They woke just as the sun was just beginning to creep up the horizon. Vivienne yawned, sitting up. Tavington took her arm, disabling her to stand.
"You fell asleep before I finished questioning you," he said with the hint of a smirk. Despite his original intentions to simply humor her, Tavington had found talking with Vivienne was not entirely dreadful.
Vivienne looked toward the quickly rising sun. They couldn't be discovered here.
"Tonight?" she asked, looking back into his eyes.
"Tonight," he agreed. He released her arm and kissed her lightly on the lips before standing and heading back towards camp.
Vivienne allowed herself to slide down into a heap in the grass, feeling her plan might actually have a chance. She suddenly found herself rather curious about Tavington's life. Tonight, Vivienne wouldn't let him ask all the questions.
"And your family?" Tavington asked. He and Vivienne had slipped away to the tree once again that night.
"My mother and father. Surely you remember them." She gave him a wry smile.
"I don't think that encounter at your home can be described as a proper meeting."
"Hardly. You did kidnap me right in front of them . . . " Both fell silent. The topic of how Vivienne came to reside at the British camp was apparently a touchy one. Vivienne tried to lighten the mood,
"Please tell me you didn't carry me off simply to spite my parents." He smirked at her.
"Of course not. I could hardly tear my eyes from you - your parents' harboring of enemy soldiers was merely an excuse to take you back with me." Vivienne blushed.
"Surely I wasn't worth all that trouble," she said softly. He stared at her.
"You cannot see yourself through the eyes of a man, Vivienne," he replied huskily. Tavington reached out to push a lock of her hair behind her ear, leaning closer as he did so. Vivienne closed her eyes, awaiting his kiss.
Crack! A twig snapped, breaking the silence and the tender moment between them. Tavington leapt up, his hand on his pistol.
"We're not alone," he growled. The forest was silent once more.
Tavington was torn between searching out the eavesdropper and protecting Vivienne. Making a decision, he reached down and pulled her up with him, already dragging her in the direction of camp.
"But we cannot go back yet - it's hardly been - "
"Ssssh!" he hissed, putting his hand over her mouth. "We won't be bothered in your tent." Vivienne's eyes grew wide.
"If we are caught - "
"We shall not be caught. You must trust me," he interrupted again, stopping to look at her. There was a strange sincerity in his gaze. Vivienne was wary, but she nodded, allowing him to pull her to her shabby little tent.
"That's all I heard before I . . ." Jack broke off. He felt foolish for nearly failing in so simple a task. Benjamin Martin was still staring intensely at the young man.
"Before you what?"
"Before I snapped a twig and alerted them to my presence." Jack looked down at his boots. Benjamin Martin sighed, clapping a hand on the young lad's shoulder and meeting Gabriel's eyes.
"It's all right, son. You did well." Jack smiled in relief before leaving Benjamin to his thoughts.
"Father? Would you like to discuss this?" Gabriel was looking at his father with concern. Benjamin smiled at his son, proud of the boy he saw so much of himself in.
"No, Gabriel. I need to think." Gabriel nodded, understanding, and left. Benjamin started pacing again.
Tavington must be manipulating the girl to get her into his bed, why else would he bother with her?. . . But if he had to manipulate her, she couldn't be a prostitute, so what was she? No modest young lady would be caught dead with the despicable William Tavington. She had been kidnapped and mistreated by the same man she was frolicking with amongst the trees? How ridiculous - she must be quite the simpleton. Why had Tavington cared enough to kidnap her?. . .
Benjamin was frustrated, wishing he could have been there to see their rendezvous for himself. He sighed, resolving to stand back and watch to see what would happen. It was a small chance, but Tavington's new paramour could allow a perfect revenge.