Chapter Twenty-Two: Military Talk

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There was an awkward tension in the next few weeks.

Madeline had not shown her face or spoken to me in ages, while Sabrina and Timothy seemed completely oblivious to the matter. Each treated me just the same as if I was their own sister as well.

Then there were my brothers. I could hardly look at them without thinking of the secrets they thought they hid from me. A family of spies! Wouldn't our mother be proud! Wouldn't our father cry out in joy! Perhaps our own parents played a larger role in the French and Indian War?

There was also Gabriel, who treated me just the same as ever, with a touch more sweetness and happiness than necessary. It was hard to continue playing my little games, but I had business to do one way or another.

"Then there's Mother, but she really has no part in our lives. She sent me a letter. I was so happy, expecting it to be an apology for not being around, and saying that she'd join me as soon as she could. I have such high hopes that she'll want to redeem herself, but she was only asking what color fabric I wanted. I started to write a letter, telling her to stop any communication with me, but France does have the best taste in fashion! So then I started debating between silk and satin. What color do you think suits me more, green or blue? Perhaps a floral print? Maybe even-"

"May I have a moment alone with Christina?" Sabrina cut her sentence off, a devious smile stretching across her face. She often wore that look whenever Gabriel wished to speak to me. It was as if she expected something personal to happen in those few moments we had alone.

"Of course Lieutenant Colonel!" She stood up abruptly, her past conversation of dresses and flowers forgotten. "I'd hate to get in the way of your fresh relationship! I shall see you soon, Miss Christina."

With a hop in her step, she exited the room, calling out to one of the workers in the process.

I let out a sigh, happy to be freed from the non-intelligent conversations. Ever since she began seeing that Tristan boy, her topics for conversing numbed down considerably. She no longer talked of higher studies or music, and only played when asked. I was worried, but I never commented on it for the sake of her privacy.

"I figured you had grown bored of her topic," Gabriel lowered himself to sit beside me, leaving the proper amount of space between us.

"Yes, I am in need of something beyond the usual female conversations," my mind began whirling, trying to turn this moment for my own benefit. "Tell me something new, something about the war."

There was a moment of startled silence.

"Surely you don't want to discuss such things," he seemed hesitant as if I was a normal female who would faint at even the implication of death and violence. "I mean, you are a lady-"

"You need not get into the blood and gore, tell me something I don't know. Strategies, forts, anything new going on," was I being careful enough? I feel as though I was coming on too strongly. Would he notice? Question my sudden interest?

"If it pleases my lady," Settling back in his seat, Gabriel slung an arm over the back of the furniture, completely relaxing in my presence. "We have moved a great number of troops out of Fort Watson, leaving only ten dozen men behind. Ever since the Battle of Cowpens, all the high ranking officers have been on edge. It was a terrible loss."

A terrible loss for him. For me, it was a great victory and one step closer to my freedom.

"Yes, though I find myself grateful that your battalion was not called to battle," I told no lies. Had my brothers been called to Cowpens, I doubt they would have returned. It had been a bloodbath.

For a moment, Gabriel smiled. It was charming and was sure to send most girls blushing. If I had any sort of feelings, then I would have done so too. Instead, I gave him the sweetest look I could manage.

"We may also head further north when the weather warms."

North? What could they possibly be doing up north?

"Why? Isn't there more work to be done here?" He didn't seem all that perturbed by my statement. In a way, I suppose he expected me to ask for more depth in his short statements.

"We came south for Charles Town, and we now control the city. While I still think it's too early, most of our forces will be moving up to Virginia. Yorktown, I believe," He spoke so casually. It reminded me of how one would speak when talking about the weather.

He just gave me a vital piece of information. He just made my job insanely productive, and twice as deadly. One wrong move and everything could come tumbling down.

My heartbeat quickened. My palms became clammy. My breathing slowed. Everything in my world came to a stop, all because of this one conversation.

"Christina?" A hand was on my shoulder, but I could hardly pay any attention. I need to write that letter. I don't want to forget anything he just told me. "Christina, are you feeling well?"

Shaking my head, I snapped out of the state I was in. "I... I apologize for spacing out like that, I don't know what happened."

"Perhaps you should go lay down," the worried look on Gabriel's face did not go unnoticed by me, but the opportunity to write that letter was more than enough to satisfy my current needs.

"Yes, I think I will," I stood up, trying to pay no mind to the closeness when he followed. "I will see you later, I'm sure."

He kissed my knuckles in a sweet form of dismissal, allowing me to leave shortly after.

I was not out the door a second before Madeline sauntered into the room, her lips a darker shade of red than usual. She has often eavesdropped on us, waiting on the perfect moment to either interrupt or enter as I left. It was irritating. I had to constantly live with the worry that she would somehow, miraculously, steal Gabriel away. I had a job to do and she was becoming a liability.

Couldn't she be patient and wait until the war was over? She could have him to herself, they could get married for all I care!

Even as I thought that anger bubbled in me. I suppose she has become my rival over the past month. If she succeeded, then I would lose the one thing in my life that was constant. While I doubted my ability to keep silent and let her continue this annoying little game to take Gabriel from me, I did know I would have to tell them all the truth one day.

One day.

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