Olivia came downstairs for breakfast but aimed for the front door, since she heard so much movement outside. She met Mr Sutherland on the porch, watching the Dragoons pack their tents and get ready to leave. Tavington saw Olivia outside and rushed toward her.

"Miss Jones, good morning. You look well," he said, smiling widely.

"Colonel Tavington, good morning. Are you on your departure?" she asked.

"Yes, we are moving back to Fort Carolina."

"Oh, I thought you were staying here," she could not hide the deception in her voice. She felt alone in this century and she found herself safe when the colonel was with her. She didn't want him to leave.

He walked the few stairs of the porch and came as close to her as custom would allow. He could not resist and held both of her hands in his. After all, he didn't know when he would see her again and he wanted to make sure she knew his intentions toward her.

"I will be back, do not worry my sweet Liv. Be assured that you will occupy every corner of my mind while we will be apart," he said. "All I want right now is to kiss you," he whispered, making sure Mr Sutherland could not hear him.

"Mmm, so do I," she replied.

"OH MY GOD! LIV!" she heard from farther in the front field.

Tavington turned around, hearing Olivia's nickname and his gaze settled on a new recruit he could not remember the name. Bordon had introduced him before the ball, but they all started to look the same. Olivia looked over Tavington's shoulder and saw Matt crossing the field, restraining himself from running. He climbed the stairs two by two and could not help himself and hugged very tightly his friend.

Olivia's eyes filled with tears, as she could not believe she finally found her friend. She pulled away and looked at Tavington; she could feel how angry he was. He could not know Matt was just her friend with the hug they just displayed.

"Oh, William, this is my dearest friend Matthew," Liv said, hoping her explanations would calm him down. Turning toward Matt, she added "As I see, he joined your unit. This is… quite the surprise."

"Very nice to meet you again, Colonel Tavington. Indeed, my parents and Miss Jones' parents were very good friends. We have known each other for years," Matt explained.

"Mmh." Tavington shortly replied, still trying to tame his anger.

"Olivia, I have very bad news for you. Maybe we could find a quieter spot to talk a few minutes?" Matt asked, hoping he could talk frankly to his friend about their weird journey.

"Yes, of course. Come inside," Liv said while entering the house.

She entered the parlor with Matt following her. He turned around to close the door, but Tavington made his way inside.

"I cannot let an unmarried lady unchaperoned with a man. So I will stay here," he shortly replied.

"Of course, Colonel," Matt said, before turning toward Olivia.

They will have to speak in code, but they have known each other for so long, they should be able to get the message.

"Olivia, I receive a very disturbing letter. Your parents were on a boat to come here, to come and join you. But unfortunately, the ship sank. I am deeply sorry," Matt said.

Liv looked at him blankly. What the fuck was he trying to say, she thought. Those hidden messages would be so much harder than she thought.

"What?" she only replied, not understanding what he meant.

"I am sorry. Since your parents are not here anymore, my parents and by extend, myself, are now taking custody of your person."

"What?" she replied, getting angry at his statement.

Tavington came closer to her and put his hand on her back, in a comforting manner. She turned around him and threw herself in his arms. He took her into his embrace and rubbed her back as she tried to fake cry the fake death of her parents.

A knock on the door interrupted their moment. Bordon entered the room and asked for Tavington to come outside supervise some operation. He left the friends, since he heard the message.

"What the fuck, Matt?" Liv whispered once she made sure Tavington could not hear them.

"Liv, we don't have much time. Have you seen Andrew?" as she shook her head, he carried on. "Let me remind you that an unmarried woman here doesn't have any right. Since you don't have any parents and are in my custody, you should not leave too far from me and will be traveling wherever I will go. Something you might want to do is get married and have the protection of a husband…"

"What? You cannot be serious," she cut him.

"Yeah, I know the feminist in you don't like this idea, but this is not such a bad idea."

"Mrs Sutherland says Tavington's in love with me. Is he a good choice?"

"Until 1781, it might be a safe bet. He is well respected, but feared. Very good officer, but nicknamed the butcher by colonials…"

Matt stopped talking when Tavington made his way back inside.

"Colonel Tavington, since Miss Jones is now in my care, I will expect her to move to Fort Carolina with me," Matt stated.

"Of course, I will not let Miss Jones all alone after that disastrous new she received," Tavington replied. "Miss Jones, pack your things, we are leaving soon. Lieutenant Brown, please join your unit now."

Olivia turned toward Tavington and smiled.

"Can you believe how faith put us all on the same path?" she said.

Tavington growled and his eyes narrowed as he focussed on Matt. A rival was definitely not what he wanted. But he was not that much worried; he always gets what he wants.

"William? Aren't you happy?" she asked. Seeing he frowned his brows, she kept going. "We won't be apart since I will also be going to the Fort."

"You are right, my dearest."

He looked around and they were all alone in the parlor. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. She could not help but thought that this kiss was his way of marking his territory.