All I've Ever Wanted (Laurette)

Chapter 37

Laurens's POV

I awaited dawn with Alexander. We were to meet Lee and Burr a few yards away from the camp in the woods to duel. I was ready, confident in myself. I was nervous though... But who wouldn't be when you're about to go and put your life on the line or the thought of taking someone else's life... To have one of your fellow man's blood spill and have that on your conscious... But I didn't intend to kill him, rather just wound him. I wanted satisfaction, I wanted him to pay for his words. Washington had been more an generous to that spoiled brat and now he decides that he wants to talk trash talk him, I wasn't going to let it stand. I didn't know who Lee had as his second, but I prayed to god that for Lee's sake that he was a good negotiator unless he wanted my bullet to find a home in his flesh. I made Alexander promise me not to tell Lafayette or Hercules because they would try and stop me, but I had the burning desire to defend Washington's honor. I knew that Alexander had mostly agreed to be my second in hope that it would Washington give him command of a battalion if he were to find out. I'll admit though, it was a brillant plan he had but I was hoping Washington would find out at all- not to ruin his dreams though. I was polishing the pistol that Lafayette gave me since I never got mine back form the British camp which still upset me. But I smiled, the gun having a polished white marble handle and the barrel was made of iron. It had roses engraved on the barrel, having something written in French on it but I couldn't make out what it was. I had been trying for almost a week to figure out what it said because I couldn't ask Lafayette, he was too busy... I sighed, missing the loving embrace of my darling Frenchman... I closed my eyes and imagined him wrapping his arms around me, kissing my head and telling me that he was proud of me. I smiled again and opened my eyes, looking up at Alexander who had come into my tent. He had a sullen look on his face, almost a fearful look masked his features as well as his eyes.
"It's time, Laurens..." he said softly. I rose to my feet and stepped out of the tent with him. I fixed the coat of my uniform, then we walked through the camp and went to where we were to meet Lee, thinking,
'Time to meet your match, Charles.'