the difference

Chapter Three

William woke up to someone tapping his arm, wait did he bring home another? He cracked his eyes open and looked to the side to see Evelyn standing over his bed. A pale pink flush invaded his cheeks as he sat up "Good morning"

"good morning, sorry for waking you" She squeaked and looked down at her hands "I was just a little nervous about all the men walking around..." William noticed that she was wearing a plain blue sack dress, with made her look more beautiful than William thought possible.

He sat up and shook his head "It's alright, here, why don't you sit down whilst I get you something to eat?" William suggested.

"I'm not very hungry, thank you though" She smiled and looked away when she saw the bare skin of his upper chest "Oh I'm sorry sir, I'll leave you to get dressed" Evelyn quickly rushed from the tent causing the Colonel to choke back a laugh. William stood up and quickly put on his uniform, all in all, his hair was what took the longest which took around five minutes. When he had eventually woken up, he made his way outside and saw Evelyn leaning against a tree, looking across a small stream.

William thought of what to say as he approached her "I never did get your last name Evelyn" he smiled and dipped his head in respect.

"Anderson, Evelyn Anderson"

"where is your family?"

"You'll need to check the graveyard, I've been an orphan and on the streets since I was fifteen"

His heart ached, wait he was a Colonel, he could help! "Well, if you wish, I could have a tent arranged for you" Evelyn looked up in surprise and tilted her head "You can stay for as long as you like, I'll make sure no men disturb you and also make sure that you are well fed"

"Thank you so much!" She beamed and unexpectedly hugged him "thank you!" William didn't know what to do in this situation, he looked around to see if the coast was clear before wrapping his arms around her.

She looked up at his before looking back up at him "I won't let you be thrown onto the streets, it's not a life to live" William brushed some of her golden locks from her face "No one deserves that fate"

"You've shown me more kindness in a few hours than what most have shown me through a year, I thank you for that" Evelyn's eyes seemed to brighten at that statement, she hugged him once again.

"I'll have the quarter master arrange a tent for you, in the mean time, you may stay in mine"

"That would be lovely, thank you" She beamed and started walking to William's tent, he closely followed and even pushed the flaps to one side for her "Is everything you own either brown or black?"

"The colours bring out my eyes" William joked before sitting down on the edge of his cot, she just stayed standing and looked down at the floor "please sit, you needn't ask permission"

Evelyn smiled and pulled out the chair that was underneath his desk "thank you" she sat down and looked over at William "what is your full name?"

"William Benjamin Tavington" he stretched causing his shirt to lift from his wrist, revealing some scars on the back of his hand.

"Oh, what happened?" Evelyn asked, referring to the scars on his hand "How many do you have?"

"eight all together" William smiled slightly "mostly from brawls with my brother, the little shit"

"are you the oldest?"

"unfortunately"

"Then why are you the one who is fighting?"

"because my parents favoured Adam more than I, they gave him my inheritance only because I couldn't speak until I was four" He mumbled before swallowing the sickly bile that had risen into his throat. as a child, he was beaten by his father until he was bleeding. All because he couldn't talk in front of people.

"You couldn't speak until you were four?"

"A late learner according to my grandmother, she was the only one who truly loved me, she even took care of him after my mother abandoned me at seven"

"oh...your mother abandoned you?" Evelyn asked and looked up at him "all because you couldn't speak?"

"My father wanted a son and he got me...then they had Adam" William's eyes welled up with tears but he wouldn't cry, he hadn't done that in years. Evelyn felt a deep sorrow in her gut, she wanted to help him in some way, shape or form.

"how old are you?"

"twenty-nine"

"You don't look a day over twenty, you've aged well"

"I take the compliment" William cleared his throat and stood up "please wait here, I'll go and arrange your quarters and get you something to drink and eat"

"I...thank you William" Evelyn mumbled and looked down at her hands "you're a good man"

That pained him, he wasn't a good man. He'd killed innocents including children "You're welcome" William mumbled before walking out of the tent. He felt sick to his stomach and without a moments notice, he rushed to the treeline and emptied the contents of his stomach. Luckily he had his canteen on him so he could rinse out his mouth. Once he felt a little better, William made his way to the mess tent and got her a bowl of porridge topped with bacon. He even gave up his rashes of bacon for her, she must be starving! When he had done that, he ordered the quartermaster to arrange a tent for her, although it would be small at least she would have a sort of home.

Until...

"Sir, we've been ordered to ride north to Camden"

William sighed and looked towards his tent, thinking of Evelyn "we'll leave in the morning, what happened to being expelled from duties for a week?"

"I haven't a clue, I guess O'hara changed his mind"

"quite" He sighed and looked down at the bowl in his hands "A woman may be coming with us-"

"If its another whore-"

"Of course not!" William snapped and glared at his second "She isn't one at all!" then he stormed off, back to his tent to see Evelyn looking through one of his drawing journals. He cleared his throat and got her attention "curious?"

"Oh I'm sorry...You're very talented"

"Thank you, here, I even made sure the cook gave you something more" William smiled before placing the bowl on the desk in front of her. Then he sat down on his cot like bed once again "Listen, I've been called to Camden, do you wish to join me and my my men?" he hopefully asked.

"I would love to come, if I'm no burden"

"you'll never be a burden, I've arranged a tent for you this evening but we leave quite early in the morning"

"Thank you once again"

William chuckled lightly before discreetly biting his lip. oh to kiss her lips and to delve into her heat. He shook his head slightly and looked down at his hands "You're welcome"