Every Rose Has a Thorn (The Patriot Romance story)

Chapter 6

2 days had passed, Clara felt her knees go numb, she hadn't been able to sleep on her knees, tied up to the pole. Her throat was raspy, her stomach felt hollow, her hair was dirty.

Tavington walked over to the girl and knelt down, he looked down at her with merciless eyes, she stared back at him with weak, tired eyes.

"Have you learned your lesson? Hmm?"

She slowly nodded her head and coughed, a burning sensation flowed through her throat. Tavington got up and went behind her, cutting her binds. She fell and Tavington picked her up, he carried her to his tent and left to get her water.

Clara laid on her small cot and instantly passed out asleep.

The Colonel came back, holding bread and water. He saw her sleeping and decided to wait for her to wake up. He took off his uniform coat and loosened a few buttons on his shirt, getting comfortable. He sat down and untied his hair, letting his long hair flow from his bondages. Clara finally woke up and turned to the Colonel, coughing, he turned around and handed her the provisions he got for her. She chugged the water down and ate the bread.

"Thank you," She croaked, Tavington nodded and looked at her dirty body.

"Come on, you need to be washed." He said and grabbed a towel. Clara got up although her body was still pretty weak and followed the man into the woods, they got to a creek and he knelt in the water. Clara followed suit and knelt in front of him. He slowly undressed her and cupped water in his hand before dripping it on her head, the cool water felt so refreshing on her hot body. Tavington continued to clean her, pouring water all over her and washing her hair. She smiled softly, Tavington felt his heart pounding while touching her soft skin, even if she was dirty, her skin felt so soft. 

He combed her hair, getting any knots out of it. He got up and handed her a towel.

"Dry off," He ordered in a soft voice, "How do you feel?" He gives her a light smile.

"Clean..."

"Good," He says and gets up, Clara follows, still drying her hair off. They head back to camp and went inside his tent, Tavington sat down and grabbed a mirror before combing his hair. Clara sat closer and touched his hand.

"Can I?" She asked.

"Be my guest," He chuckled and handed her the comb. She grabbed it and gently worked her way from the bottom of his long hair to the top, making sure everything was neat. Clara found herself running her fingers through his silky hair.

Tavington smiled, enjoying the feeling of her fingers combing through his hair. After a few minutes, Clara finished and looked proudly at her work. The Colonel ran his fingers through his hair with an approving smirk on his face.

"You did good." He says, Clara smiles and lays down on her cot, pulling the sheets over and passing out. Tavington grinned and got up to head to a medic tent, before he got there, Captain Bordon came walking with another man behind him. Tavington turned and looked at the new member with a questioning look on his face.

"Who's this?"

"Sir," Captain Bordon stated, "This is Captain Wilkins, he was with the loyalist colonial militia, I thought he might be of some use."

"Another colonial." Tavington scoffed, "Tell me, Captain Wilkins, where do your loyalties lie."

"To King and Country," Captain Wilkins answered.

"And why should I trust a man who'd betray his neighbors?"

"Those neighbors of mine who stand against England deserve to die and a traitor's death, hmm?"

"We'll see." Colonel Tavington said, looking the man up and down. Staring at him like he was something revolting on the sole of his boot. William walks out of his tent and heads to the field, handing Wilkins a sword.

"Captain Bordon! Test Captain Wilkins, see how good his skills are," Tavington ordered, moving off to the side to watch the scene unfold.

Clara got up and got changed in a clean maroon dress, it was long and flat, nothing poofy and uncomfortable. She walked out of the tent and went over to Tavington, standing behind him like a little lost puppy. The Colonel looked down and saw her looking up at him with little innocent doe eyes. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him.

"I'm going to take it that your nap was good?"

Clara nodded her head and nuzzled her head into his side, he smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

"Food tent is over there," He pointed to a large tent, "You can go get something to eat if you'd like."

Clara nodded her head and jogged off, she looked at the table of bread, fruit, and other good looking food that littered the area. Her stomach growled and she quickly grabbed a handful of everything.

"Satisfied?" Wilkins said, turning to Tavington who gave a highly amused look.

"You'll do." He nodded, "Go get something to eat."

Wilkins nodded, turned, and saw Clara walking. He froze in his place, staring at her.

"Oh lord, she'll kill me if she sees me here..."