When the sun was high in the sky, they awoke, still holding each other. Tavington was on his back, his arms around Vivienne's waist. Vivienne lay on his chest, her cheek pressed to the hollow of his neck.
As both sat up awkwardly, Tavington realized she was still wearing her nightgown and his clothes were still intact, excluding his shirt. In spite of all that happened between them, they never did have sex.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, trying not to draw her attention, but she was looking at him too, and in the strangest way, like she was trying to figure something out. Vivienne's brows knitted together in disbelief.
"You and I, we never - "
A loud knocking at the door cut her off. Tavington grabbed his shirt from the floor, throwing it over his head as he marched up to the door. Flinging it open, he was surprised at who was on the other side.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything . . . I need to talk to Vivienne."
Margaret stood timidly, looking fearful at Tavington's irritated stare. He looked to Vivienne, who immediately stood and joined him at the door. Just as she was about to follow Margaret out, Vivienne caught herself.
"Say what you will." From the look on Margaret's face, she didn't want to gossip about Vivienne's wedding night. Chancing another look at Tavington, Margaret spoke.
"I suppose both of you should hear this, really, I was just. . . Anyway, General Cornwallis came down to the dining hall last night in a rage. He wanted to have Vivienne sent to a nunnery! I can't imagine why, since you two are married . . . "
She trailed off as Vivienne and Tavington glanced at each other. Margaret's eyes grew wide, combining with her baggy dressing gown and wild hair to make her look rather insane.
"Oh my Lord, you aren't married are you?! No wonder he wants Vivienne sent -"
Tavington snatched Margaret's arm and yanked her into the room.
"Shout it to the world, will you?" he growled. Margaret nodded wordlessly. Vivienne felt they hadn't heard the whole story. She nodded at Margaret.
"Please, continue."
"Right, of course. When Cornwallis started raging about expelling you from the army," she nodded at Tavington "the governor tried to calm him and they went to the Governor's private study."
"I followed them and listened at the door. Cornwallis yelled for the longest time, but eventually Governor Lucas calmed him enough to think rationally. Cornwallis said if the two of you had a legal and documented marriage in the next month, he would forget the situation, mark it off as 'eager young love.' But then he said he didn't want a woman near his soldiers. He wanted Vivienne to reside in some town near camp and stay away from the other soldiers." Margaret looked distressed.
"No one here knew General Cornwallis had such high standards. I slipped away after that to avoid being found out, but I had to tell you as soon as I could. Oh Vivienne, Governor Lucas's wife is a dreadful gossip - everyone shall know about this!"
Silence filled the room as everyone mulled over what had been said. Awkwardly, Margaret hugged Vivienne and excused herself. Vivienne sighed and sank down onto the couch.
The moment the door clicked closed, Tavington started pacing, muttering obscenities about the Lord General.
"All this time the bastard's been searching for a reason to get rid of me - he's certainly found one!" Vivienne turned to him.
"But, he wasn't bothered by your relations with prostitutes?"
"Pleasing men is what they do for a living - he knew we weren't manipulating them. Besides, they were all older than you are . . . God, he probably thinks I kidnapped you." The furrow in his brow grew deeper as he anticipated a possible demotion. Following orders was not something William Tavington would submit to.
Vivienne looked to her lap, her anxiety growing as she realized the short amount of time she had to make a decision that would affect her for the rest of her life. She looked at Tavington, who continued to pace about like the devil was at his heels.
There was an undeniable physical attraction between the two of them, but could they have more than that? Would Tavington consent? His life would likely change very little compared to hers if they did not marry. Vivienne fidgeted, tapping her foot.
Could she love, or even tolerate, the man who destroyed her home and did God-knows-what to her parents? Did she have a choice? Yes, I could choose the life of a nun, or the life of an unloved wife. Uttering a frustrated sigh, Vivienne flopped back onto the pillows, wrought with indecision and frustration.
She barely heard Tavington's footsteps as he came up behind her as he stopped just beside the couch, taking her wrist and planting soft kisses along her forearm.
"Are you truly that upset about this, my dear? If so, I believe a distraction is in order . . ." Vivienne tore her arm from his grasp and stood, looking up at him with worry pooling in her eyes.
"William! Both of us are doomed to miserable and lonely lives if we don't make some kind of decision about what is to be done!"
"I don't see how I would benefit from marrying you," Tavington said casually, beginning to pace about the room once more.
"As much as I hate to say it, you are the only possible husband I may ever have! When word of this gets out, no one else would have me!" Vivienne nearly shouted, enraged by his lack of concern.
"I find that highly unlikely, darling. You could make quite a living for yourself at the camp. The men all find you incredibly fetching."
"Please!" Vivienne begged, ignoring his unfunny crack "Don't force me to be submitted to a life of shame and rejection. I will be the wife you want me to be and more - I'll do anything!"
It was only after the words were out of her mouth that Vivienne realized her mistake. Her last sentence had clearly piqued Tavington's interest as he stopped pacing and gazed back at her.
"Anything? Dear Vivienne, do you know what that promise will require?"
"Yes." She swallowed defiantly, knowing she couldn't go back on her word "I am prepared to be the best wife I can be."
"Good, then I believe we may have an agreement. You can start following through on your promise by never calling me William." He stalked toward her, reminding Vivienne just how much he could frighten her.
"Nothing is set in stone until we have said our wedding vows," Vivienne retorted. Tavington inhaled slowly, something working through his mind.
"Very well. Any other 'requirements' you wish to propose?" Ignoring his mocking tone, Vivienne took a slow breath, hoping her simple plan would work.
"All your life, you've known only lust, never love," she paused, glancing up at him to see his reaction to her wild guess. He scoffed at her bold assumption, but would not meet her eyes or offer a negation. For once, it seemed, Colonel Tavington did not have a smart retort. Glimpsing a bit of hope, Vivienne put her hand on his jaw, turning his head so their eyes met.
"I don't believe there has ever been anyone to teach you how to love. If you marry me, I will love you." Tavington looked into her dark, earnest eyes, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar rush of longing swelling in his chest at her words.
"Lust is. . .pleasing, but love. . ." she trailed off, thinking of her romance novels, her dreams of having a family. "Love is much more worthwhile." He stared just over her shoulder. He was suddenly confused and did not want to meet her tender gaze, afraid he would find pity there.
She tried again, desperate to get through the layer of ice that seemed to encase his heart. "We can learn to love each other."
Tavington was slightly put off by the saccharine feeling of it all, but the idea of having someone to rely on, foreign as it was, had never occurred to him before now.
All at once he berated himself for softening in such a manner. His military, and only, success was due to his determination and mistrust of all but himself - why give that up for a foolish woman?
Perhaps he could fool her into thinking he loved her long enough for them to be married. After all, an offer of a woman to do "anything" for the rest of her life was rather tempting.
Vivienne stepped forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek before walking to the doorway. Irked, he turned towards her retreating back.
"Where are you bloody going - " Turning, she silenced him with a half-smile.
"If we are to love each other, I'm not going to make it easy for you. The only way to get your hands up my skirt is to marry me."
Leaving him stunned at her unexpected playfulness, she strode out of the room with a swing in her hips. As the door closed behind her, Tavington smiled, shaking his head. She might be more of a challenge than he had thought, but he could still win. The hunt was on.