After Ruth had left the Tavingtons' quarters, Charlotte turned to Tavington and said, unnecessarily, "You upset her."
"I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped," Tavington said firmly. "I would be remiss if I had not given her my honest opinion of the match."
"I suppose you're right," Charlotte replied, heaving a sigh. "I know you have her best interests at heart."
"Of course, I do," he assured her. "Ruth has been a good servant to you and it's only right that I would seek to protect her."
"Is Sergeant Major Tapp that bad?" Charlotte asked. "Surely you would not have promoted him if he were entirely dissipated."
"No, he's not entirely dissolute," Tavington agreed "But I believe I can safely assume that Ruth is rather naïve and has little experience with men?"
"That's right," Charlotte confirmed. "I've been despairing of her ever getting married, actually. That's why I'd encouraged her when she showed interest in Sergeant Tapp."
"She could not handle someone like Tapp," Tavington asserted confidently. "He's a hard, cynical man who has seen and participated in some of the worst things in his life as a mercenary soldier, a sheriff, and now as a dragoon. Some of the less...savoury…things my dragoons have been obliged to do in the service of winning this war have been carried out under his direction. A more worldly and, shall we say, jaded woman would be more suited to Tapp, as such a woman could hold her own with him. But he'd take advantage of a sweet, naïve young woman like Ruth. He'd eat her alive."
"Oh, I'm so sorry I encouraged her, William," Charlotte said helplessly. "I simply did not know."
"That's all right, my dear," he said, leaning over to catch her mouth in a passionate kiss. "You meant well." After kissing her again, he added, "I gave her my best warning, but there's really little we can do if she chooses not to heed our advice, as she is a grown woman, after all."
"I still can't help but worry about her," Charlotte insisted, sighing.
"Don't think of it any longer tonight," Tavington said, his hands pulling the pins from her bodice. "We certainly have better things to do at the moment."
"Oh my, yes," Charlotte agreed, feverishly working the buttons on Tavington's breeches.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
James and Mary Bordon reclined side by side, panting with the aftermath of their lovemaking.
Snuggling close to her husband, Mary said, "I hope we just made a baby, even though I just finished my courses,"
"You never know," Bordon replied, sighing. "It will happen when we least expect it, I'd imagine."
After a long pause, Mary timidly asked, "James, if we don't ever conceive, would you, could you ever consider adopting a child?"
"I don't know, Mary," Bordon replied, frowning. "I've never thought of such a thing before."
"All I ask is that you think about it," Mary asked him. "With any luck, it won't come to that and we'll have our own baby. But if it doesn't, I'm quite open to adopting a child."
Rolling over to take her into his arms, Bordon murmured, "Why don't we have another go at making one of our own? Likely as not, you are worrying needlessly."
Mary didn't say anything, but merely leaned into her husband's eager embrace.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Marcus Tapp was content and satisfied as he walked back to his tent after leaving Ruth at the mansion. He'd made good progress in his campaign to seduce her, knowing his chances of success were greater if he took it slowly.
As he was about to enter his tent, he changed his mind and continued on to the row of tents where the camp whores plied their trade. He'd become aroused when kissing Ruth and, as a result, was now feeling restless. Tapp knew that a visit to the whores' tents would quickly take care of that particular problem.
About a half hour later, as he stepped out of Molly's tent, he met Banastre Tarleton coming out of Rachel's tent.
"Tapp!" Tarleton called out. "I didn't expect to see you down here tonight. I take it that you didn't win the bet?"
"I wouldn't say that," Tapp replied, hiding his irritation. "The terms of the bet did not specify that I had to fulfil the terms of the bet this very evening, if you recall." After a beat, he shot back, "And as far as that goes, can I assume that your presence here means that you did not win at cards? Sir?"
"That's true enough about the bet," Tarleton conceded. "But the game has yet to begin. I'm not due in the officer's mess for at least forty-five minutes yet."
"Did I hear something about a bet?" Molly popped her head out of her tent, having slipped on a shortgown and petticoat over her shift.
"Trust Molly to always have her ears open," Tapp said, chuckling. "Never misses a thing, that one."
"Tapp has made a bet that he can get under the skirts of Mistress Tavington's maid, Ruth," Ban told her.
"Ruth?" Molly laughed scornfully. "That one has a stick so far up her arse, I doubt if there's room for anything else up there." Patting Tapp's crotch in a familiar gesture, she added, "But if anyone can do it, Tapp here can."
"That's what I told the two corporals," Tarleton said. "I think you'd be safe to bet on him."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Dan Scott was almost glad that Ben Martin had contracted malaria. They'd been out fighting for nearly two months straight and he'd not had the chance to visit his wife on their small farm in all that time. He was tired and dirty, and simply wanted a chance to return to the slower pace of farm life for awhile. Scott hoped he'd have the time to salvage what he could of his crops and perhaps even try to start on a baby with his wife, Rachel.
He whistled a happy tune as he turned his horse down the familiar narrow path that led to his small farm. The stocky man looked forward to when this terrible war was finally over and he could resume his life as a farmer and to hopefully raise a family.
As he rode further into the words, he caught a faint whiff of smoke, which became stronger with every step his horse took. Alarmed, he spurred his horse, when he noticed broken branches along the way as well as many hoof prints in the mud.
Scott brought his horse to a skidding stop when the trees gave way to the clearing where his farm stood. Or, rather, where it once stood. The partisan sat on his horse slack jawed for a long moment, his mind not quite able to register what his eyes were telling him. The farmhouse that he'd so painstakingly built shortly after his marriage to Rachel was now a pile of charred lumber, as was the barn and other outbuildings. The animals were gone and the crops were trampled down in the fields.
He saw no signs of a struggle, but there was no sign of his wife, Rachel, either.
"Rachel!" Scott jumped off his horse and ran to the wreckage of their home, hoping not to find her body there. He scrabbled frantically through the rubble, but soon realized that she was not there, to his great relief. He repeated his search in all the outbuildings, after which it became obvious to him that she'd either escaped or had been taken prisoner.
Running into the woods, he called his wife's name repeatedly, thinking she might have run to hide there when she'd heard his horse approaching.
After about an hour of searching for her he gave up, finally coming to the conclusion that she was no longer in the area.
Returning to his horse, he decided to ride to the next nearest farm to see if she'd maybe taken refuge with the neighbours. The Billings farm was about six miles further upcountry, so he spurred his horse, not once looking back at his ruined homestead.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Two days later, Ruth sat with Charlotte Tavington and Mary Bordon in the Tavingtons' quarters for another round making clothes for Miss Charlotte's baby. At the rate they'd been sewing recently, the child would be well outfitted for the first three years of its life.
She worked mostly silently as the two women chatted animatedly around her, her mind busy reliving her evening with Marcus Tapp the night before. Instead of eating with the other men, they'd taken their plates to a grassy area near where he had conducted sabre practice. They'd sat under a large oak tree displaying autumn leaves to enjoy their meal.
After their meal, they'd had a long talk, sharing more things about the lives they'd led before the war and what they hoped to do after it was all over. Tapp had told her that he planned to return to his previous occupation as a sheriff, though he wasn't sure just where he'd be doing that. This had pleased her, as she knew he'd be in a responsible position and be well able to support a wife and children.
She'd been more vague about what she wanted to do after the war, not wanting to come on too strongly at first about her desire for marriage and children. Nearly every woman wanted this out of life, so Ruth saw no need to specifically mention it.
Ruth had worn her best gown and new cap, which had elicited the desired reaction from Marcus. She could tell from the look on his face that he'd found her as comely as she found him handsome. His hair had been bound in a new queue ribbon and he'd smelled faintly of bay rum, so she knew he'd taken some pains with his own appearance for her, despite the limitations of his uniform, which at least looked as if it had been freshly pressed.
As before, she'd felt entirely at home with Marcus, even to the point of leaning back against his chest, his hands loosely around her waist as he reclined against the tree, while they enjoyed the evening together.
Ruth had been completely content in this position, with Marcus' strong arms about her. They'd fallen silent for a time, each simply enjoying the other's presence. She nearly sighed as she remembered when Marcus had brought one of his hands up to her face and gently turned her head toward his for a long, searching kiss. They'd spent several long minutes kissing, which had left Ruth helpless with desire for this man She actually did sigh at the memory of this, not knowing what they might have ended up doing if Marcus had not been called away at this point to deal with a squabble among the men.
"Ruth." Charlotte said softly.
Ruth was still in her reverie and did not reply
"Ruth!" the other woman repeated, more insistently this time.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ruth said, the daydream imploding in her mind at the interruption. "My mind was elsewhere."
Charlotte and Mary exchanged knowing glances, then Charlotte said, "I'll say you were! I was asking you to pass the thread."
The young woman reached down and quickly passed the asked-for item to the other woman. "I'm sorry," she apologized again. "I just can't stop thinking about Marcus."
"Mistress Bordon and I really think you're making a big mistake to continue seeing Sergeant Major Tapp," Charlotte told her in an unctuous tone. "After what William and Captain Bordon have told us about him, we really think he is really most unsuitable for you."
"You don't know him like I do," Ruth said quietly. "He's good to me and I feel happy when I'm with him. He's really a good man, if you'd just give him a chance."
"Don't be so naïve, Ruth," Mary said haughtily. "You barely know the man. You are not qualified to judge him after only a few days acquaintance."
"Begging your pardon, Mistress," Ruth replied stoutly. "But in that case, then neither are you and Mistress Tavington, as you both know only what you've been told."
"For heaven's sake, Ruth!" Charlotte said, her voice betraying exasperation. "Both Mary and I have been married twice and we certainly know more about men and what motivates them than do you."
Noting Ruth's crushed expression, she added in a softer tone, "We're only looking out for your best welfare, Ruth. Surely you should heed our advice and take the benefit of our greater experience."
Biting back her instinctive retort, Ruth merely said, "I need to finish this seam."
She bent to her work and didn't say another word, but she was seething inside. The young woman could not wait to find Marcus at dinnertime and tell him about what had happened.
Time dragged by and when it was finally time for the evening meal, Ruth left the Tavingtons' quarters like a shot, wanting to get away from the two women as quickly as possible. It had taken all her self control to keep from saying something to them that she knew she'd later regret.
Ruth hastened down the path to Marcus' tent, where they'd planned to meet. Not seeing him outside, she banged on the tent pole, hoping she wasn't too early.
She was in luck. Tapp appeared almost instantly from inside the tent.
"What is it, Ruth?" Marcus Tapp asked, noting that she was red-faced and out of breath. "Come inside and tell me what's wrong."
"It's Mistress Tavington and Mistress Bordon," Ruth replied, as she entered the tent. She was so focussed on what she had to say that she did not notice Tapp tying closed the entrance to the tent, "They are both trying to dissuade me from seeing you."
"Oh?" Tapp said, both annoyed and amused at the same time. If those women thought that they could keep him from Ruth, then they had another thing coming.
"They're trying to tell me that I don't know my own mind; that you're not good enough for me," she reported hotly. "How dare they? They think I'm simple because I don't come from money like they do!"
Taking her into his arms, Tapp bent his head and kissed her thoroughly for a long interval, with one hand gently rubbing her back.
He led her over to his cot, where they sat down, with Ruth barely noticing, so intent was she on his kisses.
Within a few minutes, they finally came up for air. "It's really disgusting how our so-called 'betters' always think they know better than us on how to conduct our own lives," Tapp muttered, sneering. "No matter how well some of them might treat those of us in the ranks, they always think they're better than us."
Ruth nodded in agreement, knowing that Tapp knew of what he spoke.
"Sergeants run the army, you know," Tapp asserted. "Without us to keep order and to keep the men motivated, the army wouldn't function."
"I'm sure you're right," Ruth agreed meekly, now rubbing his back as well.
"I'm quite pleased that you don't have any intention of heeding their words," he murmured as he leaned in for another kiss.
"I'm a grown woman and I know what I want," she said quietly, but firmly, taking his face in both hands as she looked intently into his eyes. "And I want you."
Tapp smiled at this, knowing the perfect opportunity had arrived to make good on his bet. As they continued to kiss, his hand began to stray, coming around to slip inside the top of her gown's bodice to feel the mounds of her full breasts pushed up by her stays.
When Ruth didn't push him away, he worked the front of her bodice loose. It was closed with hooks and eyes, so he slowly worked the hooks free, one by one.
It was only when her bodice was gaping completely open and Tapp was working on the laces to her stays that Ruth noticed what he was doing and broke their kiss. Her hands flew up to cover his, as she whispered, "What are you doing?"
Pausing for a moment, but not removing his hands, he kissed her ear, his tongue darting inside for a moment, which elicited a soft moan from her.
"I think you know what I'm doing," he rumbled. "You want me and I want you."
"Please," she murmured, knowing what she wanted, but not knowing whether she should indulge in her desires. "I've never done this before."
"I know," he said, smiling down at her before leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. "I won't hurt you, and I promise to be gentle. I just want you so much that I can't resist."
"I don't know if I should…" she said, her resistance wavering.
"It's the most natural thing in the world for us to do," he persisted before bending to take one of her nipples into his mouth.
"Ohh, Marcus," she moaned as the sensation of his tongue on her nipple generated a responding throb between her legs. As she turned to putty in his arms, Tapp took this as consent and continued to unlace her stays. Once done, he lifted both breasts above the loose neckline of her shift, then swirled his tongue over each breast in turn.
"Touch me," he murmured, taking her hand and pressing it down on his erection, which was plainly evident, even through his breeches.
Ruth inhaled sharply as she felt the size of him through his clothing, wondering how such a thing could fit inside of her. She allowed him to ease her down on the cot, then felt his hand pulling her petticoats and the bottom of her shift up to her waist. Because of the chill in the air, he did not undress her completely.
Breaking away from her reluctantly, he moved to quickly shed his boots and breeches.
Ruth shivered slightly at the cool evening air on her exposed legs. "It's cold in here, Marcus."
"Patience, my dear," he replied smoothly, easing himself down to cover her body with his own. "I'll have you plenty warm in a just a few moments."
Ruth's arms wrapped around him, as his hand slipped between her legs, where he found her wet and ready for him.
She jumped in surprise when Tapp's finger brushed against the sensitive core of her womanhood. "Oh!"
"Like that, hmm?" Tapp purred, his finger stroking it more ardently now.
"Oh, yes, Marcus!" she moaned, wriggling beneath his questing finger. "Don't stop, please. It feels wonderful!"
Tapp chuckled lowly, as he obeyed her without question. As she continued to writhe and moan under his tender ministrations, his own arousal heightened painfully. He increased his speed, now more than ready to enter her.
It didn't take long. Within moments, Ruth stiffened and arched her back as she came under Tapp's fingers. "Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! It's so good!"
As he sensed her climax begin to subside, he didn't waste any time. Nudging her legs further apart, he positioned himself and pushed carefully inside of her, knowing she was a virgin.
Ruth stiffened slightly at the momentary twinge of discomfort as he breached her maidenhead and looked up at Tapp in alarm.
"Shh, it's alright, love," Tapp told her. "It's always a bit painful the first time a woman is with a man. Trust me, it will ease soon and it won't happen the next time." He remained still inside her, waiting for her to adjust to him.
Ruth relaxed somewhat, having heard this very same thing when talking with the other maids about sex. "I'm all right, Marcus," she whispered, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
He took her at her word and began to move inside her, at first slowly, then faster as she began to instinctively thrust back at him.
Soon, Tapp felt Ruth lift her legs and wrap them around his waist, which allowed him deeper penetration. As his thrusts became increasingly faster and harder, he buried his face to nip gently at her neck and mouth, spurred on by her sighs and moans of pleasure.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Freeman and Sanders had come by Tapp's tent to eat their suppers with him, but when they saw the entrance to his tent tied up, they knew he wasn't alone. As they were about to turn away and return to their own tents, they heard Ruth calling out Tapp's name in passion several times. They repressed the urge to hoot and catcall, however, knowing that Tapp would kick their arses later if they'd been so foolish as to ruin one of his seductions.
Walking away, Sanders said to Freeman, "Well, I suppose that's one bet that we've just lost."
"I'm afraid you're right, old man," Freeman replied ruefully.
Back inside the tent, Ruth moaned, "It's happening again, Marcus! Move faster!"
As Ruth began to move her head from side to side indicating the immanent approach of her second orgasm, Tapp bore down on her, as his own climax was rapidly drawing near.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, Marcus!" she cried as her climax washed over her, just before she felt him throb within her as he released his seed deep inside of her.
Some of Tapp's hair had come loose from his queue as he looked down on Ruth's contented face in the afterglow of orgasm, tickling her. They both panted raggedly from their efforts, and he remained motionless inside of her as their breathing returned to normal.
"That was wonderful, Marcus," Ruth murmured. "I had no idea it would be this good."
"I aim to please," he rumbled, having greatly enjoyed coupling with Ruth, himself. Despite being a virgin, she had taken to the act like a duck to water and he looked forward to rogering her again, soon and often.
After another moment, Tapp rolled off her, then got up to soak a clean rag with water from his canteen. Handing it to Ruth wordlessly, he soaked another rag, then cleaned himself off before pulling his breeches back on and buttoning them.
A few minutes later, after Ruth had straightened her clothing, she said awkwardly, "I suppose I should go back to my quarters now."
"We haven't had our suppers, yet," Tapp pointed out. "Let me get us each a plate, then I'll walk you back there."
"All right," she said, giggling. "I do have quite an appetite, actually."
Tapp laughed, then said, "It isn't any wonder."
A half hour later, the couple walked back up the path to the main mansion, where she led him to a nondescript door at the back of the structure, which faced the stables.
"This leads to the servants' stairway," she explained as they went through the door.
After climbing the narrow stairway to the third floor, she led him to the first door on the left.
"Would you like to come in?" she asked. "It's not much, but I've got it all to myself."
They entered the cramped room, which boasted a single window. There wasn't much inside: her bed, a dresser, a single chair, and a trunk. There were several pegs on the wall opposite her bed, from which hung her clothing.
Tapp looked down at the bed, which was a bit wider than his cot and looked more comfortable as well.
Following his gaze, Ruth murmured, "Would you like to spend the night? I would like to see how it is doing it without any clothes on."
With a feral grin, Tapp took her into his arms once again. "It would be my pleasure."