The next morning Tavington rose and was dressed long before the valet arrived with his breakfast. Tavington sent him to fetch Borden, Charleton and the three other officers of their patrol for a meeting. As Borden, still tying his cravat, approached the Colonel's tent he was joined by Charleton.
"Good morning, Sir", Beth said as she fell in, a stride behind him. Borden nodded but did not speak to her. He truly felt uncomfortable around the young officer now and wished Tavington would transfer him to another troop.
They entered Tavington's tent, Borden first, then Charleton, standing at attention with the other officers who had already arrived. The Colonel ordered them to sit, Charleton taking the seat as far from Tavington as possible. Breakfast was served as they discussed the days duties; a ride out along the river to patrol supply routes. They were expected to keep the roads clear of any Colonial traps, a boring job that occasionally provided a good opportunity for target practice.
With the dismissal of the breakfast meeting, they reported to the stables to prepare their horses. After checking the tack, stowing weapons and collecting three junior officers they rode out on patrol.
In the evening they rode back into camp. The day had gone just as Charleton had expected, predictable, boring and uneventful. The camp, however, felt alive with energy. With no movement on any line, Lord Cornwallis had ordered the men to stand down, though regular patrols continued. He had increased the drink ration for the soldiers and the camp followers were wandering freely throughout the camp, providing company for any man interested in some. A few men sat around campfires singing songs from home. Despite the relaxed attitude, all fell silent and moved to the sides of the path as the Dragoons, led by Tavington, rode in.
All the men turned their horses over to the grooms, except for Beth. She stayed with her horse, preferring to take care of him, herself. As she brushed along her horse's side, she saw two boots appear on the other side. She looked up to see Tavington, watching her over the horse's back.
"Lt. Charleton, I need to talk to you," he snarled in typical Tavington fashion, "my quarters in half an hour." He turned to leave not waiting for any acknowledgment from her.
"Yes Sir," Beth yelled after him. She ordered a groom to finish with her horse and returned to her tent to straighten up. It would not do to report to your superior while still wearing a soiled uniform and dirty boots. After a quick change of shirt, she threw on the freshly brushed uniform jacket and gave her boots the fastest polish they'd ever seen. As she checked her face in the tiny shaving mirror, her stomach growled. She hoped the meeting would not take long as she hadn't eaten since breakfast and she was starving.
She left her tiny tent and rushed through the camp to Tavington's much grander tent. She stopped outside his tent and pushed the flap open with her left arm.
"Lt. Charleton, reporting as ordered." She announced without looking inside.
"Come in." Tavington ordered. Beth stepped inside and the flap closed behind her. She was the only one here, she couldn't even see Tavington. Beth had been in his tent before but had been so preoccupied before she had never noticed its grandeur. She used the time alone to take a good look around.
To her left was the dining table, big enough for eight, where she had eaten her breakfast that morning. Behind it, in the back corner, was his desk and a small table covered in glasses and a few decanters. Near the back wall a wood stove sat unused in the summer heat. On her right was a large chest containing, she assumed, his swords and pistols. About one quarter of the tent was separated from the rest. She realized that had to be where he slept. As she was looking at the walls of the sleeping area, Tavington threw open the flap and stepped out to face her. Beth jumped as he reached for his sword, only to realize that he was removing the unneeded weapon. He walked across the floor and placed it on the end of the table.
"I assume you haven't had a chance to eat yet?" He asked moving to the other end of the table. There was enough food on the table to make a light supper for two. He motioned for Beth to take the chair beside his, but he didn't hold it as a gentleman would for a lady. As she sat down he handed her a plate. "Come on, eat."
"Thank you Sir." Beth said as she helped herself to the food. Tavington poured two glasses of wine before filling his own plate. She had not expected to be the only officer here and was worried about what this private meeting could mean. While they ate he talked only of the days work, trying to relax the nervous young officer.
Once Beth had emptied her plate she sat back in her chair, fearing what might come next. Tavington had never treated her differently when in front of the other officers but now they were alone. He suddenly rose from the table and Beth started to rise, expecting, no…hoping, to be dismissed.
"Relax Lieutenant, sit, there's no hurry tonight." Tavington ordered as he poured two glasses of scotch. He returned to the table and held out a glass to Beth. "It's scotch, a man's drink." The look on his face sent a chill down her spine.
So this is how it's going to be, she thought, he's brought me here to insult me. She had hoped they were beyond this kind of treatment. Beth took the glass, "Thank you Sir", she said politely.
Tavington pulled his chair out from the table, repositioning himself at her side, Beth turned in her seat to face him. She brought the glass to her lips, inhaling the scent before taking a large sip. She swallowed carefully and exhaled without the response Tavington was expecting. It may have been a man's drink but Beth knew how to drink a glass of scotch without choking on it. She put the glass down on the table and smiled at him.
"Thank you, it's delicious. I'm sorry but I don't recognize the distillery," Beth said, smirking.
"So you drink like a man too, is there anything lady-like about you?" Tavington asked revealing his curiosity about this unique officer.
"Sir, you must have asked me here for a reason," Beth asked, changing the subject, " what did you need me for Sir?" She immediately regretted her choice of words, closing her eyes in disgust with herself. Tavington caught her expression and smiled before looking up from his drink.
"You are causing some problems for me." He said. Beth was shocked, she thought she'd been the perfect soldier. Seeing the look on her face he continued, "Don't worry, it's nothing you've done but my men are talking. They have seen me watching you and are starting to wonder…" He left the rest of the sentence unsaid. Beth understood what they might be thinking.
"Are you transferring me?" Beth wanted to know, suddenly not wanting to be sent away from Tavington's presence.
"No! I haven't even considered it, but something has to change." He spun his glass, the scotch rising precariously close to the rim. He raised his eyes to look directly at her, "Maybe they should be told."
Silence enveloped them, both considering the options.
"All of them or just a few select officers?" Beth asked. Knowing that this day would come, she was less shocked than Tavington had expected.
"Borden definitely, the officers of our regular patrol. It will stay within the Dragoons," he insisted. He had no intention of this information getting out, he had a very good idea of what would be said about him if it did.
"Why are you ready to tell them? Why not just get rid of me?" She inquired. He leaned forward in his chair.
"Don't tempt me." He warned before smiling and whispering, "I have grown very fond of you, despite your outward appearance." He reached over and slowly began drawing circles on her knee with his finger. A shiver shot up her leg.
"You saw me that night, in my tent, didn't you? What did you see?" She probed, ready for any response from him, secretly hoping that he had seen something that pleased him.
"I saw the curve of your naked breast." He said slowly, savoring each word, his eyes sparkling with delight at the thought. Beth blushed. For a few seconds they just stared at each other, Beth was surprised at his open admission of what he had witnessed.
"Anything else?" She pressed, hoping he had seen more.
"Nothing else," He paused and staring straight into her eyes added, "but I did think of you when I returned here." He left the rest to her imagination. She smiled, catching on to what was left unsaid. His finger was still drawing circles on her knee but he was using more pressure now. She reached out and grabbed his hand, placing it firmly on her thigh, her hand on top of his. It was her unspoken invitation.
Looking across at Tavington, Beth knew she wanted to feel his lips on hers and licked her own lips at the thought. He slid his hand up her thigh and around her waist. Tightening his grip, he pulled her off her chair and on to her knees in front of him. He let go of her suddenly and she placed her hands on his thighs to steady her self. He looked down and smiled at her, feeling a familiar stirring at his crotch.
"Let's do something about this hair." He said as he reached around, undoing her queue, letting her hair fall over her shoulders. Her hair was fuller now it wasn't pulled back so severely, making her face look more female. The sight of her still in a uniform, however, was strangely appealing to him, the idea of forbidden territory being conquered. He clasped her head in his hands, pulling her toward him as he leaned in to kiss her.
At first his lips softly caressed hers but as she kissed him back her mouth opened slightly and he thrust his tongue inside. Her tongue met his as their mouths pressed together, their breathing increasing as passion started to take over them. Beth slid her hands up his thighs coming to rest at the top of his legs. Her fingers spread over his hips as her thumbs caressed the bulge in his breetches. He moaned into her mouth. Her hands moved to the waist of his breetches and she started unbuttoning them. He stopped kissing her, suddenly thinking of something he hadn't considered.
"Have you ever been with a man?" He whispered.
"Only one," she whispered back, "and it was a long time ago. He taught me a lot though." She added as she slowly slid her hand into his breetches. Her warm hand on his nearly solid cock was a sensational feeling. Tavington was usually the one who controlled situations like this but his adventurous side was willing to let Beth lead, for now. She wrapped her hand around his length and started stroking up and down.
"Is this what you did that night when you came back here?" She asked. Tavington's head dropped back as he moaned in pleasure.
"Yes." He sighed. Her grip and his memory increasing the pleasure. He felt her move closer and then he felt the sensation of her hot, wet tongue on the head of his penis, making him gasp. He caught himself before he could make any more noise. Any sudden sounds could bring unwanted attention from the guards and he wanted no interruptions. She lowered her mouth down over his length, nearly taking him all in before gagging as he bucked up against her, hitting the back of her throat. Her tongue swirled around his shaft as she slowly moved up and down. He grabbed the arms of his chair for leverage as he slowly thrust up into her mouth. Her lips squeezed tightly around him bringing him so close that he had to stop her quickly. He pushed her off and stood as best he could in the circumstances. She raised her self up on her knees and gently blew on him to cool him down.
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. Beth stopped Tavington as he tried to lead her to his bedroom. He had removed his sword before dinner but Beth was still in full uniform. She quickly removed her sword and pistols, placing them on the table beside Tavington's. Taking her hand again, he led her over and through the flap to his sleeping quarters. Inside the curtain was a narrow bed, like her own, a chair and a chest containing his clothes. The bed would not do for the two of them so he threw the blankets on the floor. He sat in the chair and pulled Beth toward him. She reached around his head to undue his hair, once loose it fell around his shoulders. She undid her own cravat as Tavington unbuttoned her vest then he pushed it and her jacket down her arms and letting them drop to the floor. He pulled her shirt out of the breetches, letting it fall down loose over her hips. Reaching underneath he undid her breetches and pulled them down only to have them catch on her boots.
"I'll handle this." Beth said as she pulled the boots off in a couple of well practiced moves. Tavington removed his own at the same time, tossing them aside. For one night he couldn't be bothered being careful with his uniform. He threw one boot so hard it flew back into the rest of the tent. He returned to Beth's breetches, yanking them down, leaving her bare below the hips. He paused, savouring the thought of what he would find under the man's shirt Beth was wearing. Beth reached inside the shirt, pulled out a pin and stuck it in the tent wall.
"We wouldn't want to get stabbed by that, would we?" She smiled. Tavington was just about to make a suggestive comment when Beth cut him off. "Reach up underneath. Pull on the cloth." She told him. He slowly ran his hands up her thighs, under her shirt, finding the edge of the cloth. Her whole body was covered in goose bumps as he slowly pulled the cloth binding from her body. The fabric pooled at her feet as she took a deep breath now that she was free of the confining fabric. Tavington stood, reaching out to caress her breasts through the fabric of her shirt. Her nipples rose in response to his touch.
"Sir," She sighed, suddenly sounding like a woman.
"Call me William tonight." He told her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
"William," She smiled, "I feel a little exposed." He released her, eyed her up and down and then reached for the buttons of his own uniform. She watched him as he undressed for her, tossing his clothes aside until he was wearing only his shirt, cuffs undone and open at the neck. Beth stepped towards him, grasping the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head, running her hands up his arms as he pulled them out of the sleeves. He repeated the same process with her.
Neither of them felt any hesitation as they stood before each other, naked. He pulled her to him, pressing her against his chest, kissing her deeply. She couldn't resist pressing her hips against his, feeling his erect cock between them. She wanted him in her now but William had other ideas.
He released his grip on Beth, his hand sliding down her body and between her legs. Beth's legs threatened to give out on her as he pressed two of his fingers deep within her. William removed his hand and helped her to the floor, lying down beside her. His shoulders were broad, his chest, well muscled with a few scars. She ran her fingers over his chest, combing them through the dark hair in the center. He pushed her onto her back, leaning on his left elbow. His right hand slowly made its way up her body, cupping her left breast, his fingers stroking over her nipple, pinching it lightly. She pressed herself into his grip, wishing he wouldn't go so painstakingly slow. William sensed her eagerness and grinned.
"Are you in a hurry?" He asked. "We have all night ahead of us, I can make this last as long as I want."
"It's been so long." She sighed. "I'd forgotten how good this feels." She grabbed the back of his head pulling him to her for a kiss. His lips left hers and moved along her jaw, down her neck and to the valley between her breasts. He lingered there, his kisses tickling her, before circling her nipples with his tongue. As he sucked one hardened nipple into his mouth she pressed his face to her breast, arching her back to him. His mouth left her and before he could do anything she had pushed him onto his back. She was going to show him what she had learned at the hands of Alistair McKinnon.
She leaned over him, kissing his chest, her fingers tracing circles all over his torso, her lips following. She avoided touching his erection, focusing on his hips and inner thighs. Propped up on his elbows, he watched her as she moved over his body, her lips softly kissing him. This was such sweet torture but he let it continue because in the end he knew it would be worth it. Not once did she touch his cock and he longed for her to touch it. She moved up his body until they were face to face, a look of pure mischief in her eyes. He rolled over, pressing her to the floor, almost his full weight on top of her. She could feel his erection pressing against her thigh, she couldn't wait to have him inside her. She tried to reach down to direct him in but William stopped her.
"You're not the only one who can use torture." He said as he straddled her hips, lifting her arms above her head and holding them there. "Now lie still, don't move." She followed his orders, not knowing what he would do next excited her even more. Sitting astride her, he ran his fingertips lightly down her arms and on further down her sides. Her nipples were now so hard they ached. He bent over to kiss her breasts, lightly rolling her nipple between his teeth, as she squirmed and moaned he bit the nipple hard. He expected a scream but instead she moaned in pleasure. "I told you not to move." He said, not even lifting his lips from her breast, his breath tickling her skin. He moved over to her other breast getting, and giving, the same response.
Beth was having trouble staying still, her one hand reached down to touch him but William was faster. He grabbed her hand, shoving it back above her head.
"I said don't move." He ordered, a touch of menace in his voice. "At least not for now." His lips returned to her body, kissing down her torso, eventually reaching the mass of curls between her legs. He moved to one side, his hands spreading her legs, his fingers stroking her inner thighs. He could tell she was fighting every urge to move and it was obvious that she was enjoying his torture. His fingers moved to the wet pink flesh between her thighs, spreading her lips and pressing two of his fingers inside her. It has been a long time, nice and tight he thought. Beth moaned and pressed against his hand wanting more of him inside her. With his free hand he smacked her thigh.
"Stay still." He warned.
"I can't help it," She sighed, "I want you in me."
"Soon." He drawled as his face disappeared between her legs. She felt his tongue circling her clit, then finally pressing against it, rubbing harder on the tender little spot, his fingers thrusting in and out of her. He brought her to brink of orgasm, then his tongue and fingers left her. Before she could even get out a groan of complaint he'd moved up over her, stifling any noise with a forceful kiss. He reached down and guided himself into her. She was so wet and ready for him that he entered her easily, both of them groaning at the exquisite sensation.
She wrapped her legs around him as he thrust into her. There was nothing slow or gentle about their coupling. She forgot his orders and reached down to grab his ass as he slammed into her again and again, both fighting to keep as quiet as possible but his breath escaped him in grunts. They were both so excited that it didn't take long before they both felt their orgasms building. As Beth's hit she started moaning, William quickly kissed her to keep her quiet, as she clenched around his thrusting member, her fingernails digging into his taut ass. Seconds later he thrust into her and held there, pressed against her as his seed shot into her. As their climaxes subsided, his lips left hers, both still out of breath.
"Please tell me we'll do this again." She said breathlessly. He laughed as he rolled off her, lying at her side.
"Again and again." He assured her as he wrapped her in his arms. They lay there in the dark, her leg across his and for the longest time neither of them spoke.
"Beth?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you live like this?"
"Like what?"
"As a man?"
"It's all I've ever known." She answered. "My father didn't know what to do with me after my mother died and he didn't want to send me away so he raised me like one of my brothers."
"He did a good job, until the other night I'd seen nothing feminine about you." He kissed her forehead as she snuggled her head against his chest.
"Have you found anything feminine now?"
"Oh yes, plenty." He sighed.
"I'm glad you saw me in my tent." She said, her body giving in to sleep. He smiled and reached beside them and pulled a blanket over them both before falling asleep.
All was quiet in the encampment.