Chapter Seventeen: Cruel to Be Kind

William laid back against her pillows catching his breath; flopping next him she still clutched to towel to her. Turning on her side she propped her head up on her hand, she eyed him a smirk on her lips.

"Was it ok?" she smiled. A mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Okay?" he croaked; "That was bloody brilliant….where did you learn that?" He opened his eyes looking at her as she inched closer to his large shirtless form. Her finger tracing the smattering of chest hair; her gaze dropped to her scars that littered his body.

"I've heard other women talk about…it." She smiled sweetly; a blush creeping in. "I just always paid attention I thought it might come in a handy…It's the first time I've done it though..." she laughed. His large hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb tracing the apple.

"You were wonderful." A gentle knock at the door made Theresa jump.

"Lady Theresa you must get ready for the ball tonight..."

"Umm, just give me five minutes..."She called from the bed as William fixed his breeches; tucking in his shirt. She rushed to the window throwing in open; she looked down she was two stories up; but the trellises…She smiled wickedly as she felt hands grabbed her hips; and lips kiss the shell of her ear.

"Surly you cannot be serious…" He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh I am."

"Woman; I will not…"he growled as she interrupted him again.

"If you don't I'll never do it again."

She was getting used to all this; same old, same old. The ball was beautiful. Molly had piled Theresa's long hair in an elegant up do; and she wore a dark emerald colored gown. Even she had to admit she looked good. Doubt was starting to creep in though; what had she done? She blew a man today, not just any man; she couldn't help but smile. But had it been a mistake…she wasn't sure; only time would tell. She hoped not. Harold held out a glass of wine to her; a smile on his pouty lips.

"Well; don't you just look like the cat that ate the canary?" Harold smiled. Theresa blushed, playfully swatting the handsome man. "I'm glad to see you feeling better." He said honestly with a nod.

"Yeah; I do." She smiled from ear to ear. Harold offered his arm to her; smiling she lopped hers threw his and smiled up at his.

"You look stunning."

"Thanks." They walked. Theresa's eyes tried to nonchalantly scan the room for William. Or Sophia or both; God forbid together. That might crush her. "Where's Charlotte?"

"Politicking." He laughed.

"What else is new?" Theresa and Harold laughed. "So hows in your…gentleman friend?" Theresa whispered looking around. Harold smiled a bit.

"He is well, thank you for asking…and your Colonel?" she smirked shamelessly, sipping her wine she gazed through her eyelashes at Harold.

"You did not!" he whispered, eyebrows rose.

"No, I did not…." She muttered.

"Buutttt." Harold drew out the word suspiciously; a smirk etched in his features.

"B.J." she shrugged. Earning a puzzled look from young master Willaby. "Ya know...blow job?" she whispered leaning her lips close to his ear, again his hazel eyes didn't register anything and he shrugged. With a groan and a roll of her eyes she looked cautiously to make sure no one was paying her any mind before she raised a fist to her cheek and in time with her fist; poked her tongue against the side of her cheek. Harold laughed loudly and boisterously.

Her blue gaze landed on the voluptuous figure of Sophia Willaby; her ebony hair was piled elegantly on top her head, she wore much to Theresa's surprise a heavy amount of pale powder. Her much large breasts looked at if they were about to hit her in the chin.
Harold's gaze followed Theresa's gaze; and with a simple shake of his head he groaned loudly.

"Damn it." He hissed. She just couldn't leave it alone could she? Harold couldn't help but think bitterly anytime someone had a 'toy' she had to have it. It had been that way since they were children. "Come, love." He looped his arm protectively through Theresa's all but dragging her towards them.

'No, Har.."

"No." he hissed. "Come off it!" he turned on her, eyes narrowed. "How old are you?" Theresa gaped. He knew how old she was. It wasn't so much a question but a demand. "You are a grown woman! It's time you act like it…Do you love him?" Harold hissed softly. His hand haughtily on his hips.

"No..." she stuttered. Did she love him? She didn't think so...sure she cared about him, would never want anything to happen to him, but that was a far cry from love, wasn't it? "I don't think…I'm not sure." Harold's gaze softened, and he laid a soft comforting hand on her shoulder, absently brushing some of the long lose tendrils of hair back.

"Can you envision your life without him in it?"

"Yes." She said self-assuredly. But then bit her bottom lips looked heavenward she sighed. "I just don't want to have to."

"Then, see. It's time to buck up." Harold placed a strong hand on the small of her back steering her over to the small group of chatting people. Sophia instantly looked up, her cool brown eyes meeting the narrowed gaze of Theresa's blue ones. She smirked almost indignantly. Laying her hand on William's arm slowly stroking it, her eyes never leaving Theresa's gaze.

"Hello sister," Harold scooted Theresa and himself into the small semi-circle of chatting officers...and Sophia...the only woman in the company of at least six men.

"Harry!" she high pitched voice called. He outwardly winced.

"Do not call me that." He said through gritted teeth. A few officers chuckled. As she fanned herself haughtily, a giddy flirty giggle came from her throat.

"Theresa," Sophia's gaze shifted quickly, to the smaller younger woman. Theresa gripped Harold's arm tightly as if it was her only lifeline, her nails dug in through the wool of his suit jacket. As he stroked the back of her tense arm.

"Sophia." Theresa nodded cooling, not daring to even look at William for fear she might start screaming in a jealous rage. Was that what this was jealousy? It had to be. Every time Sophia reached out and touched Tavington Theresa's blood boiled, and she had not doubt in her mind she could commit murder happily. She wanted to fist that perfect ebony hair in her hand, giving in a good yank and drag Miss Willaby, kicking and screaming preferably; to that lovely creek and drown her in it. She was sure the smile would never leave her face.

"Theresa?" Sophia's ungodly voice pierced her thoughts.

"Pardon?" She shook her head slightly; as William chuckled a bit as did a few others. Her narrowed eyes settled on the Colonel. And you she thought almost angrily. You don't laugh with HER at ME! How about I lure you to me room again and this time I bite 'IT' the fuck off! Her fists clenched and unclenched.

"I was just saying how Harry was telling me the other day that you and William are very close…" What the hell was she getting at? William. She called him William….I took her almost 5 months to call him William! You've got to kidding me!

"Oh?" Theresa raised an eyebrow, raising her wine glass she tried to nonchalantly take a sip.

"Oh yes! William tells me he cares for you as if you were his very own sister..." her bubbly voice oozed with malice and Theresa bit the the inside of her mouth from screaming. His sister…His SISTER! Well if that wasn't the biggest punch in the…

"Your sister?" her eyes met Tavingtons. She didn't care about propriety; she didn't give a damn what anyone thought anymore. All she cared for was to get the briefest amount of relief. "How flattering..." their eyes met and he smirked.

"Of course dear...I care for you so much..." he seemed earnest for a moment.

"Of course!" she butted in again. Downing what was left of her wine in one gulp she narrowed her eyes.

"Hey; butt out sugar tits." Theresa pointed a finger venomously at the wide eyed fish mouthed Sophia. Harold clapped a hand over his mouth at first she thought he'd be angry. But she didn't care. But after a second she realized he was laughing uncontrollably. Which only threw fuel on the fire. He was only egging her on.
"Your sister!" She hissed.

She had rushed back to her room, she hadn't even gotten to see Charlotte she was so embarrassed, humiliated, degraded any word you could think of. His SISTER! Are you kidding me! Yeah maybe a hillbilly brother that wants to jump his own damn kin. This was sick! And twisted! Her chest hurt, she didn't expect him to love her; let long shout it from rooftops but at least a bit a damn decency would go a long way. There was a loud knock. Wiping her eye furiously she hoped it was William, at least then she knew he kind of cared enough to follow her.

Throwing the door open her red swollen puffy eyes met with hazel ones. Harold. Grabbing him by his collar she drug him in. She slammed the door behind them. Her tears still streaming down her face as she sniffled pathetically. Kicking her foot into the vanity with a hiss she slammed a fist down.

"I hate this!" she growled angrily. "And I hate your fuckin' SISTER!" she screamed pointing accusingly at Harold, who threw his hands up defensively.

"You wouldn't be the first." He muttered turning his attention to her vanity as Molly bustled in filling the large tub, stifling a laugh behind her hand. "Do you want me to stay? You look like could use the company?" she nodded.

"I'm sorry;" he muttered. "She is like that…. When someone else has a …toy... she just cannot seem to help herself."

"Whatever." Theresa waved her hand dismissively. She felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out; it was a sharp physical pain in her chest.

"No." Harold stood hands on his hips. "It isn't 'whatever' I am sick a tired of this. Nonsense!" he growled. "Hurry up and compose yourself." He huffed impatiently.

"Why?"

"Because darling, I'm going to snag you your man back from that succubus."