As the Collins' barouche toddled down Tradd Street, Effie couldn't help but continuously look around for any passerbyers who looked anything like William. Deep down she knew that it was hopeless, not even one man looked remotely like him.

When they had eventually settled into their city home, Effie and Charlotte decided to go on a stroll down Tradd Street and towards the harbour. It was rather lovely to be back in the city, they had only moved out to their country home to steer clear of the impending conflict. But it felt good to be back, especially as it was rather warm. The two sisters turned left onto Church Street, examining a few buildings that had been damaged by the siege. There were already small bands of men constructing scaffolding to repair a church roof. Effie noticed that Charlotte kept glancing up at the labourers on the roof "Do not stare lottie!" Effie laughed before hooking her arm around her sister's

"I was not, I was merely admiring the repairs happening on the roof" Charlotte protested, breaking out into a giggle when they moved out of sight "Are you looking forwards to the ball? I am nervous, I fear that no one will dance with mw"

"If no one dances with you then they're all blind"

"Will the colonel dance with you?"

"I can hope for such a thing" The siblings eventually made it onto broad street after a rather long walk. Effie noticed that there was still an abundance of redcoats walking around on the streets, causing her to have a tighter hold on Charlotte's hand. A few started over at them while most of them passed by them without a second glance.

"What colour dress will you wear? You looked lovely in the blue one you wore the last time you met with the colonel, maybe a similar colour will attract his eyes once again" Charlotte gleamed, happily walking along the path with her sister's arm hooked on hers "You must let me curl your hair again, I will try not to burn you this time"

"I think that's a wonderful idea though maybe we can sit for a moment?" Effie stopped and sat down on a bench. Charlotte followed suit and excitedly darted her eyes around the street "You should wear the blue colours tonight, I will probably be on the balcony like usual"

"At least dress in floral white?"

"Alright, I will"

"You will look ravishing with your hair done up too!"

Effie playfully rolled her eyes and allowed her eyes to wander the road for a moment. She used to love sitting on the roadside with her father before the war, especially when she had her sketchbook and pencils. It was those little things that she missed. But everything changed the day she turned eighteen, her mother invited nearly two dozen suitors to their home within the first week of her adulthood. As the bench was far from the roadside, many soldiers and people were walking by in front of them.

Her vision fixed on a rather familiar red jacket with green cuffs. She scrunched her eyebrows and lowered her gaze once again. Charlotte was saying something about the ball while she was trying to figure out what, or what she had just seen. Could it have been William?

"John, mate, listen-" Effie looked back up at the voice she oh so longed to hear. It was him! "-to me for a change, it will end in disaster"

"William" She gasped aloud without realising, causing her sister to jump ever so slightly. The man stopped dead in his tracks, glanced at his companion before glancing over his shoulder at the feminine voice. When the pair eventually met eyes, it was as though time had stopped "I…I" She couldn't even fathom a sentence as she stood up from the bench. William's face lit up into a smile as he closed the distance between them "Y-You're here, I was expecting to see you at the ball"

"Well I'm here now…that's what matters?" Charlotte broke the spell by biting back a laugh and covering her mouth. He cleared his throat before glancing over at his companion "Effie, Charlotte, this is Major John Borden" William stared back at Effie, his eyes boring into hers until John cleared his throat.

"So this is the woman you have been non stop talking about?" Borden asked before settling his eyes on the younger one "Miss Charlotte, I believe?"

"Ah…Yes Major- I-I mean sir" Charlotte quickly corrected herself, silently cursing in her head for stuttering.

Effie turned to her sister and shot her a small smile "I believe that my sister and I were about to walk home, should we count on your presence at the ball?"

"Yes, of course" William smiled "We both will be in attendance, won't we John?"

"Will I?" With those words, the colonel elbowed him in the ribs "A-Actually…my mind had just changed"

"May I know where you live, Miss Collins?"

Effie shook her head "21st Tradd street, may I ask why you needed my address?"

"So I can call upon you in the morning" He flashed her a hint of a smile "Maybe I can fend off the other callers with my sabre, surely there will be many"

"Oh very well"

"Excellent, I shall see you this evening" And with that, the colonel and the Major carried on walking down the path, leaving both women dumbfounded.

Later that evening, the two sisters sat up in Effie's room getting ready for the ball. Effie sat down at her vanity as Charlotte heated up the curling iron over the fireplace in her room. In her defence, she had already finished Charlotte's light blonde hairstyle, which consisted of conjoining two braids at the back and curling the rest of the hair into loose ringlets. After debating what would look better for the best part of twenty minutes, Charlotte decided to brush through her sister's mass of golden hair and curl the ends into ringlets.

"Did you see the way he looked at you?" Charlotte gleamed as she painstakingly curled another lock of her sister's hair. Effie was too busy staring at her reflection to take notice of what she was saying "He will surely dance with you tonight, maybe even twice! As he is my future brother-in-law I will make sure that he knows your likes and dislikes"

"Brother-in-law? Whatever do you mean?"

"You will surely marry-"

"Lottie…"

"Are you telling me that you do not wish to wed him?"

Effie thought about it for a moment, a small smile appearing on her lips as she brushed her fingers across his signet ring "He surely can't be considering marriage, we have only known each other a short time"

Charlotte shook her head as she finished her hair "Look at Romeo and Juliet, they married against everyone's wishes. Maybe he is your knight in shining armour?"

"I do hope that he is…though both romeo and juliet perished in the end due to miscommunication"

With that, the siblings fell into a silence. When Charlotte eventually finished up dressing for the ball, she giddily made her way downstairs whilst Effie stayed up in her room. She stared down at the necklace that William had given her. It was given to him by his mother for christ's sake! She wore his ring which was given to him by his father to use as a courting gift. Could it be possible that he wanted to marry her? Don't be silly Effie. She clipped the necklace around her neck and centred the jewel in the notch of her neck. Maybe William will like that she was wearing it?

Once she was downstairs, her bottom barely touched the settee before she was dragged into the carriage by her sister. Though the entire journey to the Applebury estate was spent in utter silence. Charlotte looked over at Adam who was simply staring at his sister, unsure of why he was being so quiet.

"Do not sulk, Effie, it is unbecoming, what is the matter anyway?" Adam watched as Effie fiddled with the hem of her gloves, sliding her finger along the skin of her wrist "Sister, an answer would be appreciated"

"Do you think he'll be there?" Effie asked, glancing at her brother for a moment before turning her head towards her sister.

"I am sure that he will be, you have nothing to fear" Charlotte gleamed. When the Barouche hit a hole in the road, Adam hit his head on the side of the carriage.

"Maybe he forgot?" Adam groaned as he rubbed the side of his face.

"He remembered to write to me each day while he was away, I had several letters each week…" Effie glanced over at her brother "Maybe he got caught up on military business?" At this point she'd want to believe anything, though deep down she feared that he had maybe forgotten. Her brother offered her a smile "If he does show this evening, can you try and warm up to him? He stated in his letters that he disliked you hating him so much"

"I am a pacifist, sister, I do not believe in war or armies for that matter" Adam rolled his jaw as he thought of something to say "I do not hate him, I hate his profession" Effie nudged his shoulder with her own. He nudged back before saying "If you really wish to be the wife of a soldier…well there is nothing I can do to stop you"

"Do you think that he likes me?"

"Undoubtedly!" Charlotte giggled.

"Effie, the man sent you numerous letters each week" After a brief moment of silence, the barouche came to a halt. Effie took in a deep breath as her siblings started to exit the carriage. Adam looped his arm around Charlotte's as they walked towards the main entrance to the Applebury estate.

Effie stood on her feet and carefully got out of the barouche, brushing back a few loose curls over her shoulders in an attempt to make herself look more presentable. As she walked towards the two grand doors of the home, her head began to swarm with horrible thoughts. What if he didn't like her dress? Oh, what if he had found another woman while he was away, it would explain why he was so distant earlier. She felt her throat tighten when she felt numerous pairs of eyes on her, mostly soldiers dressed in their dress uniforms who probably hadn't seen a woman in quite some time.

But when a servant announced her arrival, three men swarmed at her. For the first time in forever, men were attracted to her? No, she was here for William and that was all. She greeted each one of them before glancing over at her brother and sister who were already speaking with a few gentlemen. After introducing herself Effie excused herself to the drink's table and picked up a glass of berry cordial. She smiled slightly when another few redcoats introduced themselves to her, one being dressed in a very similar colour to William's. When she found a break in the crowd, she quickly escaped through the doors to the terrace. Thankfully no one else was there with her.

What a relief…

With a slight sigh, she walked over towards a stone bench and perched herself on the edge of it. Deep down Effie knew that she wouldn't find William outhere but she had stated in her letters that she almost always escaped such events by sitting outside.


Major Borden scowled slightly when he saw his commander brooding over a glass of whiskey. He walked over towards him before nudging his shoulder "She'll be here, we both know it"

"Are you speaking of Miss Midland or Effie?"

John groaned and rolled his eyes "Both, maybe it is the best time to propose to the lass? Miss Midland, I mean"

William stared down at his glass, hoping to find some sort of reassurance at the bottom of it. Alas there was none "I have no ring, hence I cannot propose" He cast a small smirk at his second before noticing Mr Midland talking to a few generals. Once their eyes met, Midland nodded his head and raised his glass. William reciprocated and put on a fake smile "He's here anyway, his daughter will be too…"

"Think of the money, sir" Borden patted his shoulder before walking over towards the offerings of various foods. Honestly, within the next hour they were supposed to be seated for dinner!

For a moment William gazed at his reflection in the glass panes. He was dressed in a uniform that was very similar to his usual one, the only difference being that there was more gold on his coat, he wore white stockings, silver buckled shoes and a far too glamorous cravat tied around his neck. His hair was slicked back with some pomade that he had been gifted by his sister. To his surprise it still smelt of apple even when it was nearing six months old.

William circled the room, bowing respectfully and making light conversation with a few of the colonial families. Then, when he had finally made his rounds, he stood beside the balcony doors. He had remembered that she usually escaped such engagements by spending her time on the balcony.

He took a sip of his whiskey before staring out of the window at the city in the distance. Though when he caught a glance of a half collapsed building he felt his oesophagus constrict, restricting his breathing for a few moments. He could hear musket fire in the back of his mind, the cries of many colonials as they begged for their life to be spared. William dared not to tell the corpsman fearing that if he did, he'd be on the first ship back to England only to be isolated for the rest of his life. Evan as music started playing around him, all he could hear was the sickening sound of his sabre slicing through human flesh. But he was a commanding officer. He could not show that sort of weakness. With a deep breath he took another drink of his whiskey, giving him a sort of liquid courage for a short while.

When the servant announced the next guest, all of his fears slipped away as if they hadn't existed at all. His lips parted ever so slightly when he saw her standing there in a white dress sprinkled with a few blue flowers. Effie looked like an angel, especially with the way her golden blonde hair contrasted her gown. How he wished to whirl his finger around one of her ringlets! To feel how soft her skin is would be a blessing.

But when he saw a few young redcoats starting to circle around her his blood began to boil. How dare his own men try and take that woman from him. He recognised one of the redcoats to be one of his dragoons, young Lieutenant Fairfield. He wanted her? He had been courting a woman in London, he still wrote letters from her for god's sake!

Well he was a fine one to talk to.

His lips wore a barely noticeable smile when he noticed that she was escaping towards the balcony. William rested his glass on the windowsill before opening the door to the terrace. As if like clockwork, Effie appeared from the other entrance a few seconds after him. He took a few steps towards her, his face lighting up with a smile as he drew closer.

"It is almost like I knew that you'd be her" Effie glanced over her shoulder when she heard William's voice "Lord I have missed you" William chuckled as he walked forwards, taking her into his arms for the first time in months.

"William!" Effie beamed as he gave her a gentle squeeze "Oh, I have missed you more!" She looked him up and down, smiling when she caught a whiff of apple "You smell like an orchard" She noticed his scrunched brow "N-not that it's not nice, it's rather lovely in truth"

William raised an eyebrow "Yes, a pomade, my sister gifted it to me a short while ago, I'm glad that it still smells good" he took her hands into his, intertwining their fingers in an instant, her hands as soft as he had remembered from two months ago. It took every ounce of strength not to touch his lips with hers then and there even if her brother was in the room "you look absolutely ravishing tonight" He raised his head to peek into the ballroom "And to have an invitation to a party such as this, you must be wealthy" Tavington said with a smirk.

"I'm not, we've discussed this before, my parents are '' Effie starred up into his icy blue irises, forgetting that they were in public for a moment. Including the imminent threat that anyone could probably walk onto the balcony and catch them embracing "You look very handsome tonight"

William's cheeks tinged a barely noticeable pink, causing him to clear his throat and snap her from her haze "Forgive me about our meeting earlier, John and myself have examples to set for our men" He uttered as he quickly glimpsed down at her dress, noticing that she was wearing his ring and the necklace he had gifted her "I couldn't exactly say what I wanted to say without any privacy"

"Maybe you could say them now?"

"Maybe I shall "He reached upwards and toyed with one of her curls, circling his finger around it for a moment before intentionally brushing the back of his fingers against her cheek "I could almost swear that you were sent down by the heavens just to make my life even better"

"I thank you for the compliment…though I regret to inform you that you're entirely wrong"

William cast her a boylike smirk before bowing his head "May I be by your side this evening?" He asked, eyes quickly flashing to her lips for a moment. Oh how they practically begged to be kissed! "We could escape, maybe I could walk you home?"

Effie grinned "Would you really want to? I am sure a fair few ladies will miss your absence"

William playfully scoffed "A fate worse than death" A thought crossed his mind "Would you care to escape with me?"

"My brother will probably realise that I am missing"

"A shame, I would've liked to run away with you" He stared down at her for a second before swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. She was gorgeous, far too gorgeous for him. Maybe if he told her of his courtship with Miss Midland, he could ask her help on how to finish it "T-There is one thing that I do wish to tell you…" William took in a steady breath as he formed his next sentence "I-I'm in-" He was cut off when he heard a few gasps coming from the ballroom. At first he feared that they had been caught, thankful that they were still alone.

Effie quickly glanced to the side and then back up at William "Mr Applebury will probably like to meet you, would you like me to take you to him?"

"Your father has very powerful friends, it seems"

"My father and Mr Applebury have a trade deal, that's all"

"Only rich people have trade deals"

Effie rolled her eyes and gazed up at him "You are so focused on having those words drawn from my mouth, aren't you?"

"Maybe I can draw some different words from you" William took her blush as an indication that she understood what he meant. He made sure that they were alone before leaning down and pecking her lips.

"William!" She whisper-shouted, thankful that the darkness outside concealed her blushes "We are in public, Someone shall see us!"

The colonel shrugged before realising that they were very much alone "Will you join me on a walk?" he asked, his voice laced with hope.

"Of course" William offered her his arm. When she looped her arm around his, they both started walking in a comfortable silence.

After all, the Applebury estate did have a rather nice garden. She remembered chasing Charlotte around the gardens with a stick when she was twelve. Although it was great fun, her mother berated her afterwards before sending her to her father. Her sister, being the blessed soul she was, defended her from her mother saying that it was her who was doing the chasing.

When they neared a row of hedges and were out of view of the terrace, William slid his arm from hers and instead took a hold of her hand. He felt like he was twenty once again. Running around with a woman with a fear that they would be caught. He made sure that they were hidden behind a rather large hedge before ceasing his walking.

Effie stared up at him, her eyes practically gleaming in the darkness. William swallowed before reaching forwards and softly brushing the backs of his fingers along her cheek "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met…" He uttered, smiling slightly when he saw her cheeks redden.

"If that is the case then I am almost certain that you are blind"

"My sight is top notch you cheeky little vixen"

The pair stared at each other for a long while as both of them didn't know what to say. A warm smile played on his lips as he rested his hands on her waist. Before she could think to move away from him, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. Though as soon as their lips touched, everything seemed to fade around them. She reached up and rested her hand on his chest causing him to softly groan.

"You will be my undoing, I will say that now" He mumbled between kisses "I must stop…before this goes too far"

It was as if Effie had hit a brick wall head first "This is wrong…" Effie stated before staring up at him "W-We shouldn't be doing this, my brother would slaughter you if he knew what we were doing. We need to return to the party. Maybe if I go now you could come in in a few minutes, it may look less suspicious"

"Hold your horses, Euphemia" William used her full name, causing her to pout ever so slightly.

"No Colonel Tavington, I shall not, if I am caught I'd be ruined"

"Well I haven't ruined you as your virtue is still intact" William cast her a small smirk, his eyes flashing to her breasts for a moment. Oh how he wished to touch his lips to her clavicle! He cleared his throat "unless you have mystery man that I am unaware of"

Effie flushed a deep red and looked straight down at the grass "N-No William I promise that you are the first man-"

"Shh, I was only making jest my dear" He cut her off before tipping her chin upwards with his fingers. That endearment made her stomach swarm with butterflies. She focused on his cravat for a moment, not wanting to meet his eyes for a moment. But Then he walked off! Just like that. Walking away deeper into the gardens "Are you coming or are you going back to the party?" Her eyes darted between him and the door back to the ballroom.

Oh sod it!

Effie quickly rushed over towards him, lifting her skirts ever so slightly to make it less lightly for her to trip over. He carried on walking when she had eventually caught up with him.

"Do you not fear that we will be caught?" Effie asked as he slowed his walking pace to meet with her "William?"

"No, I only fear that Borden will catch me…" William feigned a shiver "You see, he wishes for me to marry Miss Danielle Midland"

Effie felt her chest tighten "Oh…I see" She softly cleared her throat "W-Well I am sure that she is a pretty young lady"

"That is the problem, she is as dull as a blunt butter knife" He sighed. After a few moments they came across a stone statue which was overgrown with moss. William stopped walking and stared down at her "And I probably would've ended up marrying her if not for a certain young miss whose horse spiralled out of control"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I am a fourth born son with nothing to offer except my rank of colonel…" He spoke, his voice wavering ever so slightly "Borden wishes for the best for me but marrying her will not help me in any way. Especially when…" William looked her dead in the eyes and swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat "Especially when my heart belongs to that young miss whose horse spiralled out of control" Effie stared up at him and registered his words as if she didn't quite believe him. Tavington hadn't felt this sort of spark in his stomach before and, in truth, it scared him shitless. But yet again, when he was with her, his life felt complete "Will you say something…" William asked as he, for the third time of that night, touched one of her curls. But after a brief moment he retracted his hand when he noticed her expression "I know that it is sudden, it may even be scary" He didn't know if he said that last part to reassure her or himself "But I want you that I will never hurt you because…well, I love you"

"All of this time you were courting another woman..."

"None of that matters when all I want is you"

"does that woman love you?"

"her father and I had a deal, I will inform him this very night that I wish to withdraw my courtship with her regardless" William offered her a small smile and reached for her hand, only for her to pull her hand away "Effie, if you think that I love that women then you are severely mistaken"

"Does she love you?"

"Why does that matter?"

"I will not hurt someone by marrying the man that they were promised, even if that man is you"

It felt as if her heart was about to implode. Should she run? Stay? He tried to reach out and take her hand but she was too quick "Effie…" William mumbled as she took a few steps away. She did the first thing that came to her mind and walked back to the ballroom "Effie! Wait please!" But when he tried to follow her, she practically ran back to the party!

Shit, Shit, Shit! I shouldn't have mentioned Miss Midland. You mindless fool William!

Even when he was seated for dinner, William's torture continued. Of all the people in attendance he was seated next to Danielle! He smiled slightly when he saw Effie sat at the end of the table with her brother and sister "Oh colonel! You must tell me more of your adventures!" Danielle gleamed as he simply pushed some vegetables around his plate "it has been so long since we last conversed, much has happened"

"I do not wish to be rude, my lady, though my adventures have not been pleasant of late" William uttered before staring back over at Effie, who was nervously looking between him and her dinner.

"You look rather handsome tonight, Colonel"

The colonel didn't realise what she was saying and hummed in response. He picked up his wine glass and took a sip from his wine, keeping his gaze on Effie. Hell, he didn't know if he was angry or upset!

John noticed that his commander didn't respond "Ah, mate" he nudged his side "Miss Danielle is trying to speak with you"

William rolled his jaw before looking to the side "I apologise, Miss Midland, I just feel rather ill this evening, I thought that your presence would fix it of course" He smiled slightly and looked over at Mr Applebury, who was rightly sat at the head of the table "It has been a wonderful evening, sir, but may I leave early? I feel like rest will be just the thing that I need…"

"Of course, of course, have a restful sleep colonel"

William nodded before standing, tucking his chair in and bowing his head "goodnight to you all" And with that, he walked away from the table and towards the doors. He noticed that Effie looked towards him, she looked as though she was about to stand until Adam took a hold of her hand.

When he was outside, he thought that it'd be best to walk like he had done on the way here. Though as he encroached his billet, it felt as though his lungs had been ripped out of his chest, he could barely breathe until he untied his cravat and stuffed the material into his pocket. He thought, rather hoped, that she felt the same way. They had kissed several times, she reciprocated every single one, never once denying them. But he must have gone wrong somewhere! Maybe if he read her letters again, as he had saved every single one, he would be able to figure out where he went wrong.

When he eventually made it back to his billet, he unbound his hair and washed the pomade out just so his hair didn't become oily. He picked up his coatee from a clothing hook and unfolded the cuff, taking Effie's keepsake from it. He walked over towards the fireplace and held it there for a moment, debating whether or not he would drop it.

"For fucks sake!" William groaned and made his way over towards his bed, sighing when he realised that she had made such an effect on his life in such little time "What have you done to me woman!" He mumbled as he tossed the hair ribbon onto the bedside table. No matter how much he tried, he wouldn't be able to forget her anytime soon. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to forget her.