The Butchers Love

Chapter 31

It had been a day and a half since I told William to get out. I did see him talking to James and then left for, what I guessed to be, Wisborough.

It was evening by the time he returned. William stormed into the room and glanced at me "Mable..." he mumbled before turning to face me "I'm giving you the opportunity to-"

"-it's so good to see you again William..."

"Just listen alright, do me a favour"

"Do you a favour? Whatever happened to not telling each other lies? Or keeping secrets from each other?"

"I kept a secret to-"

"keep me in the dark about your actions? Is that what you were going to say?"

He shot me a glare and scowled "Right, I'm going to tell you something" William growled and locked his eyes with mine "I was promised Ohio in exchange for the Ghost's capture, I have been given an option to use my 'brutal' tactics so I can get that land"

"We have a plantation here in South Carolina, isn't that enough?" I questioned and raised an eyebrow.

"I could have an entire country to myself!"

"Exactly, a country to yourself, you and you only!" I half-shouted and flung my arms up into the air "You're never satisfied! Nothing is ever good enough for you!"

"I've come from nothing! My father squandered my inheritance, my name and my land! I need a legacy!"

"you want a legacy, you don't need one!"

"I want my story to be remembered!"

"But is it a story to be feared or celebrated?!"

"don't you dare patronise me, you're my wife and you do not speak down to me-"

"-You know, it's true what they say, some people cannot be saved...I just thought that you could've been, If this is what our marriage is to become, I don't want to be your wife anymore, If this is the man you truly are"

A flash of hurt shot through William's eyes, I felt horrible initially but why were we arguing like idiots? I love him, but he cares more about being remembered.

"I'm not my father-"

"-Then stop acting like him..." I mumbled and tears threatened to fall down my cheeks "You're a good man on the inside Will..."

"I'm a fool..."

"I know, but you're my fool" I stood up and rested my hand against his chest "Why are we even fighting?"

"Because I'm a stupid man who can't control his anger..." William mumbled and looked down at the floor "As I said yesterday, I cannot sacrifice you..."

"If you want to be remembered, make it in a good way, I will tell your story every day to our children" with my words he looked into my eyes and placed a hand on my stomach.

"I am so sorry for everything..."

"Shh, I know, I know" I mumbled and brought my hand up to his cheek, gently grazing my fingers across his cheek.

"I'm so scared of becoming my father..."

"Shh now my love" I whispered and played with his braid "Come now, rest, your eyes are showing you're tired"

"I-can you stay with me, please?"

"Of course I will, I'll always be here" I took his hands and walked him over to the bed "lay down, I'll read you a story" William nodded slightly before sitting on the edge of the bed.

As he got undressed, I picked up his copy of Romeo and Juliet before sitting down on our bed "come here, love" He shuffled towards me and nuzzled into my shoulder "get comfortable" William rested his hand on my stomach before closing his eyes. I wrapped my arms around him before smiling to myself.

"Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,
A villain that is hither come in spite,
To scorn at our solemnity this night. Young Romeo is it? 'Tis he, that villain Romeo. Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone; He bears him like a portly gentleman; And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth: I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement: Therefore be patient, take no note of him: It is my will, the which if thou respect, Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, And ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. It fits, when such a villain is a guest: I'll not endure him. He shall be endured: What, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to; Am I the master here, or you? go to.
You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul! You'll make a mutiny among my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man!"

William shifted slightly and he let out a small sigh of relief. He went still and his breathing slowed, he was finally asleep. I kissed his forehead gently and brushed some hair out of his face.

Tavington's POV
I awoke again at around 9pm, Mable and I missed dinner due to us both falling asleep. As carefully as possible, I unravelled myself from her arms before redressing and walking into the corridor and down to James's room.

I knocked on Borden's door and waited patiently until someone opened it, lieutenant Andrews, walked out of his room with his hair dishevelled and with his shirt in his hands "S-sir, excuse me"

The fuck? I shook my head and looked over at James before raising an eyebrow. Borden came up to me and widened his eyes "Good evening, I guess?"

"Colonel-"

"James I couldn't care less about your preferences, just be careful" I sighed and leant against the doorframe.

"S-so your not going to report me?"

"No"

"Thank you, I thought we were both done for then..."

"anyway, we've been asked to Blankstock Hill in 3 days, will I count on your arrival I presume?"

"Of course...about Andrews-" he glanced down the corridor and saw him leaning against a wall.

"No harm will come to him either"

"You're in a surprisingly good mood, anything you are willing to share?"

"Mable is possibly with child and she read me a book, causing me to fall asleep" I smiled and looked down at my boots "I could be a father, James"

James patted my shoulder and squeezed it gently "Make her proud"

"Who?"

"Your mother, she would be happy"

"She would, wouldn't she" I glanced at Andrews, who was still shirtless, before looking towards James "Right...I'll leave you two alone now, be careful and don't keep the entire Fort awake"

"William!" he whisper shouted before nudging my shoulder.

"You said the same to me James" I laughed slightly before walking back down to my room.

I glanced back at the pair, Borden stroked through his hair and kissed him. Well, that was unexpected...

When I walked into the room I smiled once I saw my sleeping wife, clutching the book I gifted her. I smirked before taking the book from her arms before placing it on her bedside. She stirred slightly and cracked her eyes open for a second.

"Will..." she turned away from me, causing me to snigger slightly.

I undressed and joined her once again, pulling her into my arms "Sleep" I cooed and kissed her forehead gently.

"Before this war is over, I'm going to kill you"