Annie entered her aunt's house, she untied the strings of her cape that hung loosely around her neck. Taking the black cape in her arms she decided to walk over towards a chair in the living room that was placed in front of a fireplace. She thought maybe she would sit down for a while and do a bit of light reading before dinner. As she walked towards the chair she draped her cape over the back of the winged back chair and then sat down. A book that she had been reading earlier was still sitting on the side table next to her, picking the book up, she looked for the ripped piece of paper she used as a bookmark. Finding the page she left off on she began to read. Annie got through a paragraph, but then stopped reading when she heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. She thought perhaps it might had been James. Noticing that none of her aunt's servants came to open the door, she decided to get up and open the door herself. Book still in hand, Annie walked towards the door. When she opened the door she immediately felt like someone had hold of her stomach and began twisting it, her throat felt as though it was closing.

"Miss Martin. So your aunt is Ms Selton then. Am I correct?" Tavington said coolly.

He was not amused at all, she lied to him. And Annie realized he knew that now. She wanted to close the door shut and run upstairs to her room. She felt frightened of the Colonel, just from the look on his face. It was stern, his voice cold as ice. Annie could feel herself trembling.

"Yes. Ms Charlotte Selton, is my aunt. What is it that you and Captain Bordon need? I assume you are here because you are in need of a favour or want something?" Annie answered.

"Indeed. And I'm sure the other, so called officers you say that have been courted in your aunt's home won't mind if we too are to stay here as well. That is after all why we are here." Tavington replied, his voice full of sarcasm.

"Please, may you run along and retrieve your aunt. Captain Bordon and I wish to speak with her, for a moment."

"Yes, give me a moment. Please, come in."

Annie stepped back a few large steps making room for both Colonel Tavington and Captain Bordon to enter the home. As she watched the two imposing men walk into her aunt Charlotte's quiet home. She began to think and she could not help but notice the difference of tone in the Colonel's voice. His facial expression was hard. And those bright blue eyes were cold. its was as-though they had chilled her very soul and send shivers through her body as she stood caught in her lies. When she had been speaking with the Colonel earlier that day as they were walking the narrow streets of Charles Town, he seemed different. Annie regretted lying to the Colonel right away, she thought earlier that day of what would happen if he were ever to find out that she had lied to him. What would he say or do to her? Well now she knew she would find out just what the Colonel may say or do to her. This was something she was not looking forward to. It was something she now feared the very most.

Now that the two British officers were standing in her aunts home she felt intimidated and vulnerable. Perhaps she should have left Captain Bordon and Colonel Tavington to stand outside as she retrieved her aunt. If they had been outside she felt as though there was a safe barrier between them and her. Annie awkwardly stared at the two officers. Tavington noticed the look on Annie's face, it had been very similar to the one she had been wearing the first time they had met in front of the Cuppins home. And when they had been introduced to one another in the Mercantile. Her full lips parted and those deep blue eyes widened. Annie thankfully then heard a voice break the tension between the men and herself, it had been Mary one of her aunts servants.

"Missus Martin, who these two officers be?" Mary said in her small shy voice as she wiped her dark hands on her apron leaving some type of residue on the off white material. She walked towards Annie. Annie looked to William who's threatening facial expression slightly lightened, she then looked back to Mary who waited for her response.

"T-This is " Annie noticed her voice slightly shook. She cleared her voice and proceeded to introduce Colonel Tavington and Captain Bordon. "This is Colonel William Tavington. A-"

"Commander Of the British Green Dragoon" Tavington interrupted, Annie nearly rolled her eyes.

Does that really matter? And was it that important that you felt the need to interrupt me?

"Of course... And this is Captain Bordon. Please Mary, they wish to speak with my aunt Charlotte for a few moments, and I would like to call upon my aunt myself. Would you stay down here with the Colonel and the Captain please?" Annie asked hoping she could get some space and time away from Tavington's presence, so that she could think and collect herself.

Hopefully in that time she could speak with her aunt for a brief moment, and try to convince her that it would be unwise for the Colonel and Captain to be courted in her household. Then perhaps Annie could be relieved of the two men.

"No, no Missus Martin, please allow me. You can show dem to the livin' room, and get dem settled till yo' aunt gets down here." Mary said as she began walking away, Annie wanted to call out to her to tell her to stop and allow herself to retrieve her aunt as she wished. Tavington cut in once again before she could say anything at all.

"Thank you," Tavington said to Mary who stopped and turned around to give Tavington a shy small nod. "Indeed I would like Miss Martin to show myself and Captain Bordon to the living room, since I do wish to speak with her for a moment." Tavington said coolly.

Annie could feel that same twisting feeling she had felt in her stomach earlier, and her heart dropped. Annie watched as Mary walked away so that Tavington, Bordon and herself were the only ones in the foyer again. Annie glanced over towards Tavington he was waiting for her to escort them to the living room. Annie started walking away assuming Tavington and Bordon would follow and they did. When they had entered the fine furnished living room Annie motioned to them to take a seat, they did. Annie sat back down in the same blue chair she had been sitting in was a horrible silence, Annie looked down to her lap where her hands had been resting. She noticed her book was still in her right hand. She decided to place the book back on the side table beside her.

"I see you were reading, I'm sorry we interrupted you." Tavington said.

Annie looked at him with a confused look on her face, she thought it had been a strange thing for Tavington to say. And she noticed his tone of voice was not so cold as it had been. In fact, it has been slightly cheery.

"It is no trouble, though I was very surprised when I had seen you and the Captain at the door."

"Though I assume not pleasantly surprised," Tavington paused. His voice turned cold again. "I admit I was not very pleased when I learned you had in fact lied to me Miss Martin, I'm disappointed."

Annie felt like she was being scolded by her father, she felt like a child. 'I'm sorry I won't do it again.' She felt she needed to say, so that Tavington may forgive her but she knew it wouldn't be that easy. From what she heard from her brother Gabriel, Tavington was not a very forgiving man. Annie dropped her head and look at her hands once more she nervously knitted her hands together, then looked back up to the Colonel. At this point it had felt like herself and the Colonel were the only ones in the room, like Captain Bordon was never there. Annie's mind and eyes were fixed on the Colonel, and his eyes were fixed on hers. Tavington noticed she looked very nervous, a part of him enjoyed the look of nervousness on her face, she was uncomfortable and he liked that. It meant that there would be a less chance of her lying to him again. He had some sort of control.

"Why did you lie to myself and the Captain, Miss Martin? There should have been no reason to lie especially to your superiors. I just want an answer is all."

Annie looked away from the Colonel she felt belittled. Superiors? Her eyes then diverted back to her lap. Her thumbs nervously rubbed together, she didn't want to admit to the Colonel that she lied to him because she feared him. Then to Annie's surprise she realized she didn't have to, she wouldn't have to say anything else now that she noticed Mary had now returned with her aunt Charlotte. Annie noticed the look of slight surprise and discomfort on her aunt's face. Annie knew she should not have invited them into her aunt home without her aunt Charlotte's permission. Let alone escort them to the living room so that they were now making themselves comfortable in her home without her consent.

"Colonel Tavington" She paused and gave a small curtsey.

"I am sorry," Charlotte began to smooth out her skirts hoping she looked presentable. "I did not know we were expecting any guests. Let alone two officers. I heard from young Mary here that you and your fellow officer wish to speak with me about a certain, matter." Charlotte smiled.

Bordon looked over towards William Tavington who now quickly glanced towards Annie. Annie diverted her gaze from Tavington when he caught her staring at him. Tavington focused his attention to Charlotte again and got up from his seat. He then strode towards Charlotte, stopping a few feet away from Miss Selton he gave a slight bow.

"Miss Selton, is it then? " The Colonel asked, Charlotte gave a nod.

Then Tavington continued to explain why they were there and what had happened at the Cuppin household. Annie hoped Tavington would not be as rude as to embarrass her by telling her aunt that she had in fact lied to Tavington and Captain Bordon. Annie waited for him to tell her aunt but to her surprise he left that important detail out of the conversation. During that time Bordon himself had then risen from his seat to introduce himself properly. While Annie still sat sitting in her seat watching the two officers speak with her aunt.

"So Miss Selton, please consider my officers and I. For it seems you are one of the only home-owners in Charles Town to lack any officers. It would be a great honour for myself and my fellow officers to billet in your lovely home." Tavington finished as Annie listened to the conversation.

She noticed Tavington's words were honeyed. He could go from cold one moment to charming in the next. Annie watched as her aunt Charlotte thought for a quick moment then smiled and replied.

"Of Course Colonel Tavington, you and your officers may reside in my home for as long as you desire. My niece and I are planning to leave this home for a while and travel to the Santee to my plantation, so that Annie may be closer to her father and siblings. Then you and your officers may have the home to yourselves." Charlotte was pleased to hear that Charlotte would be giving up her home to him and his officers.

"Thank you Miss Selton. Before Captain Bordon and myself leave to inform my officers of the move. May you show us around your home so that we may become more familiar with our new surroundings?" Tavington asked.

"Of course I will, perhaps my niece, Annie," Annie quickly snapped her head towards her aunt when she heard her name. "Can escort either yourself or Captain Bordon through the home as well. She knows just as much about my home as myself. Of course Mary, I want you to accompany Annie with one of the officers." Charlotte said. Annie thought perhaps she could escort Bordon as her aunt could show Tavington around. If I am to show William Tavington around, then he will surely continue to ask me as to why I lied to him.

"Thank you again Miss Selton." Tavington paused then turned his head around to look at Annie who was looking straight back at him. She now knew she would have to be the one to escort Tavington through her aunts home. Annie got up from her chair and stood up straight, waiting for Tavington to say something.

"Miss Martin, would you be as kind to show me around, while Captain Bordon accompanies your aunt?"

Annie answered yes and began to walk towards the awaiting Tavington. Her aunt and Bordon had already began making their way towards the kitchen area. While Annie, Tavington and shy Mary now stood standing in the living room alone. Annie stood with her eye level to his chest, she made a few awkward glances towards his face. But each time she did she tried not to make direct eye contact with the Colonel.

"I will show you the upstairs then." Annie quietly said. Tavington nodded and then began to follow Annie towards and up the stairs. Mary followed close behind. When Annie and Tavington reached the top of the stairs. Annie began to speak, she didn't want to give any time for Tavington to say a word to her about their incident.

"This is the upstairs," She said, stating the obvious. "Uh-" Annie stopped talking when she heard fast footsteps coming up the stairs. She turned around and noticed one of her aunt Charlotte's servants appear at the top of the stairs. The man looked like he was out of breath from practically running up the stairs, there had to be something wrong.

"Please, Miss Martin can Mary be excused for a moment. Dovie ain't feelin quite right and we are in da middle of cookin' supper. We need a extra hand ta help." Albert asked.

Annie knew it would be selfish and rude to keep Mary as her chaperone so she agreed that Mary may leave to help the rest of the servants in the kitchen make dinner.

"Thank ya miss Martin, thank ya." Albert said.

Mary quietly left Annie's side and joined Albert. Annie watched as her only source of protection walked down the stairs. It was just herself and Tavington now. Annie continued to explain where everything was situated in the upstairs.

"Straight down the hall there are a couple of rooms, bedrooms. And a sitting room. Down this hall to your right there is my room along with a couple other rooms. There are plenty of rooms for your men to sleep in. I can show you a couple of the rooms if you like? Perhaps the sitting room? It is quite lovely." Annie said, she felt her nervousness was slowly diminishing. Tavington did not seem or look as threatening as he once had before. But Annie's nervousness had returned when Tavington asked her if they may start with her room. Annie felt like her privacy was becoming violated, she wanted to ignore him or tell him no, but she feared it would not be that simple. Annie just simply nodded and the two began to walk towards her room. When entering Annie walked towards the window leaving Tavington at the door, she needed some space from his overpowering presence. Annie looked out her window for a moment to look down towards Charles Town's streets but turned her attention to Tavington when she heard the bedroom door close. Annie could feel her heart begin to race. She turned around to face Tavington he watched intently as he made his way towards her. Annie listened as his boots slowly clicked across the floor, his spur's gave a clinging sound. Annie's eyes then focused their gaze on Tavington's hand which gently trailed across the cover of her bed. He stopped only a couple feet away from where she had been standing.

"Now that my men and I will be residing in this home, I want to clear up any tension between the two of us. And I want an answer as to why you lied to me. Though I think I already know why. I wish to hear your answer first." Tavington said, his voice was calm. Annie sighed.

"Colonel Tavington, I apologize. I really do. But can we please move past this? You and your officers may reside here, and I believe you should perhaps forget our misunderstanding. You have what you want now." Annie replied with an annoyed tone.

"Yes. I do have what I want now, a place to stay with my men and I with the proper care. And you and I in this room together... Alone." Annie's heart raced and she felt a odd sense of excitement. "So, that I may get the answer I desire. But seeing as you refuse to do so. I will assume that you lied to me because you fear me. I'm sure you have heard stories about me. Most people have. And if you have heard the same stories, everyone else has then you know they are not so pleasant."

Annie diverted her gaze away from Tavington. And looked down to the floor. Annie continued to stare at the floor in silence until she felt Tavington take her small chin in between his finger and lift her head so she was looking into his eyes. Annie's stomach did a flip and her head felt light. It was happening again. Tavington had an effect on her. When he kissed her hand earlier he made her blush, Annie quickly felt this was becoming inappropriate.

"Colonel please. Let go." Annie said, hoping he would listen to her.

"I can assure you I will not harm you while my men and I are living under the same roof as yourself and your aunt. I want you to trust me, do you understand?" William let his arm fall back down to his side.

"Yes. I understand. But Colonel Tavington, I don't understand why you chose to tell me this now? I mean here, alone together in this room." Annie asked, he could have easily told her to trust him that he wouldn't harm her somewhere not so intimate. Annie and Tavington looked at one another in total silence. Annie began feeling somewhat awkward, and slightly embarrassed.

"And please Colonel while you are here I advise you that you do not touch me like that again. I do not find it very appropriate." Annie said. But Tavington said nothing back.

Instead William Tavington admired Annie for a moment, He took his eyes off of her face which had been framed nicely by several strands of hair that had become loose from the chilly wind outside. William let his eyes roam her body. His eyes landed on her milky white chest. Annie continued to stand still and not turn away from Tavington's gaze. William gave a small smirk when he noticed her pale skin turn bright red.

"I thought. Since we are in your room, I might as well tell you here. You may continue to escort me around the house." He finally answered. Annie turned around to walk away. But stopped and looked at Tavington when she heard him begin to speak. His voice went from calm, back to threatening.

"Don't lie to me again Miss Martin."

Annie slowly nodded her head.

James Wilkins sat in one of Charles Town's Taverns, the same one that had not been located too far from Ms Selton's home. James sat down at a table by himself, though he would not be alone for long. His cousin Emmett promised him that evening he would join James that night for a couple drinks and a few games of cards. James sat in complete silence, sipping longingly on his ale, savouring the taste in his mouth.

His mind kept wandering back to that afternoon during his encounter with Annie. When he had stopped her on her way home.

'I know that Peter had courted you, and as bad as it is to say, because of his passing, it is now much easier to ask you... If I may write to you.'

He had said to her. It had been something he wanted to ask her for some time now. James began thinking about their relationship ship as only friends. He was older than her, and when they had been growing up he had never looked at Annie as a possible love interest. She was so young. It would have been wrong for him to carry any feelings for Annie while they were young. But now it was different, Annie was almost a woman, for now she was a young woman who was of age to court, and James thought she was perfect. She's was educated, well mannered, and quite attractive.

'Yes, you may James. But I confess, I can't help but wonder as to why you wish to write me? Are you planning on leaving Charles Town James?'

'Yes, Indeed, I am leaving. Though I am not sure when.'

'Two months ago when the British had arrived in Charles Town. I started to think. You know Annie by now that my family and I are loyalists, we are loyal to king, and country. Emmett and I have been talking for sometime now about Joining the British army. And we have come to the conclusion that we wish to join the British Green Dragoons. If Emmett and I are to become Dragoon, then we shall be leaving with the British army, whenever they decide they need to leave.'

James noticed Annie's face change when he told her he wished to join the Dragoons. Her face went from pleasant to something else. Disappointment maybe? But nonetheless, Annie told him that she holds feeling for him, the same he does for her. Now that James knew Annie had feelings for him, what would become of them? James wondered if he should take the opportunity to court her. But then the thought of Peter Cuppin crossed his mind. No. He should not ask Annie just yet if he may court her. It was to soon, Peter had only died a few days ago, and to court Annie now would not be right. For now he would leave their possible courtship till later.

James took another sip of his ale, putting his glass back down on the wooden table with a dull clunk James sat back in his seat and listened to the sounds around him. He turned his head when he heard the sound of a few men's low booming voices enter the tavern. He noticed Colonel Tavington right away. James continued to watch the Colonel and his men walk over to a round table that was situated in the middle of the room. They each sat down and called a buxom waitress over, ordering her to retrieve them something to drink, she did as she was told and walked away from the men. James noticed he had not been the only one starring at the superior officers, many others were as well. The Dragoons seemed to be the centre of attention tonight. James turned back around and had just continued to drink and shuffled a deck of cards out of boredom. A few minutes passed and a familiar red head entered to tavern and seated himself in front of James.

"Finally, I was starting to think you weren't going to show up. Cards?" James said, waving the deck of cards in front of Emmett.

Emmett nodded and smiled, then called a barmaid over.

"Of course, I wouldn't leave my cousin here to enjoy a glass of ale and a game of cards all by himself. What game will it be tonight then?" Emmett asked.

The barmaid returned and placed Emmett's ale on the table in-front of him. Taking a sip, he watched James as he began dealing the cards.

"Able-Whackets."

"Ah, James I hate that game." Emmett moaned.

"That's because every time we play this game you are always the loser." James laughed.

"Yes, and I don't appreciate having my hand smacked with a handkerchief... We can't play Able-Whackets James, we don't even have a handkerchief." Emmett smiled, hoping James would resort to a different game. James laughed and held up his hand indicating he would substitute the handkerchief with his hand, Emmett sighed. And James just continued to laugh. He always took great pleasure in bothering his younger cousin. James noticed he often teased Emmett like a brother more than a cousin.

James finished dealing the deck of cards, until they had an equal amount each to play with. Emmett placed his first card down face up in front of James, but both of their attentions were focused on the loud Dragoon officers who were roaring loudly with laughter. Emmett and James watched as the the eight officers drank and laughed amongst one another. At least half of the Dragoon officers, including Colonel Tavington. Were each balancing a barmaid on their laps.

"Didn't you tell me this afternoon you had been speaking with Colonel Tavington himself?" Emmett asked curiously, looking down at his next card.

James nodded his head and placed one of his cards down, Emmett studied the card then looked back at his own.

"Yes I did. I came across, or rather, Colonel Tavington and his fellow officers came across myself as I had recently departed from Annie," James paused. "You know I asked her today if I may write to her." James said taking a small sip of his drink. Emmett's eyes slightly widened, he never thought his cousin would have been able to work up the courage to ask Annie if he may write to her.

"Really?" Emmett asked, slightly astonished. James nodded.

"And I also told her about my affections toward her. Annie's feelings happen to be mutual to my own." James smiled putting down another card.

"James, I admit I always thought you to be a sheepish one, to shy to tell a woman your feelings. But I'm surprised James." Emmett answered.

Surprised and happy for his eldest cousin. James gave a small smirk. James put down another card and took a drink. Emmett and James's card game of Able-Whackets continued for a few moments before they had been interrupted by a Dragoon officer! James and Emmett stopped what they were doing and gave their full attention to the Dragoon officer who stood up proudly in front of the two men.

"Hello. Captain Gregory Bordon. Captain of the British Green Dragoons." Bordon introduced himself.

"Of Course Sir, I am James Wilkins and this is my cousin Emmett Greene."

"Indeed, a pleasure to meet you Emmett Greene, James and I had already met earlier today. Do you remember sir? You of course had been the one to escort us to Ms Seltons home." Bordon said. James nodded.

"Yes, Yes I remember sir." James replied.

"Well... I have been commanded by my fellow superior officer, Colonel Tavington to invite you two men to our table. You see we are very obliged that you had escorted the two of us to Ms Selton's lovely household. And as a thank you Colonel Tavington and the rest of us would like to thank you by having you two men to join us for a couple of drinks and perhaps a game of cards. Unless you desire to stay here and continued your game I had interrupted." Bordon said politely, the two cousins looked at each other and nodded. James turned his attention back to Captain Bordon and replied.

"Thank you sir, of course my cousin and I would appreciate joining you and your fellow officers for a couple of drinks. Thank you sir. And don't worry you hadn't interrupted anything. It really wasn't much of a game to begin with. " James smiled as he began to rise from his seat, along with Emmett. Bordon gave a small laugh.

"I see, and don't thank me. Please be sure to thank Colonel Tavington, it had been his idea to invite you two gentlemen over." Bordon replied.

He then began to lead the two men to the crowded table of Dragoon officers. All eight of the Dragoon officers stopped what they were doing and looked at the two men standing by their table along with Bordon. Bordon began introducing Emmett and James. Each of the Dragoon officers introduced themselves, last to do so was Colonel Tavington. Tavington stood up from his seat, the barmaid who had been sitting on his lap earlier had left minutes before the arrival of Emmett and James. Tavington shook the hands of both men and proceeded to introduce himself. James and Emmett both could hardly believe that Colonel Tavigtong had asked for their presence, perhaps this could be James's opportunity to speak with the Colonel about joining his band of Dragoons.

"Thank you for joining us, please pull up a chair and seat yourselves around the table. There is plenty of room." Tavington said, a few of his officers adjusted themselves and moved over making space for James and Emmett to sit. The two men grabbed two extra chairs and seated themselves.

"Thank you Colonel Tavington, it is an honour indeed."

"Are you a loyalist James Wilkins? And your cousin is he a loyalist as-well?" Tavington asked out of curiosity, it had always been nice to know where a person's loyalties laid. And judging by the way James and his cousin had been so willing to join himself and his officers. He figured they were perhaps loyalists.

"Yes sir, our entire family are practically all loyalists. We have been for some time now. To King and country."James smiled.

"Here Here." A few Dragoon officers called out.

"Well James I would like to personally thank you for showing myself and Captain Bordon to Ms Seltons. Thanks to you James, my men and I have a place to stay. I had my doubts, I thought we would never be relieved from the Cuppin's household. Ms Selton's home is very lovely indeed. Ms Selton was thankfully generous enough the allow us into her household for however long we shall remain in Charles Town. Ms Selton seems to be an agreeable woman. And her niece Miss Martin, is such a charming young lady." Tavington drawled.

James felt a sense of jealousy run through him, but he shook off his jealousy when a barmaid walked over to the table and asked if any of the men wished for more to drink. Each men replied with a 'yes'. And the young barmaid walked away.

"Well, I think we should play a game of cards," Tavington said. "James, Emmett are you two familiar with the game Bassett at all?" Tavington asked picking up a deck of cards, he began shuffling the deck. Both Emmett and James replied shook their heads.

"Then I shall explain to the two of you the rules of Bassett. The amount of players in Bassett are unlimited, one player is the Banker. Which is usually myself. The remaining players shall make bets before the play begins. Once all bets are placed, the banker turns up a single card from his deck and wins all bets placed on the denomination shown, the suit is ignored. After the first card is turned up the banker turns up cards from his deck in pairs, putting them on two piles alternately, until all bets are resolved or the deck is near finished. Denominations that match a card turned up on the first pile lose their bets to me, the Banker. Then any denominations that match a card turned up on the second pile win. The Banker must pay equal to any winning bets. As with the first card turned up, after that is done the Banker wins any bets that remain on the last card turned. Do you follow?" The Colonel asked. James and Emmett nodded understanding the Colonel instructions.

"Yes we understand." Emmett said.

"Let it now be taught. If a man is as he ought A-Alleluia! The beer will sing:Res miranda! Wonderful thing! Drink, if there's beer in your jar -It's far to the sun from the stars. Drink it well, drink it deep. Out of the barrel flows the beer. Semper clara always clear. D-Drink your beer deep, drink it well. I'll drink my own in parallel!" Captain Bordon sang out loudly, all the men roared with laughter around the table. Colonel Tavington and a few other officers joined in.

"Out of the barrel flows the beer. Semper clara always clear. D-Drink your beer deep, drink it well. I'll drink my own in parallel!" Sang all the men followed by another loud roar of laughter. During their game of Bassett every man at the table continued to order drink after drink till they were knee deep in alcohol and completely soused. In that time some of the barmaids had returned to a few Dragoon officers once again.

"So!" Tavington shouted and sat back slump in his seat. "How long have you known Miss Martin for Mr Wilkins?"

"I have known Annie for years and years Colonel. I am a great family friend to the Martins, the first time I had met Annie Martin I was eighteen years old and she had only been ten. My father was and is still good friends with Annie's father Benjamin Martin. I would say Annie and I are close." James said with a faint slur.

"You say you two have been close friends, I'm curious have you ever held any feelings for Miss Martin. She is a beautiful girl. If I were in your position I would have tried wooing Miss Martin long ago. Though I suppose It would have been somewhat inappropriate for myself to hold feelings for a girl so young. You say you had been eighteen when you met Annie. If I had met Annie when she was ten then I would have been twenty! But she is seventeen now which almost makes her a woman." Tavington said.

James had been much too drunk to have even cared what Tavington had just said. Instead James gave a small laugh, unlike James, Emmett sat in his seat, looking very serious and his face was slightly green.

"Emmett you look paler than you usually do. Are you alight?" James asked, Emmett said nothing and just shook his head no. James noticed he looked like he was going to be sick at any moment. James realized it would probably be best to leave the tavern before Emmett vomited all over the Tavern floor. James stood up and grabbed Emmett's arm and pulled him up onto his feet.

"Where are you two off to then?" Bordon asked. "Leaving already?" He shouted.

"Yes, I believe it's time I take my cousin Emmett home." James paused when he Emmett lost his balance, causing him to nearly collapse on the ground. James caught his cousin and tightened his grip on his arm.

"Emmett needs a good night's rest. I can only imagine what he will be like tomorrow morning." James said begging to walk Emmett away from the table.

All of the men said their goodbyes and watched as Wilkins practically dragged his cousin out of the Tavern.