the difference

Chapter Twenty-two

By four in the morning, William had finally managed to write one hundred names for the advancement on North Carolina. They would be lead by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Spence and aid the fight at Kings Mountain. Hopefully they will be able to take it. However he now needed to recruit more men, loyalties would be tested and even his own tether. He hated recruitment with a passion.

He made his way up to his room and hastily took off his uniform, folding it perfectly on a chair. William picked up his sabre and unsheathed it, it had specks of mud and blood on it. It would surely need cleaning for this ball.

With a sigh, he put the weapon on his desk and made his way over to his bed before leaning against the bedpost. He'd known Evelyn for a month. A whole beautiful month. Then realisation hit him. She hadn't bled. It would make sense if she was with child, they hadn't exactly been careful, or rather he spilt his seed inside her quite often. There was also a possibility that maybe she was late?

~~~

"ouch" Evelyn stuck her finger into her mouth after pricking it with a needle. William had come in at around half twelve and just started brooding next to her in bed "I added a pattern to your silk cravat, its not visible unless you actually look for it, a few flowers and your name underneath it so you know it's yours"

He looked to the side and smiled "You do so much for me" William looked over at the clock "Was it five or six when the ball starts?" it was half four.

"six" she smiled and gave him to cravat. He ran his fingers over the patterns and nodded before staring into space "Is something wrong?"

"When are your menses due?"

"I- pardon?"

"We've known each other a month, you haven't bled yet...I'm just wondering"

"Oh right, there isn't need to worry" she mumbled and looked over at the tea on her bedside table before bringing the cup to William "It's my mother's recipe, it worked as she never bore a child for my stepfather"

"So you aren't with child?"

"Not that I'm aware of, my courses are due in a few days"

William nodded and wrapped an arm around her "I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable...I was just worried"

She shook her head and nuzzled into his shoulder "If you don't want children yet that's alright" Evelyn muttered and looked up at him.

He nodded and got lost in thought once again. Evelyn eventually had to usher him out of the room so she could dress for the ball. William just laid on his bed for about half an hour before getting into the bath and shaving his stubble away. His dress uniform had been cleaned and was perfectly folded on his bed.

His mind flashed to when he saw his son in the drawing room at Thompson Manor. He had the exact same eyes and hair as himself, the only problem was that his mother was an absolute bitch. His name was Theodore. That should be Theodore Tavington.

William dressed himself and disciplined his hair into its usual neat queue. He attached his sabre to his baldric and looked at himself in the mirror. His boots were freshly cleaned and shone a shiny black and his sabre gleamed. He glanced in the mirror and smiled again "For Evelyn"

The he left the room and made his way to the ballroom. William did hate crowds however Evelyn would be at his arm all evening.

~~~

Serena came in first, followed by Gabrielle and Evelyn. The two young girls were chatting away but after one stern look from Evelyn's grandmother, they both fell silent.