Chapter 13 – Accusations

Two more months passed.

Lizzy sighed as she sat in her room, gently caressing the great swell of her belly. She had gone from being able to hide it to now showing it and the baby seemed to be sitting so far forward and down that Colum had teased her about carrying twins.

She sat in a chair in his office as he handed her a tea cup. She smiled a thank you as he sat down beside her in the other chair.

She smiled at him a little as she sat back rubbing the swell before her.

He watched. "Ah hae sent a missive tae hae jamie return tae ye."

Her face brightened. "Thank you."

He waved it off. "Ah wull nae keep a jimmy fae his guidwife near her time. Even if he hud sae offended me, ah owe ye that at least."

"Not long to wait now." She said.

He nodded. He looked at her and then rose to his feet. "A missive cam fae london this mornin'."

"Oh?"

"Aye."

She looked over at him as he lifted it. It was official with a royal seal.

"Ah ne'er thought ah wid ever see th' day whin a wifie hud a langer list o' crimes than a jimmy." He said.

She blinked. "What?"

He lifted it. "Sedition, treason, criminal fornication..." She scoffed at that.

"I didn't do anything of the sort. Ask Ned."

"Ah hae." He looked. "Shall ah gang oan?"

"What? There is more?"

"Aye." He looked. "Fugitive suspected oan fleeing back tae prussia. Reward in th' amount o' 100 poonds sterling tae hae brought tae trial afore th' king o sassenach land." He smirked then. "Th' picture doesn't even keek lik' ye." He shook his head.

"That is quite a sum of money."

"Och, aye, bit th' quarter million ye gave me as a gift mak' that keek as though thay offer chaynge fae thair sporran."

She smiled a little. "You are not going to turn me in then?"

"No." He said. "How come shuid ah?" He looked at her. "Whit th' hell did ye dae?"

"I didn't do anything. I was summoned remember." She took a breath. "Simon Fraser was there. He wanted to marry me off to make him look good to the King. As it was he was also able to weasel out of that error by claiming I had lied. Which I did not. I was open and honest to the Prince."

"Th' auld fox aye finds a wey tae win. It's weel enough at his age he haes yin foot in th' kist."

She hissed. "I could help and put the other there. He didn't even know I was married to his own grandson."

He crossed himself. "Fur pity lassie. Ye cannae wish death oan someone, na maiter howfur muckle thay deserve it."

She took a breath. "I'm sorry. I just...I had feeling I was played."

He nodded. "Ah dae as weel." He said. He lifted the paper and rolled it up and then tossed it into the fire. "This is scootlund. As laird wi' ye under mah protection, ah decide if ye gang tae trial or nae."

She looked up at him startled as the paper burned quickly. "You just burned a royal decree."

He chuckled. "Felt ower guid actually." He sat down heavily. "Yer ainlie crime wis that ye obeyed yer laird in attending tae th' king." He shook his head. "Fur that, ah wull let na jimmy think tae hing ye."

She took a nervous breath. "They cannot hang me. I am a royal. They have to behead me." she said softly. "Assuming there isn't something interceded from my uncle on my behalf."

"Ye hae na pairt in th' jacobite cause 'n' yer innocent the lenth o' ah ken."

"They could come for me, uncle."

He shook his head. "No. Thay hae muckle mair pressing matters."

"Oh?"

"Aye. Yin wifie is th' least o' thair problems. Th' french ur near tae declaring war again 'n' th' jacobites ur stirring trauchle." He smiled. "Thay wull soon forgoat."

She nodded and sighed. "I could go to Prussia."

"Whit gang wid that dae ye? yer claise tae yer confinement 'n' travel insae weel advised." He eyed her. "Ye cuid hae lost th' bairn comin' back 'ere oan th' run as ye did, lassie." He took a breath. "Ah wull nae chance yer lee."

"Jamie will thank you."

"Mah nephew is anither maiter entirely." He said.

She finished her tea and rubbed her belly.

He watched her. "Does th' bairn trauchle ye?"

"No." She said thoughtfully. "Just moving a lot."

He nodded as she moved, rising to her feet, arching far back against the swell to lever herself up. She walked from the room, her belly leading her.

She sighed and would wait for Jamie to return home.

ZzZ

Lizzy waddled into her surgery and found a man that was quite unexpected there. It was Father Bain.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

He looked at her, his face pale and his eyes holding pain. "A dug bit me." He said.

She came to him. "Where?"

He lifted his robes revealing the festered wound on his leg.

"How long have you had this?" She asked looking at it.

"A week." He said.

She looked at him. "I must clean and dress it properly." She said.

He looked at her. "'twas yer hounds o' hell ye sent tae huv a go tae murdurr me."

She looked up. "What?"

"Dae ye deny that, foreign whore? de'il is yer jimmy."

She looked at him startled and then sat back. "I am a healer. I can heal you, but it will take time."

He moved. "it wis a foolish moment fur me tae come. Ah hud hoped that ah wid find yer assistant 'ere."

"My assistant?"

"Wee Laoghaire MacKenzie."

"She is not my assistant." Lizzy said. "Now come. You could die." She said. "Let me tend you." She said softly.

He leaped up and moved away. "No! Back Satan's whore!"

She stood hands out.

He crossed himself and left, limping, leaving Lizzy dumbfounded as she sat there, watching after him.

He did not return.

ZzZ

Lizzy moved about.

Walking would exhaust her if she did too much. She missed her husband. His large hands could rub the kinks from her back and from her feet.

She was standing looking out over the courtyard from the battlement when a group of men came riding in. They were for the most part very rough looking.

Lizzy arched an eyebrow as they dismounted.

Tristan was near her and he walked to her side. "Best be getting ben lass."

"Why?"

"Speak tae th' laird. We dae nae need thaim finding ye 'ere."

"Who are they?"

"Th' Watch." He said.

Lizzy looked down and swallowed. If people let on who she was or her husband, there could be problems for the laird. She took a breath and walked to Colum's office.

He knocked and he opened the door, pulling her inside.

"Uncle the Watch is here and..."

"Ah ken." He said. He looked at her. "Thay cannae ken yer prussian."

She took a breath. "Everyone assumes I am French. I can be a Frenchwoman."

"Aye, Bit yer aye a heich born."

She shook her head. She drew her dirk and cut away from of the cloth on her rather conservative dress. It offered more of her cleavage and she lowered the sleeves on her arms. She then lifted part of the petticoat to her belt. She looked now like a tavern wench. She used her blade to cut a little on her finger and then used the blooming blood to redden her lips.

Colum stared at her.

"I was once a camp follower in France. My husband just met me there." She said in a surprisingly good French accent.

Colum nodded. "That micht juist wirk." He eyed her. "Bit ye keek lik' a whore."

She shrugged. "What does it matter if they see me and then move on? I am Mrs. MacTavish." She said bowing with a flourish as though it was unpracticed and from someone who had heard of court. She then smiled. "Ne regardez pas tellement inquiète de son oncle. Avec peu d'assez pour eux ici, qu'ils passent à autre chose." She said smiling.

He nodded slowly. This just might work. Her accent to her French was more from the country, which is where her husband would have found her. She would be more earthy and more high born. Clearly, Lizzy knew well the game she was now in as she shifted her leg, revealing the sheath of the thin blade her cousin had sent her, strapped to her thigh, hilt downward toward her knee. Her sgian dubh was in her opposite boot, dirk at her side.

There was a knock and Colum lifted his hand.

Lizzy moved over to him, leaning over a bit to look at a paper. He swallowed as her large breasts were well within his line of sight as he cleared his throat. "Enter."

A thin man with his silver-blond hair pulled back behind him came into the room. His plaid was wrapped about himself as he wore breeches. He had the dust from the road on him. He was also armed to the teeth. His blue eyes, lighter than Jamie. His skin was tanned like leather from the sun, but his face was warm as he looked at Colum.

"Ah, MacKenzie. Greetings."

"MacQuarrie. It's aye a buzz." Colum said, a little bit more harshly than he meant.

Lizzy straightened and looking at him, leaning back against the weight of her child.

"'n' whit's this then? a ower bonnie rose among th' hielan thorns, even wi' her belly under her chin."

Lizzy smiled and stepped forward hand out to him. "Bonjour." she said, her French.

"A french wifie?" He asked.

She smiled a little. "My husband is a Scot." she said.

"Indeed." He looked at her. "Ye sound lik' ye cam fae liège." He said looking at her.

She smiled a little. "Nancy actually." She said.

He nodded.

"Whit brings ye 'ere?" Colum asked.

"A nicht o` yer braw hospitality afore we shift oan." MacQuarrie said.

Colum did not flinch. "O' coorse." He nodded to Lizzy as she shifted uneasily. "Mah dear, wid ye excuse us fur a moment?"

She nodded and walked from the room closing the door behind her.

"Bonny lass. That yer bairn she carries?"

"No, Her husband's. He is currently seeing tae mah brother." He said.

"Ah." MacQurrie said.

Colum sat forward. "A'm waantin' ye gaen by midday th'morra. Dae ye ken me, Taran?"

"Perfectly, mah laird." MacQuarrie said.

ZzZ

MacQuarrie made his way to the kitchens. Lizzy was there peeling potatoes, her skirts hiked up as she worked due to the warmth and her condition. He smiled coming to her. "Ye ken it's a wonder that a frenchwoman wid lik' th' hielands. Ah wid think it wid be tae foosty 'n' cauld."

She looked up and smiled. "I get on well enough, Mr..."

"MacQuarrie. Taran MacQuarrie."

"I have heard of you."

"Hae ye noo?" He asked sitting on a stool beside her.

"The Watch are an interesting bunch of thieves and cutthroats."

"Mair interesting comin' fae a wifie that a fighter picked up in a brothel." He said looking at her.

She smirked and chuckled. "Why the fuck do you even care?" She asked. Let him assume that she was a woman who was of less character. She was wed now and changed and...

He cocked his head. "Whit dae thay ca' ye then mah lady?"

"Elizabeth when they are sober, a jilt when their sauced, but never lady." She smiled at him.

He chuckled and bowed his head. "Yer guidman is a jammy jimmy."

She rolled her eyes. "Lucky to have me at least." she smiled.

He reached out and touched her belly as she winced as the baby kicked. "Strong." He said.

She nodded and lifted herself to her feet. She moved to lift the basket.

He shook his head and lifted it for her. "Whaur tae, Mistress?"

She chuckled at led the way to the large cooking vat.

ZzZ

Three days later and the Watch moved on after a day as MacQuarrie had promised.

Lizzy felt more at ease. Charming the leader had taken far more effort than it was worth. He was an interesting man. He seemed to prefer her company to others.

He had taken her to the town to a tavern for a meal and to talk while his men found whores. She was returned within a couple hours. Several people had witnessed them talking but little more. He had sat across from her and did little more than speak even as his men went upstairs with the various strumpets.

She had returned and Colum had summoned her. When asked about her dealings with the Watch commander, Lizzy simply spat into the fire and pulled her bodice up to a more modest place.

Colum had nodded. Lizzy was good at the game and she would live to see another day.

Lizzy had remained in Colum's office, looking down at the men from the window as they left. Colum had stood beside her.

"Ah dae nae lik' that jimmy. He is hee haw, bit trauchle."

Lizzy took a breath. "But he does not know me. More the better."

"Aye." He had said before returning to the papers on his desk as she watched MacQuarrie and his companions leave.

ZzZ

Lizzy received a small note from Tommas late one evening.

She looked at it curiously.

Lizzy,

Come quick!

Geillis

Lizzy looked at the note, curious. Jamie had warned her to stay away from the widow.

Still she needed to see her friend to make sure all was well. She rode in a cart to the town where Geillis lived. It was not far and she made it after sundown.

Lizzy hopped out if the cart and knocked on the door.

Her servant opened the door and Lizzy walked in with a nod.

Lizzy waddled up the stairs and looked at Geillis there by the fireplace. "Geillis, I came as quickly as I could."

"Elizabeth."

"You letter." Lizzy said.

"Whit letter?"

Lizzy lifted it to her. "The one you sent."

Geillis took it and looked it over. "'twas nae me wha sent it. Suspects someone's playing a prank oan ye lizzy. Ah wis juist aboot tae gang doonby tae tea." She said walking by her friend. "Jeanie,Ye kin set th' buird fur twa."

The maid dipped her head and went to do as she was bidden.

"Geillis this is no prank." Lizzy said going toward her. "I've no time for dinner and neither do you. You must leave here now."

"Lea? 'n' gang whaur?"

"Wherever you choose. I don't care."

"Weel that's a comfort." She took a breath and lifted a bottle to her lips after lifting it in a mock salute to Lizzy. "In that case, ah will remain 'ere ." She said turning to look at something

Lizzy's face twisted. "Geillis drop the pretense. I know you poisoned your husband and I'm not the only one."

Geillis turned to look at her. "Whit a thing tae say Elizabeth." She took a breath. "Tis positively pure nasty."

"Not as cruel as Colum will be." Lizzy said. "If you care for your baby, then you will pack some belongings and you will flee here."

Geillis looked at her unmoved.

"We can argue the "why" of it later."

"Yer concern touches mah hert, bit tis misplaced." Geillis said lifting a bottle.

Lizzy looked about and then lifted a small green bottle. She looked and unstoppered it and then sniffed it and then pulled it from her face. "Is it?" She asked.

There was a sudden pounding at the door. "Open up!"

"Who's there?" Jeanie called.

"Open th' door noo! tis th' warden!"

"Mistress?! thare ur wardens 'ere tae see ye."

"Open th' door noo!" Can the bellow of a large man.

"Do not let her answer that door." Lizzy said. "You can escape through the kitchen. I'll see to the packing." Lizzy said urgently. "I'll meet you in the glade later tonight."

"Bolt mah ain hoose, lik' a thief in th' nicht?" Geillis frowned. "A wullnae hae it."

"OPEN TH' DOOR NOO! This is official business! we demand tae see mistress duncan richt awa'. Open up!"

"Mistress?!" Jeanie called urgently.

Geillis took the small bottle and walked toward the fireplace. "Dougal wull ne'er allow anythin' tae happen tae me." She poured the contents out. "To us." She caressed the swell and then bellowed. "Jeanie! Let thaim in!"

"Geillis Duncan!" Came a bellow from outside.

Jeanie opened the door and the men stormed in. "Tak' us tae yer mistress!"

Geillis looked at Lizzy as they stood the room apart. "He made me a promise." She told Lizzy. "THe jimmy loues me tae death."

Jeanie appeared with several men right on her heels. The leader turned and saw Geillis. "Geillis Duncan, Ye'r under arrest fur witchcraft."

Geillis gasped and looked wide eyed at the men as she slammed the bottle into the fire. The man moved toward her. He stepped behind her, putting manacles on her wrists.

"Under whose orders!" Lizzy asked moving forward.

A second man grabbed Lizzy to him. "well, lookie 'ere. Th' ither sorceress. Tis th' thieves nook fur th' baith o' ye."

"What on earth have I done?" Lizzy asked as the man bound her arms.

"Ye wull hear a' aboot it at th' trial."

Lizzy panted.

"Let's gang!"

"Get your hands off me!" Lizzy cried. "Do you know who I am?"

The men said nothing else until they were outside.

"Stop! Get off me!" Lizzy hissed.

The man held her firmly as she walked at a fast pace which was difficult given her state.

"Ye'll nae be casting spells oan us th' nicht." The man said to her. "Aye, Yer a feisty wee witch, ah will gie ye that."

She was dragged out and they both were put into a cart with bars. Lizzy shifted and looked out the window. From around a corner stepped Laoghaire who smiled at her and waved a little.

Lizzy suddenly felt ill.

ZzZ

The cart ride was short and then she was lifted out and then shoved into a hole that was full of rocks. Lizzy dropped and landed rather badly, twisting her ankle and scrapping her hands as she landed. Geillis faired little better as she landed harder and lower.

They both groaned and looked up as the gate above was shut and locked.

"Where the hell are we?" Lizzy asked.

"Ye heard th' warden. Tis a thieves nook." Geillis hissed.

"Is there anyone else in here?" Lizzy cried.

"Earwigs, Hornie-gollachs. Rats th' size o' lyam-hounds."

They pulled each other up.

"Ye ainlie hae yersel' tae blame fur this." Geillis said.

"Are you saying this is my fault?"

Geillis looked at her evenly.

"I'm the one that wanted to warn you to pack your belongings and flee."

"Juist as th' wardens arrived at mah door. Mibbie 'twas ye wha sent thaim tae me?"

"Nonsense. Why would I be here with you?" Lizzy growled. "It was Laoghaire." Lizzy said. "She must have written the letter for me to go to your house. She was there watching us when the wardens too us out."

"Ah kept yer secrets Elizabeth. Ye shuid hae kept mines."

"Jeanie told me where to find you in the woods." Lizzy said. "If you didn't want to add fuel to the rumors then you shouldn't have made it common knowledge that you were dancing under a full moon naked and burning effigies."

The other woman smiled. "Sae ye think a'm a witch."

Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Of course not. You may not have killed Dougal's wife, but you definitely killed Arthur. And it wasn't witchcraft. It was old-fashioned poison. Just like a woman should." Lizzy stepped closer. "Am I wrong?"

Lizzy shook her head and moved away.

Geillis looked up at the grate and then looked back and smiled. "Ah stairted wi' white arsenic a few months ago. Thought it wid murdurr arthur aff afore th' bairn began tae shaw."

"And you would be free to marry Dougal." Lizzy said.

Geillis giggled a little.

"Tis a laddie again." Geillis said. "He's kicking." She said reaching for Lizzy's hand.

Lizzy jerked her hand away.

The warden appeared at the grate. "Fairn fur th' witches!" He said and dropped it in. It fell into the muddy earth.

Lizzy moved and crawled up. "Wait! I need to talk to you." She said. "There's been a mistake!" She said, voice begging for pity.

"Is that richt?" He asked dropping down.

"I'm Elizabeth Fraser, from Castle Leoch. I'm married to James Fraser, nephew of the laird."

"'n' a'm king arthur!" The man taunted.

Lizzy gasped as he left.

Geillis looked up at her. "Surely king arthur wis mair bonnie than that slimy paddock." She shifted. "We dinnae be 'ere lang." She said. "Dougal wull come fur us."

"No Geillis."

"Aye he wull."

"I was there when Dougal told Colum about your affair and the bairns. I kept your secret Geillis, but Colum was very angry. He sent Dougal away, he banished him, and Jamie with him." She took a shaky breath. "There is no one who will come, Geillis." She moved to lay down on the cold wet rocks. "We are both alone!"

The hard truth finally registered on Geillis's face.