Vivienne awoke early the next morning. Tavington was still on his cot when she opened her eyes. She coughed loudly. He remained still, his chest rising and falling evenly with each breath. He was asleep. This could be her chance. The sun was hardly up yet; if she headed for the woods, they surely wouldn't find her. Vivienne stood and crept over to Tavington's sleeping form.
Asleep, he looked harmless, even handsome. His long, dark hair had come out of its queue and was tousled around his shoulders. So innocent. . . but Vivienne knew better. She slipped out of the tent and peered around, checking for soldiers on guard.
The camp was entirely silent, so Vivienne dashed for the cover of the trees about a hundred yards from the tent. Come one, come on. It was as if she couldn't run fast enough. Her feet pounded on the soft ground, the sound they made seemed loud enough to wake the whole world - Tavington would surely dart out any moment. . . Vivienne slammed her back against a tree, her chest heaving. Safe at last. She looked about at the trees and foliage, seeing she hadn't the slightest idea how to get home from here. Nervously, she started walking, hoping she would end up in the right spot. Anywhere was better than this camp.
****
Jack Peterson awoke from his hiding spot in the bushes to find a lovely young lady hurrying through the forest - away from the British camp. Now they're paying prostitutes to come out here? Nasty swines. . . Maybe he should refrain from reporting that to Benjamin - lately the man had been acting strange enough as it was. There was no use getting him all worked up over such a tiny detail. Still, somehow Jack felt there was more to this situation than what he had just witnessed. He continued to watch the woman as she wove through the trees.
****
Tavington's blue eyes opened and he stood, putting on his shirt. As he shook off the last tendrils of sleep, he remembered the girl. He chuckled just imagining how sure she felt about being able to seduce him onto her knife. Tavington did feel rather smug for resisting her though - for an innocent young girl, she was quite the temptress. Of course, he could have just taken the knife and shagged her anyway, but a lesson needed to be taught to the impudent thing.
The other men would of course pester him about the girl today as they too wanted their turns with her, but Tavington wanted to assure he would have her first. And then there was the matter of keeping this all from Cornwallis . . . Tavington's gaze drifted down to a crumpled blanket lacking the beautiful girl who had lain on it the night before. Swearing under his breath, he tugged on his clothes and rushed out of the tent to find her before someone else did.
Vivienne was beginning to panic. She seemed to have been going in circles this whole time, and the sun was up higher in the sky - most likely just past seven o'clock. Vivienne darted down a larger path that looked unfamiliar. She felt a bit of relief as she got the feeling she was moving farther away from the camp -
"Stop right there!" Vivienne looked behind her and her heart started pumping faster. Tavington was coming toward her, mounted on his horse. Acting on instinct, Vivienne ran, her feet flying along the path. She kept glancing back to see how she was faring, but Tavington was quickly gaining distance. Her backward glances soon proved to be more trouble then help; Vivienne only saw the log in her path the second before she went sailing over it, landing in a heap.
Tavington cursed again as she hit the ground. He was so close to grabbing her! Now she could be dead and therefore a total waste of time and energy. He slowed his horse, dismounted, and brought the unconscious girl back to his horse, slinging her over his mount. He rode back to camp.
****
Unbeknownst to Tavington, Jack had been watching the whole scene. Something out of the ordinary was definitely going on - either that or the prostitute had angered Tavington by running away and now she was really in for it. But perhaps she wasn't a prostitute. . . changing his mind about keeping this information to himself, Jack slipped away to make his report to Benjamin Martin.