By the time they'd reached the safety of the shed, both Charlotte and Tavington were thoroughly drenched. After securing the door, he turned to Charlotte and reached up to brush aside a tendril of hair that had plastered itself to her cheek, between rivulets of water running down her face.
"Ugh, my hair is ruined," Charlotte said as Tavington's hand stroked her cheek.
"A little rain cannot mar your beauty," Tavington murmured, gazing down at her with desire.
Charlotte did not reply, but looked into Tavington's intense blue eyes as he took her into his arms. After a long, lingering moment, he bent and claimed her lips with his own. Charlotte acquiesced eagerly, parting her lips to admit his questing tongue.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," he murmured a few moments later as he leaned his forehead against hers.
"You don't know how long I've wanted you to," she replied, blushing furiously. Reaching up, she returned his kiss as she wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer.
The rain continued to patter the roof of the small shed as the couple's kisses grew more passionate and urgent. As his hand lazily rubbed Charlotte 's back, Tavington noticed a wooden bench in the corner of the shed, next to a shelf filled with gardening tools. Guiding Charlotte to it, he sat down, pulling her down onto his lap.
Reaching up, Charlotte stroked his face as his hand moved to lightly squeeze her breast. Not encountering any resistance, Tavington began loosening her bodice. As Charlotte leaned forward to give him better access, she felt the evidence of his arousal pressing against her bottom.
"Hurry, William," she breathed, not quite able to believe her own boldness. It had been so long since she'd felt desire, and now, even just one look from Tavington's piercing eyes inflamed her need to an almost painful level.
Soon, she felt Tavington's mouth on her bared breast, as his hand reached under her petticoats, slowly hiking them up to her waist. Her hands worked under his jacket, eager to feel his chest. So urgent was their need for one another that neither noticed that the rain had stopped. Just as Tavington's hand had reached the triangle of golden curls between her legs, and he was about to throw her petticoats up completely, the shed's door opened with a loud squeal.
The spell broken, Tavington turned to see a slave enter the shed. He turned his body to shield Charlotte from the man's view as she hastily refastened her bodice and pulled her petticoats back down.
The slave backed out quickly, holding his hand in front of his eyes in embarrassment. "'Scuse me, sir," the slave said, stammering. "I'm the gardener. I didn't know y'all were in here."
"We just stepped in here to get out of the rain," Tavington said briefly, as he and Charlotte left the shed a moment later. "We'll be going now."
"Well, that was embarrassing," Charlotte murmured, her face crimson, as they continued down the street to her house.
"It was rather uncomfortable," Tavington agreed. "But I don't think he saw much of anything as fast as he backed out of there."
"I certainly hope not," she said breathlessly.
"I hope you'll forgive me for my boldness, but I could not resist your beauty," Tavington said.
"No apology necessary, Colonel," she replied briskly. "I hope you don't think of me as a shameless wanton."
"Not at all," he assured her, squeezing her hand to emphasize his point. "There will be other times when we can resume getting better acquainted."
The two fell silent as they stepped through the gates at Charlotte's house. Bordon was waiting for Tavington when they entered the house.
"Sir!" Bordon greeted his commanding officer.
"Yes, Bordon, what is it?" Tavington inquired.
"I have a recruit waiting to be interviewed," he reported. "And I believe this one will be quite suitable to be an officer."
"Oh?" Tavington responded, as he headed to the library. "I certainly hope you are correct."
Charlotte remained silent, but followed the dragoons up the stairs, intending to check on Mrs Powell.
As they reached the second floor and walked down toward the library, Tavington spotted an extremely tall man sitting on a settee outside the library waiting for his interview.
"This is James Wilkins," Bordon told Tavington, indicating the tall man. Turning to Wilkins, he add, "And this is Colonel Tavington."
Rising to greet the dragoon commander, he extended his hand to shake. "I'm pleased to meet you sir."
Before Tavington could reply, Charlotte came out from behind the two dragoons to get a look at James Wilkins.
"Jim Wilkins!" she said, smiling broadly. "I haven't seen you in ages!"
"Charlotte," he said amiably, returning her smile. "What a pleasant surprise. I don't think I've seen you since John's funeral. You're looking quite well."
"I can say the same," she said warmly.
"You two know one another?" Tavington asked, now looking appraisingly at the tall man.
"Oh, yes," Charlotte replied. "Our families have known one another for years. James and I grew up together."
Remembering that Wilkins was there to join the Green Dragoons and that she needed to check on Mrs Powell, she said, "Won't you stay for tea after your meeting with the Colonel?"
"I'd be delighted," Wilkins replied. "We have a lot to catch up on."
"Wonderful," she said. "If you'll excuse me, I have a few things to attend to, so I'll leave you gentlemen to your meeting."
"I'll see you soon, then," Wilkins said as he followed Bordon into the library.
As Tavington moved to follow Wilkins and Bordon, he turned and gave Charlotte a meaningful glance. Charlotte returned his smile, thinking of the afternoon they'd just spent together, pleased by the new turn of events in their relationship. For the first time since the British had taken over Charles Town, she was glad she had remained behind.
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"Tell me about yourself, Mr Wilkins," Tavington said a few moments later, leaning back in his chair as he waited for the other man to answer. "Why do you want to join the Green Dragoons?"
"I was born and raised in this area," Wilkins began. "My family has a large rice plantation and my father sent me to England to get my education at Oxford so that I could properly manage our family's varied business concerns when he is ready to retire."
Taking a deep breath, he continued, "My family is firmly loyal to the king and I believe I can best serve my king and country as a cavalryman, as I'm an excellent equestrian and swordsman. I know nearly everyone who is important in South Carolina and I'm certain I can be of use in both helping to find more loyal Americans to help fight the rebels and to identify those with rebel leanings. I am also unmarried, so I would be able to devote all my attention to my duties."
Turning to Bordon, who had been standing silently behind him during the interview, Tavington asked, "Captain Bordon, do you have anything to add?"
"I tested Mr Wilkins and I found that his horsemanship and proficiency with sabre, pistol, and musket are all well above average; the best I've seen so far." Leaning down to speak softly into Tavington's ear, he added, "I would recommend appointing him as an officer."
Tavington was already leaning toward accepting Wilkins into his command, but Bordon's recommendation confirmed his initial inclinations. His connection to Charlotte Selton was also a plus.
Returning his attention to Wilkins, Tavington said, "I'm pleased to welcome you to the Green Dragoons, Mr Wilkins. Because of your skills and connections, I'm authorizing you as a Captain, which will make you third in command after myself and Captain Bordon. You will also be the highest ranking Loyalist member of the unit."
"Thank you, sir," Wilkins said, obviously pleased. "I am honoured to be under your command."
"Your first duties will be to help Captain Bordon in finding more suitable dragoon recruits," Tavington informed him. "Captain Bordon will assist you this afternoon in acquiring uniforms and other necessary equipment. I can safely assume you have your own horse?"
"Yes, sir," Wilkins affirmed.
"Excellent," Tavington said. "Report here first thing tomorrow morning to begin your duties with Captain Bordon."
"Yes, sir," Wilkins replied.
"I believe that Mrs Selton is awaiting your company, so that will be all for now," Tavington said.
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Next chapter: From Comfort to Passion