#leoch

Chapter Four — Leoch

The premise: What if Claire had conceived on her wedding night with Jamie?

I’ll have a master list going soon, but you can find Week One here , Week Two here , and Week Three here.

July 2nd, 1743; MacKenzie Lands, Scotland.

The sun was low in the sky when I began to recognize the terrain around me. We’d make it to Leoch by nightfall as planned, but we had a considerable distance to go before then.

I swallowed hard against the rising feeling of nausea.

My feelings were decidedly mixed on the subject of returning to Leoch. On the one hand, I rejoiced at the prospect of a clean bed and a chance to get rid of the layers of grime I had accumulated, but, on the other hand, I had left Leoch with an opportunity to return home and was now returning with a husband and dashed hopes.

Not to mention having to field the myriad of well wishes and unspoken questions from the castle residents.

My stomach continued to roll as I tried to quiet my tumultuous thoughts and concentrate on the road in front of me.

Jamie’s back was broad and straight, just ahead. The hair at the nape of his neck was damp with sweat and curled into tight ringlets from the moisture. He shifted in the saddle and this unexpected movement made the world around me spin.

I didn’t have time to dismount, but had the presence of mind to lean to the left as I lost the contents of my stomach.

Still bent over, I heard Angus, who had been riding directly behind me, bring his horse next to mine and felt him grab hold of the reigns. Jamie appeared out of nowhere and placed a cool hand on my cheek. He murmured something in Gaelic as he lifted me into his arms and carried me to a sheltered spot beside the road. Setting me down gently in the grass, he continued to speak in this low, comforting tone as I heaved again and again.

My whole body trembled and the back of my throat burned with stomach acid when I was finally done. I slid my eyes shut, trying to breathe deeply, as I sat back against Jamie.

I felt him lay a handkerchief across my open palm as he asked, “Are ye alright, Sassenach?”

Cracking one eye partially open, I glared up at him.

No, I bloody wasn’t alright.

I opened both eyes and was about to let him know exactly what I was feeling, when I realized he was as white as a ghost and shaking just as much as I was. My heart skipped a beat at the deep concern I found in his blue eyes.

“I think so,” I murmured instead.

Relief washed over his face as he squeezed my hand.

…

My stomach churned yet again as we passed thru the stone archway and came to a stop inside the courtyard at Leoch. Jamie slid from the saddle behind me and guided me down after him. Knees buckling as soon as my feet hit the cobblestones, I desperately grabbed onto his arm.

He scooped me up unceremoniously and headed towards the stone stairs that led to the sleeping chambers.

Mrs Fitz intercepted us before we made it to the first step, asking in alarm, “Why, whatever’s the matter wi’ the poor child? Has she had an accident o’ some sort?”

“Nae, she’s only married me,” he assured her with a grin, “though if ye care to call it an accident, ye may.”

With that, he pushed his way thru the throng of people who seemed to have materialized out of nowhere at our arrival. He answered their questions as best he could with a word or two, but didn’t stop to explain. The faces that swarmed in front of me seemed to receive the news favorably with warm smiles and well wishes.

We came to a sudden halt and I very nearly lost my cookies as I realized I was face to face with none other than Colum MacKenzie.

“Wha–” he began, but was cut off by Mrs Fitz’s giddy voice.

“They’re married! Ye can give them yer blessin’, sir, while I ready their room.”

With that announcement made, she pushed her way thru the crowd, leaving a considerable gap in her wake and giving me a perfect view of Laoghaire’s ashen face.

…

I flopped face down onto the bed after removing a layer or two of grime.

Every inch of my body ached, every muscle complaining in unison over their misuse. My legs, my arms, my back, my abs, my breasts… although why those decided to chime in, I had no idea.

I vaguely remembered that my monthly should be starting any day now and shrugged the thought off, not wanting to mentally speculate as to how Jamie would react to my courses.

My pride smarted painfully as I thought of my husband and I rolled over, glaring at the bed curtains above me. Jamie hadn’t wasted any time in our room, but left as soon as he was sure I wasn’t going to vomit again. The image of Laoghaire’s stricken face came to view and I knew he had gone to comfort her.

Was this the life that lay before me, spending my days receiving the pity of the castle as the Sassenach wench who couldn’t satisfy her husband?

…

“Leave then, if that’s wha’ ye think of me.” Jamie face was livid as he threw his hand towards the door, “Leave! I’ll no’ hinder ye.”

My pulse slowed as I realized that he meant it.

If I chose to leave, he would let me go.

I weighed this option carefully for a moment before responding.

“No. I don’t run away from things.”

“I dinna either, Sassenach.” Jamie ran a hand thru his hair as he absorbed my decision.

This was true. He didn’t run. Away, that is. When confronted with his primal fight or flight mechanism, Jamie choose to fight again and again, which usually sent him running headlong into things.

“Wha’ is it then? Why are ye doin’ this?” He asked, his brow furrowed in confusion, “‘Tis no’ a question of proof, but whether ye believe me or no’. Do ye? Do ye believe me when I tell ye there is nothing between tha’ girl and me?”

He had told me so when we married, I had believed him then.

Did I believe him now?

Taking a deep breath, I answered, “Yes, I believe you, but it isn’t that. I mean, not all of it.”

Jamie stared at me blankly, blinking in complete confusion.

Could he really be so daft?

“When we got back you couldn’t wait to tell Colum you’d married, just so you could collect your share of the rents!” I spelled it out for him.

He gaped at me in astonishment, then tipped his head back and laughed. “Money?! Tha’s what this is about?”

“I do have a small bit of pride left, you know,” I muttered crossly.

Jamie grinned at me from the other side of the room, “Sassenach, my share of the rents couldna even buy a half of a cow, should I want one.”

“Oh.” I commented rather lamely, feeling very much like a fool. “What did you want, then?”

His eyes softened as he reached into his sporran and walked slowly towards me. He uncurled his fingers to reveal a silver ring, intricately engraved.

“A wedding ring,” Jamie’s voice was hushed, a stark contrast to the shouting match we had just finished.

He left to buy you a wedding ring and you accuse him of infidelity.

Leisure Batteries: Why Your Next Leisure Battery Purchase Should Be Leoch Branded?

[ad_1]

Leoch batteries are well-known for their durability and reliability and are manufactured for the leisure vehicle market. These batteries are used in mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, motorcycles, golf trolleys, golf carts, hunting and fishing equipment, lawn and garden tools, photography equipment, power sports equipment, portable power tools, numerous toys, all sorts of hobbies and…

Leisure Batteries: Why Your Next Leisure Battery Purchase Should Be Leoch Branded? #rvmotorcycle

[ad_1] Leoch batteries are well-known for their durability and reliability and are manufactured for the leisure vehicle market. These batteries are used in mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, motorcycles, golf trolleys, golf carts, hunting and fishing equipment, lawn and garden tools, photography equipment, power sports equipment, portable power tools, numerous toys, all sorts of hobbies and…

New Post has been published on http://crafterslounge.com/pin/8700/