The Last Marigold

~XX~

"My lord General, Gentleman, glorious day for his majesty and England" William spoke with a smile before looking at General O'hara, by Christ he hated that man, especially his ghastly voice! He held his tongue and quickly examined the winding rivers on the map.

"General Tavington" The lord General sighed before looking towards him, William raised his head as his smile faded "Always too early, always too eager for glory" he spoke.

William looked down at the map on the table before glancing between Cornwallis and the other Generals, slightly intimidated by all their scowls "For victory, my lord" he was slightly disgusted when he saw Cornwallis feeding one of his dogs meat from his bare hand, leaving an especially large glob of slobber on his hand "I believe we took the field"

"Next time, wait for my command" Cornwallis simply spoke before glancing up at him. Alright that was rather forgiv- oh Jesus

"It appears that General Tavington prefers to follow his own command than yours, my lord" O'hara widened his eyes, keeping his face at an agreeably punchable stance "should he even be of this rank?"

"General O'hats tells me you've earned the nickname 'the butcher' among the populace" when William though of an excuse, he was immediately shot down "We'll discuss it tomorrow" Cornwallis picked up a wine glass and looked towards the more important people in the room "Gentlemen, my compliments"

"To victory"

William clenched his jaw before walking out and remounting his horse. James looked up at him and scrunched his eyebrows "Are you coming with me?"

"Where too?" James asked before pulling himself onto his saddle.

"To our wives" William smirked as he put of his helmet and adjusted the chin strap "I miss her...I will probably need to the fort tomorrow, I wish to see my love before all of this"

"Where did you send her?" James asked as he followed suit and guided his horse to be beside his superior.

the General smiled slightly before glancing down at his pocket watch "she'll be at Fort Carolina, it's a few miles south, I believe that Vivian will be there too" William quickly tucked away his watch and looked towards his second "I believe that we'll be there within an our, if we don't run into any continentals" He spurred his horse forwards and trotted out of the camp with James following closely behind "Anyway, what harm could a night beneath the sheets do?"

"Is her sickness any better?" James asked before leaning down and patting his horses neck "Vivian has mentioned many times that she couldn't keep a meal down"

"In the last letter Marigold sent, she said that she felt better, anyway after these past few days I only wish to hold her" William sighed before shaking his head "Penelope is pregnant...it is mine"

"Oh, Jesus, William" His second groaned before casting him a scowl "What are you going to do about it?" He asked as they made their way onto a dirt path, William stayed quiet for a moment before shrugging his shoulders "Are you taking responsibility?"

"Of course I am, I will take care of her and our child"

"What of Marigold?" James muttered before glancing at his second "Will you tell her?"

"I do not know...it would break her"

"Tell her before it is too late, or I will"

"I will tell her this evening" William muttered before letting out a long groan "it won't hurt the infant if she reacts badly will it?"

"I don't believe it when people say that stress causes deformities, it would be bad seed in that case" The two men debated the matter for a few moments before falling silent and racing each other. Although the journey to the Fort was long, William thought it was worth it when he saw his Marigold in the courtyard, speaking with some of her new friends. Fortunately, all four of them were completely oblivious when he rode into the courtyard, they were still chattering away.