his young wife, he said, "I see you've found something useful to do while I was gone."

"It's going to be a blanket for the baby," she explained. "I'm also going to start making baby clothes as well."

"Good idea," Tavington said absently. "How else have you been keeping yourself occupied while I was gone?"

"Mrs Wilkins has been spending a lot of time with me," she said, as she put away her knitting and stood up. "She's given me a lot of advice on how to be a good officer's wife."

"I'll bet she has," Tavington said, shaking his head. "You need to beware of Deborah Wilkins."

"Why?" Caroline was perplexed. "She's known my family for years and she was quite helpful to me when you were gone."

"Be that as it may," he said, with a dismissive wave of the hand, "She and Captain Wilkins are nothing more than opportunists and sycophants. They have no real loyalties to anyone and go with whichever way the wind happens to be blowing at any given moment." Sighing loudly, he continued, "I am his commanding officer and, as such, Wilkins would do anything to get into my good graces, even directing his wife to make friends with you."

"I don't think he was worrying about your approval that day when he....." Caroline's voice trailed off as she realized the likely consequences of what she was about to say.

"When he what?" Tavington pounced on her immediately.

"Errr.......uhhhh......ahhh....." Caroline stammered.

"Tell me now," he demanded, taking her chin roughly. "I simply won't have my wife keeping secrets from me."

Sensing the real threat in his cold eyes, Caroline began to talk. "Captain Wilkins saw what you did to me that day and reported it to General Cornwallis," she finally said. "Mrs Wilkins told me this a few days ago."

"Aha!" Tavington said, a malevolent smile spreading across his face. "Somehow, I am not surprised."

Moving closer, he leaned over and gave her a slow, unhurried kiss. After releasing her abruptly, his demeanor turned cold again. "If I find that you've been keeping secrets from me ever again, you will sincerely regret doing so, I promise," he warned as his hands idly explored her body. "You would be wise to remember that your first loyalty should always be to me. I do not tolerate disloyalty from my men, and I certainly won't tolerate it from my wife, either." Bringing his face close to hers again, he murmured, "Do you understand?"

Caroline shivered. "Y-yes."

"Good," Tavington purred, brushing away a tendril of hair from her face. He reached into his pocket with one hand, as he reached for her hand with the other. "And to help you remember where your loyalties should lie, here is a reminder."

The young woman looked at her hand in surprise as he slipped a large emerald ring on her finger to rest against the wedding ring her aunt had given her.

"Oh, my," Caroline breathed as she looked at the exquisite ring. "It's beautiful."

"I assume that means you like it?" Tavington didn't bother to tell her that the ring was part of the plunder they'd taken in during their foraging mission into the countryside.

"I love it," she said, turning her hand to the side to admire the ring from every angle . "Thank you.......William." This was the first time she'd spoken her husband's name aloud to him.

Reaching to loosen her bodice, he said smoothly, "And I've thought of the perfect way you can thank me for it, too." Tavington nipped her neck as his hands stroked her bared breasts.

Caroline blushed in response as she timidly began unfastening his breeches. As he led her to the bed, she'd totally forgotten her betrayal of Deborah Wilkins' confidence.

As the months passed, Caroline slowly adjusted to and accepted her marriage to William Tavington. Though he'd spent most of his time when at the fort with Jane Thompson, Tavington had devoted some effort getting acquainted with his young wife and, to his surprise, came to enjoy her company. Equally to her amazement, as she learned the different facets of his personality, she found parts of him she could actually admire and even respect. Though she'd never forgotten what he'd done to her that day, it gradually became less and less important to her as the time for their child's birth approached. Though she still missed her family terribly, she'd adapted to her new life with resilience

During the times that the dragoons were away from the fort, Caroline typically spent her days knitting and sewing baby clothes. Quietly disregarding Deborah Wilkins' advice, she occasionally visited Jane Thompson, and the unlikely pair slowly became friends. As the time drew nearer for each woman to give birth, Jane became pale and weak, while at the same time Caroline glowed with good health in the anticipation of motherhood.

About a month before Caroline was to give birth, they'd been invited to a ball in honor of General Cornwallis' widowed sister, who had come to South Carolina to spend the Christmas holidays with him. Tavington hated such affairs, but usually attended them as befitted an officer of his rank. This party would be his first as a married man, and, as such, this gathering would also serve to formally introduce Caroline to local Loyalist society.

Though well aware that her husband attended the ball only grudgingly, Caroline had looked forward to it after months of near isolation. Wearing the new gown she'd had made for the occasion, the young wife looked around eagerly at the other women's outfits as she entered the ballroom on Tavington's arm.

"Why don't you mingle for awhile," Tavington suggested as they entered the room. "I need to discuss a few things with Captain Bordon, but I'll join you shortly."

"All right," she said. "Go ahead; I'll be fine."

After Tavington had walked off with Captain Bordon, Caroline browsed around the room, not stopping to join any conversations. Spotting Deborah Wilkins standing alone near the punch bowl, she walked over to join her.

"Your gown is lovely," Deborah Wilkins said. "I saw many heads turning in admiration when you entered the room."

"Surely you jest," Caroline responded, blushing furiously. "If heads were turning, it was most likely ladies looking at my husband."

"Oh, I'm sure that is also true," Deborah conceded, giving her a sly wink. Gesturing with her hand, she said, "Why don't we go sit down."

"That's a fine idea," the younger woman said. "We can watch the dancing from there."

As the two made their way through the crowd, they passed a group of women, Anna Culpepper and Sally Baker among them. Caroline's ears pricked up as she heard her husband's name mentioned as they walked by.

"......brutal barbarian. It's because of Colonel Tavington that we have such trouble with the rebels in the first place," Sally Baker said. "I don't know why Lord Cornwallis keeps such an incompetent in charge of the dragoons."

"Shh, she'll hear you," Anna Culpepper warned as saw spied Caroline Tavington.

"Ignore her," Deborah whispered in Caroline's ear as the young woman stopped abruptly after hearing Sally's comments. "It's not worth it."

"Excuse me, I didn't quite catch what you were saying about my husband," Caroline said, disregarding the older woman's advice. She moved to stand face to face with Sally. "Did you just say that Colonel Tavington was incompetent?"

"As a matter of fact I did," Sally Baker sneered. "It's only the truth -- General O'Hara has said the very same thing to me many times."

"Is that so?" Reaching out to take the glass of champagne from the older woman's hand, she asked, "Are you enjoying this?" Not waiting for an answer, she put a finger on the expensive fabric of Sally's gown, then asked, "Where did you get the cloth for this most exquisite gown?"

"I ordered it from England, of course," Sally answered.

"Which means it had to be brought here from Charles Town once it arrived," Caroline noted. "Much of the territory between here and Charles Town is patrolled by Colonial militia, a most dangerous area."

"Yes, I suppose it is," Sally conceded. "What of it?"

"Well, you can thank my husband and his dragoons that you have food to eat and clothes to wear," she said. "He keeps the supply lines open and free from militia disruption" Turning to point at General Cornwallis' sister across the room, she said, "Because of my husband, the Lord General's sister was able to safely journey here to visit her brother." Narrowing her eyes at the other woman, she concluded, "My husband remains in command of the Legion because General Cornwallis knows he's the only one of his officers who consistently wins battles. I doubt your General O'Hara could fight his way out of a paper bag!" With that, Caroline Tavington spun on her heel and stalked away from the group of stunned women.

William Tavington returned to the ballroom just in time to hear his wife's last words. Pausing to give an amused smirk to O'Hara's mistress, he followed Caroline to the terrace outside.

"Caroline!" He'd caught up with her at the far end of the terrace.

"I suppose you heard all that," she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, and I must say that I'm quite surprised," he said. "I never expected you to ever speak up in my defense about anything." Taking her hands, he said in a lower voice, "I have to say, though, that I am pleased by your loyalty."

"Those women were horrible," Caroline him in a whisper. "The one woman said that General O'Hara had told her that you were incompetent."

"I am already aware of the General's opinion of me," Tavington told her, pressing his lips together tightly. "His doxy's words are no surprise to me."

Unexpectedly erupting in low chuckles, he said, "The look on that woman's face was absolutely priceless when you told her O'Hara couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag."

"It was pretty funny, wasn't it" she said, joining her husband in laughter.

As their laughter faded, they gazed intently into one another's eyes for a long interval. After a few moments, Tavington leaned down to kiss Caroline. As their lips were about to meet, their privacy was interrupted.

"Begging your pardon, Colonel Tavington," a young servant said, nervously twisting his hat in his hands "But you must come right away! Mrs MacKenzie found Jane Thompson in a bad way." Lowering his voice, the young man said, "The baby is coming; Mrs MacKenzie told me to be sure to tell you that you haven't a moment to lose."

"Tell her I'm on the way," Tavington said.

"Right away sir." The servant hurried off.

"She wasn't feeling well this morning," Tavington said, frowning in concern. "I should have never left her alone."

"You couldn't have known what would happen," Caroline said, putting a gentle hand on his arm.

"I must find Bordon," he said. "He'll see you home."

"Let me come with you," she said. "I might be able to help."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Very sure."

"Let's go, then." He took her hand, leading her down the terrace steps into the courtyard.

A short time later, they hurried up the stairs to where Jane Thompson was writhing in hard labor.

Mrs MacKenzie stood at the top of the stairs, urgently beckoning them forward. "Hurry! She's been calling for you, Colonel."

Tavington hurried into the room where he found the fort doctor bent over Jane Thompson, who was moaning in pain. As he rushed to her side, she turned her head, trying to smile.

"William," she said, extending a weak hand to him.

"I'm here." He took her hand, bringing it up to his lips to kiss.

"Might I have a word with you in the hall, Colonel Tavington?" The doctor has straightened up and was looking at the dragoon commander with urgent expectancy.

Tavington looked at him, then at his obviously suffering mistress and hesitated.

"It's important," the doctor said. "I promise, this won't take more than a moment or so."

"All right," Tavington said, slowly releasing his lover's hand.

"Don't leave me, William," Jane begged in a weak voice.

"I'm not leaving," he assured her. "I will be back in a moment." Gesturing to Caroline with a jerk of his head to indicate that she was to keep Jane company, he stepped out into the hall with the doctor.

"What is it doctor?" Tavington said, a low undercurrent of worry in his voice.

"I must be frank with you, Colonel," the doctor began. "Mrs Thompson is having an extremely difficult time and I'm afraid she will not survive the ordeal."

"Are you sure?" Tavington had turned away and was gazing aimlessly down the corridor.

"Not certain, but fairly sure, yes."

"What about the baby?"

"I can't promise anything, but hopefully, I'll be able to at least save the baby."

"Do what you can, doctor," he begged.

"I'll do my best," the other man said. "But I'm afraid it's in God's hands now."

"Caroline," Jane said as soon as the men had stepped out of the room.

"I'm right here," she answered, moving to stand by the bed.
"Please promise me something," she asked with pleading eyes.

"Anything," Caroline said kindly.

"I want you to raise my child after I'm gone," she said quietly. "I've seen how gentle and patient you are and I know you'd be a good mother to my baby."

"Don't talk foolishness," the younger woman chided. "You'll be up and about in no time and taking care of him yourself."

"Just promise me you'll do it," she begged, grabbing Caroline's hands in desperation.

"I promise," Caroline said quietly.

"Thank you," Jane whispered, just before she began to ride the wave of another intense labor pain. As the agony intensified, she clutched the sheets in a death grip as she howled in misery.

As the men entered the room, the doctor said, "This may take quite awhile. I'd advise you all to eat as it will probably be all night before the baby comes."

"I'm not going anywhere," Tavington said firmly. Turning to Caroline he murmured, "But I want you to go eat something. You must keep up your own strength."

"You need to eat too," she pointed out.

"Nevertheless, I will remain here," he said. "You can bring me a plate up here, when you've finished your meal."

"I've got some leftover stew downstairs," Mrs MacKenzie said. She'd just returned with the midwife, who had come to assist the doctor.

"That sounds good," Caroline said.

"Well, come along then," Mrs MacKenzie said. "I'll warm some up for you and fix a plate for you to bring to Colonel Tavington."

After the two women had left, Tavington pulled up a chair to sit by his lover.

"Stay with me until the baby comes," she whispered.

"Of course, my darling," he murmured, brushing a gentle hand over her feverish brow.

"I feel better now that you're here," she said. Her voice trailed off as another labor pain made her body go rigid in excruciating pain.

Tavington looked at her helplessly, knowing there was nothing he could do to ease her suffering.

As the pain eased, Jane noticed the stricken expression on her lover's face. Squeezing his hand gently, she murmured, "It's all right, love."

"I hate to see you hurting."

"It's a natural part of bringing a new life into the world," she said. "There's no way to avoid it."

"Yes, I realize that," he said. "But if I could take the pain and bear it for you, I would, you know."

She smiled, her eyes regarding him with love. "I know," she whispered. "This last year with you has been the happiest I've ever known. I wouldn't have traded this time for anything" Sighing loudly, she said, "It grieves me to leave you now and to know I'll never see our child grow up."

"I do love you, Jane," he said, his voice nearly cracking. He'd never before said the words to her.

"I know that, William," she said quietly. "Even though you never told me so."

"I should have," he said. "I'll always regret that I didn't."

"Don't," she said. "You showed me that you loved me, and that's far more important."

"I will always carry you in my heart," he told her, a lump rising in his throat.

"Promise me something," Jane said, gripping his hand.

"Anything, my sweet."

"Please be good to Caroline," she said. "Let her love you -- she does, you know."

Tavington considered her words. "Yes, I think you're right, though I don't think she quite realizes it.

"Nor do you," Jane told him gently. "Despite how the two of you came together, I think you can have a happy, loving marriage, if you both allow it to happen." Smiling sadly, she continued, "And I want you to be happy. I'll go to my grave with no regrets if I know you'll be all right after I'm gone."

Before he could respond, the door opened and the doctor returned, with Caroline coming behind him with a plate of food. Instinctively realizing that she'd interrupted a tender moment, she wordlessly handed him the food and went to sit in a rocking chair in the back of the room

As Tavington finished his meal, the doctor said, "Mrs Thompson needs to conserve her strength for the ordeal ahead. I suggest you all get some rest yourselves."

"I'd prefer to remain here," he said.

"I really must insist," the doctor said. "I will monitor Mrs Thompson's progress closely and I will notify you if there are any changes."

"All right," Tavington conceded. "But I will wait downstairs in the common room."

After assuring Jane that he would be nearby if she needed him, he followed Caroline downstairs to the common room. Caroline, tired from the events of the day, immediately sank down on the couch. Tavington paced the room, unable to relax. He went to the stairwell several times, looking up, listening. Caroline watched him walk back and forth until she couldn't stand it anymore.

"William," she said. "Please sit down. You're going to wear a hole in the carpet."

"It's been so long and the baby still hasn't come," he said as he sat down beside her. "I'm getting concerned."

"The doctor said he'd call you if you were needed," she reminded him. "And it usually takes quite awhile for a baby to come. I remember it took a long time for my younger brothers and sisters." Putting her arms around him, she said, "I know it's hard to just sit here and wait, but that's all we can do. We have to put it all in God's hands."

Caroline rested her head on his shoulder and he drew her close. Neither of them spoke for a long interval and after a few minutes, she fell asleep in his embrace. As he held her, he felt himself nodding off. Though he fought it, Tavington dozed off several times during the long hours of waiting.

"Colonel Tavington!"

"Wha? Hmm?" He jolted awake to see Mrs MacKenzie standing over him.

"The baby is coming," she hissed. "Come along, now. Hurry!"

Tavington was on his feet in an instant, wordlessly following the housekeeper up the stairs, leaving Caroline still sleeping on the couch.

As he reached the top of the steps and turned toward her room, he heard a faint crack, followed by the thin sound of a baby's cry. Quickening his steps, he arrived at the door just as the midwife opened it from the other side.

"Colonel Tavington," she said in a quiet voice. "You have a daughter."

"Mrs Sanders," the doctor said urgently as they entered the room. "Please take the baby and clean her up." He did not wait for her reply, but thrust the newborn infant into her arms. Turning away, he immediately returned his attention back to Jane Thompson.

Tavington looked first at his daughter in the midwife's arms, then back at the doctor, who was tending to his lover.

Seeing the expression on the doctor's face, he asked, "What's wrong, doctor?"

Without turning to face the dragoon commander, he replied, "She's losing too much blood, just as I feared she would. I'm afraid she hasn't got long."

"William," Jane called out weakly.

'I'm here, love," he said, bending over her, taking her hand.

"Take care of our daughter," she said. "Tell her all about me."

"I promise," he murmured. "I love you, Jane. Thank you for the happiness you brought into my life."

"I love you, William," she whispered. "Remember me."

"Always," he said, just as she breathed her last.

Tavington stood gazing down at her for a long moment, her features peaceful in death. Turning away abruptly, he looked at his baby daughter, cradled in the midwife's hands.

"Give me my daughter," he said, reaching out his arms. After the midwife had gently placed the baby into his arms, he stepped out into the hall with her and walked to stand by the window at the end of the hall. For several long moments, he gazed down at the small life that was part of him, oblivious to the activity around him.

"William?" Caroline had come up, unnoticed, behind her husband. She drew her breath in sharply as he turned, his eyes wet with tears. At that moment, something inside her melted and she quietly reached up with one finger to catch a tear before it fell.

For a moment, Tavington looked at his young wife as if with new eyes. After a moment, he said, "Look at my daughter. Our daughter now."

"Jane?" she left the question unasked, afraid she already knew the answer.

Tavington handed her the baby, then turned away from her to the window. "She passed away shortly after the baby was born," he said in a wooden voice.

"I'm so sorry, William," she said Looking down at the newborn girl in her arms, she said, "Why don't we name her Jane to honor her mother?"

He looked down at her in surprise. "I think she'd like that very much," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"It's settled then," she said, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "Let's take our daughter home, William."

Two weeks after his daughter was born, William Tavington returned to duty, going out on patrol with his dragoons. The dragoons had gone out once in the interim, under the command of Captain Bordon, as General Cornwallis had granted Tavington a short leave of absence.

During the time he spent getting to know his baby daughter, he also grew closer to Caroline. They felt almost like newlyweds as they slowly realized that their feelings for one another had miraculously turned to love.

As the mission was nearing its end, Tavington looked forward to returning to his wife and daughter at the fort, especially as the time was rapidly approaching for Caroline to give birth. The dragoons had met with little resistance during this foray into the countryside, with only a few minor skirmishes.

Tavington had hoped to encounter Benjamin Martin's militia, but had seen no sign of them. He'd sent several scouts off to search for leads as to Martin's whereabouts and activities but so far they'd come up empty handed. The dragoon commander had decided that they would return to the fort if the last group of scouts returned without information.

"Sir?" Bordon rode up to Tavington, followed by one of the scouts. "Henson has a report of possible militia activity. Known members of Benjamin Martin's group were seen riding just north of Ninety-Six."

Tavington listened carefully to Henson's report, then decided to pursue the militia. General Cornwallis had made the elimination of Martin's group as an effective fighting force a key priority, a goal which Tavington intended to fulfill at the nearest opportunity.

After riding hard all night, the dragoons finally caught up with the militia just south of Cook's Station early the next morning. As they emerged from a wooded area, Tavington spotted the rebel camp a short distance ahead. He observed about twenty men in the process of breaking up camp and getting ready to ride.

Holding up his hand for silence, he gestured to the group that they were to approach from behind and to wait until he gave the signal to attack. As they rode up to engage the enemy, Tavington could see that neither Benjamin Martin, nor his son, Gabriel, were among this group rebels they were about to fight.

Caught unawares, the rebels scrambled for their weapons as Tavington gave the signal to attack. The dragoons rode into the middle of the camp, sabers flying, as they spread out to cover the group. Tavington's group quickly gained the advantage, cutting down several men before they could even reach their weapons.

After quickly sabering one man to death, Tavington turned and saw Wilkins riding after one man who was attempting to get to a horse to escape. Before Wilkins could reach the man, however, a musket shot struck his horse, throwing the dragoon from the saddle. Wilkins broke his leg when the horse fell and landed on him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bordon fighting with the man who had fired the shot that had unhorsed Wilkins.

The rebel militiaman, seeing an easy chance to kill the downed dragoon, rushed at him with a tomahawk. Wilkins was able to unsheath his saber, but was at a distinct disadvantage with his broken leg.

Tavington rode over to the two combatants at an almost leisurely pace. He stopped the horse a short distance from the two men and settled back to watch as he unhurriedly loaded his flintlock pistol.

As he dodged blows from the rebel's tomahawk, Wilkins saw his commander ride up and was puzzled when Tavington made no move to attack the militiaman.

"Colonel!" Wilkins said. "I need some help here!" After Tavington still did not move, but continued to watch the fight dispassionately, the other dragoon knew something was terribly wrong.

"Please!" Wilkins pleaded. "Help me!"

Finally Tavington spoke. "I think not," he said. Moving his horse slightly closer to the beleaguered dragoon, he continued calmly, "I know that you're the one who reported me to General Cornwallis about what happened at the Martin farm that day. Did you think that I would allow such disloyalty to go unpunished?"

"For the love of God," Wilkins almost screamed. " Help me! Don't let him kill me!"

Tavington didn't reply, but continued to watch until he saw that Wilkins was incapable of fighting back any longer. Quickly riding close to the militiaman, Tavington dispatched the rebel with a shot from his pistol. He leaned over and grabbed the man's tomahawk before he fell to the ground.

Turning back to Wilkins who lay moaning on the ground, he said coldly, "You have been disloyal to me and to the group. For that, you must pay the penalty." With no further ado, he threw the tomahawk at Wilkins, which struck him directly in the throat, killing him. As soon as Tavington was sure that he was dead, he quickly rode away. Looking around, he was satisfied that none of the other dragoons had seen him deliver the fatal blow.

Two day later, the dragoons returned to the fort. Tavington was pleased to see Caroline waiting outside for him, holding the baby.

"Did you miss me?" he asked after he'd dismounted, bending to kiss his wife on the cheek. "I missed you, you know."

"Oh yes," Caroline said with a shy smile. "We both did." Caroline held up the baby for him to kiss.

"Where is my husband?" Deborah Wilkins asked, suddenly appearing at Tavington's side.

Keeping the irritation out of his facial expression, he said, "I'm very sorry, Mrs Wilkins, but Captain Wilkins was killed in the line of duty. He fell in battle with a group of rebel militia near Cook's Station."

"Oh no!" Deborah Wilkins wailed. "It can't be!"

"I'm very sorry," Tavington repeated, exasperation creeping into his voice.

Caroline moved to comfort her friend, who was crying freely now. "I'm so sorry Deborah," she said. "If there's anything I can do...." Her voice trailed off.

At that moment, the horse bearing Captain Wilkins' covered body was led into the fort by another mounted dragoon. Deborah Wilkins turned away from the Tavingtons as soon she saw the horse and immediately ran to her husband's body

Not wishing to prolong this scene any longer, Tavington took his wife's arm gently and said in a low voice, "Come along, Caroline. You need to rest. You don't need to upset yourself."

Caroline paused as she gave one last look of helpless sympathy to Deborah, who was now pouring out her anguish as she grabbed onto the horse bearing her husband's body. After a moment, Caroline allowed her husband to lead her away.

Three weeks later, Caroline Tavington awakened her husband in the middle of the night. "It's time, William!" she said as she leaned over in bed to shake him awake.

"Hmm?" Tavington's mind was still cobwebbed with sleep.

"The baby!" Caroline said. "I think it's coming!"

Tavington was awake now. Sitting up and swinging his legs off the bed, he said, "Wait here. I'll go get the doctor."

Caroline laughed softly. "I'm not going anywhere." As she watched Tavington quickly pull on his breeches, she added, "But hurry, please."

"I'll be back as soon as possible," he said. "I'll go get Colleen first and have her sit with you until I get back." Colleen was the wet nurse they'd engaged to feed little Jane and was asleep in the next room with the baby girl.

By the time Tavington returned with the doctor and midwife, Caroline was well into labor. After a quick examination, the doctor turned to Tavington with a smile. "Everything is in order, Colonel and I can assure you that this will be a smooth delivery," he said. "Both mother and baby are doing fine."

"Thank you, doctor," Tavington said, obviously relieved.

As they spoke, a cry came from the other room. Colleen, who had been sitting by Caroline, rose and said, "I'll be back shortly, Mrs Tavington. I need to go feed the baby."

"Take your time, Colleen," she said. "I'll be fine now."

After the young Irish woman had disappeared into the next room, Tavington waited about fifteen minutes, then went in to check on his daughter. Colleen was sitting in a rocker in the corner with little Jane up on her shoulder, burping her, as Tavington entered the room.

"Give her to me and I'll hold her for awhile," Tavington said to the wet nurse. "Go make up the other crib and have it ready for when Mrs Tavington gives birth."

"Right away, sir."

Tavington rocked his daughter, holding her close, for nearly a half hour. As he gazed down at her little face, a lump caught in his throat. The baby girl had the same auburn hair as her mother and would no doubt grow to resemble her. He didn't realize how much he still missed Jane until this moment. As he continued to rock her, memories of his time with Jane Thompson washed over him.

The sharp sound of a baby's cry from the other room brought him back to the present. He rose, then gently placed his daughter back into her crib.

"You have a son," the doctor told him as he returned to the bedroom.

"A son?" he said, a silly grin spreading across his face.

"Come see our son, William," Caroline said as the midwife placed the baby in her arms.

Moving to sit by her on the bed, he murmured, "He's absolutely perfect, Caroline."

"He looks just like you," she said. "He's got your eyes." With a shy smile, "I thought we'd name him after you: William Jeremiah Tavington, Jr."

Tavington nodded in assent as he reached out to take the baby's tiny hand into his own. With the other, he took Caroline's hand. "Thank you, Caroline, for our son."

Caroline did not reply, but looked up at her husband with complete happiness. A marriage begun in sorrow had now turned into one of love and hope. Seven months ago, she'd entered unwillingly into marriage with William Tavington, now she looked forward to spending the rest of her life by his side.

Three Years Later

Benjamin Martin looked around apprehensively as he arrived at a banquet that Francis Marion was hosting for a group of defeated British officers in the area. As he entered the large dining room, he carefully scanned the faces of all the British officers within.

"Who are you looking for?" Martin turned to see Lt. Colonel John Laurens standing beside him.

"Colonel Tavington," he replied. "You see, he ---"

"Tavington!" Laurens said with a look of utter disgust. "Surely you jest. No man in this room would lower himself to sit at a table with that barbarian." Looking at Martin with narrowed eyes, he demanded, "What is your interest in the Butcher?"

Martin exhaled loudly. "It's a complicated story, but he's married to my oldest daughter. I haven't seen her since the day of their wedding three years ago." Sighing again, he continued, "Nor have I seen my grandchild, who is now three years old."

Understanding the implication behind Martin's words, Laurens said quietly, "You have my sympathies, sir."

"I was hoping that now that the war is over that I could find my daughter and bring her home," he said. "Would you happen to know where the British officers are presently being quartered?"

"There are several large homes being used to house them," Laurens said. "I believe the officers from the British Legion are being quartered at the Hunter Mansion over on Sycamore Street."

"Thank you, sir," Martin said. "I'm much obliged."

"Good luck to you," Laurens said. "I hope it all turns out for the best."

A short time later, Martin arrived at the Hunter Mansion. As he paused in front of the large residence, the front door opened and Colonel Banastre Tarleton emerged, with a garishly dressed young woman clinging to his arm. Both were laughing uproariously at some private joke.

Ben approached the two hesitantly. "Excuse me," he said. "Can you tell me where I might find Colonel Tavington?"

"He's on the second floor, third door to the right," Tarleton said over his shoulder, not breaking stride.

"Thank you."

A moment later, he knocked at the door to Tavington's suite.

"Martin." Tavington stood in the doorway in shirtsleeves, his hair unbound. "I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised to see you here."

"I'd like to see my daughter, if you please." Martin attempted unsuccessfully to keep the exasperation out of his voice.

"Come in, then," Tavington said curtly, opening the door wider.

"William?" Caroline called from another room. "Who is at the door?" A moment later, she emerged to see her father standing awkwardly just inside the room.

"Father!" Caroline rushed into his arms. "It's so good to see you!"

"I've missed you so much," he said, holding her close. As he embraced her, he could not help but notice that she was again with child.

At that moment, a small boy came out of the other room. Noticing the strange man hugging his mother, he went and hid behind his father, his little arms wrapped around Tavington's legs. But at the same time he stole stealthy glances at the stranger, wondering who he was.

Tavington reached down and picked up his son. The little boy trustingly wrapped his arms around his father's neck, resting his head on Tavington's shoulder.

Caroline reached out for her son, who obligingly released Tavington and came to her. "Will," she said softly. "This is your grandfather." She smiled broadly as she showed off her son to her father.

"Oh, he's quite handsome, Caroline," Martin said, reaching out a hand to the little boy. "My first grandchild." Looking down at his daughter, he said softly, "And not the last, it would seem."

As he spoke, Colleen Murphy, the nursemaid, came from the other room with a little girl, and a younger toddler boy.

"This is our other son, Joseph," Caroline said. In a lower voice, she added, "And the little girl is William's daughter, Jane -- now our daughter." Beaming happily, she added, "And there'll be a new baby come the end of March."

Martin raised an eyebrow as he realized that Tavington had brought one of his outside children for Caroline to raise, but didn't say anything, as it appeared that, despite all odds, Caroline was now happy with the man she'd been obliged to marry.

"I came here to take you home with me now that the war is over," Martin admitted. "But am I correct in assuming that you want to stay with him?" He indicated Tavington with a jerk of his head.

"My place is with my husband," Caroline said firmly, moving to stand by Tavington, slipping her arm through his. "And there is no other place in the world I'd rather be."

"I'll not stand in your way, then" he said tightly, looking down at the floor. "The only thing I have ever wanted for you is your happiness."

"I love you, Father," Caroline said, tears glistening on her cheek. She reached out to take her father's hand. "Say goodbye to everyone for me. We'll be sailing for Nova Scotia within the week."

"I will," he said, his lip quivering. He reached up to brush away the tears forming in his eyes. "Write to me."

"You can be sure of that," she said, squeezing his hand.

Turning to leave, he said gruffly to Tavington, "Take good care of my daughter and my grandchildren."

"Of that you can be certain," Tavington replied.

Without another word, Benjamin Martin opened the door and left.

Caroline Tavington turned and embraced her husband, eager to begin the next phase of their life together.

end

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