the difference

Chapter Eight

After a long bath, William dressed himself in a fresh shirt and a pair of breeches. He left his hair down for a change, maybe Evelyn would like that. He walked silently to the other side of the hall, half expecting to see Caroline stalking the halls like a rabbit wolf. The mistress would probably venture to his room, in a hopes she'd get a good tumble in the sheets only to find his bed empty. William rolled his eyes, not caring about the possible outcome. Even at dinner Caroline tried to separate the pair, jealousy did not suit her 'porcelain' face.

William had loved his evening, he'd loved talking with Evelyn and also teaching her how to play blackjack. All was surprisingly quiet, not even a mouse was awake, and William managed to enter Evelyn's room without any hastle from the slaves. Once he shut the door, She turned to face him and smiled sweetly. The soft glow of the candlelight made her hair shibe a dim gold, she looked like an angel in his opinion.

"good evening little dove" he mumbled as his eyes soaked in her beauty "may I join you in bed?"

"if it pleases you" she smiled and pushed the blankets to one side, revealing her knee-length nightgown.

William smirked slightly before taking off his shirt and boots, walked over towards the four-poster and laid down beside her "It does please me, I have a beautiful woman beside me" then he pulled her closer to him and pressed his lips to hers "and its an honour to be alone with her"

"I didn't know I was that esteemed"

"No matter what anyone says or does, you'll be treated like a dutchess for as long as I'm here" William mumbled and brushed some hair from her face, only to reveal a silver line on her cheek "how did you get that?"

She swallowed rather roughly and tears were already forming in their ducts "My step-father...he punched me when I was seventeen for not obeying him" a few tears fell from her cheeks, only for William to wipe them with his thumb "he wanted me to service him...I had done it before but I couldn't take it any more...he's the only one in my 'family' to have survived yellow fever"

William pulled her closer and hugged her tightly "Shh little dove...I'll hunt that bastard down for what he did" he meant what he said, he'd kill him.

Evelyn nuzzled into his chest and wrapped an arm around his side "what do you see in me?" she asked and looked up at him with teary eyes.

"I see a strong, independent, beautiful woman who's life wasn't played in her favor" he smiled before pulling her on top of him so he could hug her "And someone who is surprisingly warm"

She let out a soft giggle before sitting up and moving so she was straddling his waist. William sat up and kissed her, gently pulled her flush against him before she pulled away from the kiss "What's gotten into you?" Evelyn asked with a smile.

The question is, why have I not gotten into you? William Tavington! Keep your control...

William smiled slightly before running his hands down her back. He leant his head forwards and kissed along her clavicle, gently nibbling the soft skin to see how she'd react. Evelyn arched her back slightly and moved in his lap, causing a groan to escape his lips "my beautiful dove"

She tilted his chin up and kissed his forehead gently "My muffin"

He gently grasped her hips and rolled them both over so he was above her. Evelyn wrapped her arms around his torso and ran her hands over his strong built back. William kissed up her neck and groaned when she dug her nails into his back "do you want this?" he asked and rested his weigh on his forearms "truly?"

Evelyn nodded and brought their lips together once again "yes" she mumbled and brushed his hair over his shoulders.

"Positive?"