A Ghost at Colluden Moor Chapter 14 Marry!
AO3
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
“What now?” His eyes are huge as he looks at her in the candlelight.
Yes, it is crazy. She has known him less then a week, if you don’t count the encounter with the ghost. But she knows this is where they are heading, so why wait. She has no idea how it happened in the timeline Jamie’s ghost came from but figured it doesn’t matter.
“Marry me. We both know this is where it is heading. Why are we waiting?”
“Why?” he chokes out moving away and starting to pace in front of her. “There is something between us but we barely ken each other. I only have a soldier’s pay to live on, I live here under the good will of my uncle, working in the stables. I’ve nothing to offer a wife.” He is running his hands through his hair and it stands up in a mass of red curls.
“Nothing but yourself.” She softly says. “Do you want to marry me?” He stops pacing and turns to her, his eyes sapphire with the emotions running through them.
“Aye. I think I want that more than anything in the world.” He softly says. She reaches out to touch his face and his eyes drift close. She moves his hand to her lips and kisses the end of his fingertips. “Good God Claire.”
“I want you. Not what you can offer. I am fine with staying here, being the healer here.”
“I am not. We will return to Lallybroch. My home where I am Laird.”
“But Jamie, the price on your head.”
“If you are to be a healer anywhere it will be as the Lady of Lallybroch. We will deal with the rest. Maybe Colum’s barrister has some ideas. Either way, I will return home.”
“Does this mean..?”
“We will be married. You wish it as do I. If Colum agrees.”
“Colum what has he to do with this?”
“We are both under his care and protection. We will need his permission to be wed. If I was at home, I would only need my own, as Laird. But he is Laird here. I can’t even leave without his permission. Neither of us can.”
It is times like this that she recalls just how different this time was. Without a male relative or husband, she is like a child with Colum her parent as is Jamie. Damn! He watches the emotions run across her face. “Then we need to ask him.” She finally says.
“We shall tomorrow. It will be a perfect time with Hall then.”
“What is Hall.”
“People with grievances or request come before Colum and state them. With the first he will pronounce sentences or help with the problem. With the request, he will decide whether to grant them.”
“Logical.” She looks a bit stressed.
“Dinna fash Sassanach. It will all work out.”
She hears it again in her mind. “Blood of my blood” and “Mine.” She smiles. “I know it will.” He leans forward and kisses her. She sighs into it.
“I must go. But I will see you tomorrow.” A huge grin. “And we will see about getting married, eye?”
“Yes. Right.” Another kiss and with a groan he pulls away. “Good night Jamie.”
“Good night Claire.”
