the difference

Chapter Eighteen

The rain had lost most of its ferocity by the time the sun broke the clouds, it had slowed down to a shower. Evelyn smiled as William stirred, maybe they could spend the day by the fire? Or she could read him a book?

William woke up and looked around the room "Hmm it's too early darling, come back to sleep"

"It's midday" she sniggered and rested the back of her hand against his forehead "your fever has finally broke"

"I feel better, thank you...for taking care of me..." he sat up and lightly scratched at his jaw, only to feel the stubble beginning to grow. William got to his feet and almost fell over when he took a step forwards.

Evelyn was quick to help him steady himself, she put her hand on his right shoulder and her other on his bicep which was surprisingly muscular "easy there, I've got you"

William's breathing changed as she looked up at him "You are so beautiful...so very beautiful" he mumbled and tilted her chin up.

She let out a small laugh and moved away from him "Take a few steps, I know that you can" but every time he advanced, she took a few steps backwards "Well done, again"

"Come here sweetheart" William smiled and opened his arms to the best of his abilities. Evelyn shook her head and ran into his arms "jesus..." he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead "Now, I wish to take you on a walk"

"and I say no, you need rest"

"Darling, come on please?"

Evelyn looked up at him and smiled "we can stretch as far as the library" she smiled and stood on her tiptoes to peck his lips "I don't want you getting ill like you were, plus it is raining"

William smirked slightly "I like it when your bossy"

"save that for later"

He quirked an eyebrow before nodding "I look forward to it"

"but first, can I read you a book?"

William nodded slightly before realising that he was only dressed in his breeches and stockings "I need to get dressed first"

"Do you need help?"

"Yes"

~~~

William looked over his basin of water and stared at it for a while until- "Finally on your feet" Stephen smiled and walked up to his commander.

"Did she really stay with me this entire time?" he asked with a schoolboy grin.

"Who? Evelyn? Yes" he cleared his throat and looked down at his boots "she wouldn't leave your side" William looked up at his friend and nodded "William I ask you now, don't play with the girl" Stephen mumbled and leant against his desk "you'll get her with child and then she'll be ruined in the eyes of society"

William looked down at his hands and nodded "I love her, Stephen"

Stephen sadly nodded before smiling "Then marry her, if you truly love her do what is right" he dipped his head down in respect before walking from the room.

He cupped the water in his hands and splashed his face. If he were truly to marry the girl, maybe he'd be a good husband. He vowed that he wouldn't be like his parents years ago. William stopped cleansing his face and moved onto his arms, although his left one was still quite sore.

Once he was finished, he pulled on a clean shirt and a fresh pair of breeches. Thankfully, Evelyn was kind enough to tie his hair into a queue before she left for breakfast. She would make a good wife, she was beautiful, smart, caring and the list can go on and on. With a sigh, he picked up his coatee and tried to find the hole where he had been shot, only to find that it had been sewed up. Evelyn. He smiled to himself and put it on.

William was about to leave when his bedroom door opened "Oh William! Are you alright?" Caroline rushed up to him and hugged him tightly, confusing him more than anything "I saw you hit the ground and how she ran up to you"

"Caroline-"

"then I heard of your infection, I couldn't visit you because she was here..." She explained and pulled away from him "I'm glad that your on your feet again, oh I was so scared that I'd lose you"

"You've already lost me, I love Evelyn"

"No, William please"

"I love her and I'm going to marry her"

"she doesn't love you like I do"

William shook his head and made his way to the door "goodbye" he mumbled and walked down the hall towards the staircase.

Christ he didn't have a ring with him, maybe he'd buy one when they ventured to Charlestown? Yes, he'd ask her when they were together alone in their room. Hopefully she'd accept his proposal. He shook his head and made his way into the dining room.

A few looked his way, followed by a silence and then it returned to normal. William sat next to Evelyn and discreetly offered her his hand, she took it almost instantly.

~~~

Evelyn helped William sit down on sette in the library before looking for a book amongst the many shelves "Romeo and Juliet or a book on poetry and lullabies"

"Poetry"

She smiled and practically skipped her way over to him once again "Randomly pick a page"

"twenty-nine" he mumbled and pulled her into his embrace, causing her to let out a small squeak of surprise

She flicked to page twenty-nine and pulled a blanket "Lavenders blue, one of my favourites" William didn't mind much, he just wanted the woman in his arms.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly
Lavender's green
When I am king, dilly, dilly
You shall be queen:
Who told you so, dilly, dilly
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly
That told me so"

William absentmindedly brushed his fingers over her cheek and jawline before smiling reciting the next few sonnets from memory.

"Call up your men, dilly, dilly
Set them to work
Some to the plough, dilly, dilly
Some to the fork
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly
Some to cut corn
While you and I, dilly, dilly
Keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green, dilly, dilly
Lavender's blue
If you love me, dilly, dilly
I will love you"

Evelyn looked over her shoulder at him before flushing a deep red and looking back at her book "I...when you were about to pass out, you called me my love"

William nodded slightly before smiling slightly "I did...I just find it hard to...to say how I feel" he mumbled and stared into her eyes "If I say it...if you leave I'd be broken..."

"well it's a good thing that I'm not letting you go" Evelyn mumbled and moved to straddle his waist "I love you William, I do not care if you cannot say it back"

He sat up and kissed her softly "Marry me?"

"pardon?" She asked and tilted his chin up.

"Will you, Evelyn Lucia Anderson, marry me?" He asked once again and looked up into her eyes.

"Yes" She beamed and kissed the top of his head, he rested his head against her breast and hugged her tightly "I'll marry you muffin"