GAMES TURN SERIOUS
This is madness, Bordon thought. I'm falling in love with my superior's sister.
He looked over at her. She was deep in her own musings. He looked at her profile and long flowing red hair. The shade was not known in these parts. It was only found in Ireland or people descending from Ireland, which was fine by him since he was a full-blooded Irish-Catholic. Tavington was half-Irish and only had the temperament of one. Strangely enough Bordon did not unless he was very angry. It took a lot to anger him. It did not take long to frustrate or anger Tavington.
They rode in the woods for some time and then they rode back. The porter opened the gate to let them pass. They rode in and went to the side to the house.
He dismounted before she even noticed. He reached up to help her down. She looked straight into his eyes and blushed at his look. A stableboy took the horses into the stable. Bordon led Amanda to her rooms.
She walked in. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I hope you had as much of a wonderful time as I did."
"I did. Thank you."
He released her and turned away. He turned back making her jump. "Will you be coming to the ball?" He asked
"Ball?" She asked.
"Yes. The officers are having a ball tomorrow evening."
"Yes. I will come."
He smiled. "Then until we meet again."
He left her.
It was some hours until her brother returned for the night. She took lunch in her rooms. She read quietly by the window until Tavington knocked on the door. She had a whole mind full of things to say to her dear brother about what he had said—or rather had not said, about the ball.
"It's open." She called.
He entered. In his arms was a beautiful blue dress. All her seething remarks for him not telling her about the upcoming ball disappeared at the sight of the dress he had bought for her.
She rose and touched the beautiful satin dress. It was trimmed with silver. "Oh William…" she said looking up at him.
"I had to do something so you would not yell at me for not telling you of the ball." He said. He laid it in her arms. "Go try it on." He urged.
She looked down at it and then back up at him with tears in her eyes. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "Thank you William."
"The least a brother could do." He said. He gave her a playful shove towards her bedroom. "Go on."
She smiled and went off and shut the door. He shook his head. Her look had made it worth it. His captain had reminded him of the ball. Although he disliked the occasions he went to save face. He knew she would have found out by now and so he had to make amends. He knew her temper and she would not forgive him for such a sin.
He walked around the room, studying the small objects she had brought with her. He heard the door open behind him and he turned slowly. His mouth fell open.
She smiled and blushed at his expression. He looked her up and down. The dress fit her perfectly. The circular low collar showed a hint of cleavage and the top of her bosom. It emphasized her thin hips and waist. She went to a mirror and looked at herself.
"Oh William. It's so beautiful." She said doing little circles to look at herself.
He came up behind her and laid a small pearl necklace about her neck. He attached the silver chain behind her neck, lifting her loose red hair to do so. "You are going to be the belle of the ball." He said softly from behind her.
She smiled. She could hardly wait until the following night.
She was ready to go just as her brother knocked at her door. She opened it. Her hair was wrapped about her head. She had left two wisps curled to frame her face.
She smiled at him. He looked very dashing in his formal uniform. His shoulder strap was gone, as was his wide belt. He wore a dress saber at his side. His breeches were formal black with white hose under them that were clearly visible from his knees down. The silver buckles on his shoes glittered in the dim light from her window. His waistcoat had gold trim now and he wore a frilly cravat.
He offered his arm and she smiled at him as she took it. He walked her down to the coach that awaited them. She smiled noting that Captain Fredrickson and Major Bordon were standing outside, both in formal uniforms as well.
Fredrickson was the most interesting looking character that she had met. A musket ball had chattered his cheekbone, which left him with a permanent smile on the right side. He wore an eye patch over his left eye and walked with a slight limp. He, like many of the officers, put Amanda on a pedestal. He smiled and bowed to her. Bordon did the same.
"She smiled at them. Good evening Captain, Major. Finding everything pleasant for you tonight?"
"It got better when you arrived Miss Tavington." Fredrickson said.
Tavington rolled his eyes and helped her into the carriage. He entered followed by the major and last the captain who was shorter than both men, but powerfully built. They were off as he shut the door.
She looked out in the dusk sun at the lovely tree row they were passing. They went wide suddenly and she saw a large fountain to her side. To her brother's side was a large house. The three officers jumped out. Fredrickson held the door as Tavington and Bordon both offered hands to assist her. She took both and stepped lightly down. Tavington walked with her on his arm. Bordon fell into step behind. Fredrickson excused himself to go to his own musings.
Tavington migrated to the large back door. Beyond were vast gardens. He walked down the stair with her as he spotted Cornwallis talking with two loyalists.
"My Lord." Tavington bowed formally to him as his sister deeply curtsied. Lord Cornwallis dipped his head to them.
"Greetings Colonel. Ahh…Miss Tavington. It is indeed a pleasure to have you join the festivities. Major." Cornwallis took Amanda's hand and kissed it. He still held it as he turned to the two men. "Allow me to introduce Mr. Middleton. He is the host this evening. He is gracious enough to allow his Majesty's army to camp around his lands. Mr. Simms is another brave man who stands up to the rebels."
"Charmed Miss." Mr. Middleton said taking her hand and kissing it softly. He was an older gentleman, but still handsome in his own right.
"A pleasure indeed to have someone so radiant here. You will steal the ball." Mr. Simms said taking her hand and kissing it as well. He was a portly man who was about the height of Amanda. He had a perfectly puffed white wig on his head.
She smiled and the men talked about politics which both of the Tavingtons were finding quite boring. After about 20 minutes Tavington made their excuses and walked away to the base of the stairway. He snagged a waiter and grabbed two glasses of white wine as Bordon reached for his own glass.
Tavington gave one of the glasses to his sister who held the glass and smiled at them both. "Cheers." She said lifting her glass.
The two men lifted their own and the three glasses clinked. All sipped from the unusually good wine.
They watched the activity about them. Women were flirting all over with various officers, most of whom were young and dashing and wealth.
"Colonel Tavington?" a young aide said rushing quickly to them. Tavington turned and fixed him with an icy stare. "Forgive the intrusion sir, but Lord General Cornwallis wishes to speak to you about a recent dispatch." He gave the Colonel a note, which Tavington opened immediately and read. He noted the beautiful woman between the two men. He thought that she must be a lady to have two high-ranking officers to guard her. "Beg pardon Miss." He said bowing.
She smiled a warm smile at him. He was a sandy blond and close to her age. Tavington looked up from his note. He had a strange look on his face. "I'm sorry Amanda. Duty calls." He bent and kissed her cheek softly. "I should not be long. Major can you stay with her while I am away."
"Yes, sir." Bordon said.
Tavington nodded and retreated from them. Bordon smiled down at Amanda. He offered his arm. "Will you join me in a walk of the grounds?"
"Certainly." She said slipping her arm though his. They walked about the gardens slowly enjoying the sights and sounds. He held her arm close almost possessively.
She heard music and looked up at the major. Her eyes sparkled. He was looking from her to the path and then back.
"Can you dance Major?"
He paused and looked at her. "Yes, I can." He took a step closer. "Can you Amanda?"
"Yes." She said with a grin. "Another thing I learned from my dear brother."
"Then you are better than I. I've seen him sweep many fair ones off their feet."
She chuckled at that. "It took some work. He is not overly fond of such things."
"True. I rather like them. It gives me a chance to be Robert Bordon, not the Major of the Green Dragoons."
"Ahh so there is a man under the uniform." She said. She laid a hand on his arm and smiled sweetly up at him.
He smiled back at her. God, she is lovely standing there, he thought as his eyes traveled from her ample bosom to her face. He looked about. No one was in the area. He looked down at her again. His arm slipped about her waist. He took a step closer. Her presence was intoxicating to him. She laid her small hands on his chest as she gazed up at him.
"You know you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met." He said.
"As a soldier? I doubt that." She said blushing all the same at his soft words.
"Truly Mandy." He said. He broke off instantly widening his eyes at her when he realized he had used her nickname. He searched her face to see how she would react to that. She merely smiled more sweetly at him.
"I like that." She said after several long moments.
"Like what?" he asked arching a thick eyebrow.
"How you say my name." She purred and stepped against him.
This is getting harder and harder, he thought to himself. But if Tavington finds out that I have feelings for his sister he will forbid me from seeing her or worse he will find someway of getting back at me.
He looked down at her. His control was slipping from him. She was so beautiful, so pure, and so innocent. Those beautiful lips of hers needed to be kissed.
"Robert you may kiss me if you wish." She said tantalizingly sweet to him.
That was all the permission he needed.
He bent his head down and gently touched his lips to hers. He was not sure how she would react. She did not pull away to his surprise and delight. Instead she leaned up and into him and returned the kiss gingerly.
He deepened the kiss slowly, taking his time. He pulled her closer so she could feel his passions.
She was enjoying this, but something in the back of her mind snapped and she pulled back to reality. She pushed him away gently looking breathlessly up at him. "I didn't mean that much of a kiss." She said somehow finding breath enough to say that.
She saw the disappointment in his gaze, which soon vanished.
He smiled cheerfully at her. "Join me for a dance Amanda?"
"Gladly Robert." She said as he moved her to where there was a great patch of soft green grass lay. This made an excellent dance floor. Several couples were already dancing. They went into the movements of the minuet.
Tavington finished with his interview and walked onto the terrace above the dance floor. A circle was formed around two dancers. He blinked in shock when he saw who the two were. He felt his anger rise. Then he saw the smile on his sister's face as Bordon moved her expertly around the ring. He kept the proper distance between their bodies, much to Tavington's approval. He knew his sister loved to dance. She must have asked him and being a gentleman he had complied. Bordon was a respectable man and Tavington respected him for that. He knew his bounds and would not cross them.
Amanda was enjoying herself utterly.
She could hardly sleep that evening when they arrived late back at Fort Carolina.
She slept only in the wee hours after going over what had happened many times in her head. Robert Bordon was a very nice gentleman who could kiss very well. She wished she had not stopped him, but who knows where that would have led.
She dreamed of being held in his strong arms and him kissing her many times throughout the night. She dreamed of being his. She dreamed about just talking with him. She laughed to herself as she lay in the dark against the pillows. And the best part was William did not even know what was going on so he would not interfere with her being courted by the major.
It was so romantic. Robert, Robert, my love Robert…
