The Last Marigold

XXVI

With a slight hum, William sat up in bed, sighing through his nostrils when he noticed Beckett laying in his place next to Marigold. He leaned over the side of his bed and picked up his breeches, putting them on before walking over to the cabinet while buttoning them up. William reached forwards and pulled out a bottle of wine, smirking slightly when he poured himself a glass. He glanced over at the window, seeing a few new moving flags outside. After putting the wine bottle back into the cabinet, he walked over to the window. When he saw the ships docking at Middleton Place he smiled before taking a sip from his glass. That would hopefully get Cornwallis off of his back for the evening meaning that he could spend some time with his wife. He turned around and leaned against the windowsill, grinning when he saw Marigold cuddled up to Becket. After arriving a few days prior, William had barely any duties to attend to as they were preparing for a ball. The couple had certainly taken advantage of that situation.

William placed his glass down on his desk before stretching out his back and letting out a subtle groan. Marigold stirred in her sleep, sitting up and brushing her hair over her shoulders. She glanced at Beckett before scrunching her eyebrows "I'm over here darling" He spoke, causing her to softly gasp "Oh? Am I really that hideous in the morning?"

"incredibly so"

"You had a different tone last night" William's lip curved into a slight smirk "I believe you said something along the lines of 'Oh William! You feel so good'!" He spoke, mocking her accent in the process causing her to break out into laughter. It was these moments that he missed when he was away, he walked over towards her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Marigold reached up and softly traced the outline of his jaw before accepting a tender peck on the lips "Are you excited for this evening?"

"May I only make a brief appearance...my stomach is doing somersaults already" She rested a hand on her belly and looked into his eyes, only for him to nod and sit next to him "I apologise if I have ruined your evening before it has even begun..."

"If anything you have saved me from an evening of chaperoning young ladies as they cannot possibly find a gentleman themselves, I'd much rather spend my time with you my love" William reached forth and gently squeezed the top of her hand. Just then they heard a loud knock on the door, moments later General O'Hara walked in. O'hara smirked when he saw Marigold in her state of undress, almost forgetting why he was there when he saw her breast. She quickly hid her nakedness behind William's body and leaned her head against his back "General, with respect, could you please wait outside? My wife is clearly not comfortable with you barging in and nor am I"

"You are to unload the supply ships, they are bringing arms and ammunition, unload them first" General O'hara mused before tutting "A beautiful woman you have there Colonel, your men must be jealous" With that, he turned on his heel and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

William turned around and brought his wife into his arms "Are you alright my love? Don't worry about that man, he has no respect for personal privacy" Marigold just nodded and rested a hand on his chest, feeling the soft thumping of his heart underneath her palm "We have aa few ships coming over the course of today, hopefully I'll be done soon" He moved his hand up and placed it on hers before standing and finally letting go. After picking up his waistcoat from the floor and putting it on, he pulled on a fresh pair of stockings and pushed his breeches over them before slipping his feet into his boots. Marigold too dressed for the day before waddling over to William to help him with his cravat "Tonight, all I ask for is an hour of your time" He mumbled as she tucked the cloth underneath his waistcoat. She didn't speak, she only walked over towards the bedpost and picked his coat off a hook he had banged in. She looked down at his coatee and noticed the stitched hole on his shoulder, thinking that he had finally learnt how to sew. Though it looked too good to have been done by a beginner, maybe he asked a camp follower to do it for him? Willam let out a sigh and walked over towards where she was standing, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on her shoulder "You can trust me, you know that? I won't be running off with anyone from the ball unless that lady is you"