In the General's Tent Ch. 02

Like every morning, Hannah woke up shortly before dawn. This day, though, something was different. The comforter felt more plush than usual, and she felt something warm next to her. She was in General Beaumont's bed. Memories of the previous night flooded her thoughts. His mouth on hers. His hands in her hair. Her lips on him. Him, kneeling between her legs, their bodies moving in a delicious rhythm. Heat pooled low in her belly and she shifted between the sheets. She still had her back turned to him, but she could feel the general stir awake. He turned around and pulled her into him. She could feel his hardness press into her back.

"Good morning," he grumbled into her hair.

"Good morning."

His hand started tracing circles on her stomach.

"I always thought I was an early riser, but you seem to be quite chipper already."

She laughed softly.

"Yes, well, I always rise at this hour. I need to get the officers their breakfast, and they do not like to wait."

"Well, if that is the case... we should not linger."

His hand made a small detour to her breasts and then slipped between her legs. When he found wetness there, she could feel him twitch at her back. Hannah pressed her bottom more firmly against him which made him groan. He started rubbing between her legs, languid circles at first, but soon increased the tempo when Hannah started to move her hips. She needed more and her hips bucked to search for the friction she needed. But he pulled his hand away. Hannah let out a sound of protest.

"Don't worry," the general whispered into her ear. "I'll finish what I started."

He turned her onto her stomach and, pushing into her from behind, took her in long, unhurried strokes. Hannah relished the weight of him pressing her into the mattress. After a few minutes, his movements became more urgent, and he slipped his hand back under her to stroke her in time with his thrusts. She moaned into the pillow, and when she convulsed around him, it pushed him over the edge.

***

When Hannah entered the general's tent that evening, he was not there. While she tidied up and set his supper tray down, she wondered about his absence. Had this anything to do with the night they spent together? Don't be stupid, she chided herself. He had been absent most nights before. She did not think they would repeat their night together, anyway. She knew that most of the officers chose a woman to warm their bed occasionally, and she had had a few trysts herself. It had never been someone in command, though, and although it had only been a camp bed, she had never slept in a bed so soft before.

When she came to collect his dishes three days later, the general was there. He looked up from the papers he was studying.

"Hannah."

She tried not to show her surprise that he remembered her name. He had asked her, months ago, when she had first started serving him. He had never addressed her by name after that.

"How have you been?"

"Fine, sir. How is the war?"

She saw his lips twitch into a smile.

"Well, as I am sure you have heard, command is confident we will be victorious in a few weeks."

She nodded and cleared the dishes. As she turned to leave, he caught her by the wrist.

"Hannah, wait. The night we spent together--you do not regret it?"

"No, sir."

He pulled her onto his lap. "I would be... amenable... to a repetition."

She smiled, leaned in, and kissed him.

***

A few weeks later, after the war had been won, Anthony Beaumont was packing his belongings. He had been left to do the task himself, having sent his manservant ahead to prepare for his arrival. Home. His wife and four children were waiting for him. He had not seen them in over a year and was looking forward to their reunion.

As he busied himself with packing, however, his thoughts kept wandering to Hannah. He had found himself enjoying the maid's company more than he had expected.

Just then, he heard footsteps behind him and turned around.

"Hannah." He looked surprised. It was not the usual time for her to make her rounds.

"Sir, I..." He noticed how pale her face was. She seemed nervous.

"Is something the matter?"

"I need to talk to you." She hesitated. "I am with child."