-= 80 =-
2 April, 1781
Charleston, South Carolina
"Cassie?" John asked, for the third or fourth time. He stared at the floor like he planned to memorize every imperfection in the wood. "She...She's alive!?"
"Why, yes sir." Edward Rutledge sat less than three feet away, leaning towards him like a concerned friend. He
was concerned. The colonel looked like he planned to vomit.
"Cassie?"
"Yes, sir. She came here perhaps a month ago. Did not General Heyward tell you?"
"No."
"Oh my." Deep inside Rutledge's heart soared.
You are about to lose one of your pieces, General. He rose, walked to a small table and began pouring drinks.
"I thought she was dead." Preston's mind reeled. He couldn't think, he could barely see. Alive? How long had everyone known? Why didn't anyone tell him? Tom, Tom had known.
So that's why you made me bring my uniform. Smug son of a bitch. He didn't know whether to be grateful or break the man's neck.
"I'm very concerned to hear that." Rutledge returned with the drinks. Could the woman at his house be an imposter! "I do assure you she's well. Mrs. Rutledge has taken good care of her."
"She's staying with you?" Preston took the glass and drank deeply. The bitter draught helped clear his head.
"Yes."
"I was just there."
Rutledge coughed into his handkerchief. "Who did you speak to?"
"One of your slaves. She went in and spoke to 'the mistress," John answered bitterly.
"Ah, you must forgive Mrs. Rutledge. She is one for ... for timing." And you smell like a fisherman. "You must come to dinner, then we will reunite you with Miss Rafferty."
If she's who she says she is.
"I was already invited."
"Excellent! Now," he leaned back and spoke in a more formal tone, "I speak to you as a lawyer."
John looked up.
"Do you forsee any difficulties we need to protect your estate from?"
"Not that I know of?" Preston had better things on his mind than that! "I have a man who looks after those things."
"Yes, Mister Goodrich," Rutledge sniffed. "Your father valued him highly."
"But you do not?"
"Oh, he was a worthy enough attorney in his prime, Colonel. You must remember he's in his sixties, and doesn't get around as well as he did thirty years ago."
"So where should I look?" John asked cynically. "You?"
"I do not deal with estate law," Rutledge lied. "However I do favors for my friends. I would certainly hate to see your heritage absconded while you bravely defended Carolina from her enemies. So...no brothers? sisters?
children?"
"No." John narrowed his eyes. Where was he leading? "None."
"Of course."
Poor boy doesn't even know he may have children. I hope he knows how they're made! I shall have to watch him tonight. "My apologies. But should you find need for my support, I hope you will not hesitate."
"You were good enough to get me my commission already," Preston answered neutrally.
"I know, but your father was kind to me once, and I see great things for you in the future. A man in this life cannot have enough friends. Pray consider on it."
"Fine." Pause. "Thank you."
"Excellent! Now, allow me to aveer to our dinner tonight..."
------------------
Dinner at the Rutledge house: Bright lights and soft music, quiet conversation and a place to make alliances or issue warnings. Rarely a simple matter, tonight dinner promised chaos incarnate. Black servants bustled in and out straightening furniture, setting the table and preparing food. A violin player materialized from God knew where and annexed the sitting room where he sat tuning his instrument. Henrietta was determined that tonight should be special, expense be damned.
In her room Cassie stared at herself in a mirror as Isabel made some last minute adjustments to her dress. She could feel her heart pounding and could scarcely breathe, though in all fairness that may have been the corset. "It's so hot," she complained, fanning herself. "Aren't you done?"
"Almost, mistress. I was told you would like the pink sash tonight?"
"No!" Then, seeing Isabel's terrified look at deciding who to disobey, she sighed. "Fine. Just make it fast. No, wait! I'll do it myself!"
"But mistress..."
"If Mrs. Rutledge says anything, tell her I made you leave. Now get!"
Isabel left. Cassie sighed and tied the sash herself. She wanted tonight to go right, and she didn't want any damn help!
-----------------
"Good evening, sir." James bowed. "Your name?"
"Preston...Colonel John Preston."
"Of course. Mistress is expecting you. Shall I take you to her?"
"Please," Preston handed over his coat and hat. He'd followed Rutledge's not so subtle hints and now dressed in the splendid blue and white with red trim of the American army. A pretty girl of about sixteen years turned, seeing the uniform, and smiled brightly. She took one look at his scarred face and displeased expression and hurried off.
Preston followed the servant to a pudgy woman who turned and offered her hand at his introduction. "Colonel, I have so wanted to meet you!"
You didn't earlier, John thought, but decided against pressing the issue. He made his leg and took her hand. "Your servant."
Rutledge giggled as if this was the wittiest thing she'd ever heard. "And may I say how handsome you are this evening, colonel?"
"Thank you." John looked around.
"She will be right down I assure you. Would you like a drink? Isaac there can..."
The soft violin music suddenly intensified, and coming down the stairs John saw Cassie. She wore a pale yellow gown with a pink sash, somewhat low cut and long sleeved with gloves. Gloves? Rafferty fanned herself against the heat of so many people in a confined space and raw nerves. Their gazes locked. She smiled, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"CASSIE!" John rushed across the crowded room, arms spread wide for a bear hug. Henrietta Rutledge gasped. Most of her friends frowned disapprovingly. Edward Rutledge looked up at the shout from his intense discussion and arched his eyebrows. The violin stopped in mid-note as he reached her.
No one was quite sure what occured next. It happened too fast. Suddenly John was sprawled on his back at her feet, looking up in amazement.
"Why, Colonel Preston," Cassie blushed and fanned herself some more. "You've taken a fall. I hope you're not injured?"
