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The morning of our departure to Middleton place arrived and with it emotions of excitement mixed with dread. I would have to spend the entire evening with the Colonel. I opened my eyes and rolled over. The colonel was standing once again by the window continuing to read War horse. "Colonel do you insist on being in here every morning?" He looked up from the book at the sound of my voice.
"Yes." He said matter of factly "I brought what you need for the ball." I looked around the room and my eyes landed on a big box on the desk with what looked like a shoe box and red rose atop it. "I hope it is to your liking?" I stood up out of the bed and headed over to the desk. I heard the footsteps of the Colonel as he drew nearer to me. They stopped as he stood directly behind me, I could feel his body heat. I removed the rose smelling it, then the shoe box. My hand hovered over the cover of the bigger box dreading that it might be a hideous dress or even pink. I sighed, better to rip off the band aide now then. Slowly I opened the lid. I gasped as I had revealed an emerald green ball gown with detailed beading. It was gorgeous and exactly what I would have picked myself. A/N: picture of dress on my profile
"Colonel!" I pulled out the dress and held it against my frame and turned to him smiling almost bumping into him. "This is….I….. I have never worn something so gorgeous in my life." He smiled at me. "Honestly I was dreading that it would be pink." His hand rose and he twisted a lock of my hair in his finger. Eyes filled with longing. I took a step back which seemed to bring him back to reality.
"Green suits you better." There was a knock at the door and Margaret entered with a tray of food. " I leave you to pack, we should be on our way soon." As he walked out the door I put the dress back in the box.
"Don't think this changes anything Colonel." I said coldly, as he was walking out the door.
Gathering what I needed with the help of Margaret, time passed quickly and before I knew it Colonel Tavington was back ready to escort me down to the carriage where Mary was smiling next to the carriage ready for the trip to Middleton place. He helped both of us into the carriage.
"I shall see you when we arrive, Anastasia." He said smoothly picking up my hand and kissing it before closing the door and walking away. Cornwallis, O'hara, Mary and I were leaving an hour or so before the Dragoons so we would be arriving at different times. This would at least give me some time away from him and clear my head of and confusing thoughts and feelings that I have for him. The Carriage started to move and we were off. I couldn't help thinking how much shorter this trip would be if a car were available. Mary and I chatted the entire way and she told me of her life in England and what she liked about being in america. She apparently enjoyed being here very much except she stated she could do without the war. We passed through a set of gates and I looked out the window as Middleton Place came into view. It was extraordinary. Even more beautiful than the history books stated. I turned to Mary excitedly. "This is going to be so much fun! I don't even care that I have to go with Tavington!" Mary grasped my hand and smiled back at me as the carriage came to a halt in front of the steps.
"We should get ready together!" We both said at the same time excitedly. The carriage door opened revealing a foot man who helped the both of us out of the carriage. This will be like the prom I never went to except a lot more extravagant. We were led into the mansion and sent our separate ways to our rooms. It seemed like they prepared my room in the wing where the Green Dragoons would be staying under orders of Tavington or Cornwallis I did not know. Once in my room I made my way over to the window looking out over the garden. It was beautiful there was even a ship in the water preparing to dock. I turned away from the window for a moment before spinning back quickly staring at the ship."THE SHIP!" I had forgotten about that. I know you're not supposed to be changing things in the past but this could save many lives. I could not just stand there and watch it happen. I started to hear the voices of some of the dragoons making their way to their assigned lodgings. I ran out of the room and straight into Wilkin's chest whose arms came out to stop me from toppling backwards. "OH Thank God it's you!" He gave me a curious look.
"Are you alright Miss Mckenzie? You look like you've seen a ghost." He said in his thick southern accent.. He dropped his arms from me once I was steady on my feet.
"No… I mean Yes… I need to speak with Colonel urgent." I said panickingly while I looked around hoping to spot Tavington.
"It's something you know because of where you're from. Isn't it?" He said as understanding washed over him.
"Yes, please tell me where he is Captain." I said hurriedly. Looking around still as more of the Dragoons arrived.
"He has a meeting with the General's in ten minutes. The room is on the first floor down the hall from the opposite staircase that we used. You may be able to catch him if you are in a hurry if this truly can not wait until after the meeting."
"Indeed it can not Captain. Thank you." I rushed off following the directions Wilikins had given me. As I turned down the hallway I was stopped by two guards. "Please let me pass. I need to speak to Colonel Tavington immediately. It's extremely important." They didn't move and began to laugh.
"What important things would a woman have to say to a man? There's only one thing." Their eyes raked over my body. I became angry at their insinuation. "The Colonel's whore." They kept laughing.
"Move aside!" I tried to push passed them but one of them pushed me back and I fell with a soft thud on the floor. As I rose from the ground I saw the man I was looking for emerge from a door further down the hall. His expression cold as ice as he approached the small group. "Colonel! » I called out to him and immediately the two guards moved aside and saluted him.
"What is the meaning of this?" He said as he looked at me. But before I could respond one of the guards spoke.
"She was trying to get past us. Said she needed to speak with you." His head snapped over to the one who spoke.
"Well then, private do you care to explain why exactly you didn't let her through? » both guards were speechless and Tavington turned his gaze upon me « As you were." They went back into position as he grabbed my arm gently leading me out of ear shot to a nook in the wall. I was standing inside and he put a hand against the wall just above my shoulder. As I looked up into his eyes those pesky feelings I had tried to squash started to bubble to the surface and I resisted yet another urge to kiss him. Nothing good would come of it and i still wasn't sure if he was playing me."What is it Anastasia? I'm in a bit of a hurry?" he cocked his eyebrow quizzically. I noticed his eyes quickly flick down to my lips and back like he was also resisting the urge to kiss me. The desire between us at that moment was growing almost to an unbearable degree.
"I….um….I need to speak with you about tonight. I remembered something." I said quickly and quite nervously. I felt my hands clamming up.
"Stasi…" he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "The ball can wait. I have more important things to worry about." He ground out. Whether his frustration was with me or the situation that he deemed more important at the moment I could not tell. Regardless, I would still tread carefully tonight. He pushed off from the wall as he was being called into the meeting. "Remember to have fun tonight." he said as he pushed aside the frustration for a brief second flashing me a smile before he started to walk off.
"Colonel" He turned back to me for a moment. "Send more men to the ship than you think you will need; they will have to move quickly." He didn't have the time to question what I meant. He nodded and left me where I was standing. I turned and headed to go back to my room passing the guards.
"Who are you to meddle in the affairs of men missy?" they sneered laughingly. My blood boiled. They must have heard that last bit.
"Oh fuck off." I said as I passed them.
"Ohh Not very lady like." I ignored them and continued on my way.
A few hours passed until it was time to get ready for the ball! Approaching Mary's door I knocked and it was opened by one of the servants. Entering I was followed by Margaret who carried my gown. I smiled at Mary who embraced me in a warm hug before taking a step back and collapsing her hands together excitedly. "Are you as excited as I am for this ball, Anastasia? It's been far too long since I attended one." I turned and put down my shoes.
"Not particularly, but that has more to do with who is escorting me. Although he did tell me to have fun regardless. That man confuses me to no end. Since I've been here he has been for the most part an arse. His behavior has been different toward me the past week. Almost gentlemanly. Like he feels for me. » I took my hair down and Margaret started to brush it. "Thank you Mary for letting me borrow such a beautiful dress for this evening. It's absolutely gorgeous!" Mary put down her blush and smiled broadly at me.
"It's not one of mine. Green doesn't suit me. And can't you tell when a man is falling for you." I furrowed my brow in confusion.
"Falling for me?! No he can't be Mary » I stood up and Margaret stopped brushing my hair. I opened the box and ran my hand over the fabric.
"I assure you he is. I can always tell these things. Why else would He have come to me the other day and asked me my opinion for your dress. it's not a coincidence that it matches his uniform." She continued to apply her makeup. she laughs with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"But Mary…" I was still confused. " The Dragoons went on a raid the day before we left didn't they? He couldn't have had the time to get a dress." I slipped out of the dress I was wearing already in the finest under clothes I would ever wear.
"They did not." The twinkle in her eye remained. "The Dragoons made a trip to Charleston to purchase whatever they might be in need of." My eyes widened and I sat back down gripping the back of the chair looking at the floor.
"Mary….." I looked up at her as Margaret started to pin up my hair. "Are you saying that Tavington purchased everything that i needed for tonight? I thought he didn't have much money because of his father." I stared at Mary.
"Yes Anastasia, I believe that is exactly what he did. And i have heard that his father is precisely the reason he does not spend his wages on much of anything except for the necessities but even that the army provides most of what he could need. I'd say he could have quite the considerable sum." We silently finished getting ready for the ball. I thought deeply about this new information that Mary had given me.
There was a knock on the door that pulled me out of my thoughts. The door opened revealing the same man that had helped Mary and I out of the carriage. "It's time my ladies." He bowed and retreated down the hall. Making sure everything was in place, Mary and I headed out of her room to the foyer. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Tavington. He was standing with his back to the stairs, his eyes landing on me as he turned when he heard the sound of us descending. He smiled brightly and offered his hand to me as I reached the bottom of the stairs. "You look as stunning as ever Miss Mckenzie." His voice was pure kissed the back of my hand and I couldn't help but blush smiling back at him. As we walked to the dining hall I leaned in closer to him.
"I know what you did for me, Colonel." He turned his head and looked at me arching his eyebrow.
"Do you now?" he smirked. "And what is it I did exactly Miss Mickenzie?" We entered the dining hall and we took our seats, the Colonel pulling out my chair for me and pushing it back in.
"Yes, and you really didn't have to spend money on me. I would have been fine with a borrowed dress. Although I appreciate it all the more." Others entered the dining hall on either side of us sat Tavington's two captains. Borden with his wife Sarah while Wilkin's date remained a mystery. The rest of the empty seats around us filled with what seemed to be single ladies. Some of them giggled behind their fans while looking at Colonel Tavington, while others glared at me.
This did not go unnoticed by the Colonel who discreetly grabbed my hand under the table, leaned in and whispered it to my ear. "Pay them no attention. I don't in an hour or two they will be attempting to get the attention of my men. Except one...regretfully" I turned and looked at him as he straightened and followed his narrowed gaze.
"Colonel Tavington, It came as quite a shock when i didn't receive word from you asking me to attend tonight's festivities with you." A woman around my height with long blonde hair and brown eyes said from across the table as she sat down. Briefly her eyes darted over to me and narrowed before turning to the lady to her right and starting a conversion. The woman who Wilkins had brought was sitting next to me. She leaned in making me slightly uncomfortable.
"You must ignore Katherine, She just wishes she could have his attention. Not once has the Colonel asked her to join him for any festivities. Nor should he." She laughed. "She acts so entitled because she's the daughter of the second richest tobacco merchant in the south and the rest of them follow her around like lost puppies." She straightened back up and I smiled at her. "My name is Regina." I glanced at Tavington who was in deep conversation with Borden about some tactics. "I haven't seen you in society before and you don't sound like you are from around these parts." our glasses were filled simultaneously by waiters and a moment later dinner was served. Salad was placed in front of each of us.
"I'm Anastasia Mckenzie, and no you wouldn't have. I arrived here from New York. That in itself is a long story that I'd rather not go into, but my family hails from Scotland." I glanced at Tavington's hands to see which of the 3 sets of forks I was supposed to use. I followed suit, picking up the fork furthest from the plate.
"She doesn't even know what utensil to use." I heard Kathrine scoff. "Where did he find her anyway… a barn." The ladies around her started laughing.
"Wait! Do you mean to tell me you are part of the clan Mckenzie?" She exclaimed. Tavington looked at me. Looking at me curiously a slight warning in his eyes.
"Careful Stasi..." He whispered warningly in my ear only loud enough for only me to hear. Katherine glaring at me. I placed my hand on his arm and smiled. This seemed to anger Kathrine even more.
"Yes, The current Clan leader Francis Mckenzie is my distant uncle. My father and he had a falling out when I was just a babe. My mother died shortly after I was born. He took me here to america. My father raised me on a farm in New York where he and his new wife died two years ago now. My uncle had sent one of the distant cousins to bring me back to Scotland. He decided that he would stay here a few months instead of getting right back on the ship. But then the war started and cousin Jaime could never resist a fight. Or so I'm told." I took several bites of my meal as did Regina. Kathrine looked up from her meal
"Anastasia, no one is going to believe a word of what you said. Except maybe being raised on a farm. Honestly you look like a cow." She laughed nastily. The girls around her followed suit.
Tavington's expression became hard. "Kathrine I would choose your next words carefully." Kathrine's smile vanished instantly under the deadly look that Tavington gave her. Dinner ended and every one made their way to the ballroom. We had just picked up a drink when O'hara approached us.
"You look lovely tonight Miss Mckenzie." I smiled in return graciously curtseying in thanks. "Colonel, the general and I need a quick word." The colonel nodded and stepped away with the Generals. Kathrine took this opportune moment to approach me.
"Miss Mckenzie, what do you even think you are doing here? You know you don't belong here or with him." She hissed. "Besides, I heard he is only escorting you tonight because the Lord General commanded him to. How does that feel to know that he didn't choose to be here with you. I don't know how you even received an invite. Like I said you don't belong here. Where did you get such a hideous dress anyway? It's obvious that you couldn't afford anything decent and had to show up in rags." Tavington was approaching us with that icy stare of his focused on Kathrine. "Colonel." She curtsied. "I was just apologizing for my rude behavior at dinner." I laughed.
"Oh Katherine….. Bless your heart." She looked confused and walked back to her group of chittering daisies.
Colonel Tavington extended his hand. "May I have this dance Miss Mckenzie?" I took his hand and he led me away to where several others including Mary as well as Borden,his wife and several other of the dragoons were dancing with their ladies. I was nervous as I did not know many of the dances of the time. I relaxed slightly as the song ended and a new one began. It was a simple Waltz. I placed my hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand and he began to lead the dance. As we moved around the dance floor I began to get lost in the moment and in his eyes. Everything melted away and it was just him and I as we stared into eachothers eyes. Butterflies rose in my stomach as he continued to lead me and his eyes held a look of adoration and longing. And damn it a desire of my own that I did not want to be there started burning within me as well as several other feelings that I had tried to squash since arriving here. The music stopped and we stood still unable to step away from each other. His eyes shifted focus on to my lips and I found myself wanting nothing more than for him to kiss me right then and there. We were returned to reality when Kathrine approached us.
"Colonel, My dance card seems rather empty would you care to remedy that?" She smiled fanning herself flirtatiously. Colonel Tavington looked her up and down with an icy stare.
"No, I would not Miss McMullen." He scoffed at her.
"You need to learn that it's never going to happen Kathrine."
"You need to learn your place Mckenzie." she sneered and walked away returning to her entourage. They all began giggling. I assumed over some lie she had made up. Over the next few hours we danced a few more times. Each dance became more heated and intense between us until the party moved out into the gardens and we walked around chatting politely with many of the other guests. Kathrine I had noticed had managed to never be too far away.
"THE SHIP!" someone shouted down by the water. "IT'S ON FIRE!" The Colonel and I turned on our way back up the path just in time to see the sails go up in flames. I threw back my drink.
I spoke only loud enough for the Colonel to hear. "Well at least it didn't…" I never had the chance to finish my sentence as there was a loud boom that echoed across the water. I squeezed my eyes shut as a smaller explosion went off. "Shit." Tavington Glared at me and grabbed my wrist tightly pulling me away from the party. "Let go!" He just looked over his shoulder at me, his expression cold. Several of the women including Kathrine who didn't know what was going on saw us leaving and stared at us either jealousy or in Katherine's case furiously. Once we were around the corner he let go of my wrist and pinned me against the wall by my waist. The alcohol combined with the romantic atmosphere of the evening and the feelings I had refused to admit had me wanting to do more than just kiss him in that moment.
"What the bloody hell Anastasia!" He said through gritted teeth. His fingers dug into my waist. I wish he was doing that while….. My thoughts were interrupted. "Why did you not inform me about the explosion?" His eyes were hard and cold. All hints of warmth from throughout the evening had vanished. Anger flashed in my eyes and I pushed him away from me.
'I'm going back to the party." He grabbed me and spun me so I was once again between him and the wall. This time though I was facing the wall and his body was pressed against mine holding me there. Honestly this time i was kinda enjoying it. I have to be either drunk or I'm going insane. There was no telling. I could quite honestly be insane and this whole thing is a figment of my imagination. "I tried to tell you when you arrived but you would not even give me the time of day. At least you got everything off the ship for the most part and no one got hurt." I growled and wiggled against him trying to get him to release me. Which he did a few moments later and stepped away from me. I turned and I saw a new emotion in his eyes. "Now if you don't mind i' returning to the party with or without you to enjoy the rest of my evening. I mean you did tell me to have fun tonight, and I was up until now." I pushed by him and continued on my way back to the part leaving Tavington where he stood. I grabbed a glass of wine as a waiter passed me. As I took a sip of it Kathrine approached me. Great what does this bitch want now. I threw back the rest of my glass as she stopped in front of me.
"Where has the Colonel gone, I wonder?" She said Mockingly. "My guess is that he had enough of your pathetic existence for one night and has found better company elsewhere?" She laughed. I'm surprised that he made it through dinner but that must have been because there was more pleasant company he could distract himself with." I've had enough of her. I pulled back my fist, aiming at her face and let it fly through the air. Only to be stopped by a man's hand wrapping around my fist. Which was followed by a familiar voice.
"Stasi! Dont..." His voice was a low rumble in my ear as he stood next to me, his hand still wrapped around mine in mid air.
"Thank you Colonel for saving me from this pathetic waste of space." She fanned herself flirtatiously. I lunged at her but tavingtons arms wrapped around my waist pulling me back. I glared at her from Tavington's hold.
"She isn't worth it Stasi." His voice once again in my ear. "I have something for you." he said a bit louder so Kathrine heard.
"But you already gave me this beautiful dress." I turned my head and our lips almost brushed against each other. Kathrine watching the entire exchange. He let go of me and reached into his pocket as his hand rose to my eye level he opened his fist. Hanging from his fingers was a silver necklace with a single teardrop emerald. It wasn't large nor was it particularly small. It was perfect.
"William!" I gasped, a smile spreading across my face. Take that Kathrine. He stepped behind me and placed it around my neck "It's absolutely beautiful. Don't you think so Kathrine?" She huffed and stormed off. I turned to face him and took a step back not realizing that he was still standing so close. "You really didn't have to get me this Colonel. And your timing is impeccable. My guess is that neither of us will have to deal with her anymore." He laughed.
"One could only hope Miss Mckenzie." He took my hand and kissed it as Kathrine and her empty headed bimbos. "Don't take this lightly, miss Mckenzie as i do not do this often. I apologize for earlier. You did in fact try to warn me about the attack on the ship."
"It's fine Colonel. No harm done." I picked up a drink as we passed a waiter with a tray of glasses. I took a sip and tried to hide a face of slight disgust. "I'd much rather be drinking Tequila than wine." Colonel Tavington let out a laugh. I had found that over the course of the night I had become more comfortable with the man and had been truly enjoying myself.
"I believe I can't help you there." He smirked as I looked at him confusedly. " I have two bottles in my possession." my confused look remained.
"but..How….How in the world did you get tequila? It hasn't even made it out of Mexico yet. Hell it isn't even a country yet." People began to head inside as the sun disappeared from the sky and fireflies began to emerge. I looked around watching the fireflies as Tavington stood there with me. I smiled at the memories of catching them in jars. "Beautiful, Aren't they?"
"Yes." Tavington said but I turned to look at him but he hadn't been looking at the fireflies. I felt a blush rise in my cheeks. We were now the only ones outside. As the fireflies flew around us I found myself leaning toward him and him towards me. His hands found themselves around my waist as he pulled me closer, our eyes locked. One of his hands slid from my waist and cupped my cheek pulling me even closer. I was entranced and found myself begging the universe for the kiss to happen. Slowly his mouth lowered to mine, moving forever closer…...
"I can't see a damn thing. Colonel….. Are you and Miss Mckenzie still out there?" Came General O'hara's voice from the double doors to the ballroom. We pulled away from disappointment spread across my face and Tavington clenched his jaw.
"I suppose we should return to the festivities. I believe it is time for the last dance of the evening." I nodded and allowed him to lead me inside to the ballroom where some of the guests were finishing up a dance. Not to my surprise Kathrine and her group were standing against the wall. We passed them.
"May i have this last dance Miss Mckenzie?" I smiled and took his hand as he led me to the dance floor as the song ended and the last song of the night began. As he spun me around I saw Kathrine leave in a fury followed by her entourage. My eyes connected with his and he led us in a waltz around the dance floor. Neither of us could take our eyes from the other's eyes. As before the room fell away. The desire between us continued to grow as I realized it had been all evening. Looking into his eyes I saw more than desire. They held a fondness in them if not more. The music stopped and the world faded back into view. I stood there in his arms transfixed. The remaining people in the room began to clap and as I looked around I noticed that we had been the only ones dancing. The Grandfather clock at the end of the room began to chime midnight also signaling that the ball was ending and it was time to return to our room. After politely saying good night and thank you to the middletons for the evening. I took tavingtons arm and he led us out of the ballroom to the hallway that housed our lodgings.
"Tonight was… exhilarating to say the least." I said as we made our way up the stairs. He arched his brow.
"Exhilarating? You seemed to enjoy yourself." He smiled but continued to look straight ahead as we continued to ascend the stairs.
"Oh yes very much Colonel. That was the most fun I have had in a long time….except for that horrible woman Kathrine." We reached the landing."It's fine though she gets what she deserves. She ends up alone and cut off from her family." He let out a laugh.
"Nothing less than she deserves.. I suppose." We stopped in the hall between our rooms. The desire that had been present all night continued to linger. "I know it's late but are you still wanting that tequila, Stasi?" I nodded and followed him into his room. " I drank a bottle with Wilkins and Borden, Can you handle it? It's quite strong?" He asked with a bit of a teasing voice.
"Ha handle it? Of course I can handle it Colonel. Back home this was my drink of choice." I smirked at the look on his face. "My favorite is when you salt the rim of the glass and put crushed fruit in it. I preferred strawberries." I sat down on a chair by a table and started setting up the chess board that sat there, taking a sip of the golden liquid. It burned down my throat and warmed my body.
"Would you care to make a wage, Anastasia?" There was a shine to his eyes.
"I believe that you would not gamble." I said unthinkingly. "Besides, I have no money in this century." A flash of anger flew across his face at the hint of his father.
"I would never waste away money by gambling…. As you well know." It came out in a harsh low growl. His eyes narrow. There was a long pause where we just stared at each other, the air heavy between us. I looked away and turned my eyes onto the floor.
"I'm…. I wasn't...William." I could not find the words to say and I picked up my glass and threw it back returning my eyes to the floor. I began to feel the effect of the tequila.
I heard the chair that he was sitting on scrape across the floor and then his footsteps. His boots appeared on the floor in front of me in the exact spot I had been staring. He placed his hand on my chin and raised it so I was looking at him.
"Anastasia…." My name rolled out across his lips. "You know that I am not a good man and you know of my deeds. Yet I can see clear as day that you share in my affections. So can many others especially tonight. If I win I want you to stop denying your feelings for me." I looked into his eyes and I rose as did the butterflies in my stomach, his hand not leaving my chin. He drew his face closer, his mouth parted.
"I can't." I choked out, tears falling from my eyes, his mouth an inch away from mine. He removed his hand from under my chin and wiped away the tears. "I don't want to get hurt again. I can't get hurt again." As he wiped another bout of tears I subconsciously pressed my face against it.
"Have I hurt you since I admitted how I feel about you?" I shook my head and some of my curls fell loose. "That's right i have not. You have nothing to be afraid of from me Stasi. I won't treat you like he did." I started into his eyes and saw nothing but honesty and love, but I still could not bring myself to admit to him and to myself the truth. "I know it's hard Stasi but you can't go through life being afraid to love again." I took a step back and wiped my face and poured myself another glass.
"I never told you what really happened that day you found me." I took a sip from my glass turning away from him and looking out the window even though I was unable to see anything. " I was walking home from university when I passed by an alley and was pulled into it by my ex. I had tried for the fourth time to get him to understand that I no longer would marry him. He began to beat me and smashed my head against the wall. I blacked out and woke up where you found me. So I hope you understand why i can't do this Colonel" I turned back toward him. He was shaking in anger at the way I had been treated, eyes hard. It was in that moment that I knew that the butcher of the Carolinas would protect me from anything even if it meant his life. Things started to blur as the alcohol caught up with me. Threw back another shot of tequila. The room around me began to fade as I began to black out.
COLONEL POV
I turned from her, taking my jacket off and hanging it in the closet. Before I had turned back around I heard her stand and the sound of fabric falling to the floor. Turning around I found the girl standing there, the dress on the floor pooled around her feet and holding one of my shirts in her hand."For heavens! What are you doing?!" My eyes roamed over her and I felt myself enlarging. I shook the thought out of my head. As much as I wanted to take her to bed I knew that the moment was not right. She clearly did not know what she was doing, and after all she told me of her past I knew that she would not want to. She clearly was not thinking. She made no notice of what I spoke and began to pull at her corset strings. "Stasi!" She looked up at me.
"Suffocating." She slurred and continued to pull at her strings. I strode over to her and grabbed her hands, stopping her.
"You're very drunk." She pouted, then a smile crept up on her face as she rose up on her toes and kissed me. I kissed her back moving my lips against hers and backed her up toward the bed before once again coming to my senses. I broke the kiss. "Stasi you need to go to bed." She pulled one last time at her corset strings and it fell to the floor. She stepped forward and tried to kiss me again. I took a step back. Her smile vanished and she stumbled over to the bed pulling on my shirt. "Your own bed Anastasia." I said turning away from her and picked up my glass sipping the burning golden liquid.
"My bed." I turned back around and she had crawled into my bed. "William. Thank you, pretty dress. She fell back and fell asleep.
"Yes, You were enchanting tonight My Stasi." I sat in the chair in thought, watching her sleep and finishing off the bottle.
I awoke the next morning not knowing how I had ended up in my bed. Feeling movement in the bed behind me I quickly flipped over, pining Anastasia down with her hands above her head. My breath came out ragged. Her legs on either side of my hips. Her eyes darted open. "FUCK!...WILLIAM!" She yelled. "What are you doing? Last night did we…..?"
"I had forgotten you were there." The sight of her beneath me was absolute perfection, Her lips parted slightly, hair spread over the pillow and her breast rising and falling, the tops of which were poking out from the opening of my shirt. Her face became red as she realized our position. Lost in my desire for her I lowered my head capturing her lips in mine, kissing her hungrily. She began kissing back. As she gasped I gained better access and slid my tongue against hers. Her hand slid between us and I let out a groan and moved my kiss over her jaw to her porcelain neck.
"William….Stop." I looked up at her still consumed by my desire for her. "Don't you remember our conversation. I stared at her, my breathing heavy with want.
"Yes…. I remember." I sighed rolling off of her. "Although you seemed to be enjoying it." She turned on her side looking at me, face flush.
"I'm sorry William." She looked away and began fidgeting with the sleeve of the shirt, before looking back up at me moments later continuing to speak. "I suppose I can admit I feel strongly for you, William. In all honesty i felt attracted to you when all i had was a portrait of you in my history book." I smiled hoping to return to the previous activity and tangled her hair ready to kiss her again. "I am however still not ready to act on those emotions. I withdrew my hand from her neck, the hair sliding through my fingers.
"Woman you'll be the death of me." I growled and fell against my pillow.
"No… I won't." She said somberly. "Benjamin Martin will." She turned facing away from me. A minute passed in silence.
"At Cowpens, am I correct Anastasia?" She darted up into a sitting position. Eyes wide and lips parted as she took in a sharp breath of air.
"How….how do you know that she stuttered out. Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on my bag which I had left open… Shit. poking out of it was her book. Climbing out of the bed she grabbed it and turned back to me, eyes narrow. "Is there anything else you have forgotten to return to me Colonel?" Perfect she's back to calling me Colonel. "I mean at least this book is rather vague about things. Guess i'm lucky it wasn't Thursday when i was transported here." She tossed the book onto the bed and picked up her dress. "You know what… I don't care. keep it." She made her way over to the door, her hand on the knob. "It would be best if you stayed away from me Colonel." She turned the knob and before she could open it fully, laughter and one of my men's voices came through the door.
"... The Colonel's Whore." In an instant I had brushed past her and into the hallway, my hand around Major Avery's throat as I slammed him against the wall. "Fuck." shouted Avery.
"What did you just bloody call her?" I growled out through gritted teeth.
"William. Stop it." Anastasia came out of the room and placed her hand on my arm. I turned my head looking at her uncontrollable anger in my eyes.
"You heard what he called you." My hand clenched around his throat and Avey gaped for air. Danvers the corporal that had been speaking with Avery stood there frozen not wanting my wrath to turn upon him.
"Yes I did. Half your unit and some of the regulars call me that when they think I can't hear them. Although some have said it to my face. Just let go of him, he can't breath." I looked back at the major dropping my hand from his throat.
"This isn't over." I turned away and placed my hand on her back guiding her back into the room. Avery started to laugh.
"Silenced by a woman." I spun on my heel and punched him in the abdomen where he had suffered a wound two weeks prior. He fell to the floor.
"DANVERS." I barked. "Tell the unit to be ready to leave for the fort in 20 minutes." I turned to see Anastasia crouched next to Avery. "What are you doing? Just leave him there Stasi." My blood still boiled and my words came out harshly.
"I'm seeing if he is alright." I frowned and narrowed my eyes.
"Don't touch me Whore." Avery spat at her. Before I could respond she stood up.
"Completely fine." She kicked him in the same area I had punched him and then again in the groin then stormed off to her room obviously still very angry at me. She turned and looked at me from her door. "I'll be ready in 10 minutes. I assume I'm riding with you." I nodded and she disappeared into her room slamming the door behind her.
I turned to Avery. "I do hope that you learned your lesson here Avery" I spat as I looked down at him. " I expect you to be ready to leave with the rest of the men." I left him there and went to prepare for the trip back to the fort.