Chapter 21 - The Lioness
Vera smiled triumphantly as she turned Beth away from the ballroom, where the younger woman had clearly been heading. Watching from the sides, she had seen the girls 'tiff' with Tavington, though she had not heard a word. She judged it was not particularly serious, however, as Tavington had laughed it off and walked away.
A smug smile had quirked his lips but it would be gone soon. Vera felt a thrill at the prospect. Use her for a final fuck, would he? She would see his little liaison with this silly girl destroyed, here and now.
"Are you enjoying your evening, my dear?" She asked Beth now.
"Yes, quite," Beth frowned and Vera almost laughed aloud.
She had never particularly liked the young girl, had never shown her anything beyond polite curtesy - her warm tone obviously bewildered Beth. Good, she wanted the girl to be off guard.
"Hmm, as am I. I do enjoy balls. The proper ones like this one of course, not those horrible public things," Vera shuddered.
"What did you wish to speak to me of, Mrs. Tisdale? You said you've been hoping to catch me all evening."
"Yes, and you seemed to have disappeared quite a few times," she observed with wide eyed innocence. "All alone with Tavington..."
Beth swallowed, her heart began to pound with fear that she and William had been discovered. She made no protest - allowing herself to be led meekly away by the older woman.
"Over here dear," Vera said. "Lets wait until we are completely private."
"Sounds serious," Beth said in a shaky voice. Then, because she wanted some hint of what was coming, she asked, "is it about Colin and Mary?"
"Oh, its serious," Vera nodded decisively. "But no its not about Colin and Mary. Though I am hoping the young man will propose soon. You are very close with the boy, aren't you? Do you think he will?"
Beth frowned, she still had no clue of what this was about. But Vera was speaking politely enough, and she allowed herself to relax somewhat.
"Yes, we are close. And yes I believe he will propose soon. His sister Alice thinks so too, though he has not told her for certain. Will you and Mr. Tisdale approve?"
"Certainly we will! The Ferguson's... They would almost make as good as match as your own Gabriel would have made for Mary," Vera sighed with disappointment and Beth laughed.
"I think the Howard's have beaten you to it, there. Anne Howard will definitely marry Gabriel. Some day soon, I'm thinking..."
"Hmm, lucky girl..." Vera's tone was wistful, Gabriel was certainly a handsome young man. She would have enjoyed putting him through his paces, if only he had not been so bloody innocent and pure of heart! How enjoyable it would have been, riding that young man, watching his angelic face twist as he experienced his first climax.
She wondered if Tavington watched Beth's angelic face twist with hers...
Finally they, Beth and Vera, were alone. Surprisingly, now the time had come, Vera began to feel nervous. Her knees were weak and her stomach writhed. Feeling slightly faint, she led the way over to a wrought iron and wood seat, beckoning for Beth to sit beside her. There was a gravel path to their right, but Vera felt certain she would be able to hear anyone strolling. She resolved to keep her voice low, just in case.
For a moment she faltered, hesitated. What would Tavington do to her, when he discovered this? He was bound to know that she was the one who revealed their affair to Beth. Perhaps she should be fearful of his wrath...
Steeling her spine, she decided that William could do nothing, not to her. She had her husbands protection and Tavington would not want their affair exposed. Her husband would expel the Dragoons from his house! Of course, if their affair was exposed thus, she would be forced to leave, also...
In any instance, William would not want his reputation tarnished and bedding a married woman in the very home he had been quartered in was a sure fire way of losing him the respect of his peers.
Besides, he had to pay for spurning her, for using her. The gall of it! Second best... To this little chit? Not bloody likely.
"My dear, what I have to tell you is quite distressing," Vera began and Beth's gaze became wary again. "But it simply must be done. I do hope I can rely on your discretion, too many people could be hurt if you repeat what I am about to tell you. I have no wish to hurt you," she lied, "but you are my daughter's closest friend and I simply must reveal certain things to you. To protect you, so that you do not make a hopeless, terrible mistake."
"What things?" Beth asked quietly, suddenly glad she was sitting down. "What terrible mistake?"
Vera tried to keep the smile from her face. Tried for an expression of motherly concern.
"Darling, it is about Lieutenant Colonel Tavington. I've noticed the connection between the two of you," she gave a tinkling laugh. "Who hasn't noticed? He has been so attentive of you, you must have danced with him seven times this evening, not to mention dining with him. And though no one else suspects it, I know you have stolen away to be alone with him. I think you are at serious risk of falling in love with the good Colonel."
Beth pursed her lips, this was not a conversation she wished to be having with the likes of Vera Tisdale! But the woman continued, seeming not to notice Beth's reticence.
"Nevertheless, I believe if some of his less admirable traits where exposed, you may find yourself able to judge your feelings a little clearer."
"Less admirable traits?" Beth sighed heavily, William had plenty of those... What more could Vera possibly tell her?
"Yes, dear. His propensity for... shall we say... seduction? The man seems unable to help himself," she continued as though she had not noticed Beth's sudden tension. "Yes, he is quite the ladies man - 'a man about town', if you will."
Beth stopped short, her heart began to pound. The two women turned in the seat to face one another.
"Perhaps you could elaborate," Beth suggested coolly.
"You met him what - five days ago... On Monday?"
"Correct," a very terse reply. She folded her arms across her chest defensively.
"In that time, dear, I happen to know of at least three other women, one he bedded just last night at a little tavern not far from the Assembly Hall."
Beth's face turned white and she swooned in the seat.
"Last night?" She whispered finally.
"Indeed," Vera said with false sympathy and reached out to pat Beth's hand. "Her name is Helen Shaw - she is a barmaid and has enjoyed his attentions a few times since she met him - five days ago. Oh, five days," she gasped as though only just making the connection. "That must have been the same day he met you!"
Beth closed her eyes and licked her lips. To believe her? She opened her eyes again, pinned Vera with a hard, considering stare.
"I assure you, I am speaking truly," Vera said, sensing the younger girl's distrust. "I questioned Miss Shaw myself."
"And why would you go to that effort?" Beth frowned. Her voice was as cold as winter snow.
"Because, darling," Vera said in an over the top voice. She annunciated each word exactly, "I am a jealous mistress and I desired to know who my lover's other mistress's were, of course!"
Beth reeled. Jealous mistress. Her lover. Vera was bedding William. She closed her eyes and struggled to catch her breath. Vera noticed Beth's distress and continued on, pushing her advantage.
"Oh, I have not mentioned the other women - there are still two more that I know of, remember?"
Beth wished she could block the hateful woman's voice from her ears.
"Linda Stokes, I believe her name is... Though I do not believe she is truly competition. She is a whore, you see," Beth's eyes flew open and Vera elaborated. "Fucks our Officer for coin."
"I think we are done here," Beth tried to rise but Vera grabbed her arm and jerked her back. Without seeming to realise it, her voice rose of its own accord and it was filled with hate and fury.
"Oh, no... We have not even scratched the surface!" She spat. "You see, exactly five nights ago - on Monday evening, William -"
Beth tensed, her eyes glittered and Vera smiled, sensing the other woman's sudden violence. Oh, yes, she had struck a cord now, speaking their lovers name so freely.
"William came home with a keepsake, a lovely brown silk ribbon." Vera reached up to finger one of Beth's ribbons gently. The younger woman slapped the older's hand away.
"Ohh, touchy," she laughed viciously, thoroughly enjoying herself. "Where was I? Oh, yes. I became quite jealous, I admit. William is a wonderful lover after all, but then again - I think you know that already?" She arched an eyebrow and Beth blushed crimson. Vera felt her suspicions, that Beth had lost her virginity to William, were confirmed. Rage as she had never known coursed through her, making her reckless.
"I tried to throw the ribbon in the fire," she continued. "William became quite incensed. I am sure I could still feel the sting of his slap on my cheek the following day. He made it up to me, however, he is so incredibly clever with his tongue, wouldn't you agree?"
She searched the younger woman's face, waiting for a reaction. She saw only anger and distress - and confusion.
"What?" Beth snapped, her brows drawn down in a frown. She couldn't credit it, couldn't believe it what she was being told! "What the devil are you talking about? You forgave him because he kissed you? Even I have more self respect than that!"
"Ah, what a little innocent you are!" Vera laughed with glee. "He has not shown you that particular delight then. So, you have not bedded him after all?" Vera was quite pleased by the discovery.
Her victory would be even more complete, if she managed to break the two apart before he had even had a chance to steal the girl's virtue.
"No I have not," again Beth rose and again she was hauled back. She growled low in her throat with frustration - Vera was bloody strong! "It's none of your damned business!"
"No, don't leave yet," Vera admonished. "There is more. Lord, with William, it seems there is always more! You have not asked me why I would reveal all this to you, now, at the ball... Why would I risk such a thing? You must know our William has a temper."
"MY WILLIAM!" Beth leaned in close, her violence just beneath the surface. "Say his name again, I fucking dare you!"
Vera recoiled, taken aback by Beth's sudden intensity. She had started this, however and she needed to see this to the end. Her victory was not yet complete.
"No, darling - not your William - not mine either," Vera corrected, going in for the kill. "He has a lady with a small fortune waiting for him back in England - one Miss Eleanor Price with her twenty thousand pounds."
Beth swayed. Finally - a satisfying reaction from the girl!
"He is engaged?" She asked quietly, pitifully.
"Oh yes. There is certainly an agreement between the two and he will return to her after the war," Vera continued in a mocking tone. "Your William..." she laughed her tinkling laugh. "Did it not occur to you to ask him of prior attachments, before falling in love with him? You silly girl!"
Beth bristled, she balled her hands into fists and leaned forward aggressively, her face twisted with fury. "You dare mock me?"
Vera, sincerely worried for her person, shifted back and raised her arms in a placating gesture.
"All right, all right," breathing heavily, she wondered if she should be as frightened of Beth's wrath as she was of the William's. Too late, she must continue. Though she did modify her tone, in case she incited the girls rage once more. She tried to fix the girl with her gaze but Beth looked straight passed her, over Vera's shoulder at a fixed point up the path.
Very well...
"Tavington came to me, two nights ago," she said - careful to not call him by his Christian name again. "You and the girls had returned from the dance. You sat in Mary's room for hours but shortly after you all retired for the evening, he came to me. He was in a rage -" Vera noticed the muscles in the girls cheek twitch, but her face was otherwise set like stone.
"Over something. Damned nearly frightened my poor maid to death, with his demand that she leave so he could hasten to bed me. I thought it was simply ardor," her tone became wistful. "He is so strong. When he lifted me and pressed me against the wall I thought I would die then and there. Oh, and when he entered me..."
Beth's heart twisted, it felt like someone had speared her with a sharp hook and was trying to rip it from her chest. Up until now she had been too shocked to fully understand any of what she had been told. She understood now, however and she swayed, ready to faint or cry or... Though it was a struggle, she did her best to maintain her composure.
Vera noticed nothing of Beth's turmoil, though she took great pleasure in it earlier. She was too lost in the memory of passion.
"Yes, I thought I would die. But it took a while, he thrashed inside me for so long, and finally I did die, a thousand deaths... But then he said the words no woman wishes to hear -" Vera choked up. Breathing heavily herself now, she struggled to maintain control, struggled to hold back her tears. "'We are through, Vera.'
"And just like that, my most extraordinary lover left me. I couldn't believe it - I thought he was joking! But no, he was quite serious. He admitted there was another woman. I asked why he would take me then, one last time - isn't it cruel? Reprehensible. He used me, Miss Martin. For one last fuck. Because he could not have the woman he wanted. Do you know what I did then?"
"I'm sure your going to tell me," a terse reply.
Vera's eyes widened. The girl was ice! Where were her tears? Her hair pulling? Her screaming? Her faints? Ice - no stone. Unbreakable. This was not how she thought this would go, not at all!
"Yes, I'm going to tell you," she tried and failed to put the same amount of venom and contempt in her voice as earlier. Beth's frosty demeanor made it impossible. "I decided to find the woman, tell her all about Tavington's affairs. I know you are angry now, but I've done you a favor, Miss Martin. A courtesy. You see, it is not just his affairs, or the woman back in England. I am with child, also - I know it is Tavington's..." She was pleased to see Beth's eye give a twitch and she pushed her advantage. "Yes, definitely William's. I have no doubt, for I had my courses after bedding my husband, though he does not know it."
"You are done now, I assume?" Beth asked.
Vera had no idea how the younger woman did it.
"I'm telling you your lover has been fucking other women, that I am one of those others, that I am carrying his child! Yet you show not a trace of... of anything!"
"Oh, believe me, Mrs. Tisdale. I am quite angry enough right now. I would like nothing more than to drub you all the way back to the ballroom," she puffed an angry breath as she considered the older woman. "Well, aren't you the little whore? Tell me, have there been other lovers, or was William your first?"
"Well of course there have been others," Vera bristled with rage, "whore that I am! I even wanted your angel of a brother but he was too innocent to entertain a liaison with me."
"I dare say! Common sense rather than innocence, however, played a large part there," Beth smiled insultingly. "You are sure the bastard you carry is William's?"
"Natural child, if you please!" Vera snapped. "Yes, I have no doubt."
"Ah, of course, we must be polite, mustn't we?" Beth mocked. "Show the courtesies? Even if you have fucked half the men in the Colonies."
"You dare?" Vera balled her hands into fists and leaned forward.
"You admitted it yourself!" Beth smiled and Vera wanted to slap it off her face. "Enough. You've had your revenge. It is time I was allowed mine. Turn around, Mrs. Tisdale."
Vera's face blanched. She had seen Beth looking past her shoulder but thought the younger woman was simply too distraught to meet her eyes. But no, she realised belatedly, someone had come up the path though Vera had not heard. That person was behind her now.
William? Fear writhed through her stomach, she thought she might faint. She turned slowly, and came face to face with her worst nightmare.
Not William, he would have been preferable to this.
Her husband stared down at her, his face as cold and hard as Beth's. The younger woman had seen him coming, she had watched his approach and had said nothing. Nothing! Vera was too afraid to feel rage, however.
"Dear heart -" Vera rose and took a step toward to her husband, to Mr. Tisdale. She cut off with a small gasp.
What..? Dazed, Vera glanced around, wondering why she was on the ground. Her eyes caught her husbands, who stood over her, looming - murderous with fury. He had struck her with the back of his hand!
"My husband," Vera pleaded quietly rubbing her stinging cheek. She swallowed and tried again. "My dear, you know that I love you. Let us go home and talk - "
"Miss Martin, please leave us," Mr. Tisdale's voice was hard as stone. "I wish to have a word alone with my wife."
Beth nodded. She rose and walked away, leaving Vera to her fate.
Mr. Tisdale stared down at his wife for a long time before speaking. When he began, she wished he had remained silent.
"I have known of your affairs for a long time now, Vera," he said coolly. "When I heard your voice, and heard what you were saying, I decided to hang back and listen. Miss Martin must have been quite wroth with you, to prompt answers from you when she knew I was standing here."
"Yes, it was cruel of her! Darling, I exaggerated and -"
"Silence!" He roared and Vera snapped her mouth shut. She had never seen him looking so enraged.
"Vera, you will not be returning to my home to discuss any of this," Mary's father continued. "I do not care where you sleep tonight. I will be seeing my lawyer first thing in the morning about setting you aside. Now that I have the proof of your affairs that I needed - I will tolerate you no longer."
"Oh no - please. Lord, my husband, please... What will become of me?"
"You should have thought of that before you spread your legs for Tavington, you fucking whore! I do not care what happens to you. You are carrying his bastard? Perhaps he will take care of you, though I doubt it. You can make your living as a camp doxy, entertaining the other Redcoats! You are detestable! I am glad to be rid of you finally!" He whirled away from her, he would search for Mary, it was time to leave.
"No, no, no, no..." Vera rose unsteadily to her feet and followed after her husband, tears coursing down her face, making her white powder run. She did not even care that she was causing a scene as she pleaded with him, grabbing his arm, in an attempt to turn him to face her. He shoved her off and she found herself on the ground again, her husband simply left her there and walked away.
For what? Vera thought as she wept. For nothing. Even if Beth refuses Tavington, from this point forward... Vera's life as she knew it was ruined. Completely and utterly ruined!
:::::::::::::
Lieutenant fucking Colonel fucking William fucking Tavington...
Beth raged as she began her search. Never had she used that word before, but it seemed very fitting now.
It was time to end it with William. For once and for all. He was promised to someone else. Miss Eleanor Landing.
Oh god..! Despair threatened to overwhelm her. She had to stop dead and lean against a large marble statue as she choked back a flood of tears.
No, RAGE! She growled at herself, trying to shove her anguish away. Rage - not despair. There was no place for despair. Not now!
Mistresses, whores, bastards, a wife already secured!
Rage. Fury. Anger. Tempest. A brave and very angry lioness, as Tavington was about to discover.
Swallowing hard, she embraced her fury and shoved back from the marble statue.
As she was already outside, she decided to search the grounds first. There were lots of guests enjoying the fresh air, mingling in groups of two or more, talking and laughing, wine goblets in their hands. Beth searched each group intently, checking for Redcoats with dark hair. As she moved further away from the manor, the groups of people became less.
Frustrated and tense, Beth whirled, about to return to the mansion when she spied three people standing near the tall trees that edged the property. They stood on the edge of the circle of light cast from a nearby lantern.
Even from this distance she recognised William easily, she had come to know his build, his militaristic stance. She hardened herself, steeled her spine.
Time to end it.
Beth had no idea what she would say, so caught up in fury. Nevertheless, a confrontation was brewing, of that there was no doubt. One thing was certain, she was no longer conflicted over her imminent departure, any confusion or doubt she may have been harboring over leaving William and marrying Harry fled.
She clenched her jaw, balled her hands into fists and, her silk skirts swishing around her legs, she closed the distance between them with determined strides.
:::::::::::::
With a small, indulgent smirk, Tavington watched Beth stomp away. The next set began but rather than ask another woman to dance, he slipped out of the ballroom in search of Richard. Spying the Captain with Miss Jutland, he quickened his stride to a trot and caught up to them easily.
"Ah, William," Richard quipped. "Nice of you to spare us some time this evening."
"Yes, I'm surprised you were able to peel yourself from Miss Martin's side," Harmony joined in the teasing.
William cringed. "Has it been that obvious?"
Richard snorted. "Christ - almost every guest here is speaking of it. It has caused quite a sensation, for it was common knowledge that Burwell was courting the girl for so long. And to have her be so thoroughly engrossed with a Redcoat Officer has definitely set tongues to wagging. Some are wondering if you will propose to the girl."
William smiled mysteriously.
"I've heard many of the younger women whispering behind their hands," Harmony said as the trio began to walk away from the ballroom, heading toward the far trees where there weren't so many people and they could speak in private. "Almost all of them seem to agree that you are by far the better catch."
"Almost all of them?" Tavington arched an eyebrow and Harmony laughed.
"I think a couple of them are not so pleased with the match - it seems they had their eyes on you for themselves."
"I dare say," William smirked. "That doesn't surprise me in the least."
"I confess myself quite distressed," Harmony flirted. "You tell me I'm the most beautiful woman you've ever laid eyes on and then don't pay me any attention all evening! You haven't danced a single dance with me!"
Bordon rolled his eyes. The two always seemed to flirt with one another but as long as they kept it to flirting, Richard did not mind too much. It pleased Richard that his Commander got along so well with his mistress. They reached the trees and stopped to continue their chat by the light of a lantern.
"Ah, alas, I've been otherwise occupied. I am certain Miss Martin will seek me soon for the final dance, when she comes to her senses."
"Oh?" Harmony was instantly intrigued. "Tell me more!"
"It seems the little dear is as clever as she is beautiful," William explained. "She saw through my attempt to keep other suitors away from her, by only having my Dragoons dance with her."
Harmony and Richard both began to laugh as William continued. "She was in quite a huff about it, declared that she would not dance another dance with me and then strode away. I give her until the finish of this set before she comes and finds me, and pleads for the final dance."
"So certain of yourself," Harmony mocked. "I hope she doesn't give in, myself. You need a lesson or two in how to treat women, I'm afraid."
"Fiery women," William chuckled. "Christ, I've never met any woman with her temper. How are you enjoying the evening?" He asked, changing the subject.
He didn't want to reveal too much about his intentions for Beth just yet, not until he'd had a chance to court her properly and propose to her. Talk turned to the evening, other guests, the dinner and how fair the night was when Harmony caught sight of a woman heading toward them over Tavington's shoulder.
"Is that your Miss Martin, Colonel?" She teased. Tavington turned in the direction Harmony indicated.
"Why, yes, it is," he smiled as he watched Beth draw closer. "Too late if she has come to bed for the last dance. It is almost done."
His smile soon turned to a frown however. Beth was close enough now for him to see her rage filled expression.
"She looks none to happy, William." Richard said cautiously.
"None to happy at all," Harmony murmured. "She looks furious. Perhaps we should leave the two of you alone."
"Out here, unchaperoned?" William muttered. "As you said, people are gossiping about us as it is. What the Devil is wrong with the girl?"
Beth's eyes where fixed on Tavington as she marched purposefully toward the small group. When she stood before him, he bowed somewhat warily, as did Bordon.
"Miss Martin," Captain Bordon greeted her, giving her no choice but to acknowledge him.
Beth shot him a quick glance, bobbed a curtsy, nodded to Harmony and turned her flashing eyes back to William. She said two words only, but it was enough.
"Mrs. Tisdale." Fury clipped her tone.
William stiffened and his eyes widened with astonishment.
Too late to offer her a denial or evasion. The accusations confirmed, Beth nodded curtly, satisfied that her information was correct. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned forward intently, raising one eyebrow. She continued in the same clipped tone.
"Well?"
The Colonel drew in a sharp breath and tightened his lips. Fiery was one thing, but this?
"Nothing to say?" She snapped. "Hmm? Lieutenant Colonel William Tavington of the Green Bloody Dragoons, has lost his tongue? That must be a first for you."
"Miss Martin," Tavington drawled coolly, resorting to formalities. His pale eyes turned to ice and the grip on his glass was almost crushing. "You will not speak to me in this manner. Calm yourself and we shall discuss -"
"Calm myself?" Beth cut him off furiously. Miss Jutland and Captain Bordon retreated a few steps, though they stayed within the circle of light, watching warily. "Mrs. Tisdale! You and her, all this time! Ever since you billeted in their home!"
"It was nothing, Beth," he said furiously. "She meant nothing to me. She was entertaining, a diversion. Nothing more."
"Truly? I feel much better about it now, thank you for clarifying that," her tone was sickly sweet. She tapped her lips as if pondering. "Hmm, but she was not the only one, now, was she? In the last week? You've sought your entertainment and diversions elsewhere other than Mrs. Tisdale. I suppose Linda Stokes and Helen Shaw meant nothing to you either?"
His face grew darker by the moment, but her rage had her in its grips. Besides, she was not finished, she had one more to mention. The most important of all of them.
"And of course there is your fiancé, Miss Eleanor Price," she spat. "With her twenty thousand!"
"Who told of you of all this?" he leaned forward intently, poised and ready to do violence to the informant. "Hmm?"
"So," Beth ignored his question. "It's true then? A fiancé waiting patiently back home while here in the Colonies her fiancé beds four women in one week - that must be a record for you, surely? Or perhaps you are used to juggling so many women at once."
"She is not my fiancé," he lied compellingly. He had planned to write to her and end the engagement almost as soon as he had decided it was Beth that he would marry. He continued harshly, "and the others meant nothing! Who - told - you?!"
"You deny being engaged?" Beth laughed bitterly. "Of course you do. Oh, I am certain your other mistresses meant nothing William. I am also certain I meant as little to you and your poor fiancé even less! Lord. How many sorts of fool am I?" She laughed again and threw her arms in the air. "Ten. No - a hundred." She tossed her head, her eyes glinted with disgust. "Yes, I am a fool. But you, Sir, you are a bastard. A complete and utter fucking bastard!"
Filled with righteous rage, Beth whirled around and stormed away. Engaged! He will be marrying! What did he want her for - a moments tryst? A romp, to sooth his ego!
Tavington's face twisted with rage, he threw his glass to the grass and before Beth managed to walk two steps away, he darted forward. His strong fingers closed around her arm in an iron grip.
"Don't touch me!" She hissed savagely and tried to twist out of his grasp.
"You will not walk away from me, Beth," he grated and gave her a hard shake. They both heard a gasp, Harmony tried to come forward but Bordon halted her.
"Oh, Richard, he will hurt her!" She cried with anguish, near to tears with fear.
"Stay out of it, Harmony," Richard said firmly.
"You're engaged!" Beth spat again, her eyes narrowed with rage. "With three other mistresses! How could you?"
"I must say, Beth, your jealousy is quite pleasing," Tavington's smile was cold and humorless.
"Jealousy? You think I am merely jealous!?" Beth's voice rose in pitch, it was a damned good thing that they were alone except for Richard and Harmony. "Is this amusing to you? You coupled with her! While I was asleep in the room down the hall!"
"She told you herself?" He asked dangerously. The Goddamned bitch, he had known she would seek vengeance if she discovered the woman he had left her for. "I will have a few words for her tonight."
"Before or after you fuck her against the wall of her bedchamber?" Beth taunted.
He lifted his chin and stared down his nose at her, quivering with fury.
"You should be aware, Sir, that Mr. Tisdale now knows of your affair also."
"You told him?" He snarled and shook her sharply again. Beth gasped but recovered herself quickly - she was becoming accustomed to his rough treatment, it was not the first time she had suffered as much from his hands. "You betrayed me?"
"Betrayed you?" She laughed.
LAUGHED! Tavington's face blazed above her, he was growing more incensed by the moment.
"No, Sir. I did not tell him - I didn't need to," her tone took on a mocking edge. "He over heard Mrs. Idiot Tisdale, as she was telling me about you 'thrashing inside her until she died a thousand deaths'," she pinned him with her cold gaze and leaned forward intently. She continued in a pointed and deliberate tone, "he heard her speak all about the bastard you sired on her."
Stunned, Tavington's jaw dropped open.
Bastard? Vera was with child? He was about to deny it, there was no certainty any child she bore was his, but Beth was ruthless.
"Bastard," she informed him coolly. "She is certain it is yours as she had her courses between coupling with her husband and you. So, please, Lieutenant Colonel Tavington, allow me to be the first to congratulate you. Tell me, Sir - if it is a boy, will you name him William?" She asked with exaggerated innocence. "Oh, wait, bastards don't get their father's name do they... I suppose he won't even be a Tavington! No, Miss Price will have the pleasure of siring your legitimate heirs!"
"Beth," his voice held so much warning, quiet and stern, cold and hard that Harmony whimpered behind him, fearful that she was about to witness Beth get the beating of her life. "You need to stop this, right now. You need to calm yourself. I am not engaged and the others meant nothing to me, least of all Vera."
"Vera!" Beth's breath caught in a hiss. "Say her name with such familiarity again and I will slap you!"
Tavington barked a sudden, humorless laugh. "Oh, no, you are not jealous at all, are you?"
"See?" Beth spat, pushed beyond her limit. "Every word out of your mouth confirms it, Sir. You are a fucking bastard!"
"Tsk tsk, where did you learn such language? I should wash your mouth out, Beth."
She hissed with frustration and anger, this was not going at all the way she imagined it would. "I can't believe how foolish I was, to become infatuated with the likes of you -"
"The word is love Beth," he ground out. "You are in love with me, do not doubt it."
"- You're despicable, William!" She continued as though he had not interrupted her. "I should never have stolen away with you this evening!"
"We both know how much you enjoyed it," he began to taunt her. "You moaned and whimpered quite beautifully. Didn't you say 'you 'floated away on a warm and wonderful ocean'? They were your words, were they not?."
Beth stared at him, shocked to her core that he would use their lovemaking as a weapon against her now.
As quick as a flash shock turned to rage. Her face twisted with fury and before reasonable thought could stop her, she reached up her free hand and slapped his face, so hard her fingers stung and the imprint of her hand marred his cheek red.
Another gasp from Harmony.
Breathing heavily, Beth saw out of the corner of her eye, the other woman hide her face in Bordon's chest, unable to watch.
William had not been expecting the blow. His head twisted slightly from the force of it. He breathed in sharply and his eyes flashed blue fire. His fingers clenched on her arm and he struggle - Christ, how he struggled! - against the urge to return her slap. His arm was far stronger than hers, if he hit her she would be thrown the ground.
Beth gasped, finally having the sense to feel some fear.
However, the image of her laying in the dirt, weeping and broken flared in William's mind. He drew a ragged breath and loosened his painful grip, though he did not release her entirely.
"The next time you slap me, Beth, I will slap you back. And my arm is a damned sight stronger than yours," his words were delivered very softly and were all the more terrible for it.
"It is time to end this," Beth panted, unshed tears shone brightly in her eyes - she wished to flee before she broke down and cried in front of him. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction. "Do you understand me, William? It is ended, it is over. Nothing will ever happen between us again. Never. Go and find some other woman to plague and make wagers on!"
"I told you, the wager is done with!" Tavington snarled, tightening his grip again. He loosened his hold when he saw a flash of pain cross her face.
"How much did you bet on Mrs. Tisdale? £3?" She hissed. She jerked her arm, trying futilely to break his grip.
"Stop it, you silly girl," he grated. "I will not let you go until we have discussed this!"
"Silly girl..." Beth repeated with shock and shook her head. "You, Sir, are not the person I thought you to be. I hate you."
"You hate me?" His repeated contemptuously and scoffed. "Do not deceive yourself. You are angry with me, but we both know you are very much in love with me. As for it being 'over between us'? No, Beth. It will never be over between us."
"Why do you persist with this torment?!" She wanted to scream with frustration. "You have shown a complete lack of regard for me since the moment I met you! You are promised to some woman back in England! You rut with other women! You wager my virginity, which you almost claimed tonight! You have treated me with utter disrespect. My feelings for you have been nothing more than a source of amusement for you, an entertainment! You do not care for me!"
His temper finally snapped under the weight of her accusations. Beth was jerking against his grip and breathing heavily with the effort to free herself. He opened his hand with a snap, releasing her so abruptly that she lost her balance and hit the ground with a thud. She curled her lip and stared up at him with fury.
"Colonel Buwell is in love with me, he would never treat me as you do!" She spat up at him from the ground. "He is a better man than you!"
Tavington snarled. With snakelike swiftness he seized her by the throat with one hand, raised his other hand threateningly, ready to slap her.
"Oh," Beth gasped quietly with fear, unable to pull out of his iron grip. The tableau held, Beth wide eyed and waiting for the blow to land as Tavington struggled to control his fury and bloodlust. He curled his lip and pushed her back onto the grass. Rising from her abruptly, he strode away.
Beth breathed in sharply, she placed her hand over her throat where he had gripped her, stunned that he would go to such lengths. She sat up slowly.
"Oh my Lord!" Harmony, near to tears, ran to Beth to squat beside her and take her by the arm. "Here, let me help you up."
William did not get far. He stopped his march abruptly and closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. When he felt he was under control, he whirled around and strode back to her. Beth, who was standing now and clutching Harmony's arm, recoiled from him when he took hold of her other arm.
"I am not going to hurt you," he said gently. Indeed - his grip on her arm was light, it was meant to be comforting.
"You were going to, you would have slapped me!" Beth accused.
"You did slap me," he reminded her with a raised eyebrow. "Come, Beth, we will calm down now and discuss this in a reasonable manner."
"No!" She snapped, still infuriated and anguished and... she was feeling so many thing just then and was in no state to calm down and discuss anything in a reasonable manner!
"Just how many more women did you roger while carrying on this farce with me? How many marriages have you destroyed?"
Tavington tightened his lips but chose not to answer.
"Please, stop it. Please - Miss Martin, calm down," Harmony had released Beth's arm, she was wringing her hands with fear for the young woman. Tavington terrified her sometimes, Hell, he terrified Bordon half the time! And that served to make Harmony fear Tavington all the more.
William and Beth ignored her, each holding the others eyes in a stalemate, neither would break their glare first.
Eventually Beth leaned forward, her hard voice cold and clear. "We. Are. Finished."
William raised one eyebrow as he stared down his nose at her.
"And what of Sunday?" He asked in a cool tone.
"That is a separate issue," Beth said tartly. "I will perform my duty to the Crown. But that is the last of it - beyond that, you and I are finished."
Her words sounded so final, held such conviction that William quite believed her.
"I can not believe you would let these ridiculous women come between us!" He burst out with frustration. "As for Miss Landing - yes, she is waiting, but I do not want her - how many times do I have to tell? I am not engaged? And the other two? Linda is nothing more than a doxie - and Miss Shaw a diversion! It was just bedding, Beth!"
"Just bedding? When you pressed her up against the wall, she thought she would die. And then you thrashed inside her for so long, she did die, a thousand deaths. Did you moan for her too, hmm?" Her rage made her reckless. Taking her cue from him, she used their lovemaking as a weapon. "Did you moan her name? 'Vera, agh... I am in agony, you drive me to madness!' "
Her rejection and mockery unhinged him. Fury fired through his veins, his frustration shifted to bloodlust in the blink of an eye. Once again he raised his hand threateningly, ready to hit her, though this time he did not have the control to stop himself. His full arm slap across her cheek sent her reeling, stumbling back away from him. Shocked to her core, she spun back to face him only to recoil with fear. His arm was raised and ready to strike her again.
"Easy, Sir," Bordon stepped in and gripped Tavington's arm. "Remember you are far stronger and can do far more damage. She has slapped you, you slapped her back. It is done."
William glared at Beth, his breath short, quick puffs through his slightly parted lips. His body was thwart with tension. He waited until he was sure he was under control, then finally nodded at Bordon, who understood and released William's arm.
Beth's cheek glowed red from his slap, he wondered if his cheek was just as bright from hers. He strode toward her and while she took a hesitant step back, she managed to hold his gaze. She folded her arms across her chest and raised her chin haughtily, daring him to do his worst.
"You are wrong about so many things," he said quietly. He raised his hand slowly, unthreateningly, to trace her bright red cheek. His thumb wiped her tears - he wondered if she was even aware that she was crying. By her challenging stance, he thought not. He continued gently, "you are wrong about my feelings for you, for one. And it is not over with us." His quiet tone took on a dangerous, warning edge. "Not by a long shot. I will pursue you to the end of your days."
Beth held herself still. She did not recoil from his touch, even when he reached up his other hand to loosely finger one of her curled braids. She refused to be intimidated.
"Why?" She asked, calm now but confused. "It makes no sense! All you've done over the last week. The women, the way you've treated me! Why would you continue with this! It needs to end, now!"
"I have told you, you are mine," he shrugged. "You even said so yourself. You are mine and I have plans for us, Beth."
"Plans?" She said incredulously. "This is madness," she tossed her head and swatted his hands away. "Utterly ridiculous. Pursue me as you will, Sir. But I will have no more of you."
She turned on her heel and marched away.
By the time she reached the manor, all of the revelers were making their way outside, the fireworks were about to start. There were too many people for her to wind through, it would take too long for her to find her family. She stood on the outskirts of the large body of people and watched as the first colorful sparks filled the sky, accompanied by their loud 'booms'.
To think, I've been looking forward to this part most of all, all week, she thought, choking back a despairing sob.
She became aware of Tavington stepping up close to her, though she did not glance at him. The two stood side by side close enough to touch, equally tense and rigid. Their faces turned up to the sky, neither of them smiling or exclaiming over the fireworks. It was a sharp contrast to the other revelers, who 'oohed' and 'aahed' and clapped their hands with delight.
When it was over Beth strode away from Tavington to search for her family, unaware that his gaze followed her until she was lost to his sight.