Chapter 10

Tavington stood in his tent staring out the open tent flap. He wasn't looking at anything in particular, just watching the camp go about their day. Scowling at his preoccupation, he closed the flap with a flick of his wrist. He sat at his desk, leaning back casually in the chair, his hands tented over his nose. What was it he exactly was doing? He wasn't sure himself. He had called for Sarah to have dinner with him every night this week. At first the reluctance was at an all time high, but after the first few days, she didn't seem as angry. She even engaged in polite conversation, answering his questions pertaining to medicine and offering additional information without being asked. He had learned a great deal about her life. Her father was a doctor, quite talented and popular from what he could ascertain. He had taught her his occupation that required her to be cooped up in the house for months at a time. She started at a young age, her parents giving her all her schooling. Yes, she discussed her parents and how she acquired her newfound occupation freely; the only thing she refused to talk about was her fiancée and his family. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he had sent a scout out to the farm to see what they could find out. They were gone. But what else had he expected? He had burned down their dwellings. He had also located the Ferguson land. They were also gone. The house abandoned along with most of their possessions. High-tailed it out quickly obviously. Tavington snorted, all the better for them. Her parents, he most likely would have left alone unless he found out they committed some treacherous act against the king. However, he may have had to dispose of the rest of that farmer's family. He stopped suddenly. Now why was he so passionate on that aspect? He scowled again, for whatever reason; he knew that Sarah did not belong with those people. She was much too educated, in a higher class than they were; if her loyalties were to be turned…

"Borden!" he bellowed.

Borden came in quickly, in obvious hearing range of Tavington's shouting.

"There are no more fresh wounded, is that correct?" Tavington knew the answer for there had been no skirmishes in the past few days.

"Yes sir." Borden replied.

"Bring Miss Ferguson to me. It's about time I allow her a little bit of freedom."

He was in his tent seemingly perusing the latest bit of correspondence from General Cornwallis when she entered. He ignored her as he read the rest of the letter. Placing it down, he finally looked up at her giving her a small smile.

"I have planned something special today." he said standing to walk over to her.

She raised her eyebrow with indifference, arms crossed across her chest. "Really?" she murmured.

"I thought you might enjoy some time away from this camp."

She straightened at that, her interest definitely stimulated.

"With me of course." he added slyly.

She rolled her eyes slightly but remained silent not knowing exactly where this was headed.

"Of course, if you would rather not, then feel free to return to your tent that is observed by multiple guards. You may want to take a short walk around the confines of it…let's see, how big are your quarters anyway? Smaller than mine since you are a prisoner of war…"

"You've made your point." she said tersely, "Get on with it; tell me your special plans."

"How about I show you?"

She eyed him apprehensively, but allowed him to guide her to his tethered horse.

"No guards?" she asked as they mounted and he turned the horse southward. "You're a brave soul." she muttered in his silence. "How sure are you that I won't maim you and take flight?"

"As sure as you are that I'm not taking you away to ravish you where no one can witness." he admitted. "However, I think a mutual understanding is of sorts. Do you not agree?"

She thought on that as they rode, taking his veiled threat for face value.

"Agreed" she begrudgingly replied; at this moment she would have consented to almost anything to get away from all the death and decay she had to endure over the past months. Anything was better than that, even time alone with Colonel Tavington.

They hadn't ridden far when a small stream came into view. Sarah gasped, for it had been quite a while since she had seen fresh water. Even though fall was coming to an end, it was still warm out and the grass hadn't turned totally brown yet. In fact, there were still patches of lush green blades peeking out from around an old oak tree scattered between a bed of brightly colored leaves.

Stopping the horse, he dismounted helping her down after him. She was in such awe of the rare visage of beauty around her, that she didn't notice or thank him for his atypical act of chivalry.

As soon as she was released from his hands that lingered at her waist, she ran to the stream, kneeling at the bank. She cupped her hands and greedily drank from it, throwing it across her face and down her neck.

"I never thought water could be such a beautiful sight," she said closing her eyes, "especially when it's not laced with blood and grime."

"A noble reflection."

She heard the rustle of leaves behind her and turned as he sat down underneath the tree.

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked.

"It shouldn't matter why. You're here, contemplate on that fact alone."

Still confused, but not wanting to push the matter in case his generosity came to a sudden end, she turned back to the stream running her hand in it softly. Tavington watched her hand sway back and forth as if mesmerized. It was unsettling for her to have that effect on him and he shook his head to clear it. Why did he bring her out here anyway?

"My father used to take me down to the stream to study biology. He used to make me look for anything living so that I could examine it thoroughly. I had to even catch frogs and open them up surgically so I could see how different they were from the human body. I cringed at first, killing a living being when I was supposed to be healing them, but he explained to me about the need for research in order to expand on knowledge." she jerked her head to the side suddenly. "Sorry about that, I do have a tendency to ramble." she muttered.

"Please feel free to chatter to your heart's content. It's quite interesting to hear your uncommon upbringing. There are not many ladies who have had the same experiences you have."

"I suppose not" she said, "but there are also not many ladies being held by a well known…man as you." Sarah hesitated before continuing, turning fully to face him. She studied his features. He was a handsome man. His eyes were crystal blue, much lighter than Ben's. His light brown hair shaped his aristocratic features softly giving the impression that he was much less dangerous than he actually was. He also seemed calm, tranquil at the moment, not at all like the scowling man she was used to seeing. He appeared different in this setting. "Are you really like they say? I mean I know some things first hand. I've seen you murder the innocent, but do you really derive pleasure from it?"

"Such a deep question. Are you questioning my character?"

She hesitated again, "Yes, I suppose I am."

"And why would you do that?" he said with a small smile. "Do you have a hidden agenda?"

"I don't know what you mean?"

"Oh, I think you do, but in answer to your question, it's sometimes a nasty business doing one's duty."

"Does that mean you regret your actions?" she asked softly.

"If I said yes would you forgive me? Treat me respectfully?"

"I would treat you of a man who seriously knows that many of his actions have not been in the right. That sometimes emotions take over where clear thinking leave off. Yes, I could respect a man who is courageous enough to admit those things."

"And if I said no?"

"Then may God help your soul."

"Would you make an attempt to save it?"

"Absolutely not!"

"But I thought you were a doctor? A healer of not only the body, but of the human spirit?"

His tone was mocking, but it didn't faze Sarah in the least.

"A soul with no remorse cannot be saved, it is too far gone."

"Pity" he replied.

"Yes, a pity that your only hope of redemption is placed upon me. For you should already have that plan placed upon the Lord Almighty. He is the only one who can truly give you salvation if that is what you actually want."

Tavington chuckled, "My, you are quick witted. Do you always speak like this?"

"With my heart? Yes, I do."

He didn't respond, only held her gaze with intense scrutiny. She challenged him with every twist he threw at her careening it back right at him. Her intelligence along with her looks made her absolutely riveting in his eyes; something that could be altogether dangerous.

"Don't fret my dear; I have no plans for my soul to seek deliverance."

"Yes, somehow that's what I feared you would say."

"You think you have me figured out do you? You think you know what lies deep within me?"

The anger was evident in his voice. His words were clipped, not at all laced with amusement as they were previously. He was upon her in an instant; his hand like a vise around her arm. He pulled her up so roughly that she fell into him. His lips took hers in a show of dominance. Her attempts to push him back were as if she were pushing back a ton of bricks; it didn't at all stop his assault. He rammed his tongue inside her mouth biting her lip to slow her resistance. He felt like a man possessed and whether he was trying to teach her a lesson or venting his frustrations he did not know. The slap across his face was what brought him back to reality. She had managed to find a small gap between their bodies where she could find enough leverage to break away. He looked at her momentarily stunned before breaking out into a hearty laugh.

"Oh, I've made you mad haven't I?" he said looking at her wild hair and flushed face. "Why I can see the steam coming out of your ears as we speak. But I do believe I warned you… what would happen if you verbally disrespected me again. Didn't I?"

His laughter had died down, the smile vanished. Holding her upper arms, he yanked her close again. He ignored her muffled cry at his actions and brought his lips inches from hers.

"I almost want you to say something. Anything really, just so I can shut you up for a second time."

Sarah's eyes were wide with terror. She felt sick to know that she was on the verge of being raped and she was absolutely powerless to do anything to stop it. She looked him in the eyes though, not wanting to cower too much. If she was to go down, she'd go down with some dignity.

"Do it then." she squeaked wincing at the sound of her own voice. She could hear the fear in it.

Tavington shook his head slowly, "No, there will be a time when you'll want me to kiss you…and you won't want me to stop."

Sarah opened her mouth in outrage, but before she could speak, Tavington placed a finger upon it.

"Now, don't be saying something you'll soon regret."

Tavington could see the wheels turning in her head as she decided her fate. She pressed her lips firmly together in silence.

"Good girl" he said as he let go of her gently. He walked back to his previous spot underneath the tree and sat back down. "I would suggest you enjoy the rest of your time here, I don't know when I'll have the opportunity to bring you back."

The cockiness was back. He smirked at her as she shot daggers through him with her eyes. She turned back to the stream in fury sitting as far away from him as possible. She would get away from this man if it was the last thing she did.