The Butchers Love

Chapter 9

I awoke to the sun beaming in through the gap in the trees, the sound of birds and then the Colonel whistling a tune. A small smile invaded my lips as I sat up and stretched my arms and back. Moments later Tavington came back into the rocky hangover and smiled once he saw me awake "Good morrow"

"Is the day so young?" I recited the lines he read from the book last night, he could help but let out a small chuckle "How are you?"

"A little tired and absolutely famished, you?" as he spoke he crouched down in front of me.

"My neck is a little stiff, but all in all I'm fine"

"Well I've rather enjoyed our little outing" Tavington shot me a small smile "here" he produced an apple from his pocket and offered it to me.

"I thought you were hungry?"

"Ladies first, as the saying says"

"I'm really not that hungry"

"My dear, I can wait until Middleton Place" he shook his head slightly before picking up his satchel, along with mine "on the other hand, you haven't had anything to eat since yesterday" Tavington put the apple in my hands before standing once again.

"thank you" I smiled and remembered I was wearing his overcoat "Here anyway" As I spoke I took off the coat and gave it to him.

He nodded slightly before putting it over his shoulder and taking his helmet off a small ledge "Are you sure you won't be cold?"

"I'll be fine Colonel"

"Mable call me by my name, please?" Tavington asked and walked up to his horse before attaching both of our satchels to his saddle.

"Alright fine"

"thank you" William smiled softly and walked back up to me. He offered me his hand and for once I actually took it. His hand was softer than I expected it to be and his eyes never left mine as I stood up. We stared at each other for a slight moment before I stepped away from him "Are you ready to depart?"

"as ready as I'll ever be"

"Can you hold the horse while I pack up a few more things?" he asked and offered me the reins of the horse.

"of course" I smiled and took the horses reins. Once I did so he rolled up the bedroll, he groaned slightly as he picked it up "Your hair is a mess by the way"

"Such a nice compliment" he joked as he tied the bundle to the horse's saddle "mount up, I'll be walking this time"

"Why?"

"I like walking sometimes"

"You sure?"

"Of course, that and I can barely move my fingers so I can't really ride the horse" he smiled like nothing was wrong and finished attaching some more things to the saddle.

"When we get to Middleton Place, I'll wash and dress it for you"

"Are you sure?" William asked as he took the reins of the horse once again.

"You took care of me, so think of it as repayment"

"Thank you"

"Don't mention it" I smiled and stroked Ares' forehead softly. Once I got onto the saddle, Tavington started walking with the reins in his hands and the horse followed him suit.

"Anyway, a ball is to be held in 2 weeks, if you wish to attend I could arrange a dress fitting for you"

"Is it something I've always wanted to do"