Colonel Tavington could see Maria now and then. If he got too close to her, she would immediately get up and move away. A couple of times he had talked to her, but her attitude had not changed one bit. The day before she had thrown dirt on him, and acted like she didn't notice. Tavington was ready to retaliate, but theLord General had come out at that moment, and Tavington had to quickly continue walking. On Sunday, many of the officers gathered for a day to converse with each other and play a few games of cards. The inside and outside of the manor house was covered in red coats. Today was also a day for Maria to dress as she always had before she was captured. By permission of the Lord General, Maria was aloud to take every Sunday to do as she wished, and she was required to attend balls and gatherings. This was a good thing for Maria. She couldn't stand dressing up like a servant everyday. She took her days off, and did as much as she could before it was all over.

"Why hello there," said a voice behind Maria as she was roming around the grounds. She turned around slowly.

"Hello," she said," Lovely day isn't it?"

"Yes it is," said the soldier," I am Captain Wilkins. Aren't you the young lady Colonel Tavington brought in a while ago?"

"Yes," Maria said stiffly," I suppose you saw us when we came in?"

"Oh no," Wilkins said," I heard Colonel Tavington talking about you a few days back."

"Really," Maria said," What was he saying.

"I thought I was just bringing back a stupid little girl," Wilkins said. His voice sounded a lot like Colonel Tavingtons," But it turns out I was wrong. She's so thick."

Maria laughed," That is very amusing."

"You think so," Wilkins asked," I wasn't even putting in an effort."

"Well it's quite good," Maria said.

"You know," Wilkins said," I fancy a glass of champagne, how about you?"

"I would like that sir," Maria said," Thank you."

Captain Wilkins offered her his arm, and together they walked across the lawn and into the manor.

(Across The Lawn)

Colonel Tavington had stopped abruptly in his conversation to watch a man and woman striding into the manor house. It was Maria and Captain Wilkins.

"Well,well,well," said Tavingtons companion," Looks like our feline has made a new friend."

Tavington stared at Maria as she and Wilkins came back outside, and another officer came up and began conversing with them. It was the first time he had ever actually seen her smile. The officer that had gone to converse with Maria and Wilkins, now waved good bye to them and came over to Tavington and Bordon.

"Good day," he said brightly," I hope the day is going good for you Colonel."

"Just peachy," Tavington said quietly,"Have a nice conversation with the girl?"

The officer looked back at Maria and Wilkins whe now began to walk towards an empty spot.

"I did sir," the officer said," Wilkins only just met her, and he was introducing me to her. Fine catch you made there."

"I didn't catch anything useful," Tavington said.

"Meant no offense sir."

"Very well then have a nice day," Tavington said. He and Bordon strode past the officer.

"He seems to like her," Bordon said.

"I say we go and break it up," Tavington said.

"Careful Colonel," Bordon said in false warning," When cats get mad they tend to scratch."

Tavington smirked," I think I can handle this cat."

Bordon laughed and followed Tavington over to Wilkins and Maria.

(Back to Wilkins and Maria)

"Well that explains why our gardens have never looked better," Wilkins said.

"Thank you," Maria said.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

"You are kinder to me then some people around this place," Maria said.

"Well what a wonderful little party," said the voice Maria really didn't want to hear at the moment," I wish I could have been invited."

Maria turned around slowly and looked at Tavington," Maybe it's because no one wanted you here."

"You have some nerve talking to me like that," Tavington said in a low voice," I haven't forgotten the promise I made to you the first time you came here. Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"

A flash of fear crossed Maria's face but disappeared just as quickly.

"That's it," Tavington said. Then in a louder voice said," Why don't you come take a stroll with me?"

Maria said nothing to him. She stared into his eyes, her own were filled with anger she was dying to take out on something.

"Well?" Tavington said.

Maria looked back at him," You're sick."

She turned around and ran away. Tavington turned around to find Wilkins satring after her. When he noticed that Tavington was giving him a dangerous stare, he turned and walked away quickly.

(Later that night)

Maria couldn't take it anymore. This could possibly be her only chance to get away. It was wonderful meeting Captain Wilkins because he was so nice to her, but after tonight, she probably would never see him again. The dress she had been wearing the day she arrived her had been mended and washed. She slipped into it, and silently opened the door. The hallway was deserted. Tavingtons quarters were downstairs somewhere. Maria never saw him go in or out of it, therefore she had no clue where it was. She made it to the staircase. She crept down them slowly, and hit the bottom landing. She moved cat-like towards the door, and opened it slowly. Just when she thought she was home free, the door gave an almighty creak, and footsteps could be heard at the end of the hallway. A head poked out of the door, and, to Maria's horror, it turned out to be Colonel Tavingtons head.

"Going somewhere," he asked. The feeling came back to Maria's feet, and she stumbled out the door.

"Stop," Tavington shouted. Maria continued to run. she was almost at the gates, but then remembered that the guards were not going to let her out. Her heart sank as a couple of the guards turned around at their posts and pointed their guns at her. A hand grabbed her hair,and gave a tug. She fell on the ground.Tavington was standing over her, a look of drunken rage on his face.

"Thought you would get away didn't you," he said. He pulled her to her feet and hauled her off back into the manor house. Instead of taking her back to her room or the one he had thrown her in the day he brought her in, Tavington dragged her into his quarters. He shut and locked the door.

"Don't touch me," Maria said as Tavington advanced on her. He slapped her hard across the face. The force of the blow knocked her backwards. He grabbed her under the shoulders and threw her on his bed.

"Colonel Tavington," Maria said," You are drunk, and you don't know what you are doing."

Tavington covered her mouth," I wasn't joking."

He took his hand off her mouth and kissed her. She struggled against him, but he was too stronge. He pulled away from her. Maria pushed past him, but he grabbed her around the middle, and threw her back on his bed. This time she hit her head on the head board. Stars danced across her eyes as the weight of Tavingtons body pressed down on her. Too weak to do anything Maria could only lie there and wait helplessly for the worst to come. Tavington kissed her deeply once again. Maria tried one last time to struggle against him, but it was no use. Tavington began his torturous movement. The shock of it was too much for Maria. She passed out. hoping to feel no more. That last thing she felt was Tavington kissing her neck and muttering something. Soon she knew no more.