Chapter 10 ~ Return

Andrea saddled Beast to go into town. She mounted and saw her father exit from their house. "Andrea, where are you going?" he asked.

"Into town." Andrea replied, her voice quiet.

"You mean to the docks? Dearest, you must realize that he isn't going to come back. It has been two years since he left and he never wrote to you. Not once. When are you going to get your head out of that dream?" He asked, meaning to help.

Andrea's eyes flashed dangerously bright as tears brimmed in her eyes. "How can you say that when you yourself have never moved on from Mother?!" Andrea yelled before sharply kicking Beast's sides and sending the stallion into a frenzied gallop.

"Andrea!" her father shouted but it was too late.

Andrea was long gone.

She galloped the stallion into town and made him walk to Patience Burn's house, tears streaming down her eyes. Madam Burn emerged from her small house when she saw the familiar ugly gray horse with the pretty rider appear in her window. Madam Burn saw the tears in Andrea's eyes and rushed to the young woman. "Andrea, what happened?" Madam Burn asked, helping Andrea dismount the gray.

Andrea couldn't speak for the tears in her eyes and the sobs in her throat. Madam Burn guided the young woman into the spare bedroom and let her lie there, all the while cradling her in her arms. Madam Burn had taken kindly to the young woman and treated her like her own kin. She rocked Andrea and whispered soothing nothings into her ear.

William Tavington walked down the gangplank and onto the dock. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any familiar face. There were none. "Lookin' for something Will?" the captain asked, coming behind Tavington.

"Yes, but not seeing what I'm looking for." Tavington replied. "Do you know where I can buy a horse? I have some traveling to do and I need a good mount."

"Well, that there livery always has horse stock for sale for a price. I'd try there." The captain said, gesturing to the bright red barn nearby.

Tavington gave him thanks and picked up his white canvas bag. He had sold his commission and liquidated everything unnecessary over in England. Now, all he owned was what was in his pack. One of the few frivolous things that he carried, not in his bag but in his pocket, was a simple silver wedding band with a small pearl in it. He had the ring custom made for Andrea. Tavington entered the livery stable and spoke to the owner. He quickly found a horse to his liking, a piebald paint gelding, and paid for him and saddled the gelding. After hanging his pack on the saddle, Tavington asked the livery owner, "Do you know of any woman named Andrea Dalton? Her father is a doctor."

"No I don't recall that name. But you might try the midwife, Patience Burn. She knows near about everyone in these parts." The owner said, rubbing his chin, "Though I should warn ya, the woman's a touch mad."

Tavington nodded his thanks and touched his heels to the paint's sides, sending the horse into a rather smooth trot. He stopped a few moments later and asked a young woman where Patience Burn was. The woman told him and he set his horse towards the small house, slightly hidden by the woods.

Madam Burn had rocked Andrea into a light sleep and was puttering around her house when a black and white paint horse approached her house. The rider leapt off the horse and stared at Andrea's mount. The ugly gray hose pinned his ears a moment before bringing them forward slightly. He recognized the man. Madam Burn went to the door and opened it. "How can I help you?" she asked, drawing the man's attention.

"I'm looking for a woman. A rather young lady named Andrea Dalton. Do you know her?" the man asked, giving the midwife a once over.

Madam Burn almost fell over. "Would you come in for a moment?" she asked, motioning the man into her house.

He nodded and strode into the small house. Madam Burn closed the door and disappeared into the back.

"Andrea... Andrea, wake up." Madam Burn said, gently shaking her awake.

She stirred and sat up, looking at Madam Burn. "There is someone here looking for you." Madam Burn said, a smile on her face.

Andrea nodded and stood, straightening her dress, while Madam Burn went back out to the kitchen. The man was standing next to her small table. "Please, take a seat mister..." Madam burn said, gesturing to the chair.

"Tavington, William Tavington. Just late of London." Tavington said, just as Andrea emerged from the back room.

There was a pause while each of them stared in awe at the other. Andrea observed that William was no less imposing or attractive out of his uniform. He had grown a slight scruff on his usually clean shaven chin but his hair was still pulled back in military fashion. His eyes were still the same and her heart almost pounded out of her chest. Tavington was also observing Andrea. Nothing about her had really changed over the two years of separation. She had gotten thinner and paler than when he had left but her eyes still spoke volumes and still glimmered deep blue. "William?" she asked, her voice hesitant, just waiting for him to say no.

"Andrea." He said, his voice just like she remembered and her emotions could not be contained any longer.

She smiled wide and tears streamed down her cheeks. He stood as she began to run to him. Tavington caught Andrea in his arms and whirled her around, his love making him abnormally strong. He set her down on the ground and captured her lips with his own. His scruff rubbed against her soft skin and her lips yielded against his. Andrea's hands rested on his chest while Tavington's pressed against her back, pulling her closer to him.

Madam Burn watched the encounter and nodded to herself. She had been the only one to believe in Andrea's fiancé's return. Now, this William Tavington had come for Andrea. Now, the wounded heart of the young woman could heal. Now, she could begin living.