Dear readers,
I apologize for the time it has taken me to get this chapter up. As most of you know I have a Bordon fic I am working along with an original fic that is winding down. And anyone who knows me, knows that I refuse to post a crappy chapter just to keep my updates going. I'd rather wait and think things through, allowing the muse to speak and tell a better story.
Anyway, I hope you all had a great holiday season and happy reading.
~J
12.
Since the afternoon William had taken Esther to his bed, their relationship continued to flourish. Esther seeming much more at ease, although at first, Tavington was concerned that it would only make things worse. That she would either constantly seek him out for more or possibly shy away in shame. But instead, he found that she was now pacified. And that while both of them were still eager to spend time together, they also looked forward to the day when they could be married and nightfall would no longer separate them.
Tavington never thought in a million years that he would ever be the type of man to look forward to marriage. But indeed, he was. He felt fortunate enough to recognize that what he had with Esther was a once in a life time thing. He truly loved her and was proud that she would be his wife.
The idea of instant fatherhood was still a little daunting. It was ironic to Tavington how a man could face others in battle who meant to kill him without a second thought. Yet, one small child could make him doubt himself in ways he never had before. However, since he and Jason had cleared the air a bit regarding their new relationship to each other, Jason seemed more like his old self. And that gave Tavington some reassurance.
Together, Tavington and Esther discussed Jason's recent concerns. Although Esther knew that Jason loved his soon to be step-father, she was just as relieved to discover that Tavington felt the same for the boy. It seemed as though her dream of having a husband who would not only accept her as she was but also her son, were finally coming true. She also knew that once she and Jason were under his protection, Tavington would never allow anyone- including Bart and Tim- to mistreat her or Jason again.
As it turned out Esther wouldn't have to wait long for the proof.
One mid-August afternoon Esther was out weeding in her garden when she looked up to see William leading one of his massive shires, Jason perched on the horse's back. Even though Esther's heart skipped about five beats at the sight with motherly fear, it was clear that her little boy was quite proud of himself. Jason sat very straight and proper in the saddle, but the grin on his face and his twinkling brown eyes were evidence enough that he was having the time of his life.
William tethered the horse and reached up in time for Jason to slide down into his arms. Jason's feet barely touched Earth before he skipped off towards her, chattering the whole way about how Mr. Tavington promised to teach him to ride. He ran off to find his grandpa and William smiled watching Jason go. She understood early on in their relationship that horses were one thing that William had a passion for. And if he was willing to share that with Jason, she could hardly begrudge him for it.
Esther dusted the dirt off her hands as he came to her and accepted a tender kiss from him saying, "You'll be sorry when he starts asking for his own, you know?"
His eyebrows arched with his smug reply. "Sorry? Heavens no. If I have my way, he'll be breaking three-year olds before he's twelve."
"And do you always get your way Mr. Tavington?" She teased.
"Oh, most definitely," he said dipping his head for another quick peck to her lips.
At supper Jason spoke of nothing else but horses, asking his usual million questions. And as usual, Mr. Mitchel and Tavington answered them as patiently as possible.
After the table was cleared and the boys went to take care of their evening chores, Bart finally had his say. He tried to give the appearance of concern but Esther could tell he was being snide and she could also tell that William was having none of it.
"I don't know what kind of games you play Tavington but I'm certain I don't like it," Her brother said gruffly, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. He looked so much like her father, Esther thought. If only Bart could behave more like him.
"Games? Whatever do you mean?" William asked genuinely confused.
"With the boy."
"You mean Jason? That is his name you know." William said tightly.
"I'm well aware of his name, sir. And I hardly think it's wise to put ideas of horse fantasies in his head."
William bristled at Bart's scornful tone. "I hardly think teaching a boy to ride and care for horses compares to putting fantasies in his head. He's a good boy, he deserves the attention, and any child should learn to ride. Aside from that, I almost feel I owe it to him for all the help he's given so freely at my place. An extra pair of willing hands has been a luxury for me. I also fail to see why it should be any of your concern."
"So you think that teaching him to ride will make you the perfect father in his eyes? It doesn't work that way, you know," Bart said.
"I don't expect to be a perfect father," William answered thoughtfully, "No, I imagine I'll probably make many mistakes through the years. What I hope for, is that all my children- present and future ones- will have all the opportunities I've had and then some. I also hope they will come to understand that although I make mistakes, everything I do will be with their best interests at heart."
"I think that's what just about any man would want for his family, Tavington," Mr. Mitchel said approvingly as he puffed on his pipe.
"And woman," Esther chimed in.
"Who asked you?," Bart sneered.
"Perhaps the same person that asked for your opinion about my fiancé's parenting skills," she shot back.
"I've never understood the animosity between the two of you," William said with a sigh of irritation as he looked at Bart. "But she won't be your concern much longer, and I'll be damned if I let you speak to her in that manner again."
"Maybe you should mind your own business."
William's eyes narrowed, and the cold hearted officer he promised Esther he'd buried threatened to show itself. "Your sister and nephew are my business. Maybe you should learn it's not wise to anger me."
"Or you'll what?" Brat challenged.
"Maybe you two should take this conversation outside." Mitchel suggested, not wanting his daughter to witness any more.
"Butt out!" Bart snapped.
"Pardon me?" Mitchel asked disbelievingly.
You heard me."
Rage flashed in Mitchel's eyes at Bart's blatant disrespect. "You seem to forget, son. This is my house. My land. Everything in it and on it is my business and that includes you."
With that, Bart began to rant, "Oh that's right, take their side. You always do. You always take her side and that little bastard of hers. It's always been that way. I'm the one out in the fields with you while she sits at that damned wheel of hers and spins. I'm the one who gave up everything when we left Concord so that little whore could hide what she let those Redcoats do to her in the barn that night….."
"You knew?" Esther's eyes widened as she felt her heart drop into her stomach.
"Of course I knew," Bart snarled at her. "Who wouldn't have known the way you were screaming and moaning and carrying on the way you did. I wasn't surprised at all when you couldn't get any of them to marry you. I was only surprised that Father expected us to pack up and leave for your comfort."
Esther's mind reeled. She had always known that her father told Bart about what happened to her. But there were only two people in that cabin at that moment who knew it actually took place in the barn. Her father wasn't one of them. Which meant he couldn't have told Bart about that little detail.
William was by her side in an instant. He was saying something to her about leaving with him now, about going away now, and getting married now. But Esther's mind hardly registered what he was saying. She was thinking about the blow her brother had just given her. What he had just admitted was that he stood witness in some sense to her violation. That even then, he was too much of a coward to rescue her. Or he hated her so much that he didn't care. What she couldn't understand was why. What had she ever done besides come into the world to make her brother so jelouse and hateful?
"Go after him, girl!" Mitchel exclaimed snapping her out of her confusion.
"What?"
"Go after your man, Esther!"
Esther then realized William was gone. In his frustration he had stormed out leaving her there stunned over her brother's revelation.
She ran after him calling to him as he was untying his horse.
"William!"
William stopped and turned with a very dark expression she had never seen before on his face. She hesitated for a moment and threw herself into his arms when she reached him. His embrace crushed her and she began to sob, heartbroken over what had just occurred.
"He knew William….he knew and he didn't try to stop them," she cried.
"I know, dearest. I am so sorry for that," she heard him say.
"Please don't leave me, William."
"I won't leave you, Esther. I will never leave you."
Inside the house Clifton Mitchel was seething and his son knew it.
He stared at his old man wide-eyed, waiting for his father's response, knowing he had just made a huge mistake by letting his mouth overrun him.
Mitchel only needed a moment to make a decision no father should ever have to make. He had to choose between his own children. He raked his gnarly fingers through his graying hair. "You're dead mother and wife are rolling in their graves. You sicken me! How could you do that to her? Your own sister!"
"Pa, I…."
"You shut your disgusting mouth!," Mitchel roared. "You pack your things and you leave here tonight. I want you out. You leave Timothy here with me so at least he has a chance to become a decent man- unlike his father."
"I will not leave him here with you!" Bart tried to argue.
"You will! You will tell him you are going back to Concord. I don't care what you tell him but you will not take him with you. You will not ruin him, Bartholomew! You will never come back, do you hear me? You are no longer welcome here. You are no longer my son! If you ever come back or if you even try to take Tim with you, so help me God, I'll send him after you!"
Mitchel's shaking finger pointed towards the yard where Esther and Tavington were still standing together.
That night, at Tavington's insistence, Esther and Jason stayed with him after Esther packed a bag for a trip. The decision had been made that she and Tavington would go to Virginia where they could stop at a larger settlement and be married by a justice of the peace without banns needing to be read. Neither of them could wait any longer, for Tavington wanted Esther and Jason under his protection, and Esther simply wanted some peace.
For Jason's part, he was just excited to go on an adventure with his two favorite people and could hardly sleep that night in Tavington's loft, which he proclaimed would be his.
By morning, they were on their way to Virginia in the wagon and Bartholomew Mitchel was gone.
