Sarah leaned her back against the door as she exited the bedroom; her hand went straight on her mouth to silence her sobs. She truly thought he would be happy with the news. She felt broken inside. She wandered aimlessly inside the fort until she walked outside. When she was alone behind the help's quarter, she felt to the ground and cried her heart out.

"Mrs Wilkins?" Tavington said as he came closer to Sarah crying on the ground. "Sarah, are you all right?"

She lifted her head up and tried to brush tears from her cheeks with the back of her hands. He held his hands to help her stand up, but winced at the pain from the recent gunshot he suffered in the ambush after Pembroke.

"Yes, but are you though? Have you been wounded?" Sarah enquired.

"It's nothing. Now tell me, why a lady as beautiful as you are is doing out here all alone and crying?"

"It is.. It is complicated. I would not want to bother you, Colonel."

"Let me escort you back to the fort. If you want to talk, I will listen, but if you do not want to, we will walk in silence."

She nodded as she grabbed his arm he offered her. She dried the last tears on her cheek. She walked slowly, she did not feel like going back to her husband after the reaction he had.

"How were you injured, Colonel?" She asked, trying to change her thoughts.

"Benjamin Martin's son. They ambushed the dragoons after we burnt Pembroke."

"Gabriel? Gabriel Martin?"

"You know him?"

"Yes, Charlotte Selton, Benjamin sister-in-law, was our neighbor in Charleston. We met their family on several occasions."

"Wilkins did not mention that," Tavington said.

"Why would he mention that? When Benjamin came to the fort?"

"You saw him at the Fort? Maybe I should enroll you in the dragoons. You know the ghost; you could translate the intelligence we got. You were more useful than some of my men."

"I am sure I am not. These days, I am not really sure of my worth," she said holding back the tears in her eyes. He stopped and looked at her.

"What do you mean, my dearest Sarah?" he asked.

"I cannot even keep my marriage on track. Since this war came to our doorstep, nothing I do seems to be the right thing; I can never say the right things. I thought for once I made something good, but James did not seemed to think so," she could not even hold his gaze.

"Wars change men. Surely Wilkins changed, mostly after what he did in Pembroke."

"What did he do?" she said, worried as her hand covered her belly. Tavington looked at her and understood her pregnancy state.

"It is not my place to say this to such delicate ears. But I must congratulate you, Sarah. Although it saddens me your husband does not feel happiness for this new chapter of your life," his hands grabbed her shoulders and caressed the side of her arms in a reassuring manner. "If you ever need anything, make sure to let me know. I will be there for you, Sarah."

She held his gaze, looking deeply in his eyes as she nodded. She was sure she saw him leaned his head toward her for a kiss, but her impression was confirmed when his hand cupped her chin. She politely put her hand on his wrist to drag his hand away.

"Colonel-"

"Call me William, please."

"Colonel, you know this is improper. I am a married woman. I love my husband even though it is not always easy."

"Your life would be so much different if you were mine, my wife. If you ever need anything, make sure to come to me. Let's get you back to the Fort now."

…

Sarah enjoyed the colonel's company this afternoon. She had dinner with a dozen of officers and their wives living in the Fort. William was making conversation during the meal while James was shining by its absence.

Night was now falling and she had no choice but to go to her room. She entered her bedroom, anxious to meet James since their awkward afternoon. Only one candle was still lit, her eyes had to adjust to the dim light. She surveyed the room and found James already asleep in bed. A sigh of relief came from her mouth; she did not feel like talking to him right now.

She thanked herself for wearing a dress that had buttons in the front; she could easily undress alone. She passed on her nightgown and lifted the covers on the bed. She blew the candle and her head felt heavy on the pillow. She never felt this alone and sad; tears started to fall down her cheeks once again. The doctor told her she might feel more emotional than before due to her pregnancy; just thinking about her pregnancy made her afternoon came back to her mind and she cried some more. She covered her mouth to try to remain silent, when she felt James wrapping his arm around her from behind.

"Sarah, I am so sorry for earlier. My reaction was not what you had expected," he whispered, his head nuzzled in her neck. She turned around to face him, wrapped her arm around him, her face nestled in his chest.

"James, are you still happy in your marriage? With me?"

"How can you doubt it my dear? You are the only thing keeping me sane in this war. Although I am not sure I am sane anymore. But this child, we are building our family, just like we talked about so often."

The couple remained intertwined and felt asleep quickly; Sarah tired from crying, James overwhelmed from remorse.