One week passed. William was still showing signs of the high he had received from Cornwallis and the chase for Martin and his men. Currently, he was in his tent, poring over a list of names. These names belonged to men under the command of Benjamin Martin, and to Tavington, they were gold.
"We raid the homes," he said to himself.
"Raid what homes?"
The colonel looked up to see Gillian standing at the entrance of his tent and pocketed the list.
"Gillian…it's nothing."
"Raid what homes," she repeated, frowning.
"They're Colonials, Gillian. And besides, what are you doing here? I have no use for you."
Gillian frowned and sat down next to the colonel on his cot.
"Why Colonial homes?"
"Gillian, this is an opportunity. It is the only way."
"Colonel, there are children-" she said emphatically, her voice rising.
"Rabble…" Tavington's eyes narrowed. "There is no other way, and it shouldn't concern you."
Gillian clenched her jaw, giving him a hard, piercing look and stood up to leave.
"Where are you going," Tavington demanded, anger clouding his eyes.
"Out!" Gillian snapped.
"No you are not!" The colonel grabbed her and pulled her to him.
Gillian struggled, pulled away and gave him a harsh slap, stunning him momentarily.
"Devil…" she murmured as he looked at her in surprise, white anger creeping into his eyes.
Tavington took a step toward her but Gillian yelled for the guards. Immediately, several soldiers swarmed the tent. One of them recognized the woman and asked, "Is everything all right here?"
Tavington backed away and spoke, "Everything is fine; you're dismissed."
The guards left, muttering to themselves.
"Bastard Butcher," Gillian hissed before turning on heel and retreating to her tent.
Col. Tavington stood outside of his tent, rubbing the side of his face.
"Bitch…" he spoke under his breath.
Meanwhile, Gillian had made her way back to her tent in a huff, thankful she did not have any medical tasks that night.
"The nerve of him! Bloody demon!" she spat. "Can't see past the end of his own nose!"
Gillian lit a candle and sat down on her cot, covering herself in woolen blankets.
"He's going to get himself killed, he will…and will have no honor to show for it."