That night Eliza drifted off in to a restless sleep. She got her own tent which was next to the Colonel's tent. It made her feel save enough for now. Apparently he didn't trust her not to escape. And he was damn right because escape was something she definitely had on her mind. She needed to get back to her family as soon as possible. She decided that the upcoming days she would be obedient and decent, in the meantime she would think of an escape plan…

But she faltered on the matter of 'obedient and decent' when she woke up and found a servant waking her up for breakfast, wanting to dress her and do whatever else servants do.

"So… explain to me once more please… You are… Molly? And you are…"

"Your servant my lady" the servant girl said in a quiet voice.

"Molly, can you hold on one second? I just need to do something real quick" Eliza said as she barged out of her tent in anger.

"But surely not in your nightgown mylady!" Molly called after her, but Eliza was already out of sight.

As she barged out of her tent she only needed to walk a couple of feet to reach Tavington's tent. What on earth was he thinking? Dumping this servant girl on her, as if she was some high maintenance British lady who needed help with dressing and combing her hair. She wouldn't have any of this and was determined to give him a peace of her mind!

"Why do you insist on bullying me in this manner! What have I ever done to you that you treat me this cruel!" she yelled at him as she stormed in to his tent.

The Colonel wasn't even properly dressed yet himself. Only wearing his black breeches and his hair still hanging loosely around his shoulders. His eyes widened as he noticed her attire: a simple white nightdress without sleeves but just straps. Bare feet and a very angry facial expression.
Amusement found its way through his body as a delightful grin lightened his face when he eyed her up and down. Her angry eyes still staring at him and her fist clenched alongside her body.

"Eliza, you are upset, and this so early in the morning. Whatever can the matter be?" he mockingly replied.

"A SERVANT! You have bestowed upon me a servant girl of merely 14 who is to do what exactly? Dress me? Comb my hair? Wash me? I am perfectly capable of doing such thing myself!" she said as she realized how even more handsome he looked. No shirt, loose hair… she quickly turned 90 degrees to prevent her face from turning a bright scarlet color.

Too late…

The Colonel stayed calm finding this all very amusing. "Apparently you are not capable of it Eliza. Here you are, in your nightgown and bare footed. Have you any idea what my men would think if one of them would find you here? Mhm?" he continued to mock her as he put on his boots.

"I do not need a servant Colonel. Maybe you have forgotten who's house you raided only yesterdat but it was not some grand luxirous mansion. I come from a plantation, I don't need a ladies maid so get rid of her!" she sneered at him.

Slowly he walked up to her without saying a word. Eliza started to get nervous, she really should try and control her temper and remember to whom she had been speaking… or yelling. When he was only a mere feet away from her he yanked her upper arm and pulled her close to his chest.

"YOU, do not give ME commands! I find your defiance amusing but DO NOT misuse it… do I make myself clear young lady?" he hissed in her ear.

She tried to look away from him and when she said nothing he brought his other hand up to her chin and forced her to look at him.

"Answer me Eliza" he softly whispered, his breath caressing her cheek lightly.

"Yes" Eliza quietly said as she lowered her eyes

"Yes what?"

She lifted her narrowing eyes to look at him "Yes… Sir".

"Good, that is sorted then" he said as he roughly let go of her arm to continue dressing.

Eliza slowly turned around to walk back to her tent and almost bumped into Bordon as she left his tent. He seemed very surprised to find this young woman here. In her nightgown and without shoes. As Eliza left the tent Bordon gave his superior a confusing look.

Tavington sighed "Don't ask… you know I wouldn't… And I'm not saying I don't want to"

"I know William, you need not explain yourself to me" Bordon replied to his best friend as he nodded.

"That ungrateful little wench! I try to be kind, I really do but she just pushes me to the limit!" Tavington

"She is frightened I think. Be patient with her" Bordon replied.

Back in her tent, Eliza found out that Molly had not so much been sent only to serve her but also to keep her company. The Colonel thought maybe she was lonely and had therefor sent for one of the maids to come and serve at camp so Eliza could have some female companionship and someone to assist her whilst she worked. She didn't think there had been another moment in her life where she had felt so stupid and guilty about the outburst she just had.

I guess I should try and make this up, apologize to the man who burned my home.