Chapter 25 – The Frasers Say Goodbye

The cold winter night was silent as the grave.

Silent and cold.

It was time when there was little light and the prisoners did not go far from the prison. Working the interior walls and cutting peats.

However, this night, the silence was broken by a shrill cry of an infant.

It was early March and the tiny, but still growing Lady Benedicta Katherine Grey was only two months old. She had developed colic. Her tiny tummy hurt with gas pressure and made her often fussy. Lord Grey felt as terrible for the tiny being he had helped bring into the world as he had for his wife when she was late term and again as she labored.

He rose from the bed, kissing his wife's cheek as she woke with him. "I'll take her." He murmured softly to her.

Ellen had spent many a night rising to feed the tiny demanding being, something Lord Grey could do little other than offer moral support and walk the tiny thing about to burp her as Ellen cleaned herself up.

Lord Grey knew this cry was not from her needing to be fed, but needing to relieve the gas in her tiny tummy that was the size of his thumb. He moved to the cradle after lighting a candle. He lifted the baby with one arm, hand under the tiny head, body on his arm as he walked to the wing backed chair and sat down placing the candle on the table as he looked down at her. Her tiny belly was distended and she was curled up, clenching her tiny fists as her face held a reddish color from crying.

"My poor angel." He murmured as he tenderly laid her on his knees and caressed her belly as the girl whimpered. She calmed a little feeling the warm comforting hands of her father on her. She whimpered looking up at him, large tears in her eyes as he cooed. He smiled, reflecting on his life. Though he would always love Hector, this small gift was something that he would never have been able to have if he had remained with men. Risking his life for his sexual orientation seemed a thing of the past now that he had a family to care for and provide for. However, he still, at times longed for a male caress, the strength of hands on his body, pressing into him as he did them.

However, Ellen, was a very masculine woman. Tall, strong, fiery temper, and yet feminine, caring, and devoted mother and wife. He was not sure what he had done to deserve her. He had made so many mistakes, one of which had led her to come here since her father was imprisoned, not shot as a traitor, but he promised he would never give her cause to leave him. She would be happy, their children happy, and they would be a family.

He looked back at the sleeping form of his wife. She was a blessing in many ways to him. So many he would have to tell her someday.

He sighed looking at the tiny being on his knees. She had stopped crying and now was making soft noises, almost of pleasure. He smiled down at her as she quite loudly broke wind and burped at the same time. It startled the girl and she looked up startled at the noise she made. "Feeling better now?" He asked gently smiling in amusement.

He chuckled as her eyes began to close after. Perhaps that was what she needed. Just to relax enough to allow the gas to come out. He lifted her up to his breast, wrapping her in her swaddling clothing, and holding her close as he lifted a book to read, softly reading aloud to her so she could sleep to the sound of his voice.

Soon she was snoring softly and he smiled. He set the book aside and lifted her up to kiss the soft cheek. He reveled in her baby scent.

He rose to his feet and went to the cradle, laying her down on her back. He sighed rocking it a moment as she shifted a little, but did not wake. He smiled and went back to his wife and crawled into bed with her once more. He sighed, wrapping his chilled body around her warmth. She shifted feeling him, smelling his familiar scent of his cologne, the faint smell of the wash soap and horses, leather, and his own masculine scent.

She did not wake, but settled in his embrace with a soft sigh. He sighed as well, wrapping an arm about her, just below her full breasts, and soon sleeping himself.

ZzZ

Things went well for the prison for several months.

Bena grew. Though she was small in weight, she was lithe and long.

It was August and the days were warm. The tiny girl could walk now holding onto fingers, stomping her rather chunky legs as she moved.

Ellen had her outside with her as the sun was starting to set. Bena spotted her grandfather and excitedly danced on Ellen's legs. He spotted her there and broke rank to go see them. He smiled and lifted the tiny girl up into the air and laughed with her as she giggled gurgling happily as Ellen looked on. The governor had been taking reports from patrols and walked to his wife. She had gained much of her original shape back from walking about, but she was still breast feeding which left her breasts and hips thicker.

Lord Grey stooped and kissed Ellen's cheek as he watched Jamie bring Bena over to the other prisoners who all cheered excitedly.

A private who was new to the prison came to Jamie who held the little infant who was squealing happily at the attention. "Unhand the child at once prisoner."

Jamie looked at him startled. "Pardon."

Lord Grey had been laughing at something Bash told him when he saw the man. He gasped and moved quickly forward.

"I said unhand the little girl!"

Lord Grey stepped forward between them. "Private."

"Sir!" The man snapped to attention. "This man stole the girl from her mother, the Lady Grey."

Lord Grey shook his head. "Stole is a bit strong. He brought her to see the men."

"But he did not seek permission from the guards."

Lord Grey let out an exasperated sigh. "It is because most of them know that Mr. Fraser is allowed to see the child. If Lady Grey felt danger she would have cried out."

The man sighed. "Apologies, sir."

Jamie looked on, kissing the fat cheek as Bena giggled oblivious the tension near her.

ZzZ

Lord Grey rubbed a hand over his eyes as he sat at his desk.

"Long morning?" Ellen asked coming to him with a tea tray.

"Oh, you are a welcome sight indeed." He smiled. "How was your journey to the village?" He had not slept well without her in his bed and little Bena was with her. Oddly, he had thought he would sleep better, but that was not the case.

"Quiet." She said. "I got a new dress and some shells for Bena to play with."

He nodded as Ellen set the tray down on his desk and then smiled down at her feet at the small baby who had crawled with her from the door after she had collected the tea tray from Blaire. Bena even could navigate the small stairs in his office, turning and climbing backwards on them. Bena lifted herself up to stand beside a chair to look about, looking like a small dog as she looked about.

"Are you looking for me, sweeting?" Lord Grey asked, leaning to the side into her vision.

She gasped and dropped to her bottom before she crawled excitedly to her father who beamed and lifted her up to his lap. She reached for his tea cup and he shook his head. "Not for you, little one. It is hot."

Not convinced by the warning, Bena put her hand into the steaming tea and then jerked it out again with a startled outcry as both her parents were looking at a document. She wailed in pain and Lord Grey looked at her and shook his head. "I said it was hot you little fool." He said looking at the large tears and look of betrayal on his daughter's face as she looked at him, sucking on her wounded paw.

Ellen smiled. "Oh, that is a look for you Daddy." She said.

He did not care for that look and so rose to his feet and went to the water bucket. He put his handkerchief into it, being clean, and wrung it out. He then wrapped it around the small hand. "There you are." He said. "Now then. If Daddy says no, you should listen, no?" He chided.

She sniffled, but was pacified for the moment and took part of the cake he offered her as he sat down.

"They are closing the prison, Ellen." He said softly looking at the documents. "To close by the end of this month."

"So soon?" She gasped.

"Yes." He sighed. "The prisoners are to become indentured servants in the Americas. All, but one." He looked up at her. "I am writing to see about his release, Ellen, but he is being held at the King's pleasure as a convicted traitor."

She nodded. "I know you will do all you can." She smiled at her daughter who grinned at her and cheekily grabbed another bit of cake.

"And the other men? How long are they slaves to the crown?"

"Indentured servitude is not slavery." He said softly looking at her. "The men will be free after serving their fourteen years."

"If they live that long." She said.

"True." He sighed. "I have heard the Americas are harder than even Scotland." He smiled at her. "However, it means you will be able to come home with me to London. We will be able to live with my brother until I find a home suitable. I am sure you will enjoy your time with Minnie." He beamed. "The little cousins are almost the same age."

"Will I like London?" She asked.

"It is full of society, shopping, tea parties, and women of your own status you can talk to." He reached and took her hand. "I know you are lonely here, Ellen."

"But I will be far away from Papa." She said.

"Closer to your other family. We could write to them. Tell them that we are wed." He smiled. "Perhaps when Bena is a little older we could travel to see them."

She gasped at that. "You mean that?"

"Of course, I do." He smiled and kissed her fingers. "You will want for nothing and I will have you happy."

She looked at him and giggled. "Do you think they have shops in London with those little cakes with the topping on top and strawberries?"

"There are many bakers there."

"I wonder if they could make me strudel. I miss strudel."

"What is strudel?" He asked intrigued.

"It is dough with nuts, dried currants, apples, and spices rolled up and baked." She smiled. "It is lovely with afternoon tea."

He chuckled. "You will have to show me then."

ZzZ

Most of the prisoners were loaded into carts to be taken to the nearest port to be shipped across the ocean to the colonies.

Ellen had overseen the packing of her meager belongings and those of her husband in trunks and cases. Her husband's many books, she lovingly packed. She had read them all, many times, and she hoped for more to read in London.

Lord Grey came to her in the courtyard as he made sure his own horse was saddled along with another. Her mare was tied to the carriage that would take her to London under the escort of Bash and some of the private men. He had lectured all the enlisted men that his wife was a lady, wife of a major and sister-in-law of a colonel and if they valued anything of their careers they would guard her and his child with their lives.

Ellen smiled at him as Jamie held little Bena, speaking to her as he hugged her close. Bena was fussy, not liking the upset of her home as men and beast moved about in organized chaos about them.

Lord Grey came to his wife. "Be well. Hal is looking forward to seeing you again. I will be along directly." He looked. "I am sure Sara will make a good chambermaid."

"I could take Fiona as well."

"You do not like her." Lord Grey said.

"Still. She could use a home. Alina and Blaire have been given jobs for the garrison, but what of Fiona."

He leaned close to her. "I will not have that little harlot under my protection and that is my final word on the matter." He hissed. "She has made her own choices."

She looked at him startled. "But…"

"No." He said firmly.

She sighed. "Sara at least will be of use."

"Indeed. If nothing else, she will serve you as your maidservant, if it pleases you, my dear." Lord Grey said smiling.

He helped Sara into the carriage and then looked at Fraser. "It is time Fraser."

Ellen sighed and embraced her father as Lord Grey took his daughter, bouncing her a little to calm her. Jamie hugged his eldest daughter to him and kissed her cheek, whispering to her in Gaelic. She nodded softly and then turned to her husband.

Lord Grey looked up as Jamie mounted and then allowed his arms to be bound. John then kissed his wife softly. "I will be with you soon enough. I love you Ellen. Know that."

"I know." She said nodding as she took her daughter and climbed into the carriage.

Lord Grey closed and locked the door, laying his hand on her own as she looked at the window at the two men she loved the most in this world. The carriage moved with a creak.

Lord Grey mounted and then nodded leading Jamie out and then a different path from the others.

Jamie looked at Lord Grey, who silently led him on.

ZzZ

"It has been five days. You are going to have to talk to me eventually." Lord Grey said looking over at Jamie beside him.

"Whaur wur th' ithers sent? whaur is ellen 'n' wee benedicta?"

"The others were sent to the colonies. My wife and daughter are going ahead to London. They will be the guests of my brother until I can such quarters are adequate to our station and too her liking."

Jamie looked at him. "Ye truly care fur her, don't ye?"

"Of course, I do." Lord Grey said. "I would have not married her otherwise. I was genuinely fond of her when I proposed. I now cannot imagine life without her."

Jamie looked over and sighed. "How come did ye nae send me wi' th' ithers?" He narrowed his eyes. "How come dae ye keep me grey."

Lord Grey dropped down off his mount and sighed. "You are not merely a prisoner, but a convicted traitor, imprisoned at the pleasure of his majesty. Your sentence cannot be commuted without royal approval." He said coming around as Jamie dismounted. He stepped closer. "His majesty has not seen fit to give that approval." He sighed, watching his father-in-law. "I couldn't give you freedom Fraser. This is the next best I can manage."

"Whaur am ah tae gang then?" Jamie asked, not looking at him.

Lord Grey turned, looking down into a valley where a great house and a large estate stood. Several small lakes in the area glinted in the sun. "It is called Helwater. You will serve Lord Dunsany." He looked back. "I will visit you once each quarter. To ensure your welfare."

Jamie scoffed a little. "welfare?"

"But I caution you. Your new host is not well disposed to Charles Stewart or his followers. You can scarcely conceal that you are a Scot and a Highlander at that." He cocked his head and then reached into his pocket. "If you will consider a piece of well-meant advice. It might be judicious not to use a name as recognizable as your own." He said removing the chains from Jamie's wrists.

Jamie nodded, rubbing his wrists. "Aye." He stepped around Lord Grey, looking down at the estate.

Lord Grey turned with him, watching him.

"How come ye wid dae that fur me?" Jamie said. He looked back at Lord Grey. "Ah didnae let ye hae yer wey."

John sighed and nodded. "I regret that particular moment of weakness. T'was foolish of me. But I told you about someone I cared for, and you did the same." He took a breath. "You gave me my life all those years ago. Now I give you yours. I hope you use it well."

"Yer brother discharged that debt."

"For the sake of the family name." Lord Grey agreed. "Now I discharge it for the sake own." He then smiled. "Besides, do you honestly think my lady wife would allow you to just rot in another prison somewhere?"

Jamie smiled a little at that. "She wid hae yer heid."

"Exactly." Lord Grey nodded. He then straightened. "Now then, Mr. Fraser. Let's be on our way. We have a distance to go yet before night fall and I would like to stay in a nice room for the night, if you please."

Jamie watched him go to his horse and mount. He followed, mounting how own as he looked at his son-in-law. "Efter ye, m' laird." He said.

Lord Grey dipped his head and together they rode down the road that led to the great estate that would be Jamie's new home for the time of his parole.