Before too long, the British had made it to the area that was decided for the camp. Tents were erected, belongings were unpacked, horses were fed and watered. Vivienne had the evening to herself, as the Colonel would be discussing plans for upcoming battles with the other officers. She lay in her tent, enjoying the peaceful silence. Suddenly she felt rather sleepy. She closed her eyes, but just for a moment . . .

As sleep overtook her, Vivienne began to dream. . . .

The sun was warm on her back. Vivienne looked down at her bare toes, curled around long strands of green grass. She threw her arms up in the air, twirling about the meadow in delight.

Feeling another presence, she turned around to see Tavington smiling at her, also barefoot, his hair tousled about his shoulders. He approached her, taking her hand. His other hand went to her belly, which was now bulging with child.

"Our baby. . . " he said, his voice tender. A smile flowered Vivienne's bright face as she leaned in to kiss him. . .

A boom of thunder separated the lovers. The cheerful blue sky had faded to an ominous gray and the smell of danger was in the air.

"I have waited long enough, Colonel!"

A faceless man was running toward them, a rapier in his outstretched hand and an army of faceless soldiers at his back. Tavington turned to Vivienne in slow motion, panic in his eyes. A strange pain ran through Vivienne's abdomen and she looked down to see a bayonet protruding from her belly.

The baby! The last thing she saw before falling into darkness was the rapier piercing Tavington's heart, his eyes rolling backwards in his head -

"Vivienne!" She was shaken awake. It was dark now, but even before her eyes adjusted, Vivienne could see it was Tavington crouching beside her. She put a hand to her forehead, feeling her skin moist under her touch. Tavington took that hand in his. "They are all asleep. Let's take a walk." She nodded slowly, allowing him to pull her up. They moved silently through the shadows of the woods until they reached the bank of the stream. Tavington led her to a grassy spot beneath a large tree and sat down. She sat next to him, suspicious. Silence. Just when Vivienne thought she could stand it no longer, he spoke.

"Go on then, ask."

"Ask what?" She was confused.

"You're curious about me. I'll answer your questions."

"Any questions I might have?"

A pause. "Yes."

"Why didn't you rape me?" Vivienne said quickly, fearing she would lose her nerve. "You had so many chances. . . " He was quiet, tension sizzling between them. Finally, he sighed as he prepared an answer for her.

"I . . . wanted to taunt the other men," he said casually, not meeting her gaze.

"Mmm." Vivienne wasn't sure how to reply. She felt he hadn't told her everything, but she was oblivious to the fact that he had lied. Tavington smiled uncomfortably before changing the subject.

"Well, on with the other questions, then." Why did he feel so ill-at-ease discussing that with her?

"All right. Tell me about your family."

"My mother died when I was born. I was brought up by a drunken maid who barely managed to feed me. My father gambled away any status we had, along with my inheritance and drank himself to death. I joined the army when I had no other place to go." The whole time Tavington spoke, he stared at the ground in front of him. His expression was hard to read, but there was pain in his eyes, a pain he often kept well concealed. "Everything I am, I've learned here." He gestured back towards camp.

"And the prostitutes?" Vivienne asked.

"When the other men went out whoring, I went along." Vivienne stared at him. He had never known anything but coldness and lust. Feeling much pity for him, she was silent.

"Is that it, then?" he asked her. She nodded.

"I suppose it must be my turn then. Go ahead," she said reluctantly. He didn't say anything for a moment.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" When she remained silent, he continued "I positively terrified you until the night of the governor's ball." She looked at him, her cheeks reddening at his intense gaze.

"I - I don't quite know. I feel I have so little choice in this, so I plan try to make the best of things." She shrugged. He didn't press her, but nodded, turning his electrifying blue eyes away from her. Vivienne noticed an ache in her back from this tension. She winced as she twisted her torso from side to side, trying to ease the tightness. Tavington noticed her pain.

"I can help you relax." She stiffened, guessing his intentions. She was not the type to frolic in the forest.

"Out here? You must be mad - " He chuckled, cutting her off.

"No, not for the time being, anyway. Come here." He was laying on his back, looking up at her. She was frozen for a moment, but slowly, slowly slid down so she was lying next to him, propped up on her elbows. He took her arm, pulling her so she was laying on her side adjacent to him. She was only rigid for a moment before she allowed herself to slacken against him, putting her head on his chest. His arm was warm around her and Vivienne found her eyelids drooping. She felt safe here in the peaceful night softness next to a man she never thought she would be so comfortable with.

Exhausted from her surge of emotions and confusion and secure in Tavington's arms, Vivienne's sleep was dreamless and restful.