the difference

Chapter Twenty

William spurred his horse and rode up the main road of Charlestown, he wasn't entirely happy about the fact that she didn't once tell him about where she originally lived but he too did have secrets. Once he spotted the dragoons, he rode up to them and met with Stephen. Evelyn didn't even look his way which did confuse him.

"we are billeted at the Manor with the stone horses at the front" William spoke to Stephen and Evelyn raised her head "I'm sure you know all about that Manor, yes?" She shook her head and looked away from him once again, to make matters worse she tightened her grip around Stephen's waist!

The bloody hell was wrong here?

William sighed and led his men through the streets before ordering the lower ranks to the smaller houses. He kept glancing at Evelyn, she still wouldn't look his way!

For the love of Christ what's wrong?!

~~~

Evelyn got increasingly nervous with each step she took towards her old home. She had too many memories here, horrible blood curdling memories.

But that fear seemed to pass when her grandmother, Serena, came rushing up to her with open arms "Oh my dear girl! I thought you were- oh thank you for keeping her safe for all these years!" she peppered her face in kisses before looking up at the mainly confused officers "What are your names, sirs?"

"Colonel William Tavington and this is Captain Stephen Madden, we're looking for shelter-"

"Oh hush, you can stay here" Serena unexpectedly hugged them both causing Evelyn to laugh.

William winced slightly when the woman hit his shoulder on accident "careful grandma, this one got shot in the shoulder"

"Oh I'm sorry deary, here all three of you go into the drawing room while I go and get the servants to make your rooms"

"Very well" William nodded before looking over at Evelyn. But all she did was walk away and go there herself.

Stephen grabbed him by his coatee and hauled him backwards "I just had to lie saying that those letters to Penny meant nothing!" he whisper-shouted before scowling "cut ties with her or lose Evelyn! Money or love William, choose now!"

William scoffed slightly before ragging his arm from his grip "I choose her, Evelyn obviously"

"Then explain to Evelyn that you truly love her"

"I've just bought her this" He brought out the blue leather ring box and opened it "I wouldn't marry her if I didn't love her!"

"I'm not lying for you again, tell her the truth and nothing but the truth!"

William sighed and stormed over towards the drawing room, closely followed by Stephen. He sat across from Evelyn and offered her a smile "Thank you..." Evelyn mumbled and looked around the room for a moment "I used to play in here when I was younger..."

"your parents died when you were fifteen, didn't they?"

"Yes, my papa died when I was thirteen and my mother and brother when I was fifteen" She sadly spoke before clutching onto a pillow "I thought he still lived here so I never came back"

"your grandmother seems nice"

"she used to live on the santee, I wonder what happened" Evelyn mumbled and hugged the pillow tightly "I need to speak with you anyway"

William smiled and nodded "Of course kitten, may I sit next to you?"

"you may, just keep your hands to yourself my grandma will die if she sees that" She muttered and William came to sit next to her, at the moment he looked like more of an overprotective guardian and not her fiancé.