Roses of Stone

The next morning, Tavington stirred slightly stretching a bit before reaching for Katharine to wrap his arm around her soft body for warmth. However, his hand kept moving across the bed finding that she was not there and he opened his eyes. Sitting up he looked around the room, “Katharine?” he said wondering if she went to fetch a drink of water or something of that nature. Throwing the covers back he sat up stretching once again, before standing and walking to the wash basin pouring a little bit of water and washing his face. He hoped that she would return soon, he had plans for when they awoke, and this simply would not do.

After a while, when she still didn’t return he washed up and put some clothes on to go and see what was taking so long. William couldn’t deny the fact that he was quite hungry, so a small snack of some sort was definitely in order. It was still very early; it was not going to be time to get up for a while yet. Making his way down the stairs he looked about to see if anyone else was up besides himself and obviously, Katharine. It seemed strange to him that he heard nothing.

Either way, she had probley gone to check on young William, as she expressed annoyance that his nursemaid did not wake her when he awoke in the night. He moved to the kitchen and lit a candle to forage for some sort of food. He found some fresh fruit left out in a bowl that had been purchased or picked only yesterday. Taking out an apple he took a bite out of it moving the candle slightly so it was out of his way.

Something was a miss, his years as a solider in battle had taught him to have a sort of sixth sense about such things. However, he continued to eat the apple simply waiting. Suddenly out of nowhere, a body came from the shadows wielding what looked to be a large knife of some sort swiping it at his body. William ducked out of the way and grabbed his assailant’s arm twisting them around and pulling their arm hard behind their back. The man struggled, and pulled yet another weapon from somewhere on his person and made a move to stab backwards.

Tavington grit his teeth as a slash ran down his side, and kept a hold of the man reaching behind him and picking up a kitchen knife, and sliced it across the mans throat. The man fell to the floor, and Tavington looked over him. He was not a solider he was in civilian clothing. Either it was a common thief, or he was militia. He heard another noise in the house and realized that this man was not alone.

William quickly ran out of the Kitchen heading for the room where he did most of his work, a loaded pistol lie in a drawer and would be a much better ally then this mere knife. It was very dark, there was a new moon that made it very hard to see but his blue eyes adjusted to the dark much quicker then they would have if they were of a darker color. Almost making it to the desk, he stopped hearing the familiar sound of a gun being cocked and ready to fire.

Frozen in place he waited to see where the person was, holding the knife close trying to keep it hidden. “Drop that, NOW!” The voice shouted. The accent was heavy, and he wasn’t quite familiar with what nationality or language he was accustomed to. At the moment there was nothing to do, but comply since it seemed obvious that the man wasn’t ready to kill him. Otherwise, why on earth would he have wasted the time to disarm him? Reaching out he dropped the knife and his arms lay at rest at his sides. “Turn around, Colonel. I’m not in the habit of shooting a man in the back. I use the term loosely.” Tavington just stood there, not even making the slightest motion that he was going to do as he was told this time. “TURN AROUND!” He shouted.

Slowly, William turned planning what he would do next. However, as his eyes started to move towards the man, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing just around the corner behind him. Oh, GOD what on earth did she think she was doing!?! “You first.” She said causing the man to turn about, and with that she thrust her thin blade through his stomach and twisted it hard so that the wound wouldn’t close. The man fired off his gun and cried out in shock dropping it from his hand. Katherine jerked the dagger out as he started to sink to his knees and stepped back.

It didn’t take long for the man to fall over unconscious, and he would be dead in just a few moments. Tavington quickly pulled the loaded pistol from the desk drawer along with extra ammunition before grabbing Katharine by the arm and pulling her out of the room. “Where’s William?” Tavington asked forcing her to stay behind him as they pressed themselves against the wall, looking to see if the coast was clear.

“I sent the servants out the back, they’re taking him into the city where the officers are quarter. I was sure he’d be safe there.” She said looking about as well, “I was in the nursery, when I saw a torch coming towards the house. The light went out and it went dark and I was afraid they were coming in.” William grabbed her wrist and moved her again to the back of the house so they could escape unscathed.

“God forbid that you would do the intelligent thing and go with them.” He growled at her, looking around the corner before making their way across the room. It would have helped the situation greatly if there was some sort of light, moonlight, candle light, anything.

“And leave you to die lying naked in bed? Oh wouldn’t your peers and fellow officers have far to much enjoyment out of such a demise.” She said, as he held her wrist, still keeping him behind her.

“Funny, I thought you would be the one to announce to the world my condition when it was found I was murdered.” He hissed back at her. Something told him that there were more then two, and it was irritating him that he couldn’t place where they were.

“WILLIAM!” Katharine screamed before she pushed him out of the way to the ground. Tavington looked up just in time to see her get hit in the face by the butt of a riffle, and fall to the floor. He took aim and fired hitting the man in the ear and the bullet when through his head. Moving over to Katharine, he found that the blow was hard enough that she was in a daze and it had broken her skin on her forehead and blood was moving down her face.

“Damnit, Katharine! Will you stop trying to be a hero!” He cursed at her, since that was twice now she put herself in harms way for his sake. Quickly reloading his pistol, he stood pulling her to her feet. She swayed a little bit and he steadied her as best as he could. It seemed that she could hardly stand much less walk and he didn’t have much choice. Leaning down he hosted her onto his shoulder in a firemen’s carry and continued on his way.

After a few moments, he found himself standing beside a doorway, as he heard the sounds of their silverware being picked through and stolen, as they looted the house that wasn’t even unoccupied. He would happily fight them all off, but it was useless with Katharine on his shoulder. It could get them both killed. At the same time, he couldn’t leave her alone considering it seemed an entire band at stormed the house.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of hooves thundered towards the house, as he heard the order to charge given by an officer and foot soldiers surrounding the house. “Out the back way, quick! Hurry up!” The men shouted picking up what they could, Tavington crossed the hall and stood behind another doorway narrowly escaping being seen by the men.

“Run while you can you filthy bastards.” He hissed under his breath. This would not go unpunished. Katharine started to wake up a bit more, becoming aware of her surroundings again, and Tavington put her down to stand to her feet, holding her against him so that she wouldn’t fall.

The doors of the house flew open as several soldiers came in aiming their muskets ready to fire as three others followed carrying torches and pistols. Several shots were heard outside and more orders where given to chase down the rascals. A major hurried in and looked around to see Tavington and Katharine standing in a nearby room. “Colonel Tavington.” He said moving closer to them, seeing Katharine’s wound on her head, and blood staining Tavington’s white shirt. “Are you in need of medical assistance?” He inquired.

“Just get those rebels before they escape from underneath you.” The Colonel hissed, not at all liking the way that this attack was executed. He growled at him still holding Katharine so she wouldn’t fall.

“Yes Sir!” He said and turned to follow in hot pursuit. However, he left enough men behind to patrol and guard the house. Tavington leaned down and swept Katharine up into his arms, and took her upstairs and back to her room. She had a headache but had come out of the daze.

Tavington poured some water in a bowl and walked over with a few small towels and held it against her face where she was struck. She winced and pulled her head back away from him but he followed after her with the cold cloth anyway. “Hold still, do you want it to swell and make a horrendous mark?”

“No, but do you have to be so rough?” She said pushing his hand away and taking the cloth from his hand and holding it to her own head. “Our servants must have gotten to the city, and sent help.” She said with a sigh closing her eyes for a moment feeling tired but opened them again.

“You are the most damnedable woman!” he yelled at her, feeling a sense of outrage that she didn’t go with the servants or wake him as soon as she suspected that something was wrong. “Who or WHAT do you think you are!?! You are not a solider, you are not even a man! And you certainly aren’t trained to handle such things!” Katharine pulled the cloth from her face as her eyes narrowed.

“Do you think I cannot defend myself? What would have happened if I didn’t distract that rebel long enough for you to pull a weapon! I didn’t know for certain he was armed and I had to act on my threat! Do you think that I enjoy killing? DO YOU! I am not like you, William! I can’t look in the face of another human being; steal their life and then just move on like it was nothing, NOTHING AT ALL!”

Reaching out he grabbed her shoulders and shook her slightly, “YOU WEREN’T DEFENDING YOURSELF, YOU WERE DEFENDING ME!” He roared at her, as angry was could be.

She threw her hands off of him and got just as angry as he was, “AND YOU? WERE YOU NOT DEFENDING ME AS WELL!?! It is perfectly normal for you to risk your life on behalf of mine, and not the same proper duty for me to risk mine for yours! If that makes sense to you, then do me the honor of explaining it to me for I do not understand it!” Katharine shook her head but stopped, seeing something out of the corner of her eye. Blood that soaked the side of his shirt, and it was in no small supply. “You’ve been hurt.” She said concern quickly coming to her eyes. However she looked up to see him starring at her wide-eyed at her sudden change in tone and manner. Clearing her throat she regained an iciness and pulled him up to sit on the bed.

Katharine pulled his shirt up over his head and tossed it aside as she reached for another cloth and dipped it in water holding it to the wound. It was much more tender then expected and Tavington hissed in pain moving back a little bit. “Hold still! Do you want it to swell!” She said throwing his words back at him as she put the cloth to his side again.

“What do you think you are doing!?!” he said starting to push her hand away from him. Now it was him being stubborn even though she wasn’t being half as rough with him as he had been with her. Katharine clinched her jaw and reached up putting her hand on his chest and shoving him to lay down on the bed. Then dipped the cloth in water again and held it to his wound tightly.

“I didn’t get assaulted like that, just to have you bleed to death all over my bedroom floor!” She yelled. “NOW LAY THERE AND BE GOOD!” She said moving the bowl closer so she could tend to his wound. Tavington looked at her for a moment smirking evilly.

“Strange, I seem to recall one of us saying such a command only last night.” The lewd comment just couldn’t be contained could it? With out saying a word or giving a reaction Katharine pressed harder against the wound causing Tavington to flinch “EASY you demon!”

“Then be quiet, you’re ruining my concentration.” She said going back to tending his wound giving him a look that a few other mistakes would be made if he didn’t start cooperating with her. Tavington rolled his eyes and lay back just starring at her evilly. “It looks like your going to need a surgeon to put a few stitches in for this to heal properly. I’ll have the guard down stairs send for one immediately.” Putting the cloth down she looked at him again, “Don’t move . . . or I promise you I will condemn you to bed rest myself.” She threatened.

Katharine got up and went out of the room leaving him alone for a few moments. The sun was nearly up now and the light showed through every window chasing the darkness away. Definitely Tavington sat up just so she would fuss that he moved when she returned. His eyes moved about broadly when they fell on an article of clothing that was left on Katharine’s desk. Slowly he stood with a slight grunt, holding his hand over his wound and made his way to the desk.

He reached for the garment and held it up looking at it. It was made of soft satin, a soft pleasing color that he could have sworn matched Katharine’s eyes. Just then Katharine came back into the room, and walked over snatching the garment away and putting it aside. “I thought I said not to move, William. What are you doing out of bed?” She hissed pushing him back towards the bed roughly. Part of it was embarrassment that he saw the gown she had bought specifically for last night, but she decided to focus more on the fact that he had moved after she had told him not to.

“And so what if I did, I think I’m entitled to exercise my God given right to move as and where I please!” Katharine just shook her head and pushed him down to the bed once more, even rougher then she had earlier. Then she moved up and sat on his legs so he couldn’t get up again and began to clean the wound, before pressing clean cloths against it. Tavington reluctantly gave in and just watched her. “Are you quite finished?” He snapped, feeling a bit grouchy.

“I intend to stay exactly where I’m at and continue what I am doing until the surgeon gets here, and I shall have no more complaints out of you.” She said taking another cloth and holding it on the wound. “Honestly, a grown man who is a solider of his majesties forces complaining about having his wounds tended.

“Oh really? Am I the only one who sustained injuries or have you not looked into a mirror!” He said seeing that a bruise was beginning to form around her eye and the cut across it was still bleeding a bit. “I think that you are in more need of a surgeon then I, Katharine. Or do you intend to ignore your wound and tend to it yourself, with your ‘extensive medical knowledge and understanding’.” Katharine narrowed her eyes and pressed down on his wound again, as he hissed through his teeth feeling as though he was going to pass out.

“Would you STOP being so childish, William! Why don’t you come out and say what is bothering you! Or are you going to deny it and act oblivious to the fact that you are angry with me because I didn’t simply play the damsel in distress and I fought along with you instead of standing back and waiting for you to fight for me? Have I encroached on your masculinity by helping you rather then cowering in a corner somewhere crying and moaning like some . . . school girl!?!?!”

“Your calling me childish!?! How dare you! Was it not only last night when you lay here in this very bed crying, and trying to send me away even though you tried to deny your obvious desires and needs just to get even with me!!!” He shouted, both of their voices were starting to raise higher and higher as they spoke to each other.

“WHAT!!! As if I was going to let you touch me after you slept with that . . . that. . .prostitute! That . . . bed warmer for anything that moves with an Adams apple!!!” She said leaning down closer to him. “You brought her into our home and fornicated with that woman!!! Did you want me to just . . . forget about it like nothing happened!”

“YOU ALWAYS HAVE BEFORE!”

“WELL I DON’T NOW!” A knock came to the door as a voice called out for them.

“I was told that I was needed? The Colonel was wounded and needed medical attention? Shall I come in?”

Both of them looked at the door and shouted at the same time, “NO!!” They looked at each other, “William! She’s here, and she’s not going to go back to England with her husband dead and so many old ‘friends’ here in the colonies who would happily welcome her attentions! Do you think . . . for one instant . . . that she is going to stay away from us? Away from you!?!?!?!”

“YES, I assure you that she shall never come near myself or you again! I completely put my word behind that fact and nothing is going to change it, Katharine! I made one mistake, just ONE with a woman since I was sent here from England. Why on earth are you acting like it is the end of the world!”

“BECAUSE IT IS!.” She screamed at him tears filling her eyes. He stopped and looked at her just seeing the change in her eyes. She leaned back sitting on his legs again, and turned away. “It is.” She slipped off of his lap and quickly made her way to the bedroom door and opened it. “Go in, attend to the Colonel. He’s wounded.”

The doctor saw the wound on her head and the large bruise forming, “My Lady . . . you are injured as well, I think I should take a look at it?” He said, but she pushed passed him disappearing into another part of the house, refusing to let the tears fall that so desperately wanted to. The doctor looked after her and then turned to see the Colonel sitting on the bed, looking as if he was a bit in shock. He felt as though he was intruding into something between the two that he shouldn’t have been, but he was called for a reason and he entered the room to tend to Tavington’s wounds.

A while later, Katharine washed her face and held a cool cloth against it for sometime, until she felt as though she had taken care of herself well enough and the mark on her face didn’t cause her so much pain. She fixed her hair and left the room making her way down the stairs and into the main room where the men were, and walked to the Major. They all quickly paid their respects as the Lady of the house entered and she smiled to thank them. “Did you find them all?”

“Yes My Lady, I believe we did. Some are in custody but . . . the ones who resisted . . .” He stopped there not willing to say more in the presence of a lady such as Katharine. “We will post a watch her for you, so that this shall not happen again. Looters seem to be getting more out of hand.”

“I see. Thank you Major.” She said looking at the other soldiers smiling and nodding to them. “Sir, when can my servants and my son be expected to return here? I would like them to know that we are safe now, and I would desperately like to see my son. I’m sure he was quite upset about everything happening around him like it did.”

“I know you must be anxious to see him, My Lady. He and his nurse are quite alright and are waiting for you in the city safe in the officers quartering house. My superiors think that it would be better that you come back into the city with us for now. It is proven that this is a very unsecured area and is deemed unsafe until a full investigation and patrol has cleared out the area of any more rebels.” His eyes moved to the wound on Katharine’s head and he grew a bit concerned, “Madam, a surgeon was summoned to aid you. Shall I call him? You require medical attention.”

“He’s with Colonel Tavington just now. Really, it looks much worse then it actually is. How soon shall be we leaving for Charleston?” She said quickly changing the subject. Her only concern right now was young William, and wanting to see that he was safe as was said.

“Immediately, My Lady. We shall depart as soon as you gather your personal belongings.” He said as one of the lower officers walked up beside the commander to give him a report.

“I won’t be long.” She said knowing that he was busy and turned to walk back up the stairs and start gathering her things as she had said she would. Katharine hoped that they could return to their home soon, she hated to think it would fall into disrepair and fall pray to more looters with no one there to look after it.

Passing the doctor in the hall he stopped a moment, “Your husband, Colonel Tavington should be fine. I’ll need to change the bandages frequently for clean ones. Now, may I attend to your injury?” He said taking a step towards her.

“Perhaps in town doctor, we are being escorted back in until they’ve made it safe for us to return. I need to pack, and I would like to see my son.” The doctor knew better then to argue with a Tavington, any Tavington. They all seemed to be quite stubborn and pig headed about a number of things. He simply nodded and she walked passed him returning to her bedchamber. She opened the door to find Tavington standing next to the bed, with his shirt still off. Katharine narrowed her eyes and closed the door behind her. “Did you give him as difficult a time as you gave me? Or is that just another special privilege that you reserve for your wife.”

“Oh hush.” He said. The battle was over there was no need to discuss it further. “Why hasn’t your wound been dressed yet? I suggest that you call the doctor back immediately to attend to you.” He said with a snap. It didn’t seem quite even that he should have to get his wounds attended and she should escape the experience.

“It’ll have to wait. I need to gather my things, Lord Cornwallis insists that we return to the city until the area can be made more secure. William is there and safe and I wish to go to him immediately.” She said as she started to gather the things that she would need.

“Now? This instant? I think it would be better that you rest for a while before we start into town. I shall take you this afternoon.” He said as he picked up a clean shirt and pulled it on over his head. “William is in good hands, he is safe, and won’t be going hungry with his nursemaid looking after him. I do not see the need to rush out just yet.”

“The Major was gracious enough to offer to escort us back to town. I accepted and we should not keep him and the others waiting.” Tavington just narrowed his eyes as he looked at her and pushed passed her walking out of the bedroom slamming the door behind. Katharine sighed and muttered under her breath, “Childish” and grabbed a nightgown and robe to sleep in.

A few moments later the Colonel returned and slammed the door behind him again when he entered. Katharine jumped before becoming quite irritated with his constant temper and loud slamming of doors. Perhaps he was finished so she didn’t say anything to him. “You needn’t hurry now, I informed the ‘Good Major’ that we shall not require his services and he and the other soldiers have started back for the city. We shall start on our way this afternoon.

Katharine sighed, “If that is what you wish, William.” She said moving to bag and opening it as she started to put her things into it so it could be transported easily. “Why you have t make such a large fuss about these sort of things I shall never understand.”

“You’re a fine one to talk about making a dramatic scene Katharine.” He said as he moved back over to the bed going through his own things looking for some other articles of clean clothing to don for the time being. “You need not take very much, I shall personally see to it that the house is safe for you and the servants to return to within the week. I see no need whatsoever for you to be surrounded by those rather hungry vultures that feed on gossip.”

“I’m flattered by your sudden concern. Are you certain that it is not your own attempt to keep myself and Desiree Stuart apart?” She said bluntly, intending to hit him hard with her words however she could. “I am not the one whose company she wishes, remember. No matter where myself and young William are, she will be more interested in being with you.” Tavington stayed silent. He had already told her once that Desiree would never bother them again, there was absolutely no need to continually repeat himself on the matter.

Walking over to Katharine, he took her by the arm and pulled her to the bed picking her up and laying her down. “Now, rest. We shall not leave until I am satisfied that you have slept.” He demanded as he looked down at her and pulled a blanket up over to keep her warm.

“Ha. You didn’t get anymore sleep then I did William Tavington. Why should I sleep while you go milling about the house? I have things to do of my own that shall not wait while I, ‘rest’.” She started to get up and he sighed pushing her back down.

“Suit yourself, I shall rest beside you then.” He stood up and moved to the other side of the bed lying down as well. This was not how he had envisioned spending the majority of this day. Yet, he found that he was a bit exhausted as well, even though he would make it seem like he was only resting to satisfy her, it was quite a welcome thing. “Now sleep, Katharine. If you get out of this bed before I give you permission, there will be dire consequences to be paid.”

“You know, the only thing that outweighs your arrogance, is your vanity.” She said wanting to get the last word in at whatever cost. Tavington said nothing and just rolled over wrapping his arm around her and moving to lay on her as though she was nothing more then a comfortable pillow. Katharine felt very incensed for a moment, but what on earth can she do? Sighing she tried to make herself comfortable as well and closed her eyes. A little sleep did sound like a good idea, she felt so tired since all of the excitement had wound down.

Most of the unit left to go back to Charleston, but four shoulders were left behind to guard the house and escort the Tavington’s back to town, once they were ready to go. It wasn’t until much later that afternoon that either of the two Tavington’s awoke. Each must have been much more tired then first imagined.

Katharine was the first as she was still held tightly and laid upon as though she was nothing more then a pillow or a wadded up blanket. With a slight groan she used all of her strength to push him off of her and slipped out from underneath him straitening her clothing. She started to stand up but suddenly fell back on the bed, when Tavington reached out and grabbed the back of her skirts jerking her back against him. “Leaving so soon?” Katharine turned around and starred at him giving him a look of pure and utter hatred. Tavington’s eyes moved over the wound on her head, “Your wound looks worse. You had better get it looked at immediately.”

She sighed loudly, “If we had already gone into town instead of “Napping” then it would have already been looked at.” She snapped batting his hand away from her dress. Katharine stood and walked over to the dresser to finish packing. Tavington sat up and stretched his back before getting up as well.

“Honestly, I was looking forward to being away from uniforms and bellowing officers during my leave. And here we are, going right back to where you started out from. Pity.” He said as he moved to the window to look out and make sure no one was sneaking up on them again. Katharine closed her trunk and secured the locks. Tavington just watched her reflection in the window as she moved about. He couldn’t help but remember that night they spent together in his tent. Lying side by side, content to be in each others company. Now, it seemed she hated him more then ever. At least, it was what she wanted to feel towards him. He was certain that she wouldn’t have risked her life several times when the rebels raided their home.

“Well, if that is true then you will want to be returning to your own command and to the Green Dragoon camp. Since there would be no point in staying if it would be the same as you were not on leave.” She said, walking over and looking in the mirror as she frowned. It all looked so incredibly horrid. Sitting down she poured some water in the basin and began to wash her face and the wound. She would have to do something with her hair to cover that side of her face if she wasn’t to parade around like an abused woman.

“I fear that you would enjoy that to much, so I shall spend the rest of my leave with you and young William. Just to annoy you of course.” He snapped before pushing the window open to air out the staleness of the room. Turning back into the room he leaned against the window frame and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Katharine trying her best to make herself look more presentable. Even if she tried to cake makeup on over it, it would still shine through. She was never one for make up anyway, so she would most likely do her best to hide it. Even now, with a mark on her face and her hair quite out of place, she looked absolutely radiant. Honestly, it amazed him that he didn’t see it before as he did now. He knew that she was lusted after by many in the court and aristocracy, it was suddenly quite clear to him why. Tavington could hardly call her a trophy wife, it was simply not a fitting title for one such as she. If any woman was ever fit to be a mother, it was she. Beneath the hardened exterior, which he himself was responsible for, beat a soft and gentle loving heart. Of course he knew he had hurt her so much that she constantly guarded herself from any attacks that he might invoke.

Katharine sighed as she took her hair down and began to brush it over and over again. It was a rather relaxing and enjoyable feeling and she closed her eyes. Tavington pushed himself off of the window and quietly walked behind her looking at her in the mirror. Perhaps it was because that he was not a young man anymore that he looked at her wishing that he and she could have a more loving relationship, but it was past that. It could never be complete bliss like it seemed she had always hoped for. Katherine switched sides and took a breath as her long hair draped over her shoulders, making her look so young and beautiful despite the wound on her face. “Tie your hair back Katharine.” He said softly.

She opened her eyes and saw him watching her in the mirror and starred at him for a moment. “What?” She said thinking it a rather odd request. Tie her hair back?

“Tie your hair back, the way you did the day I found you in the woods. With a black silk ribbon.” Katherine just starred at him not sure what on earth this could be, but he asked so softly, so gently how could she refuse him? Putting her brush down, she reached over to her box and opened it taking out the ribbon that she found in his kit those weeks ago. She pulled it around under her hair and tied it into a bow that rested on the side of her head just over her ear. There, the simplicity of how she wore her hair now, made her absolutely breathtaking, and her youth shined through. “I’m certain that there were quite the number of eyes that saw you this way in my camp, whose eyes should have been gouged from their heads for looking at you the way I do now.”

“I’m not sure if you are paying me a compliment or not, William.” She said thinking the graphic terms that he used were more then inappropriate. Of course they were, in every way, but William wanted to make a point of how he felt when seeing her like this. Envious, jealous of her radiance wanting it all to himself and not to share it with another living soul on the earth, willing to kill or maim to keep her to himself.

Reaching down, he ran his fingers slowly through her hair, just feeling the softness as it caressed his skin. It sent chills up his spine, as his fingertips came to rest on her shoulders. “Do you know why I married you, Katharine?” He said softly moving his fingertips down her shoulders.

“My fathers fortune along with my dowry.” She said bluntly almost as soon as he had asked the question. Tavington arched a brow and sighed, she was right. It was the first and foremost reason that he had married her. “To your credit . . . I suppose you kept it from me for two years until I finally admitted it to myself.”

“Besides stating the obvious which you seem to have a talent for doing, Katharine.” He said sternly wishing to God that she would stop that when he was trying to be gentle with her. “I married you because you were beautiful, and sought after by nearly all the men who met you. I wanted you for myself, and me alone. Yes . . . I have been very . . . selfish in certain area’s of marriage . . .” She opened her mouth to say something but he quickly cut her off before she had a chance, “ . . . but there are only so many times I can apologize for it. I was rather shocked to find myself apologizing at all. Yet I have . . . and I wish you leave it at that.”

“Jealousy is faltering but it is not a good trait. It’s one of the seventh sins William, and you really should try to avoid it.”

“I assure you that worse sins have been committed then mere jealousy in the Tavington name, Katharine. Don’t under estimate the facts.” Katharine rolled her eyes and looked away from him. Being civil certainly didn’t seem to be working, “Why are you doing your utmost best to start an argument with me, Katharine. I was attempting . . .” William sighed and shook his head taking his hand from her, “Nevermind. Gather your things.”

With that he turned and left the room, going down to call the guards in to help with Katharine’s trunk. Sitting alone, she sat before her vanity just starring at herself, as a tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek.