The ride back to the Manor house was a slow one. Cassandra rode in front of William, leaning back into his chest. One of his hands held the reigns tightly; the other was wrapped around her waist, securing her to him. Something had changed between them, it was almost tangible, but whether it would be for better or for worse, Cassandra was uncertain. She remembered what he had told her, he was a soldier first, and so long as he was in this war, there could be nothing between them. And still she hoped.
"Are you certain he didn't hurt you?" William's voice in her ear was soft, and Cassandra smiled to herself.
"No William, I am fine. Because of you"
Cassandra sighed, and leaned her head back against him, frowning slightly when she felt him stiffen behind her.
"It is because of me that you were in this situation. I never should have sent you away"
"William, don't. You were there for me when I needed you. I won't forget that"
Cassandra closed her eyes and waited for his response, but when none came after a moment, she felt herself begin to drift off. Cassandra shifted her head slightly so that she could hear his steady heartbeat beneath his jacket, and was almost completely asleep when she heard him say softly, "This changes everything"
Cassandra said nothing, but couldn't keep the small smile from her lips. He had feelings for her as well. He may not be able to say it to her, not yet, but she knew now that he would…. In time.
It was nearing twilight by the time they reached the Manor house, and Cassandra had not stirred in quite awhile. Tavington did not relax once during the ride, he was, as always, on the alert for any sign of danger. Mentally playing the scene back in his head, Tavington realized for the first time, just how close he had come to losing her, and just how much she had come to mean to him. As the gates were opened, and he and his horse ushered into the estate, Tavington was aware of the eyes upon them. 'What a sight they must be' he mused, with her bruised and bloody, her dress torn, and her hair matted. Tavington tightened his grip on her as some of his men rushed forward, just the thought of letting her go for that brief second so he too could dismount, seemed almost unbearable. Tavington spotted Wilkins nearest to him, and he nodded to him, shifting so that Wilkins would be able to get a better grip on Cassandra. The moment he did so however, Cassandra began to stir, reaching instinctively for his hand.
"What's the matter?" she murmured still half asleep.
"Nothing Cassandra darling, all is well. We're home now, and we just need to get you down, and into the house so that the doctor can have a look at you."
"I don't want a doctor, don't like doctors" came the slurred reply as she squeezed his hand. "Don't make me go"
"Cassandra love" Tavington said softly squeezing her hand in reassurance as he gently kissed her bruised cheek. "You've had quite the adventure today. You must see a doctor. Please… for me?" he pleaded softly.
"Ok" she whispered turning her head, her eyes still half closed as she smiled at him. "For you"
"Colonel!" The sharp tone of command had Colonel Tavington pausing as he turned to make yet another pass down the hallway outside of Cassandra's door. The doctor had come quickly, but he had been in with her for over an hour, and Tavington was becoming worried.
"Yes Lord General?" Tavington asked striding over to where the Lord General was standing having just out of Cassandra's room.
"She'll be fine" Cornwallis replied with a faint smile. "Thanks to you"
"She was injured because of me Lord General" Tavington replied curtly, casting a worried look towards the door.
"She would have been worse off if not for you" Cornwallis argued, holding up a finger before Tavington could reply. "She told me what happened Colonel, how you saved her from what surely would have been a terrible fate."
"Yes Lord General" Tavington replied with a slight nod of his head. Tavington's head whipped around as the door opened again, the worry plain on his face as the doctor stepped out and closed the door gently behind him.
"How is she?" he asked, his heart clenching.
"She'll be fine Colonel" the doctor replied with a gentle smile. "She has some cuts and minor bruising, and she twisted her ankle, nothing that won't heal in a week or two. She's very lucky Colonel"
"So everyone keeps telling me" Tavington said with a sigh. "May I visit with her for a bit?" he asked.
"I'd say you had better Colonel" the doctor replied patting him on the shoulder. "She's been asking for you"
Tavington eased the door open slowly, and made his way quietly into the room. He could just barely make out the shape of Cassandra in the bed; she was just visible in the candlelight.
"How are you feeling?" he asked softly coming to stand next to her bed.
"Overall, I'm doing alright" she replied in a voice that was just slightly hoarse. Tavington turned to the nightstand, and quickly poured a glass of water from the pitcher that was kept there. He handed it to her, pleased when she eased herself up and drank deeply.
"I'm sorry" he said quickly, knowing that if he waited, she would surely tell him off. Tavington sat on the edge of her bed, waiting as she set her glass aside. Taking both of her hands in his he continued "I'm sorry for everything Cassandra. I'm sorry I told you I couldn't love you, sorry I sent you away"
"Shhhh, William… you needn't be sorry" Cassandra whispered sliding her hand out of his and stroking his face gently. "I'm ok. And you're here now, and that is all the matters to me"
"But what if I was too late Cassandra?" Tavington pressed, his eyes searching hers in the candlelight. "What if I hadn't been able to save you?"
"Well" Cassandra said, a smile turning the corners of her mouth up, "I imagine I'd be a bit mad at you right about now. But you weren't too late William. And you did save me…. Or rather, we saved each other"
Tavington was silent for a few moments as he considered her words. She was right, he thought, in more ways than one. They had saved each other.
Cassandra smiled at him, covering her mouth just as a huge yawn escaped.
"You're tired, and I'm keeping you. I'll go now Cassandra and I'll…. I'll see you in the morning alright?" Tavington rose, surprised when Cassandra's hand reached out and grabbed his.
"Don't leave" she whispered, "It's so dark out tonight, and I don't want to be alone. Please William… won't you stay with me?"
Tavington sighed. "Cassandra, I can't. You know that it's not proper"
"To hell with what is proper!" Cassandra exclaimed, the passion in her voice causing him to smile. "After all I've been through today, I think I'm entitled to want some company tonight" Cassandra crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him, almost as though she were daring him to disagree.
"Fine" William said as he huffed out a breath. Sitting back on the edge of her bed, Tavington bent to remove his riding boots, telling himself he would stay long enough to make sure she fell asleep before heading to his own quarters for the night. Tavington leaned over and kissed her forehead, before standing and removing his jacket as well, tossing it over the back of the chair.
Cassandra watched him without comment, unsure if she could trust herself to speak. All she had wanted from their first dance was a moment such as this, and now it seemed as though she may get her wish, if only for one night. Cassandra smiled as William lay on top of the bedspread, sliding one arm carefully under her head so that she could turn and lay it upon his chest. Cassandra smiled as she did just that, listening once more to the sound of his heartbeat. The sound was so peaceful to her, it was like a lullaby. Cassandra closed her eyes, murmuring "Thank you William" as she did so.
"For what?" he asked curiously.
"For saving my life" she replied with another yawn
Tavington sighed, and drew his arms closer around her as she started to drift off to sleep. For several moments, he did nothing but watch her by the light of the candle. How serene she was in sleep, the way her long, dark lashes fell against her cheeks. Tavington sighed and rested his head back against the pillows. She was too much a part of him now he mused as he watched her sleep. 'So where do we go from here?' he wondered as he idly stroked her hair.
When General Cornwallis came to check on her an hour later, he found them both fast asleep, Tavington's arms still around the sleeping girl, one of her hands covering his.
"What am I going to do with you two?" he wondered aloud as with a smile, he went to retrieve another blanket.