Chapter 10: Skye Fall

Disclaimer: D. Gabaldon owns all rights to Outlander

The sound o' rocks scuddin' along the windows woke me from a sound sleep. I peered o'er the sill, amazed to see my cousin lookin' op at me, his hands fisted 'bout the reins o' three horses.

"It's mornin' lad, time to get to the Birney's croft."

Stars and stones, he appeared to be clean-shaven; I scarcely recognized him, if no for his voice.

"If ye were no my kin, I'd see fit to box yer ears. Why in god's name are ye here so early o' a morn?"

He yelled loud enough for the whole o' the island to hear. "Are we goin' to the widow Birney's croft, t'day, or no?"

"Aye, but there's no use in starvin' ourselves afore we go. Hitch op the horses, and meet us for breakfast, aye?"

Murtagh led the animals to a hitchin' post, and mutterin' all the while, joined me at the table. "Now what's so blessed important as ye had to wake op me and the Mrs.? It couldna wait a wee bit?"

Claire walked in at that moment, coming toward us. Wi' raised eyebrows at seein' my cousin all shaved and wi' clean clothes and polished boots, said, "Isn't it obvious. Your godfather is anxious to see the lady crofter."

My cousin refused to meet my eyes, but the rapid change in his color confirmed our suspicions. I ne'er thought I'd see the day when Murtagh would fall. Och … and it gladdened my heart to see it so. My only hope was as he should be happy as Claire and I, if it came to that.

# # # # #

Murtagh was in love, and I was pleased. While Jamie and I were still in the throes of passion in spite of the length of our marriage so far, it seemed wrong to flaunt our never-ending honeymoon in his face. He deserved some happiness as well. The love of a good woman would be just the ticket to ensure that.

We finished up our meal, and mounted our horses. I'd never seen Murtagh so jittery. He was on a mission, and Jamie and I were holding him back. We couldn't make the animals move fast enough to suit him. He called to us, several times in fact, making comments such as: "Can ye no keep op?" Or: "Jesus, Mary and Bride! We'll ne'er arrive in time, if ye continue to poke along."

Jamie answered in a patronizing tone, "Dinna fash, Muragh. The widow willna be sailin' off to ports unknown afore we get there."

His godfather would make one of those rude Scottish noises in response, and gallop on ahead.

Mistress Birney was already hitching up two mules to a dray, and the children were seated in the back, their legs dangling over the edge.

Murtagh jumped down from his horse as if his breeks were on fire, and tethered the beast to the hitching post. "Good day to ye, Taryn. Might I help ye wi' the mules?"

Her cheeks colored, and she cast her eyes down at the grass. "It's verra kind o' ye, Murtagh. I expect I'll let ye do just that."

I asked her, "Is there anything else we can do to help?"

"Ah, nay, lest ye wanta take these weans off my hands."

Annis let out a shriek, and Taryn turned toward the sound to ascertain what mischief Robert was up to.

"Robbie, dinna be pullin' yer sister's hair, if ye know what's good for yer rear end."

Sticking out her tongue, Annis taunted her brother, "That'll teach ye, stupid numpty."

"I'm certain ye provoked him, Annie. And I'm also certain as my switch can last thru' two whippin's. So ye'd best keep yer insults to yerself."

Snickering, Robert nodded, then looking smug, rocked back, leaning on his elbows.

# # # # #

My cousin left his horse behind, and sat in the driver's seat, wi' the widow close beside him. The croft wasna verra far away, and we could see the place after ridin' only 'bout half a mile. It was a surprise to me as how big the house was. It was in need o' some fresh thatchin', and had a broken window or two, but it would suit us fine, and Murtagh's room would be far enough away from us as to no interfere wi' our intimate affairs.

There was much cleanin' to be doon on the inside. I looked to Claire, and she shrugged. "I'm not afraid of hard work, Jamie."

"Aye, that's a fact. So, I expect we'll take it then."

"Oh bless ye, Mr. Fraser. D'ye think ye can move in by the morrow."

Murtagh interrupted, "Oh, aye, surely that can be arranged."

Sassenach and I rode back to the inn. Murtagh stayed behind, offering to tend the widow's animals and such.

# # # # #

Unhitching the mules, Murtagh led them, along with his mount to the stable. He mucked out the soiled straw, curried the equines, and fed the menagerie, then filled the troughs with fresh water from the well.

Taryn ventured outside, calling to him to join her family for lunch. With the chores completed, he entered the home with a smile on his face and dug into his food. Taryn passed the test; the food was amenable to his palate.

While he was seated at the table however, he seemed to be tongue-tied. Mind, he never was much of a conversationalist to begin with, but his words, while substantially measured, had heretofore been freely articulated without a problem. Now he was flustered, and stumbling over each sentence.

After the food was consumed, the children went out to play. Murtagh's curiosity peaked, and had him flummoxed. He was aching to ask her an important question—but how to go about it, aye?

The man cleared his throat, hoping the words would come out right, and not upset the lass. Taking a much needed breath, he blurted, "Might I ask ye somethin' 'bout yer past?"

Taryn began to remove the dishes from the table. "Why, of course. Ask what ye will."

He turned in his seat to face her. "I dinna ken how to put this to ye."

"It's all right, Murtagh. Whate'er it is … just say yer piece, and have it doon."

Clearing his throat, he said, "How long has it been since yer late husband left this life?"

"It's been ten months or so, I expect."

That was a relief to hear, and he began to breathe easier. Only two more months, and the period of grieving would be concluded.

"Weel, I was wonderin' if it might be possible as I could … court ye."

"I would verra much like that, Murtagh. It's been lonely here, and I confess, I miss a man's touch."

His face softened, the fear etched on it vanished, and he smiled comfortably. He rose from his seat to help clear away the rest of the cups and utensils, when she turned the tables on him.

"And what o' yer history? Have ye been marrit afore?"

"Nay. There was nary an opportunity."

"I see. I suppose I must forgive ye for fulfillin' yer needs elsewhere then, aye?"

"If ye mean whorin'; I ne'er spent a hae-penny on a whore, nor ruined any a poor maiden."

One of her eyebrows cocked. "Glad I am to hear that confession."

"Truth be told, I was busy clashin' swords wi' the likes o' the redcoats, and had nay time amongst the womenfolk, nor did I e'er meet a lass in my travels as appealed to me as ye do."

"Oh my, what little words ye do speak; they are sufficient to make my heart flutter so."

# # # # #

Before starting out to our new home, we three bought a wagon and a fine horse for each of us. We then filled the cart with needed supplies to clean, repair and furnish the place. This of course was complete with seeds for my garden. Jamie promised to build me a greenhouse so we'd have vegetables for a longer growing season. We'd certainly be busy little bees, but happy bees.

Jamie was coddling me when we proceeded to make the place livable, commanding me to rest after every hour or so. He and Murtagh did all the heavy lifting and thatching, so it wasn't as if I was working on a chain gang. By evening of that day, the roof was repaired, and the broken windows replaced. The house was by no means a palace but it was sufficient for our needs. I felt I could actually be content here.

A rush of joyfulness filled my soul as we slept in our own beds this night. And when I awoke in the morning, gazing at Jamie's beloved countenance, I couldn't contain the impulse to trace the planes of face, his nose, his lips, the light blond tips of his lashes. His eyelids fluttered open, and his smile broke upon his features like the burst of dawn.

"Mornin', Sassenach."

"Yes, it is."

"We'd muckle best get on wi' it then, aye."

"Aye, aye, captain."

I got dressed, and wandered out to the kitchen area, calling to Murtagh. There was no answer. I knocked on his bedroom door, and still, only silence met my ears. I carefully cracked the door open an inch, and peeked in. His bed was made, and he was gone, no doubt visiting a certain young widow. Well, it wasn't like I could do anything about the situation. After all he was a grown man. More power to him.

Jamie worked at the stead with Murtagh, in addition to caring for Taryn's place. When the chores at the Birney's were done, his godfather opted to stay there and canoodle, I imagine, with the lady. This went on for several weeks with no sign of diminishing enthusiasm. Then one day, Murtagh returned earlier than usual when Jamie was at the feed store. I was in the kitchen chopping some vegetables for dinner. He sidled up to me and said, "Claire d'ye have a minute to spare?"

I put down the knife, and wiped my hands on my apron. "I always have time for you, Murtagh; what is it?"

"Och … ye see, me and the widow, we get along verra weel, and I was wonderin' what it is as makes you and Jamie so happy in yer marriage?"

"Shouldn't you be asking Jamie?"

"Aye. And I will, but I wished to get a woman's estimation first."

"Oh, all right. I guess it's because Jamie treats me as an equal. He asks for my opinion on any matters that concern both of us; he values what I have to contribute. He's kind and gentle—that's not to say that we don't have our arguments, and it's usually out of fear for one another's safety. We both have tempers as you well know, but we never go to bed angry. And Murtagh … Jamie knows that strapping me is not the way to induce obedience. He did that only once, and it nearly destroyed our marriage.

"As for my part, I try to give him the respect he deserves, for the work he does, and for protecting me."

I smiled at him. "Does that help?"

He nodded, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I expect so."

"So, are you thinking of getting married?"

"I've thought 'bout it, but havna discussed it wi' Taryn yet. D'ye think she'll have me?"

"Oh yes, I most certainly do."

That night as we were getting ready for bed, Jamie exclaimed, "I canna believe my ears. Ye say he actually told ye as he plans to get marrit to the woman."

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Aren't you happy for him?"

"Oh, aye. It just came as a bluidy shock is all. I hope Taryn is right for him, mind."

"I believe she is. And Murtagh is a good judge of character."

"He gets on weel with Annis and Robbie too. Ah … I just thought, maybe he could have a bairn o' his own as weel."

Jamie helped me with my laces, and snuggled behind me, his hands roaming over my pregnant abdomen. "How is my wee bairn?"

"He's fine. I'm fine; are you fine?"

Twirling me around to face him, he wiggled his eyebrows and in a suggestive tone, said, "I'll be more than fine, when I get ye into my bed, and perform a husband's duty. What say ye?"

"I say, yea! See to it, husband."

I laughed as he scooped me up in his arms, and deposited me on the bed. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.