Going to Slaughter
He stared at the door for a moment, wondering if what he was about to enter into, was worth it. Fate had bestowed honour and glory, but yet, she had not been kind to him. His family's misfortunes had proven that time and again.
Colonel Tavington was not a man who gave in easily, nor was he one who allowed his heart to sway him in anything. It had hardened many years ago...cold as ice...yet...
He raised a hand, grasped the elegant silver knocker, and knocked twice. He could hear nothing moving inside the house, though not unusual in house as large as this one, still it made him a bit uneasy.
As he was about to knock once more, the heavy oak door opened, and there she stood. The emerald green silk dress flowed over curves and lines...ending in a pool at her feet. Her red hair was swept up into loose curls, a bit hung loose here and there, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
She smiled brightly at him.
"Colonel Tavington, you are a bit early."
He bowed quickly and grinned.
"Early, but prompt."
She nodded at him.
"Oh yes, that is quite true. Do come in." She stood back and allowed him to pass by into the cavernous hallway. As he came near her, he caught a pleasant scent.
"Roses, madam?"
Catherine Cornwallis stared at him a moment, nodded again, and flashed him a dazzling smile.
"Roses? Oh yes, such a lovely scent, wouldn't you say? Not my usual, but it will have to do for now."
Tavington shrugged slightly.
"I know next to nothing of perfumes, madam. Other then what my own mother used, though I don't believe she ever used this particular scent. Still, it does suite you well, Catherine."
Catherine's heart leaped quickly as he spoke, causing her to blush a deep pink.
He did not notice this.
Not at first.
But when he did...
He looked her over in silence, studying her face, noting the swell of her breasts, the full mouth with it's soft pink lips...
Yes, he would find her a very delicious morsel. An exotic food that was to be savoured, not hurried, and certainly not refused.
He could not refuse her. And she...oh she would not dare to refuse him.
"Colonel?"
He shook himself quickly and returned to the present moment.
"Yes, Catherine?"
"This way, please." she indicated a doorway off the hall, and led him into a richly decorated study.
"As you requested, Colonel."
"William." he said absently to her.
"I'm sorry?"
He turned and looked at her.
"My name, is William. If we are to get to know each other properly Catherine, you will call me by my given name. Therefore you will no longer need to address me as Colonel, or Colonel Tavington."
Catherine nodded quickly.
"Yes, Col-William."
"Good girl." he smiled ruefully at her.
She blushed again.
"Now as to what I requested."
"The study...you requested a place to work, did you not?" she looked a bit worried.
"Yes, I did. It will do for all intents and purposes, my dear."
A soft, anxious smile played at the corners of her mouth.
How he longed to kiss her. To taste the warmth, the sweetness...
Time enough for that later. Once they had gotten to know each other in the proper sort of way...and then...
And then, she would be his.
She would not be simply saying his name. No, she would be screaming it...he would have her screaming his name, screaming for more, before his stay was over.
Catherine, for her part, studied him in much the same way he studied her. His ridged uniform did not allow much to be seen, but she could imagine...imagine what strength lay beneath it. The muscles...the skin...the warmth...the hardness...
She blushed even more at just the mere thought of it. How unlady like it made her. How unlike a proper British Lady to think such thoughts.
Still, she lingered on them as he looked around the study, and as he moved from shelf to shelf, pulling a book from it's place here and there, she watched him. Watched the way he moved with a commanding air...watched the way his fingers touched things lightly...and wondered what those same fingers would feel like on her skin.
"Catherine?"
His voice seemed to come from a far off distance.
He waited.
"Catherine? Lady Cornwallis?"
She looked at him as if seeing him for the very first time, blushed profusely, and looked away again. She hoped he had not noticed how she had been watching him.
But, Tavington had noticed. And though he knew what she was thinking, clearly it was all over her beautiful face, he did not say that he did.
No, he would allow her these thoughts for awhile longer, and when it was time for her to finally realise them...
All in due course.
"I met your charming younger sister today."
Catherine glanced at him in surprise.
"Mona? Where did you...oh but of course, she was here when you came back."
He grinned faintly.
"Yes, and she did not give me such a warm welcome."
Catherine shook her head.
"No, I dare say she wouldn't have. Father has been a perfect brute to her, and she does not trust men of rank easily."
"Not as you do, Catherine?"
"I? I...I have learned to trust only those who deserve that trust."
She seemed flustered.
Good, he thought in satisfaction...if she is flustered, she won't be too difficult to win over.
But, she was mistress of this house. And her father had said she was as dangerous as any man...she could protect herself. But, did she want to?
He studied her again.
No, he decided quickly, she would want protection from a man, and not just any man would do for it, either. She wanted a man of rank...
William Tavington was just that man.
"William?" she said softly.
He turned, looked into those haunting green eyes, and felt something stirring inside him. He shuddered.
"Dinner will be shortly, as I said, you arrived a bit early, and it is not quite ready."
He nodded.
"Of course, I am sorry for that. I wanted to have a chance to see the study, perhaps a bit more of the house, and maybe..." he raised his hand to her face, and stroked her cheek slowly.
She melted at his touch.
"Maybe, spend some time with my charming and beautiful hostess."
Catherine quivered and felt her heart beating a tattoo inside her chest.
"Would you like that, Col-"
"What have I told you, my lady?"
"To call you by your name."
"Yes, and I expect you to do so."
His fingers trailed over her lips and to her chin. He took it in his hand, raised her head up, and stared into those green eyes. She looked away quickly.
And before she could do anything...before she could utter a single word, his mouth had engulfed hers. He kissed her slowly, deeply and with such a passion, she could feel it flooding her body with heat.
He felt her quivering against him. he knew what was inside her head at this moment. Knew what she wanted. And before the evening was over...
There would be much more then just this kiss.
"William..." leaning into his body, she sighed heavily.
He laughed low and soft.
"You seem to have not expected that."
She shook her head.
"No, I cannot say that I did. Everything that I have heard about you...no, I would never have expected you to do that, William."
He grinned coldly.
"No, I should think not. I like to strike by surprise. Though, from time to time, I also like to strike when they are fully aware. They tend to die easier that way."
Catherine looked up into his clear, cold blue eyes.
"How so?"
"If they are surpised by death, they do not accept it. But, if they know it is coming...well, they are much more ready to accept their fate."
She nodded at this, but said nothing to it. Reaching up to her hair, he removed the clip that held it in place, and allowed the silky redness to cascaded over his hand.
She shivered.
"How beautiful you are, my lady. Is there any man who has a claim to you, or would claim you?"
Catherine shook her head quickly.
"No."
William Tavington nodded his approval of this.
"Good, I want you for myself," he grinned, "Had there been any man to claim you, well I would have made him see reason."
Catherine shivered again.
"So you have claimed me? What of my sister?"
He looked down at her, all the while running his fingers through her long hair.
"In due time, I shall also claim her."
She looked up at him.
"Both of us?"
"Yes, both of you."
At first he thought she might refuse this, but then she smiled slowly.
"That, would be perfect, William."
"Mmm yes, I thought you might think so, my lady."
He looked around, caught sight of an elderly servant standing in the doorway to the study, thought of releasing her, and pulled her closer, instead...the servants would talk, but that did not bother him. Let them. He would be master of this house and all that resided with in it.
The servants. The slaves.
The Ladies Cornwallis.
And when he was...
He smiled slowly, coldly and cradled her tightly in his arms. he felt her quivering against him, the heat of her body stealing over him.
"Shall we go into dinner?" he asked.
She pulled away from him quickly, but reluctantly.
"Oh yes, yes of course."
He glanced at her.
"My lady?"
"Yes, William?"
His eyes moved over her body, then back to her face.
It was now or never.
No surprises.
Take her while she was aware.
"My lady, tonight..."
"Yes?"
He smiled hungrily at her.
"Tonight, you share my bed."
She stared at him.
She should refuse.
Knew to refuse.
But could not bring herself to do so.
She could not refuse him.
He held his hand out to her. She took it willingly.
He smiled the same hungry smile again.
Like a lamb to the slaughter.
She quivered at the thought.
For Colonel William Tavington...
She would gladly go to the slaughter.
