Okay I know that about half of you are rooting for a Tavington Pairing and the other half for a Bordon pairing, and a few people think that it's a Wilkins paring? When did I ever have Cat and Wilkins together? Okay to clear things up he was introduced to her. She's with Bordon! Or Tavington. So before I get any further with this story, I need you to take your pick and let me know whom it is you want Cat with. I don't want to make anyone upset but it seems people are getting confused and having different Ideas on where I should take this story.

Ch 18

Beth had been avoiding O'Hara or it seemed he was avoiding her. This had been going on for almost two weeks, and it was driving her insane. She felt horrible about turning him down for the moment but she wasn't ready to settle down. She would be tormented by the same dream of him realizing that he no longer loved her. She decided to go down to breakfast and saw the Lord General and he invited her to eat with him when Charles walked into the room.

" Good morning O'Hara, would you like some breakfast?" He asked Charles.

" No, I just remembered that I had some duties to attend to my Lord." He lied coolly.

Beth bit her lip and held back tears as best as she could. She could Charles's eyes bore into her head and suddenly she felt completely defenseless and she couldn't keep her wall of emotion up and she broke down in front Cornwallis. He was speechless and tried to comfort her.

" Miss Braden?" He asked concerned for her sudden burst of tears.

" I'm so sorry, don't hate me Charles." She sobbed.

Cornwallis looked up at O'Hara with a questioning look in his eyes.

O'Hara felt cornered, he hadn't meant to be so harsh on Beth, after all he had been crushed by her answer but he was being a jerk towards her this whole time.

" Elizabeth- I." Charles went to her side and lifted her face up.

" I still love you I'm just not ready for such a commitment yet." She said.

" I know I shouldn't have pressed you." He said looking at her.

Cornwallis had gotten up and left the couple to their privacy.

She wept incoherently for the next fifteen minutes as Charles, held her tightly rocking her back and forth gently as she calmed down.

" I'm sorry, I love you too," he finally said.

Beth clutched on to him as he kissed her forehead gently.