Captain Wilkins had not seen Maria for a few days. He realized that, after talking to her, he really liked her, and he felt that he shouldn't be intimidated by Colonel Tavington. If he wanted to see Maria he would go and see her. He walked across the lawn and into the gardens. Maria had not been there the past few days, but today she was there. She was trimming the rose bushes and pulling up weeds on the far side of the garden. He approached her slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder. In a flash she had grabbed his wrist and was about to kick him when she realized it was Wilkins.
"Oh my,'' she said," I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."
"That's alright," Wilkins laughed,"Words going around that something spooked you good."
"Yes," Maria said with a smile," But I'm not too worried about it."
"What was it that frightened you so bad," Wilkins asked.
Maria only shook her head," i don't want to talk about it. I would like to focus on the present and future."
"Well I'm glad that, whatever it was, it's not pulling you down."
"I am too," Maria said. The two stared into each others eyes. Like Wilkins, Maria had feelings for him too, and a fire was lighting inside her. It was hope that maybe one day, she and Wilkins would be together and have a family. This thought was comforting, and drove Tavington and the incident out of her mind.
"I wonder," Wilkins said," Do you have time to go for a walk?"
"Well I'm done with all my chores, so I think I do have time," Maria said," In fact I have the rest of the day."
"Good," Wilkins said.
"I'd like to go and change my clothing if that's alright," Maria said.
"Of course it is," Wilkins said," Would you like me to go with you?"
"No," Maria said," I can meet you back here when I'm done."
She ran inside and into her room where a few dresses had been set out after being washed. There was a green dress at the bottom of the pile, and that was the one Maria picked. It only took her a few moments to put it on, and once she checked herself and was sure everything was regular, she opened her door and practically knocked over Colonel Tavington when she ran out.
"You," Maria said.
"And you," Tavington said, and Maria laughed in her mind to hear that Tavington had the tone of discomfort in his voice.
"Well," Maria snapped," Do you have something to say or are you just going stand there looking stupid?"
"Stop it," Tavington hissed," I came up here because I have been going out of my mind trying to apologize to you. I was drunk, and you picked one of the worst times to try and escape. I would never have actually done that to you."
"I'm sure you wouldn't have Colonel," Maria said," As long as you keep your distance from me, I will keep quiet. Now if you'll excuse me I have someone waiting for me."
"So does this mean you forgive me," Tavington asked.
"No," Maria said simply.
"What do I have to do to make you forgive me?"
"Stay out of my way," Maria said," Just stay out of my way, and drop it. I don't want to hear a single word on the subject. The only way to forget it is to drop it, and if you're smart, you'll do that."
She walked away without another word. Tavington stared after her. What the hell did she mean by that? Tavington asked himself. She was a strong girl. It was good really that she was taking it easy.