Bordon's Girl

CHAPTER 21 Bordon’s Girl No More

Major Bordon had tried to sleep after all the commotion, but it was a futile attempt. He tossed and turned the whole night. He finally got up and wandered and sat aimlessly about the large suite. He settled himself onto the window seat and stared blankly out the window.

He felt a swirl of emotion. He was furious at her for defying him. He was terribly embarrassed that she married a man he would not have chosen for her.

Geoffrey didn’t even get to attend his own daughter’s wedding. He had envisioned a large society wedding for her. Of course, to a groom of his choosing. And had wanted to give his daughter away and give the couple his blessing.

Most of all, he was heartbroken. It pained him to know that she didn’t need him to take care of her anymore. It hurt him that she wouldn’t need him to protect her. Geoffrey felt as if he had been tossed out onto the rubbish heap; discarded.

The Major had breakfast brought up to his suite. He did not wish to face anyone until he had to go on duty. He didn’t eat a bite, having lost his appetite.

* * * * * *

In the honeymoon suite, the newlyweds arose, tired after the physical sport of the evening and the charged emotions of the standoff with Tess’ brother.

Colonel Tavington sent word first thing to Lord Cornwallis at Fort Carolina that he just got married and would like some time off. He was given five days. Word was sent to Major Bordon that morning as well, that he would be in charge of the Dragoons for the next few days. Bordon was not pleased.

The news spread quickly around the estate and the Fort that Tavington had married Bordon’s girl, Miss Tess. Word of this had stunned all, no one knowing that the two had even courted. Congratulations and gifts began to pour in that very day.

That morning, Tess Tavington went to find Major Bordon and talk with him. She wanted desperately for him to understand and to have his blessing on her new marriage. There was no answer at his suite. He had really been there, but knew it was her and kept silent, refusing to answer the door.

Later that day, Tess saw her brother sitting alone on a bench under one of the great oak trees. She left the porch of the house and strolled over to him. She was full of hope that he could talk about this now, after having slept on it.

“Daddy,” she called. He said nothing and stared at the ground. “Daddy,” she said again. She now stood beside him, wanting badly to hug him.

“What do you want, Mrs. Tavington,” he snapped. His voice was sharp and full of so much contempt.

“I want to talk to you,” she said cautiously.

“There’s nothing to say,” he remarked shortly. He did not look at her.

“But there is,” she implored.

“What then?” he asked curtly.

“Just let me explain—“

“What? There’s nothing to explain,” he interrupted, cutting her off right away. “It’s very clear. You two carried on behind my back. You became pregnant. He did the decent think and married you.”

“We love each other,” she remarked in a lost, little voice.

“So you say,” Bordon jeered.

“Daddy, please,” she pleaded. “William and I want your blessing.”

Bordon scoffed. “You didn’t need my permission to court or marry him, so why do you seek my blessing now?”

“I just want you to understand,” she said. She knelt on the ground in front of him, wishing to look into his eyes.

Bordon stood up quickly. “I understand everything,” he said. Then he turned away from her. “And I understand nothing,” he muttered under his breath.

“You were going to send me home. I wanted to be with William. I couldn’t go home.”

“Because you became pregnant. That’s what happens when a girl beds a man!”

“That’s not fair,” cried Tess as her eyes began to mist over. “The same thing happened to you!” He had told her in his jail cell that his dead fiancée had been pregnant.

“That is off limits,” he warned her. He did not feel like talking about Susannah to her.

“Look, if you want to talk, go home to your husband. He is who you seek wisdom and comfort from now. You made your choice.”

“No, I haven’t,” she shot back. “There is no choice to be made. I want you both in my life and there is room for both of you!”

“No, Tess! You did make a choice: you chose to defy me!”

“Daddy, please! We want you to be happy for us. I want you to be part of my life,” she begged. “And I want you to be part of my baby’s life.”

“You might as well be dead to me,” Bordon said in a cold, unfeeling voice.

A look of horror and despair crossed her face at his words. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Bordon turned away from her, not wanting to see her tears, and fighting back his own sorrow, as well.

“Go home to your husband, Mrs. Tavington. I don’t wish to see your face.”

She brought her hand to her mouth as anguish choked out from her throat. Tess said nothing and fled into the house.

She ran straight into the arms of her husband. William held her tightly the whole time she cried. He couldn’t help but feel responsible that his desires and longings for her one year ago had brought all this about, causing a rift between a once close family.

* * * * * *

The five day leave that William had for his honeymoon passed quickly. The Tavingtons had passed those five days mainly in their room, passionately affirming their love for each other and just enjoying the time alone together that they had fought so desperately for the past year.

Despite the deep love for his wife and joy at having even a few days to spend with her, he was anxious to get back to duty. He did so love being a cavalry commander.

William met briefly with the dragoons to ready for a patrol. He then walked into the horse barn and found his second in command there, loading his saddlebags.

Bordon looked up from what he was doing. He saw that his commander was just about to say something to him, but he cut him off shortly right away.

“Let us be clear about something,” he began bluntly, “I don’t want your words or your company beyond Dragoon business. Just give me my orders and leave it at that.”

William was taken aback, although he knew he would probably be treated coldly by his new brother-in-law.

“Look,” said Tavington. “I am not one to interfere in the happenings between you and Tess—“

“But you did when you married her,” Bordon interrupted callously.

“I’ll give you that,” Tavington conceded. “Bordon, I just want to say a couple of things now. And, I will say them once, then I will leave you to wallow in yourself imposed sorrow.”

Bordon shot him a mean look.

“I just want to talk to you about your daughter,” the Colonel said simply.

“I have no daughter or sister,” Bordon retorted sharply. “I am an only child.”

“And you broke her heart the other day when you told her that,” Tavington pointed out.

“Well, she should have thought more about the consequences before she laid in your bed and spread her legs,” Bordon remarked crassly.

“Major, if you want to blame me for this, then that is fine,” Tavington declared.

“But don’t banish Tess from your life. She needs you.”

“No she doesn’t. She chose you!”

“Because you made her choose,” Tavington said, raising his voice. He stepped back for a moment to compose himself, then continued.

“She doesn’t have to choose between either of us. There is room for both of us in her life.”

“No!” Bordon swore. “I don’t trust her anymore.”

“Come on, Bordon,” Tavington urged. “Don’t kick your only remaining family member out of your life. You two only have each other.”

“Colonel,” said Bordon coldly, “You’re wasting your time with this. I refuse to talk about this anymore. You two will just have to lie in the bed you have made together.” With that, he took the reins of his horse and walked it out of the barn.

William sighed. He gave up then and decided to let this go for now. He hoped that allowing some time to pass would bring Bordon back around.