The Butchers Love

Chapter 34

I spent a couple of hours in the library, reading 'Macbeth' of all things. Honestly I did miss him and it had only been around three hours. I was with child, most definitely, my courses are two weeks late. If he truly loves me, he'd come back...

It wasn't his ailment that caused me to flip out. In fact I was totally alright with that, I'd help him through it. But the way he cried when I said goodbye hurt me the most, his clear sobs killed a piece of me.

With a small smile, I closed the book I was reading and placed it back on the shelf before turning towards the door. His eyes met with mine and all I did was look back towards the bookcase.

"Darling?"

"Hmm?" that was my response.

His riding spurs clicked against the floor, he took my hand and placed a small bouquet of lavender in it "Stay safe over the next month"

"What?"

"I've been sent to Blackstock early, I'm here to ask if I can write to you"

"Alright" I looked at the bouquet in my hand and tears welded in my eyes "Stay alive"

"I always do, if we're lucky and we succeed, we will march into North Carolina"

I nodded slightly and looked into his eyes "Just don't die"

He smiled weakly and went to cup my cheek but stopped himself "To allow you your liberty, I'll be staying at Wisborough tonight"

"Oh..." I looked up for a moment before taking another book from the shelf 'romeo and juliet' "No, I thought you had the only copy"

William tilted his head in confusion before looking over my shoulder "What?"

I turned around and gave him the book "look, we both have copies now" I beamed and slanted my head to one side.

He glanced down at the book before looking back at me "D-dinner will be ready in a a few moments, after that I need to pack my belongings" William mumbled before meeting my eyes "I will be gone until the 20th of next month"

"That's that's four weeks..."

"If your pregnancy causes you any problems, I shall be back right away, it's my duty" I shook my head before staring at his boots "Will you write to me?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.

"That depends on what you write to me" I joked and smiled slightly before letting out a small laugh "of course I will"

"Well, I'll take my leave then, I need to gather my belongings" then he left the library.

I let out a small sigh before picking up my cardigan. Truth be told, I was still angry with him, but also I couldn't deal with him being gone for so long. A month. Honestly I didn't know what to do.

William could be loving but he can also be the spaw of the devil at times. I didn't understand his desire for Ohio, we had a home already. After growing up on a farm, I didn't understand the reasoning behind it
But I could learn to understand...

With a reasonably heavy breath, I walked out of the library and Into our room, William was sat at his desk writing something then put some money in a pouch before looking up at me "I'm leaving you some money in case a trader comes by, there is one due a week from now"

"You don't need to-"

"-I insist, you're still married to me"

"Thank you"

"There isn't any need to thank me" he stood up and tossed me the pouch, obviously I caught it "get yourself something nice darling, your meals will still be in the dining room with Lord Cornwallis and the other General's, if they attempt anything I'd personally break their fingers"

"Still protective I see"

"It's hard leaving one's wife with a bunch of men"

"I'll be fine"

He took his gloves off his desk along with his helmet "I must be going now, I need to be there by 5pm to eat"

"Why don't you just stay here for dinner?"

"because I'd be riding in the dark" he smiled slightly before putting his helmet on alongside his gloves "Stay safe sweetie" With those words, he walked towards the door before stopping for a moment "I love you"

Those words sent tears straight to my eyes, I turned around and shook my head "Will..."

"You don't need to say it back, just know that I do" he saw my tears and then looked down at the floor "I'll be back soon" with those words a few tears escaped my eyes and trickled down my cheeks as he left the room.

As soon as that door closed I crumpled onto the bed and just clutched onto his pillow, it was the closest thing I had to him. His faint cologne lingered on it, along with the smell if his spiced soap. Honestly that man could get where water couldn't.

The first dinner without him was a little weird without him, the wives of the General's tried to make conversation with me to try and cheer me up, but they didn't understand the reason why. One old lady, called, Anna (who was married to Lord Cornwallis), walked with me back to my room.

"Honestly dear, you won't find anyone like that man you married"

"He's unique to say the least, it's just-" I cut myself off and looked down at my hands.

"it's just, What?"

"This business with Ohio, he-"

"Oh deary, didn't he tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Last night, he told that idiot husband of mine that Ohio wasn't worth his marriage"

Those words surprised me more than anything, all I wanted to do in that moment was run into his arms and apologise "B-but he wanted Ohio...wait seriously?"

"That old flump tells me everything"

"honestly that husband of mine..."

"but he sacrificed a country for you, he may be annoying but he loves you, its clear" William never ceased to tell me how much he loved me, hell, on our wedding night he accidentally woke me up and continually apologised before I shut him up with a kiss. He completely melted after that. I smiled and looked down at my stomach "And about your child, you will make an excellent mother"

"I-thank you, how do you know?"

"You wouldn't stop rubbing your belly"

"Is it that noticeable?" In return, all she did was nod "Anyway, I must be going, I need to write a letter" with those words, I open the door to my room.

"To your husband, I presume?"

I nodded and looked towards his desk "Good night to you" I mumbled and closed the door. Honestly that man will be the death of me.