Later Claire found herself in the main dinning hall for her first proper meal at Leoch. She was even presented formally to the Laird Colum and Lady Letitia.
They acted very pleasantly towards her and not at all how Jamie warned things might be with her being English but soon she realized this was by design and the whole meal was a disguised interrogation.
They had supplied her with food and drink to loosen her tongue... she chastised herself for not noticing sooner, she had ought to know better, after all she was married to a member of MI6 and she had fallen for the oldest trick in the book.
Perhaps it was because the questions started off innocently enough at first, they asked about her background and family.
"I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of family, my parents died in a carriage accident when I was very little and I was sent to be raised by my Uncle Lamb, we traveled often and it wasn't until I married that I really became settled anywhere."
"And where is your husband now?" Letitia asked.
"Passed, I believe."
"You believe, you don't know for sure?" She asked skeptically.
"I have only just heard word, I haven't been back home in a while, not seen the body for myself." Claire explained.
"I must say, you don't seem all that bovvered by his passing."
"I suppose there is not much to be bothered by, his reputation as a gentleman was greatly exaggerated. I only knew him to be cruel. Unfortunately men like that don't come labeled, instead most of his station are given the blanket title of gentleman wether or not it fits their character." Claire candidly said, much to the shock and scandal of those that overheard her.
Speaking ill of the dead wasn't done and neither was speaking ill of ones' husband, alive or dead... and Claire had done both.
"So an Englishwoman with no ties nor family shows up in Scotland and finds her way invited to Leoch... sounds convenient." Dougal remarked tipping Claire that this wasn't friendly get to know you chit chat.
She did her best to try and salvage her chances at winning them over but it seemed like a loosing battle,
"I can understand why you would be so weary of me, but I have no motive but to live away from my husband, and now that he is dead I see no reason why I can't do that here and perhaps help your people with what skills I have. You can have me followed around if you must, but I won't ever betray your kindness and generosity. That I swear to you, on the honor and graves of my parents, I swear it."
Dougal just grunted and Colum and Letitia shared a look still not knowing what to think about the strange English woman.
The Next Day:
Colum had taken her suggestion and Claire now had two "guards" who followed her everywhere. She was given her own space for surgery, and had been busy all day cleaning it out and making it conducive to seeing patients.
After missing lunch Claire stopped by the kitchen to gather some things, also to give her shadows some rest and sustenance. She had been riding them hard, eager to begin working and proving herself to the people of Leoch.
She especially was eager to tend to her very first patient here. She had learned Jamie had been sequestered up by the stables for some reason it was important to keep him out of the castle walls. She assumed this had to do with his escape from prison, there must have been more to that story they hadn't gotten to yet.
Honestly it didn't bother her any way she was just eager to seem him alright and check on his wounds. Upon finding Mrs. Fitz Claire asked for directions to the stables while Angus and Rupert, her shadows, collapsed on a nearby bench. They began stuffing their faces no longer paying attention to their mysterious English charge.
"I, uh, I was thinking I should change the bandage on Mr. Mactavish's shoulder... Jamie." She was quick to clarify upon seeing Mrs. Fitz's confused face at the name Mactavish, Letitia had responded similarly, it was becoming obvious that was not the lad's name.
"Where would I find the stables?"
"Top of the meadow to the east." Mrs. Fitz told her helping her package some food to bring.
On her way out a young girl, no more than 16 came racing though nearly knocking her over.
"Whoa."
"I'm so sorry about that." Mrs. Fitz apologized, "She's just a girl with spirit is all."
Claire nodded, "That's always a good thing."
Jamie POV:
I hadn't seen Claire for two days, and the horses weren't much for gossip so I hadn't heard of her either. I wouldn't have believed you if you'd told me I'd miss riding that horse days on end with my sore shoulder and bleedin' woond but aye I did. I missed having the strange lass right in front of me, being able to hold on ta her and pretend it was for safety, of stealing a whiff of her gorgeous curls while no one was looking, of feelin' her roond plump arse- Stop it! I scolded myself turning my attention back to meh work.
Thats how things had gone since I'd been back, work- think of Claire, force my mind back to work and repeat.
I nearly thought I was dreamin' when I saw her coming up that hill.
"What can I do for you, Mistress Beauchamp?"
She smiles, and I swear I felt my insides go to glue faster than a horse's hoof.
"It's what I can do for you..." She looked down to a basket she carried, "some fresh bandages and some lunch."
We sat and ate, talked like we had not a care in the world. I didnna understand the magic this woman seemed to weave over me but I prayed she never stop.
"Quite the appetite," she remarked, "I should think you'd eat grass if there was nothing else."
"I have." I told her not even embarrassed, "Doesna taste bad, but it's not very filling."
She laughed, amused by the image, "You've actually eaten grass?"
I nodded, "The winter, year before last. I was living rough, you know, in the woods wi' a group of lads, raiding cattle. We'd had poor luck for a week and more and no food amongst us left."
"One might ask why you were raiding cattle and living the life of a thief instead of tending to your own farm."
I was silent for a beat before I just told her the truth, "There was a price on my head. 10 pounds sterling, a farmer's whole year in these parts."
"Seems excessive for a single escaped prisoner."
"No, not for escape... for murder." I could tell I shocked her, and it terrified me that I might be scarrin' her away.
"But I didn't actually kill the man I'm wanted for." I was quick to add, desperate for her eyes to light up at me again and not look at me with fear and suspicion.
"You're a very complicated man, Mr. Mactavish.."
"Nay, it's a simple story, really. I told you what happened to me at Fort William. I could hardly move for a day or two after I'd been flogged the second time. And I had fever from the wounds. Once I could stand again, though, some some friends made shift to get me out of the camp by means I'd best not go into. And there was some ruckus as we left, and a Redcoat was shot."
"Not by you." it was a statement more than a question.
"To tell you the truth, I was too weak to do more than hang onto the horse... it was four years ago now. More like an old dream, but there it is."
"I take it your real name's not Mr. Mactavish."
"No, it's not."
We talked for a bit longer but soon I was pulled away to tend to meh work again.
"I best be returning to work." I felt my soul buck at the idea of sending her away but I couldn't prolong it any longer, "Thank you for the food and the, uh" the what? the company, the trust, the honor of being in the mere presence of yer beauty... luckily she stepped in before I had to finish my thought,
"Just try not to get flogged or stabbed today. That'll be thanks enough."
I smiled, "No promises, Sassenach."