Chapter Eight: When You Think No one is Watching…

The Fort had been quiet lately; the Dragoons had left on raids of some sort; leaving only a hand full of military personnel; Charlotte and herself. She had taken to spending her days under her favorite willow tree; and she tried her hand at needle point; she was horrid but it helped pass the time. She also used her free time to try and sort out all the things that were swimming around in her head lately. Tavington; he somehow always found a way to invade her thoughts, it was frustrating. He was not the sort of person she wanted to spend her time with; mean spirited; snotty just a general ass. But still last week when he had been so close; she could say that she would have minded if he kissed her; couldn't say she would have told him to stop.
Never even been kissed…she sighed, how pathetic. The only kiss she had ever received was when she had been ten behind the boy across the streets minivan…who years later came out of the closet…she was a lost cause. Charlotte on the other hand had been busy all week; preparing for yet another ball; this time close to her heart. She was planning a ball to welcome Harold Willaby; her betrothed and his sister Sophia. Charlotte jumped up from behind her fathers desk; as Theresa rocked in a rocking chair in the corner of the large office, she poised herself against the window; face pressed against the glass.

"Their back," she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are they?" Theresa raised her head up briefly; before returning to her work.

"I must go see father!" She shouted over her shoulder, Theresa nodded silently never even lifting her head she go was so consumed by her own thoughts and problems.

It seemed like she had been gone a long while; Theresa would guess a least an hour. Brushing off her skirts, she adjusted her boobs and was actually going to go down to the tent area to make sure everything was alright. The door flew open as Molly poked her head meekly in.

"Theresa, your needed down the hall."

Theresa slowly and quietly open the door; hoping not to disturb anyone. The bedroom was dark the drapes drawn. She could see Charlotte over into the corner place her finger to her lips; telling her to be quiet. She bustled over running her fingers through her long undone hair.

"Would you do me a favor, love?" Charlotte whispered.

"Sure."

"Father asked me to stay with him; and tend to him, but I'm frightfully busy, darling; Harold will be here soon …could you?" Charlotte asked hopefully, clasping her hands together she smiled hopefully.

"What do I have to do?" Theresa said peeking at the mangled body that lie in the bed.

"Oh it's just a shoulder wound; he'll be fine in no time; just needs to rest." Theresa mouth gaped as Charlotte collected her things and made for the door.

"I didn't say yes." Theresa huffed hands on her hips; Charlotte shot her a loving smile and blew a kiss.

"Thank you darling, I'll owe you." The door shut with a click, leaving Theresa with a frown and a lot of things she would like to say to Charlotte but never would. Her eyes started to adjust to the darkness and she placed her needle point on the full overstuffed armchair next to the large bed. The poor man in bed had obviously been dosed with something; he was pale. His hair was dark and hung down by his shoulders, he was devilishly handsome. She looked closed. Oh. My. God. It was Tavington. It was official God hated her with a passion too.

He didn't stir much for days; Charlotte never came back to relieve her. When he did come around whatever they were dosing him with made him so loopy he didn't speak or anything. Theresa sat in the arm chair; slept in the chair; ate in it. Bordon had checked on his commander a few times but never said much to her. She looked terrible she knew it; her hair had turned greasy and she'd be willing to bet she smelled. Messaging her eyes with her fingers she tucked her feet under herself trying desperately to get comfortable in that damn chair.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the door open.
"Miss?" Molly stepped in looking fresh and clean; Theresa thought bitterly. "Do you need anything?"

"No." she groaned, flopping back into the chair.

"How about a hot bath?" Molly said knowingly a smile plastered from ear to ear.

"Oh my God, I would love you forever." Theresa sighed." Will you stay with him?" Theresa all but jumped out of the chair enthusiastically. Molly tutted her wagging a finger. "What?" all but stomped.

"I've got a million things to do, dear I cannot stay, I will bring a bath here however." Molly said thoughtfully.

"No!" Theresa huffed. "I can't what if he wakes up; I would just die, I can't do it."

"Darling I dosed him myself; he won't wake for hours yet, you'll be fine."

"But what –"

"Hush, he won't"

"But…"

"Stop"

"Molly..." She whined.

"Theresa if you don't want the bath it can wait."

"I want it!" she all but screamed. She felt gross and sticky.

"He won't wake."

"Swear to it."

"I do." Molly nodded surely.

Theresa sat at the edge of the basin for a long while; the water was to hot and her heart was practically palpitating. She gently fingered the man's straight razor that Molly had gotten her. Oh, how good it would feel to take a hot bath and shave her legs, wash her hair. The steaming water was calling her name. Oh fuck it! She finally gave in with one last look over her shoulder at the jerk of a man sleeping in the bed, she started to get naked and slip in.

Pain. Ah, sheer pain coursed through his shoulder. Damn stupid Rebels, couldn't even shoot to kill; only maim him. His head spun a bit but he was starved he would have to send a servant girl for a meal right away. Forcing his eyelids open; he started to sit, only to quickly lie back down. What on Earth was going on here? What was the Wretch doing here?
His eyes widened considerably when she slipped on dress off revealing her shift; then sliding that fabric off her shoulder his breath hitched in his throat. A gentleman was close his eyes, or at least say something a roughish smile found a place on his lips. The Wretch was quite lovely to look at, beautiful face; nice set of teeth. But now… His eyes roamed her body hungrily as she slipped into the basin with a soft sigh.

There was something strangely….erotic; about watching her bathe. She had lovely shapely legs, her breasts left something to be desired as far as he was concerned but looking her over her decided there was a good handful that was all he'd need.

He could take her right there; oh, how the water would splash everywhere. She'd throw her head back, it's always the quiet ones…

She was strange, an oddity to be certain. Ah, but a lovely oddity, his eyes settled on her backside as she dried herself. Oh, her backside certainly made up for what her chest lacked. Closing his eyes slowly as she begun to dress, oh if she only knew. How crimson would those cheeks turn? He couldn't help but wonder.