CHAPTER 6 Sarcasm To The Rescue
Tessa Bordon sat alone on the soft grass beneath a tree within its shade. She had walked there that afternoon, wanting to spend some quiet time alone outside. Her mind was spinning and her heart was crushed with woe.
It had been nearly three days since she had last seen Colonel Tavington. She was last with him on that night he had asked more from her than a kiss. Since then, she had been in utter turmoil.
She had loved the sensation of his mouth upon her breasts. And, although timid, she was fascinated by touching the Colonel's erection. She was even more amazed at the reaction that happened after she stroked him there for a moment.
But, since then, she had started to feel guilty about what she had done. Tess was at war with her emotions. How could I have let him take my top down, she asked herself. Why did I let his hands and mouth touch them? How could I have touched his most intimate male part? How did it get so out of hand? Why did it go beyond a simple kiss?
She went on to chide herself severely. Tavington was right, she thought. My father would just as soon sacrifice his freedom instead of me losing my bodily integrity! He did not raise me to act this way and would hang me if he knew I was! This is not the way a proper young lady should act. My actions are no better than that of a whore!
Her eyes moistened as she thought this. She did not want to be a common trollop. What if Tavington decided to brag to his men, even though he told her he would not.
After a moment, she decided to cut her losses and withdraw her deal from Colonel Tavington. She wasn't sure how he'd take it. Tess tried to prepare herself, thinking that at the worst, he would be angry and would refuse to help her brother.
She would just have to find another way to help Major Bordon. Tessa knew that the truth would eventually prevail. She also pinned her hopes on the dream that someone else may know the truth and would come forward and vouch for him.
Tess continued to think hard about the situation, mulling it over in her mind. She tried to decide how she would tell the Colonel. She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize she was being watched.
An intruder on the estate watched her from the other side of the perimeter fence. In a moment, he crept quietly over to where she sat and knelt behind her.
Tessa jumped with a start as she felt a sharp knife blade just below her chin.
"Get up very slowly and do not scream," an local accented male voice said.
Miss Bordon complied, not wishing to get hurt. Tess slowly rose to her feet, the intruder mirroring her actions.
Once both were on their feet, she felt his other hand holding her hair and pulling her head back. He did not have it pulled back far, but just enough to keep a firm pressure on her head.
"Now, I'll have these," the man said, taking her earrings from her ears, "and this, too." With that, he slipped a ring off her finger. He then went on to take both bracelets and the cameo pin she was wearing. Lastly he reached for the locket necklace she wore. Tess panicked as he did this.
"Sir, please don't take this," she begged. "My parents were killed and these are the only portraits I have of them."
He paid no heed to her pleadings and slipped her precious locket from around her neck. Tears brimmed her eyes as he did. Geoffrey Bordon had sifted through the remnants of the Bordon house after it had burnt. He was lucky enough to find this locket, which had survived the fire. He cleaned it up and gave it to his sister. It had been extremely special to her.
"Now, little missy, come with me," the rough voice said. He began to drag her backwards toward the fence and awaiting woods. She couldn't even drag her heels as she was afraid any resistance would pull her neck right onto the blade of his knife.
Suddenly there was a commotion in the woods and brush a few yards from them. Colonel Tavington stormed on to the estate after having just jumped the wood fence upon his horse. He rode furiously to the scene.
His horse skidded to a stop in front of Miss Bordon and her captor. The officer already had his pistol drawn as he rode up, aiming at the thief.
"Drop the lady or I'll drop you," Tavington threatened ominously.
"I'm closer," the middle aged colonist replied. "I'll have her throat cut before you can get the bullet off."
"Be warned that I am an excellent shot," Tavington remarked. "So, consider this your chance to live—or die, if you prefer!"
"No! The girl goes with me!"
Tavington had noted the alarm on Tessa's face. He was confident that he could free her.
"Does she now?" Tavington asked in a whip smart tone.
"Yes, so be on your way, Colonel, or I shall kill her right here," the robber boldly declared.
"Very well," Tavington conceded. "You had your chance."
With that, Tavington squeezed the trigger of the pistol. The weapon exploded with a mighty bang, the lead ball hitting the man right between the eyes.
Tessa screamed as this happened. The rebel had a death grip upon her hair still. As his body went down, he dragged her down and back with him, nearly snapping her neck and head.
Tavington holstered his gun and jumped from his horse at the same time at lightning speed. He reached Miss Bordon and held her up with his strength while his other hand squeezed the wrist of the thief in order to release her from his hold. The robber fell to the earth with a thump.
Tess trembled with fear as she looked back at her aggressor, now dead on the ground. She turned back to Tavington and flew to his side, bursting into tears. She buried her face in his jacket. He folded his arm about her and held her close as she shook and sobbed. He stared down with disdain at the dead rebel.
Suddenly, Miss Bordon was shouting angrily at the Colonel and pounding all about his torso with her fists. It took him by surprise. He tried to back up from her but she clung to him and continued her assault simultaneously.
William finally had a chance to get her under control. As she drew her hand back to slap his face, he caught her wrist and gripped it tight just an inch from his cheek.
"That would not be wise," he warned her.
Tess broke away out of his hold and backed away from him. Her eyes were still moist with fresh tears.
"Why did you have to shoot him when I was so close?!"
Obvious to him, the sound of the gun and killing her captor as he stood next to her had scared her terribly.
"I am an excellent marksman. You were not hurt," he assured.
"I could have been. What if you would have missed?!" she shot back.
"I wouldn't have," Tavington answered. "He was about to force himself upon you and take advantage."
"There seems to be an awful lot of that going around lately," she countered in a smart tone, her hands upon her waist.
Colonel Tavington shot her an angry look. He caught the gist of what she said. What does she mean 'take advantage', he asked himself. She offered herself to me!
"I just saved your life," he exclaimed with rage in his voice.
"Well, don't do me anymore favors," she jeered.
"I won't!," Tavington said as he looked down at Tess. "Besides, it is you who does the favors for me every night in my quarters."
She did not acknowledge his lewd remark. Tess shot him a cold, little look.
He guided her by the arm gently to a nearby rock. "Sit here for a moment. I need to search the body."
Tess sat down as Tavington handed her his canteen. She took a couple of drinks as she watched him go through the man's satchel and clothing.
"Here," he said as he tossed a small bag to Miss Bordon. "Retrieve what is yours and you may keep anything else you like."
She looked through the bag and reclaimed her jewelry. Relief came over her when she found her locket, a smile on her face as she put it back on.
As Tavington pulled the body out to mark and lay upon the path for later pick up, he spoke. "You shouldn't be out here without an escort. This is what happens to our women!"
"Your women!" she cried as she rose from the rock. "This woman can take care of herself!
"Yes, and such a fine job you do of it!" Tavington sassed back. "Tell me, which end of the knife is one supposed to end up at in order to stay alive?"
She looked hatefully at him, disliking his smart ass remark. "I don't need an escort," said Tess. "I must fend for myself now that my father is imprisoned!"
"What were you doing out here without protection anyway?" he queried.
"I needed peace and quiet with no distractions to think about something!"
"What is so pressing that you had to wander this far from the house to think about?" Tavington was irritated at her for taking such a risk, even though she hadn't left the estate.
"Guilt," she replied, "If you must know!"
"Guilt?"
"Yes," she answered. "About the time I spend with you and just how I spend it."
"You aren't thinking about backing out now, are you," he asked in an agitated tone.
"Maybe," she uttered, nearly ashamed.
"And what of your father?" His eyebrows knitted as he asked her this.
"I…..I don't know," she admitted in a confused voice.
Tavington could tell she was torn. But, he couldn't resist the urge to scold her for trying to back out of a deal made in good faith. "Well, perhaps you should have thought about theguilt before you made the offer?"
He circled her like a vulture, looking at her in a naughty way. She backed up against the same great tree she had sat under earlier.
"I don't understand your guilt," he stated as he moved toward her. When he reached her at the tree, she found herself trapped against it.
"Come now," he began, "You enjoy my attentions." With this, he trailed his finger downward over her body from her mouth to her belly button.
"No, I don't," she shouted, pushing his hand away. She was only halfway truthful about this—she had enjoyed some of it.
"But you never push me away," he pointed out.
"It is only done for Geoffrey," said Tess angrily.
"Oh, yes, I forgot," William remarked. "For your brother's freedom. Thus your moans of pleasure."
She said nothing back to him, instead giving him an angry look. He chuckled and dipped his face to hers, giving her a spiteful peck of a kiss on her lips.
"Enough of this. I am tired from my mission and want to go to my room," said Tavington. "Come on." He took her hand and led her over to his horse.
She was still upset at him for killing the rebel with her so close, and then for forcing her to admit her guilty feelings.
"I'm not going with you! I want to walk back to the house!"
"Nonsense. Do you want the same thing that just happened to take place again?" he told her.
He mounted his steed and waggled his gloved fingers at her to join him.
"No!" she said firmly. "I will walk."
"Miss Bordon," he said in a commanding tone, "that was not a request. It was an order."
"You can't order me around," she stated, looking up at the officer.
"No, but I am responsible for your safety since I am out here."
She crossed her arms, her body language clearly refusing the ride still.
"You have no choice in this matter," said Tavington. "I will not take 'no' for an answer."
"Alright," she conceded. She was tired of arguing with him.
He took his foot out of the stirrup of the saddle. She put hers in it, and reached up for his hand and arm. She hoisted herself up with him and sat behind him on the saddle.
"Hold on," he said, spurring the horse to a gentle and bumpy trot. Tessa wrapped her arms about his waist.
She decided to wait to talk with him at the house when they arrived about withdrawing her deal.
Tavington talked back to her over his shoulder. "Before I came back here a bit ago, I was just at the Fort. Your brother shall have to go in front of the Inquest board in just a few weeks or sooner. He'll have to testify. Who knows if they'll believe him or not. The only witness to the affair is dead."
"Oh," she said. This started her thinking again. Maybe she was being too hasty in rescinding her offer. She then knew she would still need Tavington's help, especially with no witnesses. So, she'd have to keep on with her end of the bargain. She sighed as she decided to forget talking with him about this.
As they rode on a little farther and after a bit of silence, she spoke aloud. "Colonel," she began, "You have seen my bare chest."
"Among other things," he commented lewdly.
"Well…..uh……you have seen it," she began again with an exasperated sigh.
"And what a lovely chest it is," he lasciviously remarked.
She ignored this. "And, you have made me touch you in…..well……the way I should only touch a man that would be my husband."
"Yes?" Will questioned.
"So, since we seem to…….know each other……intimately now," she said in a timid voice, "then maybe we should call each other by our Christian names."
There was no reaction from him, so she led. "You may call me Tess."
"No," he said firmly. "I prefer not to and to address you in the proper fashion, Miss Bordon."
Proper, she questioned. Who is he kidding? It was not at all proper of him to ask me to honor my deal with sexual favors! She had conveniently forgot that she had approached him and that most men would have interpreted her actions as such.
"You may call me Colonel Tavington."
"I can think of a few other names to call you!" she exclaimed sarcastically.
"Colonel Tavington will suffice," he answered her sarcasm simply.