A/N: there is some violence in this chapter and in the upcoming chapters. Some readers may get triggered.
The next morning, I was shaken awake. I opened my eyes and the figure that had awoken me came in to focus. The blue eyes that I had been dreaming of all night were staring back at me. I must still be dreaming. "Hi" I said, smiling sleepily up at him. He gave me a look of suspicion, but I could tell he was slightly amused. Shit not a dream. I sat up holding the blanket to my chest.
"Hmm I wonder what you were just dreaming about" smirking he took a step back and then the smirk vanished as he said. "Get up. Lord Cornwallis wants to see us in his office." He threw a dress at me and I glared. "I'll be outside the door, don't keep me or the general waiting." He said in his usual cold tone. "Good morning to you too, Colonel." He half smirked before stepping into the hall and closing the door.
The door closed behind him and I slid out of the bed, picking up the dress he had thrown at me. Freezing as I started to dress, I looked toward the door. How long had he been in here before waking me? Had he been watching me sleep? I hope he did not hear me talking. Especially because he will use everything against me. Even if he did not hear me talking in my sleep, he will sure use how I responded to him waking up against me. Damn that man. I pulled the dress on realizing that I would not be able to lace up the back of the dress myself. I headed over to the door and opened it slightly, "Colonel, I need Margaret to assist me." He turned, opening the door wider and stepped back into the room, closing the door, his eyes locked on mine. My breath caught in my throat as a flood of images from my dreams came back. I felt myself becoming very warm. My face must be red. He was standing so close to me now Oh god, I groaned inwardly. Why do I have to be so attracted to the bloody freaking butcher?
"There isn't time." He said as he turned me around and started lacing up the dress himself. His fingers worked quickly until he reached the top of the dress, where I knew many of the bruises were visible to him. "What happened? Who did this to you?" His voice was low holding a hint of concern. His fingers lingered, grazing across a partially healed bruise. Stiffening i turned my head at the pain and turned my head towards him as his fingers grazed over another spot where there were no bruises sending a pleasurable wave through my body. Damn him.
"Colonel Tavington, I thought you said we were in a rush." by the expression on his face I could tell he was irritated, whether it was because I had not answered him or the impending meeting I couldn't tell. I turned to face him fully. "Colonel, I will tell you one day what happened, when my wounds are no longer fresh. I'm not ready to come to terms with the truth of what really happened to me." His facial features softened, but he was still clearly irate.
"Come, they will be waiting for us and it does not do well to keep the general waiting." He began to lead me out of the room when I hesitated. "Come girl." he snapped his face hard once again.
I grabbed a shawl to hide my back and followed him to Cornwallis's office. His office was big compared to the other rooms that i have seen in this place. There were huge windows that looked out over the east side of the property.
"Do you know why i have called you here Miss McKenzie?" he said as he came around to the front of the desk.
"No, General," I turned and glared at Tavington. "I have a pretty good idea." receiving and icy stare back there was no semblance of what had happened in her room had vanished from his features.
After a brief silence in the conversation, the general came to the front of his desk. "Miss McKenzie, Colonel Tavington believes you to be a spy."
I assure you General that these accusations are unfounded, and quite frankly Colonel ..." I turned to face Tavington "you can take these ridiculous accusations and shove them up your ass." I turned and started to storm out of the room fury radiating off me. But I was stopped by Borden and Wilkins who led me back into the room. After the shock of what I had said passed, the General looked directly at Tavington.
"Colonel Tavington, until these charges can be confirmed or dismissed, she is under your charge."
Colonel Tavington stepped forward. "I have more important things to do than…"
"That's an order Colonel. You brought these accusations to my attention so it is you that will investigate Miss McKenzie. You are all dismissed." He went back to the other side of his desk and began to sign some papers, Colonel Tavington grabbed my wrist and dragged me from the room, no one moved to stop him. Once back at my room he had several servants remove everything but the bed and the desk including clothes. Once the servants were gone, he stepped close to me. Just inches from me he reached behind me and started to unlace my dress, his fingers brushing against my back sending shiver up my spine. I could tell he was enjoying this. I looked up at his face and he was smirking. He looked down and me as i was trying to find amusement in the situation. I decided to be a smart ass.
"At least buy me dinner first Colonel!" I smiled up at him as the dress hit the floor and he chuckled.
"I'll be taking this as well." I stepped out of the dress that was pooled at my feet as he grabbed it. My eyes flashed in anger.
"But that leaves me with nothing but my stays." I objected trying to grab the dress back.
"That's the point Miss McKenzie. You will have to earn back even the smallest of things by either giving me information about those rebels or by proving that you are in fact not a spy. You will stay here until I say otherwise." He said as he twirled a strand of my hair around his pointer finger, his eyes holding amusement.
"You bastard!" I slapped him across his face and started to beat his chest. Catching my wrist, he turned us and backed us into the wall, his entire muscular body pressed up against mine holding me there.
"Watch your mouth girl." he sneered. Trying to get free from his hold proved to be fruitless as he pressed further against me. "Don't think that the comment you made in the Generals office went unnoticed. You will be punished for your actions." Moving his face closer he whispered in my ear. "Do you understand me?" He loosened his grip and I remained where I was.
"Yes, Sir." I could not stop thinking about how his body was pressed against mine. Damn it why did I have to be so attracted to the bloody butcher. He let go of me and I sunk to the floor looking up at him. He looked down at where I sat and smirked.
"Good girl. You learn quickly that will be useful for you. `` I swallowed fearing what he exactly meant by that. He pulled me up off the floor and had me sit at the now empty desk. "I will have someone send up your breakfast. Enjoy it for it will be your last meal for a few days." As he left the room, I heard him call out to a slave and then address a private ordering him to stand guard over my room. Staring at the door I heard the unmistakable click of the door being locked.