Cassandra stood at the window, anxious for reasons she couldn't explain to herself. She knew that William had ridden out early that morning; he had left a note for her. She also knew, history buff that she was, that this was not a battle to be concerned with. She sighed, blowing out a breath so that the hair in her face fluttered. Maybe she would go out to the grounds and find a shady spot to sit and read. Cassandra turned and picked up the book she had found in the library and wandered outside. Finding a nice spot by the stream, Cassandra smoothed out her skirts and sat, leaning against the trunk of a willow tree for support. Soon, she became engrossed in her book, not noticing that the time was quickly passing, until it became too dark to see. Surprised, she looked up, had she really been out here that long? Why hadn't William come looking for her? Surely he must be back by now. Gathering her skirts, Cassandra hurried back towards the house, where she quickly spotted Captain Wilkins near the stables. "Captain!" she called out as she reached him. "Have the Dragoons not yet returned?"

Wilkins looked at her with surprise. What did she care where the Dragoons were? "No Miss Davies, they have not" he said curtly.

"Oh" Cassandra chewed on her lower lip. "But William's note said he would be back before nightfall" Cassandra shot an anxious glance over her shoulder towards the gates surrounding the house.

'Ahhhh' Wilkins thought raising an eyebrow. 'So he was William to her now was he? Interesting company the Colonel chose to keep these days'

Cassandra sighed, and after thanking Wilkin's for the information, turned to head back to the house. She got no farther than the steps when she realized she didn't want to be cooped up inside. Cassandra sat down on the steps to the house, placing her elbows on her knees, and resting her chin on her hands, the way she had so many times before. She smiled a bit as the breeze picked up and carried with it the scent of lilac and honeysuckle. Distracted by the peacefulness of nature, Cassandra sat quietly watching the fireflies flash in and out across the lawn. She heard the sounds of incoming horses, and she smiled, William had come home at last. Rising as the gates were opened, Cassandra began walking slowly down to greet the men riding in. William was in front, as she had known he would be, and he nodded to her, the corners of his mouth twitching up into what might have been a smile.

"Did you have a good ride?" she asked one of the soldiers as they dismounted. "Yes ma'am" the soldier replied eagerly. "We killed us some militia today!" Cassandra tried not to flinch at the nonchalant way the man discussed the taking of another life, but she was grateful when Colonel Tavington smacked the soldier roughly on the back of the head. "Do not talk of death in the presence of a lady" he hissed before turning his eyes to Cassandra. "My apologies Miss Davies" he said nodding to her again.

"No offense taken" she replied offering the soldier a sympathetic smile and a wink.

"What are you doing out and about so late Miss Davies?" William asked her cordially, raising one eyebrow slightly as he studied her.

"Oh" she said with a wave of her hand and a quiet laugh, "I've been out all day! It's much too nice to be kept indoors!"

"Indeed it is" he said, smiling at her slightly. "Perhaps then, you'd consent to walk with me for a bit?" he asked offering her his arm.

Cassandra laughed quietly as she took his arm. "Of course Colonel" she said smiling up at him.

Cassandra was not oblivious to the stares and whispers from the other soldiers and she and the Colonel walked across the lawns, towards the same stream she had sat by earlier. Taking a seat on a fallen tree that was nearest the stream, Cassandra smiled at the Colonel. "Did you have a good battle then?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, thank you" Tavington replied sitting next to her and taking one of her hands in his.

"You're back later than I thought" she said looking into his eyes, "I was beginning to worry…."

Tavington laughed softly. "We ran into a complication" he said plainly hesitant to say more on the subject. "Nothing to worry about"

Cassandra nodded, her eyes sweeping across the lawns, back towards the house. He seemed to have something on his mind, something he clearly didn't want to share with her.

"I missed you" she said softly, catching him by surprise.

Tavington looked at her, arching an eyebrow. "Missed me? Whatever for?"

Cassandra laughed, he looked so confused it was comical. "I always miss you when you're not around" she replied unable to meet his gaze.

"You're a mystery to me Cassandra" he said at last, catching her chin in his hand, and brining her head up so that she would meet his gaze. "I never know what you're going to say next"

"I could say the same about you William" Cassandra replied, a small smile quirking her lips.

"I wonder something Miss Davies… Cassandra" he corrected himself.

"Yes Colonel?" she asked, the nervous feeling returning.

"Would you consent to have a man like me?" he asked, his eyes searching hers with intensity.

Cassandra's brow furrowed. "I don't…." she swallowed, "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean Colonel"

Tavington smiled slightly, almost as if regretting the words he had said. He swallowed once before kissing her hand and sliding off the tree to rest on one knee in front of her.

"Would you consent to give me your hand?" he asked looking up at her, his blue eyes setting her heart to a frantic pace, even as his words robbed her of conscious thought.

"My hand? As in marriage? Colonel are you asking me to marry you?" Cassandra blurted out in surprise.

"Yes" he said, the barest hint of a smile on his face. "I am. So what do you say?"

For the first time since they had met, Cassandra noticed that the debonair Colonel looked worried. She smiled at him, and said without hesitation

"Yes"