Chapter Ten: Love in an Elevator…Scratch That.

The next morning when she awoke; it was a beautiful day, the sun shone brightly through the curtains; the birds chirped merrily, and she couldn't wipe the smile off her damned face. She felt slightly embarrassed; but mostly a giddy thrill surged through her. Sitting up in bed her comforter bunched around her waist, her hair askew. She smoothed it down with her hands as she touched her lips slowly dragging her fingers across where he had kissed her. She jumped a bit when a knock at the door startled her.

"Miss Theresa, may I come in?" Molly asked through the door.

"Of course." Theresa called, straightening her shift a bit, and smoothing her hair again. Molly bustled in tray in hand; she offered her normal cheery smile. Theresa grinned like the Cheshire cat, ear to ear and couldn't suppress the damned thing.

"Well, your in a awfully good mood." Molly looked at Theresa an eyebrow quirked; as she set the breakfast tray in lap.

"Yeah. I am." Theresa laughed as she picked up a piece of toast happily munching on it.

"Well, I hate to ruin it…" Molly frowned, leaning her weight on the vanity, she looked out the window. She tucked a few red hairs into her bonnet.

"Whys that?" Theresa asked as she munched on a piece of toast; washing it down with her tea. She looked up at Molly through her eye lashes.

"Colonel Tavington has asked for you to meet with him this morning; he has something urgent he must discuss with you." Theresa's eyes widened and her head snapped up. She tried to play it off, as if it were nothing.

"What's he want?" she asked; still chewing. Molly eyed the food in Theresa's mouth while she chewed with distaste, and a scowl. Theresa played it off with a cool indifference.

"I have no idea; you could always say no. No one would blame you…after all the..arguments." Molly shook her head; glancing down at her feet.

"No; I think I need to know whats up his sleeve; where and when?"

Theresa made her way to the old, large willow tree in the gardens. She had made sure to take extra care of her appearance today. She wore a large puffy satin gown; lavender, Molly had said it complimented her skin nicely. Her long dark; hung down loosely around her hips; with a slight kink to it from being up all night. The birds sang beautifully and the summer heat felt nice.

She laid a hand across her belly as she walked; she couldn't help it. She felt as if she was going to vomit at any moment. Her stomach flipped and flopped constantly.

She worried: would their kiss change things? Would he be cruel? Was he angry with her? Obviously he was not avoiding her; which she soundly decided was a good thing. She parted the long hanging leaves of the willow; but didn't see anyone. With a heavy sigh she placed her small hand flat against the bark; and leaned against it. Her heart beat fast and her stomach fluttered.

" Theresa.." A soft deep voice called. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned. Be still her beating heart. There he was, His hair was loose around his shoulders and looked slightly damp; and he wore a white linen billowy shirt; she had to note: she'd had seen Fabio where them on a few romance novel covers. Black breeches and black boots.

" Colonel…" she nodded; smoothing out the satin of her gown.

" I wasn't sure if you would come.." He murmured walking toward her. His hair blew in the breeze. Damn him. How was she ever to play cool when he looked like that.

"Well.." she started but her mouth dried up and she couldn't think of anything witty; or intelligent to say. She shrugged. He closed the distance between them; taking her hand he kissed it, sending shivers all over her body. "Walk with me." He offered his hand to her; but it certainly didn't sound like a request. Slipping her hand inside his, they started, a slow leisurely pace. Both refusing to discuss the events of last night. Instead, they started with polite small talk; the weather; his dragoons. But as they settled into a less awkward chemistry; the Colonel found himself quite in awe of the lovely creature.

She was much to his surprise; very intelligent despite her childish tendencies. She could hold her own very well in a conversation, and she didn't back down to him anymore.

"My my, Theresa, you are quite the brute when speaking your mind…I admire that." He looked at her sideways; their fingers still interlaced. She looked up at his tall frame in shock.

"Even in a woman?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"In anyone." Her eyes widened and she met his eyes, she couldn't look away. The fire in her belly returned full force and she absent mindedly licked her lips. His eyes landed on her lips. She took a step forward still looking into his eyes, never realizing the divet in the grass, and fell flat on her bottom, dress heaped all around the small woman. Tavington chuckled, bending down in a squat next to her.

"Are you hurt?" his features were stern.

"I'm fine." She snapped in annoyance, she was sick of everyone on this damned compound or whatever is was treating her like some kind of delicate glass; but also because she was mortified enough, she didn't need his concern adding to it. Slapping the puffy dress down violently; she made to stand.

"Stay put." he grabbed her arm; which was really not necessary as all her joints locked up as soon as he opened his mouth. Much to her horror; he pushed her skirts up a bit and started unlacing her boots.

"Colonel; do we have to do this. I'm fine." she mumbled.

" Yes," he growled." I'm not letting you go until I'm sure that you have no broken bones or sprains." so once again she submitted to being coddled like a child. Her heart skipped a beat when he began messaging her ankle. Oh how Sense and Sensibility. she smiled.

"I'm fine." she pushed his hands away and started to stand, he pulled her to her feet. Their chests bumped slightly, as she raised her eyes from the ground to look up at the man before her. The breeze blew both their hair in the wind; and she took a deep breath through her nose smelling the honey suckle.

His hand came up softly and ran a finger tip, tracing her jawline. Her bent his head down to her; brushing his lips against hers. He smirked against her; she was a fast learner; she teased his tongue with her own and matched his passion. Her hand traveled up to his hair; her small fingers threading themselves in it, as he cradled the back of her neck in one hand. Tavington felt a whimper at the back of her throat as she pressed herself against him. He swelled almost painfully, sweet torture. If he were a baser man, less in control of himself; he'd toss up her skirts and take her right there; in the grass. Bury himself fully in her sweet warm body. Soon, He did have her up against the trunk of a large tree. Her tiny frame trapped between him and the bark, his mind utterly useless as she arched into him. A groan of frustration tore through him as he wrapped his fingers in her hair giving it a firm, yet gentle tug; exposing the skin of her neck. His lips crashed there igniting small fires on her skin everywhere they touched.

"Oh Theresa! There yo-" Charlotte stood behind them a gloved hand covering her mouth in shock. Her cheeks burned a dark shade of crimson. "I am so sorry, If you'll just." she all but ran in the other direction Harold took one last scandalized look at the couple, who the Colonel still had Theresa pinned; she still had her palms on his shoulders. Harold shook his head chasing after his bride to be.