the difference

Chapter Fourteen

Dearest Eila,
I know that you probably don't want to hear from me, you're probably with Johan as I'm writing but as you know, I do not care. Words can not express how apologetic I am, nights are long without your body close to mine. I regret nothing more in my life than causing you pain, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Stay safe little dove,

Yours,

Muffin

Evelyn smiled and traced over the word muffin before kissing the parchment. she read through the letter again and again, wishing those words came from his mouth.

~~~

William's second day was no better than the first, something about he needed to be less brutal and have a little more quarter. He got a little bit of sleep that night but still it was nothing compared to what it was like sleeping next to Evelyn. She was his tether.

He smirked to himself as he woke on the third day, he'd go back to Evelyn before going to Charlestown. Maybe she'd want to go as well? Well maybe they'd be a billet they could reside at. William folded his spare shirts and put them in his saddlebag, along with his breeches and stockings. How could his horse even move? He had no idea. Did he need all his clothes? Yes. Wait did he have his grooming kit? Oh...he left it at the manor. One way or another he needed to go back to make amends with Evelyn. Even if that meant breaking all ties to her and letting her marry Johan.

With a grunt, he stood up and sluggishly walked down to the stables. Maybe a bath would be nice when he got back, he smelt of horse for being sent on patrols for god knows how many hours. Stephen was usually the one to lead them, but he was taking care of her. Thankfully the stable hand had saddled his horse already, around fifteen minutes later he was on his journey back to the manor.

~~~

Evelyn sat at the windowsill in her bedroom and watched as William rode up the road. She couldn't help but smile when he looked up at the window, intentionally it seemed. Maybe at dinner they could sit together?

William glanced up at the window once again before tipping his helmet and smiling. She unlatched the window and leant forwards so she could see him "Ahh, What a day it is" Evelyn called, causing him to look up.

"A lovely day for a spot of riding" William smiled and put his hands on his hips "Come down here, it's more harsh on my charming voice if I'm always shouting"

Evelyn shook her head and bit her lip "I'll be down in a few moments" she quickly closed the window and threw a cardigan over her shoulders before rushing down to meet William in the courtyard. He was leant against the wall with a flower in his hand, twisting it around between his fingers "lost in thought?" Evelyn asked and walked up to him.

William looked up at her and smiled "Your talking to me again"

"Yes well...about that..." She jumped over her own words and in the end she just cleared her throat "Y-you...oh I don't know..."

He shook his head slightly before pinning the flower, a buttercup, in her hair "I'm so sorry...I promise you that I won't be as stupid ever again..." William murmured and looked down at his boots "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for what I did...I regret it more than you-"

"William-"

"know, Eila-"

"William...shut it" She smiled and pulled him into an embrace "you and your uncontrollable mouth, honestly it'll get you into trouble" He wrapped an arm around her waist and sighed in relief.

"I missed you" William mumbled and pulled away from her but left his arm around her waist "did you read my letter?"

"Yes, a few times actually"

"Do you forgive me?" he whispered and glanced down at her lips "please...please I can't bear-"

She shut him up by pressing her finger to his lips "A beautiful day...maybe we could go on a walk?" Evelyn mumbled and started walking towards the woods, leaving William alone "are you coming?" she called back and looked over her shoulder at him for a moment.

William's breath caught in his throat for a moment and time seemed to pass a little slower until he shook his head. He ran after her and hooked his arm around hers "Not so fast dove"

She leant against his bicep and in the end he wrapped an arm around her. William glanced down at the woman at his arm "I can feel your eyes on me, what do you want?"

"My lips on yours..."

Evelyn looked up at him and shrugged "your lips on mine? I say, is that allowed?"

He smiled slightly before tilting his head to the side "Well no...however I couldn't give a damn if its improper, I want you"

"Just kiss me"

"No, how scandalous" he fake gasped before smiling "would you allow me to kiss you?"

"Well I won't slap you if that's what your worried about"

"Alors je t'embrasserai" William mumbled before dipping his head down and claiming her lips once again "petite colombe, Tu m'as tellement manqué"

Evelyn pecked his lips once again before hugging him tightly "Oh...what about Johan?"

"Do not think of him...please I'll figure it out"

~~~

Johan was obviously sat next to his beauty. Lucky prick. He shot a knowing smirk at William before moving his hand under the table. Evelyn jumped slightly and shot her eyes to Johan and then William.

Sneaky little shit

"How good it is to have you back Colonel Tavington" Caroline spoke before taking a sip of her tea.

William hummed and took a fork full of mashed potatoes "I'm sorry, I'm rather tired to be talking" in reality, he just wanted to avoid conversation with her.

Evelyn offered William a small smile and looked down at her plate "Excuse me, I'm rather full this evening" she smiled and started to walk to the

"may I walk you back to your room?" Johan asked and stood up.

"No, I know the way...thank you" she glanced over at William before making her way down the hall. Johan looked towards William and scowled before sitting down again.

~~~

William waited an hour before quietly walking to Evelyn's room. He knocked on the door and waited for it to open. And standing there was his beauty, waiting for him.