Vivienne woke earlier than she normally would have. Feeling something was wrong, she saw at last she was alone in bed. A sound made her look up.
Tavington was standing near the foot of the bed facing the mirror. She could see he was fully dressed and was just buckling his belt now.
"William," Vivienne's voice carried softly towards his ears in the dim light. He turned to look at her, sitting vulnerably with her knees hugged to her chest.
More than anything he wished to be back in bed with her, but Cornwallis was not a patient man and would not tolerate Tavington being late for the morning patrol.
"I've got to get to camp, darling. I'll be back this afternoon." William Tavington strode forward to gently cup his bride's chin in his hands. "I'll miss you," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her. She put her hand on his wrist as he pulled away, looking up at him.
"I love you," Vivienne whispered, lifting his fingertips to her lips. He smiled in the darkness.
"You test my control, but I must go, Cornwallis couldn't fight this war without me." With a last kiss, and a smirk, he was gone.
Vivienne got out of bed hours later, stretching, then wincing as she felt the soreness between her legs. For some reason, it made her smile.
Vivienne's mind spun with happy thoughts as she dressed. She never had dreamed her life would take such an unpredictable turn. If only her parents had come to give their blessings at the wedding . . . They never did write back.
Vivienne's stomach growled with hunger. Glancing down at her rumbling belly, Vivienne wondered what a baby's kick would feel like. Her mother told her it was possible for a woman to become pregnant the first time she slept with a man.
Vivienne smiled, feeling silly. The chance of that was slim. For now, she and William had all the time in the world to do as they pleased.
Tavington halted his horse just outside of the town stables that evening. As he dismounted, he heard his name being shouted. Turning towards the sound, he was barely able to register what was going on before Vivienne leapt into his arms.
"Thank goodness, you're home. I haven't known what to do with myself all day. I was so lonely," she purred, smiling slowly. Tavington looked at her sideways, raising an eyebrow.
"You're . . . not sore from last night?"
"Oh yes, of course I am, but it's far better than it was this morning."
"Well, since it seems you can indeed walk, I haven't stayed true to my word, then. We'll have to fix that."
With an arm about Vivienne's waist, Tavington lead her towards the secluded little house.
Vivienne leaned out the window several weeks later and retched, emptying the contents of her stomach. She leaned back when she was finished, exhausted.
How alone she felt, sick and tired in this dark house. She needed William to be by her side now, to take her in his arms and reassure her everything would be all right.
Because Vivienne was getting the feeling everything was far from all right.