Chapter 2
Dawn.
The singing of the birds.
Charlotte knew that the sun would be wanting to drill its rays into her skull if she -
One eye cracked slowly open but instead of the beating rays of the sun, she saw that a fog had rolled in over the night and had blanketed the entire land. Hmm. She yawned, one hand covering her mouth as her other stretched up to the headboard and she stretched out down to her toes as far as they could go.
She smiled as she snuggled under the down comforter, remembering the night before, well mostly, but, ya know...she really didn't remember her falling asle- hmm...strange. And she turned onto her side away from the balcony doors and slid her arm around the Colonel's armas she snuggled clo--
Wait.
And slowly her eyes opened. Looking at...blinkblink. And suddenly she sat bolt upright in bed, jerking Tavington awake and in his shock of her sitting there in his nightshirt, though completely covered, he yelped and tried to scramble away which only caused him to get his feet entangled in the comforter he had been laying on beside her, and still trying to get away, he rolled and fell with a loud and hard THUD off the other side of the bed.
Charlotte tried not to laugh. But when he finally was awake enough to try and sit up, and that confused face looked up at her over the edge of the bed, she lost it completely and fell back into the pillows in a gigglefit. "Colonel! That was entertaining!" But when he grumbled softly and disengaged his foot from the blanket and fought to stand up, staggering a bit since he was still half asleep, he ran one hand through his hair that was loose and hanging about his shoulders which were covered in the white shirt with the ruffled collar which was untied around his throat and loose as well. The only other clothing on him were his black uniform trousers, and he put one hand on the bedpost to steady himself as he fought back a yawn and finally looked down at her. "Are you all right?"
Charlotte bit down on her bottom lip hard and nodded slowly. "I'm fine, Colonel. Thank you muchly. Now...if you'd be so kind as to tell me." And her eyes narrowed playfully. "What the bloody hell are you doing in my bed and what happened last night that I missed?"
Tavington fought back another yawn and was about to tell her what had happened, but then that devil on his shoulder popped in and whispered in his ear and with a devious smile he said softly, drawing onto one knee as he leaned onto the bed again, a rather teasing smile on his lips. "Why, my lady...you don't remember? I should be hurt deeply if you can't recall the most wonderful evening we shared, literally until even the fireflies gave out."
Charlotte stared at him. He was...kidding. Right? And she worried at the inside of her cheek and shook her head slightly as her gaze fell to the bed and she desperately tried to remember what they had -- . Hmm. Snort. And her blue eyes rose again to lock onto his as if daring him to describe the activities of the night before. "No, Colonel. I don't 'remember'. Now if you would please find the door to your own room," and she pointed to the door that joined their rooms which was still open, "I would appreciate it and still be able resolve myself to call you 'sir'."
Classic. But he wasn't going to give up this easily. The other knee onto the bed and when she saw him start to lean close to her, she snatched the comforter up with a soft squeal and held it up against her front as she turned and dropped her legs off the other side of the bed, putting her back to him. And no. He wasn't done yet. Not by far. See, this is the thing with being in love. At least the person that you torment, tease and torture will forgive you in time.
Hopefully.
When she turned and wrapped the comforter around herself it made his job all the easier. And moving to sit behind her, leaning on one hand and the other raising to draw fingertips lightly along her back from one shoulder to the other to brush her hair over her shoulder and away from his target, and a satisfied smirk feeling her shudder and then the try to fight it. He leaned close, his breath washing against the back of her neck, the braid of blonde hairnow away.. But he had to keep to the plan. And closer still, soft lips pressing against the bare neck and a whispered, "Why Charlotte, my love. And you swore to me last night that you would never forget. You said that even if Cornwallis himself were to torture you to the very end of your life you wouldn't ever forget. Now, truly...I'm shattered." And gently the fingers tugged at the nightshirt to pull it away from her neck just a hint so he could plant a kiss on her soft skin..
Charlotte froze (well amidst the shuddering and twitching from the kiss) and stared at the wall for a long moment and then it hit her. His birthday! THAT'S what she swore to never forget! "You...you dog!" She squeaked as she turned and looked at him as he blinked large 'innocent' eyes from where he was tormenting her by resting his chin on her shoulder and just waiting for her to remember. "You know I should have you taken out and hun -- shot!" she said as she playfully sent an elbow to meet with his gut.
Tavington had to laugh. Outright laugh. For once he had her going. And those moments were very far and few in between. He took the elbow with a quiet grunt and shook his head. "You deserved that one, darling." He said as he watched her profile for a moment. Still not moving from his position and hoping she didn't move from hers. "Found asleep in a bed with someone that's not yet your husband. Why that just screams 'tart' and a few others i won't mention since I love you."
Charotte laughed and shook her head as she leaned back against him. "You are right, sir. But still to do something that evil will require retaliation, you know."
The Colonel only smiled and nuzzled her ear and gently pushed her up to sit up again, "Only for a moment, love," he said quietly, and when she was sitting up, he deftly untied the braid and began running his fingers through her hair to undo it as well. Her hair was always soft and, well, intoxicating. Once the blonde silk was freed, he then slipped a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back against himself. This was how life should be. Only to be with the girl you loved and not having to worry about if you'll come home that evening alone once more.
With a satisfied sigh, Charlotte settled back against him, folding her arms in front of her as she pulled her legs up once more and tucked her feet under her bum. Shifting until she was comfortably nestled against him and closing her eyes as she rested her head back against his shoulder. "That was a rather evil trick you pulled, William. And you shall definitely pay for it."
He merely chuckled softly as she had settled back against him as if it were meant to be this way and his fingertips would gently run up and down her arm. Just feeling her against him and sharing her warmth and taking in her scent was more than anything he could get from drinking the best brandy, eating the finest food, or even winning a battle. "Ooooh surely I've done many other evil things, hmm?"
She gave a soft snort and twitched at his fingers, but didn't pull away. "Well I'm rather sure you have. I just haven't caught you at them because they weren't as blatant as this one. I should banish you from this room altogether." And a playful nod of her head to accent that. She loved being against him. His lean body holding her steady...he was her rock. Her strength. She knew she could count on him to be there for her when she nee -- blink.
He blinked down at her when he felt her tense. "Charlotte? Darling? Are you all right?"
She was frozen. And for a good four minutes she didn't move or even dare to breathe. "W-William...?" She said in a rather shaky voice.
Another blink and okay so now he was concerned. "Yes, sweetheart?" And he tensed as well not liking the unexpected. It never happened to him. He had calculated moves for every time he turned around.
She turned to look at him. Slowly. A lick to her lips as blue eyes focused on him, the slightest hint of narrowing as her brows dipped a bit. "Ea-earlier...you said." And her mind raced to remember the exact words. Wasn't going to be hard since they were now burned in her brain. So it took a while. She's young. "Y-You said earlier...found asleep in a bed with someone that's not yet….your husband... " Another blink. This one slower. And for the moment that her eyes were closed, he smiled and leaned forward to press the gentlest of kisses to her forehead and a soft, "Mhmm?"
She opened her eyes once more, searching his face for answers. Oh she knew what they were. But maybe she was terrified of them anyway. "Wh-what did you mean?"
A frown. Small but still significant. "Well I'd hoped that that would have said it all right there." A slight pause as he lifted his eyes to the ceiling and acted as if he was thinking. "Hmmmm...let me see here. Yes. I would have thought. Well let me say it again and maybe figger out a way to word it that might not sound so confusing, hm?" And that infuriatingly condescending smile down at her which he knew drove her nuts but she didn't even flinch this time. Oooh he had her. Hook, line and sinker. "Ah!" he exclaimed as if he'd thought of 'the other way'. "Let's try this, shall we?" And he leaned closer again, brushing his lips against the shell of her ear as he whispered in barely an audible voice. "Charlotte Ryan Martin" and a short pause. Have to build up the drama here! "Would you do this Colonel the honour of becoming his wife. For now. For the rest of his life. I know it's rather a hard decision since he's such a 'beast' and all. And how he loves to play 'evil tricks' on you. But I'm afraid he's fallen so deeply in love with you that he can't see any way free. And if he were to lose you." He pulled back just a bit to look into her eyes. "He'd simply die."
Blink.
His smile this time wasn't the condescending one. Nor the small one so much the 'little boy' he still had in him that no one ever saw but her. This smile was pure and genuine love and adoration for the girl that sat against him. "Are you all right, sweetheart?"
Charlotte didn't know what to say. But she did know what to do. And in a moment of pure joy, she pounced on him, wrapping her arms around him, hugging him tight and pressing her lips to his in one of the most passionate of kisses.
Finally when they had to either pass out from lack of oxygen or break apart to breathe - the latter being chosen - she had begun crying and laughing which only made his smile even broader. "Yes, Colonel ! Yes I'll marry you!"
And woe to the soldier that knocked on the door to interrupt them at that moment.
