Thomas Jones came back to his wife that same night, since he served in the Dragoons, with Captain Bordon. He was happy the patrol was cut short as he was tired of being always sick. In the hallway, he wished goodnight to Captain Wilkins, who had just finished talking to Colonel Tavington. The man seemed distracted, but he gave him no more regard. He opened his bedroom door and found his wife Mary sitting on a chair near the bed, with a brunette lying down in his bed.

"Mary, what is happening? Who is this?" he asked, clearly disappointed he would not get his rest as long as the intruder was there.

"Shh. Please, lower your voice. Is Captain Wilkins back too? Sarah has been assaulted last night. I allowed her to stay here, but if her husband is here, he can take care of her,"

"Yes, he is there. I'll go get him," Thomas said as he took a few step forward to look at Sarah. He always thought she was a beautiful woman, very kind, but to see the bruises marking her body, he frowned his brow. "Who could do such a thing?"

"Keep this for yourself for now. She is very afraid and has not told me who did this. Poor thing, I hope she won't lose the baby," Mary concluded.

Thomas rushed outside his bedroom, aiming for Wilkins'. He knocked hard and waited patiently until he was answered. James opened the door, while he was still undoing the knot of his collar, wearing his waistcoat.

"You must come with me, sir," Thomas pleaded.

James did not ask anything more and followed him. The tone of his voice scared him; definitely something had happened. He entered the room as Thomas closed the door behind him. Mary moved a few steps to the side and James saw Sarah sleeping soundly.

At first, he did not understand what she was doing there, but the second she turned around on the bed and her hair moved, he saw the bruise on her neck first. He dropped to his knees on the side of the bed, his mouth wide opened. He grabbed her hand and his eyes focussed on the bruises around her wrists. He looked at Mary, unable to form any sentence.

"I went to see her this afternoon, after she missed breakfast and lunch, and she was in this state. She does not want to tell who did this to her,"

"Does not? You mean she knew who did this to her, but she won't tell?" James said, trying to fight back all the contradictory emotions he felt at the same time. "Now that I am here, I will take care of her. Thank you very much, Mrs Jones for the help you provided. Until we know more, let's keep this between ourselves."

"Of course. Please let me know if I can do anything,"

James pulled the covers away from her body and lifted her easily from the bed. Thomas held the door opened for him and wished him good luck. Sarah was still sleeping deeply so he lifted her nightgown to assess the rest of her body. He could not believe what his eyes saw. He finished undressing himself and came to bed in a hurry.

He spooned her, holding her tightly, caressing her hair. She turned around in her sleep to face him and she nuzzled her face in his chest, as she always did. He was reassured since this was a normal behavior for her.

He did not know how much time passed by, but he could not sleep at all. All he felt was Sarah holding him so tight in her arms, as she opened her eyes.

"James?" she whispered.

"Yes, I am here, my love," he replied.

"I realised that I don't know how you got the scar on your cheek," she asked, while her fingers delicately caressed his cheek.

"What?"

"The scar on your cheek, how did you get it?"

"I felt from a tree when I was a boy. How are you, my love?"

She did not reply; she just buried her head in his chest. She had no more tears to cry.

"I am afraid I must ask again; I need to know,"

"I am fine, please let's not talk about it," Sarah whispered.

"I won't talk to you about it. For now. What can I do for you? Are you in pain?"

"I am fine, just hold me and don't leave me," she said.

He felt helpless. He wished he could take all of her pain away. He simply held her in his arms until the morning. He barely closed his eyes that night.

First thing in the morning, Mary knocked on the bedroom door to check on the couple, hoping Sarah was feeling better. James asked her to stay with his wife who was still sleeping while he had to take care of some matter.

He was announced in Lord General Cornwallis' office and welcomed by the man. James knew the general he would help them, since he was a great friend of Sarah's father. Since their arrival at the Fort, he was very warm toward them, having known Sarah since she was a girl.

"Lord General, thank you for seeing me," James said.

"Of course, Captain. Please sit down. What can I do for you?" he said as both men sat down.

"I want to make a bold request, my lord. My wife was attack in her own bedroom a couple of nights ago. I want to ask you for a week off to help her move back at Stuart's Manor, where I know she will be safe,"

"Attack you said?"

"Yes, she will be fine, but I feel she is no longer safe here, even though only officers are hosted at the Fort. I will help her settle at her parents' manor," he said confidently.

"Why aren't you asking Colonel Tavington for this leave?"

"I am sure he will not allow it, but I know you will care for Sarah's wellbeing and allow me to go," he pleaded, hoping he didn't sound too desperate.

"Can I see her?"

"Of course, my lord."

Both men left the office and aimed for the bedroom. In the hallway, they came across Tavington, who tried to know where they were going and what they were doing but Cornwallis turned him down. When the men entered the bedroom, Sarah was awake and talking with Mary. Cornwallis tried not to stare at her bruises, but the colors were impossible not to notice.

"Sarah, who did this to you? This man will be executed at last," Cornwallis said.

"I cannot say. I don't want to say. Please don't ask again," Sarah whispered.

"Captain Wilkins, I grant you your request. You may take all the time you need," Cornwallis nodded before he left.