Chapter 38 - A Lovers Tiff

Lyra sat down on the edge of his bed, watching as her Redcoat lion paced. She could feel the waves of irritation emanating from him as his long strides carried him from one end of the room to the other. He stopped abruptly in front of her, his face was as hard as stone but his pale eyes flashed anger.

"What of Miss Price?" She asked him before he could confront her.

His jaw hung open like a swinging door and he stared at her with astonishment.

"How in the world do you know about her?" Shock jolted through him, his eyes were saucers.

"Men are worse gossips than women, William," she laughed at his expression. "Even Dragoons. Not that they said anything to me directly, but they have spoken of things that perhaps they shouldn't have, when they did not know I could hear. When were you going to tell me about her - your fiancé? When you left me after the war, and returned to England?"

"Lyra! Is that what you thought? That I'd leave you for her?"

"Yes," she answered truthfully. "You've given me no reason to believe otherwise. You're engaged to her, William!"

Tavington tightened his lips. "No wonder you thought I had abandoned you," he muttered. "You thought it would happen eventually, that it was a reality that had simply not occurred yet!"

"Again, you gave me no reason to believe otherwise." Lyra shrugged.

He gazed down at her cooly, choosing his words with care. "I sent a letter to Miss Price not three days ago, canceling our engagement, for I decided I will never leave the Colonies to return to England, and I could never marry Miss Price. She will not know for another seven weeks, of course, and no doubt it will come as quite a shock to her. And to our families," that was an understatement. He curled his lip and puffed a heavy breath of irritation.

His mother - one of the few people he cared for in this God forsaken world, was bound to be furious. And, in no small measure, ashamed of her son.

What in the world would she say when she discovered her very aristocratic and Loyalist son had proposed marriage to a Colonialist?

To a bastard?

Christ.

He half expected her to take the first ship from England, as soon as she learned of it!

It was a damned good thing Lyra was as wealthy as she was and had a connection to such a strong and aristocratic family as the Simms, for Tavington's family would not accept her, otherwise. He shrugged it off, it did not matter - he would not be returning to England with Lyra in any case. They could live happily without the approval of either of their families, with thanks to Lyra's wealth, not to mention the rewards and gifts he would receive in acknowledgement of his efforts from the Crown when the war was over.

They needed only each other. He cupped her face with both his hands, holding her gently as he gazed down at her.

"Marry me. I love you, Lyra, I will never leave you. I do not want you to be my mistress any longer, not now I've seen how little power I have to protect you. Only as your husband can I stop Cole Simms from exerting his authority over you, darling - surely you must see that? Marry me, then no one will be able to pull us apart again."

Lyra was thoughtful, chewing at her bottom lip with her teeth. Then, finally, she shook her head.

"I love you, never doubt it. But... After all this... No, I want to be your mistress again, I want it to go back to how it was."

"You really won't marry me?" He asked, astounded. "You must know I am not asking because of your inheritance, I asked you to marry me before learning of it!"

"I do know, honey. Even if you had asked me after learning of it, I would not think that. I know you love me. But still, my answer is no. Perhaps one day... But... No. I will bear you children though. A son."

"To give you an heir for your bloody Estates!" he raged, seeing her intention at once. "To make certain Simms can't take your properties, if he reneges on his promise and decides to ignore your threat of blackmail! Fuck, Lyra. I am not a prize stallion!"

He lurched away from her, then sat on the edge of the bed beside her and lowered his head to his hands. He had just proposed, and she refused him! Wanted him to be a sire, nothing more! Christ!

He felt her soft hand move along his back and did not push her away when she climbed onto the bed and embraced him, bodily, from behind.

"I love you," she said against his ear. "I always will. I do not know what the future holds, but for now, I just want it to be as it was. Honey, can't you understand?"

He scoffed bitterly, did she think him stupid? He half turned to her, his eyes were ice as he began listing her reasons to not marry.

"You don't want a husband, for he will have full control over you, he can rape you, hurt you, force you to submit and no one will gainsay him. You see, Lyra, I do understand, but don't you trust me not to hurt you?"

He twisted around further to look at her, saw her arched eyebrow.

Christ.

He had hurt her, many times in the short time they had known one another. He had almost raped her, their very first night together, had slapped her many times since.

"Very well," he said gruffly, rising. He began picking up his belongings, packing for their removal to her manor house. "I will be your lover." He spat as he threw his grooming kit into his saddle bags. "I will be the sire to your mare." He picked up his pistol and gun powder, they were thrown into the bags as well. "I will give you sons. Heirs." He tore open the wardrobe, pulled out his clothes to stuff into a chest. Lyra watched him in silence, all the while. "And one day, you may learn to forgive me for the hurts I've caused you, enough to marry me."

"You think I don't forgive you?"

"Quite obviously. Or you would have accepted my proposal. Very well," he said again. "If I must prove myself to you, then prove myself I will."

He strode back to the bed and leaned down to kiss her, a hard, possessive, claiming sort of kiss, on the mouth.

"You will marry me one day, darling. I have no doubt. But I will court you, as you deserve, as you have always deserved. Picnics. Courting gifts, I have just the thing in mind for you. I will bring you flowers, take you to a fine tavern for dinner. I already have your heart, I know it. But now, I will win your respect and your trust."

"William!" she cried, aghast and horrified. "I respect you!"

"Hmm," he said cooly as he studied her. "Interesting is it not? That you make no protest as to trusting me." He held her gaze, she was at a loss for words, realizing it was true. She did not trust him to not hurt her, not in the least.

Her silence was all the confirmation he needed. He nodded calmly, kissed her again, and continued packing.

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"Miss Mathan!" Bordon greeted Lyra warmly and offered her his hand to help her from the carriage. Eleanor and Sally came next.

"Captain Bordon," Lyra said, a little warily. Although she had been too caught up with her own troubles these last few days, she had not forgotten the disturbing discovery that the Captain had raped Anne Howard.

There was a woman behind Bordon, he quickly gestured her forward and introduced her as his wife, Mrs. Margaret Bordon. The woman was British born, like Eleanor. Though while Eleanor had been in the Colonies for more than twenty years, Mrs. Bordon had only been there for the same duration as her husband, four years. The Lady was cool, almost aloof with Lyra, who began to wonder if Bordon had told his wife of Lyra's relations with Tavington.

After exchanging a few courtesies all around, Mrs. Bordon fell silent, leaving the conversation to her husband. Lyra shrugged it off. She did not care if she was shunned by the Captain's wife, for she had Sally, she had Eleanor again and she would always have William. Besides the woman was living in Lyra's home and could hardly be discourteous toward her.

Deciding to reserve judgement for now, Lyra turned to Bordon.

"We are all here, as you can see," she indicated William, who was speaking quickly to Lyra's twenty strong guard, issuing commands as he strode among the many horses. "I am uncertain now, if there will be room for us all. I would like my old bedchamber, is anyone occupying it?"

"No, Miss Mathan. I identified which was yours when we first arrived here - a little girls room with a dolls house?"

Lyra nodded.

"That chamber is still empty. As for the others, it will be easy enough to have them share two to a room, and some of them can take up one of the dining rooms - partition it off perhaps? With your permission." He said nothing about the circumstances of her sudden arrival, though Lyra suspected he must have been aching with curiosity.

"That would be perfect, Sir."

"And they can dine on rotation - never fear, the Crown will pay for all your expenses, you will not be burdened with the cost of feeding us all."

Lyra smiled at the Captain, she could well afford such costs now!

"My wife and I are currently situated in the master bedroom, but I will cede it to Colonel Tavington."

"That will not be necessary Captain, William will share with me," Lyra said a little curtly. She glanced at Mrs. Bordon with challenge in her eyes, and the other woman covered her shock swiftly, her expression becoming unreadable. Best to be upfront, however, which was why Lyra made the announcement. Mrs. Bordon could deal with the information as she saw fit - her own husband had raped Anne Howard! Of course she did not know it, but the woman had far bigger concerns than who Lyra shared her bed with.

"Very well," Bordon said as Tavington strode away from the guard and joined them.

"Captain," he nodded smartly, then offered Lyra his arm. The two walked ahead of the small group into Lyra's home, ensuring everyone knew exactly who was mistress of the manor.

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The interior was exactly as she remembered it. Lyra strolled through the foyer of the manor, gazing up at oil portraits on the wall, her fingers gently tracing a marble statue of a beautiful woman draped with a robe. The parlor was as richly furnished as it always had been, the furniture was no worse for wear.

"It was all covered until our arrival," Bordon explained. "Your caretakers have looked after the property with utmost care."

"They certainly have," Lyra said wistfully, she tapped a few keys on the pianola experimentally, half expecting to wince. "It's in tune!" She gasped.

"Yes, one of the first things I did when we arrived, for Mrs. Bordon loves to play and is quite accomplished. I hope you do not mind, Miss Mathan."

"Not at all," Lyra said a little uncertainly.

She did mind, very much so! This was her manor, her pianola! Hers! It had been denied to her for so long! How dare they presume?

And how accomplished was Mrs. Bordon anyway? Lyra pushed the jealous thoughts aside, deliberately turned her back on the pianola and sat down, carefully for her rump still pained her, on a chaise lounger. The others followed suit, taking seats. Sally had disappeared, however Eleanor, William and of course the Bordon's had followed Lyra into the parlor.

"Do you see the Collins family at all? Are they in residence next door?" Lyra asked the Captain. His wife was sitting quietly at his side, her face a carefully assumed mask.

"They are in residence, Miss Mathan. But no, we do not have any contact with them. Would you like to see them?" Bordon seemed mildly surprised she would ask after them at all.

Lyra snorted indelicately.

"No, thank you," she emphatically. "I just wonder how they are getting on - Tristan was only buried a few days ago."

"Perhaps you should meet with them, Lyra," Eleanor suggested. "Pay your respects over a cup of tea, it will not kill you."

She sighed heavily, then shot a sly glance at William. "You will accompany me, won't you honey?"

"Not likely," he sniffed primly.

"You never held any particular aversion to Mrs. Katie Collins company before, if I recall?" Lyra arched an eyebrow, her voice sickly sweet with false innocence. Tavington rolled his eyes and shot her a dark look.

"Mrs. Bryant, I will drop in later today. But only to pay my respects - Tristan deserves no less. I would like to visit his grave, also."

"Of course, my dear."

"Oh, and I need to see Mr. Sampson tomorrow, before going over to Rebecca's to take my mother's belongings."

"You'll need a cart, I will organise it for you."

"Thank you."

"And I will have Mrs. Waters attend you. Your mother left some of her finer silk dresses here before departing for the Santee - perhaps Mrs. Waters will be able to alter them to fit you."

"They are ten years old, Eleanor! A decade out of fashion!"

Eleanor laughed brightly. "You can take the girl from the manor but you can't take the manor out of the girl! Never fear, Mrs. Waters is an excellent seamstress and a miracle worker."

"Very well," Lyra smiled, then tilted her head to the side, considering her former governess. "I think we've just found you a new assignment, Eleanor - your new employ."

"Oh?" The older woman arched an eyebrow.

"My assistant! My secretary!"

"Oh, dear Lord. Well, I suppose you will need one, at that." Eleanor sighed heavily, then her tone became tart. "We shall discuss my pay in private."

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The tea had only just arrived when Arcam, who had taken over the duty as Lyra's butler, announced Mr. Joseph Simms and Miss Emily Robinson.

Lyra rose from the chaise to greet her guests, trying for quiet dignity in front of Mrs. Bordon who was very much a Lady with quite a regal bearing. Lyra's attempt at hauteur was destroyed, however, when Emily burst into the parlor, a whirlwind of excitement and emotion. She took the room in at a glance, then when her eyes fell on Lyra she promptly burst into tears and threw herself into Lyra's arms.

"Thank you, oh thank you!" She managed to whisper. Lyra choked back a sob, but could not hold back her own tears as she returned her friends embrace. To Hell with dignity, and to Hell with Mrs. Bordon! The two collapsed onto the seat, and Emily began speaking excitedly though she did sniffle occasionally. Joseph took a seat nearby, watching his fiancé with concern as she wept in his cousin's arms.

"Oh, when I saw Joey riding up to the manor, I could not believe it! Its been so long since he visited me at home," Emily cast a fond glance at Joseph, who smiled in return. "And then when he asked to see father on a matter of utmost importance, we were all so perplexed! We all tried to be dignified, mother, my sisters and I, but it was terribly hard. Father was very cold, almost rude to Joey, but he agreed to see him and they went into his office. And so Mamma gathered us all, told us to shush and we listened at the door -"

"Oh, you didn't!" Lyra laughed brightly and dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.

"We did, we heard it all! Your family - dear Lord - how horrid! I am so pleased that you were able to discover their intent, and your inheritance before it was too late! Not just for me, but for you! Though you could have divorced, I suppose."

"I suppose we could have!" Lyra gasped, she had not considered that.

"Oh, no, not divorce," Mrs. Bordon's said with outrage. "Especially after the marriage was consummated - it would not be so bad for Mr. Simms, but for a young lady? A divorced woman would be shunned! Better to bear the marriage than the shame, in my opinion."

Eleanor was nodding agreement. "Certainly, I agree. But we do not have to concern ourselves with that now, thank the Lord! Naughty of you, Miss Robinson, listening at doors."

Emily blushed. "It was my mother's idea. Joey explained everything, then he asked for my hand again! We almost gave ourselves away, I was crying and my sisters gasping, Mamma had to shush us again but she was crying as well, and then Papa said no!"

"Oh no! He refused Joseph?"

"At first yes. He was ever so mad, he said that our family had been dishonored by the Simms family and that he could not think of any circumstances under which he would be tempted to accept a match that would bind our two families together, to which Joseph replied that you had ceded him the mansion! There was only silence for a while - I felt like an entire age passed by before Papa finally said, 'well, that might be one circumstance I'd accept'! Oh, how we all laughed! And cried. Papa finally realised we were there and he hauled the door open so quick we almost stumbled into his office! He took me aside, alone, and asked me if he did still wish to marry Joey and of course I said yes! And so here we are! The first bann will be read on Sunday, and Joey said you suggested another announcement be made at the ball. Oh, Lyra! Thank you so much!"

The girl burst into fresh tears and Lyra hugged her again. She noticed over Emily's head, Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Bordon both dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs.

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The newly engaged couple stayed for the remainder of the day, the small group was soon joined by Captain Wilkins, and they all sat down for a lively dinner. Mrs. Bordon and Lyra became better acquainted and while Lyra sensed the other woman's disapproval of her affair with Tavington, she was still cordial enough.

There was a moment of unpleasantness when Tavington, just before it was time to retire for the evening, finally recruited Joseph to the Dragoons, and Emily had tried to talk her new fiancé out of it, to no avail. Joseph was adamant, he had wanted to join the war effort for so long, and he would not allow anything to get in his way. Emily had hung her head, tears springing to her eyes, and both Mrs. Bordon and Mrs. Bryant had taken the young girl aside to chat with her quietly.

When they returned, Emily was a little brighter. Sill not pleased that her fiancé would be off soldiering and could very well die before they ever wed, but she smiled and joined in the conversation. After a nightcap in the parlor, Joseph announced he would escort Emily home, and Captain Wilkins left also - he had his own house in Charles Town, and was not residing at Lyra's manor.

And finally, after far too many nights apart, Colonel William Tavington and Miss Lyra Mathan retired to her room, to their bed.

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A/N - Sorry guys, there was something wrong with the fanfiction site but they've emailed to say its all resolved now, so third time lucky!

Again, thank you for all the reviews - I appreciate them - always!