#olff

The Gloaming

An Outlander/Jane Eyre crossover

Catch up on chapters 1-9 here

Chapter 10: From Afar

Head full of thoughts of Claire, Jamie wound his way along darkened corridors towards his bedchamber. Within him there was a lightness; the weightless and floating kind that made his feet feel as though they were barely touching the ground as he walked. At the same time there was a heaviness; pressure on his chest like he could scarcely draw breath from how all-encompassing his feelings were. Having never been in love before, he had no idea if it was normal to feel so jumbled up inside, so instead settled for replaying the evening he had just spent with Claire and recalling with pleasure just how beautiful she’d looked in the light of the fading fire.

Having not paid much heed to the direction he was taking, Jamie unexpectedly found himself at the foot of the stairs where Claire had fallen. Despite bone aching tiredness, a niggling feeling propelled him to crouch down and take a closer look; something about a graceful and surefooted woman stumbling on steps she’d descended hundreds of times just wasn’t adding up. Sweeping his hands over the smooth wood he anticipated finding a loose board or nail to account for it, but squinting at the dimly lit staircase he detected nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly his fingertips slid into a cold liquid. Startled by the unpleasant sensation, he yanked his hands back, hurriedly glancing around for the source. With nothing appearing out of place, all he could think to account for it was rain, perhaps from a window blowing open during the storm, however a quick check showed all those nearby fastened shut. There was probably a perfectly logical explanation for the wet stairs but a feeling in Jamie’s wame told him otherwise, and with a shiver he pulled the shawl he wore a little tighter around himself. He was still wracking his brains to determine the cause of the dampness when the smell hit him; such distinctive odour he wondered how he could have missed it earlier. Spicy, fruity and not quite sweet, it was unmistakably brandy.

He rubbed his eyes trying to think, Claire’s voice floating into his head “The smell alone makes me gag”…“I must’ve misjudged a step”… “No need to wake anyone else”… It was all connected he knew, only he couldn’t see through the fog in his brain to work out how. As the questions swirled, Jamie felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck, as though he was being watched. Standing to his full height he cast his eyes out into the semi-darkness; searching but not entirely sure he wanted to find anything. From behind him a floorboard creaked and he whirled around, body tensing. The scape of feet followed…

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The Gloaming

An Outlander/Jane Eyre crossover

Catch up on chapters 1-8 here

Chapter 9: The Fall

The scream cut through Jamie like a broadsword. His bedroom dark, the hour late and sleep long overdue, it would’ve been easy to convince himself that he’d imagined it, but he knew down to his bones what he’d heard. The agonised cry that had pierced through the night had been Claire’s. Adrenaline pumping, he blindly stumbled into the corridor, head turning from left to right as he tried to gauge which direction the sound had come from. Silence — save for the storm still raging outside. Where was she? Was she in pain? His muscles tensed with anger at the image of his precious Claire being hurt by anything or anyone. Pushing the frightening thoughts aside he took off along the landing; his feet thudding on creaking floorboards as he desperately began to search.

The hallway lanterns still burned low, allowing just enough light to guide Jamie’s way. Trying the handle of every door he passed, most were locked but those that weren’t he urgently swept into, only to have his hopes dashed when they were empty aside from furniture covered in dust sheets. With increasing desperation he pushed back curtains, ducked his head under side tables and even forced open the lid of an old oak chest. No sign of her. Panic rising as the minutes ticked by he began calling out; voice raspy from the tumult of emotions he struggled to keep in check.

“Claire! Where are ye? Can ye hear me?”

From somewhere in the semi-darkness came a weak moan. Was that her? Rounding a corner heading towards the north tower Jamie saw what appeared to be a jumble of white sheets at the foot of a staircase. Quickening his pace, he saw it was a person, a woman, clad in nightclothes and sprawled on the floor. His worst fears were confirmed.

“A nighean! Are ye all right? What’s happened?!”

Heart in his mouth, he fell to his knees beside Claire and started searching for signs of injury, brushing his trembling hands over her. Her skin ashen, she thankfully didn’t appear to be bleeding, but beyond that he could only guess. As he moved his palms down her legs she hissed in pain, her eyes screwed closed.

“My…ow! …My ankle. I think it’s broken!”

The Gloaming

An Outlander/Jane Eyre crossover

Catch up on chapters 1-7 here

Chapter 8: Distance

Early morning sunshine streamed through Jamie’s bedroom window, bathing everything in its golden hue. Lying on his back watching a mote of dust dance across the beams of light he had a revelation — he no longer wanted to think of his employer as Lady Randall. Another man’s name in his mind as he had such lustful thoughts about her would not do. Besides, she was so much more than a title. Her name was beautiful, like she was, and he decided that even if it was just in his own head she would henceforth be known only as Claire. Aside from this, Jamie was no closer to deciding how to proceed; how could he continue to remain in close proximity to a woman who produced such a visceral reaction in him?

From a young age Jamie had been good at guarding his emotions; learning quickly at the workhouse the risks of wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve. The tender lad he’d been at Lallybroch was broken down and replaced with a boy, and then a man, who for his own protection remained closed off to everyone. Now that he’d met Claire though, the dam wall he’d carefully erected around his feelings was cracking, and with her he felt in very real danger of becoming a complete open book. Given his lowly position however, having wanton fantasies about the mistress of the house was completely inappropriate, and irrespective of whether they were friends, Jamie didn’t want to be dismissed from the Hall for forgetting his station. Hands balled into fists he punched at the bedsheets, still confused and still aroused.

Whilst continuing to mull over his best course of action, Jamie was granted a reprieve. Running into Joe in the kitchens, the butler explained that Claire had been called away to Lerwick on business for a week and would be leaving within the hour.

“She’s in her sitting room packing her books…should you wish to bid her farewell?”

Chapter 14 - Card Night

Twisting in front of the bedroom mirror, Dr Beauchamp attempted to tame her curls. The salty air had seemingly given them a life of their own and she hoped with a little product she could coax them into looking more mermaid and less sea monster. Moments earlier, she and Jamie had put a sleepy Fergus to bed and after a story and a goodnight kiss for the lad, had agreed to meet downstairs fifteen minutes later to head off on their walk along the beach. Claire’s heart fluttered thinking of it, both with nerves and excitement. This conversation had been a long time coming and even though there was a chance they were on completely different pages, she was eager to progress things all the same. Applying a dusting of highlighter to her cheekbones, a flick of mascara to her lashes and a spritz of perfume to her pulse points, she felt ready to see where the night would lead.

In the kitchen Jamie leant against the wooden worktop, gazing through the large window out to the bay beyond. The last rays of sunlight hit his red hair making it gleam and Claire’s breath caught in her throat. Since meeting him, it had felt like puzzle pieces she hadn’t even realised were missing finally slotting into place; she prayed that whatever happened tonight wouldn’t threaten the happiness that knowing him had brought so far; she and Fergus needed him too much. The Manny turned and with an intrigued smile sniffed the air.

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After writing about half of chapter 14 (and posting a preview) I ended up scrapping what I'd written and starting again. Where we left off in ch 13, Jamie had suggested an evening stroll on the beach for the “what are we?” conversation with Claire. Hope you enjoy the 2nd go at a chapter 14 and fingers crossed it’s not too long til I’ve finished the full thing xx

Chapter 14: Card Night (preview)

In the kitchen Jamie leant against the wooden worktop, gazing through the large window out to the bay beyond. The last rays of sunlight hit his red hair making it gleam, and Claire’s breath caught in her throat. The day he’d showed up at her doorstep had irrevocably changed her life and she prayed that whatever happened tonight wouldn’t threaten the happiness that knowing him had brought so far.

The Manny turned and with an intrigued smile sniffed the air.

“Ye smell amazing. Like a field of fresh spring lilacs”

Blushing at the compliment, Claire noticed she wasn’t the only one who’d spruced up for their outing. Gone was Jamie’s black tee, replaced with a sky blue buttoned shirt, its sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Her fingers tingled with the urge to touch him.

“This is very suave; I feel a bit underdressed.”

“You’d look gorgeous in a hessian sack a nighean. As for me, I can’t be meeting a pretty lass for a moonlit stroll with spaghetti sauce all down my front can I?”

“Pretty lass you say; anyone I know?”

With a smirk Jamie’s hands encircled her waist, tugging her closer. At such proximity, Claire was unable to resist any longer; running her hands up his chest and linking them behind his neck. Sighing quietly, she stood still a moment, revelling in the feeling of being held by him.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Almost; one thing I’ve got to take care of first”

Briefly moistening his lips, he smiled and pressed his mouth to Claire’s. Tongue softly moving against hers, their kiss was slow and unhurried. So different from their fiery encounter earlier, this felt much more intimate, hinting at motivations beyond mere lust.

“Ok, now I’m ready.”

Smiling and rolling her eyes, the doctor turned towards the back door. She hadn’t advanced more than a step when a voice from behind stopped her with a jolt.

“God almighty, I didna think the bairns would ever fall asleep! Right then, who’s for a drink, or five?!”

Jenny Murray bustled into the kitchen with a look of triumph that only a parent who’d wrangled boisterous children into bed without drawing blood could wear.

“Well actually Jen, we were just going to—“

“Go to bed? I don’t think so; it’s only half eight. C’mon, Ian’s setting up in the living room”

“Setting what up?”

“The cards of course! Wouldn’t be an Easter holiday without our traditional poker night. Now where did I put that cork screw?”

Hello! First off, thanks so much for these asks, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. I’d been hoping that I’d be able to answer them with a ‘yep, all done with the next chapter!’ but alas this is not the case.  I’ll do an update for both M&T and TSM down below. Not sure that anyone wants such detailed updates on these fics, but if anyone is interested, here you go. xx

Mint & Thistles

I’ve written about 1000 words of the next chapter. Claire and Jamie are finishing up their week by the lake and returning home to Glasgow, where Claire will be deciding if she wants to return to work at Jardin de James. I feel like there’s a few things I want to cover off in addition to this like ‘what happened at the flower show after Claire left?’ and ‘Jamie taking Claire to Lallybroch to properly meet Brian at last” For some reason though I can’t seem to write it without it feeling boring. It’s like now that the tension of Jamie’s marriage is gone, is it just dull paint-by-numbers events until the end of the story? Feeling pretty stuck with this one and the longer it takes the more I wonder if it’s worth even adding so much detail; should J&C just ride off into the sunset, happy to be together at last?

The Scottish Manny

About 1000 words done on the next chapter but honestly I feel like I might just scrap it all and start again. I’ve written myself into a corner here and have no idea how to get out. Jamie & Claire’s planned walk on the beach feels contrived and every attempt to write it just turns into a long winded conversation full of extraneous detail. I’ve outlined a 2nd arc for the story, but that’s not much good if J&C never even get together is it? I dunno, I’m feeling pretty down about the whole thing. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to write. I miss posting updates, I miss being able to write a chapter in a week, I miss being able to engage with you lovely readers about what’s happening in a story and not just listing excuses for not having written anything yet.