Chapter 3: Unexpected Developments
A few weeks after arriving in 1845, Jamie and Claire were beginning to acclimate themselves to their new surroundings. Jamie had secured a job with the local bookseller, and was actually enjoying the work. He didn't make enough money to put them up in a fancy house, but his meager earnings at least allowed them to stay on at Mrs. McCloud's inn for another few weeks. In truth, they kind of liked the old lady, because, after all, she had made it possible for them to get back on their feet. Jamie thought that she was probably lonely too and liked having long-term guests.
Claire, on the other hand, had not had quite as good of an experience. She had visited the local hospital for possible work as a nurse and was turned down by more than one doctor, all male of course. She knew, from history books, that many women found gainful employment during this era, but it appeared that the proliferation of gender equality had not made its way to the highlands yet. At least, not to the extent that it would allow her to practice her skills under a pompous male doctor. She would have to keep looking. Surely, someone would accept her, eventually.
"I just don't get it, Mrs. McCloud. I want so much to help, to use my healing gifts, but so far, it hasn't gone well."
Mrs. McCloud patted her hand. "My dear, maybe you aren't looking in the right place. It so happens that I know of a…well, I guess you'd call him an apothecary, but he is way more than that. He is also a healer, like yourself, but doesn't always hold with a lot of the new-fangled notions of medicine. He likes to stay with the old ways, and, most importantly, doesn't care a lick what gender ye are. Would you be interested in meeting him? I could introduce you."
Claire looked at the old woman, thoughtfully. "Hmmm," she said with interest. "That may be just what I need to do. How may I find him?"
"He has an shop over on Church Street. His name is Raymond."
Claire gasped, nearly dropping her teacup. "D-did you say…Raymond?" Her heart was racing. Could it be? No, she told herself, that isn't possible!
"Aye, he's a Frenchman, a bit strange, but a decent sort."
Claire finished her tea, her thoughts frantic, but she held it together until she could courteously bid Mrs. McCloud adieu, assuring her that she would call on Raymond in the morning.
Not long after Claire returned to their rooms, Jamie came in with a big smile on his face. He strode up to her, wrapped his arms around her, and spun her in the air.
"My, my! Something has you in a good mood," she said, giggling. He put her down but didn't let go of her.
"Aye, Sassenach. It was a good day today at the bookstore. Just wait until you hear this!"
Mr. Fletcher, the owner of the bookstore, had taken taken a liking to Jamie right away. He recognized Jamie's intelligence and quick wit. Jamie had quickly proven to be a very capable employee, very good with numbers, and personable with the customers. Mr. Fletcher had taken him under his wing and, even in the short time they'd known each other, become one of Jamie's staunchest supporters and, to some extent, friend.
"What is it, Jamie?" Claire said, smiling.
"Weel, It seems that Mr. Fletcher wants to expand his business. He doesn't just want to sell books, he wants to print them."
"Really? That's great."
"Aye, and ye havna heard the best part yet."
Claire wasn't sure where this was going, but managed an encouraging nod.
"Mr. Fletcher wants *me* to run his printing business! Weel, after some time training with his business partner, of course."
"Jamie, that's wonderful!" Her smile was genuine now. She gave him a hearty kiss, so happy that he was excited about something, after such a long time of sorrow and pain.
"Are ye truly happy about it, Sassenach?"
"Of course, Jamie. I haven't seen you this happy in quite a while, I mean, outside of….well, you know what I mean." She blushed and his grin widened.
He kissed her again, taking the time to do it thoroughly. "Och aye, Claire. Speaking of that…" He held her tighter against his body, lifted her off her feet, and walked her to the bed.
"Jamie, now?"
"Aye, Sassenach. We have a lot to celebrate!"
She smiled seductively, letting him lay her down on the bed. As he began to undress her, she realized that she hadn't had a chance to tell him about Raymond. She didn't want to spoil his mood. At the moment, his hands were snaking their way up her thigh and were dangerously close to her…
She thought vaguely, as Jamie moved to lie atop her, that her news could definitely wait. Then she didn't think anymore for the rest of the night.
In the morning, Claire awoke to find that Jamie had already brought their breakfast. It was sitting on a small table in front of the fireplace, where Jamie sat, reading a newspaper. "Good morning, love," she said, softly.
Jamie put down the paper and got up, moving to sit beside her on the bed. He leaned to kiss her and lingered for a while as she wrapped her arms around him. Then he said, belatedly, "Good Morning, Sassenach." He looked at her, so beautiful and radiant. "Ye look so bonny, mo neighan donn." He ran his fingers through her tousled hair, enjoying the luxurious feel of her wayward curls.
"And you, my love. You are always beautiful, Jamie." She caressed his cheek, warm and smooth.
After a few moments enamored with each other, Jamie smiled and said, "I forgot to tell ye last night, what with one thing and another," he said, indicating the bed, "that we've been invited to dine with Mr. Fletcher and his business partner tonight."
"Oh?"
"Aye, I think they want to discuss the new venture and they also want to meet ye. They have to see if ye are respectable, Sassenach," he said, teasing.
"Respectable? You're one to talk!" She laughed, giving him a playful slap on the arm.
Jamie smiled. "Do ye have a nice gown to wear, then?"
"Yes, I have three, thanks to your generosity, my love."
"Maybe the red one?" He said, cocking a seductive eyebrow.
"You like that one, don't you?"
"Och, aye. Do ye not remember the last time ye wore it, when I…"
"Oh, I remember! Are you sure the temptation won't be too much?" she giggled.
"Hmm, on second thought…"
"The red will be fine," she interrupted, steering the conversation back to safer ground.
They had breakfast in their room, talking of this and that. She knew she should tell Jamie about Raymond, but then again, she wasn't sure there was anything to tell. What were the odds that it would really be him? He was in the 18th century, likely exiled from France. But…if he was a traveler, like her…She had thought about it at the time, how he seemed to know things that most people wouldn't know in that time. Then there was that time he healed her…No, it couldn't be him. She decided she wouldn't mention it to Jamie unless there was really something to mention.
"I need to run a couple of errands this morning, Sassenach," Jamie said. "It's to do with the bookstore, but I willna be long."
"That's fine. I had thought to go down to the apothecary shop to stock up on some medicines. I always like to keep a good supply, just in case."
"That's a good idea. I'll have a carriage sent for ye, so ye willna be walking the streets alone."
After they dressed, they said their goodbyes and left, each to their own errands.
As Claire's carriage drove through the streets of Inverness, she became more and more nervous as to what she would find on Church Street. If Raymond was there, what would that mean for her? He had been a friend and had even saved her life, but his presence would always be a reminder of what had happened in Paris. Her and Jamie had tried so hard to put that terrible time behind them. Raymond hadn't been the problem, but still, there was that inevitable association that one makes to seemingly innocuous things or people, when couched in the setting of heartbreak and pain.
The carriage stopped in front of the apothecary shop. She saw, to her surprise, that it was quite a light, airy building, the shop neat and tidy. The opposite of what Raymond's shop looked like in Paris. Still, she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach, a knowing that transcended the senses. She entered the building and walked slowly up to the pretty young woman behind the counter.
"How may I help ye, Miss?" the girl asked, cheerily.
"Ah, well, Mrs. McCloud sent me here in hopes that I might speak with the proprietor of this shop…Mr. Raymond, I believe?"
"Master Raymond."
Her stomach lurched again, the import of what she said hitting her hard. "Ah, yes. Is he…in?"
"Afraid not, miss. See, he's gone traveling. Down to London, I believe."
Claire swallowed, clearing her throat, "When is he expected back?"
"Hard to say, miss. He's gone to tend some Prince or Duke or some such hoity-toity type."
"I see," Claire said, trying to think what to do. She had to know…for sure. "May I look around?"
"Of course, the girl said. I'll just be in the back, grinding herbs. Let me know if ye need anything."
As the girl left to go to the back, Claire began hastily searching through the room, looking through everything she could get her hands on. On a whim, she even scaled the stones of the fireplace with her hands, feeling for a secret latch or some such apparatus. This is ridiculous. What am I doing here? It's obviously not him. There's bound to be more than one Raymond. But how many of them go by the title 'Master'? She didn't know what to do.
She could hear the bell ring at the front door, heralding the presence of a new customer. She had to hurry. Just then, she looked into a small ceramic bowl, full of stones of various shapes and colors. Looking closer, she found some familiar markings on a few of them. They were the same as those he had given her to ward off various ailments. That, in itself, wasn't full confirmation, but what she found in the next moment sealed it. Looking down at the table, she saw a small glass vial, full of a sort of metallic liquid. Quicksilver. She remembered Raymond showing it to her in Paris. She also remembered that he dropped it into the wine, killing the Compte St. Germaine.
She gasped, loudly. Hands shaking violently. She had to steady herself at the edge of the table. The girl behind the counter ran to her, helping her to sit down.
"Oh, Miss! Are ye alright?" the girl cried out, frantically.
After a moment, Claire composed herself. "Yes. Yes, I'm quite alright now." She saw the startled faces of the girl and the man who had just walked in. "I just…saw a…rat. Nasty things, you know."
After that harrowing experience, she concluded her business and left to go back to the inn, thoroughly shaken, but recovering, secure in the knowledge that she would not have to see Raymond just yet.
Jamie and Claire took tea in their rooms, as they often did, preferring each other's company to that of the inn's guests.
They talked of the dinner they would go to that night and of preparations for Jamie's new job. After a few minutes, though, Claire knew it was time to tell Jamie about what had happened.
He listened with eyes wide, understanding the implications at once. "But ye dinna really ken, though. I mean, yes, the objects were there, but couldn't any apothecary have those things?"
"Yes, but, not all of them are Frenchmen who call themselves *Master* Raymond."
Jamie studied her, contemplating the ramifications of this news. "What will ye do?"
"I don't know, Jamie. On one hand, I truly need a friend who can help me find purpose here, but," she added, soberly, "I can't think of Paris anymore, Jamie. I just can't." He moved to kneel beside her, hugging her close to him. After a moment, he pulled back, looking at her closely.
"Ye dinna have to think on it anymore, Claire. He isna around here right now, and even if he was, it willna matter much longer."
"What do you mean, Jamie?" she asked, curiously.
"Weel," he said, clearing his throat, "I found out today, from Mr. Fletcher, that his new print shop isna going to be in Inverness."
"It isn't? Then where?"
"Edinburgh."
After looking at him blankly for a moment, comprehension finally dawned. Eyes wide, she said, "You mean we're moving to Edinburgh?" Her heart started beating faster, whether out of shock or excitement, she couldn't say.
"What do ye think, Sassenach? I canna make this decision alone. Ye are my life, and wherever you are, I'll be."
She thought for a moment, all the scenarios going through her mind. Then she looked at him and smiled warmly, placing her hand on his cheek. "My love…we're going to Edinburgh!"