#outlander 106

Jamie appeared shortly, looking understandably bewildered. 

“Did you know that Dougal wants us to marry?” I demanded bluntly. 

His expression cleared. “Oh, aye. I knew that.” 

“But surely,” I said, “a young man like yourself; I mean, isn’t there anyone else you’re, ah, interested in?” He looked blank for a moment, then understanding dawned. 

“Oh, am I promised? Nay, I’m no much of a prospect for a girl.” He hurried on, as though feeling this might sound insulting. “I mean, I’ve no property to speak of, and nothing more than a soldier’s pay to live on.” 

He rubbed his chin, eyeing me dubiously. “Then there’s the minor difficulty that I’ve a price on my head. No father much wants his daughter married to a man as may be arrested and hanged any time. Did ye think of that?” 

I flapped my hand, dismissing the matter of outlawry as a minor consideration, compared to the whole monstrous idea. I had one last try. 

“Does it bother you that I’m not a virgin?” He hesitated a moment before answering. 

“Well, no,” he said slowly, “so long as it doesna bother you that I am.” He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door. 

“Reckon one of us should know what they’re doing,” he said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over.

You know Black Jack Randall? I won’t risk you or anyone else being taken prisoner by that man.