Just to warn you all Roxanne gets a little girly in this one. Please Review!!!
Understand and The Ball
Roxanne finally was trudging back to the house it was well past dinner and probably too late to get a plate. General Cornwallis had came out earlier and told her that supper was almost ready. She had kindly but firmly refused stating that she wanted to make King comfortable and that she would get something later. He nodded and commended her for being so thoughtful where her beast was concerned.
Unfortunately that was not all the general had wanted. He had told her that they would be leaving tomorrow for the Simms's residence for a ball to congratulate him on their victory at Charlestown and that she would be attending. Roxanne protested saying that she had never been to a ball and had no clothes to wear. However the General had already arranged for a dress maker to meet them at the Simms's and that he expected her to behave like a lady. Finally reaching her room she toed off her boots and collapsed onto her bed falling asleep before she could finish undressing.
Alice entered the room early to wake Roxanne. They were to head out shortly and she had brought her a plate of biscuits and gravy for her to eat. The elder lady smiled as she saw Roxie passed out still in her clothes from yesterday. Alice set the plate on the desk and sat next to the sleeping blonde. "Roxanne, its time to wake up. You have a bit of a long journey ahead." Roxanne groaned and buried her head deeper into the pillow. It had been too long since she had slept in a real bed and was actually looking forward to doing it more often. It was actually the first time she had slept alone since Margret had been born since the house was small they had to share a bed and then when Susan was born she was also added to the bed. Alice had begun to rub Roxie's back as she used to do to her children.
Finally Roxanne sat up knowing that Alice wasn't going to let her go back to her slumber. Standing up she stretched out her arms and legs, know more awake she noticed the smell of food. She darted to the plate scarffing down every last morsel. "Goodness child did you not eat last night?" Alice said in utter amazement. "No, by the time I came in all I wanted was to sleep." She answered. "Well you best hurry up, everyone is getting ready to leave. The carriage will surly leave without you." "The carriage can leave without me I am riding King wherever we are going he goes with me." Roxie said matter o factly. Alice just shook her head, 'I will let them deal with her, I am not going to tell her how things go around here. "Will you be going, Alice? It would be nice to have someone I know with me." "Oh course I am coming miss, the General asks me to attend to help you if needed." Roxanne smiled at this.
About fifteen minutes later a someone was knocking on her door. "It's open," Roxanne called as she pulled on her tall boots. "Good morning miss, My name is General O'Hara and I will escort you to the carriage." He said kindly. Roxie looked the man up and down, 'he looks like a miniature Cornwallis' she thought smiling. "That will be unnecessary General I will be riding my horse to the Simms's." Roxie said walking towards O'Hara. Before he could say anything she slipped past him and out the door. The general stared open mouthed at the door. "She's a free spirit that one, mister" Alice stated as she made the bed. O'Hara shook his head and started down the hall after her.
"Ah Colonel Martin I see that you are ready to leave," Cornwallis said as he saw her coming down the stairs. "The carriage is right outside." "Actually my lord I was wanting to speak with you about that," Roxanne stated. Suddenly Colonel Tavington came upon them, "My lord, the green dragoons are prepared to leave when you are ready." he stated not even looking towards Roxanne. "General I was hoping that I would be able to ride my horse to the estate since it is so far and we will be there for awhile." Roxanne butted in quickly. "Just think sir, you would be able to trade with the colonial army for men or supplies after all I am a excellent bargaining chip being a Colonel and all."
Tavington stared wide eyed at her, 'Why in the hell would she offer herself up to trade unless she wants to get closer to escape.' Before Tavington could speak out the General answered, "My dear, you are quite clever and know how to get what you want," he smiled, "You may ride your beast with the Green Dragoons and you shall accompany them after the ball to their campground and that's final Colonel," he stated turning to Tavington who was about to oppose. "Thank you so very much General," she replied sweetly winking at Tavington. "I shall go and prepare King." With that she strolled out of the house to get King.
"Sir, you cannot b" "Tavington I said that's final. We are done with this matter. You will leave after she is ready." he finished turning towards General O'Hara. "I believe the carriage is waiting for us, my lord." O'Hara said. He nodded and turned out the door to the carriage. Tavington watch the carriage leave utterly mortified that he was to spend the next eight hours with that insufferable woman.
"Are we ready to leave, sir?" Borden asked. Tavington huffed, "No we have to wait for that little" "Ready to leave, sir." Roxanne cut in riding up on her horse. "Good you will ride behind me and Major Borden with Captain Anderson." Roxanne nodded deciding that she was going to try and behave herself today. 'I really need to try and be nice to him considering that I will probably be stuck with him for awhile.' she thought to herself.
"Are you Colonel Martin?" a man on a red roan horse asked her. She nodded yes. "Well I am Captain Samuel Anderson and I will be making sure you do not make your escape today." Roxanne giggled at him and flashed him a small smile. Soon they were on their way to the estate. Captain Anderson was a blonde, blue eyed man who was actually very friendly. They chatted for the first couple hours of the trip talking about life, the military, and their families. "Seven brothers and sisters!" Samuel exclaimed. Roxanne nodded laughing. "Yes, I am the oldest, Gabriel is 20, Thomas is 15, Margaret is 13, Nathan is 11, Samuel is 9, William is 8 and Susan is 6." Roxanne finished. "Wow, that's amazing I only have one sister." he confessed. "If you don't mind me asking how old are you?" "I will be 21 this spring." She answered. Before Samuel could ask her why she hadn't married Tavington called for a halt by a stream. "Take 30 minutes to water the horse and stretch your legs," he commanded swinging down from his steed.
Roxanne dismounted and lead King over to a tree. "Come here boy let's take this off and you can go wade in the water." she cooed taking off his sweaty tack and placing it on the fallen log. King took off toward the stream after she removed his bit and immediately rolled under the water so that only his nose was sticking out. "Goofy horse," she muttered to herself sitting down and leaning against the log.
"Do you think it's wise to let him loose?" Tavington asked walking over to her. "He will come when I call, he loves water and I want him to enjoy it while he can." She answered looking up at him. "Would you like to sit colonel. The rumors are false I really don't bite." she joked. He just stared at the peculiar girl, finally deciding since she was being nice for once that he would indulge her.
Roxanne stretched her legs out as he on the log looking down at her. After a few moments of silence William had to ask her, "Do you really have seven brothers and sisters?" Roxanne exploded with laughter nodding her head. "Why does everyone find that so hard to believe?" she asked him after she had stopped laughing. "Well I know that everyone here has a small family compared to that. I think Private Rowling's family has five children but no one has eight." he said smiling down at her. "I enjoy having a large family, you always have someone to talk to and it is never dull." "I suppose not." William agreed.
They spent the rest of the time chatting about his family he told her about his mother who had died when he was young and that his father was a useless drunk who ruined not only his inheritance on booze and whores but had tarnished the family name. Learning this she began to understand why he acted the way he did. He had something to prove, 'just like me' she thought to herself. Finally they stood up as she went to tack King back up he organized the dragoons.
They finally arrived at the plantation around three o clock, Tavington offered to untack King for her and get him settle since she had to go and get measured for a dress. She thanked him and handed the reins to him. "Just treat him with respect and you won't have any problems," She said to him as he lead King to the stable.
Roxanne entered the mansion and was immediately taken to a room upstairs to the seamstress. "Oh my child, why do you wear men's clothing?!" she exclaimed in a thick British accent. Roxanne spent the next 45 minutes being measured everywhere. "All right I shall return with a dress that will surly make you feel like a real woman."
After she left Roxanne decided that she had better find something to eat before she passed out. Reaching her door she heard a knock. She opened the door to find none other then Ban smiling at her. "I was wondering if you would do me the honor of eating lunch with me." he asked. Roxie nodded and walked with him down to the dining room where their plates for lunch was waiting.
They talked about the trip and about the upcoming events for the evening. "It is really quite boring really," Ban assured her. "There is gossiping and dancing that is pretty much it." "Well that comforting I hate gossip and I have no idea how to dance." Roxanne confessed. "Not a problem, my dear I shall dance with you and as long as you follow my lead you will be fine." Roxie smiled at him. "Thank you, Ban. You are not so bad for a Redcoat." she jested. "And you my dear are not bad at all in anyway." She laughed at Ban's line. After lunch Roxanne excused herself for she was exhausted and needed a rest before the ball.
*Later that evening*
"Stop squirming girl, you would think you had never worn a corset before," Alice scolded as she pulled the strings. "I have never worn one and after this I never will! Why did I agree to this?!" Roxanne exclaimed as Alice gave on great tug. "Well child how do you keep your breast from going every which way?" Alice questioned walking over to grab the sapphire blue dress that had arrived earlier for Roxanne. "I take a piece of cloth and just wrap it around my chest like a bandage." she answered sliding into the dress. "Well child I know how much you would rather wear breeches but you look absolutely beautiful." Alice said in awe.
Roxanne walked in front of the large looking glass and almost fainted at the sight. Her long hair was pulled back into the clip Mr. Brown had given her with blonde curls tumbling out of it. The dress was matched the clip perfectly and suited her skin tone well. Her eyes seemed to be even more blue than she could ever remember. The dress was very flattering to her, it hugged all of her curves in the right places. "Well except for the fact I feel like my breast are going to fall out of my dress I suppose it is not that bad." Roxie accepted after a few minutes.
When Roxie exited her room and walked down the hall to the staircase. She could here the orchestra playing and hear the people gossiping. 'Ok Roxie just one step at a time.' and she descended down the stairs.
William and Ban were sipping their champagne, "So who are you going to for, Ban?" William asked knowing his friend had already picked out a girl. "I like the one in the green dress her breasts look positively appealing." William did not even hear him for he became awestruck at the divine creature who was descending from the stairwell. "She is beautiful." he whispered. "Who are you talking ab-" Ban stopped as he saw Roxanne as did all the activity in the room.
'Don't freak out, don't freak out' Roxanne kept thinking as the room became still. She saw everyone's eyes were on her and she felt as if she was going to vomit. She smiled when she saw Ban and walked over to him as the party began to resume realizing everyone had paused to look at the beautiful woman who had just entered.
"Does that have alcohol in it?" She asked Ban grabbing his glass and downing it. "ROXANNE!" Ban exclaimed suddenly realizing. "the one and the only" she said grabbing another glass and downing the liquid. William was confounded, could this really be the same girl in the breeches and boots. She looked absolutely stunning.
"Well, ma'am may I have this dance." Ban asked bowing slightly. "As long as you don't mind when I trod on you feet." She joked. William watched as Ban lead her out to the dance floor. He began to feel a heat bubbling inside of him. 'Calm down man, she is a perfectly eligible woman plus she is the enemy. Pull yourself together. No matter how pretty she is she is a colonial.' he scolded himself.
After several dances with different men including the both General Cornwallis and O'Hara Roxanne had had enough. She exited to the porch and walked to where no one was. She sipped her champagne slowly wishing it was something stronger.
"Finally escape from dance floor, Colonel Martin." Tavington said from behind her. She turned and smiled at him. "Finally, yes. My feet are killing me and I can barely breath. Why aren't you out there charming the ladies, Colonel?" She asked "The women are quite flustered with you stealing all of the men's affections so they have turned to gossip about you." Roxanne nodded her head smiling. "Too be fair I did not ask to come." she reasoned. "I figured as much. You looked horribly nervous when you entered. I have never seen a woman drink champagne so fast." he finished laughing. "Well if it was whiskey I would not have done that. This does not even give me a little buzz." she admitted. "So you ride like a man, dress like a man, talk like a man, and drink like a man. Is there anything you do that isn't like a man?" he questioned. "There are some things I may be more of a woman at. It is a shame that you will never experience it." she said with a wink. Tavington could do nothing but laugh.
They spent the next hour talking about the ball and the drama that happened. "Mrs. Simms has always been a terrible gossip. I never liked her and the feeling was mutual." Roxanne explained. "Once while my aunt had her over for dinner I put ink in her tea." she confessed. William howled with laughter. "Colonel Tavington the men are gathering for drinks and cards if you would care to join us." Mr. Simms said as he approached the pair. Tavington nodded and said he would be in shortly. "Well Colonel I guess this is where we part." He said bowing slightly. "Tavington," Roxanne called as he turned. "Call me Roxie," William smiled at hearing that. "Then please call me William." "William may I join you for cards it has been so long since I played poker." she asked slyly. He nodded and offered her his arm. She took it as the walked to the lounge to join the rest of the men.
*A few hours and Drinks Later*
"What have you got, Ban?" Roxanne questioned. She had proven to be a excellent poker player and had knocked everyone out but Ban. "You play a good game love but I don't think you can beat this." he said as he laid down a straight in diamonds. "Well that great Ban, but its just not good enough." She smiled. "In your honor a royal flush." She smugly said showing her cards to the group. All the men groaned as she collected her winnings.
"How does a woman get so good at cards and is able to hold her liquor?" Borden asked her as she took another gulp of whiskey. "How easily men forget? I was a Colonel for two years. We drank a bit and played a lot of poker." She confessed.
"Well men I think it is time to retire, we do have to set up camp and scout the area." William said stretching his arms. "Shall I escort you to your room, Roxanne?" He asked holding out his arm. She nodded and walked with him to her room.
"I had a wonderful evening," he said to her when they reached their rooms which were adjacent to each other. "You are actually pleasant when you don't act like you have a stick up your arse." Roxanne joked. "And you are delightful when you aren't trying hurt me." he jested back. She laughed at this.
"Well goodnight William." She said finally. "Goodnight," he respondedraising her hand to kiss it. He kept a hold of her hand while he was staring into her dark blue eyes. 'Just kiss her fool what's the worst that could happen' he reasoned to himself.
'Roxanne just take one step and kiss him. If anything just blame the alcohol.' she screamed inside her head. Roxanne went to take a step when William pulled her close and lowered his mouth to meet hers.
His kiss was soft and gentle at first, Roxanne could feel heat burning up into her belly and she wanted more. She put her arms around his neck and opened her mouth as William deepened the kiss. Soon she was pushed up against the door as they hungrily kissed each other. She had worked his hair out of the cravat and was sliding her fingers through his hair. It slid easily through her fingers and was so soft. His hands were sliding up and down her back feeling every part of her as he could. His tongue had slipped into her mouth as she moaned. 'Oh my god this is amazing' she thought to herself. She began to bite and suck on his lower lip. William groaned deeply as he brought his hand to her chest. He could feel her nipple growing hard. Finally they separated from lack of oxygen and before William could say anything she darted into her room leaving him in the hallway shocked and incredibly turned on.
Roxanne slumped against the door breathing heavily. She could still feel her lips tingling from the kiss. "what are you doing, Roxanne? He is a redcoat! The BUTCHER for Christ sakes!!!" she scolded herself. 'Do you care? He is the first man to make you feel this way' a voice inside her said. Roxanne began to undress still contemplating what she should do. She gave up after a hour and decided that she would figure it out tomorrow.
