Thanks to LovesHistory for her input into this chapter
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Several days after their arrival in Charlestown, Mary Bordon was able to present her idea to her husband. She'd not had the right opportunity before this time, as Colonel Tavington had kept James busy with the setting up of the new command, as well as conferring several times with Lord Rawdon and his aides.
Plus, she'd had to thoroughly mull the idea over in her head, to make sure that this was what she really wanted to do. She'd ruminated almost constantly about it and was now convinced that this was the proper step to take for all concerned. Mary was convinced that the sooner she broached the subject to James, the sooner it could be made into reality.
Her opportunity came one mild day about a week and a half after their arrival. James had been given a rare afternoon off and the couple had decided to go for a walk, as the weather was unusually warm.
As they walked along the shoreline, looking at the ships in the harbour, Mary stopped and leaned against the iron fence. Finally ready to talk, she looked up at her husband and said, "James, I have something I need to discuss with you."
Seeing the serious expression on Mary's face, Bordon lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? What is it?"
"This is something I've thought long and hard about, James," Mary began. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt me until I'm finished."
"All right," he agreed. Indicating a bench nearby, he said, "Why don't we go sit down while you tell me."
After they'd seated themselves, side by side, Mary took a deep breath as she considered how to begin.
"Do you remember a while back when I mentioned adopting a child to you?" Mary asked Bordon. "I've been thinking of that again, more often these days."
Bordon suppressed a sigh, then said, "Don't you think that is a bit premature? We've not been married even a year yet."
"Hear me out," Mary said, her voice sharp with irritation. "Normally, I would have done as you suggested, but then I thought of Ruth. She's unmarried and likely to stay that way. She's a servant, so she'll not be able to properly care for her own child." Grabbing Bordon's hand, she said, "But we could give her child a much better home than it would have had otherwise! We'd be doing Ruth a favour to take the child off her hands! It would be for the best for all concerned, I just know it!"
Bordon looked at her in incredulity, then remained silent for a long moment in order to carefully consider his words. Finally, he spoke.
"I know that your heart is in the right place, Mary," he said slowly. "Truly, it is. But I don't think it is a very good idea for us to attempt to adopt Ruth's child."
"Why ever not?" she demanded. "I think it's the perfect solution."
James Bordon gave in to the sigh this time. "You seem to forget that this baby isn't just Ruth's," he reminded her. "It's also Marcus Tapp's get and you know what kind of a man he is."
"So?" Mary challenged. "It will be an innocent baby who cannot help who his father is. If we adopt him then you will be his father."
"It's not that simple, love," Bordon said patiently. ""As the old saying goes, the acorn doesn't fall from the tree. Blood will out, Mary, and that child has bad blood flowing through its veins. No matter how much we'd try, we can't overcome what is inborn to the child."
"Oh, that's simply nonsense," Mary protested. "You and I will love him and that will make all the difference. I'm also guessing that Marcus Tapp wasn't treated well as a child and that's why he's the way he is. I don't believe that any child is born bad."
"I don't really want to take the chance," Bordon said flatly. "We'd be in for much heartache if that child turns out to be just like his father."
"Please promise me that you'll at least consider it," Mary begged. "That's all I ask."
"I'll think about it, but I can't imagine that Tapp would be too keen on us in particular raising his child, especially if it's a boy," Bordon warned. "I'd not get my hopes up about this if I were you."
"I think if he cared anything at all about his child, he'd have done the right thing and married Ruth," Mary reasoned. "I don't think he's any more concerned with the fate of that child than is a stallion who ruts with a mare."
"You've also not considered how Ruth might feel about it," Bordon pointed out. "For all you know, she might want to keep the child, despite the difficulties."
"I'll persuade her that it's for her own good to give up the child," Mary insisted. "Perhaps Charlotte can make her see reason."
"That might be a good idea to talk to her," Bordon agreed. Privately, he was hoping that the sensible Charlotte Tavington might be able to talk Mary out of this ill-advised notion.
Mary Bordon was not able to discuss the matter with Charlotte for several days, as she'd not been able to catch her without Ruth being around. She wanted to get Charlotte's advice first before even broaching the topic with Ruth. Charlotte knew Ruth best and would likely be able to advise her on how to approach Ruth with her proposal.
One morning, about four days after Mary had first brought up the idea of adoption to her husband, Ruth and Bessie had left the house shortly after breakfast to go get some vegetables for the cook.
No sooner had the two servants left the Tavington home, than Mary slipped into the library where Charlotte sat placidly feeding baby William.
"I need to ask your advice about something," Mary said abruptly as she took a seat opposite the nursing mother.
Charlotte raised an eye at the other woman, as Mary had spent very little time with her since they'd arrived in Charlestown. She sighed audibly, then asked, "What is it, Mary? It sounds important."
"It is," Mary affirmed. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I've been thinking it over for a few weeks, and I've decided I want to adopt a baby."
"Oh?" Charlotte said, frowning. "Don't you think you're being rather premature about this? You should give yourself more time to conceive, I would think."
"Well, you see, I want to adopt Ruth's baby," Mary said, now warming up to the subject. "Don't you see - it would be the best for all concerned. That scoundrel Tapp isn't going to marry Ruth and make an honest woman out of her. And trying to raise that baby on her own will ensure that no other man will want her, either. I'll really be doing her a favour by adopting her baby. I'll be able to give him the life Ruth never will be able to."
"I can't imagine that Ruth would see it quite that way," Charlotte said dryly. "She's given every indication that she wants this baby very much."
"Oh, she'll change her tune rather quickly once the baby comes and she finds out that it's not like playing with a little doll," Mary said dismissively. "Really, I think I know what's best for her."
Charlotte was speechless for a moment, not quite knowing how to respond to Mary's disdain for Ruth. After a long moment, she asked carefully, "What does Captain Bordon think of this idea?"
"He's not overly enthusiastic about the idea," Mary admitted. "He thinks the child will have 'bad blood' because of who his father is." Heaving a loud sigh, she added, "But he did promise to think about it. He didn't categorically say no."
"Perhaps you ought to heed his advice," Charlotte said. "Captain Bordon is usually rather wise."
"I have my heart set on adopting," Mary said doggedly.
"Then perhaps you might consider adopting another child?" Charlotte suggested. "I'm sure there are plenty of orphaned children in Charlestown."
"Perhaps," Mary said, pressing her lips together tightly. "But I would really prefer to adopt Ruth's baby."
"It's your decision what you want to do, of course," Charlotte said noncommittally. "But if I were you, I'd not give up hope just yet about having your own baby. I believe it will happen if you just give it some time."
As she left the library a few minutes later, Mary was not undeterred by Charlotte Tavington's lukewarm reception to her idea. Charlotte simply did not understand how she felt. Indeed, sitting there smugly with her own baby safely at her breast, how could she even begin to comprehend Mary's anguish?
Later that day, Mary Bordon encountered Ruth walking by herself in the second floor corridor. No one else was around: the men had gone to another meeting and Charlotte was downstairs, going over the dinner menu with the cook.
"Ruth, I need to have a word with you, if I may," Mary said as she emerged from her bedroom to confront the young woman. Noting Ruth's wary expression, she said, "It won't take but a few moments."
"All right," Ruth said curtly. "But then I must return to my duties."
"Please, sit down," Mary said a moment later after she'd closed the library door behind them.
Ruth lowered herself to sit stiffly on the edge of a chair opposite the sofa that Mary Bordon had chosen . She was suspicious about what the other woman might want with her, as she'd not spoken more than two words with her ever since she'd been involved with Marcus Tapp.
Taking a deep breath and not quite sure how to proceed, Mary decided to plunge ahead and take the direct approach.
"So, have you given any thought about what you want to do about your baby?" Mary asked bluntly.
"Do about my baby?" Ruth repeated in indignation. "Why, I'll love and take care of him…or her…of course!"
"Have you considered how difficult that will be for an unmarried woman?" Mary pointed out. "As it looks as if the father of your baby has no intention of ever marrying you."
Ruth's eyes narrowed, then she retorted, "I can hardly see where this is any of your concern."
"But I am concerned," Mary said unctuously. "Your baby is innocent and will deserve a good home; one that you cannot afford to give in your present circumstances. You can hardly expect another man to marry you once you have had a child without the benefit of marriage. Why, you will be a pariah, my dear!"
Ruth sat there in open mouthed shock, not knowing just how to respond to the other woman's effrontery.
"Captain Bordon and I are prepared to adopt your child and give him that good home," Mary continued, oblivious to Ruth's reaction. "You have to admit that we can give your child all the advantages in life that you could never even begin to provide. Really, it's the best solution for everyone. Your child will get a loving home and you will be free to find a decent man this time and get married."
"No!" Ruth exclaimed loudly, jumping up from the chair, almost knocking it over. "You can't have my baby! I won't let you take him!"
"Now, now," Mary tutted. "I do think I know better what's right for you and your baby. Your mind is simply clouded with emotion and what is needed here is…"
Mary never got to finish what she was saying, as Ruth stormed from the room and hurried down the stairs. Throwing open the door to the front courtyard, she ran out into the street. She simply had to get away from Mary Bordon as she knew if she'd stayed, she would have ended up attacking the presumptuous woman.
As she closed the iron gate behind her after entering the street, Ruth was frantic. She knew that Mary Bordon would not give up easily with her plans to take the baby - the woman was like a dog with a bone once she got an idea stuck in her head. And though Miss Charlotte had been good to her ever since she'd become pregnant, Ruth also knew that rich people tended to stick together, as they all had the common attitude that they knew better about how to handle everything in life than did their servants or slaves.
"Marcus!" she whispered to herself. Ruth knew she must find Marcus right away and tell him what was going on. She knew that even though he did not want to marry her, he would not want the Bordons to be raising his child, as she knew he especially despised the couple for their high-handed ways.
She hurried down the street to the Powell home, hoping that Marcus would be there. As she knocked on the door to the home a short time later, her heart beat fast in apprehensive anticipation.
The door was opened a moment later by a bald, rawboned infantry sergeant, whose facial expression turned into a leer as he beheld Ruth standing on the doorstep.
"Well, missy, have you come to cheer up some lonely sergeants, eh?" the sergeant said, still grinning. "Come in with you, then."
Hesitating at the door, she looked around him to see if she could see Marcus inside. "I've come to see Sergeant Major Tapp," she explained nervously.
"Ah, well, he's busy right now, if you know what I mean," the sergeant said, winking at her. "You'll have to get in line to see him." Giving her an evil smile, he added, "Maybe I can take care of what you need instead?"
This was what Ruth had been afraid of. Now, feeling helpless and frustrated, she burst out into tears.
As the infantry sergeant gave her a puzzled look, a door behind him opened to reveal a half-dressed Marcus Tapp.
"Ruth?" he called, coming out of the room and closing the door with a decisive click. "What's wrong?" Tapp knew that Ruth would not have come here unless it was something of the utmost urgency, as she'd not sought him out since he'd left her.
Turning to the shorter infantry sergeant, he leaned close and muttered, "Go in there and finish things up for me, would you? I think I'm going to be busy here for awhile."
The other man hastened to comply, not minding that he was getting Tapp's leavings.
Gesturing to a seat by a table, Tapp said, "Have a seat and tell me what it is. I know it has to be something important for you to swallow your pride to come look for me."
Ruth looked up at him, wearing nothing but his breeches and boots and thought of just how well he knew her.
Taking a moment to collect herself, Ruth took a deep breath and cried, 'It's Mistress Bordon! She told me just now that she wants to adopt our baby! She basically said that I wouldn't be fit to take care of him!"
Marcus sat silent for a long moment, his eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he kicked one of the chairs over, breaking one of the legs.
"Damn her and damn her Jack-pudding husband!" Tapp roared. "I promise you, Ruth, that they'll get our child over my dead body!"
Turning back to the door he'd recently come out of, he said. "Wait here for me to get the rest of my clothes. I'm going back with you to let them know in no uncertain terms that I'll never sign the baby over to them. Bloody hell, it's not our problem that Bordon is shooting blanks!'
"No, it isn't!" Ruth agreed vehemently.
Tapp went back into the other room for the rest of his clothes, paying no attention to the rutting couple within, who, in turn, paid no attention to him. Within a moment, he returned to where Ruth waited to finish dressing.
Within moments the two were on their way back to the Tavington home. They walked, as Tapp was furious and knew he needed to walk off at least some of his ire, so that he'd not end up doing anything he might later regret.
As they entered the Tavington's courtyard through the iron gate, they found Bordon and Mary standing outside, as Bordon had just handed off his horse to a waiting servant.
"Captain Bordon, I need to have a word with you," Tapp growled as he stalked right up to his superior officer.
Bordon turned to look at the irate Sergeant Major and expelled a supercilious sigh. Mary had just told him what she'd suggested to Ruth a short time before, so he had a very good idea of what was bothering the lean sergeant. Bordon was a bit put out at Mary for broaching the topic with Ruth without his permission, but there was no way he'd let Tapp know that. It was better to appear like a united front.
"I suppose we'd best settle this now," Bordon agreed in a tight voice.
"You're damned right we're going to settle this now," Tapp roared, moving closer to the more powerfully built man.
Ruth stood close behind Marcus, proud that he was defending her, as it indicated that he felt more for her than he'd even admit to himself. But she prayed that he'd not go too far and end up being broken down in rank.
"Get this through your thick skull right now," Tapp continued, his ire only building. "There's no way in hell that I'd ever allow the two of you to raise any child of mine." Sneering disdainfully, he added, "It's not my problem or Ruth's problem if you're not man enough to give your woman a bellyful."
With an evil grin, he turned his pale blue eyes on Mary Bordon, who shrunk back from him in revulsion. "I'm surprised Bordon didn't come to me to ask me to cover her to get the job done right," he thought to himself. "But I'd not have done that either, as the woman looks too much like the mares her first husband raised." Tapp laughed out loud at this private thought.
Bordon glared at Tapp, seething in controlled anger. "And you're not man enough to marry Ruth and take responsibility for her condition," Bordon shot back. "We only wanted what's best for the child and us adopting him would have been for the best for the two of you as well."
"Don't give me any of that bloody tripe!" Tapp roared. "Whether or not I marry Ruth, is none of the bleedin' business of any Jack-pudding fop like you! Your lot thinks that those of us in the ranks aren't clever enough to even wipe our own arses without your help. You don't have any bloody idea at all what is best for either one of us." Chuckling malevolently, he said, "You'd have done better instead to seek my advice on just how get your bleedin' wife pregnant!"
Bordon lost all control at that point. His huge right fist shot out to knock down the insolent sergeant major, but Tapp had anticipated this and nimbly moved out of his way. Bordon was more powerful than Tapp, but Marcus Tapp was more agile than the other man.
But no sooner had he balled his own fist, than it was caught from behind and held fast by Colonel Tavington. Captain Wilkins, likewise, had stepped between him and Bordon to keep Bordon from throwing another punch.
"What is the meaning of this?" William Tavington thundered. "I come home from a hard day's work to find two of my best men brawling like rebels…" His voice trailed off.
Tapp spoke up first, "The Bordons, here, want to take Ruth's child away from her when it's born to raise it as their own. And I won't have it!"
Tavington raised an eyebrow at this. He knew that Mary Bordon had been obsessed lately with having a child, so Tapp's words rung true to him.
"Is this true, Bordon?" Tavington asked in exasperation. He'd told Bordon before to get his wife in hand before it interfered with his duties.
"We thought we'd be doing Ruth a favour by giving the child a good home," Bordon explained.
Tavington held up a hand to let Bordon know he had the story now. "You and I will talk this over in further detail after dinner, Captain," he said curtly. Turning to Marcus Tapp, he said, "You would have done better to bring this matter to me, instead of confronting Captain Bordon directly. Go back to your quarters and I will handle the matter."
"Yes, sir," Tapp said, giving Tavington a crisp salute.
Turning away from the Colonel, he took Ruth's hand and said in a low voice, "You're staying with me tonight." He wanted to make sure that Ruth would be safe until things calmed down a bit at the Tavington household.
Ruth nodded, following Tapp without a word.
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Historical note: "Jack pudding" is a derogatory term for an officer used by those of the lower ranks.
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