the difference

Chapter Twenty-five

As usual, William was in the study attempting to recruit some loyalists into the dragoons. After around three hours of that, a young cornet came into the office and gave William a letter.

"from London, Sir"

"Who from?"

"your brother"

Why would Adam be writing? William wasn't exactly his favourite person on the earth. He took the letter and quickly opened it and read through it.

William,

I regret to inform you that I have lost my wife, Penny Tavington as she gave birth to my son Philip. She wanted me to make sure that you were well and that she missed you. I miss you. I haven't been informed of your campaign in a year, ever since I married Penny. It hurts to know that my own blood hates me, I never once hated you...

From your little brother,

Adam

William scrunched up the letter into a ball and hid it in his hands. He dismissed the young cornet and stared up at the ceiling. His first love had died...

Hopefully Caroline would be next!

"Muffin?" He heard Evelyn speak, causing him to look over at the door "What's wrong?"

"My brother...h-he wrote to me"

"something good?"

"Penny...she's gone"

Evelyn nodded slightly. She wasn't annoyed or angry, she understood what it was like to lose someone. With a small smile, she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders "There, there...shh"

William leant into her embrace "Don't leave me alright? I lo...damn I can't even say the word!"

"You don't need to say it"

"No I do...I do...it's unfair on you"

"William look at me" She tilted her chin up and smiled "I know you love me"

William stood up and turned. to face her. He gently kissed her cheek before taking her hands into his "I lo..." he cleared his throat and smiled "I love you Eila" it felt as if a weight had been lifted off his chest at those word. It may had seemed silly but it was another milestoneo

Evelyn's smile only grew wider at those words "I love you too" she threw her arms around him and kissed him softly on the lips "I'm never leaving you, I promise you that"

~~~

As she reclined into the pillows, Evelyn picked up a book and flicked over to the page she left it on. Just as she was about to turn the page again, William came into the room holding Theodore.

"Good evening" She smiled as he came to lay down next to her.

"evening" he mumbled and laid next to her "He missed you" William spoke softly and kissed her forehead. Theodore crawled over towards Evelyn and laid in between the couple "Oh a blockade, what ever are we going to do?"

"the little munchkin is perfect where he is, he keeps you at bay" William rolled his eyes and started tickling Theodore's belly, causing him to giggle and babble nonsense. Evelyn softly laughed and kissed the baby's forehead.

William stopped his actions for a moment before brushed some hair behind Evelyn's ear "It's unfortunate that he doesn't have your genes, he'd be a true ladies man"

"No, he'd just take after you and flirt with half the women here"

"I don't flirt with anyone"

"You believe that muffin, it doesn't bother me anyway"

"So I can look but not touch?" Evelyn nodded before Theodore crawled in her chest. She smiled as he rested her head against her chest "You're a natural with children"

"When we are married, we can have a brood of our own"

"with your mind mixed with mine, they'd be hooligans"

"I couldn't think of anything more perfect" Evelyn smiled and looked down at Theodore "he's asleep" she glanced over at William and saw him staring at her "What?"

"Nothing, I'm just admiring you" He tilted his head to the side and sweetly pouted "I love you"

"I love you too"

He looked over Theodore and his smile faded for a moment.

"You did so well William" She traced shapes over his chest before resting her head on it "Hopefully your seed will catch, then we can have a child"

William remained silent, silently crying to himself. How could this have happened. The butcher of the South Carolinas was raped by a woman. WHERE WAS HIS CONTROL?!?!

"Muffin?" Evelyn mumbled and traced imaginary lines across his hand "Is everything alright?"

"perfect...just perfect" He didn't bear any scars or visible injuries from the situation, he had mental scars. But he was a man. Men couldn't get raped according to his father. However, the way she made him feel like he was nothing stuck with him for days, he was even considering putting a gun to his head a few days afterwards. Only Evelyn knew, Stephen would think he was weak.

~~~

Adam,

You have my condolences, Penny was a good woman. I hope you and your son are alright. I have a bit of happy news to share, I'm getting married myself, I've found a woman who's my complete opposite but she somehow deals with me. Her name is Evelyn Anderson.

It would be rather nice to see your face again. It's been five years since I were sent over here, you've probably grown facial hair by now. I've never hated you, I hated the fact that mother and father disowned me. Speaking of fathers, I'm one myself. I have a son named Theodore Tavington.

Maybe after this war you could visit me and my family. I'm not returning to England, I'm staying here with my soon to be wife.

I hope to hear from you again.

Your older brother

William

William hesitantly folded the letter and dripped some wax on it before stamping it. He gave the letter to the young cornet and told him to give it to the next Man O' war heading for England. It may take around seven weeks to get there.

"I ask you now Lord, protect my family..."