Bordon's Girl

CHAPTER 13 Freedom and Homecomings

The next morning, William and Tess were tucked cozily into her bed. Will awoke just before daybreak. While still lying on his back, he looked down at Tess who was sleeping soundly upon him. She was laying on her front on his chest with her head nestled into his shoulder. She was the vision of a quiet angel. He hated to wake her.

“Tessa,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead. She did not rouse.

He stroked her tussled hair. “Angel,” he said quietly. This woke her up.

For a moment, she thought it was her brother waking her.

“It’s dawn,” said William. “I have to go.” He gently rolled her body off of his and slipped out of bed.

Tess was still half asleep as he did, not fully realizing he was leaving. She sat up slowly and watched with sleepy eyes as Will’s naked body crossed the floor to the chair. He quickly pulled on his breeches.

“Oh….but…….,” she began, trying to free her tongue from the grasp of slumber.

William crossed the room back to the bed and sat on the edge of it facing Tess. The sheet was pulled up around her modestly.

“What Angel?” he asked.

She was awake now. “My father calls me that,” she stated, “or he used to.”

“Then I shall have to find another name for you.” He kissed her quickly.

“I’ve got to go.” He pulled his shirt on over his head, then shook his hair out over his shoulders and looked at her.

“At least I woke you up before leaving,” he teased. “The woman in my bed the other night left without a word.” He smirked at her.

Tess rolled her eyes. “I didn’t know you loved me or I wouldn’t have.” She grinned.

“Wasn’t it obvious?” William kidded.

“No,” she replied. “You hid it well.”

He gave her a quick peck of a kiss on her cheek. “Good bye, Love,” he said.

“William, don’t leave me yet,” she pleaded. “Stay a little longer and make love to me again.”

“Good Lord, neither of us will be able to walk!” William exclaimed.

Tess leaned forward and kissed him seductively. She dropped the sheet, baring her breasts. Her hand found one of Will’s, which she brought to her and placed on her chest. He fondled one of the soft mounds as they continued their kiss.

Tess closed her eyes and after a moment, she let out a light gasp. Will’s mouth captured one of her nipples. She opened her eyes and looked down at him as he did. She threaded her fingers into his long hair and held his head there.

His hands touched her shoulders and gently pushed her back down on to the bed. Will kissed the soft skin across her bosom to her other breast. Tess cooed again when she felt William’s lips close around the nipple.

After another moment, she felt William’s wet mouth on hers, and she dreamily returned his kiss. Tess felt William’s arms push in underneath her body, enfolding her in a tight embrace to his body. Then she felt William pull her back up off the bed, all the while keeping her close to him.

“Darling, I go on duty in a couple of hours,” William said pulling himself back from her. She gave him a frown.

He continued. “And besides it would not be good for my health if your brother were to walk through that door and find us here together.”

“Why do you say that,” asked Tess.

“Well, he’d either kill me, or emasculate me.”

“William, you are wrong about my father,” Tess protested. “He would not do that. He wants me to be happy.”

“Tess,” he began as he took her wrists, “he wants you to be happy with who he picks for you. He is the head of your house, so he will have the say so in who you are involved with, especially for marriage. Your father will most assuredly pick someone because of their wealth, title, and social standing. You will not have a say in the matter. If you happen to learn to like the man he chooses, well then that will just make things easier. Love will not matter a damn."

She closed her eyes and sighed. Tess wrapped her arms about William as he kissed her goodbye. He tucked her back in to bed and he let himself out of her room quietly. She curled up under the covers and went back to sleep, wishing William was still with her.

* * * * * * *

Shortly after lunch of the same day, Tess was in her suite working on some mending when she heard a clamor arise outside. She looked out the window and saw the dragoons starting to assemble on the grass and the lane in front of the house.

Outside, the Dragoons were all smiles and hollering as their second in command, Major Geoffrey Bordon, rode up the driveway on horse flanked by two Redcoat privates as an escort. As he neared the crowd, he jumped off the horse and was swallowed up by a throng of well wishing dragoons. There were hugs, handshakes and back slaps all around. His men were genuinely happy to have him back.

Colonel Tavington stayed back from the crowd and watched. Part of him was extremely happy to have his Major back to help with the duties. He was a very valuable officer. The other part of him watched with dread and apprehension. He knew that Bordon could quickly put to an end Tavington’s newfound bliss.

William drew in a breath and approached the crowd. He knew he needed to act as things were always the same so that Geoffrey would not suspect anything. He made his way through the sea of red and green jackets.

The eyes of the two commanding officers met. Tavington extended his hand. Major Bordon grasped the hand offered him and the two shook hands graciously with broad smiles on each of their faces.

“Welcome back, Bordon,” greeted the Colonel.

“Thank you, Sir,” Geoffrey said. “It’s good to be back.”

“You were sorely missed while you were gone,” Tavington continued.

“Thanks again,” Bordon said graciously. The two senior officers, surrounded by the whole crowd of Dragoons, stayed planted in the middle of the lane as the plantation owner and several servants poured out onto the porch to watch the sight.

Mr. McKinnon, the mansion’s owner, moved into the crowd and shook Bordon’s hand. “Major, so glad to have you back with us,” he said.

The aide-de-camp smiled and started to say something back, but no words came out. He was clearly becoming overwhelmed by the outpouring of warmth and respect by the crowd.

McKinnon continued. “Tonight, Major, if you will allow me, I would like to host an impromptu party to celebrate your release and freedom.”

Major Bordon nodded in agreement as McKinnon rushed off to begin preparations for the gathering.

Geoffrey was looking for his daughter. His eyes scanned the porch and the crowd to see where she was. He continued speaking with his superior as he did.

“I see you did not put an end to this war while I was gone,” quipped Major Bordon.

“We wanted to make sure you had plenty to do when you got back,” Colonel Tavington sneered. The two officers bantered sometimes like this to each other. It was all part of the camaraderie of shared leadership.

“Father!”

Geoffrey heard the familiar voice of his baby sister calling for him from the porch. He looked up to see her there. A smile of relief and joy crossed his face as he opened his arms wide to her.

“Father!,” Tessa Bordon cried again as she bolted from the veranda and to her big brother’s open arms. He enfolded them tightly around her as she clung tightly to him, just as she had when she was a little girl. First hid her face in his shoulder, crying with happiness. Then she laid her head on his shoulder, still holding onto him as he lifted her up and swung around in circle.

“I missed you so much,” she murmured, her voice breaking. “I’m so glad you’re home!”

“I missed you as well, Tess,” he said into her hair, still holding her close. Tears were in his eyes.

William watched the scene. He especially watched Tess and noted the joy she had at having her brother back. It filled his heart with warmth to see how happy she was and he wanted that for her. He loved her very much.

Yet, he looked at Geoffrey as he held his sister, oblivious to what had gone on between her and the Colonel. William felt ill at ease as he watched his beloved cling to the one man who could destroy their happiness.

Geoffrey and Tess moved away from the crowd and upstairs to the Bordon suite to talk in private.

* * * * * *

Later that afternoon, after things had settled down, Geoffrey slipped away from the plantation alone on his horse. Normally he wouldn’t have left the estate without some kind of escort since he was an officer, but today, he was dressed inconspicuously as a civilian. He looked relaxed with his strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a soft loose, pony tail instead of the usual severe plait braid worn while in uniform. He sat tall on his horse and relished the quiet and lonely ride.

Major Bordon rode to the village of Devington where there was a little country church just outside it with a small cemetery in back. There was no one around and even the fields were void of their workers. The officer dismounted his horse, trudging into the place with only the gently breeze as his company. He walked softly amidst the graves until he found her.

Bordon drew in a sharp breath and closed his eyes. He felt his heartbreak yet a second time since the day his fiancée was killed as he stood now over her grave.

Captain Wilkins, during his intelligence gathering trips into the village, had seen the grave. Bordon had asked him how to find it.

Geoffrey knelt down on the grave, new grass just now starting to sprout up through the dirt covering it. He placed the huge bouquet of beautiful flowers which he had chosen himself from the plantation’s garden just under the marker. The white cross said simply: Susannah Mae Louden Born 1754 Died 1779. The words “unborn child” were smaller and on the bottom of the cross.

He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, forcing tears out of the corners of them to roll down his face. He opened his eyes again and fingered the delicate flowers that lay before him. Geoffrey’s voice broke as he spoke to his beloved.

“Oh, Susannah,” he lamented, “how I miss you so much! If only I could take back time. I am sorry, darling. It should have been me, not you. I want you and my baby back so much! I couldn’t wait to feel our child moving within you. Oh, God, this hurts! I don’t even know how to begin life without you. I don’t know how to go on without you. But, I know I must find a way. I pray for the strength. I have a legion to command and a daughter to take care of. But, I wanted you there by my side forever.”

Bordon wept pitifully and uncontrollably for a moment then composed himself. He wiped the tears from his face with his hand and sighed, giving in to the fact that she was gone and nothing could bring her back.

He continued. “Susannah, I think of you every day and will do so until I pass from this Earth. I will love you and our baby always. I will never stop.”

With a heavy heart, he leaned forward and kissed the cross lightly. “I love you so much. Good bye, my Love.”

With that, he walked away from the grave, unable to look back at it. He mounted his horse and rode slowly back to the plantation, trying to push thoughts of what might have been from his mind.

* * * * * * *

The party that evening in honor of Bordon was attended by all. The Major was looked up to and well respected by many. People thronged around him nearly the whole night. It was an informal affair, with the Dragoons looking handsome in their regular daily uniforms.

Geoffrey Bordon noticed a definite change in his daughter that night. Aside from her natural beauty, she had become radiant and charming. She was no longer shy and quiet. Tessa talked with nearly everyone, danced with all the men, and stood independently of Geoffrey. She didn’t cling to him in that bashful and retiring manner that she used to. It was as if she possessed a spark of confidence. Bordon noticed many of the men watching her and smiling at her.

He felt a certain pride in this new demeanor of Tessa’s, but felt a fear in it as well. He was very proud that she had come into her own, but frightened he was of it, not wanting to let go of her and let her be the adult she had grown to be.

Major Bordon saw that Tess talked exceptionally easily to Colonel Tavington. The Dragoon commander was a feared leader, and yet the two seemed very much aplomb with each other. Bordon was slightly alarmed about this, knowing that Tav could charm the dress right off a woman.

As Major Bordon stood talking with a group of infantry officers, he saw his daughter making her way back toward him from yet another whirl on the dance floor. She was soon at his side where she kissed his cheek and he kissed her hand. He slipped his arm protectively around her and held her close to him as he continued talking with the men.

The Major then turned to Tess. “So, you finally have some time for me, eh?” he asked.

“Always,” she said, beaming at him. “I’m having a wonderful time!”

“Good, angel!” he replied, pleased that she was happy.

About that time, Tavington walked up and joined the group. He said nothing for a couple of moments, listening to the conversation at hand. Then he spoke.

“Ah, Miss Bordon. May I have this dance with you?”

“Certainly,” she replied with a smile and no hesitation.

Major Bordon shot her a funny look very with an almost imperceptible cock of his head to the side. She immediately pulled back to her father, feeling a bit childlike, as if she was back under his supervision.

“Please Father,” she asked, “Is it alright?”

Pleased that she revered him enough to ask his permission, he answered, “Yes. Go ahead.”

With that, Tavington took her hand and led her to the dance floor. His thumb caressed her hand as he held it. She smiled warmly and indiscreetly up at him while he did this.

William took her into his arms, keeping a respectable distance between them, and guided her skillfully around the floor. Geoffrey watched them all the while like a hawk.

“I’ll have to be good,” William quipped. “Your father is watching.”

“You can hold me closer, Will,” she said.

“Not a chance with your Geoffrey just over there!” The two laughed loudly at this comment and smiled at each other over their private joke.

“You look beautiful, darling,” William remarked.

“Thank you,” answered Tess.

Bordon continued to watch apprehensively from across the floor. He worried whenever Tavington bent his tall frame down to put his face close to Tessa’s or to put his lips near her ear to speak. Geoffrey shook his head and took a pull on his drink at he looked at them.

Major Bordon heard none of the conversation around him as he watched his daughter and the Colonel intently. His mind raced through different thoughts as he stood with his drink in hand. It’s as if they like each other, he thought. Or maybe they are attracted to one another. Well, he to her, at least. She is the most beautiful young woman here! But, she is not attracted to him. She is just being her nice, and charming self. She knows and understands that I will pick the right man for her. Tess will respect my choice and will know I have chosen a good life for her.

As Tavington’s head bent to hers, he smiled at her and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Tess,” he murmured. “When can I see you?”

“Tonight?” she answered his question with uncertainty.

He nodded. “Can you slip away in a little bit and meet me in the Gardens? We could take a stroll together.”

“Alright,” Tess answered. As the song ended, the Colonel bowed to her as she curtsied to him and the two split up. She rejoined her father again at the side. He gave her a glass of wine, which she sipped quietly as he continued talking with yet more well wishers.

After a few more minutes, Tess looked discreetly around the area and noticed that William was gone already. About that time, General O’Hara and Lord General Cornwallis joined the two. She knew they would want to spend awhile with the Major, so she took this opportunity to excuse herself. Tess then meandered prudently toward the Gardens.

Once there, she walked alone on the garden path and looked for William. He was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, she felt a hand grab hers and pull her behind a huge oak tree. It was William, and his mouth crashed into hers in a long and sensual kiss, leaving her breathless.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” Will exclaimed. “I wanted to kiss you so badly while we were dancing that I could hardly contain myself.”

Tess laughed and smiled sweetly up at him. “I wanted you to also.”

He took her hand as they strolled alone on the dark interior path of the Garden. After a few steps, they stopped again and he pulled her back close to him where they lingered in another kiss. William’s eyes were open as his lips were upon hers, watching for any unwanted company.

Tess pulled back from him. “Oh William, can’t we go to your room for a little while?”

“I don’t think we have the time to get away with that tonight, darling,” he said, eliciting a frown from Tess.

“I want to lie naked with you in your bed….in your arms,” she said dreamily.

“I want that too!” he chimed in with a grin.

His lips brushed hers lightly in a little kiss. “I’ll try to arrange an assignment soon in which I will have him out all night.”

“All night, alone with you,” Tess whispered.

“Yes,” William answered. “And you’re mine—ALL MINE—that night!”

With that, Will took her hand and led her behind a huge, thick hedge.

“Where are we going William?”

“Shhhhhh,” he quieted her. He dropped her hand and moved in behind her. As his body rested against hers, she could feel his hardened erection touching her behind, even through her skirts and petticoats. Will slipped his arms around her from behind and began to nibble her ear.

She let out an almost inaudible gasp. Then his mouth moved to her neck. She cooed as she felt his breath tickle the soft skin there. His hands moved down to caress the sides of her curvy hips and her outer thighs.

“William,” she said, a little surprised at his boldness in the garden. The officer’s mouth moved back to her ear, then down along her cheek and jaw line causing the girl to close her eyes and sigh. William’s hands then began to gather her skirts and petticoats up into his hands.

“Will,” she gasped.

“Hush,” he said quietly

The next moment, she felt his hand move under her skirt and trace the length of her thigh. His fingers brushed lightly against her bare crotch, teasing her.

“Ah…..Oh,” she moaned airily. Then her knees went weak as his finger found her most sensitive spot. He stroked her sensually there for a moment. She was wet for him.

“Will,” she cooed.

Then, he pushed three fingers up into her wetness.

“Oh…..Will,” she gasped.

His left hand was on her abdomen, holding her securely back against him, wanting her to feel his passion for her as his right hand pleasured her. His lips nuzzled her neck all the while.

As his fingers moved deeply in and out of her, she thrust against them. His thumb gently stroked her hardened bud, giving her just the right amount of pressure she needed.

Tess groaned as the movements of his fingers within her brought her close to the edge of euphoria.

“Shhhhhh,” Will quieted her again, afraid of getting caught.

Soon, she closed her eyes and her head dropped backwards against him.

“Oh….God…..William….” she whispered, trying desperately to control her voice. Her breathing became labored and her body went limp. Tess then became lost to the explosion of warmth deep within her body.

William’s mouth covered hers to stifle her cries of pleasure. Tess moaned into his mouth, and he smiled as a low, approving laugh came from the back of his throat. He was pleased that she had rewarded him with an orgasm.

She leaned back against him for a moment to get her bearings. Then, Tess turned and kissed him.

“I love you, William.”

“Will that do until we can be alone?”

“Yes,” she said with a smile. She kissed him again and began to push his Dragoon jacket off his shoulders.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re cold,” William said, taking his jacket off and draping it around her shoulders.

She stepped back and smiled impishly up at Will.

“What?” he asked, puzzled at her look.

Tess did not answer him. Instead, she took his jacket from off her shoulders and dropped it on the ground before his feet. He gave her an odd look.

Then she knelt before him upon his jacket. Tessa reached up to his breeches and began to undo them.

William was stunned by her boldness. “Oh, you are very naughty,” he teased with a grin as he looked down at her. “You’ll pay for this.”

“No, I don’t think I will,” she teased back. Tess reached into his breeches and extracted his manhood. She stroked it and teased him with her hand, making him gasp.

“You, my dear, are a mischievous little wanton,” said Will.

She smiled at his words as she continued to rub his hardness sensually with her hand and fingers.

He closed his eyes and his head dropped back as she did this. After another moment of this torture, he felt the warm wetness of her mouth enclose around it.

“Oh….God….Tess…,” he gasped almost inaudibly.

Her velvet tongue touched and stroked him, tantalizing him into a frenzy. The girl’s soft lips held him tightly in her mouth as she moved up and down on him. She took him as deep into her throat as she could.

“Oh…..Ah….Oh..” William moaned as she kept him in agony and ecstasy with her sweet pleasure. After another moment of this blissful torment, she took him over the edge. He controlled his groans of delight as his manly fluid slid down her throat.

She placed his spent manhood back into his trousers and wiped her mouth with her handkerchief. He picked up his wine glass from the brick wall that he’d placed it on and handed it down to her. She took a small sip of it to erase his taste from her mouth and throat.

William helped her back to her feet. They kissed for a moment, then he smiled at her.

“Oh, darling,” he said with a satisfied grin to her, his eyes laughing.

“Pleased?” she asked.

“Very! What a wonderful surprise!”

Miss Bordon smiled and gave him a peck of a kiss. She was happy that she had satisfied him.

He reached down , picked up his jacket and shook it out. He put it on and she helped him button it up. William bent his head down for a last kiss from her.

“We’d better get back before Geoffrey notices we’re both gone and puts two and two together,” William remarked. They headed back to the party, her arm in his, looking as he was properly escorting her.