Chapter 3: Sandringham

Later that September, the Castle was busy preparing for the imminent arrival of the Duke of Sandringham. I didn't recall much of his history, only bits and pieces overheard from Franks conversations, but I knew enough that he was not to be trusted. I knew Dougal still considered me a spy, so I decided to keep what little I knew to myself, not that it was of much use to anyone else anyway. Mrs Fitz had been cooking for days and there were enough pies and bannocks and dishes to feed a small army. Mackenzie men had found and shot four wild pigs and they now roasted over the large fires at each end of the hall. I stole an apple as I walked past the festively adorned tables that now ran down the middle of the large room as I made my way out to the garden for a rest after the morning surgeries. Jamie had insisted that if I wasn't going to give up my work, that I at least limit my hours to between his leaving and noon, and that I stay clear of anything that could harm the bairn. Thinking it a reasonable request I had accepted his suggestion and promised to take things easy. This in turn meant that Jamie was free to return to his duties at the stable without having to keep running to check in on me, or with any of the number of spies he had hidden around the castle, Mrs Fitz included.

"You'll be wanting more than that." She bounded up to me as I made my way past the hall with my apple. "You're eating for two now, here." She shoved a handful of cheese and some fresh made bannock into my hands. "Made them myself just for ye. Need to keep you fit and strong." She grinned.

I took them from her with a forced smile, "Thank you." I nodded. At least it was easier to stomach than the kidney pie she had given me yesterday or the, whatever it was, she had insisted that I eat the week before. I still found it difficult to eat, especially before dark, and when I did eat, it seemed that I could only keep down plain foods but my many physicians insisted that I eat as much meat and fresh vegetables from the garden as possible. "You shouldn't have."

"Hush now, young Jamie is like a son to me, and that bairn of yours is like a grandchild. I am so happy for ye both."

"That's very kind of you." I hugged her back as she squeezed me a little too tight for comfort,

"Don't mention it. Now go and get some rest. I'll call for you when dinner is ready." She patted me on the back to send me on my way.

I hadn't been reading long before my rest had been interrupted yet again, but this time it was a pleasant distraction. "Hello." I smiled as he leaned in and kissed me, "Alec give you some time off did he?"
"Aye." He sat down beside me with a smile on his face, "How are ye feeling?"

"I'm good, we're good." I said stroking my belly as he rested his hand there.

"Good." He smiled,

"You didn't come to just check on me I hope, surely one of your spies would have told you what I was up to?"
"I'm sure I dinnae ken what you mean." He grinned looking away with a guilty expression on his face, "Murtagh came to see me. I've got some good news."

"What is it?" I wondered, what could have him so happy?
"The Duke of Sandringham will be here tomorrow." He announced, pleased.
"Yes I know, that's not exactly news."

"Aye." He nodded, "But Murtagh was speaking to Ned. It seems we can appeal to the Duke, ask him for a pardon on the ground that Randall is not acting in his right mind. Ned thinks we have a shot."
"Ask the Duke of Sandringham for a pardon. Not to dampen your enthusiasm but what makes you think he will agree to that?"
"Ned assures me that once we plead our case, he'll not want to be associated with the likes of Captain Randall. I could finally be free Sassenach, free to take you and the bairn back to Lallybroch."

"That's wonderful news." He swept me up in his arms and kissed me so strongly I could hardly breath. When he finally set me back down, I rearranged my clothing where it had bundled up under his strong grip and tried to regain my footing. He was so excited, I wanted to share in his joy but something deep inside me felt a terrible dread. "Are you sure we can trust him?"
"Sandringham ye mean?" He asked, taking my hands and sitting beside me.

"Yes." I nodded, and he took my chin to level my eyes with his,

"I ken what you mean Sassenach and I ken it too. It is an awful risk that he doesn't just turn me over to the red coats himself." He acknowledged. "That's why I have sent Ned in advance to meet with him." Jamie stroked my cheek and kissed me on the forehead, "Dinna Fash Claire. I'll not let anything happen to me. I plan to be around for a long time yet."
"I'm glad to hear it." I kissed him back I had no intention of raising this child on my own, "Just be careful." I urged him reverently.
"Aye. I promise mo nighean donn"

JAMMF

The next night there was a giant feast as the Duke came to meet with Cullum and Dougal. As was custom he sat at the head of the table with the Mackenzie's, while Jamie and I hid amongst the other inhabitants of the Castle, seated in the middle of the room. Ned had assured Jamie that the meeting had gone well, but Jamie wanted to get the measure of the Duke for himself before meeting with him the following day. He had met him once before, he had told me of the last time the Duke had visited the castle, of how he had been inclined to let his eye wander, and not at the ladies. I cringed at how uncomfortable the tale made Jamie feel and hoped that his refusal of the Dukes advances wouldn't taint the proposal he was about to make.

"Shaw." Jamie reached over to grab me a fresh bannock from the pile in the middle, and grabbed me some fresh cuts of well cooked pork. Do you think you could stomach that at least?" He asked, concerned that I hadn't been eating much in the last few weeks. I had tried to assure him that it was normal, but he worried just the same.

"Perfect" I thanked him. The first few weeks had been tough on us both, but now that we had settled into a routine and the shock had worn off I found myself starting to feel better, at least in the afternoons.

"Good." He smiled, "We can't have you wasting away, we need to put some meat on ye bones." He suggested, his eyes rolling over my rear and thighs.

The thought made me smile "I'm sure I'll be nice and round in no time." We exchanged another smile, Jamie reached under the table and took my hand in his as we looked towards the front of the room where Cullum was starting his speech.

JAMMF

"Your Royal Highness, the Duke of Sandringham, I would like to introduce you to my wife. Mrs Claire Fraser." Jamie held my hand high as I curtseyed. It was barely late morning and the last thing I wanted to be doing was dressing up in a corset and bending and bowing but the Duke had insisted in an early morning meeting before going out to hunt Stag with some of the clansman for the afternoon.

"Delighted to meet you Mrs Fraser." He responded, as I stood up and tried to shake the cobwebs from my head and the sickly feeling in my throat.

"And I you." I replied, taking Jamie's arm to steady myself. I felt his hand tighten around my own as I leaned in to him a little.

"You look a little peaked my dear. Are you ill?"
"She is with child, Your Grace." Jamie nodded proudly, "The mornings are not very kind to her at the moment."
"Congratulations to you both." The Duke took my hand and grabbed both cheeks, "I hope you feel better soon my dear."

"I'm sure I will." I nodded, starting to feel a little sturdier on my feet already.

"Such a shame that I must take your husband from you this afternoon. But I promise to return him unharmed."
"The Stag hunt." I realised, "I'm sure I can manage." I looked to Jamie, who was watching me fondly as I shared witty remarks with the Duke. If I could make him laugh, or at least keep him happy then Jamie at least had a chance. I spoke with them for a few more minutes, the Duke trying his best to shock me or impress me. It wasn't until someone walked past with a tray of hot bacon for the breakfast table that I felt my stomach lurch. I placed a hand over my mouth quickly, Jamie caught my gesture and placed a hand around my waist trying to hold me steady, but it was no use. "Excuse me." I asked before waiting for a reply as Jamie reluctantly watched me leave.

I returned to the room almost an hour later to find that they had all left on the hunt. Mrs Fitz found me staring at the empty room and came to stand by me.

"Young Jamie has gone Lass. The duke was eager to leave and Jamie asked me to tell ye that he would be back before nightfall."
"Oh." I don't know why, but I felt disappointed that he hadn't come to find me before he left.

"Do not worry about him. Jamie can take care of himself ye ken."
"I'm sure he can." I agreed, after all he had done so long before he met me, but still.

"Are you feeling better yet Lass? He mentioned you were ill again."
"Unfortunately. It's just in the mornings, it will pass."
"Aye. Only a few more weeks now." She grinned, "Then you will be blooming like a flower in spring time."
"I can't wait." I truly couldn't. All I felt for the last ten weeks since we had first found out was sick, I didn't feel the warm glow of pregnancy at all. I was now fourteen weeks gone with child, surely the morning sickness would end soon I prayed.

"Go and rest my dear, I'll send for ye if anyone needs tending."
"Thank you Mrs Fitz. For everything." I bowed as I graciously left to rest my head on my pillow for a few more hours.

JAMMF

I don't know how long I slept for, but the sun was low in the sky as I woke up and remembered where I was. I could hear a commotion downstairs and looked out of the window to see the Stag Hunt procession approaching the Castle. Making myself look presentable, I made my way downstairs to welcome them home. I recognised the large red head on the tall Black stallion straight away and made my way through the crowd.

"Welcome home." I yelled as he jumped off of his horse and took me in his arms.

"It was a braw hunt Sassenach. A braw hunt indeed." He seemed quite pleased with himself, as did the other members of the hunt as three Stags were paraded before the crowd. Jamie had one arm around my waist as the other held Donas reigns.

"Did you get a chance to speak to Sandringham." I asked him as we walked towards the stables.

"Aye and he's agreed to consider my proposal."

"That's wonderful." I realised the Duke was watching us as we made our way inside and I didn't know if it was suspicion or lust that I saw in his eyes, or for whom the look was intended.

"Aye Tis." Jamie agreed.

"I'll see you in the morning Fraser." The Duke called out as we moved out of sight.

"What's tomorrow?" I asked him, as he seemed reluctant to tell me.

"The Duke has asked me to be his second in a duel as payment for my request."

"He what?" I stopped short, forcing Jamie to spin around and face me, "You're going to participate in a duel?" What if he was injured, or killed? How could he agree to such a thing?
"I am but his second, I am in no danger." He grabbed my hand, to lead me forward but I remained where I was.
"I don't like the sounds of that at all."
"Well it's better than offering up my hind quarters is it not?" He joked, then tried to stifle his laugh when it was clear I was not amused. I felt my stomach turn and held my belly instinctively. "I promise you Claire." He moved in closer, whispering my name, "There is no danger, is just a friendly match between the Duke and the Campbell's. The Duke will be the one in the line of fire, I'm simply there as decoration."
"You be careful Jamie Fraser. I still don't trust that man." I relented, grabbing his shirt collar and kissing him to prove I was not angry.

"Always." He smiled.

JAMMF

I left Claire to rest in our chambers while I settled things downstairs. Mrs Fitz had informed me that she had spent most of the day sleeping and I was beginning to worry. She looked so thin and pale and she hadn't eaten anything in weeks. I didna ken much about how babies worked or women for that matter, but surely it couldn't be good for either of them. I grabbed some scraps from the kitchen, and made my way to the stables to check on Donas. I was taken by surprise when I found Dougal attending to his own horse, as many of the others were already deep into celebration inside the castle walls.

"What's on ye mind lad?" He asked me as he came up to Donas's stall. "You look troubled."

"It's Claire." I admitted, after all he was like a father to me and he had given me sound advice before, not to mention he had three daughters of his own. "I fear she is far weaker than she is letting on."
"Aye. Tis true that carrying a bairn can bring much misery to a woman." He recalled, "My Moira was bedridden for two of our three bairns."
"Did she suffer?" I asked, "Was she ill the whole time?"
"Off and on. I wasna there much but she would tell me that the first three months are the hardest."

"Aye. I ken that. Claire's been with child fourteen weeks now and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. She can't keep anything down. To be honest I'm deeply worried for her."
"It'll pass, give it another week and she'll be complaining about everything else. Not all women are the same, some are stronger than others, I'll bet my last gold coin that Claire is the strongest of the lot."

"I wilna disagree with you on that one. I just wish there was something I could do."
"Nothing much we can do, except to stay out of their way." Dougal grabbed his flask and held it up, "Come. Let's have a drink to the bairn and I might tell you some good news of my own."

"Aye." I knew Claire would be asleep and I didn't want to wake her, so I followed Dougal inside eager to hear what his good news might be.

JAMMF

The duel had not gone well, and the Masters of Campbell had objected to how their father had dealt with the matter. Ultimately I had been forced to defend the Duke with my sword. I managed to take the three young Masters down, but not without receiving injury to myself. Fearful of the scandal, the Duke had left the scene immediately but not before taking my letter to keep his word. As I lay on the ground, my side cut open and bleeding, my only thought was how angry Claire was going to be and how I would make this up to her.

Someone had fetched my horse for me, and I had travelled the few miles between the Campbell's and the Castle as slowly as I could so as not to tear open the wound. By the time I had arrived at Leoch the hour was late and my shirt was drenched in my blood making it look far worse than it was.

"Christ Jamie what happened?" Claire had bellowed as they helped me off of my horse and into her surgery.

"It's nothing, really." I tried to assure her but I could feel the steam building within her. It was going to take a lot more than a stray smile and an apologetic hug to win this one.

"Take off your shirt." She ordered coldly grabbing a basin and a sponge. She cleaned the wound, with the same care and sympathy as a maid bashing the washing against a rock. I tried not to flinch, to let her see how painful it was, but I ken she knew and was making me pay for not keeping my word.

"I truly am sorry Sassenach. I had no idea that they would react that way. They left me no choice."
"No choice, no choice." She mumbled, "And what choice did you leave me when you chose to agree to this preposterous event?"
"Aye. I can see now that you were right."
"Don't even try." She warned me.

"At least he took the letter." I informed her, trying to find something positive from it all.

"Fat lot of good that will do when I'm done with you." She threatened me as she began to sew the wound. I didn't reply, I just sat there, watching as she took pleasure in every stitch.

"The Laird wishes to see you." Mrs Fitz grandson announced as he darted in and then out of the room. Clearly trying to avoid Claire's wrath.

"Aye. Tell him I'll be there in a moment." Claire finished sowing up my wound and took a step back. "I truly am sorry Sassenach. I never wished to cause ye grieve or worry."
"Well you have." She hissed at me, "Will Cullum be very angry?" She asked, the venom in her tone almost gone just as quickly.

"There's a fair chance." I warned her, grabbing her chin and kissing her as she looked up to meet my gaze, "But it's nothing I can't handle. It'll be all right mo nighean donn. You'll see."

"It better." She warned me again, "Or I'll never forgive you James Fraser."