For the Bordy fans out there...


1.

South Carolina, August 16, 1780

There were many things Theodora Whalen Edwards never seemed to notice about her surroundings the day her husband Captain Ramsey Edwards -or Ram to his friends- passed away.

That's not to say she wasn't paying attention, but there were simply too many distractions. And she was trying to heed what Ram was saying to her about more important matters. Like where the money was stashed and how to reach his family. But those things were only shadowed by the heartbreak in his voice when he told her how much he loved her and how sorry he was for any pain he might have ever caused her.

"Teddy," he whispered, struggling with a ragged breath. "My only regret was not giving you a baby…"

With that, the uniformed Dragoon who had been standing behind her turned slightly as if he shouldn't be listening to this private conversation. In a sense Teddy was relieved. She didn't know this man at all, had only glimpsed at him around the camp on a few occasions. But when she rushed into the hospital tent only moments ago, he was speaking to her husband, crouched by his cot, as she was now. She wished he would just go away.

Ram's speech was interrupted with a fit of coughing. The chest wound he had received early that day at Camden made him wheeze and he fought to catch his breath.

That idiot rebel General Gates had marched his troops in to battle early that morning, only to be outnumbered by His Majesty's finest soldiers. The battle didn't last long, with Gates and his men running like scalded dogs from the British forces. But it had lasted long enough for Ram to be gravely injured.

That is what the doctor had said, gravely injured, just before he told her there was nothing to be done other than make Ram comfortable and wait.

It would later be said that Camden was an easy victory for The Crown. Out of a little over two-thousand, only two-hundred-fifty or so of His Majesty's men were wounded that day. And only about seventy would die. Only….

Teddy soothed her husband with quiet words as he settled back down and wiped the bloody spittle from his mouth.

"Teddy….I want you to be happy…"

"Shhhh…enough now, Ram. You have made me happy, very happy," Teddy said quietly, forcing a smile. She leaned closer and kissed her husband of five years as he took his last breath and died.

Suddenly the noise and the scents of the hospital tent assaulted her senses.

She stood and turned to find the Dragoon still standing like a vulture behind her. He looked past her at the cot and his eyes flicked back to her.

Then he said in a rather deep voice, "Mrs. Edwards, I am Captain Bordon, Green Dragoons. Your husband and I were at Eton together. I am very sorry for your loss."

His expression was flat. There was no sympathetic smile like most folks she knew always gave when someone died. But there was something sincere in his countenance and she thanked him. Then Teddy quickly left before she lost what little composure she could manage.

Due to the August heat, that afternoon, the first of the dead were buried side by side, just as they had served. Teddy stood alone at her husband's grave as a chaplain said a quick prayer while some young privates shoveled earth over Ram's barely cooled body.

She thought of the five years she spent with Ram. All of their loving moments, their arguments, tears and laughter came crashing on her like a tidal wave of emotions. Teddy felt sick and a rushing heat flooded over her. She fought for control over herself but she refused to swoon. She would have to be stronger than that now without Ram there by her side to comfort her.

Without Ram.

The thought overwhelmed Teddy and she swallowed the lump in her throat and swayed.

Someone took her elbow in a firm grip and steadied her. Teddy turned and was startled to find the Dragoon she had met earlier standing behind her.

What was his name again? She struggled to remember. Captain something. And as if he read her mind, he identified himself again.

"Yes, Captain Bordon. Ram's schoolmate. Thank you for coming," she said tonelessly.

The captain frowned and asked, "Mrs. Edwards, may I escort you back to your quarters?"

She nodded absently and he led her away.

Captain Bordon had to ask her twice in which direction her tent was. And she finally got her bearings and told him. Her mind was reeling, she couldn't think straight if her life depended on it. Everything felt surreal and it seemed as though all this was happening to someone else.

The captain didn't speak, he simply guided her and she was thankful for that.

Teddy didn't particularly want to socialize at the moment. She was too numb to be charming and polite. She really didn't want to be near anyone at all, but Teddy was grateful for the captain's arm. Everything was moving so fast; her life seemed to be spinning out of control and she felt as though she was about to go right along with it.

As they walked Teddy wasn't exactly sure how her feet continued to move.

Her knees buckled slightly and she stumbled. But Captain Bordon was surprisingly quick and caught her. He slipped an arm around her waist and held her to his side, ushering her along. It was as though he knew she was fighting for her dignity and he was allowing her to keep it.

After they seemed to have walked for miles, they finally reached her tent and he led her inside. He sat her down in a chair and said almost sternly, "Sit down before you fall down, Mrs. Edwards."

Then he poured her some water from a pitcher on the table into a tin cup and handed it to her. Watching her while she drank it like a parent forcing a child to eat something they didn't care for. That's when she actually noticed his appearance for the first time.

Captain Bordon was a tall man, almost six feet tall if she had to guess. He was burly and broad shouldered compared to Ram, who had been just as tall but lean and lanky. And whereas Ram was dark in eye color and hair, Captain Bordon was auburn haired and blue-eyed. He had a long, straight nose and thin lips, which he was now pressing together as if he wanted to say something but wasn't quite sure if he should.

Captain Bordon shifted his weight to one hip and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Mrs. Edwards," he said. "I just wanted to say once again how sorry I am for your loss. Your husband was a good man and a valiant soldier. And if there is anything I can do to be of assistance at this time, please let me know."

Teddy set her cup down and sighed. She looked around the tent that she had been calling home for so long. No matter where her husband went, she followed. Breaking down and setting up house in the small canvas shelter. It wasn't much, but it was all she had. And soon she knew that even this would be taken from her. Her life with Ram would be reduced to nothing more than the few personal items they had collected, packed away into a couple of trunks.

She felt weary and her voice sounded it as she said, "Thank you, Captain. I know you mean well. But unless you can figure out a way to get me home before I'm forced to leave, there isn't much you can do for me."

"Where is home, ma'am?"

His face seemed to brighten at the prospect he might actually be able to help her but then fell again when she told him, making her laugh nervously.

"About seven-hundred miles from here in Trenton, New Jersey."

Right smack in the middle of the Continental Army.

"I see," he replied. "And how do you plan on getting there?"

"How do I plan?" She said laughing bitterly. The irony was killing her. "I hadn't planned for anything other than a life with my husband when this mess is over. I hadn't planned on him dying that much is certain."

And then Teddy became angered as she continued, "Oh sure, I knew it was a possibility. But silly me, what was I thinking? I married a man my parents hated, broke their hearts and ran away with a soldier. Now he's gone and I have four weeks to contact my parents and ask them to take me back."

She looked up as his non-plussed expression and said something vulgar and nasty, just because she could. She wanted a reaction. She wanted someone to hurt like she did and it might as well be him.

"It's not as if I have many options. It's leave or turn myself out to men like you who want to get a leg over in exchange for a few coins tossed on my nightstand."

He blinked. That was all. Just one blink. No scowl, no harsh response. And then Teddy regretted saying it all. Because for one thing, she had no idea if Captain Bordon even took part in such activities. Secondly, he was trying to be helpful and she had treated him, an officer none the less, with rudeness.

"I'm sorry," she said. "That was uncalled for. My only excuse is that I'm tired and I haven't eaten today. I know you're just trying to help and I thank you."

He held up a hand to stop her. "I understand. You just lost your husband. Think nothing of it," he said somberly and then added thoughtfully, "There is another option you might consider."

"And what might that be?"

Captain Bordon looked away for a moment and then took at deep breath as his eyes turned back towards hers. "Get married."

"Get married?" she said incredulously. She had certainly not anticipated that response. It wasn't uncommon for army wives to remarry quickly after burying a husband so they could remain protected in camp. She even knew one woman who had married the brother of her husband after he died. But the thought of getting married again was not an idea she liked. "And just who would I find to marry me, Captain Bordon?"

"Me. In name only of course. Just until you are settled at home. Then we can file for an annulment." He stated it all so matter-of-factly. As if it was so simple. And when she closed her gaping mouth and thought about it, it was.

She watched him again for a moment, considering his strange proposal and asked, "Why? Why would you do this for me?"

"As I said Mrs. Edwards, you're husband was a friend of mine and he was good one too," he explained calmly. "And I would be remiss if I failed to make some attempt to look after you. I would not expect you to perform your wifely duties, conjugal or otherwise. This would simply be a temporary arrangement until we can find a way to get you home."

"I wouldn't have to sleep with you? I would just go about my business?" She asked skeptically.

"You would be under my protection, of course. But no, I would not expect anything from you."

Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Or maybe she was just going insane from her grief. But all that aside, she would need his help and his protection. He could very well be some lecher. Or he could possibly beat her, he was certainly big enough to do some damage. He seemed nice enough and genuine. And well, hell….

"I assure you Mrs. Edwards, I do not beat women, nor have I ever been accused of lecherous behavior. I only want to help you in honor of Captain Edwards," he said with just a hint of irritation in his voice.

It surprised her and then she realized what she had done.

"I said that aloud, didn't I?"

Her question was answered with a lift of his chin and a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," she said sheepishly. Then she stood and held out her hand. "I accept you're proposal, sir. Thank you for being so considerate of me."

Instead of shaking on it as she intended, Captain Bordon took her hand and gave the back of her knuckles a chaste brush with his lips.

Then he said, "You are most welcome, Mrs. Edwards. I will notify you within a few days about the arrangements. Do not worry about a thing. In the meantime, get some rest and if there is anything you need-anything at all, you let me know and I will see to it. Goodbye for now."

And with that he left her.

Teddy sat down on the bed and then flopped back on the mattress.

"Good Lord, what have I done?"

She reached over and snatched Ram's pillow and clutched it. She pressed it against her nose and inhaled his scent.

Then, she broke down and cried.