Chapter 10 – Deceptions
Two weeks went by.
Lizzy was bored.
Very bored.
Her husband was out often until the wee hours of the morning, or did not return at all, doing to the warehouse to settle accounts and then joining his highness at the brothel for the evening. Lizzy hated it. She had nothing to do other than tea with Louise, Mary, and their friends, which she supposed made her a highborn, but there was nothing useful she could do.
She needed to feel of use soon of she would go mad. Not that she minded playing cards and having tea, but she wanted something else to do, to make her feel needed, not like a pregnant bump on the log. Her husband had not shared her bed in two weeks and she missed him. She didn't even miss the love making so much as his company, his warmth, and his gentle touch. His warm voice with the Highland accent as he spoke words of love to her.
He was her best friend, lover, and confidant and it was tedious for her to remain as she was without actually speaking to him. Besides, he spent his nights at a brothel. Not that she did not trust him, but still, she wanted him with her at least some of the time, not at the Prince's beckon call.
Her children were doing well at their lessons. Wang Lun seemed to notice his mistress's lack of purpose and tried to help her clear her thoughts through meditation. He also would spare with her, lightly, knowing she would tire easily and he had to be careful of her abdomen where the bulge of the coming child was.
He was watching her for signs of distress. He did not trust the physicians of the country. The only one he trusted was Lizzy who had proven her skills to him and in fact had learned from the man, now that she was willing to listen to his words. Almost ever night he would make her tea with herbs he had gotten from the market from the Chinese tea sellers to help her pregnancy. It tasted of berries and was sweetened with honey.
It seemed to soothe her to sleep, but she had been restless due to her husband's absence.
Zzz
Lizzy had been called upon by the Duke of Sandringham. She was amazed the Duke had come to France, but she was not surprised.
She accepted his invitation, declining for Jamie, whom she knew would be much too busy with his own affairs.
She walked to the door and it opened. A maid took her cloak from her and she walked into the salon. She blinked as Alexander Randall walked into the room. "Greetings my lady." He said bowing to her.
She dipped her head. "Alex Randall." She said.
"The Duke will be down in a few moments. He is seeing to a business venture with some Frenchmen."
"Would he not like you there as well?"
"No." Alex said. "He sent me to "Keep you entertained" as he put it."
She smiled. "I think I would like that. You are rather charming."
He beamed. "Thank you, my lady. Can I call for tea?" He nodded to a chair. "Please. Sit. In your condition, I am sure you need it."
She smiled. "Thank you." She said sitting. "I would love some tea."
He nodded to a maid who bowed and left. "Tell me, how did you come to know my master?" He asked.
She smiled up at him. "We were engaged once." She said. "I was to marry him when I came from Prussia to Scotland."
"But you are married to Lord Broch Tuarach." He said.
The tea came and she nodded as the maid poured the tea into lovely cups. "Yes." She nodded.
"If were to marry the Duke than you must also be of high rank." He lifted some sugar lumps and she nodded, smiling as he added them to her tea.
"I am the Duchess of Cleves." She said.
He nodded. "Sister to a King. The Duke would have been well off to gain you as a bride."
"Indeed."
"But now you are a Scottish lady by marriage and a princess by birth. An interesting combination."
She took her cup and sipped it after declining cream and lemon. "It is." She agreed.
"My brother served in Scotland for a time."
"I know. He was killed, I understand."
"Killed? When did this happen?"
"I thought some months ago."
"Jonathan wrote to me only two weeks ago." He gave her a look. "He was injured in action I was told, but he did not die."
Lizzy swallowed hard at this revelation. "I see."
"Do you know him then? I can send him your regards."
"Aye. I know him." She said. And if he shows himself near Jamie, Jamie will kill him without a thought.
She shifted a little and he moved instantly, lifting a pillow. "If you allow me, Madam. This may help your back."
She looked at him and nodded as she sat forward a little and he pressed the pillow down. He then let out a small gasp at seeing the white scars on the top of her shoulders. They were not really visible unless a person was very close and the worse ones were further down her spine.
"Who had the audacity to..." His finger traced the line lightly causing her to shiver a little. No one touched them except Jamie, but Alex Randall was truly horrified into forgetting himself and touching a highborn lady without her permission.
She swallowed. "You would not believe me, if I told you."
He walked forward and sat down again. "Try me, my lady."
She took a breath and then lifted her chin. "Your brother." She said softly.
Alex sat back a little. "He would never do..." He paused seeing her eyes flash. "We heard rumors of his brutality. We never put much salt to it because of his superior's recommendations."
She nodded. "Indeed." She took a breath. "He flogged me and flogged my husband." She shook her head. "Perhaps he has changed." She said looking down as the occupant of her belly kicked harshly outward.
Alex had noticed. "I have never seen such a movement. Is it common?"
"Sometimes." She smiled. "The baby is starting to run out of room so they protest." She smiled.
He watched as the baby moved again, utterly fascinated.
She smiled at him. "Come here." She said.
He rose to his feet again and came. She took his hand and put it against the spot. She waited a moment and then he gasped in amazement at the feel. "God in heaven. Does that not hurt?"
"It can." She smiled. "She isn't moving too much today."
He looked at her, hazel eyes bright. "How do you know it is a girl?"
"Just a feeling. I have carried several." She smiled and giggled as Alex felt it again.
"Such a wonder." He murmured. "I hope someday to feel such a movement in my own wife."
She patted his hand. "You will." she said.
He nodded and then turned away and started coughing, hard.
After a moment, he was winded and dropped into the chair, sipping tea. "Forgive me, my lady."
She waved her hand. "Are you all right?"
"I will be." He said a little breathless.
The door opened and the Duke walked in. Alex rose quickly to his feet and bowed. Lizzy turned her head.
"Ah, Clarence." She greeted.
He came to her and lifted her hand to his lips. "You look more radiant every day, Lady Fraser." He said.
She smiled at him.
He turned to his secretary. "If you excuse us. We have some business."
"Of course sir. I will be near if you have need of me." Alex said. He was a little pale and bowed to leave. "I hope to speak with you again, Lady Broch Tuarach."
She smiled. "Indeed, Mr. Randall." She said dipping her head.
The Duke looked at her. "It is good to see you." He said.
"I wish I could say the same."
"Amazing what we will do for politics isn't it."
She nodded. "What do you want, Clarence?"
"I have heard your husband knows Prince Charles Stuart." He leaned forward. "I require an introduction."
She sipped her tea. "I can see what I can arrange." She said. "Why would you wish to speak to a royal not recognized by the crown?"
"Because I am interested to meet him. I have heard he is a very interesting young man."
She smiled a little. "That is one way to put it your grace."
ZzZ
Lizzy had been out for a walk. The baby she carried had kept her from sleeping well. She sighed as she realized the baby had finally decided to sleep and no longer moving about. She walked into the house and sighed as she walked into the home, removing her cloak.
Marcus, the butler came to her. "You have received three invitations to dinner parties and salons for the next week." He said holding the letters. "A thank you letter came from Madame Genry." He continued as he followed her up the stairs as she lifted her skirts. She sighed and turned to him as he lifted a piece of lace. "I found this in the kitchen. I believe it is yours, Madame?"
Lizzy took it. "Yes." She lifted it, looking at the lace. She looked at it. "I gave this to Susette to mend." She said, a little crossly.
The butler shrugged.
She sighed and took it, walking up the stairs. At the top she panted a moment and then walked into the main room. There she found wine and she poured some to drink. She sighed as she felt it help her thirst and fortify her.
She did not like conflict, but she needed to reprimand the maid who clearly had fallen behind on her duties to her mistress. Susette was Lizzy's lady's maid, she only did things for Lizzy, though she would help the other servants when her mistress had dismissed her for a time.
Not mending the lace was not excusable, especially since it was from yesterday afternoon.
She took a breath and walked to the servant quarters at the top of the home. Susette and Marcus had the two largest rooms. The others had smaller places and there were rooms that could be filled should they hire more. The nurses and tutors slept with the children. Wang Lun slept in a guest room as did Murtagh. Not that there were not enough of those. The apartment had twelve bedrooms without the top level of servant quarters.
She opened the door of Suzette's room. She walked in and heard a female giggle and a male hushed voice as she walked in. "Suzette?" She barked. "Did I not ask you to mend..."
She threw back the curtains to reveal a very naked Suzette on top of Murtagh who was equally naked. She blinked, startled.
"Did you need something, milady?" The maid asked in English with her accent.
"No..." Lizzy said panting and shaking her head.
Lizzy went to the main salon and began to mend the lace herself. She was not very good at it and she sniffled a little, making her stitches larger. She angrily cast it aside in frustration as she heard footsteps. Murtagh was there in a loose shirt and breeches, looking at her.
"A wullnae apologize fur spending time wi' yer lady's maid if ye hae a mynd tae reproach me." He said.
"What you do with your time, is your own concern." She said almost coldly.
"Aye tis."
"But...don't you have anything else you could be doing? I know Suzette certainly does." She said looking up a moment before reaching for the lace again. "It is the middle of the day after all."
"As a maiter o' fact ah dinnae." He said spreading his hands. "Sin whin did ye become sic a prickish scold whin it cam tae frolicking atween th' sheets."
"You can mind your own bloody business and remember who runs this household!" She barked tossing the lace to the side again angrily.
He took a step back at the rebuke and blinked. She had never spoken so to him before. He too a breath and moved to leave, but she took a breath.
"Murtagh. I'm sorry. That was inexcusably rude." She said. "I am not myself lately. I say things and don't mean them, just flash in the moment." She said, a hand on her belly as she levered herself up.
He took a breath. "Na ye'r nae." He agreed. "Ah wisnae aroond ye afore muckle whin ye wur wi' bairn afore." He said. He stepped to her and caressed her shoulder lightly. "Is it aye sae?"
"No." she said. "This one is making my emotions worse." She said.
"'n' ah ken jamie insae aboot fur ye tae speak tae him as muckle."
She nodded.
"That isn't all." She took a breath. "Jack Randall is alive."
"Na. A clocked him deid, trampled, deid fae his wounds."
"Apparently he has made a miraculous recovery."
"Wha tellt ye this?" He asked as she moved to the fireplace to lean against it.
"His brother, Alex Randall is secretary to the Duke of Sandringham."
Murtagh blinked and came to her. "If th' laddie learns o' this, he wull huv a go everything in his power tae murdurr him. Ye ken that. Ye ken whit he did tae him. Jamie wull seek vengeance. Even if he won th' duel he wid be liftit or worse."
Lizzy nodded. "I know."
He laid a hand on her arm. "Ye hae secrets yer nae willing tae share wi' me. Ah ken. Bit this is yin ah wull bear wi' ye."
She instinctively hugged him. He held her to him, feeling the babe press against him.
"Be easy lass." He whispered.
She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
He offered a small smile. "Be easy. For the bairn."
She swallowed, hard, and sighed.
There was a sound and the both looked up.
"Leave the carriage. We are leaving in just a few minutes." Jamie's voice ordered in his French.
Lizzy looked at Murtagh and he nodded. "I just need to see to your maid for a bit."
She smiled a little. "Have you tried using protection?"
"Protection? No. Why?"
"In case she becomes with child." She said.
He waved it off and walked off.
Lizzy came to the stairwell and looked down. Marcus was speaking to Jamie. "You have two letters from Monsieur Jared, one from your sister, and two from Monsieur Hawkins about wine."
"Thank you, I will attend to them later. Put them on my desk please." Jamie said as he walked, ducking as he stepped out of the strap that held his sword. He looked up and saw Lizzy standing there. "Ah, I didn't mean to wake you, Katie."
She smiled. She was fully dressed and had been for some time. "Another long night at Maison Elise?" She asked.
"Aye." He said coming to her. "Ah fear prince charles haes run oot o' patience wi' yer guidman. Lest nicht be geezit ah arrange th' meetin ah hud bin promising wi' him 'n' minister duveney. 'n' he wants it subito, That's italian fur richt awa'." He said pulling off his sporran.
"I know what that means." Lizzy said. She walked behind him, waddling at the large weight of the baby before her. "Well I suppose it had to happen sooner of later." She said, folding her arms as she walked, trying to keep up with him. "I am actually impressed you managed to delay it all this time." She said.
Marcus lifted his sporran after he set it down on his desk as they walked to the bedroom. His wife looked worn as she walked in behind him and servants moved about, opening the curtains and finding Jamie another vest to wear and jacket.
"Do you think that the minster will agree to meeting with the prince?"
"Ah hae na idea." He said as he unbuttoned his vest. "Bit ah pure hae na time fur that." He said reaching for wine someone brought him. "Ah mist awa'. Th' government inspector is comin' tae th' jared's warehouse th'day. Then it's a mad gallop tae versailles fur chess, blether wi' duveney, then anither mad gallop, tae maison elise, hopefully wi' th' minister at mah side, fur mair dram." He looked at his wife who had settled herself on the divan at the end of their bed. "Yit mair blether wi' that loon o' a prince." He said shaking his head. "Though ah suppose stopping charles' rebellion is th' greatest thing ah kin dae noo 'n' is worth losing a bawherr o' kip."
Lizzy took a breath and got to her feet, leaning back a moment. She moved Marcus out of her way she she buttoned Jamie's fresh vest as he sipped the wine. "You have lost more than a bit of sleep, my love." she said.
"Och dinna fash yirsel, sweetheart. Ah wull be able tae claise mah een oan th' wey back tae th' palace." He said. He moved to take hold of her shoulders to kiss her. "Bit ah appreciate yer concern."
She moved her head backward giving him a look as she took a shaky breath.
He took a breath and lifted his sleeve. "Ah ken. Ah reek o' smoke." He sniffed and made a face.
"And cheap perfume." She said. "Does wonders for my rather changed constitution."
He smiled a little. "Ah hung mah heid oot th' carriage oan th' wey hame, bit 'twas a' fur nae it wid appear." He looked at her. He smiled lightly. "Gang back tae kip, mo ghraidh." He said. "Ye 'n' th' bairns need rest. Then fowk gaithers tae louise's fur tea."
"Bairns?" She looked at him.
He caressed the swell. "Wha kens. Thare cuid be mair than yin. Th' physician haes nae tellt me."
She rolled her eyes. "There is only one. Stop joking about it. The idea of twins is alarming."
He smiled. "Sorry. Bit whit o' tea?"
"Yes, yes. I would not wish to miss tea."
There was a sound at the door as Lizzy stepped back.
Ellen, Jen, and Alex, on Ellen's hip were there.
"Papa!" Jen said indignantly. "We have not had a bedtime story in ages."
The other two nodded.
He smiled and went to them kneeling down. Ellen was so tall now. He took Alex from her a moment. He kissed the cheeks of them all. "Ah wull soon. Ah promise. A'm juist stowed. Whin business slows ah..."
"Tonight." Ellen demanded.
He looked up at the nurses behind the children who were watching him with their charges. He grunted.
"They do not sleep well unless you tuck them in, Monsieur." Alex's nurse said. "They wake in the night calling for you."
He took a breath and then hugged them. "Aye. Tonight." He said. So he wasn't the only one losing sleep.
They nodded and walked off for their lessons.
Lizzy came up and embraced him a moment from behind, pressing her belly into his buttocks as she held him. "You should not make promises you cannot keep."
"Ah wull keep this yin. Ah wull mak' mah excuses 'n' lea 'n' come hame tae see thaim." He patted her hands. "'n' ye as weel." He turned to her and pressed a kiss to her brow. "Ah dae loue ye." He murmured. He sighed. "I miss our bed." He said softly in Prussian.
"I know. I miss you as well."
He opened his eyes and looked at her. He then moved from the room as she released him.
"Ah wull nae be hame 'til ah come fur th' wean." He said as the came to the stairs.
She nodded slowly. Normal.
"I don't believe it." He said looking in his sporran. "It's missing. Sawny."
Lizzy smiled. "He could not have gotten far. I will give the house a good looking over."
Jamie was not paying attention. "Hae th' servants soucht a wooden snake aboot ye lang." He said lifting his fingers. "Thank ye, lass." He smiled and trotted down the stairs as Marcus lifted his sword to him. He looked up at her at the top of the stairs. "Gie mah regards tae yer ladies." And he was down the hall.
She took a breath and expelled it angrily. "That are not my ladies." She hissed.
ZzZ
After having tea with Louise and Mary and having a discussion about men and the marriage bed, that made the poor girl flush scarlet...well she had brought it on herself for starting the conversation, but Lizzy was determined for her to learn what happened. The hapless girl had no idea that men made love to women. Jamie had, and had often, resulting in the child she carried and the others she had for him.
Mary had been amazed and grateful as well as embarrassed by it all.
She went to Master Raymond's to ask for a help for her lady's maid to prevent a pregnancy. Master Raymond was amazed again by her since it was often the maids for their mistresses, not the other way around.
He also suggested she go to the charity hospital to use her skills as a healer. Lizzy liked the idea of being useful and went home to gather Murtagh to escort her there.
They went to the charity hospital and Lizzy soon found she was of use with people there. Mother Hildegarde, the matron, found Lizzy an interesting lady. Few highborn would ever thing to dirty their hands, but Lizzy was cleaning up urine pans, helping bandage wounds, and helping feed the small babies and children as only an experienced mother could.
ZzZ
Meanwhile, Jamie and the Minister had been playing chess for some hours and Jamie convinced him to join him at Maison Elise to meet with the Prince. Duveney was happy to go, but weary of his wife. Still he came along and listened to what Prince Charles had to say. The Bonny Prince apparently had several bankers in England willing to help him restore the rightful ruler.
The prince, as charming as ever promised an alliance with France if the French backed him. Duveney was eager to speak to the king about it.
Jamie looked on in mute horror.
ZzZ
Jamie returned home in time to honor his promise. He read a small story to his children and then tucked them into bed with kisses and gentle words in Gaelic. The nurses were grateful, at last the bairns would sleep well, knowing their father still cared, loved them, and was there.
He spent the most time with Alex, rocking him against his chest as the bairn listened to his father speaking in Gaelic. After a time, he fell asleep and Jamie put him to bed, smiling at Alex's nurse who smiled gratefully at him as she retired to her small bed across the room as well.
He then came down to the main level looking for his wife. He called out. "Katie? Katie? Katie!" He said moving from room to room.
He shook his head. "Susette?" He called.
The maid walked in and curtsied. "Oui milord?" She asked.
"Where is my wife?" He asked in French.
"She left with Murtagh and has not yet returned." She said dipping her head.
"Merci." He said turning to look about. The one day he needed her she was not home. She had been home so often when he had come back, that to have her away was beyond him. Where had she gone? At least she had Murtagh with her, but even still, as the hour grew late, the servants were lighting candles.
He looked up from his log books and sighed. He rubbed a hand over his face. He looked at the books again.
After another two hours he no longer could think about the books. It was passed ten at night, as the clock chimed. He was sitting, his wrapped hand before his face, deep in thought. Where had she gone? She was with child, and thank God Murtagh was with her, but still. It was not like her in France to just leave him so. The more he thought about it, the more angry he was becoming.
He was almost of a mind to go call a search party with the gendarmerie to find her when he heard her voice as she came into the house. "Jamie?"
He looked up, but did not move from where he was seated. Angry he did not wish to lash out at her. He wanted to hear her explanation first. He could not raise a hand to her, as much as he wanted to. He had made a vow on his dirk for that, but he was cross.
He heard her walk up the stairway and into the room.
"I'm so glad you're here. I had the most wonderful day. I lanced two boils, changed filthy dressings, and saw my first full blown case of Scrofula." She said pulling off her gloves and smiling in delight.
Murtagh was with her as was Susette taking her gloves and hand bag. "The carriage ride home was full of delightful tales of blood and pus." He said.
"Where have you been?" Jamie asked. "Certainly not at Madame Louise's for tea." He said not turning and reaching to reclaim his quill to make notes.
"L'Hôpital des Anges." Lizzy said as she moved to sit on the divan and rub her leg. "Do you know it?" Her happy voice made Jamie wince.
He almost hated being angry with her, almost...
"It is lovely there. They do such good work. I am happy I found it."
That made Jamie turn in his chair. "Th' charity hospital. Aye. Whit teuk ye thare?" He quietly demanded as his eyes flicked from her to Murtagh and back.
Murtagh at least looked halfway apologetic, but Lizzy did not. She beamed at her husband. Murtagh took a breath. "Ah wull juist gang mak' masell some tea." He said. He moved and then leaned close to Lizzy. "Ah tellt ye he wid nae lik' it."
She narrowed her eyes as she continued to rub her leg.
Jamie turned back to the book.
"I heard they were in need of people with medical experience. So I went and volunteered."
He looked back at her again, but said nothing.
She continued speaking as she poured wine. "Mother Hildegarde, she's the matron. She's this wonderful force of nature. She was very good with music, I understand. She also is the goddaughter of King Louis's Great-grandfather." She said smiling. "She isn't going to make it easy for me. I haven't won her over yet, but when she saw me taste the urine, I made progress."
Jamie looked up from his paperwork at that. Why in God's name was she tasting urine?
She walked to him, waddling with her belly before her and offered him a glass as she stood beside him. "What's the matter?" She asked noting he did not look at her. "I thought you would be happy for me?"
"Did ye noo?" He said, not keeping the contempt from his voice.
"Yes, I did." She said looking at him. She looked at his loose hair about his shoulders. "What's wrong?" she asked.
He looked up, taking the wine glass from her. "Ye'r wi' child fur yin." He said lowly. He took a large sip of the wine and let it burn his throat as he stood up. "Ye cuid catch a mawkit disease. Ye or th' bairn?" He walked to where the decanter was. "Hae ye thought o' that?" He demanded.
"Of course I thought of the baby." She said. "I only treat patients who are not ill and have injury or at least have things I cannot become ill with." She cocked her head at him as he refilled his glass.
He looked back. "How come tak' th' chance?" He asked.
She took a breath. "It has been a long time since I have felt useful." she said. "I can make my skills of use. I need to have a sense of accomplishment." She said. "Why is that a problem?" The baby moved within her, feeling her agitation building, and she winced a little, but ignored it.
"Yer a noblewoman. Ye shuid be na whaur near they fowk."
"Those people are like your farmers at Lallybroch. It is people saying that and not helping them that makes the situation worse."
"They're nothing lik' mah tenants." He growled looking back at her.
She looked at him not understanding his anger but tried a different tactic. "I need a purpose."
Jamie grunted. "Purpose? ah thought oor purpose in this god forsaken toon wis tae stoap th' rebellion." He walked around her to his chair.
She watched him. "It is." She protested. "That hasn't changed."
"Then tell me. Howfur wull lancing boils 'n' tasting urine hulp us tae save scootlund." He asked.
She took a breath. "What would you have me do then Jamie?" She asked. "Go to Maison Elise with the Prince or perhaps run the wine business for you while you deal with the Jacobites?" She asked.
He was not facing her. "Whit ah want...is whin ah come hame wi' a kinch is tae be able tae caw tae mah guidwife fur hulp." He said voice tight with anger. He sat down and looked back a moment before looking at the papers. "Th' nicht th' prince tellt minister duveney that he secured significant funding fae loads prominent englishmen fur whilk tae fund th' rebellion."
Lizzy gasped horrified by the thought. She had been given the task of stopping this rebellion by her brother and keeping the Scots firmly at bay while he dealt with the English and French. "Could that be true?" Her brother did not wish to help fund either side and he knew that as it stood Lizzy and Jamie had the best chance of derailing the progress. He did not care for his Scottish in-law, but he did see the use of having the Scot using his friendship with the Bonny Prince to derail the idea of rebellion completely. Lizzy was working within the court to make sure that the Prince was not to be allowed to be given an audience, however, the King was intrigued by his cousin's claims.
"A dinnae ken." He said. "Bit th' prince shored duveney an alliance wi' englain." He still wasn't looking at her as he leaned to one side in the chair. "A' ah cuid dae wis listen as th' vino collapso turned sour in mah stomach." He said.
Lizzy shook her head. "They cannot have an alliance. That would put Prussia on the other side from a major ally..." She went to his side.
"A' ah ken is that prince charles is mair clever than he seems. He is keeping secrets. A dinnae ken whit tae dae aboot it." He said.
Lizzy laid her small hands on his shoulders, rubbing the tension she felt there. She bent and kissed his head as she continued. With his height he was only a few inches shorter than she even seated. "I'm sorry Jamie." She whispered. "Truly I am. I know this has all been my idea and the idea of my King. Changing how things are going. Stopping a rebellion before it starts. And right now it falls on you." She said. She continued caressing his muscular shoulders. He allowed it, listening to her. "I will try and help you in any way I can." She said.
He took a breath. "Tis whit ah believed. That's how come ah cam hame keekin fur ye." He lifted a hand to hers and pressed it back from him. "Instead ye wur oot indulging yersel' wi' potions 'n' poultices." He said as he sat forward.
She gave him a look to the back of his head as he lifted his quill again. She walked before him and laid her hands on the desk, her own annoyance flaring. "I assure you, there was no indulging involved." She paused. "I was helping people. But yes, that makes me feel good." She said. "Gives my day meaning."
He looked up at her, his blue eyes flashing. "Whit aboot me? ah spend mah days 'n' nights tweedling 'n' flattering a jimmy sae that ah kin gain his secrets 'n' undermine his cause." He rose slowly to his feet leaning toward her. "Whin dae ah git tae cop guid? whin dae ah git tae fin' meaning in mah day?" He asked as he slapped the book before him closed and turned away from her. He walked away.
"Jamie!" She barked.
He paused and looked back at her a moment.
"Do not walk away from me James Fraser." She growled walked straight to him and standing before him. Her belly was before her as she leaned back against the weight.
He looked her up and down a moment. "Ye shuid gang tae kip. Ah wull be oot fur th' nicht." He said.
She narrowed her eyes a moment before she unclenched her fists at her sides. "Jamie can we not even talk about this. We need to discuss..."
"No." He said shaking his head. "We ur baith tae worn 'n' wull say hings we dae nae mean." He looked at her. He stepped closer lifting a hand to her.
She allowed him to touch her cheek softly and then he kissed her brow.
"Kip weel." He murmured and turned away again. He gathered his jacket and walked to the stairs. He went down calling for a horse.
Murtagh looked down after him. He looked back at Lizzy who had dropped her head and walked to a chair by the fire, tears in her eyes as she touched her belly as though trying to soothe the little one within her.
"Ah knew that wid nae gang weel." Murtagh said looking back the way Jamie had gone.
Susette came to his side and straightened her clothing a little. "So sad. How can there be love in the marriage when love leaves the bed?" She asked him.
Murtagh looked at her a moment. "Whit?"
"A lady's maid knows what does and does not happen in her lady's boudoir." She reached up and pulled him to her by his beard for a kiss. She kissed him and smiled a little before she moved to go see to the mistress of the home who was a little out of sorts.