The Butchers Love

Chapter 17

Once we made it back to our shared room, I ordered William to turn around as I got dressed for the evening. While I was getting dressed he walked towards his desk and searched through one of the drawers "found it" he happily spoke before looking towards me and smiling "I know I should have probably waited until the wedding to show you the rings, however I wanted to show you now"  He walked towards me and showed me an engraved copper ring "I-er-couldn't afford gold...I'm sorry..."

"I needn't a golden ring, your all I need"

"I truly don't deserve you"

"No you do" I smiled and rubbed his shoulders with my hands "You deserve so much more than you think"

William put the ring in my hand and enclosed my fingers around it "One day I will give you everything you deserve, I will get a job in trade and build a home for us both"

"You spoil me" I smiled and looked down at the ring, it had an engraving of sorts around on the outside and the copper reflected the light of the candles that lit up the room "Its absolutely gorgeous" when I had finished speaking he let out a sigh of what seemed to be relief "I love you for who you are, not your money or position, you are the man I love"

"and I love you for who you are, a strong, independent and astoundingly beautiful" he smiled before picking me up and carrying me bridal style "I love you" William spun us both around before peppering my face with kisses. I couldn't help but laugh and clutch onto his scarlet coat "I promise to honour you all of my life"

"And I promise to be by your side no matter what" as I spoke he laid me on the bed and covered me in a blanket "You take such good care of me" I nuzzled into the pillow. William smiled before taking off his coat, waistcoat, shirt and boots before joining me in bed.

William wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer to him "I love you" he mumbled before kissing and nibbling my neck softly.

"I love you more" I smiled and turned to face him. As I joke I put my hand on his chest and whispered 'mine'. To my surprise he smirked and put his hand on my chest and mumbled the same words. He stared at me for a while before leaning his forehead against mine. He ran his hand from my chest to my upper arm "What are your doing" I sleepily mumbled as he ran his slightly calloused hand over my elbow.

"You're incredibly beautiful my darling" William huskily spoke and closed his eyes for a moment "so beautiful" he muttered and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

I gently traced his jawline with my fingertips and felt some stubble beginning to grow. In response William nuzzled into my hand and kissed my palm gently.

"My handsome Colonel"

"My Rebel" he uttered and moved hair out of my face before smiling again "I love you my darling" William looked up to the ceiling aimlessly and let out a deep sigh

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking about the war, my actions have caused so many people pain, they have caused you pain and that is something I cannot bare"

"It's never too late to do the right thing, William, you can be the better man"

"I can't deal with it anymore, their screams, tears and the cries of children" William mumbled and looked away from me "I'm a man who has done horrors, I've murdered children..." he let out a shaky breath and stared at the ceiling "I aspire to be a better man, for you"

"William, look at me, Please?" I begged and he let out a sigh "Alright, we'll do it this way then" to his complete surprise I straddled his waist causing him to let out a small laugh "Now listen here, Colonel Darlington, your past may effect you. Well it clearly does but you are a good man" I smiled and rested my hand on his chest, just over his heart "In here"

"You're good at making people feel better" William spoke before sitting up and wrapping his arms around me "I love you"

"I love you too" I smiled to myself and buried my head into his shoulder "Never forget that"

Once he pulled away he kissed the tip of my nose lovingly "I won't, you're the only woman I will ever love" William took my hands into his and rested his forehead against mine "You're the love of my life"

"And you are most definitely mine" After a while he fell backwards into his pillow "can I kiss you?"

"You haven't to ask darling" William sat up once again and brought our lips together. He tilted his head to the side and rested his hand on the back of my head. When he pulled away he stared at me for a while before we both pulled each other into a kiss. I entangled my fingers in his hair causing him to groan and laid me backwards on the bed. William showered my my neck and jaw with kisses before running his hand up my arm and gently resting it at the base of my neck.

"Why must you do such things to me?" he mumbled against my lips before pulling away "I'm afraid I cannot go any further, well at least until our wedding night"

"Why what happens then?"

"I shall show you on that night, but only if you are willing, your honour and dignity are too important to me and I shall not force myself upon you" William mumbled and pressed a soft kiss to my temple before resting his forehead against mine.

"I trust you more than anyone" I smiled before moving a bit of hair out of his face and pushed it over his shoulder. I rested my hands on his shoulders and felt a dip in his skin that ran down his back "What happened?"

"That was my father, I'd rather not go into detail, but it involved a knife and me defending myself" William mumbled before rested his head on my breast "It still haunts me, I won but got injured in the process" he shivered slightly and clutched onto me sweetly.

"You're safe now my darling" I whispered and kissed the top of his head before gently running my fingers through his hair "now try and get some sleep, I'm sure Borden has something planned for you tomorrow"

"I can't be bothered drinking or gambling, I just want to spend time with you"

"Am I really that good company?"

"Only the best, that is why I wish to spend my life with you"

as he spoke I stroked through his hair causing him to groan slightly "sorry, did I hurt you?"

"Not at all, that just feels heavenly" he looked up to me and brushed his fingers across my cheek "You are heavenly" William shot me a sleepy smile and rested back on my chest before letting out a relieved sigh.

"Friday couldn't come sooner" I smiled and covered us both in a blanket "Sleep well my love"