the difference

Chapter Ten

"Muffin? Are you awake?" Evelyn murmured and traced imaginary lines across his stomach.

"Awake as ever..." he muttered and brushed his fingers through her hair "What do you need dove?"

She let out a small sigh and huddled up to him "You're warm..."

William stifled a small chuckle and pulled her closer "am I?" she nuzzled into his neck and clutched onto him. He started humming a tune and gently explored her sides "hush little Eila, don't say a word, Muffin's going to buy you a mocking bird" Evelyn smiled and looked up at him "And if that mockingbird doesn't sing, Muffin will buy you a diamond ring"

She started laughing and kissed his left pectoral "adorable!"

"Eila's my sunshine, my only sunshine, she makes me happy when skies are gray" William quietly sang and kissed her forehead. Evelyn playfully straddled his waist and kissed him softly. She laid against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her "please don't take my sunshine away..."

"I'm your sunshine?"

"Yes angel you are my sunshine" She let out a small giggle and closed her eyes, fully relaxing into his chest "now sleep, tomorrow I plan on staying by your side all day"

"I look forward to it"

After around ten minutes she was soundly asleep, William stayed up and watched her features relax. He felt horrible for what he had done, he could have said no...He could have told her to fuck off. William looked to the side and glanced at his pocket watch. 2:15.

For some reason, a maid came into the room and laid some blankets on a chair before leaving. William shook his head and continued stroking his fingers through her hair before stroking her cheek "I'll keep you safe darling"

She hummed slightly in her sleep and stroked her cheek against his chest. Then he too eventually made his way into a slumber.

~~~

"Dove, can you detach yourself from me?" William laughed and lifted her up into his arms.

Evelyn mumbled something along the lines of "No...you're mine" she looked up at him and smiled.

"Well obviously I'm yours-" he hitched her up and leant her against the nearest wall "and tonight I'm going to make you feel like a woman many, many times"

"Oh? I look forward to it" Evelyn smiled and kissed his cheek. William planted soft kisses up her neck and placed her back onto her feet.

"Now after I've delt with my men, I'll be in the drawing room with Stephen" William pressed a final kiss to her lips and brushed some hair from her face "He'll probably smirk and leave us alone"

"Do you think he knows?"

"I think he does, I think he thinks that I'm a lucky bastard" he mumbled and kissed pecked her lips once again. They walked arm in arm down to the dining room, causing a few to look their way. Did they care? No. Did William want to show that he didn't care about Caroline? Yes. Did Evelyn relish in the fact that she felt cherished? Yes. Win, win? No.

But there was a few extra people at the table which caused Evelyn to look up at William with confusion "It can't be...Evelyn? After all this time?" A familiar voice drew her gaze to the corner of the room "It me, Johan? Johan Quinn?"

Evelyn quickly detached from William's arm and rushed up to him "My god, you're alive?!"

Johan nodded and pulled her into a hug "It's been years!" he laughed and tilted her chin up "God you've grown so much!" William held his tongue and looked down at his boots for a moment before sitting down at the table "Come you must eat"