Several weeks later
Early one cold December morning, Ruth shivered as Marcus slipped naked from under the covers to shave and dress for the day. She stretched and yawned as she avidly watched him dress, then comb out his long dark hair before neatly arranging it into a queue.
As he began to shave in sure, quick strokes, Ruth leaned over the side of the bed and pulled from the floor the shift she'd hastily discarded the night before. She sighed as she continued to watch him go about his morning routine.
Their relationship had proceeded quickly, with him essentially moving in with her after the first week, spending nearly every night with her. Ruth smiled to herself as he donned his bearskin helmet, knowing now that she was hopelessly in love with Marcus Tapp.
The young woman had spent many recent afternoons daydreaming about the wedding she hoped to have with him. Ruth knew it was rather early in their relationship for him to propose, but she could not wait until that day happened.
As she moved to get up, Marcus told her, "Don't get up; you can sleep another hour at least before going up to the Tavingtons. It's still pretty cold out." He walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss her thoroughly, then murmured, 'I wish I could get back into bed with you and warm you up a bit, but I've got to conduct that damned inspection today. I've heard talk that we'll be sent out before too long to go chase that damned Daniel Morgan."
"I'm not looking forward to leaving the fort," she said. "I quite like it here."
"It'll happen sooner or later," Tapp told her. "Once we push into North Carolina, they'll move us all. And I'm thinking it will be soon. We're overdue for a major battle."
Giving her one last kiss, he said, "Go back to sleep. I'll see you later."
And with no further ado, Marcus Tapp left their cramped quarters and headed down the stairs.
After Tapp left, Ruth snuggled back under the covers, hugging his pillow to herself, while breathing in his scent. It became apparent after a few moments, however, that she wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
William Tavington lingered longer in bed that morning with Charlotte than did Marcus Tapp with Ruth. Such was the privilege of rank. Eventually, however, he rose quite reluctantly from the pleasures of his bed.
"I suppose I should put it in an appearance and get some work today," he said lazily. "I'm quite grateful, however, that the Lord General did not schedule today's meeting until ten."
"Go ahead," she said, as she stood by the side of the bed fastening her dressing gown over her flannel shift. "Ruth will be along shortly to help me dress."
"Perhaps she won't be late this morning," Tavington observed sourly. "You should really reprimand her for being late so often."
"You remember how it was when you and I first got together, don't you?" Charlotte told him, smiling. "As I recall, both of us were late for appointments several times."
"You're much too kind," Tavington growled. "I'd not put up with it for a moment." Softening slightly, he said, "And, yes, I fondly remember those early days together with you."
"As do I," Charlotte murmured. "I'll never forget Ruth walking in on us asleep after the first night we spent together."
Tavington chuckled at the memory, then said, "As much as I hate to go, I dare not be late for the Lord General's meeting. I need to confer with Bordon and Wilkins beforehand, so I'd best get ready to go."
About fifteen minutes later, Tavington left, having promised to meet Charlotte for the noon meal later on.
After he left, Charlotte reclined on the sofa with a Fanny Burney novel as she waited for Ruth to arrive. Time flew by quickly and before she knew it, she'd completed an entire chapter. Looking up at the clock mounted on the wall, she realized that William had been gone for over an hour.
Feeling quite put out by now, she muttered to herself, "Where is that girl? She'd better not be lying in bed with Marcus Tapp!"
Not willing to wait any longer, she went back to the bedroom and threw on a pair of front-lacing jumps over her shift, then slipped on a bed gown and petticoat. After quickly stuffing her feet into a pair of mules, she pulled the door open to the corridor, intent on seeing just what was keeping her maid. She strode quickly down the hallway to find the narrow stairway to the third floor where Ruth's quarters were.
Charlotte mounted the steps slowly, ungainly in pregnancy. She paused for a moment to catch her breath when she reached Ruth's door. Just as she lifted her hand to knock, she heard the unmistakeable sound of retching coming from inside the room.
Not bothering to knock, she rushed in and found Ruth still in her shift, heaving up into the chamber pot The cramped room stank from a mixture of vomit and sex, and the older woman wrinkled her nose in distaste as she stepped inside.
"Are you all right, Ruth?" Charlotte asked her. "I became worried when you never came downstairs."
Looking distinctly green as she glanced up from the pot, Ruth said, "I'm sorry, Miss Charlotte. When I was about to get dressed, I started feeling queasy, so I laid back down for a few minutes to see if that would make me feel better. I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been feeling like this every morning this week so far."
"Oh, dear," Charlotte tutted. "I was afraid this would happen. How long has it since you had your last monthly."
"Not for a couple of months, now," Ruth said, realization suddenly dawning on her about what Charlotte was getting at. "You don't think…"
"Oh, yes, I do think," Charlotte said severely. "I would say that you are most likely with child." After a pause, she cried, "Ruth, how could you be so careless!"
Ruth did not reply, because her mind had gone elsewhere, With a dreamy smile on her face, she went to sit on the side of the bed, as she took in the idea that she was likely carrying Marcus' child. Surely, they would marry now! She could hardly wait to tell him the good news.
"I must find Marcus and tell him he's to be a father," she said, smiling. "Perhaps we'll be able to get married right away!"
"I wouldn't get your hopes up too much," Charlotte said carefully. "From what William and Captain Bordon have said about him, Sergeant Major Tapp isn't the marrying kind. He's trifled with the affections of more than one woman from what I've been told."
Waving a dismissive hand, Ruth said, "It's different with us. It wasn't just a single tumble in the hay. We've been together almost constantly since the end of October. Marcus just needed to find the right woman." Hastily pulling on her clothes, she added, "And I know Marcus will make a wonderful father. I just know it."
Charlotte sighed loudly at Ruth's naïveté. "Well, you certainly must tell him at least and give him the chance to do the right thing," Charlotte conceded. "But perhaps you should wait until noon to do so. He might not care to be interrupted from his duties. I would imagine that a Sergeant Major has quite a bit to do during the day."
"Nonsense," the other woman said. "I'm sure he'll want to know right away."
Charlotte rolled her eyes, then said, "At least you need to come downstairs and help me dress properly before you go."
"All right, Miss Charlotte," Ruth said contritely. "I'm sorry, I forgot my duty."
"I quite understand," Charlotte said. "I well remember when I first realized I was with child."
A little more than a half hour later, Ruth hastened down to the parade ground where Marcus was conducting his inspection of the enlisted men and their equipment. She hesitated for a moment under a tree, taking pleasure from watching him walk up and down the ranks of the men under his supervision.
After a long moment, she continued on towards her lover. Just before she reached him, he grabbed the carbine of a nervous young dragoon and barked, "You buggering sod! This carbine is so dirty I'd not be surprised if it blew up in your face if you tried to use it. Ten lashes!"
He turned to move on to the next rank when he realized Ruth was there. Irritated that she'd interrupted him from his duty, he demanded, "What is it, Ruth? Couldn't it have waited until noon. Can't you see I'm busy?"
Somewhat put off by his manner, she said quietly, "It's very important or else I'd not have disturbed your work."
"All right," he said, leading her away from the men. As they walked over to a tree, the men laughed and he heard one man say, "Look at that, will yeh? That little lady is gelding Tapp."
Making a half turn, Tapp growled at the offender. "Shut your filthy gob unless you want to be cleaning the bloody jakes with your tongue!"
The men quieted immediately and Tapp turned back to Ruth, who was beginning to think she should have taken Miss Charlotte's advice about waiting to tell her news. But she was here now, so there was nothing for it.
"Marcus," Ruth said, looking up into his eyes, trembling just a little. "I'm…I'm with child!" She gave him a hopeful smile.
Marcus Tapp did not say a word for a long moment. Stunned by the news, he turned to look away from her.
"Marcus?" Ruth was concerned with his silence.
After a long moment, he turned back to her and said hurriedly, "I have to get back to work. The Colonel wants this inspection done before noon."
The tall dragoon turned away and began striding back to the parade ground without another word.
"Marcus?" Ruth called. "Didn't you hear me?"
"I heard you," he said laconically and continued walking away. "I'll talk with you later."
Ruth stared after him, open mouthed with shocked surprise at his less than warm reception to the news. Finally, she gathered herself up and hurried back to the big house, with a lump forming in her throat.
She hurried back up to the Tavingtons' quarters, where she fortunately found Charlotte Tavington still by herself,
Noticing the stricken expression on Ruth's face, she indicated a chair, then asked, "Did it not go well?"
"No," she said miserably. "No, it didn't."
"What did he say?" the older woman inquired.
"That's just it," Ruth replied. "He didn't say anything! He just told me he had to go back to work and walked away from me!"
"Perhaps it wasn't the best time or place to tell him?" Charlotte speculated. "He may have been so surprised he didn't know what to say?"
"Maybe," Ruth admitted. "And perhaps he didn't want to talk about it in front of the other men." Sighing mournfully, she said, "I should have listened to you and waited until we were alone to tell him."
"I do know what I'm talking about sometimes," the other woman said ruefully.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Ruth said, "I don't know what I'm going to do if he doesn't want to marry me."
"William can order him to marry you," Charlotte said decisively. "But I think you should wait to see what he says before resorting to that."
"You're right," Ruth said. "I love Marcus dearly, but I don't want him to marry just because he's been ordered to do so. I want him to want to marry me because he loves me."
"Your baby will need its father," Charlotte told her. "Even if he doesn't want to get married, he could learn to love you as your marriage went on."
"Or he could learn to hate me for trapping him," Ruth countered bitterly. "I just don't know what to do Miss Charlotte!"
At that moment the door opened to admit William Tavington. Looking at the upset expressions on both his wife's face and her maid's, he demanded "What's wrong?"
Before Ruth could protest, Charlotte blurted out, "I'm afraid Ruth is with child."
"That's not surprising," Tavington snorted. "As much time as you've been spending with the Sergeant Major, I'm not surprised it didn't happen sooner." Turning to regard Ruth with an unsympathetic gaze, he added, "Have you told Tapp yet?"
After Ruth nodded, he demanded "And? What did he say?"
"He didn't say much of anything, really," Ruth admitted. "He just told me he had to get back to work. It doesn't appear as if he's very happy about the news."
"That doesn't surprise me, either, knowing what I do of the man," Tavington said sourly.
Ruth withered under Tavington's hard glare, but didn't say anything.
"I told you to leave well enough alone, but you chose not to listen," Tavington growled. "Now you're seeing the truth of my words."
"Can you not order him to marry Ruth?" Charlotte asked anxiously.
"I could, but I won't," Tavington snapped back. "He's too valuable to me as Sergeant Major for me to meddle into his personal life in such a manner." After a pause, he added, "And there's the small fact that he did not ravish Ruth, but she associated freely with him. You bear as much responsibility for this, Ruth, as he does, if not more."
"He did say he'd come by to talk with me about it later," Ruth said miserably. "Perhaps he'll want to do the right thing once he's had time to think about it."
"Perhaps," Tavington agreed. "But I wouldn't seriously count on that if I were you."
Pacing back and forth for a long moment, he finally said, "And the fact of you being with child without the benefit of marriage presents another problem. You are Mistress Tavington's maid and she is within two months of giving birth herself. How do you intend to properly carry out your duties and obligations to her when you are heavy with child yourself and without the support of the child's father? I am seriously considering discharging you from our employ so that we might find a maid who can properly keep her mind on her duties."
"Oh, no, William!" Charlotte cried. "Please reconsider! Ruth and I have been through so much together. I could not bear to lose her, especially at this time, so close to my confinement."
Softening at his wife's entreaties he murmured, "I never can refuse you."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Several hours later, Ruth was beside herself with worry. Marcus did not return to share the noon meal with her and now it was dinnertime and she'd not seen any sign of him. She'd spent the afternoon with Miss Charlotte making baby clothes for her baby this time. Miss Charlotte said they'd already made plenty of clothes for her baby and that there was more than sufficient material left over to make clothes for the baby Ruth would bear Marcus Tapp.
She'd returned to her own quarters shortly before dinnertime, hoping to find Marcus waiting for her. Disappointed to find the room empty, she put away the baby clothes she and Miss Charlotte had managed to make in the space of an afternoon. Deciding to wait awhile for him to return, Ruth paced the small room, then moved out into the hall to have more room to pace. The young woman stood at the small window at the end of the corridor by the stairs that looked out over the path that led to the tent encampment. Still, though, she didn't see any sign of him.
Eventually, hunger won out and Ruth couldn't wait any longer for him. If she was going to have supper, she needed to go now while they were still serving. After she'd finished eating, she'd still not seen him, so she trudged dejectedly back to her room to continue to wait.
Finally, as it was getting dusk, she couldn't stand it any longer. Grabbing her shawl, she left her cramped room and hurried down the narrow staircase. Her heart pounding, she headed toward Marcus' tent to see what was wrong. As she approached the edge of the tent encampment, she heard the sounds of raucous laughter, both male and female, coming from the other side of Marcus' tent.
Before she reached his tent, she heard Marcus' guttural voice calling out, "When Marcus is up, he's up like an animal!" This was immediately followed by the sound of feminine giggling. Ruth recognized that tone of voice. In her experience, Marcus' voice always took on a particularly guttural quality the more he was aroused.
A lump in her throat joined Ruth's pounding heart as she peered around the corner of the tent and saw a half-drunk Marcus with two women on his lap. Molly was sitting on his right leg, with her bodice gaping open with no stays underneath, and a woman Ruth didn't know was on the other leg, her petticoats rucked up to her waist. He had one hand down Molly's shift and the other between the other woman's legs. Both women had a hand each down the front of his breeches, fondling him.
Ruth inhaled sharply as if she'd just been slapped. She stared dumbly for a long moment, not quite able to process what her eyes were seeing. As she felt the tears welling up, she turned sharply and ran away, with the three revellers never having realized she was there.
The distraught young woman stumbled blindly away from the tent encampment, wanting to be anywhere but there right now. Not really looking where she was going, she tripped over a large tree root right in front of the stairway to the Bordon's quarters and sprawled in the grass.
Once back in her cramped room, Ruth threw herself down on the bed which still bore strong traces of Marcus' scent. She broke out into loud, gulping sobs as her mind replayed the scene of her betrayal over and over. After grabbing the pillow he'd last used, she rocked back and forth as she cradled it.
Eventually her tears subsided into occasional sniffles as she looked up at the ceiling and contemplated her predicament. Ruth's heart ached because she realized that, despite it all, she still loved Marcus dearly. And she knew one thing: that no matter what happened between her and Marcus, she wanted their baby fiercely.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Author's Note: Marcus Tapp's line, "When Marcus is up, he's up like an animal!" was borrowed directly from "Sharpe's Company", where Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill says the very same thing (using his own first name, of course!). In both instances, it is pure sexual innuendo. I couldn't resist borrowing a bit of Obadiah to use with Tapp in this chapter.
"Jakes" is eighteenth century slang for "outhouse".