The Officer's Desire

by Colleen French

  "I will." She kissed the child's head, sliding her to the floor. "You be a good girl tonight and I'll bring two tarts for each of us."

  Devon came up behind Cassie, wrapping his arm around her waist. The others were beginning to sit at the table now; the servants were bringing in the evening meal. "Don't tell me you have a mothering instinct, too?" His dark eyes sparkled.

  "And what's that supposed to mean?" Cassie asked. "Any woman can be a mother." Judith called Elizabeth and the child scurried to her seat near the other children.

  "It's just I've never seen you with any children. I didn't realize how good you were with them."

  "Well, love, there's not many babes on the battlefield for me to be motherly towards!" She lifted her eyebrows as he leaned to give her a peck on the lips.

  "Just the same, it's nice to know." Devon ushered her toward her seat between Judith's husband, Louis, and Mary's husband, Marvin, at the dining table. "Where's my seat?" he asked his family.

  William, who sat at the head of the long table, indicated a seat on the opposite side between Judith and Corinna. "There son, are you blind?"

  "Oh, no, we'll not start this." Devon said with good humor.

  Cassie suppressed a giggle with the palm of her hand. "It's all right, I don't have to sit next to you. Louis and Marvin don't bite."

  Devon shook his head adamantly. "Out, Marvin. You sit across the way." He hooked his thumb. Everyone was beginning to laugh now, even Mary.

  "Son." William spoke again. "This is the way it's always been done. I sit at the head of the table. Your mother sits at the foot." He leaned back to allow a kitchen maid to serve him a platter of steaming delicacies.

  Devon started to tug on Marvin's chair. "Nope, I sit beside my wife. Get out, Marvin: Sit anywhere you like, but this is my seat."

  As Marvin sheepishly got to his feet, Louis spoke up. "Then I'm going to sit next to my wife."

  "And I, mine." Corinna's husband chimed in.

  Suddenly the entire dining room was in chaos. Everyone was up and shifting seats. Even the children got up to race across the dining room to sit near their favorite cousins.

  In the midst of the laughter and confusion, William got to his feet and walked stoically across the room to the foot of the huge rectangular table. "Mistress Marsh, would you care to come and sit beside your husband. I believe our son has begun a new tradition."

  Mother Marsh rose to her feet and took William's arm, allowing him to escort her to an empty chair just to the right of his. When she was seated, William sat down, too.

  Cassie linked her arm through Devon's. "You fool, look what you've done to the order in this house." Everyone was laughing and talking at the same time, calling out across the table and shouting back and forth. A meal at Marshview had never been like this before. They had always been formal with assigned seats and stiff conversation.

  Devon leaned back in his seat to stretch his long legs. "Nice, isn't it?'

  Finally William broke from a conversation with Judith on his left to bang a spoon on his wineglass. "Ladies, gentlemen. A toast." He stood and the others followed his lead, lifting their glasses in unison. "Tonight we toast to Cassie." He stared out at the faces of the family he'd spawned. "We welcome her as we should have welcomed her months ago." He raised his glass, clearing his throat. "And we toast to Mary, who's come home where she belongs."

  Murmurs filled the room as glasses clinked and the family united as one, drinking the blood red wine. There was laughter and words of praise as they all drained their glasses and a serving girl began to fill them again.

  When everyone was finally seated, William spoke again. "While we're all gathered together, I'd like to make an announcement." He signaled the befuddled maids to continue serving the meal. "Your mother and I have decided to begin building a new house on that property I own in Dover." A hush fell over the room.

  "What do you mean, Father?" Devon dropped his linen napkin onto his lap.

  "This house is getting to be too much for us. I'd like to spend more time with my law practice and less with the running of Marshview." He took a deep breath. "So . . . if you wish, Devon, when your enlistment is up, you and Cassie may have this home as your own and we old folks will step aside."

  For a moment Devon said nothing. He had always known that someday Marshview would be his, but not until his father was too feeble to care for the plantation on his own. William was still in his prime! Devon hadn't expected to inherit Marshview for many years. "I . . . I don't know what to say, Father, except thank you." He got to his feet, taking Cassie's hand in his. "We accept. Come August, I'll return to Marshview to raise food for our troops."

  Devon was silent for a moment and then he raised his head. "Since everyone is making announcements, I might as well, too." He looked down at Cassie, and then up again at the members of his family. "After spending near six months trying to convince my wife to leave me on the front and return to Marshview, I've decided she's right. She belongs at my side. No matter how unorthodox it may seem to you, or to anyone else, for us, this has got to be the way it is." He squeezed her hand. "Cassie's going to return to Morristown with me and ride out my enlistment."

  There was a hush around the table as Devon studied the faces of the people he loved. "My only request is that you accept Cassie for who she is, and if there is any blame to lay, lay it on me. This is my decision." Devon took his seat, gazing into Cassie's startled green eyes.

  "I'd not have believed it if I'd not heard it with my own ears." she murmured, captivated by his loving countenance.

  "I've thought long and hard over this, Cas." His voice was hushed, his words meant for no one but her. "Call it selfishness if you like, but the truth is, I need you. We both know the danger of you remaining with the army, but you accepted that long ago to be with me. I'm just accepting it now."

  Cassie's eyes drifted shut as he leaned to press his lips to hers. He tasted of red wine and a heartfelt passion for life. "I love you, Devon."

  "I love you." He rested her hand on his knee and turned back to the others. "Anyone else wish to startle us tonight?" He picked up a knife and fork and began to slice at his roast beef.

  The others dissolved into laughter and picked up their silver utensils to join him.

  Chapter Thirty

  Cassie burst through the door of Anne's tiny cabin. "You've got to help me, Anne!" She stripped off her wet wool riding cloak, allowing Anne to take it from her shoulders. It had been sleeting since early morning.

  "Calm down, Cassie. It can't be that bad!" She motioned to the two chairs pulled up in front of the fireplace. "Sit down and warm yourself. Your cloak is soaked."

  Cassie rubbed her hands together briskly, holding them out to the blazing fire. "I don't know what I'm to do, Anne. I promised, but that was before, when things weren't going so well . . ." The words tumbled from her mouth in rapid fire.

  "Cassie! I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Now sit down and stop pacing. You make me nervous." She pushed a pewter mug of hot cider into her hand and propelled her toward a chair. "Sit! Sit!"

  Cassie did as she was bid, taking a swallow of the cider. It felt good going down her throat to warm the pit of her stomach. "I'm sorry, Anne. I know I shouldn't have burst in here like this, but you're the only one I can talk to. I know my troubles are nothing compared to yours,

  "Cassie, my troubles are solved, thanks to you and Devon. Without you two, the prisoner exchange would never have taken place and my John wouldn't be on his way home at this very moment." She ran her hand over her swollen abdomen. "If it weren't for you two, my child would have come into this world fatherless. Now tell me what's wrong so I can try to help you."

  Cassie took a deep breath. "Two weeks ago Devon told me in front of his entire family that he wanted me to return with him to Morristown. He doesn't want me to stay at Marshview, he wants me on the front lines with him."

  "That's wonderful."

  Cassie shook her head. "But I promised
the week before that when I carried his child, I'd return to Marshview where the babe and I'd be safe."

  Anne looked puzzled for a moment and then understanding washed over her. "You're going to have a baby!" she exclaimed. "That's wonderful!"

  Cassie couldn't resist a smile. "I didn't realize it until a couple of days ago."

  "You're positive?"

  "Well, no, but my flux is late and I've been sick three mornings in a row. The sight of this morning's coddled eggs sent my head spinning and my stomach churning."

  Anne leaned back in her chair, smiling. "Does Devon know?"

  "Of course not! That's the problem. If I tell 'im, he'll make me stay here. He won't let me return to Morristown with him."

  "That probably wouldn't be such a poor idea." Anne offered quietly.

  "All I want to do is go back to the winter camp and stay with him until spring. I could return to Dover before the fighting begins again. I'd not be risking the babe's life." Cassie sighed heavily, twisting the wedding band she wore on her finger. "I just want to be with him a little longer. Things are finally good between us now, is it wrong to want that?"

  Anne studied her friend's troubled face. "You're right, you have a problem."

  "What am I going to do?"

  "I have a feeling you've already decided what you're going to do. You're not going to tell Devon about the babe, are you? You're going to return to Morristown." Anne got up slowly and picked up a fireplace utensil to stir the hot bed of coals beneath a burning log.

  "Is that what you'd do? Deceive your husband?"

  "It's not what I'd do, Cassie." She smiled laying the poker to rest. "But then, that's why he married you and not me."

  "Oh, Anne." Cassie was on her feet, hugging her friend. "I'm so happy. I don't want to hurt Devon by keeping this from him, but we're just getting used to each other. I can't give him up yet. Would it be so terrible to delay our separation for just a little while?"

  "You promise you'll return in the spring?' Anne was pouring them both another cup of cider.

  "I swear it!" Cassie vowed, holding up a hand.

  "Well, I can't tell you what to do, but I'm glad I'm not going to be around when you tell him the truth."

  "So, he'll be a little mad, he'll get over it. Besides, I'm not absolutely, positively sure I'm pregnant." She grinned mischievously. "Now tell me what you found out about John. When's his brother bringing him home?" Cassie sipped at her cider, pushing her own dilemma aside. She'd made her decision now, and she'd live with the consequences later.

  Cassie relaxed in the copper tub, letting the steamy water seep over her tired body until her chin touched the surface. She and Devon had ridden hard today, spending their last day in Dover surveying Marshview and discussing its future—their future.

  "If you sink any further under, you'll drown yourself, sweet." Devon eased back in the wing-back chair he'd pulled up next to the tub and propped his bare feet on the rim. He was dressed only in a pair of worn breeches and a cotton shirt, a glass of fine wine cradled in one hand.

  Cassie lifted her hand to drizzle water over his foot, watching it pool between his toes. "'Tis the last bath I'll be having for sometime. I intend to enjoy it." Her eyes caressed his handsomely rugged face, admiring his silky hair. She loved his raven hair this way, unclubbed and falling just short of his broad shoulders.

  "Perhaps I should partake of the same luxury . . ." He lifted a dark eyebrow, smiling lazily.

  "You're more than welcome." She reached for a bar of perfumed soap on a chair to the right of the tub. "Of course your men may have something to say about you smelling of jasmine."

  Spurred by her teasing, he reached with a hand to flick water in her face and she sunk beneath the water. She surfaced, laughing as she soaped her hands and began to run them through her thick, wet mane.

  "Let me do that. . ." Devon was on his feet, setting the wineglass down beside the huge tub.

  "Do what?"

  "Wash your hair." He took the sweet-smelling soap from her hands and lathered his own. "Every time I see you wash your hair, I wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through it, wet like this." His voice was soft and throaty, adding a hint of sensuality to the air.

  "Mmmm," Cassie groaned as he ran his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. She sunk lower in the tub, closing her eyes as a warm tingle spread from her head to her limbs. "Never had anyone wash my hair before." she murmured. "Feels wonderful."

  "You see, I am good for something." Devon scrubbed her head with his blunt fingernails, working the lather through the length of her wet tresses. Then, he picked up her empty wineglass from the chair and filled it with water.

  Cassie groaned as the warm water ran down her head and then her neck, hitting the tub with a splash. Devon's fingers worked through her hair as he rinsed it again and again, sending tiny shivers of pleasure down her spine. The smell of jasmine mingling with the scent of his nearness relaxed Cassie until her mind floated dreamily.

  "Don't go to sleep on me." Devon teased softly. pouring the last glass of water over her head. "Stand up and I'll wrap you in a towel."

  Cassie eased herself out of the water, stepping over the side of the tub into the towel he held for her. Left out near the chimney, the towel soaked up the water that ran down her slim body, encasing her in a cocoon of warmth. "Mmmm, I could get used to this." She leaned against Devon, resting her head on his chest. "Ready for bed?"

  "Not with your hair wet. You'll catch your death and then you'll have to stay here." He guided her to the chair near the tub. "Sit and I'll brush it out."

  Enjoying the pampering, Cassie leaned back to let him dry her hair with another towel and then begin to run the silver-handled hairbrush through it. "I must be crazy to go back to Morristown when I could live like this." she murmured, letting her eyelids drift shut.

  "You can stay if you like." He parted her hair, brushing it in sections.

  "No, I want to be with you, at least through the winter." For a moment she contemplated telling him about the baby, but changed her mind. He'd surely not permit her to return to the army if he knew. Just a little longer, she prayed silently. Give me a little more time with him, a few more happy times like this and I'll return here to be a proper wife.

  "I still can't believe it, Cas. Father is completely taking over the business to leave Marshview to me. You'll no longer be married to a barrister; I'll just be a farmer." He laid down the brush and took her hand, leading her to their bed.

  "It matters not to me." she told him. "I've no need for a barrister. I couldn't tell you what one does except sign papers." She filled their bedchamber with a throaty laugh, climbing into bed and moving over to make room for Devon.

  He shook his head, sliding in beside her naked body. "I can see I'm never going to grow bored with you."

  "Never." She tugged at his cotton shirt playfully. "Shall I call someone to empty the bath, or leave it?' She touched her upper lip with the tip of her tongue.

  "Leave it, minx." He leaned forward to kiss her shapely mouth.

  Cassie relaxed against the plump pillows, easing his arms around his neck. Their tongues met and their breath mingled as she accepted his lips without resistance. When she finally pulled away, her hands fell to the drawstring of his breeches. "Why is it, my husband, that you are dressed and I am not?" As she spoke, her finger unlaced his breeches with a hasty nimbleness.

  Devon's husky laughter filled their bedchamber as he leaned back to let her have her way. Then, when she'd drawn his breeches off and tossed them on the floor, she tugged at his shirt, adding it to the pile. They kissed fervidly, straining to mold their bodies until they became one and then they slept, content in each other's arms.

  The winds of March blew through the patriot army encampment, bringing new hope for the ragged soldiers. Word had come from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that the brig Mercury had docked with arms, bolts of cloth, caps, stockings, and shoes. And behind them, out of French ports, there were no less t
han thirty-four more shiploads on their way. Congress sent new troops, and old regiments decided to stay on. Prisoner exchanges began to take place and old faces began to file in. Seventeen seventy-seven looked to be a better year for the patriot army.

  Cassie and Devon returned to Morristown with a new understanding. There were no more bitter words, no sleepless nights. They bathed in each other's affection and filled the camp with their contagious laughter. Only the secret Cassie kept from her husband prevented her from being entirely honest. Just another month, she decided, and then I'll tell him. Then I' go home.

  Early one morning in late March, there was a knock on their cabin door and Devon roused himself from sleep and began to dress.

  "Where are you going?" Cassie murmured, drawing the blanket over her shoulders.

  "Go back to sleep. I promised Mordecai I'd fill in for him on a perimeter patrol. He's still got that cold in his chest and I didn't think he ought to be riding." Devon stoked the fire on the back wall of their cabin.

  "I'll make you something to eat." Cassie sat up slowly, dropping her feet on the floor. It was still dark outside and the wind howled bitterly.

  "No need, just go back to sleep." He sat on the log stool to roll up his worsted wool stockings.

  "It's all right. I'll go back to sleep after you leave. How long will you be gone?" She pulled on a pair of stockings and shuffled sleepily across the room. She wore a heavy flannel nightgown that was worth its weight in gold against the bitter chill of early morning. It had been a going-away present from Mother Marsh and she treasured it greatly.

  "I'll be back well before nightfall. There's been no movement in weeks—I doubt we'll see anyone."

  "Just the same, keep your eyes open. You know it's the moment ye become too cocky that they'll blow a hole through you." She swung a pan of water over the fire to heat and searched for the tin she kept cold biscuits in. The biscuits and some of the precious mulberry jelly they'd brought from Marshview would make a good morning meal for Devon.

  When he'd eaten and dressed warmly, Devon gathered his water can and knapsack. "I'm off. I'll see you tonight. Get back in bed and I'll tuck you in." He ran his hand through her thick mane of hair, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He was concerned about Cassie. She just hadn't seemed herself lately. She slept constantly and had become particular about what she ate. She lived on flat biscuits and jelly.