Through Her Eyes
By Et-Spiritus-Sancti
Chapter 1:
She moved slightly—the first time since Tavington had sat down. She merely shifted her weight and pursed her lips around the stick of rock candy she kept in her mouth. All the while, she stared at him. Tavington glared back, summoning his most threatening expression. The ten year old seemed unmoved by his attempt to intimidate her. Instead, she pursed her lips again and blinked slowly like a cow, sucking away at the offensive candy.
This was ridiculous. Where the bloody hell was Carter? Surely this bovine belonged to him. Tavington broke the trance and huffed a sigh, tapping a set of fingers on the armrest. He did not like to be kept waiting, and certainly not in the company of the bovine.
A loud slurp erupted from the girl's direction and Tavington slowly turned his head to her. She had removed the stick of rock candy from her sizable orifice and was now lapping at her lips like a dog. After she removed the dried sugar from her lips, the girl unceremoniously shoved the candy stick back into her mouth farther than Tavington would've thought possible. He visibly cringed and glanced toward the ceiling.
Another slurping sound came from the girl followed by a loud swallow. "I like your hat. It's fuzzy."
His cover sat on the edge of Carter's desk, the fur of the bearskin rustling slightly from the spring breeze that drifted from the open windows. Tavington stiffened at the comment. "It's not a hat. It's a helmet."
The girl didn't seem to hear him and she continued to stare at his helmet with desire. "May I touch it?"
"You may not," Tavington spat. Her gaze shifted to him and she almost seemed hurt as she nestled back into her chair and returned the candy to her mouth.
A moment later, Carter's unmistakable voice filtered through the office door. Major Tavington straightened his spine and immediately sprung out of the armchair. The door swung open and Colonel Carter stepped loudly into the room followed closely by his wife, Molly, whose hair looked like she'd hastily pinned it up. She was particularly cheerful and giggled at her husband shamelessly.
Tavington bowed his head quickly to both. "Colonel, Mrs. Carter, it's a pleasure." He might as well have been invisible, as the Colonel simply waved a hand in his direction, concentrating his vision instead on his young wife's sizable bosom. Carter then whispered something into Molly's ear, which triggered another bubbly giggle. Carter chuckled before finally turning to Tavington.
"William, my lad, it's been ages," Tavington received a sharp cuff on his shoulder as Carter breezed past him to sit behind his oak desk. Nodding once more at Molly, who swayed suggestively and winked at him, Tavington sank back into the armchair.
"Angel!" The girl stood from her chair, the candy stick securely in her mouth, "Go and join Molly in the drawing room will you, sugar-plum?"
The girl's brow creased and she stared at her father for but a moment before walking heavily to join her stepmother at the door. Carter gave a little wave to the girls before they left the room, the scent of Molly's perfume still in the air. Carter sighed pleasantly, carefully pulling a few papers from a tall stack on his desk.
"You seem to be enjoying your new married life, Colonel," Tavington noted this as dryly as he could. Carter chuckled as he leafed through the papers in front of him.
"Molly is the best that's happened to me. I only wish she would take a liking to my angel." Tavington could not see how anyone could appreciate the bovine.
"How have you been, Major, keeping busy I hope?" Carter poured some delicious looking bourbon from a decanter and leaned across the desk to hand the glass to Tavington. He took it without hesitation.
"Not as much as I'd like," Tavington swirled the contents of his glass a little and motioned to the papers in front of his superior, "I'm hoping my orders prove to be motivating."
Carter nodded distractedly, "Yes, of course, William," He suddenly dropped the papers containing Tavington's future. "William I must say, after Meredith's death, I forgot just how fulfilling and…stimulating marriage can be."
Tavington stared at Carter, the glass held firmly in his hand. Was he really going to discuss the details of his private life? He would sooner let the bovine touch his helmet.
"William, are you courting anyone?"
Granted, Tavington was relieved when it became apparent that Carter wasn't going to enlighten him about the amorous activities he no doubt just participated in with Molly. However, the question still made him uncomfortable and the young major shifted in his seat.
"No, sir."
Carter's brow creased and he dipped his chin in thought. "No sweetheart? No one you have an eye for?"
Tavington made a notable pause before answering. "No. Colonel, my orders?"
"This won't do," Carter mumbled to himself, crossing his hands over the documents. Tavington had the urge to scramble across the desk and rip the pages out from under the Colonel's stubby fingers. He resisted and instead clenched his teeth and tightened the grip around his glass.
"William, you've been a Major for some time now, haven't you?"
Tavington was not pleased at all with the turn in conversation, although at least it was no longer about women. "For some time, yes."
Carter nodded as he poured himself another glass of bourbon. "You've also been passed over for promotion once before, correct?"
Tavington ground his teeth to bite back the frustration. "Twice."
Carter nodded again and glanced briefly at the papers. "Shame."
"Colonel, are you suggesting I haven't been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel because I'm not marri—"
"William, please, that's preposterous!" Carter tapped his fingers then nervously fidgeted with his wedding band, "However, it certainly wouldn't hurt. Especially since," he glanced at the papers again, apparently to remind himself of the content, "since you're to be shipped to the colonies in June."
Tavington was well aware he would join in the battles to win back the New World from the traitorous savages. "And my orders upon arriving, sir?"
"Well, if you are promoted, you will lead your own cavalry of dragoons," Carter's smile dropped suddenly, "if not, you will serve in the same cavalry under Colonel Huntington. Did you know he's to marry next week?"
Tavington was quite ready to take life from something. Anything. Then Carter spoke again. He almost sealed his fate in doing so. "Major, to be perfectly honest, the crown has expressed wishes that his majesty's officers not only represent heroes, but family men," Carter leaned forward, hunching his shoulders so the flabbiness of them stretched the material of his shirt, "And, Major, wouldn't it be nice after a long, hard day of war-mongering to retire at a lovely mansion with the other officers and relax in the arms of your woman? Instead of a tumble on a tiny cot in your tent with one of those diseased camp followers?"
Tavington stared at his superior with a deadpan expression. "Colonel, if that is all…"
Carter sighed, and then shrugged in defeat. "I suppose." He folded the orders into an envelope, stamping his seal before handing the document to Tavington. A thought then must've occurred. His watery eyes widened and his tone changed.
"Oh, Major, I've just remembered!"
Tavington slowly took his cover from the desk, willing his last shred of patience. "Yes, sir?"
Carter took another envelope, this one made of finer paper and sealed. The Colonel hastily wrote something on the front. "Three days from now, my wife is hosting a party of significant importance. Many lovely people will be there—including many single women desperate for a husband." Carter handed him the envelope, stuffed with the dreaded invitation. The Major accepted it gingerly, sticking the envelope in a vest pocket. If it meant free spirits, lovely women to ogle, and satisfying his superior, Tavington would attend.
***
A party of significant importance did not really do the event justice. It appeared the new Mrs. Carter came from a considerably wealthy family, as the Colonel would not have been able to throw such a ball. The food varied from intricately designed appetizers to the freshest seafood and most delectable cuts of meat Tavington had ever tasted. Flickering flames from elaborate candlesticks were nestled everywhere. The Major thought this quite a fire hazard considering the state of the guests. In the back of the room, about two dozen musicians played their instruments with fervor. Tavington recognized the music as Bach's as the violinists stroked away enthusiastically.
Naturally, a fair portion of the guests were upper-class, occupying a large section of the ball room. Likewise, the other side consisted of a lesser class, those who built their wealth rather than inherited it. Subtle differences in dress and attitude allowed Tavington to distinguish them. Though he was technically of the lower class, it would serve him better to give his attention to those with heavier purses.
For such a large room, it was sweltering. All of the bodies, many either dancing or giddy from their amorous pursuits of single (and not-so single) guests, created an environment for perspiration. Men's necks were tight and suffocated by their cravats, and many were probably unbearable itchy from their wigs. Likewise, the women's bodies were lathered with layers of petticoats and their faces caked with makeup. The combination of all this created a unique odor in the room that would only be undetectable if one were intoxicated enough.
Time was moving far too slowly for the young major. It was socially acceptable to stay as long as he possibly could. Although the way the wine flowed in the room, Tavington was sure he could leave and no one would notice. Nevertheless, he snatched another glass of red delicious wine.
"Tav-li-ton! Chap, you made it." Carter was suddenly bumbling towards him, easily parting through the sea of people by staggering his way past them. The guests were either too drunk or well on their way to notice the colonel's rudeness. Tavington bowed his head slightly to his ridiculous host. Carter threw his head back to drain his wine. "Ah, Major," he slurred, "splendid evening, isn't it?"
"I suppose, Colonel."
"Seen any dainty poppets you migh' like, eh?" Carter stumbled his way to an armchair next to a tall window. He peered at his reflection illuminated by all the candles, seemingly amused by his crooked wig.
Tavington rolled his eyes. This wretch was not going to let him leave England without a bride in tow.
**
"Oh, mother, stop fussing." Regina Mason swatted at Mrs. Mason's hand, who was anxiously correcting lace by her daughter's collarbone.
Mrs. Mason warned her daughter with a sharp gaze that soon quieted the young woman, and she finished her adjustments. "My dear Gina, if you have one shred of hope in finding a suitable companion, you are expected to at least appear decent."
Regina rolled her eyes and stuffed her arms into a fold across her chest. "I do not see anyone suitable, mother," she gestured to the sea of people before them, "All the men are drunken barbarians."
A willowy voice drifted amongst the two. "I see many possible suitors, Regina." The oldest Mason daughter put herself between her family, her stocky figure making a sizable space between them.
Regina scowled. "Mother, why do you bring her? All the good men will know our relation and think I'll give them fat children."
"Oh hush, Gina," Mrs. Mason hissed, "and rid yourself of that appalling sneer. Lilly is just as welcome here. Some men would find her curves attractive."
Lilly seemed unfazed by the conversation and nodded at a figure across the room. "There is a man now. He's transfixed on Regina."
The three pairs of eyes concentrated on a young, yet mature officer some feet away. He was sipping at a glass of red wine and he nodded his head politely to the trio. Lilly was correct however, as his attention seemed to settle on Regina. Mrs. Mason felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. The man was quite handsome; jet black hair tied neatly back, strong features, impressive build, and piercing eyes. She felt her own desires flutter in her stomach and she was suddenly more aware than usual of her own figure.
Regina was fidgeting next to her mother. "Oh, he is handsome. Where is Father, he must introduce us," she cranked her head over the crowd, wringing her hands, "Oh, fiddle, all the wigs look alike."
Mrs. Mason put a steady hand on her daughter's shoulder. "My dear, this may be a task for your mother," the woman primped at her hair and smoothed over the fabric of her bodice, "You stay here and look pleasing."
Regina looked like she wanted to whine, but managed to contain herself. Lilly watched their mother glide effortlessly through the crowd. "Careful, sister. You may have some competition with Mother."
Regina gave her sister an incredulous side-long glance after she examined her nails. "Competition? Why are you spewing such nonsense?"
Lilly plucked a small cookie that had been nestled between her plump breasts and took a nibble from it. "She is still very attractive. She need only poison Father's food, you know."
Regina laughed at her sister's apparent joke. However, her smile soon fell as she watched her mother strut tantalizingly toward her male interest.
Mrs. Mason had been considered the most beautiful woman for miles when she was a girl. Age had managed to hold kindness toward her. Her golden blonde tresses that fell in waves to her narrow waist were envied by all. Mrs. Mason had passed this trait, as well as her ample bosom, to her youngest daughter. Her eyes were a wintry, intense green that took hold of any man she'd ever wanted. Therefore, despite the great diamond of promise and love on her finger, Mrs. Mason wanted this man. He had kept a steady gaze on her the entire time she spent coming to him. As she neared, he placed his half empty wine glass on a passing waiter's tray to free up his hands, which he crossed behind his back.
Mrs. Mason finally encountered his personal space. The young man bowed to her, taking her gloved hand and brushing his lips against it. "My lady." She thought her knees would buckle at his voice, deep and suggestive. She gathered her wits and smiled at him.
"Good evening. I was not aware Colonel Carter had invited his officers."
The young man smiled slightly and flickered his gaze over her person. "He did not. I was invited personally."
"Oh? He must like you very much."
The man shrugged and Mrs. Mason caught a whiff of his scent, masculine and clean. "He was very good friends with my father."
Mrs. Mason was aware of his usage of past tense. A dead father meant inheritance to be sure. "I see. What is your name?"
He squared his shoulders a bit and bowed his head to her. "Major William Tavington, Madam…"
"Mason. Angelica Mason," she gave the young officer one of her winning smiles, "I presume you're going to join in on that ridiculous little war?"
Tavington made a mirthless chuckle. "Indeed. I leave in three months, when the weather warms."
"Oh, dear. Your wife must be devastated." Here, Angelica inserted a severe pout. Tavington, however, seemed to instantly bristle at the comment.
"I have no wife to suffer, my lady."
Angelica expressed visual shock by demurely placing a couple fingers to her lips. "No wife? Why, Major, I find that surprising."
Tavington shrugged. "My own flaw, I suppose. I've made myself too busy."
Angelica bit her lip before offering a sweet smile. Her plan was sewing together seamlessly. "Well, a busy man such as yourself deserves some female companionship." The woman eagerly waited for his reaction. She wasn't disappointed when he cocked an eyebrow suggestively. She then innocently motioned behind her, dearly hoping Regina appeared pleasant, "My youngest daughter, Regina, has been considerably bored by all the old men here. Perhaps you may entertain her with a dance?"
She immediately noticed his gaze shift behind her. He then glanced back. "Would you be so kind, madam, as to introduce us?" He offered his arm out to her and she took it delicately, letting the Major lead her through the throng. Regina obviously feigned ignorance over the entire encounter and engaged in seemingly casual conversation with Lilly. Only when they were a couple feet away did Regina turn to them.
Angelica gestured to the Major. "My dear, this is Major Tavington. He has requested the next dance with you."
Regina put an expression of moderate interest on her face, lazily looking up and down the man. Angelica smiled on the inside. She'd always taught her daughters to remain slightly disinterested and even aloof at a suitor's advances.
"I should enjoy a dance." The two exchanged bows before linking arms and meandering through the people to the other dancers.
Angelica sighed cheerfully as she watched them go. "What a match, wouldn't you say, Lilly? And he'll be leaving in three months. They could marry in two months, and he'll impregnate her, leave to fight those ridiculous people and come back in time for the birth. It's perfect."
Lilly slowly reached in her bosom and retrieved a baby carrot. "Have you not heard, Mother? Officers have been accepting land promised to them by their superiors. They have been taking their wives along as well. Settling down in the new world."
Angelica's smile fell instantly and her eyes glistened. "Taking their wives? To live there? Why, we would never see dear Gina again." She suddenly realized the depth of her words and she gave her youngest daughter a side-long glance, "Then again, that girl needs some independence, wouldn't you say, Lilly?"
"If you say so, Mother."
***
Her arm was firm around his, almost as if she was unconsciously claiming him already. Tavington found it amusing. She truly did seem to be the most beautiful woman in the room. However, he would not have ignored her intriguing mother. Tavington allowed himself a small smile. He'd always heard that if one desires to know what their wife will look like as an older woman—scan the mother. It was quite promising. However, Tavington had learned all too painfully before that judging his potential happiness by the size of her attributes and glint of her eye could have disastrous consequences.
They reached the dance floor just as the song ended. The other dancers applauded. It was a dull, muted cacophony of gloved hands. The musicians bowed their heads before turning to their sheet music, talking amongst each other to decide the next dance. Tavington glanced to Regina, whom he felt had been staring at him. Sure enough, his eyes greeted her green orbs as they blinked playfully at him.
Tavington decided to be polite and make small talk as gentlemen do. "Are you having a pleasant evening, my lady?"
She made a tight, seductive smile. "I am now."
Even Tavington was surprised at how easy this was. Surprised enough to be slightly concerned.
"My lady Regina, may I ask your age?"
She swayed her body a little and smiled at him delightfully. "I turn sixteen this month, sir."
Ah. There was the rub, as Hamlet would have said. While it was perfectly reasonable for an older man to court and marry a younger woman, Tavington felt little attraction to the squealing, tittering, immature personalities girls of Regina's age possessed. All of a sudden however, Tavington was very aware of her perfume and the shape of her neck. Mildly he noticed the other dancers going to their places and he took his spot across from Regina, hoping he knew the steps to whatever they were going to play. Likewise, she hadn't taken her eyes off him and held that little smile.
The steps were simple enough, however swift and when the song ended, both of them were a tad winded. Tavington took Regina's soft hand and kissed it. She nibbled at her lip a moment before seemingly materializing a fan. She fluttered it before her bosom a moment before motioning to the other side of the room.
"Major, would you like to bring me some wine?"
Tavington shamefully admitted to himself that he would have stripped to his skivvies at that moment if she'd asked him too. Her skin glistened slightly from perspiration, her chest heaved up and down as she breathed, as he knew the corset somewhere beneath the many layers was wrapped snuggly about her torso. Her blond hair had been tight curls that framed her face. It now had a slight frizz making her look savage yet beautiful. Her green eyes sparkled with adoration and…mischief? Perhaps a certain mischief that could be accomplished in a darkened room. Tavington felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth at the thought of making love to her on Colonel Carter's desk. Would that finally satisfy the fool?
Tavington kissed her hand once more before backing into the crowd. "I will be a moment." Regina giggled and made her way back to Mrs. Mason. Undoubtedly she would spill everything to her mother. From the way he danced to every touch.
Tavington suddenly felt twenty again. It would make sense that a girl half his age would help him feel that way. He made his way amongst the people easily. Most of them were quite far gone from drink and did not even notice him nudging them aside. Tavington finally made it to the bar, expecting to find a table with wine already poured. Two glasses were left. He reached for them when a loud, portly man bumped into him, grabbing one glass and toppling the other over. Tavington growled, resisting punching the man, and instead pushed him out of his way. A moment later, he realized the bartender wasn't at his station. Frustrated with his luck, Tavington leaned against the bar to calm down. In doing so, he heard a humming behind him.
Looking at the source, he discovered a young woman at the window. She was sitting on the sill, taking breaks in her humming to breathe on the glass. A patch of fog appeared on the window. She drew a smiley face in it as she continued to hum a sad ballad. She suddenly stopped the tune and her finger was motionless against the window. Slowly, she turned her head to look at him. Her features were not striking, but certainly pretty. Her hair, brown and wavy, was pinned half back, allowing it to gather and fall down her back. Her eyes were green, like Regina's, but there was intelligence behind them. She was older than Regina, in her early twenties. She stared at him as if he'd walked in on her doing something personal. Tavington stared back, not to be intimidated. Then without warning, she smiled at him.
"You look lost." She said it matter-of-factly as she slid off the window sill, making a soft plop on the hard floor. She smoothed out her red dress and raised an eyebrow at him.
Tavington straightened his spine, putting his hands behind his back. "I'm nothing of a sort. You look lonely."
She glanced about her. They were in the farthest part of the room. A dark hallway extended behind her. She shrugged, returning her odd gaze back to him. "There is always someone close. In this instance, it is you."
Tavington found her immediately strange, yet she did not appear intoxicated. "Are you here with anyone?"
She shrugged, glancing past him at the guests. "I am with my parents. I haven't seen them for some time." Suddenly her eyes locked onto him with an intensity that surprised him. She slowly closed much of the space between them. She got close enough to the point where she now had to look up at him. Her expression no longer contained a smile. "I've seen you several times tonight. I was hoping you would look my way. You never did." Her tone suggested an accusation. Tavington stared down at her, slightly puzzled.
"I apologize, my lady."
She shrugged her slender shoulders. "It matters not. I'm speaking to you now after all. My name is Samantha Richards. I am twenty-two. I do not have a suitor. My favorite flowers are magnolias. They do make a terrible mess when they fall though, don't they?"
Tavington now considered this woman very odd. "I…I'm afraid I've never heard of magnolias."
She appeared unsurprised. "You won't find many here. They're in the New World. John Bannister brought some over some time ago. It is not very popular. It's a tree. Laurus tulipifera, foliis subtus ex cinereo aut argenteo purpurascentibus. Of course now it is simply Magnolia virginiana. The Chinese use the bark for medicinal purposes."
Tavington noticed the bartender returning and he backed away from the girl. "Two glasses of red wine." The girl followed him, crossing her arms and squinting her eyes at him.
"You think I'm strange, don't you? Don't you think I am pretty? I noticed your eyes dilate when you first saw me. They say that means you are attracted to what you're looking at. Or you've tricked me in some way and you were simply enthralled with my breasts."
Tavington wasn't quite sure how to respond. The bartender stopped pouring wine and stared wide-eyed at each of them. Tavington blinked a few times before taking one of the glasses and draining it. With a flick of his hand, he motioned the bartender to refill it.
"Miss Richards, I have no idea what you're talking about. If you believe I was being vulgar in some way, I apologize. Now if you'll excuse me," He snatched the glasses, "I must be on my way."
Her hand shot out and grabbed his arm. Tavington's anger bloomed and he had half a mind to smack the little sphinx in the face. However, her eyes, no longer angry, pleaded with him. "I apologize, sir. I am not very well versed in how to properly socialize. This is my first ball and my parents have abandoned me for their friends. You are the first person to have spoken to me."
Tavington felt little sympathy for her. She had thoroughly annoyed him and he easily wrenched his arm out of her grasp. "Excuse me, miss." He stalked away, moving into the crowd again and was determined to resist looking behind him.
A/N: Howdy folks. I have this story outlined from beginning to end. I find this chapter one of the most important, so I took a long time to write it and prune it. I appreciate any and all feedback including encouragement to continue. Thanks!
