Chapter 183
Yorktown, New York, 1781
Major Christian Henry stood in the back amongst the other lower ranking officers not quite joining in the celebration, but still a part of it. General Cornwallis had surrendered. For all intents and purposes, the war was over. Somehow, despite all of the odds against them, they’d managed to defeat the greatest army ever to tread the face of the earth. Christian was happy for the small role he’d played in it, but he had a feeling the promises of grandeur General Washington had once mentioned to him were better left to someone else, someone… more worthy.
Hamilton knew. He’d seen Christian leaving the barn that day. He never said a word about it--not to Christian. Not to anyone, as far as Major Henry knew. But the information was stored away in that brilliant mind of his, a mind that would never forget anything. Hamilton had left a few years ago, taking another assignment after he had a falling out with Washington, and Christian hated that he could no longer keep an eye on the man, but perhaps it was better this way. Out of sight, out of mind.
Washington was still suspicious of the situation, and when Christian was promoted only to major and not to the higher rank most of the other aides held, lieutenant-colonel, he had to suppose it was because the general questioned his trustworthiness. It bothered Christian to no end, but it was true he had done something deplorable. He should’ve never carried on with Catharine Greene in the hayloft. Or a few days later in the broom closet. Or a week or so after that in the back of a wagon.
She just kept coming back! It didn’t matter that she didn’t seem to enjoy herself. It was as if the thrill of getting caught was truly what she sought and not the pleasure of the activity itself. For Christian, on the other hand, he did enjoy the act, even if it was rushed. He most certainly didn’t want to get caught. Each time it happened, he told himself this was the last time. Yet, whenever she’d return to him, he’d find himself spiriting off with her, a quick glance over his shoulder all it took to make him determine it was safe and sound.
It wasn’t until Catharine realized she was actually pregnant that the affair had stopped. She was too far along for it to be his baby, thank goodness. The last thing Christian wanted or needed was a child, and when she’d given birth to her daughter in February, and the girl was certainly full-term, he was relieved. Since she’d realized she was pregnant, Mrs. Greene had not sought him out again, so he had hoped nothing would ever come of the scandalous activity. But Washington had all but hinted that he knew something was going on when he’d promoted him only to major. It would have to do. His service would be up in just a few months, and even though the war wasn’t technically over, Cornwallis’s surrender had made it safe for him to leave. He’d go back home for a bit, see about the state of affairs in Philadelphia, and then potentially join his parents out west
After five years of service, Christian wasn’t exactly sure what to do with himself. It all felt a bit odd. His plan was solid. He knew he’d sort it all out. But not delivering messages for Washington, not sprinting off across the open land to take important information from one headquarters to another, seemed odd to him. Perhaps he’d figure out a way to make communication the center of his existence again one day. There were so many ideas bursting around in his mind of inventions he wanted to work on, devices he wanted to improve. Perhaps now he'd have the time to do that as well.
The officers were dismissed, and Christian left, heading back to his room, thinking perhaps he’d start some sketches of some of the devices he wanted to make. As he exited the building, he came face to face with General Nathanael Greene. The man’s eyes were heavy as they bore into Christian’s face, and for a moment, he wanted to feel shame at what he’d done. But he didn’t. If this man knew that he’d slept with his wife, he was the one who should be feeling shame. He should realize that she’d had to go looking for someone else because he simply couldn’t hold up his end of the bargain. With a snarl in the general’s general direction, Christian headed off, glad he’d be free of the military life soon enough. Then, he’d be free to hunt the enemy he truly wanted to destroy, the creatures who stalked the night.
