The Last Marigold

~XIII~

"He'll be home soon won't he? It's been four weeks...our banns have been read" Marigold muttered as she stirred some sugar into her tea. Vivian shot a glance at Daphne who in turn gave her a knowing look. After receiving very few letters, Marigold feared that he had been injured or worse killed. Though deep down she knew that he had more duties after receiving his promotion off of Lord Cornwallis. She did look forward to seeing his new uniform, he mentioned in his second letter that there was a lot more gold thread in it and he had a aiguillette.

"I'm sure that he's returning to you as we speak my dear" Daphne smiled and looked down at her hands, nervously fiddling with her rings. In reality, William had sent her a letter two days ago stating that he was due to arrive within the next week. A part of her was relieved as she knew what happened between her daughter and the General the night before he left, Daphne feared that he had gotten his daughter with child as she had not yet had her monthlies "He could be in Charles Town right this second and neither of us will know until he knocks on our door"

"If he doesn't come home soon I will drag him back by the ear" Vivian muttered. Marigold let out a giggle and covered her mouth with her hand "Same with my James, two of a kind them two"

"I hate to disagree with you but Banastre is more like William, they finish each others sentences" Marigold pointed out before sipping her tea and putting the cup back onto its saucer "They both are as bland in their letters, and if Banny didn't have red hair, he'd look like his blood brother"

"'Banny'?" Daphne asked.

"it's the nickname I gave him just before he left" Marigold smiled before picking a jam tart from a plate and placing it next to her cup of tea "same as William's name is Willie"

"how amusing" Her mother softly laughed. After a few moments, they heard the door open and then close "That's rather odd, we had no visitors today" She peeked over her daughters shoulder, smiling once she saw two familiar silhouettes in the foyer "Maribel, Vivian, would you like to greet our guests?"

"Mamma, we've only just sat down- Oh alright..." Vivian stood up and walked over towards the doorway, Marigold trailed rather closely behind, only for Vivian to gasp when she reached the foyer "What is it Viv- oh..." She covered her mouth with her hands when she saw General Tavington standing there. Before he could even speak she bowled over towards him and pulled him into an embrace. He chuckled warmly before lifting his girl into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips.

William placed her back on her feet, still hugging her tightly "My dear-" Once they parted, her hands were everywhere, feeling his forehead for any sign of a fever, stroking over his coatee to see if he had sustained any injuries.

"How are you? tell me you haven't been injured!" Marigold demanded before pulling him into another kiss, though when she touched his neck, she noticed some healing gauze there. She pulled away from him and gently stroked the skin around the wound "Oh tell me it didn't hurt that badly!"

"I'm alright, tis but a scratch, I barely feel it now that I'm with you" He mumbled before hearing James clear his throat. William looked to the side and shook his head "Maybe it hurt a little more than a scratch...they were lucky that they didn't nick my artery"

"Oh you silly man! you should've sent word!"

"I was going to, but me and my detachment got furlough, isn't that right Borden?" William glanced at the side only to see him kissing his fiancé "Ah Borden..." Marigold looked to the side, seeing the captain and Vivian kissing rather passionately "Borden!" William half-shouted, catching the officers attention "Jesus man"

James looked to the side before sheepishly smiling "I'm saying hello" He brushed it off before turning to face his girl again, a schoolboy grin on his lips "Aren't I darling?" Vivian just hummed and rested her head on her soldier's chest "Excuse us, I wish to take this one on a romantic ride"