Bordon's Girl

CHAPTER 14 Conversations

The morning after Bordon’s party, Tessa arose and dressed quickly. She entered the sitting room to meet her father to go down to the mess for breakfast. She was surprised to find him sitting at the table and a servant putting out their breakfast.

“Good Morning, Father,” she said with a smile, leaning down to kiss Geoffrey Bordon’s cheek.

He kissed her cheek back. “Good Morning, Angel.”

“We’re not eating with the officers?” she asked.

“No,” the Major answered. “I thought we’d spend some time alone here this morning. I haven’t had you to myself since I have been back. I had to share you with all the young soldiers who wanted to dance with you last night.”

She blushed and gave her brother a shy smile.

He continued. “Indeed, I’ve noticed a change in you.”

“Oh?” Tess queried as she sat down.

“Yes,” confirmed Bordon. “You’re much more outgoing now. Not my shy little girl anymore.”

“Well, I had no choice,” replied Tess. “I had to get over being shy quickly while you were gone. Since I took over many of your duties, I had to talk to a great many people.” She took a drink of her coffee.

“Well, the change looks good on you,” Bordon remarked. “Very becoming.”

“Thank you!”

Geoffrey took a bite of his egg and washed it down with some milk. “I noticed you talking with all the men last night.”

“Yes. I’ve gotten to know a lot of them. I had dinner frequently with the officers.”

“Oh?” said Bordon.

“Yes,” answered Tessa. “They desperately wanted a Bordon at the dinner table. So, I became your substitute. You are back now and I happily relinquish your spot back to you!”

The two ate respectively in silence for a moment. Geoffrey continued on with their conversation.

“I…uh…noticed Colonel Tavington flirting with you last night.”

Tess panicked for an instant inside, then she remembered they had done nothing in front of Geoffrey to be ashamed of, or anything that might tip them off. She took a shallow breath to compose and calm herself.

“I wouldn’t call it flirting,” she remarked nonchalantly. “It was just polite manner. He is charming.”

“Yes, to many a woman in a treacherous manner,” Bordon pointed out. “You talk very easily with him and I think you flirted back.”

“Did I?” she asked, feigning innocence. She did flirt with Tavington last night. She loved making eyes at and teasing him.

“Yes,” stated her brother. He shifted in his seat.

“Tessa, you are playing a dangerous game by flirting with my commander.”

“Why?”

“Because he is a rogue and a scoundrel,” Bordon concluded. “That’s the reason why he has never been married, nor will he ever marry.”

“Oh, daddy,” she said, shaking her head, trying to act as if this was not a big deal to her.

“Well, he and all the men here know better than to engage in more than innocence with you.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, wrinkling her brow.

“I have a higher destiny chosen for you,” announced the Major. He smiled at her. “You will not marry any of these soldiers. You will marry nobility or wealth.”

“Who?” she asked, shifting forward in her seat. Her demeanor showed concern.

“You needn’t worry about it yet,” Geoffrey soothed. “I have several in mind when the time is right.”

“Don’t you trust me to choose a proper suitor?” she half teased. She was worried now but hid it inside.

“No,” he said firmly. “Most young women would choose a man for looks and love.”

“Not a bad combination,” she laughed.

“Ah, now that’s my naïve little girl,” he laughed. “Looks don’t provide for a stable future.”

Geoffrey took another drink of his coffee then continued. “You’ll thank me when you live in a warm house, have land and assets, and plenty of food on your table. I’ll choose well for you, my dear.”

Tess became quiet as she thought about her father’s words. She did not want him to choose someone for her. She loved William and only wanted to be with him.

Tess wished she could tell her father how happy she was and that she wished to court him openly. Her suspicions were confirmed now. She could never tell Geoffrey. He would never allow her to keep seeing Will.

She worried momentarily. Was she supposed to sneak around forever to be able to be with William? She did not want to lie to Geoffrey. Nor was she ashamed that she was in love with Colonel Tavington and wanted it out in the open.

“Tess?”

She didn’t hear her brother. She was still caught up in her own private world of worry and woe.

“Tess? Something wrong?” asked Geoffrey.

“Uh……no,” she stammered.

“You sure? You seem like something’s bothering you.”

Tess heaved a heavy sigh. “Why is it,” she began slowly, “that women who are poor……or have less than we have…….get to choose their own suitors?”

“Well, usually because they don’t have the rank or privilege of choosing someone with wealth or title,” he answered, then went on, “or, maybe they don’t necessarily have a male to head their household and choose someone proper for them.”

Major Bordon explained his position further. “You see, Angel, girls your age are innocent in the ways of life and the world. They wouldn’t know what to expect out of life and marriage and may not know what to look for. They aren’t thinking about things like financial stability in the future, and what type of a man will make a good husband and provider. And, one doesn’t know this without experience. That is why it’s best to leave these choices up to a father or brother. So many men out there are good for nothing and would only take advantage of a young girl.”

Geoffrey took another drink of his coffee. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, father,” she answered with her eyes downcast. She was reverting back to that shy and innocent little girl she used to be. She felt herself not wanting to do anything to displease him and became meek. She could not bring herself to rock the boat or be defiant to her brother. She still respected him as her elder and parent.

“Does that upset you,” he asked with concern.

“No,” she said, forcing a smile. She had lost her appetite and toyed with her food. She tried to continue on with her breakfast conversation with Geoffrey, but her mind was thinking of William.

* * * * * *

A week later, Tavington and Bordon were out riding together on the estate. They’d left Captain Wentworth in charge as the two of them made a perimeter sweep, patrolling the edge of the estate. The two talked about a lot of things as they rode, then the conversation turned to Tessa.

Good, Tavington thought. This is my chance to feel him out on what exactly he has in mind for her.

“I’m proud of Tess,” said Bordon. “She amazes me. She did a good job taking responsibility and care of the household while I was gone.”

“Yes, she did,” Tavington agreed.

“I must admit, I didn’t think she had it in her,” Bordon remarked. “She is always so dependent on me and clings to me. My fault, I suppose. I have sheltered her and protected her, probably overly so, all these years.”

“She surprised you in that she can stand on her own two feet,” the Colonel stated.

“Yes,” said Bordon. “But I fear she is growing up too fast.”

“Oh? You don’t think she grew up because it was time for her too?” asked Tavington.

“Well, when it is your child, it is hard to let go of them,” Bordon remarked. “You don’t want to see them make poor choices or fall on their faces. Like when they are babies and beginning to walk. You naturally want to hold their hands so they don’t fall. But, they must learn to walk without holding your hand sooner or later.”

“She can’t hold your hand forever,” Tavington said. “Do you not trust her to make some choices in life on her own now, given her age?”

“Well, Yes, I do trust her,” Major Bordon answered. “But, some decisions are still going to be left up to me.”

“Oh, such as?” asked Tavington, even though he knew how Geoffrey was going to answer. He just wanted to hear his fear confirmed.

“Suitor and marriage,” replied Bordon. “A girl her age can’t possibly choose something like that. They don’t know what to look for or what to expect from the future.”

“What are you looking for as far as her future is concerned?” Tavington asked innocently enough as they rode.

“I want her to marry well,” Bordon confirmed. “I want her to marry wealth or nobility.”

“Oh, and not an officer such as yourself?”

“No, a soldier is a poor choice as a husband. You and I know what kind of a life this is we lead.”

Tavington nodded his head and looked at the road ahead. If Bordon only knew, he thought to himself.

“She will thank me in the future when she doesn’t have to bury a dead soldier husband,” remarked Bordon with confidence. “She’ll be content when she doesn’t have to forage for food for little hungry mouths on a soldier’s salary.”

“Tessa is such an agreeable and loving girl,” Bordon went on, “I am sure she will agree that I have chosen well for her and make the best of it. I’m sure she will be happy—or learn to be.”

“What, if by some small chance,” Tavington began, “she doesn’t like the choice you have made for her. What if she has fallen in love on her own? Then what will you do? Would you sacrifice your daughter’s happiness just to have her marry someone you deem as a proper suitor?”

“Well, she may not see the point to it in the beginning,” said Bordon, “but, as I said, she will realize how right I was later in life.”

“Bordon, are you sure you should hold out for the highest for her?” Tavington asked. “As Dragoons and officers, we are paid well by military standards, but we aren’t overly rich. Royalty and wealth aren’t going to marry the daughter of a military commander.”

Bordon thought for a moment. “Well,” he began cautiously, “all I can do is hope. We do have a small bit of inheritance from father’s business. And, I think her beauty and charm will help, as well. I think I can get someone of high standing for her.”

“I just don’t know if you should hold out too long, Bordon,” said Tavington. “You may risk making her into an old maid.”

“That is a risk I will take,” stated Bordon, “She and her future are worth it to me. I will strive to find her the right man.”

Tavington’s fears were confirmed. He knew for sure now that his affair with Tess could never be revealed. He knew now that a soldier, not even a commander of a brigade, was not good enough for Tess Bordon.

But, William Tavington knew who the right man for Tessa was, and that was none other than him.