Ellie had taken the blame for everything. Tavington did not need her to tell him that, for, as he stated to her, Margo was too stupid to even consider running away from him. He was not mad. In fact, it rather amused him. That night, he took her again, and for Ellie it was less painful, and to her shame, she found it enjoyable, but she wanted him to stop. She had lost her respect for the Col. The only reason she behaved was so that she could stat putting her plan in motion. This time, she acted passionate to him and ran her hands all over his body as he moved inside her.

"See," Tavington said," You wanted this too."

Ellie stared into the dark not wanting to answer. Tavington moaned and pushed further inside her, causing her to moan from the feeling. After a few more minutes, Tavington pulled out of her so as not to get his fluids inside her. It was not his wish to get her pregnant...yet. He flopped down next to her.

"Mmmm. I love you Ellie," he mumbled before he fell asleep.

Ellie rolled her eyes.

"That's nice," she mouthed to the darkness.

Once again, when she woke the next morning, Ellie found that the Col. was gone. She got up and dressed quickly. She then ripped the linens off the bed, balled them up and threw them across the room, where they landed in a heap by the door. She went to find her sister. Margo was sitting at the dining room table with her elbows on the table and her head resting in her hands. She stared at Ellie as she entered and sat down. They stared at each other in silence.

"Tabitha!" Ellie yelled.

Tabitha came bustling into the room," Yes?"

"Assemble the servants before the Col. comes back," Ellie said.

Tabitha left the room quickly. Her voice could be heard summoning the servants.

"What are you going to do?" Margo asked.

"We are going to evacuate the house," Ellie said," Bit by bit. You and John will be the last to leave. I'll get out when I can."

Margo stared around her. Ellie could tell she did not approve of the plan.

"It's not going to work, Ellie."

"We've got to try! Unless you want to die here."

Margo sighed in resignation. She could not argue with that. She didn't want to die there. The servants began filing into the room, and once they were all assembled, Ellie relayed her plan, and they all agreed.

"I want to send the children away first. One to two adults per group until all the children are safely away. Find the continentals hide out where the rest of the refugees went. Stay there until I come for you."

"Yes miss," they said in unison.

"We begin tomorrow.