The Last Marigold

XXXI

15th January 1781

William let out a sigh as he tied his hand around the reins of his horse "so I'm to drag my dragoons back to Pembroke, question them, question the surrounding plantations and then bring them back here?" He shook his head "I'm not doing that Tarleton, most of mine are recruits, they need breaks for the latrines every five minutes"

Banastre trotted up to him and muttered "I order you to, it keeps you from thinking about your mistress, Tavington"

"I'm more superior, lieutenant-colonel and I suggest that you do not talk about my dalliance with Miss Maxon" William puffed his chest out and took in a deep breath "we'll travel to Pembroke together, I'll do the questioning while you persuade the townsfolk to give us Martin's location" The auburn haired officer let out a groan "it's the least you can do after trying to fuck my wife"

"I kissed her-"

"That isn't any better" William snapped causing a few men to look his way "do as I say" He stared over at his second and cocked his head upwards as a sign for him to come over towards him. When he did, he tossed him his canteen and spurred his horse forwards into a trot "Borden, Wilkins, you're with me"

~~~

16th January 1781...

evening,

After a week both Marigold and Isabella received letters from their beloveds. Marigold made sure that her sons were asleep before laying down on her bed with William's letter in her hand. She broke the wax seal and started reading his letter.

My dearest Marigold,

Why, oh, why must I be sent away on duty just as our sons are born? I feel terrible for leaving in such a rush but leaving early means that I'll come home sooner and when I do I'm not letting you out of my sight for a long while. My dearest love, words can not describe how much I miss you, each day passes and I miss your voice, eyes and smile. And when I return I plan on retiring and spending as much time as humanly possible with you.

We will be moving to Pembroke soon, afterwards we go to Cowpens, though after that no one truly knows what we will be doing. I long to return to you and our children, I pray that our campaign brings me close to you. I hope that Missy hasn't bored you with stories of my youth, you'd probably want a divorce if you heard it all. I long to speak with you in person, we're still young, we have plenty of time to rekindle what we had in our honeymoon period.

I wanted to say that I have read your letter at least four dozen times, it is like you are here reciting the words yourself! Could you tuck the boys in and give them a kiss goodnight from me? Tell them that their papa misses them as much as he misses their mother. I will try dream of you tonight, if the good lord in heaven will allow it that is. I will dream of our last kiss, maybe I would have the courage to tell Cornwallis to stick his commands where the sun doesn't shine just so I can kiss you again!

The lack of supplies are rather aggravating, each soldier is only allowed a single piece of parchment. As you can probably tell, my handwriting is tiny in comparison to what it usually is. I will be home soon my dear one, I will hold you in my arms again, no matter the cost.

Your devoted husband,

W.J.T

Marigold let out a soft giggle and read through the letter another, one, two, three times. She pressed a kiss to the parchment before opening her bedside table and adding it to the collection of the ones he had already sent. Her William was probably already awake tending to his men or even writing her another letter, oh she could only hope! But every time she tried to settle down, she felt like something bad had happened, but not to William, she knew that he was still alive somehow.

~~~

16th January 1781

midday,

William carefully shaved his right cheek, trying his best not to dip the cutthroat razor into the scar. He noticed that James Borden was leaned against a nearby tree watching over the dragoons and their commander as they prepared their lunches. The colonel let out a soft grunt as he adjusted the position he was in, his knees hurting a lot more than they usually did. He finished up his shave and washed his razor before tidying up his shaving kit.

Borden whistled over at William, catching his attention "Yes James?" William asked as he walked over towards him, pulling himself out of the creek by a branch that was nearby.

"I saw smoke in the distance, in the direction of Pembroke" James murmured, trying to keep his voice low so the others couldn't hear the conversation "Banastre had the townspeople gather in the church-" He stopped himself from talking when he saw the confused look on his commanders face "I do not wish to believe that he did it- would he burn a church?"

"as much as I hate the man, I do not believe that he is capable of doing such an atrocity, maybe he burnt the houses instead?" William mumbled, glancing over his shoulder at the men he was in command of "I do not wish to march these lads north again, they're young and not as battle-hardened as you and I. The smoke would have attracted the rebel militia anyway, we cannot risk that"

"Aye, maybe we can check on our dear Tarleton when we've had din-" Before he could even finish his sentence, something whizzed past William's shoulder, planting into Borden's neck. A spray of blood covered the colonel's face and clothing as the Major crumpled to the floor. William heard a few of his men shouting and then musket fire. He quickly rushed to where he had mounted his saddle, picking up his flintlock before turning towards his men.

But as he turned, felt something hit the bottom left of his abdomen, causing him to lose balance and fall into onto his front. He reached forwards and took a hold of his weapon once again, cocking it just as he rolled onto his back. though when he did, he noticed that a shadow loomed over him with a knife in his hand "that was for my brother" William closed his eyes and accepted his fate, picturing his wife and boys in his mind for the possible final time. He wasn't ready to die it seemed, just as the shadow lifted his arm, the final echo of a flintlock silenced him.

William quickly stood up, ignoring the pain in his side as he ran towards where his best friend died. He saw that he was clutching onto his pistol, aiming it right where he just was. James had shot the boy to save him "C'mon Borden..." He whimpered, fighting back tears as all the memories of their childhood flooded his mind "Please don't...don't leave me, think of your wife" William broke down, clutching onto his friends jacket. He stared down at his lifeless body before reaching into his breast pocket and taking out his letter which were now blood-stained "I'm sorry James, I'm sorry it ended like this" William sobbed as he leaned forwards, hugging his friend's corpse.