Colonel Tavington rode hard south, cursing himself a fool. What did it matter if Cassandra had run off? It was probably for the best, for the both of them. He didn't need this girl…. This American… getting under his skin this way. So why was he riding to find her as though his life depended on it?

He had ridden for miles, his blue eyes scanning the woods to the left and right of him, searching for any sign of the girl. How far could she have gotten? Had he even gone the right way? Tavington pulled on the reigns, and was about to lead his horse back the way they'd come when he heard the distinctive sound of Cassandra's voice somewhere just ahead of him.

"HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!"

Tavington spurred his horse forward, his heart catching in his throat. What trouble had she found herself in now? He rode a few feet forward before dismounting from his horse, and taking off at a sprint in the direction he had thought he heard her screams issue from.

There – a noise coming from his left – Tavington turned, and stopped short at the scene before him. Cassandra, bruised and bleeding, pinned to the ground by one of his Lieutenants.

"Lieutenant!" Tavington said, his voice cold, hiding any trace of surprise or disgust perfectly. "What is the meaning of this?"

Cassandra's heart leaped, and fresh tears fell from her eyes as she heard his voice. William had not left her! He had come for her after all!

"William" she cried out unable to conceal the joy she felt at hearing his voice.

"Tis none of your concern Colonel" the Lieutenant spat at him, murder in his eyes at being thwarted in his attempt to rape the still struggling girl. "You've done with her! She told me so herself!"

Tavington raised an eyebrow, "Is that so Lieutenant?" he asked mildly. "Well then, apparently she's a liar as well as a traitor, for I've told her no such thing. Now kindly take your filthy hands off my property, and return her to me"

Cassandra's temper flared as the man grudgingly rolled off of her, and stood up, dusting off the knees of his trousers. She rolled, and managed to prop herself up using her elbows and knees before gaining her feet and turning to face Tavington. The man that had been both her savior and her demon.

"I am NOT your property Colonel" she hissed, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the men before her.

The Lieutenant smiled triumphantly at Tavington, "You see! She doesn't belong to you! She will serve her purpose with me, and then I'll do my duty and dispose of the traitor"

Anger flashed in Tavington's eyes. Stupid girl. Didn't she see that he was trying to save her? Didn't she see what she meant to him?

Tavington took a step forward and grabbed Cassandra roughly by the arm. "You are mine" he whispered fiercely, his velvet voice barely above a whisper.

From behind Tavington, Cassandra caught movement, and realized the Lieutenant still had his dagger in his hands, a dagger he was aiming to thrust into Tavington's back. Without pausing to think, Cassandra snatched the man's own sword from where he had discarded it on the ground, and plunged it as deep as she could into the man's abdomen. The man stopped short, pain and surprise evident on his face before he dropped to his knees and fell to the ground dead.

With a gasp of surprise that she could have done such a thing, Cassandra buried her face in her hands and began to weep. Surprised, but pleased, when she felt Tavington's strong arms come around her, pulling her gently against his chest.

"Thank you" he murmured into her hair. "You just saved my life".