the difference

Chapter Thirteen

Mornings. William hated them as much as he hated that whelp in Evelyn's room. He sluggishly pulled on his breeches and stockings, eventually sighing when the fresh linen shirt touched his skin. But when he opened the door, Evelyn was standing there with her hand poised to knock on the door "Eila?" William cleared his throat and looked down at his boots.

"Hello Colonel" She muttered and walked into his room "Was it in here then?"

"was what?"

"You and your mistress"

"Eila..." he mumbled and looked to the side, looking at his bed.

"Don't lie"

William scoffed before walking over to the four-poster only to sit on the edge of it "would you like the dialogue?"

Evelyn shook her head and looked down at him "I want to know why..."

"Because she was taunting me. Did I enjoy it? No. did I want to cry out your name? Yes. Did I? Yes" William chuckled and looked up at her once again before standing "I regret what I did, hell I could be in your arms now but I made a grave error" he took a few steps forwards until he was in front of her "I'm going to Fort Carolina, I'll be back in two days"

"Johan wants to court me..."

"and that is your choice, if you wish to do that then I shall leave you be"

"w...well he's kind...he's known me for ages" she couldn't look into his eyes at this point. It wasn't shame nor embarrassment.

"But do you love him?"

"That's like saying that I don't love you-" her breath caught in her throat at her words "Good day William" she quickly rushed from the room and back into her own. He raised an eyebrow and looked towards the door with a smile. William took out the silk embroidery that she had made and glanced up once again before following her. Only when he made it to her room did he realise that she probably went down for breakfast. He laid it on her bedside table and laid his pocket watch on top.

~~~

"why would he leave me these?" Evelyn asked Stephen as she fiddled with the silk cloth.

"That watch is of great sentimental value to him, if he left you that he's probably courting you"

"Wai- what?"

Stephen smiled and leant back in his chair  "love, he's willing to give up everything back in England for you" He explained and offered her a drink, but she refused "William isn't exactly the best person to fall for as his past has shaped his mentality. I've known him for years but even I can't understand him at times...he wasn’t wanted by his mother or father so his grandmother took him in. But when he turned four his parents welcomed Adam into the world, they scribbled William's name from the inheritance and gave it to Adam" Stephen took in a deep breath before clearing his throat "He joined the army as a mere sergeant, his brother didn't want to spend more money on the 'rake' of the family. And now he's petrified that he'll lose you"

Evelyn swallowed thickly "But how can I forgive him?"

"That is entirely your choice...forgive him or not, it won't stop the fact that he slept with another...but he instantly regretted what he did" He picked up the cloth from the table and smiled "Two diamonds and a crown, very detailed indeed" Stephen ran his fingers over the writing before grinning.

All of a sudden, Johan came into the room and walked straight over to Evelyn "I think I have a surprise for you" He beamed and knelt down.

"You think?" she raised an eyebrow and kept running her fingers over the engraving on the pocket watch.

"I overheard my dear cousin Mr Thompson talking about your father and mother...it seems that they've forgotten to mention the part where they both left you their Manor in Charlestown and twelve thousand pounds" Evelyn looked to the side to when she heard Stephen choking on his water, coughing it up "Easy there old boy"

"twelve thousand pounds! Bloody hell love, you're rich!" Stephen spluttered before clearing his throat "and I'm not old, I'm thirty-five you cheeky bugger"

"I do not care about that...that money won't ever be mine, it'll be my husbands" Evelyn mumbled and looked down at the pocket watch in her hands.

Johan smirked to himself before standing and bowing his head "Well I thought I'd tell you, good day Evan" he then left the room.

Stephen rolled his eyes and smiled warmly "And you say that he's courting you? I'd rather marry a donkey" he chuckled and leant back in his chair.

Evelyn sighed "I don't love him...well I do but its a different sort of love" she rested her head in her hands "What do I do Stephen?"

"Well don't marry him, he looks like he didn't drink milk as a child"

~~~

William sighed as he fell back against the pillows of his bed. So I'm being sent to Charlestown to 'watch' the area? Has the old man gone mad?! Maybe Evelyn would come...

He smiled at the thought and closed his eyes only to imagine her mossy one's staring at him. But then he heart a knock on the door and a woman walked in, correction, a whore walked in.

"Colonel, how pleasant it is to see you again" Mrs Phillips spoke, in all fairness he had had her before but he swore he'd keep himself for Evelyn.

"Five words, get out of my room"

"can't I tempt you?" she walked up to him and teasingly ran her hands down down his chest "Not even a little bit? I know you liked it last time" She cupped his groin, causing him to shudder.

"N-no" he mumbled and ushered her hand away "I'm not in the mood"

"Your mind may say one thing, but that is saying another" she smirked and looked down at his growing erection.

God it was tempting, He was aching but he had his honour and promise to upkeep "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, now leave before I tell your husband that you're secretly a doxy"

"You won't-"

"I will" William smirked and pointed towards the door and snapped his fingers "out" she let out a huff and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

He couldn't help but chuckle at that point, he'd slept with many woman but now he only wanted Evelyn. No matter if she were poor or didn't have anything to her name, he wanted nothing more than to provide for her. Even to give her children for Christ's sake, he hated the little ones but maybe he could learn to like them. A son maybe to carry his name or a daughter as beautiful as Evelyn. William smiled to himself and sat up in bed. He could imagine teaching them to ride a horse, Evelyn would be leant against a fence watching them and cheering them on. Maybe she'd take care of him if he were ill, he could've used that a year ago when yellow fever swept through the camp.

William sighed as he attempted to get comfortable for the evening, nothing worked. He needed to cuddle up to Evelyn in a hopes for a decent night sleep.