Beth woke the next morning, rolling over to find herself alone in the bed, the sheets cold on his side. She sat up and saw William across the room, looking out of the window. He turned as he heard the sheets rustle.
"Good morning." He said
"Is it still snowing out there?" she asked, hopefully. He nodded. "Then it is a good morning." She answered as he walked back to the bed. He threw the blanket he'd wrapped around himself onto the bed and climbed back in to join her. The cool air in the room had chilled him and she shivered as he took a hold of her. He had started a fire in the hearth but it still hadn't warmed the room. He started nuzzling her neck and was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in." Beth yelled and pulled the covers up to her neck in modesty. William purposely left the blankets at his waist as he saw Mrs. Jenkins come through the door. She carried a tray with tea on it and almost dropped it as she noticed his broad, muscled and naked chest. She averted her eyes in embarrassment, concentrating on setting the tray down without spilling its contents.
"I'm preparing breakfast, but I thought you might like some tea to start the day with." She said trying to sound like she hadn't noticed his bare upper body. She kept her eyes on the tray as she set it on the bedside table but she did notice movement in the bed beside her. She straightened up and turned to leave the room. "It'll be ready in half an hour." She couldn't resist a quick look at the bed. The Colonel had leaned over and was kissing Beth's neck. Mrs. Jenkins couldn't stifle her gasp and scurried from the room. William started laughing as the door slammed shut.
"That wasn't fair." Beth weakly protested as she flung her legs over the side of the bed and began pouring tea. William dropped back onto his pillows.
"True, but it was fun." He smiled, sitting up to take the cup she offered him. "Thanks. Tea is good start, but I can think of something that would more thoroughly warm us." Beth smiled as she lifted her cup to her lips.
"Breakfast is cooking and Mrs. Jenkins won't wait." Beth almost regretted denying him but she was hungrier for food than for him this morning. They finished their tea and quickly dressed, heading downstairs to find the best breakfast they'd had in months. Mrs. Jenkins had cooked enough food for an army and after months of rations they eagerly tucked in.
After breakfast Beth took William on a thorough tour of the house, ending at the office her father had so carefully furnished. William took a seat by the fire as Beth looked over the paperwork that had piled up over the last several months. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice him watching her. He had to admit she looked like she belonged behind the big oak desk but a sly smile crossed his face as he thought about how good she'd look bent over it. As she finished her work he rose to help her clear the papers. He walked behind her as she closed the last drawer and quickly pushed her forwards over the desk, pressing his hips against her backside.
"I could take you now." He said as he ground himself against her. She twisted her head around, a look of shock on her face. "You don't mean…?"
"Yes I most certainly do." He insisted as he pressed his growing erection against her bum. She pressed back against him. Beth reached for the buttons of her own breeches but a knock at the door stopped them both. She walked over to open the door, giving William time to compose himself. She opened the door to find Mrs. Jenkins, who informed her that lunch was ready. Closing the door, she turned back to William, who was leaning against the desk.
"Later?" He asked, with an inviting smile. He pushed off the desk and offered his arm to escort her to the dining room.
After eating the midday meal Tavington wandered to the library as Beth had gone to her room, telling him to stay downstairs. She had taken Mrs. Jenkins with her so he had guessed what she was up to. The Charleton family library offered a sufficient diversion while he waited. Beth's father had built up quite a collection of books. There were classic works of fiction, books on Art, animal husbandry, of course and in the most difficult to reach corner he found several volumes of erotic art and literature. He doubted Beth had seen these books and by the layer of dust on them, he could tell no one had touched them in years. He picked out the two volumes that intrigued him the most and sat down in front of the fire to enjoy them.
Beth held tight to the bedpost as Mrs. Jenkins tightened the laces of the corset. The months of wearing the binding to hide her female curves had prepared her well for the tightness of a corset, only this time her breasts were not flattened. Instead, they were pressed up, creating cleavage that quite surprised Beth. She had always tried to ignore her femininity but now she couldn't wait to see William's reaction to the change in her attire.
The deep green silk dress still fit. Her father had insisted on buying it for her although she had hated wearing it in the past. Today, however, she found herself wanting to look like a lady, if only out of curiosity of what William would do to her. 'Lift your skirts', he had said to her and she couldn't wait for him to. Her biggest problem lay with her shoes. She was not used to walking on a heel and stayed in her room, practicing how to walk without turning her ankle. If seeing her in a dress would make him lift her skirts and take her, she wanted to be stable on her feet. It had taken a few hours but she now felt ready to present herself to William.
As she left the room she caught one last glimpse of herself in the mirror and it hit her. She had never made a fuss for a man in her life and yet here she was dressed as a woman to impress her commanding officer, the man who had become her lover. Was this what someone did when they were in love, she wondered.
William had been so engrossed in the books that he had not noticed the passage of time and jumped quite visibly when he heard the door open. He slammed the book closed and rose from the chair to face Beth as if he had never seen her before.
"Good afternoon, Colonel Tavington," Beth said formally, "I am Beth Charleton, the lady of the house." She couldn't resist smiling.
"Yes, you are." William said, the effect she had on him evident in his voice. He quickly covered the space between them, taking her hand and raising to his lips to kiss while devouring her with his eyes.
For Beth, just the look in his eyes made her efforts worthwhile and she wondered when he would strike. William could sense her excitement and was determined to make her wait. He knew she had remembered his comments about what he would do if she wore a dress that is why she had gone to all this trouble, so he had to surprise her. Take her when she least expected it. Now would be too soon and besides he has already plotted where he would have her, but he would make her wait. The anticipation would drive her wild.
"What were you so interested in?" She asked as he lowered her hand.
"Pardon me?"
"The book? You were thoroughly engrossed. Which book was it?" Beth, still holding his hand, started towards the table where he had placed the book. William motioned for her to sit in the chair. She sat and he placed the leather bound volume in her lap, without saying a word. No title was embossed on the cover or the spine. She opened the cover and turned the pages until something caught her attention. The drawings showed women lounging around in a room, naked, touching themselves and each other.
"Where did you find this?" She asked without lifting her eyes from the book as she turned a few more pages.
"Up there, far corner. Hard to reach even with the steps." He pointed in the general direction, she glanced quickly over her shoulder before returning to the book. The new page showed a woman being taken on a window ledge, her legs wrapped around her lover's hips, his head lowered to her breast. She inhaled deeply as she flipped through the pages, intrigued by the drawings, amazed by the detail in the subject's faces and bodies. William could tell she was aroused, her eyes were wide and her lips slightly parted as she stared at the images. He watched her carefully, noting her reaction to each new position or situation represented on the page. She finished the book, closed the cover and sat back in the chair with a sigh.
"Well that was eye opening! Is that the same kind of book?" She asked, nodding in the direction of the table.
"Yes it is," William leaned over her, his hands grasping the arms of the chair and whispered in her ear, "Take it to your room, for later."
"Is it as good?" She asked with a shiver as she felt his warm breath against her neck.
"Better, the images are closer, more….intimate." He kissed her neck and then straightened up. He picked up the book and offered his arm. She rose, took his arm and they left the library together. Beth glanced back over her shoulder, noting the empty spaces left on the shelves. She would have to see what else her father had hidden away in hard to reach spaces.
The rest of the afternoon and early evening saw William playing the perfect gentleman. He made no advances towards Beth and had made just enough suggestive comments to keep her longing for his touch. Dinner was eaten and still he had not made any attempt on her person. She knew it was part of his game and she enjoyed every second of it. As the clock struck eight, he rose from the table and offered Beth his arm.
"Shall we? I believe we have some reading material to review." He smiled as Beth rose and took his arm. She appeared to be in a hurry. He led her to the door but instead of turning right towards the stairs, he directed her to the office they had been in earlier in the day. He closed the door and locked it behind them.
"What…?" She started to ask but he interrupted her.
"Shh, quiet." He ordered as he grabbed her wrist and half dragged her to the desk.
"William?"
"Shh, you wanted to know what I'd do to you?" He roughly grabbed her chin with his hand and kissed her hard, forcing his tongue between her lips. She was momentarily taken aback by his aggression, gasping at the invasion but then she gave in to his passion. As soon as she did he ended the kiss.
"This is what I will do to you." He offered no other explanation of his plan but he quickly turned her around and pushed her over the perfectly polished desk. She knew his tone of voice was part of his plan, his show of being the conquering soldier. She barely had time to reach out with her hands to break the fall. Realizing that this was the moment she'd been waiting for all afternoon, she moaned in anticipation. His left hand pressed against the middle of her back, holding her down but he didn't need to, she was a willing participant. The pressure just added to her excitement, playing the Lady of the house being ravished by the handsome guest suited her just fine.
His right hand hoisted her skirts up over her hips, exposing her bare skin. He hadn't expected her to be naked underneath but the sight of her stocking covered legs and bare bottom caused an instant reaction in his breeches. He raised his right hand and brought it down with a hard slap against her exposed flesh. Her scream of shock was muffled by her sleeve and she was equally surprised by the feeling of heat spreading throughout her. She hadn't been expecting to be spanked for giving William less clothes to deal with but she was finding the mix of pain and pleasure to be quite exciting.
"No underclothes." He commented. "What a wanton wench you are!" His voice betrayed his excitement, his attempt at sounding cold and calculating spoilt by her surprise. He unbuttoned his breeches, kicked her feet apart and positioned his erection at her entrance. He moved his left hand up, getting a firm grip on her shoulder, his right hand grasping her hip. She was breathing heavily and trying to push back against him, rubbing herself against the edge of the desk.
"Ready…or not," He said and then thrust harshly in to her, pulling on her shoulder to increase the force. She groaned, wet as she was his length was still an invasion on the first thrust. His hips pulled back and he thrust in again with equal force, grunting with the effort. He did not let up, using every bit of personal control to make himself last as long as possible as he continued his punishing, hard pace. The angle of her hips and the force of his thrusts were grinding her clit on the carved edging of the desk. She no longer cared if anyone, anywhere could hear her, she groaned in abandoned pleasure. This was how she had imagined it being; fast, hard and……
"Aaah…" She yelled as she came, her muscles gripping William with spasms that ended his control. He slammed in to her with a yell and emptied himself into her. It hadn't lasted long, certainly wasn't romantic and loving but Beth felt thoroughly satisfied. She lay relaxed on top of the desk, released from William's tight grip. His hands were now slowly caressing the skin of her hips and buttocks as he slowly continued moving in and out of her. Their breathing slowly returned to normal and he finally pulled out of her, offering to help her up. Her legs felt like jelly, unable to take her weight as she stood.
"Hold on, don't move." William ordered as he knelt before her. He lifted her skirts again and with his own handkerchief he wiped up the liquid now dripping from her. She smiled as she looked down at him, such a tender caring move was not one she would expect from him even after all they'd shared. He stood, rearranged his clothing and walked to the door.
"Shall we go to bed now?" He asked with a smile and he unlocked the door. Beth walked up to him and kissed his cheek.
"I would love to." She answered and arm in arm they climbed the stairs, entered her room and once again, closed and locked the door.
The next day they stayed in her room. All their meals were brought up to them and they tended to their own fire with the wood Mr. Jenkins left outside the bedroom door. The book they had brought to the bedroom lay open on the covers as they enjoyed, analyzed and tried anything that caught their fancy. They laughed, ate and made love, forgetting the war that was expecting them back once the weather cleared. They lay in each other's arms taking full advantage of the freedom they had here before the inevitable happened and they returned to the Fort and the secrecy.
Beth passed the ticking clock in the hall. It was just after three in the morning and she was unable to sleep. It had stopped snowing and the weather had warmed up enough that the roads were drying out. One more day and it would be time to return to the real world. She tiptoed into the kitchen and sat before the dying fire, warming her feet with what little heat remained. She sat there thinking about the situation she found herself in and where it was all going. Time passed in a haze as she stared at the glowing logs in the hearth. She didn't hear anyone coming and jumped as William placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He kissed her forehead.
"Did I wake you?" She whispered.
"No, I rolled over and found I was alone, not an agreeable situation so I came to find you."
"I couldn't sleep, too much on my mind. Tomorrow, sorry today, will be our last day here." She said quietly, the regret evident in her voice.
"It won't be our last day here. When we've won this war, we can return here. Live out our days here. I promise." William assured her. It was an idea he had mulling over since their first evening at the house. Beth rose from her fireside chair and started to pace the kitchen floor. She stopped in front of him. He reached out for her but she stepped back out of his reach.
"How can say that? How can you promise that? It's not that I wouldn't want to William," She paused, nearly in tears, "But we are at war! Either one of us, or both of us, could be killed in the very next battle. We can't make such promises." William wrapped his arms around her, his hand holding her head against his chest as her tears ran down her cheeks.
"We will, you'll see." He kissed her forehead.
"Your confidence borders on arrogance. I've already lost my father and two out of four brothers to this war and I haven't heard anything from Robert for months now. There's a part of me that just wants to stay here, hide away from the world, not go back." Her voice faded. She could tell he was shaking his head.
"You know that's impossible, I would never run away from my responsibilities in this war and neither could you, but having said that I have a very good reason for surviving it." He released her and turned to grasp her face in his hands. "Do you?"
"Yes, I do and I don't want to lose you."
"Come back to bed." He prompted, kissing her softly as he lowered his hand to hers to lead her back upstairs. "We still have one more day, let's not waste it." They returned to the bedroom, curling up together in the middle of the bed, holding tight to each other in the hope that nothing could part them.
The last day at the farm was a mixed blessing. They were together and loving it but never far from their minds was the fact that the outside world was calling. They spent time in the barn, preparing the horses for the ride back to the Fort. Mrs. Jenkins had cleaned their uniforms and hung them in the wardrobe. Happiness seemed drowned out by the worry and sorrow in everyone. After dinner they retired to the bedroom, Beth emerging a couple of hours later to confirm the details of their morning departure with Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. She wanted to arrange for the food that they would carry with them and as she entered the kitchen with Mrs. Jenkins she could hear a strange noise, a scraping sound from above. As they talked Beth tried to sort out what room was above the kitchen and realized it was her bedroom.
"What is he doing up there?" She asked out loud without realizing it.
"Sounds like he's rearranging the furniture, though I don't know why?" Mrs. Jenkins offered. "Beth," she paused, waiting until the woman was looking at her to continue, " I know I expressed my misgivings about your goings on with him but after these last few days I have to say he suits you, you suit each other, quite well actually." She paused again, "Don't let him get away, despite all I have heard about him, I'd say he's a keeper."
"Oh Mrs. Jenkins, Mary, I may not have any choice in the matter. War will make the decision. I don't want to get my hopes up only to have my heart broken." Beth's eyes closed and Mrs. Jenkins stepped up and wrapped her arms around the younger woman.
"At a time of war, hope is all you have my girl. Hold tight to it and to him." She kissed Beth on the forehead as a mother would do. "Don't worry about the food, I'll take care of it, go to him….go on." She said as she gave her a gentle push towards the door. Beth quickly hugged her and walked up to her room, not at all expecting what she would find behind the closed door.
She opened to the door and was momentarily dumbstruck by the gorgeous sight before her. In her absence William had dragged the chaise across the floor, from the window, to the warmth in front of the fireplace. He had turned the piece of furniture so that she would see him, seated in it, as she entered the room. He was now leaning back on the chaise, naked, his right leg hanging over the end, his left foot on the floor, leaving his thighs open. Between his legs, his left hand held up his erect cock, ready and waiting for her. He smiled at her, the surprise evident on her face. He had been waiting for her. Their last night here together and he intended to make a memorable one.
She breathed in, deeply, not realizing how she was staring at him. Without saying a word, she closed the door and started across the room, slowly removing her nightgown. His eyes dropped to her feet as he watched the clothing slowly reveal her body to him. His gaze rose to her knees, her hips, her breasts and finally to her face as she pulled the gown over her head and dropped it to the floor. Silently, she placed her hands on his shoulders and straddled him, leaning over to kiss him deeply as she lowered herself on to his waiting erection. They both moaned as their bodies joined, her hips slowly rotating as she pressed against him, his hands tightly gripping her hips. She kissed along his jaw to his ear, sucking on his earlobe before whispering in his ear.
"I love you William, no matter what happens, I love you." She leaned back, placing her hands on his thighs as she started riding him. Her strong thighs lifting her almost completely off him before he pulled her back. Her head dropped back, her eyes closed as he watched her rising and falling on him, her breasts bouncing with the rhythm. With her thighs controlling the movement, his hands wandered her body. Stroking up her ribs to her breasts, cupping them, rolling and pinching her erect nipples. She sighed and pushed down harder on to him, feeling him deep inside her. His right hand dropped to where they were joined, circling her clit, pressing against it with increasing pressure. Watching her so obviously lost in the pleasure between them increased his own arousal and his hips started thrusting up against her. With each upward thrust her moans grew louder until all of a sudden her hands gripped the underside of his thighs, pulling her down harder on to him. Her muscles clenching so hard against his member that her hips jerked with the motion, her breath escaping her in quiet grunts. One more sharp upward thrust and he emptied within her, a long, contented moan his only sound. She released his thighs and collapsed against his chest, breathing heavily, her legs feeling weak.
"I can't move, we'll have to sleep here." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Oh no we won't." He answered. "Hold on." He wrapped one arm around her hips, the other under her bum as he lowered his right leg to the floor and stood, lifting her. He carried her to the bed, still within her. He leaned over, lowering her to the sheets without separating from her.
"You'll have to leave me sometime." She said with a smile.
"I know, just not yet." He sighed as they shifted around on the bed, ending up facing each other, her leg wrapped over his hip. He pulled the covers over them. "Beth," He paused, "I'll have to remember not to call you that. I know you don't want to think about a future, but please, consider one, with me."
"William, don't ask that of me. You know I can't. I know it sounds like silly superstition but I fear if I make plans, they'll never come to pass." She tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't let her go.
"Not even if it gives you something to look forward to?" He asked, starting to feel some anger creeping in.
"Especially then. I'm sorry William, I can't, not yet." She pulled away again and this time he let her go. She rolled over, tears silently falling onto her pillow. He snuggled up against her back and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I love you and I will not give up on you." He insisted as he pulled her to him. "I will do my best to see this war ended, then, hopefully, you'll give me a different answer." She twisted in his arms to kiss him before sleep ended their last day of peace.
A quiet knock on the door woke them the next morning and, silently, they dressed in their Dragoon uniforms. As Beth went to open the bedroom door William stopped her.
"You are a beautiful woman, strong, stubborn, but in me you have met your match. I meant what I said last night." He insisted. Her hand stroked his cheek and she smiled.
"I love you William and for now that will have to be enough." She kissed him, opened the door and left him standing in the room, alone. He knew his feelings for her were his one and only weakness and at that moment in the exasperation he felt for her stubbornness he let his anger shut her out. The Colonel was back.