His cool calm stare gripped Sophie as his eyes inspected her. She gritted her teeth, annoyed that she was at his mercy and he knew it. Refusing to be looked down upon she tried to stand but the pain caused her to fall back. She gasped as strong hands gripped her and pulled her to her feet. Sophie turned and became transfixed by those steel eyes.

"At times like these, young ladies must not venture out alone" he warned. Her confidence suddenly came rushing back, "I find it perfectly acceptable to be riding on my fathers land, well I did until I was just thrown from my horse because of that rider and his horse"

She wondered did he believe the lie. They could not have possibly seen her, she hoped so anyway. "Hmmm" came the reply, his eyes searched hers, looking for the truth, maybe something else. She held the gaze, even when one of the Dragoons came cantering up with Satanta in tow.

"Your horse my lady" he said turning from her to grasp the reins, "thank you" she mumbled as she gripped the saddle. His hands grasped her sides as he helped her mount and she tried desperately not to blush. Gathering the reins she straightened her spine, even though she was looking down on him she still felt small.

"Thank you for your help" she said, turning her mount towards home. "You will be going no where" his voice called to her from behind. Her head whipped around as he himself remounted. "I beg your pardon" she snapped.

"I said you will be going no where, you cannot return home unaccompanied. We will escort you home" Sophie looked at him with annoyance but she knew it would be pointless to argue. Sighing she waiting for the Colonel to come alongside and then she picked up a trot.

The sun was now at full strength in the sky and Sophie's mind raced as she traveled along. "What would father do" she pondered. Staring ahead she knew she was soon to find out.

……………………………………………………story break………………………….

As they came up the drive way some of the stable boys came out to see who was arriving. Sophie saw Mr Engle, the stable manager go into the house, probably to tell her father. As they drew up outside, her father emerged from the house, anger upon his face. "Sophie" he growled grabbing her horse's reins and helping her dismount.

"Thank you sir for helping her return safely home" he said to the Colonel, the iciness was evident in his voice. "It was a pleasure Sir" replied the Colonel, looking upon Sophie once more. Sophie looked away, embarrassed; she turned her attention to her mother who appeared at her side. "My dear girl, what have you been doing, your dress is destroyed" she gasped.

"Mother" hushed Sophie, annoyed. "Your daughter was thrown from her horse madam. A spy who we were chasing encountered her and they collided, I believe she has injured her leg" explained Tavington.

"Thank you for your help, Colonel is it?" asked her father. "Colonel William Tavington sir" "Colonel Tavington, thank you, ill be making sure she does not wander off in future and take up any more of your time" Sophie adverted her eyes as her father glared at her.

"It was of no inconvenience sir" Tavington assured. "I must leave, begging your pardon for my rudeness" Tipping his hat, "Sir" "Madam" "Miss Sophie" Sophie had to catch herself from smiling "Colonel".

Turning his mount the group cantered up the drive and Sophie watched him until he disappeared. "You young lady into the house this instant!" barked her father. Ordering one of the servants to fetch the doctor he stomped back into the house as James suddenly appeared, "What did I miss?" he asked.

"You silly boy, help your sister into the house" ordered Mrs. Jameson. As Sophie was carried into the house she looked back up the drive, wondering would she ever see the colonel again…………