"Get up." Tavington said as he stormed into Amelia's tent. She frowned. For the past week, she had hardly slept. She worked in the hospital for hours upon hours without a break. She hated it, all the blood and limbs. But she was strong, so she refused to cry anymore. She was just going to have to deal with the situation.
"No." She stated, she refused to leave her cot. She slept for maybe an hour. Her body was not able to function. Colonel Tavington raised an eyebrow at her. She was punished the other day for talking back to him. He had one of his men strike her.
"Would you like a repeat of the other night?" Tavington asked with a smirk. She stared at him with a blank expression. He was not used to that. Did she honestly want to get hit? But the sheer look of exhaustion crossed her face. He frowned, he knew she almost got little to no sleep. But she was working now. And she and William did have a meeting with Cornwallis today. He was going to find out all about the militia he could. He wanted nothing more to find this "ghost" and rip him limb from limb.
"We have a meeting with General Cornwallis today." William said. William was not a personal fan or Cornwallis, the man was always criticizing him. Every little thing William did was not good enough for him. William worked his hardest and the man acted as if it meant nothing. He made William feel as if he could do nothing right. William knew everyone can use some constructive criticism. But hearing the same thing over and over again when you are well aware you have corrected the bloody situation.
"General Cornwallis? Why?" Amelia asked, slightly turning her head to the side.
"We need information about the militia." William said, then just as he was about to turn to leave she spoke.
"I honestly do not know much about them." She lied, she knew almost everything. Her father supplied most of their weapons.
"You're lying." He said coldly. She kept her face completely calm, she was not going to give away any answers to the Dragoons.
"My father never told my sisters and I about his business, and what he did." She said. He watched her closely. He could spot a liar in a second, but he was unsure if what she was speaking was the truth.
"I refuse to believe that." He said, as he once again turned to leave.
"Believe what you want, I am just telling the truth. I know nothing of the militia. Only that they are kicking your sorry asses in this war right now." She said with a smile. That angered William; he spun around and slapped her hard in the face. Once he did that, guilt immediately filled him. He was raised to never strike a woman. Even if they did deserve it. She did not move, she just looked him in the eyes. She hated him, with everything in her. Her face hurt terribly, but she would show no pain.
"I am sorry." He said softly, and lightly tried to touch her face. She did not move, just watched him as he put cloth lightly on where he hit her, apparently his rings cut her face. He looked at her for a moment. William expected her to say something, but she kept completely silent. Why she did that he would never understand. He actually wanted her to say something. Something at all, but she just looked him in the eye. She cleared her throat.
"Will that be all, Colonel?" She said. He nodded and got up began to walk out.
"Be ready in an hour." He said, and took his leave. Amelia lightly touched where he hit her. She bent down in a mirror to see the damage. It was only a small scratch but, the impact of the hit caused much pain. She frowned, she hated being hit. It wasn't in her nature, she always fought back and was never outspoken. Now she had to watch everything she said and she hated it, she hated everything about it.
She looked down in her trunk of dressed and found the nicest one she could find. It was white, with blue and gold seams. She had never laced her own dress before, so she did the best she could. She brushed through her long platinum hair. She pinched her cheeks a couple times for color, and slipped on some shoes and walked out to meet the Colonel.
William stood waiting; he turned around and glanced at her. She was so beautiful; he had a hard time trying to keep his jaw from dropping. She looked so beautiful. He hated to admit it, but through these past few weeks, he has grown to enjoy the girls company. He began to adore her fire, and carefree lifestyle.
We walked to the horses in silence. And rode in silence, but he could not keep his eyes off of her. William watched her the whole time. He knew she noticed, because she scoffed a couple of times.
"Colonel Tavington." O'Hara greeted William with his smug little smile. He looked over to Amelia.
"Who is this beauty?" He said, kissing her hand. She smiled a bit. William felt a stab of jealousy hit him as Amelia giggled at O'Hara.
"Where is General Cornwallis?" William asked, interrupting O'Hara flirting with Amelia.
"Right through those doors and on your left." He said, I grabbed Amelia immediately and walked off to Cornwallis's office.
"He was nice." Amelia said. She was oblivious to the fact that everyman she encounters wants her in some way.
"He wouldn't be so nice if he knew you were a Rebel." He said, before taking a deep breath and pushing the door open.
"Ah, Colonel Tavington." General Cornwallis said as he stood to greet him. Amelia felt nervous, very nervous.
"Very nice to see you General." William said, as politely as possible.
"I am afraid I cannot say the same." Cornwallis said. This took Amelia back a bit. She glanced at Tavington and made a face, mocking Cornwallis when he was not looking. William tried hard not to laugh, he bit his tongue.
"And who is this?" Cornwallis asked, gesturing to Amelia. Amelia was not taught formalities, well she was she just never used them. So she bowed a bit. William stared at her. He had the slightest idea what she was doing.
"I am Amelia Hartland my lord." She said. Cornwallis looked at her for a moment, then smiled and chuckled.
"Quite the charmer isn't she?" He said smiling. Amelia smiled at him. William raised an eyebrow at her. She shrugged her shoulders and looked back and Cornwallis.
"She knows of the militia." William said.
"What do you know my dear?" Cornwallis said, offering her a chair. She sat down and looked at him.
"I already told Colonel Tavington I know nothing sir. You see, my father supplies the militia with weapons. But he never shared any information with us my lord. I truly know nothing." She said, then looking down at her lap. She figured if she played the damsel in distress card, Cornwallis might feel pity on her and set her free.
"What is of your Father now?" Cornwallis asked Amelia. She put her head in her hands and began to sob. William rubbed the bridge of his nose. He knew she was laying it on thick. He knew she was not crying in the least bit.
"Sweet mother of god." William muttered under his breath. Cornwallis looked at William and glared a bit.
"Here is a handkerchief my dear." He said, handing Amelia the cloth, she dabbed her eyes and looked back at the General.
"They traded me, so that Colonel Tavington would not burn the house down. And I have been forced to be nurse, and I know little of medical things. And I have seen so much blood and death and…" She stopped because she began to fake sob.
"There child, how old are you?" He asked Amelia. She lifter her head slightly to respond.
"Sixteen, sir." She said, Cornwallis frowned and looked at William. William felt heat rise to his cheeks.
"You should have her honored as a guest, not working as a slave Colonel! She is only a child! Look at her, you traumatized her!" He said, gesturing to Amelia, who decided it would be best to sob harder.
"I-I sir, It's not what it l-looks like." William was at a loss for words.
"This sweet innocent girl has done no wrongH. She should not be punished! I command you to free her of Labor and treat her as a guest." Cornwallis said, and then walked over to Amelia.
"Look at her Colonel; you should be ashamed of yourself, now away with you." He said, and then helped Amelia up. She smiled weakly at him as he escorted her out. William placed her on her horse. She immediately stopped her sobs once they left the premises.
"You little." William said, but Amelia cut him off.
"Only the strong survive Colonel." She said, and then smirked. He was appalled at what she had done. They rode back in silence. Amelia was ecstatic inside. She knew now things were looking better.
Once they arrived, Amelia went into her tent and William went to his bed and lay down. She was impossible, how could she do such a thing and it look so convincing? He frowned. She clouded his thoughts. As much as he hated to admit it, she somehow managed to make him become fond of her. And little did he know, she deep down was becoming fond of him too.