A/N: SteeleRanger helped me majorly with this chapter.

(Back to Catherine's POV)

I looked away from Col. Tavington's fiery stare to see Lord General Cornwallis standing in the doorway of my quarters.

"Colonel Tavington! What the bloody hell is going on in here!" yelled Cornwallis in an irate tone.

"Nothing my Lord. Nothing is going on."

"That's not what Ebony tells me. Colonel Tavington, meet me in my office immediately! We can discuss your punishment."

Colonel Tavington looked at me once more, the fire still blazing in his eyes as he left the room reluctantly.

(Colonel Tavington's POV)

As I stalked into Lord General Cornwallis's office, I saw him sitting behind his desk looking down at the floor, his hands folded on his desk.

"Who on God's green earth do you think you are! You can't just go around ravishing people as you please! I can tell you right now that you will immediately court-martialed. That's the first I'll be doing!"

I stared at my superior in shock and surprise.

"Court-martialed, my lord?" I asked, nearly choking on my words.

"Did you really think that you were going to get away with this?" He sneered at me, no sympathy on his face or in his eyes.

"In my defense, my lord, I haven't the frankest idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, so you're suggesting that my niece was lying when she told me that you had raped Miss Tarleton!"

"No, my lord, I'm not suggesting... Raped! Miss Tarleton was raped!"

"Yes. And Ebony came to me this morning, saying that Catherine came to her and said that you raped her two months ago! She just didn't want to tell anyone, for fear that you would harm her if she did tell."

"I assure you, my lord, I did nothing of the sort." I replied firmly.

But I swear, who ever did will pay dearly for it!

"I would believe you, Colonel, but for your casanova-like reputation amongst the ladies..."

My face grew hot.

"With all due respect, my lord, this is not one of those incidents."

"Oh, really? And how are you going to prove that?" drawled the lord general.

I stared at the floor and replied quietly, "I don't know my lord; she won't say anything."

"Could this be perhaps because you're lying?"

"No, my lord, I am not." I replied through clenched teeth.

"Well then, if you're not lying, she'll confess in three days; if not, you'll be court-martialed with a one-way trip back to England. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, my lord."

"Good. You're dismissed."

My blood boiling with rage, I gave Lord Gen. Cornwallis a stiff bow and left the room.