CHAPTER 1

End of the Colonist Insurrection

News of General George Washington’s and General Benedict Arnold’s capture by the British general William House spread quickly through New York.  The people began to panic as the rumors of British ships filling New York’s harbor proved to be true.  No one could believe that they were captured along with nine thousands of their men before they could retreat to Manhattan.  The battle of Long Island on August 30, 1776 was short and defeating.

It didn’t take long before the ragtag Continental Army fell apart.  It was poorly run and almost destitute before the capture.  With the loss of its head, General Washington, it was too much for it to overcome.  The hope of help by the French was crushed when the French Navy pulled into New York Harbor alongside the British Navy.

General House greeted General de Grasse at the customs house in New York City, commandeered by the British as their command post for the present time.  “It’s an honor to meet you, General, under these circumstances.  It’s much better than meeting on a field of battle on opposite sides.”  He knew that the French were going to align with the colonists, but they saw the writing on the wall.  There would be no colonists to join.  William had secured the Americas to British rule, as they had done with so many other colonies throughout the world.

France might have problems with Britain, but they wouldn’t be fought here.  General de Grasse would see that France’s interests in the Americas would be secured by an alliance with the British, not the colonists.  “Thank you, General, for welcoming me.  It’s much better that we work together to make the Americas a secure colony of Britain and France.  The colonists will be much better off now.  They’re like children that must be taught and controlled until they learn what is best for them.”

“King George III will take a much stricter approach in the Americas.  I expect the British Navy and Army will be permanently stationed in the Americas for the future.  The states will be dissolved and be divvied up among British aristocrats for better control.”  William hoped that he would be awarded suitable territory for his actions.  He wouldn’t go back to Britain.  He wanted to stay in the Americas but ruling with a stricter control of the populace.

“Louis XVII has the same philosophy.  I see future expansion into Canada to secure its borders with the British colony of the Americas.  We already have a wide swatch of Frenchmen in Quebec that would relish the rule of Louis XVII on the territory.”  With Pierre’s ships sitting next to the British ships in New York Harbor, there would be urgency in Britain and France for them to align with each other and split up the Americas and return Canada to French rule.  With such a large territory to administer in the lower Americas, the British couldn’t afford to offend the French and risk another insurrection by the colonists.  The Americas was a plentiful land for all.

Both generals sat and celebrated their success.  They began to plan the taking of the colonies and securing them.  They couldn’t wait to get orders back from their countries.  They needed to act quickly to make sure that the insurrection was dead forever.  The only way to do that was brutally, and neither man had any qualms about doing it.

* * *

Abagail knew she shouldn’t have come to New York with her husband, Adam, but she thought it was her duty to stick by him.  They had a fine home in Hartford, Connecticut, but they were now staying in a small room above a tavern.  Adam had joined the Continental Army, but in the last few days, his brief career as a soldier was finished.  He was now a hunted man, along with all the other officers of the Continental Army.

Adam saw that his attempt to fight for independence from Britain was foolish, and he’d jeopardize Abagail’s safety and all they had built in Hartford.  They had a large house in Hartford, elegantly furnished.  He’d built his mercantile store to include six locations, and all were thriving.  Had I risked it all for a futile dream?  He looked over at his wife, still beautiful in a tattered and worn dress to disguise herself, but it couldn’t hide her lovely figure.  It was too dangerous to stay in New York, but it was more dangerous if he traveled with her.  If caught, she’d be taken into custody with him, and he feared what they’d do to her.  “You must return home by yourself, Abagail.  I’ll join you as soon as I can.”

Abagail saw how many British soldiers were in the city now, and more were arriving every day, but it was the French soldiers that scared her.  They looked at her with deep, penetrating stares and spoke French, which she didn’t understand, but she was sure they were saying obscene things about her.  “I will, but first, I’ll go to the ceremony for you.”  She refused to say what it really was, a hanging.  Neither one of them could believe that the British general would really hang Generals Washington and Arnold in public.

Adam had to make sure that it wasn’t a hoax, and he was fleeing for false reasons.  He still couldn’t believe that the Continental Army was finished, yet his contacts were in a disarray and hiding from the British.  “Be careful.”  He kissed her goodbye.

The streets were crowed, but there was a lot less men out.  They had begun to flee New York.  She made her way to the docks, and it wasn’t difficult for her to find it.  The square was jammed packed with people as well as soldiers.  In the front was a large platform, and there were two rope nooses that hung from the rafter.  She could see that the wood was fresh, newly built in haste for the event.  The thong of people grew thicker, and it wasn’t long before the British soldiers began to open up a corridor from the building to the platform.  It was lined with redcoats on both sides.

Abagail watched as the two men were marched out, hands bound behind their backs.  They looked unassuming in civilian clothes.  She turned to a man next to her.  “Is that Generals Washington and Arnold?”

“Yes, the British refused to allow them to wear their uniforms, as they weren’t soldiers of a country.  They’re traitors to the crown.”  He was a Tory loyal to the crown, and the men would get what was coming to them.

Abagail couldn’t believe that these two men were the famous generals as the ropes were placed around their necks.  They were allowed their last words, but Abagail couldn’t hear them above the din of the crowd.  It sounded like most of the crowd was Tories.  They didn’t want to hear them.  They came to see them hung.  Cloth bags were placed over their heads, and it was only seconds later that the floor beneath them opened up.  It was quick and brutal as the two men fell and their necks broke.  They swung for long minutes before they were cut down.  Abagail saw the British and French generals’ stand with big grins on their faces as the men were hung.  Abagail couldn’t believe that the American insurrection was over.  She hurried to get away from the crowd that cheered.

She left New York that night.  She went by boat, hoping that there would be less chance of being stopped by British troops.  There were over two hundred people on the boat, most of them women and children.  The men would sneak through the woods in small groups to avoid the British to escape home where they hoped to regain their lives, although they’d be under British rule.  The boat was stopped four times before it went up the Connecticut River and docked in Hartford.  Abagail was shocked that there was already British troops in Hartford, along with two warships tied up.  Things would never be the same again.

Abagail was glad to be home.  The first thing she did was take a long, hot bath.  She was glad to get into some nice clothing.  She had all the servants back by the next day.  She had the store managers come to the house the next day so she could meet with each one to see how things were running.  They asked about Adam, and she told them he’d be home in a day or two for good.  The managers were worried about the increasing number of British troops.  So was Abagail.

William took charge of the army as well as the British Navy, and with the help of Pierre, they began the systematic roundup of all the colonists that served in the Continental Army.  It was getting difficult to house all the prisoners when they began to surrender in large numbers.  He set up camps in each state, but some of the larger states got two.  It would prove unattainable to keep a large number of prisoners for an extended amount of time, so he began interrogations to find the officers.  The officers would find that the British wouldn’t be as forgiving as they were with the enlisted men.  William had a solution to insure they wouldn’t make trouble in the future.  They’d be shipped to a penal colony to be established in Sydney Cove, Australia.  They’d be used to build their own prison.  He didn’t expect to send more than a few thousand of the most dangerous officers and politicians.  John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and all the high-ranking officers of the Continental Army were on his list.  It wouldn’t take long to round them up.  More and more loyalists were coming forward with information.  It wouldn’t be long before all the patriots gave up the notion of an independent nation and settled into a comfortable life as subjects of King George III.

It would be a month before he heard back from his superiors in London, even by his fastest ship traveling both ways.  By that time, it would be over and William would be in firm command.

* * * *

With the help of the French, William began to fill the colonies with soldier’s intent on capturing the last of the Continental Army officers.  They scooped up any able-bodied man they found and worried about questioning them after they were imprisoned.  His list of officers and politicians got smaller with every passing day, as the roundup proved so successful.  Many of the patriots were given up by the loyalists, their numbers gaining every day.  The public hanging of Washington and Benedict had proven to be a success in proving that the British were truly in control and the Continental Army was vanquished forever.

Adam snuck out of New York and made his way to Connecticut with two other former officers.  It proved to be more perilous than he expected.  They were turned back numerous times by impending clusters of soldiers before they could be caught, but it required them to backtrack each time and find a new route forward.  They grew desperate as they found themselves boxed in, unable to go backward or forward without being captured.  It ended one early morning while they were holding up in a barn to catch some sleep.  They were awoken by the sound of soldiers outside.  When they looked outside, a dozen British soldiers surrounded them with no way out.  They surrendered and tried to talk their way out of it, but the soldiers would hear nothing of it.  They were bound in chains and soon found themselves on a boat moored off the shore of Connecticut, filled with hundreds of men just like him.  He recognized some of them.  The hot ship stunk of feces and urine.  They were given some gruel to eat, but it was a small portion and tasted like garbage.

When the ship was filled, it sailed to a camp in New York.  It had over five thousand men in it, all living in squalor and filth.  Some men were questioned, but most of them were never called.  Adam didn’t know what would happen to him.  There was no way he could get a message to Abagail, but he hoped she was safe.  He heard rumors that many of the prisoners would ultimately be released, but so far, not one of them got out.

* * *

William was given a welcome reprieve the following week.  He still used the customs house for his headquarters and had a small room for his sleeping quarter.  It was still larger than his cabin on his ship.

“There’s a lady to see you, Sir.”  His aide ushered her in.

“I’m Lady Margaret Dawson.  I want to thank you from all the loyalists for rescuing us from the Continental Army and the renegades that ran it.”

He stood up when she entered.  She was an attractive woman.  She was dressed eloquently for the time of day, but he couldn’t complain.  The front of her dress showed a wide expanse of cleavage with a gold cross dangling between her breasts to draw his eyes.  The rest of the dress hugged her womanly hips.  He couldn’t see her backside, but he’d be sure to watch carefully when she left.  He’d been working so hard that he had no time for women, but the sight of Lady Dawson stirred his cock to erection.  “It’s I that should thank the loyalists for helping us.  Your loyalty to King George III was instrumental in our continuing success in capturing the traitors and making sure that they are secured so they won’t have the chance to do it again.  Have a seat.  Can I get you anything?”

“No thank you, General House.  It is I that hope I can get you something.  My husband and I are prominent members of the New York community.  We’ve noticed that since your arrival, you’ve been staying here.  While it might be a good location to command your troops, I doubt it is up to your standards as a living space.  For that reason, we’d like to extend an invitation for you to stay at our home while you remain in the city.  We have a large house with and an adequate staff to make you comfortable.”

“I couldn’t impose on your generosity, Lady Dawson.”

“You wouldn’t be imposing.  I can introduce you to the elite in the city that support King George III.  We can make your task her go quicker and more efficiently with our help.  I must confess that my husband’s status would be greatly enhanced by your presence.  And I’d enjoy the company of a learned and sophisticated man.”  She smiled at him.  He looked dashing in his red uniform, the front filled with medals.  While she loved her husband, he was just a shell of a man compared to this man.  General House was a warrior.

“How could I refuse such a generous offer, Lady Dawson?  I’ll gather up my things and see you around six tonight.”

“That would be excellent.  We have dinner at seven.  Let me give you my address.”

“No need, Lady Dawson, I know it.  It is my job to know everything.”  He had read up on all the high society in New York and of their allegiance to the king.  It was important to know your friends as well as your enemies, especially those with money.

William wasn’t surprised that there were ten people for dinner.  Lady Dawson was efficient in organizing a dinner party on short notice.  The food was excellent after eating tavern food for a week.  The conversation was lively, and the women were all gracious and beautiful, but it was Lady Dawson that always caught his attention.  He sat next to her with her husband at her other side, but she ignored him and paid attention to William.  Her husband didn’t seem to be offended, basking in the glory of having the general that beat the traitorous patriots staying in his home.

His accommodations were the finest, and he was never in need of anything.  Lady Dawson doted on him as if she was his wife.

It was Friday when she had a ball in his honor.  Everyone that was anyone was invited, including General de Grasse.  There had to be three hundred people attending, but they barely crowded the ballroom.  The two generals sat at the head table, along with Lady Dawson and her husband and other notable dignitaries.

“May I have this dance, Lady Dawson?”  He held out his hand for her.

“But of course, General House.  I’d be honored.”  She felt his firm grip on her hand as they walked out onto the dance floor.  A space cleared out before them.  With such authority, his hand went around her waist and swept her into his arms with such passion.

Her firm breasts pushed into his chest.  It had been a long time since he had a woman, especially such a fine woman.  He might be a soldier, but he was also a fine dancer, sweeping her across the floor with such grace.  For a few minutes, everyone watched them, and then, they joined in dancing once again.  William swept her to the other side of the room where they’d have more privacy.  He moved his hand farther down onto her hip, but she didn’t protest.  She pushed her body firmer into his.  He couldn’t stop his cock from jumping in pleasure.  He inhaled the rare fragrance of her perfume.

It had been a long time since a demanding man held her like this.  Her husband was a gentle lover, but sometimes, a woman needed to be taken.  There was no doubt that General House had more than a passing interest in her.  She could feel the bulge that pushed into her pussy.  He was big and hard.  She felt his hand slide lower and then move back until it sat on the gentle sway of her buttocks.  He drew her closer against him, and she felt the way his cock moved against her.  He began to dance more vigorously, and that made his cock rub back and forth against her mound.  It was delicious and shameful to have him rub her in front of everyone, although no one knew their secret.  Her breathing grew ragged as the pleasure swept between her legs.  She grew damp.

William got caught up in his pleasure.  He was disappointed when the music ended.  He brought her back to the table, trying to hide the bulge in his pants that he thought looked so obvious.  “It was a delight to dance with such a beautiful woman, Lady Dawson.”

“It was my pleasure, General House.  I hope we might do it again.”  She had to fight the urge to reach over and touch the prominence in his pants.  She’d made him that way, and she felt obligated to relieve him of that burden.

William danced with other women that night, but none of them gave him the pleasure that Lady Dawson did.  He’d be leaving New York soon, and he wondered if something might happen between them before he did.  It was shameful thoughts he had for a married woman.

Two days later, he told Lady Dawson of his plans to leave for Hartford at the end of the week.  He would leave New York in the capable hands of his colonel.  It would be a matter of civil authority taking over soon enough, with the military only needed for a show of force.  He needed to see how Connecticut was doing, and then, he’d make a trip to Boston.  He didn’t worry much about Boston.  General de Grasse was heading there this week.  He’d voiced his plans that he might retire and live his life out in Boston, if he found it acceptable.  William grew fond of Pierre.  They were both bachelors and warriors.  They had a kinship.

Her husband John had a sense of knowing what to do at the right time.  He knew the importance of powerful connections and the need to secure them with whatever means were available and necessary.  When Margaret told him of General House’s imminent departure, he made plans to go to Philadelphia for two days on urgent business.

William was surprised the next day when he came home.  Most of the other days always had guests for dinner as Lady Dawson paraded him out for everyone to see and meet.  The table was only set for two.  Even the servants were scarce.

“We’ll be dining alone tonight, General House.  My husband is off to Philadelphia for urgent business and won’t be home for two days.”

“He’ll be missed, but I’ll still have the pleasure of your company.”  He couldn’t have willed his cock to go down if he tried, and he didn’t.  “Let me freshen up, and I’ll be down shortly.”

“Take your time.”  She breathed deeply as her heart raced.  She hadn’t felt like this for years.  It was as if she was a schoolgirl, her heart fluttering with anticipation.  She’d never been with another man since she married John.  No one ever inspired her this way.  She knew she had only one opportunity, and she wouldn’t waste it.

He quickly cleaned up and went back downstairs.  They sat down for dinner, but they both knew it was much more than that although neither one made the first move.  The butler brought dinner, and they savored it.  They talked during dinner, but it was light talk.  They had dessert.  Finally, the dishes were taken away and the servant brought the brandy.

“I’ll serve it,” Margaret told the servant.  “You may go now.”  He was the last servant in the house.  All the others had gone home.  She filled their glasses.

“Come here, Margaret.”

That was the first time that he didn’t call her Lady Dawson.  She wasn’t sure that he even knew her first name.  She stood up and moved next to him.  He pulled his chair away from the table.  She took the last step forward as his outstretched arms reached for her.

His hands gripped her hips and pulled her between his legs.  He felt her legs push against his thighs as she was drawn closer.  He looked up at her, a frightened look in her eyes, and her body trembled when he touched her.  He gave her one last chance.  “Do you want me to stop?”

It scared her when he touched her, as this finally became a distinct reality, not just a fantasy.  “No, take me.”  It shocked her as he spun her around and she faced the table.  His hand pushed hard on her back until she was bending over the table.  The glasses spilled from her bumping into the table, but that didn’t stop him.

“SSSSPLLLATTT!”

Her buttocks burned where he’d spanked her.  She couldn’t believe that he did such a thing.

“Naughty girl, you need to be punished.”  He didn’t have to hold her down on the table.  She didn’t move, lying submissively on it while he pulled the back of her dress up.  She wore lots of undergarments, but he hastily pushed them out of the way until he was down to her white, silk knickers.  Now, she’d feel his power.

“SSSLLLAAAPPPP!”  He caught one of her buttocks.  Only her knickers protected her skin, but he caught a bit of her soft, bare flesh with his hand.

“SSSLLLAAAPPPP!”  He repeated the slap on her other buttock.  He could feel the muscles clench firmly from his spanking.

She didn’t understand why she felt a shameful wetness between her legs.  Her dress was pulled up, and he exposed her down to her knickers.  He spanked her harshly, yet she felt something different through the pain of the blows.