Chapter 29: Wilmington
A letter arrived in the mail, two days after the gathering. It was addressed from Lord John Grey. He had written informing us that he had secured a hearing with his superiors to ensure that Wilmington's dismissal was permanent but that he needed Jenny, Jamie and myself to testify as to what had happened. The hearing was to be held in a weeks time, on the 28th November in Inverness.
As I sat by the fire reading over the letter once again, I could feel the apprehension surging through Jamie, his fingers tapping uneasily on the mantle. It would take that long to travel there, especially this time of year in late autumn when the ground was still damp and the nights cooled quickly. Jenny and I would have to travel by wagon, Michael was too young to be left behind but Fergus and Mrs McNeil could watch over the others while we were gone. Jamie's biggest concern however, as was mine if I was honest, was making the journey twice in less than a month. I was, to the best of our knowledge, less than three months away from my due date and with Winter coming Jamie had insisted that I be taken to the stones before the snows started to fall too deep. It would be a week to Inverness, 3 to 5 days there and a week back. No sooner we returned to Lallybroch then Jamie and I would have to return back the way we came to Craig Na Dun. I didn't like the idea of being on the road for the next four weeks, but the thought that gave me the most apprehension was the notion that I would have to leave Em and Bree behind now so that we might travel straight from Inverness to Craig Na Dun after the trial. The idea of not seeing my children again until I returned in four months time burned an unwelcome hole in the pit of my stomach and I rubbed the spot absently. Jenny had offered to go on her own and to speak on my behalf, but we all knew, that as the injured party, my testimony was the one that Lord John needed the most. My back ached just thinking of those days I had spent believing that I would never walk again after the accident and even now I could recall that tingling sensation I had felt when the feeling had first started to return.
"I dinnae like it Sassenach." Jamie objected as we sat in the parlour, discussing our options. He must have seen me wince, as he made his way immediately to my side, handed me a small glass of whiskey and began rubbing my lower back. I let the letter drop onto my lap, willing it to disappear.
"It doesn't look like we have much choice." I sighed regretfully, "John writes that the General will be leaving shortly after and will not be back in the area until late spring." I took Jamie's hand in mind, assuring him that I was fine, there was only one true choice before us. "We have to do it Jamie. If we don't stop him now, then he might come after you again." And that would mean coming after him here, at Lallybroch. We had been lucky to survive last time, god knows what might happen if he came here again.
"Aye." Jamie nodded, "I just wish I ken why he has such an agenda against me."
"He didn't say much." But I recalled all too clearly that what he had said, had been full of hate. "He called you Red Jamie, I'd say there's a fair chance that it has something to do with Culloden."
"Tis true I made many enemies on the battlefield. But war is war Sassenach and most of us let go our anger long ago."
"You know as well as I do Jamie, that for some men, the anger is all they have left."
"Aye." He squeezed my hand his knuckles white around my own, and I saw the fear in his eyes, "That kind of anger can make a man verra dangerous ye ken." Then he looked across to Ian and I saw Ian glance back in agreement.
"Ye worried that if we testify, he'll come looking for vengeance?" Ian asked him for confirmation.
"I'm worried about what I'll do if he does." Jamie glanced back at his brother in law. It didn't take much imagination to know exactly what Jamie would do. Wilmington had threatened his family, endangered his wife and child and tried to kill his son and Jamie was a true highlander if ever there was one. If Wilmington ever turned up here at Lallybroch, he'd never leave here alive and the British would hunt him down high and low for the murder of one of their officers no matter the circumstances. I felt the hairs on my neck stiffen and my bones shudder.
"Even so." I said, making up my mind. "I think we should do it. We need to stop him before he hurts anyone else."
"I ken ye right Sassenach." He nodded running his fingers through my hair, and resting a warm reassuring palm on the top of my shoulder. "But I wish to god that ye dinnae have to be then one to do it."
"It will be all right Jamie." I promised him and I looked towards Ian who nodded in agreement.
"Clare's right Jamie." Ian replied, "The man is out of control. He could have killed Fergus, Maggie even, Jenny. Wilmington is a loose cannon, best we make our case now, before he does come here again and it's too late."
"He won't stop coming after you Jamie. I saw it in his eyes." I saw an image flash before me, two dark eyes, as black as his soul, starring down the barrel of his gun, matched only by the satisfied grin on his lips as he pulled back the trigger. "If testifying against him keeps you safe, and the others, then you have to let me try."
"I'm not daft enough to think I could stop ye mo nighean donn, but I'll not have to be pleased about it."
"It's settled then." Ian grabbed a quill and paper from the desk and began writing, "I'll let them know we will be there in a weeks time. If we leave tomorrow, we could just make it." He calculated.
Ian was in charge of most of the correspondence, with Jamie's hand being crippled after Wentworth, Ian was Jamie's hand as much as Jamie was Ian's leg. They were a fine match. Jamie stood up and went to stand by the desk, helping Ian compose the reply and I watched as Jamie bit his lip, chewing it repeatedly as his stiffened hands tapped the side of his leg. It would be a long hard journey, cold during the day and freezing at night, the ground hard underneath us as we slept and the nights long and dark. I didn't want to be out on the road under such conditions any more than Jamie wanted me to be and I found myself suddenly thinking of those long nights travelling in the back of my uncle's car, its crude heater turned up high for warmth as I huddled under the old woollen blanket. How long would it take by car I wondered? One day? Maybe two?
I smiled at him reassuringly, as he tried to supress his doubts and his fears from showing. His mind was made and now there were plans to be put into action. Feeling a sudden need to stand by him, I got up off of the couch where I had been sitting and made my way to his side. I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "I'd best go help Jenny make the preparations for our departure." I said after a while, feeling his muscles under my hand beginning to relax as he set about his task. "I'm sure she'll be needing my help with something."
"Aye.' Jamie took my hand and held it out in front of him, studying it carefully as he thought. He didn't say anything, but the tightness of his facial features and the way he stared at me betrayed him. He wasn't just worried about Wilmington and the trial, but for how perilous the journey would be. I could see the tears hidden behind his bright blue eyes, pleading with me to find another way. I looked back, my eyes as regretful as his as I apologised for not having the answers he sought.
"You said that the regiment was staying in an estate, about two days south of here?" Jamie spoke suddenly as I prepared to leave. The suddenness of it stopped me in my tracks and I turned around to face him.
"Aye. They are. What are ye thinking?" Ian asked as he stopped writing and pondered Jamie's statement.
"What if we held the trial there?" I looked at Ian, and then to Jamie, "I'm sure they would have no objections, not with Claire being so far gone with child and Jenny being with wee Michael. If this General is as close a friend as Lord John says he is, I'm sure John could persuade him to make the arrangements." Jamie concluded optimistically.
"Aye." Ian agreed and I noticed the creased brow of Jamie's forehead recede, he had found what he wanted, a better option. "He just might at that." Jamie grabbed me by the shoulders, drawing me in close so he could kiss me on the forehead. "Go and tell Jenny to pack, we will leave for the trial in two days."
"And if he can't change the location?" Ian asked, preparing to continue his letter.
"He will." Jamie grinned at him. It didn't matter how important the general thought he was. Once a Fraser had made up his mind, there was no changing it.
JAMMF
Murtagh had insisted on coming along, he didn't like the idea of Jamie travelling into hostile territory any more than I did, but Jamie had convinced him that it was too dangerous for him to go. He still had a price still on his head and Jamie and I convinced him that he was needed here to guard the children and defend the home if need be. Reluctantly Murtagh had bid us a safe journey and sworn an oath that Bree and Em and their cousins would come to no harm while we were away. The four of us had never left the estate before, not at the same time, and I began to dread all the terrible things my mind was telling me might happen while we were away.
To my relief, the journey to the estate known as "Hopeton" where the soldiers were staying was relatively uneventful, if not slow. The air was mild enough, and the sun warm on my skin as it shone brightly above us, but the road itself was already turning into a boggy mess beneath us and we had been forced to stop more than once when the wagon became stuck in the quicksand, forcing the men to dig it out. It was mid morning on the second day. Jamie and I had slept in the wagon the night before, at Jamie's insistence that I wasn't in a condition to be sleeping on the damp ground and catching an ague. I had scoffed at this, thinking of the numerous nights we had both spent sleeping out under the stars, but he had made our sleeping accommodations in the tray against all protests. As tired as I was, I had found it difficult to fall asleep, and I could tell by the stiffness in Jamie's arm beneath me that he had felt the same. The boards of the wagon were hard underneath me and my back was beginning to ache from the constant jostling. I had said a quick 'thank god' that our journey would take two days instead of five and tried not to let my discomfort show.
"Christ." I heard Jamie swear from where he rode Donas beside us. Jenny held the reigns of the wagon, Mary, one of Jenny's maid servants, cradled young Michael in her arms behind us. I felt the wagon come to a sudden stop, for the second time this morning, and let out a deep sigh.
"Blessed Michael." Jenny cursed as she tried to steady the horses. "If this is what the road is like now." She mumbled, "I can only imagine what it's going to look like after the winter snows." Jamie shot her a warning glance and dismounted his horse to check out the wagon.
"Aye." Jamie's voice trailed off, lost in thought as he reached up and helped me onto the ground. I wondered secretly how much I must weigh now as his arms strained to hold me suspended in mid air. He settled me down on the ground, as easy as a feather and straightened my skirt for me. "Take a seat Sassenach." He insisted as Ian set about helping Jenny lead the horses around the bog. "I'll get ye something to drink."
Despite the temperature, I was hot and thirsty. My skin warmed from the inside as my child grew. Jamie had joked once that my furnace ran hotter than his when I was "with bairn" which made a pleasant change from normal. No sooner had Jamie returned from Donas with his flask, Jenny and Ian announced that they had cleared the obstruction and were ready to proceed. I took a profound sip, let out a sigh and handed it back to Jamie.
"Here." I said, looking around from where we had come and towards where we were going. My buttocks was still numb and I longed for the times when I could ride my own horse, free to stretch my legs and sore muscles as I rode.
"Nay." Jamie pushed it back towards me. "You keep it." He insisted, watching me closely, but I managed to wave off his look of concern.
"I think I might walk a while." I said, stretching out my back in preparation. Jamie spun me around, massaged my shoulders quickly then made a small "Hmmph" sound.
"Aye." He grinned as I turned back to face him, "I ken what ye mean Sassenach." Ian helped Jenny onto the wagon then mounted his horse. "Ride ahead Ian." Jamie called out, grabbing Donas by the reigns, "Claire and I are going to walk a bit." Jamie didn't wait for his answer, but I saw Ian nod and instruct Jenny to get the horse walking again. I supressed a small chuckle, thinking that by the time they dealt with the next obstruction we would probably catch them up, even as I waddled slowly behind them. Jamie took his place on my left, wrapped his arm around my waist and with a firm hold on his horse with his left hand, led us back along the path at a quiet stroll.
JAMMF
We could see the walls of the main house, standing tall above the fields before us. Smoke bellowed from the chimneys and I wondered, given that the afternoon had long been upon us, what manner of food was being prepared in the kitchens for dinner. My stomach growled loudly at the thought and Jamie squeezed my hand and smiled at me. "Hungry are ye?" He asked, his own stomach groaning in protest.
"Not really." I lied, smiling back as he looked back towards the wagon. "Come Sassenach." Jamie removed his arm from my waist and offered it for me to take. "Best we make ourselves known and see to getting ye fed." He grinned, lifting me back up into the wagon.
The tension that had left us all earlier now returned as we prepared to walk straight into the English camp. There was no turning back now, but there was also no assurances that this was going to go well either. Ian and Jamie road ahead of us on their horses, announcing our arrival and creating a barrier between us from any threats that the British soldiers below might pose. My mind raced, what would I say once I got there? "Best keep ye thoughts to yeself Sassenach" Jamie had warned me, "Keep to the facts and try not to say more than ye should." I hadn't taken offense, I knew as well as he did that my temper and my words had gotten us into trouble more than once. I just hoped that this time, Jamie wouldn't have to rescue me again from trouble of my own doing. I looked across to Jenny, back straight, head held high and a determined expression on her face and I tried to feel the same.
There was a small blockade on the road a little further ahead. Four young soldiers, looking bored and cold as they stood guard at their posts. I wondered how long they had been there as I watched them, watching us approach. "Halt" They called out. "What business do you have here?"
"We are guests of Lord John Grey." I heard Jamie announce. "He is expecting us."
"And who may you be?" The soldier asked, stepping out to look over our small group and limited provisions. He didn't look more than twenty and no older than his three companions. I wondered if he had been at Culloden, I calculated his age realising that he wouldn't have been no more than fourteen at the time and hoped that he had joined up afterwards.
"My name is James Fraser." There was no hint of apprehension in his voice, but I knew it was there and I yearned to stand by his side in support.
"Fraser?" The first soldier asked again, listening to something whispered in his ear by the other. The soldiers face went pale and he stood straighter, hand clasped tightly around his rifle. "James Fraser" He repeated more loudly.
"Aye, and my family." Jamie gestured back towards us and I rubbed my belly, making it clear that I was with child and not a threat. Jenny grabbed Michael and did the same while Ian moved his horse slightly back from Jamie's allowing him room to swing his sword if need be.
"Ma'am." The soldier who had done the whispering took of his hat and bowed briefly. He looked shocked to see me, or someone in my condition, and scrambled to make amends. "I do apologise for the delay." He stumbled. "You may proceed." The soldiers all nodded, parting to the sides to allowing us to pass. I smiled gratefully at them as our wagon moved past them but felt their eyes on us as we made our way down the path and out of view. I wondered what had been whispered, and whether heir astonishment at meeting 'Jamie Fraser' was a positive one or a negative one.
"What on earth was that about?" I asked Jamie as he came up beside us after we were out of sight.
"I dinnea ken." He remarked keeping a wary eye on the trail behind us. "Here." Jamie handed me the small knife he kept in his boot. "Keep this close Sassenach, just in case."
"And what do you want me to do with this?" I asked holding it firmly, grateful to have it close by in any case.
"Whatever ye have to." He nodded at Ian and Jenny, then kissed me quickly before I could protest. "Dinnae fash mo gradh." He said as much to me as to Jenny. "I'm sure that it is nothing." Jamie grinned and turned Donas back in the direction of the main house. I noticed his back muscles stiffen as he sat tall in his saddle and I felt the metal of the knife in my hands, warm from his touch as I hid it inside my skirt.
"Right then." Jenny urged the horse into motion and we were on our way yet again. Ian trotted his horse back up beside Jamie's, and I couldn't hear what they were saying but I could guess. 'If anything should happen' I said to myself, 'take the girls and run'.
JAMMF
"Mr Fraser." The wagon came to a stop just at the front dooryard, with a dozen or more red coats watching our every move. I felt uneasy, just because Lord John Grey was a friend, it didn't mean that the rest of the British army was inclined to be as welcoming to a Jacobite traitor as they were. Jamie nodded at them and dismounted his horse very carefully so as not to make any sudden movements. I felt a drop of sweat run down the back of my neck and the fatigue I had been feeling quickly faded away.
"And Mrs Fraser." A more familiar voice announced as it joined us. It wasn't Jamie's hands that reached up to help me off of the wagon, but Lieutenant Johnston's. I smiled, relived to see a friendly face and let him lead me towards Jamie. "I am glad to see that you travelled well." He remarked, handing me over to Jamie, and signifying to his men that I was not to be harmed. Jamie noticed the gesture too and I felt him relax a little. If anything happened to him I would at least be looked after. Lieutenant Johnston repeated the gesture with Jenny and a calmness lulled over the grounds as soldiers returned back to their posts and commenced with their duties.
"Verra well. Thank you Lieutenant." Jamie bowed as a redcoat grabbed his horse from him and led it away. I knew Jamie was surveying the land, he never entered an unfamiliar place without first knowing the layout and having an escape plan. A skill learned from years on the run and in the army. The Lieutenant noticed it too.
"I don't mean to be a bother." I apologised, "But..."
"Of course. Where are my manners Mrs Fraser. Please forgive me." Lt Johnston stepped aside and motioned towards the house, "Please, I'll see that you get a warm water and something to eat. You must be exhausted after your journey."
"Just a little." I bowed courteously. Caked in mud and road dust I wanted a bath very badly, but I wanted something to eat even more.
"This way, please ma'am." I stepped forward into the house, followed by Jamie, Ian and the others.
The Lieutenant explained the use of each room we walked past then led us into a huge chamber with two rooms that opened up off of it. It was ornately decorated and had clearly been designed to impress any guests that were staying there. Not by the British though, it had a more feminine touch and I wondered for a moment who had lived here beforehand. I made a note to ask Jamie later if he had known the previous tenants. Meanwhile, it was decided that Jenny and Ian would take the first room to the left as it was slightly bigger and allowed for young Mary to stay with Michael, while Jamie and I would take the second.
Looking at the large feather mattress, the desire to sink into it and sleep till the next morning fought a strong battle with my need for nourishment. I poured a small amount of water into the basin, infused with the delicate scent of rose oil I realised, and began to wash my face and hands. Jamie removed his travelling jacket, rested it over the nearby chair, but left his dirk and sword securely fastened around his waist.
"That went well do ye think Sassenach?" He asked me as he wrapped his arms around me and drew me back into his chest. I could feel his heart still beating fast beneath his shirt, it's pace matching my own. "What do ye think we should do now?"
"Now." I said, feeling the grime caked onto his own hands. I placed them in the water and massaged them gently. His injured hand had a tendency to be mildly arthritic in the colder months and I could see it was giving him some trouble now. "Now, we eat."
"Aye." I felt his chest move as he laughed softly, "Ye've a fierce appetite on ye Sassenach."
"No more than you." I argued back.
"True." He nodded, taking the towel I gave him to dry his hands "I wonder if the British Army has enough supplies to see us through?"
"We will soon find out." I replied as I let out my hair to brush it. Tiny leaves and debris had found their way in during our journey and I struggled to comb them out so I could make myself presentable for dinner. There wasn't much I could do about the dust on my clothes, but I could at least make sure that my hair and face were not a mess. Jamie grabbed the brush from my hand and began pulling my hair back behind my ears.
"You shouldna do that." He whispered in my ear as he brushed my hair, I had felt so nice and I couldn't help but tilt my head a little with gratification "Ye ken what it does to me."
"Think again." I teased him, "Your son is hungry, your wife needs her rest and…" his teeth on my earlobe distracted me momentarily and I lost my train of thought.
"And…." He mumbled through gritted teeth.
"Mmmph." I coughed, "We are expected below, they'll come looking for us."
"Let them." He grinned, dropping the brush and sliding his left hand under my shift, cupping my breast.
"Later." I turned around, kissing him softly on the lips as I tried to tie my hair back. "You can wait till after dinner, surely?"
"You've a very high opinion of my will power Sassenach." He surrendered, stroking my hair one more time.
"Just close your eyes and think of something unpleasant." I suggested.
"Unpleasant?"
"You know, cold baths, dead cats, splinters, thorns."
"Aye, like the ones we got stuck in our backside when we…."
"NO!" Damn, he was more in need now than before, "Not those thorns." I warned him as I opened the door to see Jenny and Ian waiting patiently for us outside.
"Aye." I heard him grunt disappointedly as he bit his lower lip, hard. Did it work I wondered? Thinking of how we often bit each other during our encounters, and the tell-tale marks we would leave on each other. He grabbed his jacket and shook loose the dust.
"Ye all right Jamie?" Jenny asked as we made our way into the corridor to meet them.
"Bit my tongue." Jamie replied hastily, grasping my hand in his and leading us ahead of them. I supressed the urge to laugh, put on my game face and let him lead me down to the dining room.
JAMMF
"Please Mrs Fraser." The older gentleman insisted as I stopped to look over my left shoulder towards where Jamie and the others were sitting. I had been seated on a chair in the middle of the room, a large bench before me with four men on it. The older gentleman to my right, Lord John Grey, Lieutenant Johnston and another General that I didn't recognise. Wilmington sat to my right and I could feel his eyes boring into me. It was all very formal. Lord John and Matthew proceeded as if we were not acquainted, their questions direct but tactful. I had recounted my testimony once already, but still the questions kept coming.
"Like I said before General." I heard the sass in my voice and urged myself to tone it back. I knew it was taking all of Jamie's strength not to reach over the table and kill Wilmington himself, especially after I had recounted what had happened. No need to add fuel to the fire. Jamie nodded urging me to speak, he had heard the account three times now since it had happened and I hoped that nothing could enrage him more than he already was.
"My husband was away with the men." I continued "We had reports from the local crofters that some of the sheep had gone missing and that some strangers had been camped near the boundary. As the estate and your Majesty's Army is reliant on the sale of those sheep and their goods my husband thought it prudent to check it out at once." Wilmington whispered something derogatory under his breath, and was ushered to be quiet by the general. "My sister in law and I were busy tending to the chores, when my son, Fergus, informed me that my daughter Brianna was missing."
"Missing?" The general asked, as if this was the first time he had heard the news. I had never met him before and he had appeared indifferent when I had first told my account, despite Lord John's assurances that we would receive a fair hearing. I had begun to wonder just how much influence John really had after all, and whether coming here was a wise idea.
"Yes sir. I was most distraught, she is only eight years old you see sir and it wasn't like her to disappear. I thought something most dreadful had happened to her." Tone down the melodramatics Beauchamp I thought to myself, then noted the look of interest on the Generals face and decided maybe it was working. "We were searching for the child, my daughter, when Mr Wilmington and his men came upon the house."
"Did you not tell the Captain Wilmington what was happening?"
"I tried sir, but he would have none of it." That's right, the helpless housewife routine. How dare he pick on poor little me. I saw Wilmington glare down at me and I shied away. "Lieutenant Johnston offered to help search for her but Captain Wilmington ordered him to stand down. I believe that is the term."
"He what?" The General seemed enraged by this.
"The Captain then began a tirade of abusive language towards myself, my husband and my good sister in law that I dare not repeat in respectable company and threatened to throw us all in jail for treason."
"On what grounds?" By now I could see I had a captive audience. Not just before me, but in the stalls to my left and right as well.
"He implied that my husband sir, wasn't off checking the estate but that he was taking cattle to market. I tried to tell him that he was wrong and that we didn't have any cattle, but that's when he called me a liar and threatened to have me taken into custody for trying to warn my husband what was happening."
"Lieutenant Johnston." The General turned to the man on his right, "Is what this woman says true?"
"Yes sir. I'm afraid to say it is."
"And was there any evidence of this, this, accusation."
"None sir." Lt Johnston admitted, avoiding eye contact with Wilmington. "I myself tried to reason with Captain Wilmington but he was not inclined to listen."
"Then what happened?"
"That's when I noticed my daughters horse. I realised immediately what had happened, she must have taken it for a ride. It was a new present you see, from her father, but she didn't yet know how to ride it." I didn't look back at Jamie, but I could feel the regret, the blame running deep within him still. "I must admit, in my fear that something tragic had befallen my daughter, I may have angered the Captain by trying to take the horse and ride out after her to see if she was injured."
"An impulse anyone who has had children would understand." I heard Lord Grey chime in, with affirmative nods from the others.
"Thank you sir, but I fear that my actions may have placed my sister in law in great danger."
"How is that Mrs Fraser?"
"Captain Wilmington made move to stop me. He accused me of trying to go and warn Jamie, my husband that they were there and he ordered me off of the horse. I refused, eager to get to my child and my sister in law, Jenny Murray whom you see here behind me." I pointed towards the stalls, "She stepped forward to incline Mr Wilmington to let me go and find Brianna."
"This is Jenny Murray, your husbands sister?"
"Yes sir."
"And I believe that she was with child at the time?"
"Yes sir. Seven months at the time."
"It says in Captain Wilmington's account, that she provoked him. Is that true?"
"She only asked him to let me go. To take her and the children as hostage instead. But Captain Wilmington…." I paused.
"Yes?" The General leaned closer.
"He took out his pistol, pulled back the trigger and aimed it at me." I could hear Jamie's fingers tapping on the rail before him, faster and faster and heard his blood churning in his veins. I urged him silently not to do anything foolish. "I feared for the child I was carrying, and for my family before me but I couldn't just leave my other daughter out in the woods to die."
"The Captain knew you were with child as well?"
"Yes sir. My son told him as much."
"A lie." Wilmington bellowed, "They'd say anything to save Mr Fraser."
"That's when." I continued more forcefully, "He made ready to fire. Jenny Murray stepped in to intervene and Captain Wilmington stuck her across the head with the side of the pistol." I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling very giddy and wishing I had a glass of water. "Everything happened so fast. I could see the rage in Captain Wilmington's face and I feared for the safety of those I love. The Captain went to strike her again but my son pulled his aunt behind him to protect her. Wilmington enraged by this aimed the pistol at my sons head and readied himself to fire. There was nothing anyone could do. We pleaded with him not to shoot but he was quiet insistent on his actions. I was about to try and diffuse the situation by getting off of my horse, when Captain Wilmington caught sight of something running towards us and fired. I don't remember much after that I'm afraid, my horse bolted upright and I was thrown hard to the ground. The next thing I recall was looking up into my husband's face as I lay in my bed hours later. Unable to move my legs."
"They came at me." Captain Wilmington cried out from his stall. "It's all a bloody lie. They are traitors to the crown. You cannot believe them."
"She was a ten year old girl." Jamie roared back at him, "Frightened for her life after you attacked her mother."
"Aye." Ian joined in. "And shot her cousin after threatening her aunt."
"Silence please." The general sounded his gavel to no avail.
"I'll get you for this Fraser." Wilmington cried out, "Mark my words you and your wife will pay for this." He promised as he was quickly dragged away by two guards into the hall nearby under protest.
I hadn't noticed at first but my hands were shaking and barely observed that Jamie was now standing behind me, hand resting on his dirk as he watched the door to the hallway intently. Lord John was whispering to the two other generals as Matthew looked on, trying to decide what to do next. "Are ye all right Sassenach?" Jamie asked, still positioned between me and the door.
"I think so." I nodded softly, the giddiness remained and I wished to be back in my bed, resting my head.
"Ye did well." Jamie placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder his little finger resting against my neck, "Ye need not be scared. I'll not let him harm ye again."
"It's not him I'm worried about." I looked back towards the men who would decide our fates, then towards the door, the challenge had been drawn and there was no going back. "I know what you have to do Jamie, I don't disagree, but if they catch you."
"Aye." He swallowed hard, looking past me to the men at the table, "I'll hang."
"My apologies Mrs Fraser." The men continued, stopping our conversation as we turned to face them. "I think it best that we take a short break after this disturbance. We shall begin again in an hours' time."
"Yes sir." I nodded and watched them leave the room.
Jamie took my hand and led me over to Jenny and Ian who had remained safely behind the stalls, at Jamie's command. We didn't speak as we watched the room slowly empty until only we remained.
JAMMF
Jenny took the stand next, then Lieutenant Johnston followed by Jamie. Between the four of us the Generals had a fair account of exactly what had transpired on that fateful day. Jenny defended her brother strongly, claiming that Captain Wilmington attacked him as he watched over my unconscious body. Lieutenant Johnston testified to my injuries and to the unstable mind of his superior. By the time the day was over, Captain Wilmington had no argument left to use in his defence. I should have felt a sense of relief as his sentence was carried out. Discharged from the army, to be sent far away from the highlands where he could no longer pose a threat to us. He protested vehemently that he was being setup but there wasn't a sympathetic ear in the room. I didn't feel relief though, the cold dark stare of his eyes chilled me to the bone and I looked instinctively to Jamie to make sure he was safe, and that he was there to keep me safe. We still didn't know why he was so transfixed on Jamie, or why he felt so passionately that what he did was justified, but for the proceeding it didn't seem to matter.
"I hope you are pleased with the findings." Lord John asked as he made his way over to us in the food hall.
"Aye." Jamie nodded, putting down the half stale bannock and taking a sip of his ale. "It'll do. Thank ye John." Jamie extended his hand and John took it, shaking it firmly.
"The British Army has no need of men like Wilmington. I'm just sorry that you and your family had to become involved in this."
"I cannae disagree with ye there John." Jamie glanced quickly at me, I hadn't touched my plate much, and I knew he was worried for me.
"Are you well ma'am?" Lord John asked, noting the same. Jamie went to answer for me, then hesitated, waiting to hear the answer for himself.
"Just a little tired. It's been a long day." I said pushing the plate away and contemplating a sip of ale myself.
"That it has ma'am." Lord John agreed. "Well. Mr Wilmington." I noted pleasingly that he had dropped the use of Captain. "Will be spending the night behind locked doors, until his disposition improves." John assured us, "So you can sleep well tonight. I promise you Mrs Fraser, no harm will ever come to you." I nodded thankfully, then witnessed a familial nod between John and Jamie.
"If you will excuse me then gentleman." I stood up, my head spinning for a second as I got my bearings. Jamie's arm was under my elbow before I could protest and John had pulled the chair out of our path.
"Of course ma'am. Rest well." He bowed and then watched as Jamie took me back to our room.
"Are ye ill mo nighean donn?" Jamie whispered, looking around the room for something, or someone. "Is it the bairn?"
"Nothing an early night and a hot bath couldn't cure." I assured him as he undressed me down to my shift and slid the covers over me. "Will you join me?"
"Not just yet Sassenach, I've a few matters to attend to first." Jamie kissed me on the head, made sure I had a glass of ale nearby and then went to join the others back down in the main parlour. I closed my eyes, tried not to hear Wilmington's voice screaming in my ears, and drifted off to sleep too tired to worry.
JAMMF
"There you are." I had been looking for Jamie for the past few minutes. It was still early, but I knew Jamie must have been up for hours. The sheets where he lay were already starting to cool and I also knew that the recounts of the past few days would be playing heavily on his mind. I had looked first in the main hall, thinking he may have gone down to breakfast, but finding him absent I had enquired with one of the guards who had seen Jamie heading towards the stables.
"Tending to the horses always helps to clear my mind." He whispered back as he brushed Donas down with careful strokes.
"You could have woken me. I wouldn't have minded if you needed someone to talk to."
"Ye looked so peaceful Sassenach and I dinnae want to wake ye."
"Well I'm awake now." I said, he had his back to me, and I reached my hands around his waist and rested my head on the back of his shoulders. He was so warm against my cheek and I nuzzled in a little deeper.
"Careful Sassenach. We're being watched." He grinned, engulfing my hands in his and warming them for me. The morning air was fresh compared to the stench of numerous unwashed men all quartered together that filled the halls inside, but it was also cool.
"I don't care." I said, "Let them try to stop me." But I noted that they were turning away now, allowing us some privacy.
"It's a daft man mo gradh who would take on a fiery tempered Sassenach, let alone one with child."
"Then kiss me." He stopped still, turned and grabbed me in full embrace, taking my head in his hands as his large palms warmed my ears. I wanted to tell him how grateful I was, how lucky I was to have him in my life. He would defend me, protect me with every breath in his body, and even after I imagined. He would risk it all for me and ask nothing in return. Jamie pulled me in close, touched his lips against mine, drawing back and biting my lower lip as he smirked.
"Ye welcome." He whispered as he kissed me thoroughly. I felt pleasantly giddy when we parted, and reached out to grab the post for momentary support. "Best get ye things Sassenach, I don't want to stay here any longer than we need to and there's a fierce storm coming over those hills." He said looking towards the north.
"I'll tell Jenny and Ian." I offered, beginning to walk away, but Jamie reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer for one last kiss.
"Hurray back to me, Claire Fraser." He said, pressing his forehead to mine.
"Always." I promised him back. I turned to leave, his kiss still warm on my lips, when a familiar voice turned my skin cold.
"I told you I'd find you." The voice was sharp and sinister as it echoed from the shadows at the rear of the stables.
"Claire." Jamie whispered turning so that I was behind him, "Run."
"Oh I don't think so." The darkness objected, "Not unless you want me to slit your husbands throat." I froze, what were the chances he was bluffing? Probably none. And what were the chances that Jamie could over power him before it came to that? Probably good, but could I chance it?
"Claire?" Jamie questioned why I hadn't left yet as he stood face to face with Wilmington.
"NO!" I shook my head, "What do you want? Why are you doing this?" I asked him. Time for some bloody answers I thought. I looked around, there was no way of raising the alarm without risking Jamie's life, or mine. And then it occurred to me, what if he wasn't alone? I felt for the small blade in my pocket, good it was still there.
"I've a debt to settle with you Mr Fraser and I aim to do it before I am sent away and it's too late."
"What debt?" Jamie asked, he held his hands wide in a non-threatening manner, but I could see his hand twitching as it yearned to grab his dirk, but hesitated in case it provoked Wilmington into doing something careless.
"I know all about you, Red Jamie. You led the bloody rebellion against the English in '45. It was because of you and your men that the war lasted as long as it did."
"There were a great many Generals and soldiers in the war sir." Jamie reminded him, "I was but just one man."
"They hung on your every word, they did your bidding." Her disputed Jamie. My bones shuddered, if only he knew, how many times we had tried to prevent that bloody war. How many of those men had dismissed Jamie's concerns and forced their own disastrous plans instead.
"It's not true." I yelled back at him, eager to defend Jamie, "We tried to stop the war. We didn't want it to go on any more than you did."
"Claire!" Jamie warned me stop, shifting slightly to place himself between us.
"Do you remember a little place called Prestonpans?" He asked, stepping slightly out of the dark so that half his face was visible, "I saw you there, leading your men." Wilmington continued, "Many of my fellow men were slaughtered that day, gutted where they fell by you and your so called highlanders."
"It was a war." I reminded him, "There were casualties on both sides. No one can change that. It's hardly Jamie's fault."
"He led the charge that slaughtered my men, that killed my…" He stopped himself, and I stepped forward absently eager for him to finish his sentence.
"Claire, I beg you, please stay back." Jamie panicked.
"You care deeply for her, anyone can see how precious she is to you. Imagine if someone was to take her form you?" Wilmington stepped fully into the light, his gaze fixed on me as Jamie stiffened, the full weight of Wilmington's threat fully received. Jamie took his dirk from his belt and stepped back, pulling me behind him.
"Ye'll not harm her. I'll kill ye before ye get the chance."
"You and who else?" Wilmington asked, looking behind us. Jamie turned, to see what he was looking at, as Wilmington stepped forward and reached out wide taking me by the wrist and dragging me into his grasp.
"Jamie!" I gasped as I found myself pressed tight against him, a sharp knife at my throat. Jamie's' knuckles went white around his dirk, his brow furrowed and I saw the look of fear and despair and then rage in his eyes. Wilmington was a dead man walking, and scarier still, he knew it.
"Let her go!" Jamie warned him. "Your fight is with me. I killed your men, not her."
"No Jamie." I shook my head, I could see what he was up to and it made my stomach turn.
"Dinna Fash Sassenach." Jamie inched closer and closer, as Wilmington found himself being backed into a corner against the rear wall.
"Sassenach. What an odd term to call someone you claim to love. Such a derogatory word."
"Aye. Tis." Jamie agreed, looking for his advantage, "But she's my Sassenach and ye'll not harm her do ye hear?"
"An eye for an eye." Wilmington threatened, "You see, it wasn't just anyone I lost at Prestonpans." He finally informed us, "But my beloved brother. He'd been in the army less than three months and you." He hissed at Jamie, "You and your men chased him down and gut him from neck to navel. He bled out in my arms before I could do anything." I felt the bile rise in my throat as I imagined what it must have been like.
"I feel verra badly for ye loss, but harming the lass willna bring him back."
"But seeing the look in your eyes, when I gut the one you love before you, watching her bleed out as my brother did. That will bring me some comfort." Wilmington raised the knife and dug it into the top of my breast. I felt the small pin prick and saw the drop of blood that rose to the surface. I closed my eyes, steadying myself against the pain that would follow.
"No!" Jamie's high pitched yell was a barely distinguishable as he lunged forward, Wilmington stepped back and while he was distracted I reached up and grabbed the oil lamp glowing on the beams above us. With one hard thump I smashed it into the side of his face. Hot oil covered his cheek, burning his flesh before falling to the floor and igniting the straw beneath him.
"You witch; I'll see you burn for this." Wilmington screamed as he tried to brush the oil from his face. Jamie grabbed me and threw me clear, out towards the courtyard. The smoke made my eyes water but I could just make out the forms of Jamie and Wilmington, locked in a battle to the death as the lunged at each other with their knives.
"Help, somebody please help!" I screamed, now free of my captor. I didn't care who came as long as Jamie was safe. "Jamie!" I cried out but he didn't answer.
"My god!" I heard Lord John before I saw him, several soldiers busied themselves freeing the horses from their stables as Lord John and others watched Jamie and Wilmington, trapped behind a wall of burning hay bales as they fought oblivious to the fire raging around them.
"Are you all right ma'am? Mrs Fraser?" Lt Johnston noticed my ripped bodice and the cut on my breast, he took off his cloak and wrapped it around me.
"Jamie, please." I called out trying to get to him, but Lt Johnston held me back.
"Mrs Fraser, please it's not safe here." He tried to lead me away but I wouldn't go. I couldn't.
A crowd was gathered now. They tried to pull back the burning bales with long pitchforks but it was a slow and tedious task. I could see Jamie, matching Wilmington blow for blow as his shirt tore and his face smeared with blood began to blacken. I clutched my chest, even if Jamie won he would be consumed by the fire. "Jamie!"
"Sir?" The men looked to Lord John for orders, but there wasn't much that they could do.
"Keep moving those bales men, we need to get to Mr Fraser. It's quite clear that Mr Wilmington has lost his mind."
"Yes sir."
"Fetch some water." Another man ordered and a line of men formed from the well in the centre of the courtyard to the burning stables. I had seen such a line in old movies, and always laughed at how useless they had seemed, but now, it appeared to be Jamie's only hope.
"My god. What happened?" Jenny asked as she ran to my side, tracing a finger over the wound on my breast before looking into the flames where everyone else was looking. "Is that?"
"My god. It's Jamie." Ian spoke for her, "What the devil does he think he's doing?"
"Wilmington tried to kill us. You need to help him."
"Aye." Ian nodded, clearly having seen this before. "They'll be no stopping him then." Ian moved to shield the two of us as he looked around to assess the situation. Burning straw fell from the roof above and I could hear the timbers creaking as they weakened.
"Have you any ideas?" Lord John asked as he looked on as helpless as us?
"Pray that he wins." Ian suggested, and I did. "He'll not rest until he does, not when his family is at stake."
"I see your meaning sir." Lord John stepped forward, his finger twitching similar to Jamie's as he looked on. One blow and then another, both Jamie and Wilmington seemed to be tiring, overtaken from the smoke and heat. Wilmington was on the ground now, barely fighting back. One last blow from Jamie and he was out cold. There was a moment of stunned silence as Jamie stood up, clothes torn, covered in blood and looking like some crazed manic out of a horror movie. I felt the panic ease a little as he stood still and looked up towards our direction.
"Jamie." I cried out, with relief this time.
"Claire?" He called back, suddenly realising he was trapped behind a wall of fire. "Stand back Claire, for god sakes John get her out of here."
"I've tried sir. Best you come and do it yourself." John called back, looking for a path to his friend.
"I aim to do just that, just as soon as I figure out how."
"God damn you Jamie. Don't you dare die on me, not now." I screamed at him. He didn't respond, but his face looked troubled, he was done for and he knew it.
"Are you injured my friend?" Lord John called out. I waited with baited breath, hoping the answer was no, I couldn't see him favouring anything but I had learned from experience that Jamie was very good at masking his pain.
"I don't…." Jamie's reply was cut short as the sound of gunfire echoed through the burning stable. I ducked, covering my ears as I watched Jamie spin around suddenly and stumble.
"No!" Instinctively I lunged forward to go to him, but I felt Jenny and Ian holding me back. I cursed them. How could they stop me? I looked to my left, Lieutenant Johnston had his weapon aimed but it was Lord John's gun that had smoke coming out of the barrel. "Jamie?" I couldn't see him anywhere. I felt like I had been torn in two as I clutched o my stomach, trying to breath.
"Aye Sassenach. I'll do." He smiled standing back up. The body of Wilmington dead at his feet. I felt feint, my pulse was racing but he was still alive.
"I had no choice." Lord John announced to his men.
"Aye." They agreed in unison.
"Remind me to thank ye once I'm out of here." Jamie nodded graciously.
"Indeed. Get him out of there." Lord John ordered his men with a hint of impatience and panic. "Mr Fraser has been through enough for one day." John ordered. Then he looked to me, I felt like I was going to be sick. "Lt Johnston, if you would be so kind as to see to Mrs Fraser."
"Yes sir." The Lieutenant took me by the arm and forced out of the stables. I kicked out in protest but he held me firm. He deposited me onto a crate just outside the barn at a safe distance then began to look me over.
"I'm fine." I lied, pushing the bile back down my throat. My heart raced so fast I was sure I was having a heart attack. I could barely catch my breath. I pushed him out the way so I could keep a firm eye on Jamie. A small hole had opened up and with little encouragement needed, he had jumped across the burning timbers and made it clear of the flames.
"Ye daft fool." Jenny flung her hands around her brother as soon as he was clear, "Don't you ever do anything like that ever again." She slapped him, then broke free, pushing him in my direction.
He didn't say anything, there were no words for how we felt. Jamie gathered me up into his arms and held me tight, I couldn't breathe but I didn't care. I could feel him, solid and warm beneath me, he smelled of blood and ash and his hair was slightly singed but he was whole and he was alive.
"Ye couldna just leave quietly could ye?" Ian patted him on the back, grateful his brother wasn't dead.
"No." He whispered eventually, his voice croaky from all the smoke. "I'll not say I planned this when I woke this morning, but I am surely grateful that the wretched bastard can never harm ye again." He said, looking back at me and tracing his hand where Wilmington had held his knife. "I cannae thank ye enough John."
"I was only doing my duty." Assured that all was well, John returned to securing the barn and retrieving Wilmington's body before it was consumed by the fire.
Jamie held me tight in his arms and I couldn't stop myself from crying. He wiped the tears from my cheek but they kept on flowing. "I thought I'd lost you. I couldn't bare it."
"Never." He smiled at me, "I told ye once mo gradh. I made an oath before god to protect ye, and I mean to uphold it." Trying to catch his own breath, he noticed the lieutenant hovering over me, "Christ, are ye all right Sassenach?"
"Take me home Jamie." I begged him, wishing it all to be over and longing to hold Bree and Em safe in my arms again.
"Come." Lt Johnston offered his hand as Jamie helped me to my feet. "Mrs Fraser looks like she could do with some rest, and I'd like to tend to those wounds before they get infected."
"Aye." Jamie nodded, and wrapping his arm around me he took my weight and walked us back towards the main house.
JAMMF
"I'll do. See to my wife first." Jamie shrugged off Matthew's attentions as we made our way into the parlour between our rooms.
"I'm fine Jamie." I said trying to deflect them back.
"Christ ye are. Ye as white as ye shift and ye look like ye legs are about to fall from under ye." He said lowering me into the nearby chair.
"It's just shock, I think. It'll pass."
"Aye?" He looked to Matthew and then to me, not sure if I was being honest with him or not.
"You may be right Mrs Fraser." Matthew said, abandoning his attempt to look at Jamie's stab wound and taking a seat by me. "But you know as well as I do how dangerous shock can be in your condition." He grabbed my wrist, took my pulse and checked the whites of my eyes. I hadn't been assessed like that in years I recalled, mildly annoyed that he was taking Jamie's side.
"Well?" I asked, as Jamie passed back and forth behind him.
"I'll get you some honey water and a warm blanket and I'd like you to rest in bed for a while just to be sure but…"
"I told you." I glared back at Jamie, cocking an eyebrow at him for doubting me. "What are you doing?" I asked taken by surprise as Jamie picked me up without warning.
"You heard to doctor. Bed, now." He said as he lowered me onto the mattress and pulled the covers over me, "And a warm blanket. I'll have Jenny fetch the honey water."
"I'm fine." I assured him, "Or at least I will be if you would stop dripping blood all over the floor." I said making myself more comfortable as I sat upright.
"Aye. I suppose ye right." Jamie nodded, placing a hand on the wound to stop the bleeding. Jamie relented and took a seat at the end of the bed as he let Matthew clean and stitch the wound.
"I must say." Matthew quipped as he completed his work, "There's never a dull moment with you two around, that's for sure."
"Not since this one dropped out of the sky." Jamie joked, looking towards where I sat, critically watching everything Matthew was doing.
"It's not like your life was a bed of roses before you met me." I bit back,
"Well." Matthew said, finishing the last stitch and sitting back as he assessed his work. "You certainly know how to keep a man entertained, but I would take it as a curtesy if you would refrain from such entertainment at least until you're safely off of the estate."
"I'll try my best." Jamie nodded at him, reaching for the fresh shirt Jenny had found for him and handing Matthew an ale from the tray one of the other soldiers had brought up. "Thank ye." Jamie toasted and emptied his glass.
"My pleasure." Matthew accepted and did the same.
