Around noon, the bright sun woke Sarah up. She stretched her arms and legs in bed, but the pain she felt was sharp. She managed to stand up and walked the few steps toward the mirror. She looked at her naked form; her eyes started to tingle as the memories of the last night came back to her.

Bruises. All over her body. Bruises around her wrists, from holding her after he slapped her face. Bruises around her neck, when he tried to stop her defensive moves. Bruises around her hips when he turned her on her stomach. Dried blood on the inside of her tights from how brutal he was.

Tears started to rush down her cheeks. She remained unmoving, gazing at her body. A knock at her door startled her and her hands started to shake. Could he already be back? This monster that came into the night.

"Sarah? Are you alright in here?" Mary said.

Mary Jones was one of the officers' wife she got along the best. Seen that Sarah hadn't eaten downstairs that morning alerted her and she came to see if she was ill.

"Sarah? Are you there?" she said again when she had no replies.

"Y-Yes, wait a minute," Sarah finally answered.

She grabbed the robe that was lying on the ground and covered herself with it. Carefully, she placed her hair strategically to hide the bruises on her neck. She opened a very small crack of the door.

"Sarah! There you are! I was worried for you. You missed breakfast and lunch," a very concern Mary said.

"Thank you for your concern, but I am feeling unwell. Probably the pregnancy. I slept all morning. There is no need to worry for me," she said as she tried to close the door, but Mary kept it open.

"Please, let me in. I have had three children, I know what you are going through," Mary said as she pushed the door open and made her way in.

Sarah felt overwhelmed by her kindness and started to cry. Mary held her in her arms until her sobs stopped. She looked over Sarah and how miserable she looked. She knew she was not sick, but something had happened.

"Oh my dear. Did your husband beat you?" Mary said as she saw the bruises around her wrists and those on her neck as she pushed her long brown hair aside.

Sarah could only shake her head.

"What happened?"

"I was assaulted," she whispered. "But please, don't tell anyone. James cannot know about this. No one can know."

"Who was it?"

"I cannot say. I mean I don't know," Sarah was afraid of the repercussion this might have. Colonel Tavington was her husband superior officer. He had sent him away for days to have the liberty to come to her. He told her many times how she should have been his. What could he do if he wanted her for himself for good? Could he kill James? Or send him away on a very dangerous mission?

While Sarah was lost in her thoughts, Mary had summoned the servants for a bath to be draw. The water was brought in no time and Mary helped Sarah as best as she could. She winced at the sight of the extent of her injuries. Even if Mary knew she would keep this secret, she knew her husband would find out as soon as he would see the hand prints on her.

"When is your husband coming back?" she inquired.

"Tomorrow, I think. I don't know how I could sleep all alone here tonight again. What if he comes back?" Sarah started to worry.

"You can sleep in my room if you want. Thomas is away in a patrol, with Captain Bordon. You will be safe with me," she replied.

Sarah only nodded her head. This was the best option for her, until James would come back. Once dry, she got dressed very lightly and moved to Mary's bedroom. Both women had their meal upstairs and Sarah felt asleep right after having nibbled her food.

…

Very late that night, James came back to the fort. His meeting with Captain Bordon was outpaced of one day, which meant both men would sleep in there warm bed instead of an encampment. None of them complained as the job was done. They had come across a part of the militia and captured a dozen of Martin's men.

He came upstairs as fast as he could manage, as he remembered where he left thing of with Sarah the day before. He opened the door, but found the room empty. This was unusual. Where could she be? It was late, everyone had retired to their bedroom. Suddenly, anger came back strongly in his guts. Could she be in Colonel Tavington's room? He had surprised her the night before, exiting his quarter; maybe they were enjoying James's absence to be together.

James walked out of his room, his foot leading him straight to his superior officer's door. He listened for a moment and heard voices inside. He focussed and distinguished a woman's voice. No, a woman's moaning. He strongly knocked on the door.

"What?" Tavington said as he finally opened the door on the third knock. "Wilkins? What are you doing here?"

James peaked inside and saw a voluptuous blond harlot he saw around camp in his bed.

"Bordon and I came early as we brought captive. I just wanted to be the first to tell you. You will have my report first time tomorrow," he said, relief Sarah was not there.

The Colonel only groaned before he slammed the door. James felt bad for a moment, thinking she was with him, but reassured she was faithful. Still, he wondered where could Sarah be.