Sexual content warning.

A/N: I listened to Sufjan Stevens' "Love Yourself (Short Reprise)" on repeat while writing the love scene for this chapter, if anyone cares to look it up and listen along while reading!

CH 8: Paying the Price

For a long moment, nobody moved. Ben's pulse thundered in his ears and he dizzily whipped his head toward Anna. She, too, seemed adrift with shock, and she fumbled despairingly for his arm.

"He's…h-he's got Selah?" she managed to choke out. Her voice was dry and raspy, and she blinked in rapid succession. "But…how do you know this?"

"I went to your cart to see about that snake," Caleb explained. "While searchin', I found a note." Here, he extended a piece of folded up parchment. "Apparently, the bastard wants a ransom."

"A ransom?" Bewildered, Anna took the letter and opened it, her hands trembling as she squinted down at the near illegible scrawl. "No…" Shaking her head, she snapped more forcefully, "No. He wants Ben in exchange for my husband. Absolutely not!"

"Let me see that." Taking the note from Anna, Ben appraised the demands with a growing quiver of rage. Teeth gritting, he looked between his friends and declared, "Then so be it – I'll go. Selah has done nothing to deserve this."

"But Ben! It's-"

"Dangerous? Yes. But most especially for Selah, seeing how he's not the one that turncoat wants."

Drawing a hand over her chest, Anna looked to Caleb for help. When he grimaced and shook his head, her fear turned to anger and she jutted her chin. "We're not fools," she snapped. "Since when do we just give in to demands, no questions asked? We always find a way, Ben – the way that poses the least danger to the ring!"

"And this option is precisely that!" Ben fired back. "Unlike Selah, I know how to handle myself."

"He is not an invalid," Anna growled. "He knows how to handle a firelock. He knows how to handle people, Ben. He can talk his way out of this."

He eyed her incredulously. "Just what are you saying? That you're willing to risk Selah's life?"

She puffed up, defensive. "Of course not! But I'm also not willing to risk yours!"

Silence befell the tent then, long and thick, before Caleb cleared his throat. "She's got a point there, Tall-boy." Ben moved to interject, but Caleb continued, "Goin' it alone is just askin' for trouble. I can be there hidin' in the bushes, just in case things go south."

Ben shook his head. "No. The more we go against this turncoat's wishes, the more likely it is that Selah will get hurt."

Caleb snorted. "Well, it's either that or we go in there guns blazin', 'cause I am not lettin' you do this alone."

Ben pressed his lips together, displeased. After a tense stare-off between his friends, he finally lowered his gaze and nodded. "Fine. But if we're to do this, you must follow my instructions. I mean it, Caleb. No off-the-fly horse shite."

Unable to help it, the whaler grinned. "Who, me? I'll be as docile as a lamb."

Ignoring him, Ben turned to Anna. "Caleb and I will discuss what to do about Selah. In the meantime, I want you to go to your cart and behave as if everything is normal."

Anna drew back, affronted. "Why can't I help? Selah is my husband, and-"

"Please, Anna. I understand how hurtful this must be for you – I do – but if I have your life to worry about on top of everything else, I won't be able to focus."

Faltering, she looked between both men, torn, before offering a stiff little nod. "Very well," she agreed. "At least tell me once you plan to make the trade."

"You have my word." Ben placed his hand onto her shoulder, gently stroking his thumb against her neck. The softness in his eyes betrayed the words he wished to speak, and Anna reached up to lightly press his hand. A palpable ardor swelled between them, and then she turned before making her leave. Ben's eyes remained where she'd stood long after she left, distant and yearning.

Caleb was oddly silent during this exchange.

Ben swallowed. "So, uh…about the raid…" He moved back over to their map, his hands trembling as he straightened the parchment. "If we're smart about this, we might be able to work this in before our business with the turncoat." When Caleb still failed to respond, he glanced over his shoulder and huffed. "What, so you've got nothing to say now?"

The whaler frowned. "Don't think I didn't see what happened there, Ben. Are you and Annie…?"

A sliver of panic sliced through Ben's chest and he drew a breath, reeling from both shame and self-revulsion. He thought a moment of lying – of denouncing his love for Anna – but ultimately nodded, his shoulders hunkering and his head low. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes, we are."

Caleb flinched. "Oh… Well, shite."

If this had been any other situation, Ben might have laughed. "Shite, indeed," he muttered. "I don't know what to do… Selah is one of my dearest friends, and I've been nothing but a selfish bastard." Miserable and sullen, he sank onto his cot and dragged his hands through his hair. "Is it bad that a part of me – a small part, mind you – almost considers this a blessing? A relief that he might not come back?" Tears filled his eyes and he looked away, ashamed. "I don't mean that – I know I don't – but the fact remains that a part of me does wish he wasn't in the way."

Sighing, Caleb turned and seated himself atop Ben's desk. "So how did this happen then, uh?"

Ben shook his head. "I don't know how it happened, it just did…and all starting with us masquerading as husband and wife." Catching Caleb's disbelieving glance, he rolled his eyes and amended, "All right, yes, I did harbor a small infatuation when we were children, but all of us liked Anna at some point. That wasn't anything remarkable."

"You need to talk to Selah."

"What? N-no, I-"

"It's either that or suffer in silence for the rest of your miserable days, Tall-boy."

Horrified, Ben insisted, "But I feel better – much better, now that I've talked to you."

"Aye," Caleb agreed. "You feel better, not cured. Talk to 'im, Ben."

He scoffed. "What, so you actually think he'll let me be with his wife? That talking won't completely ruin our friendship?"

Caleb snorted. "No offense, Tall-boy, but I'm pretty sure that fuckin' his wife will end your friendship just as easily. He loves Annie."

"As do I."

"Then talk to him. You owe yourself at least that."

Overwhelmed, Ben dragged his hands over his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut. "What are you thinking, Caleb? Am I…a-am I a bad person?"

Caleb huffed, though his eyes glimmered with pity. "You're a poor ol' bastard, is what you are," he softly said. "You're not a bad man, Ben. You're one of the good ones."

Ben shook his head. "I wish I could believe that…"

"The fact this torments you is proof enough, in'nit? A bad man wouldn't give two shites about who he hurts."

Ben sighed, though a smile finally touched his lips. "I suppose you're right. Thank you, Caleb. Your friendship is far more than I deserve."

Caleb grinned. "Aye, don't I know it. There's gotta be some reason I keep you around."

"Arsehole," Ben said, chuckling. With a cathartic sigh, he leaned back and straightened his stance. "Should we continue with our plans?"

Caleb snickered. "Continue? I never stopped plannin' – in fact, I've been plannin' in circles while you moaned on about your lady problems." Rising from his perch, he said, "C'mon then. We've got a raid and a rescue to figure out."

Ben smiled weakly and rose to join him.

Deep out in the woods, Amos Harrell sat upon a log, facing a bound Selah Strong and cutting into an apple – a rare treat in wartime – with a knife.

"You might as well give up now, because I'm sure a small brigade is on its way," Selah advised.

Amos laughed, the sound low and hearty. "You think so, do you?" With a wide grin, he kept cutting up the apple, his knife skimming over the flesh while Selah glared at him. "Tallmadge will comply with my wishes."

"No, he won't. Major Tallmadge is smart."

"Exactly. And he knows that if I hurt you, your wife will be hurt by proxy. His feelings for her are what's making this so easy."

Bemused, Selah's brow creased. "But what does Anna have to do with this? She and Major Tallmadge are lifelong friends, and-"

"Oh, Congressman." Amos heaved a long, mocking sigh. "You really are too pure of heart, aren't you? The entire bloody camp can see what's going on between them, so why can't you?"

Selah blinked back at him, aghast.

Reveling in the other man's shock, Amos rose from his perch and sauntered over to him, then bent down to stuff a bite of apple into Selah's mouth. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news – really, I do – but it would seem that your wife is a bit friendlier with the Major than any woman ought to be. Most especially a married one."

Selah scowled, yet only chewed the apple for the sake of not choking. Once he'd swallowed the fruit, he coolly replied, "My wife is a lady, sir, and I would ask that you not sully her reputation with lies."

Amos rose again, shrugging before popping a piece of apple into his mouth. "Would a lady come in and out of an unmarried man's tent, neat and tidy one moment, and then completely flushed upon her departure?" He chuckled, his eyes shining with delight. "The husband is always the last to know, you realize. Your Anna's reputation isn't as pristine as you seem to think."

Selah's jaw tensed, a fire stoking low in his gaze. "I've asked you before, and I'll ask you again: what is it you want?"

"For this damned war to be over, of course! We all know the King's Men are going to prevail, so why drag out the inevitable?" Amos shrugged, unimpressed. "I might as well help by speeding things along, and handing over the General's head of intelligence would do exactly that, don't you think?"

Selah shook his head. "So you wish to turn me against the Major – I see your angle now."

"Do you?" Huffing, Amos waved his knife before eating another piece of apple. "From one married man to another, I'm trying to help you, you damned fool. Yes, I am using you, and yes, it would be beneficial to have you on my side in this little tiff, but the fact remains that I hate to see any and all injustice. And believe me, Congressman, the speculation here isn't wrong. A man knows these things."

Selah shook his head. "I won't help you," he snapped. "Whatever it is you expect of me, I won't do it."

Amos grinned. "All I expect is for you to sit there and be a prisoner of war – an exchange, if you will. So please! Continue to not do anything, Congressman. It'll make my job all the easier." Chuckling, he held another piece of apple beneath Selah's nose, but once the man turned his head and refused, Amos shrugged and slipped the fruit into his own mouth. "If nothing else, at least think about your wife's behavior: heading out at odd hours of the night, never being at her cart when she's supposed to be selling wares – always coming in and out of the Major's tent looking like she's run for miles. Need I say more?"

"No," Selah crisply whispered, "you need not."

Clapping a hand onto the other man's shoulder, Amos chuckled and headed back over to his perch.

When Ben summoned Anna to the barn, she came without a moment's hesitation. Entering the storehouse in a breathless rush, she quickly secured the sliding door and then moved over to meet him, where he stood silent and half-obscured by shadow.

"Well?" she demanded. "Have you and Caleb got a plan?"

With a tight little nod, Ben stepped forward and met her within a sharp slant of sunlight. "I've sent a messenger out to the designated drop-off spot from the letter. If all goes as planned, I'll be meeting the turncoat within five hours' time – or rather, Caleb and I will. He'll be tailing me to make certain others aren't involved. The last thing we need is an ambush."

Anna paled at the thought. "But what if there is one? Would you and Caleb be any match for more than a few men?"

In spite of himself, Ben offered a wry smile. "It's so nice to hear your utmost faith in us."

"Ben, I'm serious! You could get hurt, or…or worse!"

"Then so be it." Expression darkening, he coolly reminded her, "God is punishing us, Anna. This is proof of it – proof of our sin being the wrong path."

Anna flinched. "Mere hours ago you professed your love for me, and yet now you're behaving as though I'm some blight? Some vile, reprehensible scum on the bottoms of your boots? Well, I say hang you and your morals!" Tears sprang to her eyes and she shoved him. "How dare you speak to me that way? This is just as much your fault as it is mine! Perhaps if you'd been paying more attention to camp and not myself, then Selah would still be here!"

Anna flung herself at him in a rage, beating her fists against his torso as she sobbed. Ben greedily accepted the punishment, tears filling his own eyes as she screamed and struck at him. Before long, all the fight in her drained and she sagged against his chest, weeping into his waistcoat while his arms curled strongly around her shoulders, anchoring her there beneath his chin.

Pressing his cheek down into her hair, Ben closed his eyes and shivered, feeling the wetness of her tears as she pressed her face into his neck.

"End my hurt," she pleaded with him, brushing her lips over his skin. "Make me feel good again…please, Ben."

His eyes stung and he leaned into her touch, quivering as already, he could sense his resolve starting to crumble. He was weak – weak in spirit, weak in heart, weak for her – and with a shuddering breath, Ben withdrew to frame her face in between his hands. "Anna, we shouldn't…"

"We never should have to begin with," she agreed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "but what's done is done, and I need you. Will you truly deny me this one small comfort? Most especially when you might never come back to me?"

Her hands lifted to cup his jaw, and Ben nuzzled into her palms, his eyes wet and sorrowful as they roved her face. "I'll come back."

"No," she hissed at him, "don't. Don't you dare promise what you can't possibly know." Bottom lip quivering, she hooked her hands through his waistcoat and pleaded, "Fuck me like it's our last time."

She was right, he realized. They might not have tomorrow – they might not have today.

Feeding off her desperation, Ben tangled his fingers through her hair and yanked her forward, their mouths colliding in a harsh, frantic kiss that burned through him in searing, needful waves. He knew this might be the end of their trysts – they both did – and when he tasted Anna's tears and she sobbed into his mouth, it was nearly enough to unman him. With each kiss and fevered touch, he hoped to assure her of his one small promise: I'm here, I'll never leave you, I love you, I'm here, and yet when Anna bit down on his lip and raked her nails along his neck, it soon became clear that she wished for their union to hurt just as much as they now hurt.

With pawing, clumsy hands, Anna unfastened Ben's fall flap and yanked it down in a rush, exposing him to her desperate grip. Tightening her fingers around him, Anna stroked and pulled on his cock, causing him to groan into her mouth before she slipped her lips from his and dotted warm, frenzied kisses wherever he would allow.

Just as starved for her, Ben swung her around and slammed her into the wooden post behind him, Anna gasping softly when he stooped to reclaim her mouth with harsh enthusiasm. The pain and fear within his stomach seemed to melt away, and with her hands on him, with the knowledge that he would soon be inside her, Ben grew soothed and yanked her skirts up before positioning himself between her legs. Anna moved to grip at his shoulders, and he reached down to gather her into his arms, a soft, airy yelp catching in her throat when he yanked her legs up to hook around his waist. The wooden post creaked somewhat, but remained sturdy as Ben sank his cock deep inside her warmth.

Anna cried out, her eager gasps becoming muffled by his shoulder as he drove into her with a fierce, desperate vigor. Pressing his face into her throat, he groaned while burying his hardness inside her again and again, his thrusts jolting her against the post while she rolled her hips into his.

Withdrawing far enough to look at her, Ben marveled at Anna's flushed beauty while she gasped and arched, and the sharpness of his pain threatened to cut him anew. He loved her – he did – and he wasn't certain how he could ever bring himself to love anyone else.

Anna yanked on his hair and forced his mouth back over hers, her ecstatic cries catching between their lips as he increased the pace of his hips. Knees growing weak, Ben kept her bottom supported while driving into her with renewed ardor. Anna sobbed into their kiss and licked at him, her nails fiercely raking across his neck and scalp as his hips hammered into hers.

He could feel his cock begin to pulse, the ache harsh and all-consuming, and Ben growled low in his throat, his fingers digging into her bottom while his thrusts grew frenzied and erratic.

Anna's soft moans were muffled by his lips, and their tongues tangled while she spasmed around his throbbing cock. Again and again he pounded into her until, at long last, Ben cried out and emptied himself between her shaking thighs.

He collapsed atop her soon after, panting heavily while he came down from their desperate haze. With his forehead pressed against the wooden post, he closed his eyes and attempted to calm his frantic pulse.

They remained standing there like that for a long while. Anna's legs slowly unhooked from Ben's waist, and he tremulously lowered her back down onto the hay-covered ground. For a considerable time, she wouldn't look at him. Her shoulders shook and tears filled her eyes, and when his hands moved to cup her face, she finally dignified him with eye contact.

"It would seem the prism found her light," she whispered, "but now I fear I'll have to return to that same darkness."

"Anna…" Swallowing around the lump in his throat, Ben kissed her brow and closed his eyes. He didn't have any words of consolation to offer her – knew that they'd ring hollow, were he to even try.

She broke away from him and dragged her sleeve across her eyes, sniffling softly. "I hope you have your answer now…about whether or not I love you." Ben reached out for her, but Anna stumbled back, suddenly unable to hold his gaze. "Goodbye," she whispered. "Please take care, Ben…rescue Selah, and come back to me."

Not sparing him anything but her retreating back, Anna fought off another sob and threw herself upon the barn door, her hands shaking as she ripped it open and burst out into the open field.

Ben remained rooted to the spot for several minutes thereafter, both elated and torn as he warred within himself over what he must now do.

By the time Ben arrived at the designated spot, Amos and Selah were there waiting for him. Amos held his captive against his chest, a knife to Selah's throat and the latter's hands bound in front.

"Not another step," Amos warned. "Take out any weapons and set them into the grass."

Ben frowned, but complied. Unholstering his flintlock, he slowly held his hands aloft, then laid the weapon onto the ground.

"Now step away," Amos commanded.

Ben side-stepped his weapon, keeping his hands raised, before approaching the two men with cautious, even strides.

"That's close enough," Amos hissed. Nodding toward a nearby tree, he added, "There's some rope over there in front of that oak. I want you to tie up your ankles." Catching Ben's incredulous look, he explained, "I can't very well make a trade if you're capable of attack, now can I?"

"I suppose not," Ben coldly agreed. To Selah, he asked, "Are you all right?"

Selah nodded, his expression hard and stony.

Appeased by this response, Ben moved over and had a seat in front of the oak, then took the rope in hand before wrapping it several times around his ankles. He knew Caleb was nearby – the whaler wouldn't allow this to get too out of control.

Once he'd secured the rope and tugged on the restraints to prove that yes, he had sufficiently tightened his bindings, Amos came over and bound up Ben's wrists with more rope.

"Since I can't very well carry you, you're going to have to ride sidesaddle on my horse," he explained. "Hope that isn't too demeaning for you, Major."

Ignoring the sharp edge to his tone, Ben said nothing. He only thought of Selah. Gaze shifting from Amos' smug sneer to his friend, his heart dropped at the hollow, oddly blank look on the congressman's face. What had happened? What had Amos done?

Infuriated by the thought of some type of emotional harm, Ben moved to speak, but was cut off by a warning shot being fired into the air. Everyone within the vicinity jerked, and then Caleb emerged from the trees, two flintlocks in hand as his upper lip curled at Amos.

"All right, that's enough chitchat," he warned. "Step away from 'im now, nice and slow."

Amos, however, wasn't ready to relinquish his good fortune. Breaking away from Ben, who he knew couldn't properly fight back, he rushed over to Selah and jerked a knife beneath the other man's throat. "Put those bull dogs down!" he commanded. "I mean it, arsehole – do it, or I'll kill him!"

"Don't!" Ben shouted. "We can all be reasonable about this!"

Caleb wavered, if only for a moment.

Selah shook his head. "Don't listen to him, Caleb. Keep your weapons."

"Shut up!" Amos snarled. "Everyone just shut the hell up!" Hand quivering, he pressed the knife closer against Selah's skin. "You'll get your damned congressman," he told Caleb, "but only if you put those pistols down."

Caleb's gaze hardened. "Oh, I don't think I'll be doin' that," he said. "'cause y'see, I'm leavin' here with both of my friends, not just one." He leveled his flintlocks more securely.

Before Ben could interject, Selah elbowed the other man in the gut, and the harsh slam caused Amos to loosen his hold and go staggering backwards. Swerving about, Selah grabbed the other man's wrist and wrestled for the knife, and despite being bound, he managed to wrench the blade into his own hand.

Amos' eyes widened in horror. "I think you'll be giving that back to me now," he warned. His expression was cold, but a nervous plea.

Selah raised the blade. "If you'd like it, sir, I'd suggest you come and get it."

With a snarl, the other man rushed forward to attack, but a loud BANG! tore through the air and rendered the area silent.

Once the plume of smoke cleared away from Caleb's left pistol, a crimson stain appeared on Amos' torso and he staggered a moment, wide-eyed and stunned, before choking on his own blood and faceplanting down into the dirt.

"You all right there, Strong?" Caleb asked.

When Selah nodded and unfastened his restraints with the knife, they both looked over at Ben, who was pale and furious.

"Caleb!" he snarled. "You've just killed an enemy informant! We could have-"

"Aye, we could have," the whaler agreed, "but excuse me if I would've rather saved my friend than interrogate some mealy-mouthed chub."

Swallowing back his vitriol, Ben used his teeth to loosen the restraints around his wrists, then wriggled free. Once he'd unfastened his ankle bindings as well, he rose and brushed off his uniform with trembling hands. "Selah, are you hurt?"

The other man shook his head, wordless.

"Did he say anything to you? Anything that might be of worth to His Excellency?"

Again, Selah shook his head.

With a sigh, Ben finally allowed a warm smile to touch his mouth. "Well, thank God you're all right. You had us all so worried…" Approaching the other man, he extended his arm to offer a handshake.

To Ben's astonishment, Selah reared back and threw a fierce uppercut. Proverbial stars exploded across his vision and Ben cried out, stumbling back before drawing a hand over the sharp, painful throb in his nose.

"Anna and I are leaving," Selah announced, his voice remarkably calm. "Ready us our carriage."

Still holding onto his nose, Ben winced at the painful sting, the taste of iron entering his mouth as he nodded. He drew his hand away a moment to inspect the bloody smear, then looked to Caleb, who was grave-faced and silent.

Selah knew.

"We're going to Philadelphia."

Anna dropped the uniform she'd been mending, bile in her throat as she rose from her perch. "But why?" she demanded. "You know I take fulfillment from this camp, and-"

"There are better ways for you to serve the colonies," Selah replied. "Ways that don't threaten your vows to me."

Anna's heart stammered at that, alarm filling her face. "W-what do you mean?"

"I love you, Anna, so I am willing to overlook your transgression," Selah said. "I am not, however, foolish enough to keep you where your very temptation lies."

"But-"

"Do not lie to me. I may have been blind, but please don't insult my intelligence."

Anna drew a breath, her vision blurring with tears. "I need this, Selah..."

"You need what, Anna? The Cause? Or him?"

Silence filled the tent, thick and suffocating, before Selah offered a curt nod. "If you're truly so devoted to the Cause, you will be more than delighted to serve in Philadelphia. As my wife, I'll allow you ample opportunity to weigh in on congressional opinions."

"But only behind the scenes," Anna softly reminded him. "You'll never allow me to actually attend a meeting, nor be there for those monumental decisions. I'll be at some inn, tending to-"

"Our marriage," he concluded. "You'll be making the best of a temporary home, at my side once more and keeping me happy. Is that not enough?"

No, she wanted to scream. It had never been enough. And now that she'd finally found a semblance of purpose, of love, she was being forced to give it all up and return to that same old emptiness.

When she refused to answer, Selah nodded and ordered, "Ready your things. We leave within the hour."

Once he'd left the cart, Anna dropped to her knees and sobbed.

By the time the Strongs were ready to leave, there was a heavy afternoon shower pouring down from the heavens. The rain pelted the onlookers – nosy doxies included – and muddied up the sodden earth. Every person present seemed perfectly well. All except one…

Ben's heart beat in his chest like an executioner's drum. He imagined himself running up to that carriage – pictured himself declaring before man and God that he loved Anna Smith Strong and that no one, nor no possible thing could ever keep them apart – but instead, he remained motionless. And even when the horses were readied and both Anna and Selah were helped into their carriage, he still remained silent and unmoving.

Coward. Fool.

Swallowing around the lump in his throat, Ben found himself grateful to the rainwater, which presently masked the lone tear that made a warm, salty path down his cheek. He beckoned to Anna with his soul, his mind, his heart, and that was when she turned to look at the crowd. The pain in her own gaze ruptured in a blistering wave throughout his heartstrings – burned him – and the tears fell anew once she began to cry.

Ignoring her soft sobs, Selah leaned over Anna to shake Caleb's hand in farewell. He hadn't wished to speak with Ben. "I bid you luck in your endeavor," he told the whaler.

"Aye, you as well. Godspeed, friend." Shifting his gaze to Anna, Caleb softly added, "I'll write to you, Annie."

"Make sure it's only you," Selah agreed. "Any correspondence from Major Tallmadge will be burned upon sight."

Caleb kept his face blank while he nodded. "I'll let 'im know, Selah."

"Thank you." He offered the other man a tired, world-weary smile. "I hate that it's come to this, Caleb, but I pray that in time, I can find the strength to forgive and forget. Until that day, I must ask that the Major keep his distance."

"I'll tell 'im that, as well." Glancing over at Anna, who was still weeping softly, Caleb exhaled and took a step back from the carriage. "Happy travels, you two."

Selah rapped on the vessel's roof, and with a sluggish, clunky start, the horses moved and the carriage started rolling up the beaten path. Anna turned in her seat and peered out the window, desperately seeking Ben's gaze amongst the small, prying crowd of onlookers. She found him there at the edge of the camp followers and soldiers. The rain made him appear more forlorn and lost than ever, and with the droplets dripping down over the brim of his hat, Ben was the very picture of despair. Anna clutched at the carriage door, but found herself being gently tugged back into place by her husband.

Ben stepped forward then, eyes wet and throat bobbing with emotion. He thought they'd have more time. Even with the fears of separation always at the back of his mind, he'd genuinely believed they could keep living in their concocted fantasy world. But as the carriage slowly lumbered out of sight, Ben bitterly realized that there was no safe place – not for a man of his treachery and dishonor.

This was what he deserved.

A/N: Okay, so I'm sure most of you are wondering how I'll be able to include smut in my next chapter. Let's just say I have my ways! ;) I'm sure you're also wondering why the heck there aren't any little Bens or Annas running around yet, and simply put, A) I don't want to write a pregnancy arc and B) there actually WAS 18th century birth control. It wasn't always effective, of course, but they often used things like Queen Anne's Lace seeds before sex. With as much as Ben and Anna have been banging, I imagine they've pretty much cleared out an entire field of those flowers lol.

ANYWAY, haha. With that said, there isn't much left to go! I've had a very weird past couple of weeks (mostly good changes), and I wasn't able to update until now. I'm still not fully happy with this chapter, but I really didn't want to keep stewing over this for much longer. Hope you all enjoyed!

18th century slang featured:
bull dogs: pistols
mealy-mouthed: over-modest or backward in speech
chub: a foolish fellow, easily imposed on