Every Rose Has a Thorn (The Patriot Romance story)

Chapter 15

Clara woke the next morning to find Tavington gone, she shivered slightly and went back to bed. She yawned and fell back asleep quickly. Clara woke and saw Colonel Tavington standing up by the entrance of the tent, a scowl plastered on his face. 

"Get dressed," He ordered, "We're going into town for supplies."

She stared at the man and sighed before getting dressed and going to the stables. She got her horse and got the saddle on, she mounted the horse and rode next to Captain Bordon the whole time. They stayed quiet for awhile until Clara decided to break the silence. 

"What got his panties in a wad." Clara grumbled, flicking her horse's reins.

"He's being an ass to all of us, don't feel too bad," Bordon chuckled, "Probably because Cornwallis nipped it in the bud about his behavior and about you."

"About me?"

"Yeah," Wilkins chirped up, "You're teaching us how to forget about the war and have fun."

Clara looked down, "Doesn't mean Tavington has to be a dick about it."

Bordon chuckled, "He'll get over it eventually."

"When's the wedding?" Wilkins asked, riding next to the girl.

"Wha-"

"Oh!" Bordon laughed, "Can I plan it?"

Clara turned red and looked at both the men, "I strongly dislike you both now."

The three laugh out loud, causing Tavington to turn his head, giving them all a heavy glare and if looks could kill, they'd be six feet underground by now. Once he turned back around, the three gave a sigh of relief. 

"Anyway..." Bordon whispered, "Lord Cornwallis is holding a ball next month."

Clara nodded her head, "And?"

"When we're in town, we could go get you a dress, you'll blow all the women and men away at this party." Wilkins finishes, winking at the girl.

"Oh no." Clara shook her head, "I don't like social gatherings."

"Come on!" Bordon and Wilkins groaned, "You're so boring."

Clara laughed as they continued to ride on, "I'm just gonna go into town for sewing supplies, fabrics, and new clothes."

They made it to the nearest town, which was rather busy. She hitched her horse and all the soldiers went into different directions. Clara heads in the nearest shop and looks at a beautiful dress, blue satin, white ruffles in the front with gold trim.

"Would you care to try it on Miss?" The woman who owned the shop asked her, Clara turned and shook her head. The dress happened to be her favorite color and in her size. 

"Oh no, it's just very beautiful." Clara said in pure awe before walking out of the shop and going to buy more things she needs. As she loaded everything on Aries it started to snow lightly. She headed down an alley to escape the snow, she was then slammed against the wall, lips crashed onto hers and she gasped. She opened her eyes and saw Tavington towering over her.

She pushed him off and slapped him hard across the face, "How dare you!" She snapped, "Ignore me and treat me like animal manure, then all of a sudden you're needy and want your hands all over me? You're disgusting."

Tavington grabbed her and pinned her arms above her head, "You belong to me, remember?" He smirked, she spit in his eye. He growled and wiped his face, frowning.

"I belong to no one," She snaps, "You're just as filthy as the men who raped my mother." 

Tavington went quiet, but the angry tension between the two was very intense. He looked her up and down. 

"You're just as low as the fleas on dogs, perhaps even lower," She spat, before storming out of the alley and back to her horse. She finished loading everything up and soon all the other soldiers were ready, Tavington got on his horse and without another word, they left for camp. Once they got back, Clara headed straight to Bordon.

"Can I stay please in your tent tonight?" She asked in a quiet voice as Bordon unloaded his supplies, he turned around and read her body language. She was scared, tired, and depressed. 

"What for might I ask?"

"I just don't want to deal with the spawn of Lucifer right now." She said in a plain, tired voice. 

Bordon chuckled and nodded his head, "Of course." He led her to his tent and rolled out a warm cot and blanket.

"I'm sure Tavington will come around, he's probably just stressed out right now, but you two better stay clear of each other before someone's head gets ripped off, and I mean Tavington will get his head ripped off by you." 

Clara gave him an amused you, "What's that supposed to mean!" 

"Look love," He laughed, "If there's one thing I've learned in all my life on this earth, it's never mess with an angry woman. A teenager nevertheless." 

And as they both laughed, Bordon left, he headed straight to Wilkins and grinned.

"Did you get it?"

Wilkins nodded his head and gestured to the large bag laying across the horse, he smiled and rubbed his hands together.

"It'll definitely be a nice surprise."

"Good," Bordon sighed, "Tavington's already putting her under a lot of grief."

"In my personal opinion," Wilkins muttered, "He's acting like an asshole."

"Talking about me behind my back Captain Wilkins and Captain Bordon?" Tavington snarled, appearing behind the two men like a ghost, "Stable duty for a week."

The two men shamefully nodded their heads, "If I hear another word out of both of your mouths, I will cut off your tongues." Tavington threatened, the men froze in fear and nodded their heads, the man headed to his tent. He saw his girl wasn't in the tent, a low growl emerged from deep within his throat. He got undressed and undid his hair, he drew his dagger and clenched it until his knuckles turned white. He threw the dagger to the ground and it stabbed the cold dirt and grass. His eye twitched with anger as he saw something shining out the corner of his eyes. He looked down and froze when he saw the necklace he gave her, the drawing of him and her together inside, laying by her pillow.

She took it off.