Meetings. When someone fails to complete a mission there is a meeting. Always a bloody meeting! The Colonel glanced over at Major John Borden who was sitting across from him who was equally as bored as him, it was clear as he was staring down at his hands. William fought against every urge to groan as General O'hara started to speak. How he loathed that man! While he was blabbering away, talking about how they were to get across the Ashley River, the colonel's mind drifted back to his sweet Effie for a moment. He ran his finger underneath his cuff, feeling the material brush against his finger. But when Captain Evans noticed, he shot him a scowl and played it off by adjusting the button that held his cuff.

"Colonel?" Tavington didn't respond "Colonel!" William looked up and met with the eyes of General O'hara "Were you even listening?"

"Something about crossing the Ashley river using smaller naval vessels to transport troops" Tavington smirked before shooting his eyes up at the clock. 10:34 am. How had it only been thirty-four minutes! He turned his head towards the Lord General "My Lord, if we move before the end of this month we can capture the city sooner, then we can use the city's harbour as a port"

Cornwallis nodded his head and looked to his left at Admiral Arbuthnot and Captain Evans. Then to his right at Sir Henry Clinton and Major General Leslie "The Colonel is right, the more time we spend here trying to strategize it gives the colonials more time to ready their defences" The Lord shook his head "We cross the river tomorrow, the 29th March, Evans, have as many boats brought here as possible"

William scrunched his brow and looked over at John, who looked rather devastated at the fact that they were losing an entire day of furlough. He was supposed to be meeting Effie tomorrow! Damn meeting! He should have kept his mouth shut! When they eventually got outside, the two dragoon officers had mounted their horses and started trotting down the street. The colonel unfolded his cuff to see Effie's hair ribbon, causing him to lose his train of thought for a few moments.

"What do you plan on doing this afternoon?" John asked

"Hmm? What?" William quickly refolded his cuff and glanced to the side at his second.

"What are your plans for this afternoon? It may be your last night on earth" The Major repeated before clicking his tongue "Let me guess, you are going to see that woman, what was her name? Elsie or was it Elma?"

He cast his Major a scowl "Her name is Effie. And yes I will be visiting her" Tavington cleared his throat "I was supposed to meet with her tomorrow but now my plan has unfortunately changed" Borden shook his head and pulled on his reins, slowing his horse to a halt before turning towards his commander. William let out a sigh "What now?"

"Why would you waste your last night of furlough on that girl?" John swatted his friend's shoulder "We both know that if you marry her you'll have barely enough dowry to buy a decent home. Men who are the third born such as yourself don't inherit anything, if you continue to court Miss Midland you will get enough money to live on for a good few years" When he noticed that his commander was staring down at the cantle of his saddle, the major reached down and lightly tapped his hand "Your feelings for her are just that, feelings, nothing will come of them. Anyway, the Collins' family are renowned pacifists…she won't marry a soldier"

William chewed the inside of his cheek before sighing "How much is Miss Midland's dowry?"

"Nine maybe ten thousand"

William nodded "Let me send her a letter explaining that I will cut contact with her'' He swallowed thickly and looked up at his friend "and after we take the city, I will ask Miss Midland to marry me…" The colonel couldn't quite believe the words that were leaving his mouth, it felt like poison leaving his lips.

When the two dragoons finally made it back home, they went to their rooms and packed their essentials. William however, spent most of his limited time brooding over the fact that it would be logical for him to marry Miss Midland and not Effie. But he couldn't vision his life without the young Miss Collins by his side. Afterall, he was only a man. William took off his belt and tossed it onto his bed along with his baldric. After a short moment of considering the risks, he paced over towards his wardrobe and picked out a black frock coat, practically throwing it on within a few seconds. He walked over towards the mirror and unwrapped his queue, retying it into a braid to make himself look a little more presentable. And once again William stared at his reflection. He looked like he'd pass for a commoner and as Brecken was fast enough, he'd probably get to the Collins' homestead just after sunset.

William quickly but quietly made his way down the hall, towards the hardwood staircase and into the rather small foyer. He walked over towards the hall tree, picked off the first tricorn hat he found for he thought it better than wearing his dragoon helmet. When he heard footsteps coming from the left of him along with John's voice coming closer and closer, He made the quick decision to rush out of the front door.

When he was outside, he ran to the stables and quickly tacked up Brecken. William quickly took mount and guided his horse out of the stable before quickly spurring him into a canter down the path that led up to his home. Screw it. He thought with a smirk as he neared the dirt road. At the end of the day, it was his life to ruin.

Effie had been wearing a smile since William had kissed her. She sat up in her room, silently stitching a few flowers onto a piece of silk. Maybe tomorrow she could ask the cook to prepare them both a picnic and they could lay a blanket out in the flower meadow. If she were lucky he might possibly kiss her again. She gently bit her lip as she focused on finishing the flower she was patterning before reaching over to her vanity and picking out a dark green spool of thread. As she thread the needle, she heard her mother's horrible shrieking causing her to grimace ever so slightly.

Tap

As the sound was soft, she thought nothing of it as her window usually groaned when wind hit the panes.

Tap

Effie glanced to the side and scrunched her brow, scared but curious to find out what was making the noise. Confused, she placed her embroidery on her vanity along with her needle and thread. She swallowed the small lump that had formed in her throat before standing and making her way to the window.

Tap.

She unlatched the window and pushed it open, a smile forming on her lips when she saw William standing there with a few pebbles in his palm "What on earth are you doing here?" Effie beamed, only for him to look up at her with a boylike grin.

"Will you come down here or will I need to climb up to speak with you?"

"I'll be down in a moment" She giddily spoke as she turned around, about to leave before glancing over her shoulder at the colonel and blowing him a kiss. William leaned against the wall and waited for her arrival. He stared up at the stars before taking out his pocket watch and glancing at the time. 8:13pm. The colonel would leave within the next hour or two to try and get some sleep. After around five minutes, he found himself captivated by the beauty of the night sky "Do you like the stars?" Effie spoke from a distance before taking a few steps closer towards him "I think that they look quite pretty tonight" William turned his head to the side and cast a small smile. He thought that she looked radiant, especially with her golden locks loose around her shoulders. Something in his stomach turned when he saw her wearing the necklace he had given her "I brought a key too, the one to the summerhouse, maybe we can talk there?"

"Then let us not waste a single second"

He offered her his hand, though when she took it, he felt something in his stomach. It was most definitely something he had never felt with Miss Midland.

As the pair walked through the fields, they both remained quiet, both unsure of what to say. William swallowed, maybe if he cut ties with Effie it would be better for them both. He was a soldier. He would be constantly moving from place to place while leaving his wife at home alone. But if he were to marry Miss Midland she would live in comfort from her father's generosity. Mr Midland owned multiple plantations around Middleton Place after all.

Effie sensed that something was wrong judging by how tightly he was holding her hand. She soothingly brushed her fingers across his knuckles as they neared the summerhouse. The young miss walked forward and unlocked the door, allowing William to walk in before her. Once they were both inside, Effie painstakingly lit a candle and used it to flame to light two more as William sat down on the settee. He took off his hat and placed it on the table.

"Will you tell me what is wrong?" She asked as she perched next to him.

"Our plans have changed, the lord general has decided that my dragoons are leaving at dawn" William raised his head and stared at her for a moment "I wanted to see you before I left" Realisation hit her. This man was a soldier. His occupation was more dangerous than any other man that had called upon her.

Effie took in a deep breath and nodded "So that's it then? You've come here to tell me that you're leaving early. Is that all?" She asked, not daring to meet his eyes as she uttered her words "well, is that the only reason you came?"

"What? No, of course not, I came here to spend my time with you" William reached forth and tipped her chin up with his fingertips. When he noticed that a few tears had wet her cheeks, he softly tsked and brushed them away "What did I say about tears, my dear?"

"oh I so wish that you wouldn't go…It will be so strange without your visits"

"If you allow it, I will write to you, though my letters may take a few days to arrive" He reached for her hand and covered it with his own "Will you write to me? I could use some words of encouragement" William asked, his voice just above a whisper.

Effie nodded and intertwined their fingers "I will, I'll write to you everyday, just tell me where to send them" She felt a shiver run up her spine when he shuffled a little closer to her "William…" With those words, he leaned forwards and softly took her lips into a kiss. After a few seconds, she let go of his hand and reached to cup his cheek "mmm" she sighed as he rested his hand on her hip, pulling her flush against him.

"Effie…" He groaned before leaning back and staring into his eyes "Lord, you are beautiful…" William uttered as he moved his hand upward to cup her cheek "So beautiful…" After hearing those words leave his lips, she went a deep shade of red. He propped his forearm on the back of the settee and stared down at the young miss "What are you doing to me woman? My head is in swirls whenever I see you!" Effie let out a nervous giggle and covered her mouth with the back of her hand "Oh? Is my struggle amusing to you?"

"Well how do you think I feel? My stomach always flutters whenever I see you, is it normal? I have never felt it before…" He leaned in once again, brushing his lips against hers, smiling against her when he felt her fingers touch his braid. She bit her lip ever so softly when she lightly pushed on his chest with her free hand "When must you leave? Not too soon, I hope"

He moved his hand above hers "We are crossing the river at nine, I will probably leave for West Ashley at six maybe seven in the morning" To be honest, it entirely depended on how early he returned to his plantation and how soon he slept. But he didn't want to leave her, not just yet.

"Please come back…"

"You know, I find it rather insulting that you continue to doubt my abilities" William warmly chuckled before glancing down at her lips "I think that I may kiss you again" He uttered as his eyes flashed back up at hers.

"You think?"

"Alright, I know that I will kiss you"

And he did, but his kiss was achingly tender. A feather-light caress, unlike the one they shared a couple of moments ago, there was barely any friction as he moved against her. Effie felt as though her skin had caught fire but in a good way. When his fingers touched the skin on her cheek, her skin turned into gooseflesh causing her to shiver ever so slightly. Suddenly she felt dizzy and reached upwards to rest her hands on his shoulders.

William rested his forehead against hers "I must leave…"

"I know…" Effie mumbled as he cupped her cheek "g-go now so you return quicker"

The colonel stood up and picked off his tricorn hat off the table, fiddling with it in his hands for a moment "Until I see you again Miss Collins" He took one last glance at her before walking over towards the door.

She looked over at him, hopeful that he would turn around like he did the day before. Though when he shook his head and exited the building she felt her heart ache. Effie let out a soft sob and covered her mouth with her hand, her tears flooding down her cheeks.

I love you. She cursed herself for not saying it to his face.

"Did you withdraw your courtship with Elsie?"

"Her name is Effie…" William sighed as he mounted Brecken "And yes…" He lied, hoping that his second was stupid enough to believe him.

"You see, it wasn't that hard, was it!" John chuckled before swatting his commanders shoulder "Now all you need to do is declare your intentions to Miss Midland" The Major grinned before noticing the colonel's expression "It's alright, you'll get over her"

"Will I? It is not that simple I'm afraid!" Tavington snapped as he wrapped his hand around Brecken's reins "Now, the sooner we leave, the sooner we take the city and the sooner I can…" He thought of Effie and cleared his throat "T-The sooner I can declare my intentions to Miss Midland''