Scene 7
Claire, Young Ian and Jamie are astride horses on a hill top overlooking Lallybroch.
"What is it Jamie?" Claire asks seeing his face is tense. "I thought I was the nervous one?"
"Nothing Sassenach, the place just isn't quite the home to me it was once was. I've barely spent a year over the last 20 under its roof."
"We don't have to stay. Home is where you are Jamie. Though I am glad to see this place at least one last time, and your family. Or at least I think so, do you think they'll be happy to see me?"
"Well those that know ye and think ye dead might be in for a bit of a shock. Ian was supposed to try and get them used to the idea ye ken? Those that don't know ye are probably dying of anticipation to see the Sassenach witch in person." He smiles at her.
"Well good to see some things haven't changed then," she pulls on her mounts reins and heads down to the manor house.
Once outside they dismount and Jamie hands his reins to Ian.
"See to the beasts and wash yerself up while yer at it. Might not help to have clean ears but couldn't hurt I expect," He nudges Young Ian towards the stables. He tucks Claire's hand into the nook of his arm and leads her towards the front door. They step into the parlor Ian is standing by the hearth drink in hand, Jenny is sitting down and mending stockings she refuses to look up though she knows they have entered.
"Ian, Jenny good to see you two. Young Ian's brushing off the horses he'll be in shortly to make his apologies I am sure." Jamie states.
"No problems then?" Asks Ian.
"Nay, we are all in one piece," Jamie glances at Jenny still with her head down. "I'm sorry for any worry I put ye through with Young Ian, I didn't encourage any of this, but I'll take the blame for any part my talking to the boy may have caused."
Jenny makes a huffing noise.
Claire nervously wringing her hands steps forward. "Jenny, it's so good to see you."
Jenny who has been bracing herself to hear that voice shoots her head up no longer able to be standoffish. "God in heaven, it is really you Claire."
"Yes it's me," Claire goes to her chair where she stands and they share a cold short embrace.
"Surely Ian told ye," Jamie is tense watching to ensure his sister is polite.
"Seeing it is something else altogether. So, you're back now I suppose? And Jamie yer shops burnt? Mere minutes after my son was there looking for ye and you've all been off bootlegging whiskey. So, what next the two of ye will be off no doubt?" Jenny abruptly states.
"Well I think we wouldn't mind staying for bit. I'm excited to meet everyone I hear you've a large family now. I am so very happy for you." Claire replies.
Jenny sits back down making another huffing noise.
"But surely we'll not put you out any longer than you like." Claire adds.
"Of course ye are very welcome to stay as long as you care to." Ian adds.
"Oh I'm sure that won't be long," Jenny turns to Ian then to Claire. "Soon Ill expect you both take off for 20 years."
"Jenny," Jamie adds sternly coming to Claire's side. "If you have something to say, say it but mind ye me and my wife's business is our own and Ill expect ye to be courteous in our family's home." Jamie's unspoken message is clear, though he relinquished the title of Lord of this manor the title is his by birthright.
"Yer wife?" Jenny questions raising an eyebrow. "Oh I am sure yer wife will have something to say."
"Jenny," Ian adds his stern use of her name to the mix and she's silent going back to her needle.
Claire just nods to Jamie to back off and they move to sit on the couch. Soon head after head begins to appear in the doorway, a young man and two children enter.
"These will be Young Jamie's lot this is Benjamin and Angus and you remember Young Jamie?" Ian introduces them.
"You couldn't possibly be Young Jamie; I remember the curls the rest has changed quite dramatically." Claire response.
"I remember ye Auntie Claire, it's good to see you," Young Jamie replies.
"Is she really a witch da?" The young girl with blonde pig tails is peering from around her father Young Jamie's leg.
"Hush now," states her father. "This is your Great Auntie Claire show some respect."
"So your old like Grannie?" the old braver brown haired boy steps forward.
"Even older," Jamie whispers to him.
His mouth drops open in response.
Young Ian walks in and his father shoos his other son and grandchildren out of the room.
"Ma, da I'm very sorry." Young Ian is staring down shuffling his feet. Jenny just continues sewing and making huffing noises the veins in her neck stand out from the strain of silence.
Jamie takes Claire's arm and starts to leave the room.
"Stay Jamie if ye will," His brother in law Ian states. Jamie nods in acknowledgement and stays put.
"I told ye what were to happen if you run off again, Yell be lashed until ye can't stand."
Young Ian nods in understanding.
"And your Uncle Jamie is going to be the one to do it," he states as he leaves the room.
Jamie makes to protest and even Jenny looks up in shock but Ian leaves without another word.
Jamie grabs Young Ian and shoves him to the door. "Let's get this over with."
Claire watches them walk across the front yard to a fence and Young Ian removes his shirt and Jamie takes his belt off and begins to strike him between the shoulders. Ian returns and is standing by her side. Claire must turn she can't look any longer, we hear Young Ian cry out and Jenny shudders in her chair eyes back on the garment in her hand.
"Why?" Claire asks Ian.
"He idolizes him too much and Jamie lets him. This will be a lesson for both of them."
Claire turns back to look outside Young Ian is on his knees on the ground and Jamie is removing his shirt. "For heaven's sake what is he doing?" Claire is pressed against the window watching Young Ian trying to get his feet under himself Jamie's belt in his hand and is Uncle has taken up his spot on the fence post.
Ian just shakes his head with a small smile, "Jamie realizes he had some part in this and knows this will leave a stronger impression on my son, I doubt either one of them is going to want to go through this again." Jenny gets up and leaves the room Ian follows her to offer comfort.
