Nearly a month had passed, and still, there had been no word from my father or brother. I spent endless hours in the room Tavington had first confined me to. Thankfully, I was able to have books sent up to me, and I did leave to eat and bathe; but it was always under the watchfulness of guard. How I didn't bore myself into oblivion in that room, I do not know.
Tavington visited when he was not on duty or presiding over his men. His presence, as ever, was intimidating. If there weren't guards nearby, I am sure it would have been worse. The man was hungrier than a starved wolf. His eyes, an uncommonly light blue, might have been entrancing, had they not been glaring at me with a heated malace. No, there was not a drop of good blood left in him.
The time was nearly noon; I had just finished my midday meal when a sound at the door caught my attention and Col. Tavington entered my room, a look of disdain on his face as he thrust a lilac dress into my arms.
"Don't tell me you were so kind as to get me a new gown," I spoke dryly.
Tavington snorted.
"Oh no, I had something else in mind," he sneered.
"If perversity is all you've got-"
"Oh shut up!" the colonel snapped. "It is for a ball this evening."
"I am to accompany you to a ball?" I spoke in surprise.
"It was either you or a whore," he replied casually, "I thought I'd surprise the lot with a touch of gentility."
I narrowed my eyes and turned away from him, muttering, "Bastard."
The colonel scoffed and left the room, shutting the door decisively behind him. I turned reluctantly to the dress. Where had he gotten it? I hoped it was not borrowed from one of his women. With a moment's hesitation, I picked the gown up the dress and inhaled its smell; it was fresh and looked hardly used. Resigning to the following events of the evening, I removed my own dress and tried the new one on with a tiny grimace. Its bodice was lower than I was used to, but still tasteful.
That evening, after bathing and getting dressed, Col. Tavington met me at my door. He looked immaculate in an officer's dress uniform, saber sheathed at his side, and I could not help but pause.
"I knew you couldn't resist…" he smirked in an unfriendly manner at my stare and took a step toward me.
Unconsciously, I retreated a step away, but Tavington put his hand around the back of my neck, drawing me in close.
"Now now, we'll have plenty of time for that…" he spoke, barely above a whisper, raking his eyes across my bodice.
Infuriated, I reached out to strike him, but he caught my wrist and twisted it to my side.
"Be a good girl, my dear, and maybe you will live to see this night through just as you started it."
I was thankful for the silence on the way to the ball. Tavington didn't even look at me until we were announced. Some of the loyalists glanced warily in my direction; they must have known my father. The colonel appeared to see this as well but maintained his bearings, leading me, if not a little forcefully, toward the wine table. There were sandwiches nearby, but he went straight for the wine, taking his first glass with an air of abandon. I raised a brow.
"You're not going to enjoy it?"
The colonel's eyes narrowed and he took another, holding it in his hand, inspecting the red liquid as crowds began to gather. There were officers, loyal supporters, and women in fine dresses, chatting, gossiping and dancing. One officer, a man wearing a tricorne hat and a powdered wig, made his way toward us and addressed the colonel.
"Colonel Tavington…" he ghosted chilling blue eyes over my escort, barely hiding his ire.
"General O'Hara…" Tavington spoke tightly.
"Interesting company you have here." he said, eyeing me with suspicious dislike; dropping his voice he added, "Ever the one to scandalize…"
"She'll be quiet once she's learned her place." Tavington replied with lazy conceit.
"You watch yourself," O'Hara warned. "She is here on business, not to warm your bed."
"Oh, but if I just play with her…" the colonel purred sarcastically.
O'Hara rolled his eyes and left while I glared at the colonel.
"You beast!" I hissed.
The colonel's lips curled into a frosty grin.
"Certainly, we haven't forgotten our manners, have we?" he tisked.
I stared at him in silence that was interrupted when we were called to the contredanse. At first, I was paired with Tavington but the pairing switched as the dance commenced. Still, I kept a close watch on him and he on I. I was not surprised to find he was a skilled dancer. Judging from his class, he should have been. I had learned simple dances as a child, but had never been to any ball. Such events were above my station.
After the dance, the colonel led me off the floor, his grip surprisingly light, yet I could not hope to pull away from him.
"Colonel," a man spoke, approaching us.
"Captain," Tavington replied, pausing to acknowledge the man.
"Who is this fine young lady?" he asked.
"This is Mary Webb. She is here on business." Tavington replied frankly. "Miss Webb, this is Captain Bordon."
"A pleasure," Bordon said politely, kissing my hand. "Are you visiting for very long?-"
"That remains to be seen," Tavington cut in.
"I see," Bordon nodded, trespassing no more. "Sir, milady… good evening."
Bordon retreated into the crowds of visitors and the colonel attempted to lead us to a secluded area but was stopped by a woman dressed in pale yellow, her red hair up in curls.
"Colonel Tavington," she addressed him, her grey eyes glimmering.
"Mia," he paused, kissing her delicate hand, gazing steadily at the woman.
"A pleasure to see you this evening, Colonel. How I have missed your visits…" she spoke boldly.
"I have been occupied."
"Ah yes; and who is the lovely lady accompanying you this evening?"
"She is here on business," he replied.
"Oh I'm sure…" Mia replied with a smirk. "Lovely little thing…As always."
"Well I am certainly not bedding him, if that is what you think," I cut in without regard.
Tavington gripped my arm and Mia raised a brow.
"Well, Colonel, there is no way you'll find a warm bed with an attitude like that," the woman said scornfully.
Tavington smirked.
"I have my ways."
"Of course you do," Mia murmured, reaching up to stroke the side of Tavington's face; he took her hand and brushed his lips across it.
"Later."
Mia gave a foxy smile and dismissed herself, leaving Tavington and I alone.
"Is that all you think about?" I asked as soon as no one was within earshot.
"One must wonder," The colonel replied simply, stroking the side of my face. "But it is a delightfully entertaining muse-"
"Get your wretched hands off me!"
Col. Tavington reacted before I could blink, with a swift, harsh slap. I stumbled, grabbing my burning cheek.
"Monster!" I cried shrilly, but he paid no heed and pulled me even further away from the crowds, covering my mouth with his hand. We reached a large tree and he pinned me to it. Horrified, I screamed into his hand and he tightened his grip.
"Not one sound from you…" he threatened, giving my forehead a featherlight kiss, bracing me against the tree as he lifted my legs up around his waist.
I balked at the feeling of him against me, so warm and eager. In an instant, his lips were on mine in an ardent kiss, full of passion and power as he slid his hands further up my legs. He paused, pulling away, his hands still on my thighs, gripping them tightly, painfully.
"You stopped," I breathed.
"I did, didn't I," Tavington mocked, loosening his grip on me. "Such a shame; you tasted so ravishing. Sweet, like honey."
I gave the colonel a black look, taking a step away from him to straighten my skirts.
"Miss Webb?"
I turned.
"That was a mere warning; I do not promise niceties next time."
