The Butchers Love

Chapter 28

Tavington's POV
With a reasonably heavy sigh I opened the doors to the Lord General's office and tipped my head respectfully "My Lord"

"Colonel Tavington" he sighed and looked up from eating. Oh God I'm in for it. Cornwallis scowled and curled his lip "My reputation suffers because of your incompetence! That man insults me!"

I discreetly rolled my eyes and raised an eyebrow "Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, Wouldn't you say?"

He gestured for me to step closer towards his desk "I want you to find that man, I want you to capture him"

"The man has the loyalty of the people, they'll protect him, protect the families of his men" A grim plan formed in my mind, Mable would kill me but she did not need to know "I can capture him for you. But to do so would require tactics that are somewhat. What was the words his lordship used? Brutal, I think?"

The General looked towards the other man in the room and silently told him to exit. Once he was cleared of the room he turned back towards me "Go on"

I walked over towards a table with a map on and then to a side table. With a sly smirk, I poured myself a glass of brandy "I'm prepared to do what is necessary, I alone will assume the full mantle of responsibility for my actions, free of the chain of command, rendering you blameless" All I could think about was Mable, what her reaction would be. But I couldn't think that now. I'm so sorry love. I looked up from my glass and glanced at Cornwallis "However, if I do this, you and I both know that I can never return to England with honour" He turned towards me and looked at me with pure confusion "What I wonder is to become of me"

He stood up from his desk "when this war is over here in the colonies, the new aristocracy will be land owners" he unravelled a map from the table and looked towards me.

I cracked a small smile and walked over towards the map "Tell me about Ohio" Even when he was giving me the description of the land I was just promised, my thoughts were of Mable and how I just betrayed her trust. But we'd be land owners, we...she would hate me "I'll go now, my lord, let me just say goodbye to my wife"

Once he dismissed me, I paced back towards my room and met with Mable. She smiled once she saw me.

"He kept you long, how'd it go?" Mable asked and wrapped her arms around me.

"I...er..." I cleared my throat and looked down at her "Extra duties, patrol for this evening" no why was I lying to her?!

"That's alright, as long as I get a kiss goodbye"

I picked her up and showered kisses on her face "I love you" I mumbled and held her close "I love you so much"

Mable wrapped her legs around me and rested her hands on my shoulders "My handsome man" she muttered and kissed me softly "Now, you go and do your duties, when you get back I have something for you"

"You needn't get me anything, you're enough for me"

But I was nothing but a manipulative prick. I wasn't worthy of the beauty that was in my arms. S-she...-

My thoughts were cut off when she nuzzled into my neck "shh, I'll tell you later"

"I'll be back very early this morning"

"Then you can get some sleep afterwards"

"No, then I can spend time with you"

"You're simply the best"

I'm far from it my darling, I'm the monster in this tale. The person who ruins lives, the villain who doesn't deserve your love. My beautiful, gentle Mable...

I pray that you will forgive me my sins, that you can see that I am still the man you married. I pray that God will forgive me. Oh dear God, please forgive me...

Flashback
"Mother" I rushed to her bedside and knelt down onto my knees "I beg of you...don't go..."

"Shh, my son" she shot me a weak smile and offered me her hand, I took it almost immediately and held it tight "You'll see me again one day..."

"I can't loose you" I swallowed the hard lump that had formed in my throat "Please mama..." that was the first time I said that in years "Please..."

"You make me so proud, William..." her grip on my hand loosened and my heart fell and shattered "I love you my darling boy"

"Mama?" I tried shaking her arm to wake her up "I love you ma..." it was like a crushing blow to my chest
tears welded in my eyes, escaping down my cheeks whenever I blinked "I'll never forget what you've taught me, I'll make you proud"

End of Flashback

I hitched Mable up slightly before walking her over towards the bed "You make me very happy sweetheart"

She grazed her fingers over my  "And you make me proud, I'm proud to be your wife"

I cracked a small smile and kissed her forehead. I feel awful. With a small smile I kissed her gently "I love you"

Mable smiled her usual bright smile "And I love you"

"I must go now" was that a tremble in my voice?

"I'll be here waiting for you" she muttered and settled on our bed once again "be safe Will"

"I alway am" I looked towards the floor and then back at her "Did I tell you that I love you?"

"Yes you did" her head made home one her pillow "now go before you get punished again"

Once I was out of the room, I leant against the door and sank to the floor. My sabre clanked against the floor, along with my flintlocks. I looked to my left and then the right. Lord forgive me for what I'm about to do...