Chapter 34 – The Devil You Know
Elizabeth shut her eyes a moment.
Murtagh had gone to speak to Angus, Rupert, Willie, and the others that Dougal had with him. She sat looking out the window at the rain that pelted the glass and left streaks of water. It was if the world was crying.
Jamie had stood trial two days ago and was to hang in two days.
She had to act quickly if she was to save him and save herself from fulfilling her bargain with Dougal, to marry him if Jamie were dead or she could not save his life. Dougal was a handsome enough man and he made a fair point. Under MacKenzie protection she would be safe. She could again live at Leoch or Dougal's own estates. Her children would want for nothing.
However, Lallybroch would become Dougal's property because it would go to Lizzy on the event of Jamie's death. The idea of allowing him to have control of her lands, let alone the funds he would gain for the rebellion made her ill to think on, let alone the thought of letting him bed her.
She heard the door open. Murtagh walked in with the lads and they all smiled at Lizzy who came to them and kissed their cheeks softly.
She moved to bar and ordered a round of ale for them. In each cup she out Valerian root. They would sleep well this night.
She served them and Rupert smiled at her and thanked her.
She then sat back, drinking her own whiskey, watching.
It was about an hour before the men retired to their rooms and she went up with them. Murtagh was next door to Lizzy as she watched him. She heard a thump from his room and wondered if he had actually made it to the bed.
She took a breath and pulled on her cloak.
She then moved downstairs and looked about. No one was in the tap room and so she was able to go to the door. She stole outside to the stable and smiled seeing Thistle there.
She quickly saddled the mare and then pulled her from the warmth of the stable. Thistle nickered softly and Lizzy caressed the nose to quiet her as she looked outside.
No one was about.
She mounted and moved to trot away, but a hand then shot out around the corner, taking the reins. She gasped, startled as the form came and calmed the horse.
The free hand pushed back the cloak revealing the young face of Willie MacKenzie.
She looked at him startled. "Willie."
"Where are you going Mistress?"
"To save my husband."
"Aren't we all doing that?"
"Oui, but I must see to something and I will not endanger you."
He looked up at her. "You are going to Randall, aren't you?"
"What?"
"He can stay the execution. You are going to him." Willie said looking at her.
She swallowed a little and nodded. "I have to try."
"He will hurt you."
"Perhaps, but if Jamie can be freed. So be it."
He looked up at her, dark eyes bright. "What shall we do mistress? Jamie was always there to look after me. He did on the road and at Leoch. If I was about to hang, he would come for me."
She leaned down and kissed his cheek softly. "Wait for me outside the prison." she said.
"What is your plan then?"
She shifted and her mount moved a little as Willie let her go. "I don't have a plan." She admitted.
"God keep you, Lizzy." He said softly.
She smiled and nodded as he stepped back. "God go with you also, Willie." She said. "Yah!" She said and Thistle was off.
ZzZ
It was before midnight when Lizzy arrived at Brochton.
The guards stood at the gate and aimed their rifles as she came forward, materializing from the mist.
"Who goes there?"
Lizzy lifted her hands. "I come to see Captain Randall." She said.
A man stepped to her. "It's a bloody woman."
"Oui. I am." She said, smiling a little.
The men looked at her. "Take her to see the officer of the watch." The most senior NCO said.
A private took her reins and led her into the town and to a small area that looked like a blacksmith shop, but there was an officer and two NCOs standing talking.
"Sir. This woman has come."
The officer looked up and his eyes widened. "Madam." He said.
Lizzy took a breath, startled to see it was Jeremy Foster.
"Jeremy." She said softly.
He nodded, pleased she remembered him. He moved, reaching up to help her to the ground gently. He then took her elbow and led her into the building. It was a small room with a fireplace, table, chairs, and an oil candle on the table.
He shut the door and looked at her. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I need to speak to Randall."
He looked at her startled. "This would be the same Randall who tried to force himself on you at Fort William and your husband nearly killed?"
She nodded slowly.
"Why?" He asked stepping to her. "He is a brute."
"If you could help me. I would ask it of you." She said softly.
"But I am merely a Lieutenant." He said softly.
She nodded again.
He took a breath. "Come. He is likely still in his study."
She took a hold of his arm as he walked for the door. "I never had the chance to thank you for all you have done for me."
He turned and smiled a little. "I would like to believe I can do what is right. A beautiful woman and a highborn lady here is rare enough. To have your smile is thank you enough for me, Elizabeth."
She nodded and leaned up and kissed his cheek softly. "That is for warmth in winter on a cold night." She kissed the other cheek. "That is for your return to your family. And this..." She leaned up, kissing his mouth, startling him, but he did not pull away. "Is for you." She said softly. She dropped back looking up at him.
He blushed and smiled happily at her. "It is a pleasure, Madam."
He took her hand and led her to the inn that the officers had taken over as their quarters. He led the way and knocked on a door.
"Enter." Came the smooth regal voice from within.
Jeremy took a breath and opened the door at a nod from Lizzy. She walked passed him, removing her gloves as he closed the door behind him.
"What is it Lieutenant?" Randall asked, seated at his desk. The room had a desk, hearth, table, chairs, and a bed. It was not nearly as lavish as the rooms he had at Fort William as the officer in charge.
Lizzy stepped forward a little, head bent forward, face hidden by the cowl.
"The lady wishes to speak with you." Lieutenant Foster said evenly.
Randall looked up then. "Lady? At this hour?"
"She came in by horse only a few minutes ago, sir."
Randall lifted himself to his feet and walked to where Lizzy was standing, hands before her, eyes looking up at him, glittering in the darkness of the hood. He walked before her.
"What is it then, Madam? I do not have all day? A soldier must sleep sometime."
"I am sure you must." She answered, lifting her hands to push her hood back to reveal her face to him.
Randall was startled. "You. Would come to me? After Fort William? Why?" He asked.
"I need your help." she said simply.
He looked at her stunned. He then looked at Foster who was watching Lizzy intently. "You may go Foster."
"But, sir, give your history with the Lady Elizabeth, I do not think it is wise for her to be alone with you." Foster protested softly.
Randall looked at him, eyes narrow. "I gave you an order."
Lizzy lifted a hand to Foster's arm. "It's all right." She said. She looked back at Randall. "He won't hurt me."
"Quite right." Randall said. "The Commander is only two doors down. I would not want a woman to scream and bring ever officer into my room."
Lieutenant Foster nodded at that and then bowed, taking Lizzy's cool hand in his. He kissed it and then looked up at her. "If you have need of me..."
"I will find you." She said softly. "I will be well enough, Jeremy. I am sure the Captain will swear on his honor I will not be harmed."
Randall was watching the pair and then nodded a little. "I swear." He said lifting his right hand. "I will not harm the Lady Fraser."
Foster nodded and made a quiet exit from the room, leaving the pair there.
Randall took a breath and leaned against his desk. He poured wine and then lifted a glass to her as he drank a little of his own he had poured to assure her it was safe to drink.
She took a sip and looked at him.
"I came you to ask." She said softly. "But now I come to you to beg." she dropped to her knees before him. "My husband will hang in less than two days at Wentworth."
Randall looked at her, stunned. First she was on her knees before him. And second, she had come to beg for the life of Jamie Fraser, the thief he had flogged nearly to death.
"Why would I help you?"
She looked up at him. "Because it is personal with him. You have never broken him and you hate it."
He regarded her. "If I were to help you...what would I gain in return?"
She rose slowly to her feet. She lifted her small hands to the clasp of her cloak. It fell in a whisper to the floor. She stood, shivering a little and then she looked into his eyes. "My body is yours." She said softly.
He blinked at her, stunned.
He stepped forward. "You would make free of your body to me, if I free your husband?"
She nodded a little as he walked behind her. He laid a hand on her hip and then took a breath and stepped to her side. He lifted a hand to her face, turning it to him. She did not resist and in fact, as he bent his head to kiss her, she answered.
He pulled back, looking at her as he caressed her face lightly. "Remove your clothes."
She looked at him and then nodded slowly, removing her clothing with shaky fingers, but she held his gaze steadily. At last she was in her shift only.
"Done." He said. "We leave at first light." He said stepping away from her.
She looked as he went back to his desk. She cocked her head.
He sat down to finish the missive lifting the wine to his lips. "Go to bed, my lady. I am sure you are tired."
"But...Captain Randall...?"
"Yes?" He asked looking up at her.
She stepped toward him. "I thought you'd..."
"I'd..." He looked up at her blankly.
"...Join me?" She managed.
He smiled a little. "Soon my pet. But I have some things to do first." He said lifting a hand to her cheek.
She took a breath and then nodded. She laid down and sighed. She found the bed rather comfortable and soon slept.
Randall looked over and smiled a little as she slept there. She was going to come with him. Having her with him would help break Jamie. He needed to break him, his spirit, his body, his pride...his everything. His wife was willing to do anything to save his life. For now, she would be a trophy on his arm and something that would make Jamie's thoughts gallop thinking them lovers.
Part of the game.
Lizzy was willing to play it, no matter the cost. Randall would see if Jamie was as much a sport as she was.
ZzZ
Lizzy woke to a gentle shake on her arm.
"Five more minutes, Jamie." She said mostly asleep.
There was a low chuckle in the low light. It was not yet dawn, outside was just starting to color for the new day. Randall had slept in a chair after watching the woman in his bed for sometime. He knew she would have yielded to him had he gotten into the bed.
There was enough time for that after he saved Jamie. He was not thrilled to hear the young man was to be executed either. He needed, like a narcotic, to break the boy after failing to do so. Now he had his wife. Perhaps having Jamie watch as he had her and made her cry out in passion.
Perhaps.
He had to save the young man's life first to break his spirit. Elizabeth would be his mistress and through her he could force a spy on the MacKenzie and their Jacobite dealings. Maybe, if she bore him a child, he would marry her after he allowed Jamie to hang after he broke him in every way possible. Physically, mentally...
And sexually.
Randall meant to have him and he would use Lizzy to do it. Seeing her with him would start the ball rolling in Jamie's head about her betrayal. The best part would be Randall did not even have to do a think to her, just have her at his side, and watch James Fraser start to unravel.
Randall lifted a cheek to his mistress's face. She was a beautiful woman with royal connections. Those too could be of use to him perhaps.
Lizzy opened her eyes and looked up seeing not her husband, but Randall above her, smiling, fully dressed, seated at her side, watching her wake.
She looked up at him, startled at first, but then took a breath and relaxed. "Randall." She said softly.
"No." He said softly looking at her, the slopes and planes of the body he was yet to possess, but soon would.
She arched an eyebrow at him as she lifted herself up to sit up before him.
"Jack." He corrected softly.
"What."
"We are to be close for a time, sweeting." He said. "My name is Jack, Elizabeth."
"Jack." She nodded. She rose to dress, moving passed him. He turned to watch, finding it oddly fascinating. She took a breath. "If we are to be lovers, I would prefer you not use the name my family and husband call me."
He arched an eyebrow. "Touche, my dear."
She was lacing her bodice as she looked at him. "Call me Katerina. That can be your special name. Few enough people know it."
"Katerina isn't very affectionate." He said as she sat beside him to pull on her shoes. He leaned to her and pressed a kiss to her mouth, finding her lips soft and yielding. "Kat." He said pulling back. "You will be my Kat."
She nodded looking at him. "Kat. That is one that is unique."
He smiled a little as she rose to her feet. "You dress quickly for a woman. All the better. We have a long journey ahead of us." He rose to his feet and patted her bottom, cupping the roundness in his hand firmly.
"Where are we going?" She asked pausing as he caressed her backside.
"To Beauly first. Then Wentworth. It will be a long time in the saddle."
"If it saves Jamie, I do not care." She said.
He nodded a little. "I will be in the stables. Finish quickly, Kat."
He kissed her again and then left the room and she watched him go. She wiped her lips and took a breath.
I do this for us Jamie, she thought.
She then brushed out her hair and braided it, pulling it into the thick braid that she let hang behind her. She then left the room, latching the door behind her and walked out to the stables.
She found a tall sorrel gelding saddled and ready beside an equally tall black stallion whose mane was braided and reminded her a bit of Donas as he tossed his head a little as a private pulled on his bridle and put the bit in his mouth.
Randall appeared pulling on his riding gloves as he walked to her. He smiled at her even as Jeremy Foster walked forward to him at a nod from his superior.
Foster helped Lizzy mount, offering his hands and lifting her small frame upwards. She settled as he adjusted the stirrups since they had clearly been placed for a much longer legged officer.
"Jeremy." She said softly. He looked up at her as he put her leg to one stirrup he had raised. "Thank whomever's horse I am using for me."
He smiled. "Morgan is my horse. I volunteered him." He said. He smiled as he walked around and set about lifting the other stirrup to match the other. "He will see you well."
She leaned down as Randall mounted his stallion. "Thank you." She said.
Jeremy Foster nodded as he put her other small foot to the stirrup. She stood up, testing the length and nodded to him. He then touched her knee urgently as she leaned down again. His eyes were bright as he watched her. "He didn't...hurt you?" He asked softly so only she could hear.
She shook her head. "No."
He nodded. "God's speed Elizabeth."
She dipped her head as Randall led the way out of the stable. Jeremy patted his horse's bottom affectionately as Lizzy clicked her tongue so the sorrel would follow Randall's horse.
They went at a trot through the village, but then once outside the gate, Randall quickened the pace to nearly a gallop. Lizzy laid down against Morgan's neck and allowed her horse to do the same.
Beauly was half a day's ride from Brochton, but they were making good time.
They reached the large town and garrison by midday. Lizzy was curious why they were going here, but then, as Randall pulled up to a large brick building, she saw the sigil on the carriage outside. The Duke of Argyll was here.
Randall dismounted as a man took the reins and then he reached up, lifting Lizzy down. He then led the way into the house, pulling off his gloves as he went and then his hat as they walked in, a servant opening the door.
Inside, he walked straight to a staff captain. "I am Captain Jonathan Randall, with me, Lady Elizabeth Fraser. We must speak to the Duke of Argyll, it is urgent. A man's life is at stake."
The staff captain nodded. "Please be seated. He will be with you shortly."
Lizzy did not sit, though Randall did. She moved and looked out the window at the town and the marches going on outside. She took a breath and they waited.
It seemed like days, but was likely less than an hour as then the door opened revealing a butler. The staff captain nodded. "You may go in now."
Randall offered his hand and Lizzy took it. They walked in and Lizzy took a breath to steady herself. Inside, she was more surprised. Lord Thomas was there, Lord Lovat, and another older man who had to be the Duke of Argyll.
The man who had shown them in took a breath. "Captain Randall and Lady Fraser."
Lord Lovat's head snapped up sharply at that and he looked at Lizzy who bowed to them slightly. She looked and saw him there. She ignored his presence a little. Perhaps he would remain silent on her own warrant. He had his own motivations for being there. Surely, he would not have her arrested now...
She hoped.
Lord Thomas gasped. "My lady Elizabeth. What on earth are you doing here?"
"I came to ask for help."
Lord Thomas took a breath. "In what regard?" He asked looking at the fact that Randall was holding her hand. Randall let her go and stood back, watching.
"My Lords, Your Grace, my husband is under a death warrant. I would see him released or at least have it stayed until I can find evidence to free him."
The Duke looked at her. "A brave lassie tae come a' this wey fur a laddie. Whaur is he?"
"Wentworth." She said lifting her chin.
Lovat took a breath. "A'm ferr sure thare is wee tae be dane."
She stepped forward toward him. "You. You would not even try to save your own grandson from the noose?" She asked him.
He eyed her. "If his crimes ur sae stoatin he wull be hanged, how come wid ah save him whin mah fowk cuid suffer."
She looked at him. "I risked my life to save him, is his life worth so little because of his parentage?"
The Lord Lovat sighed. "Ah ne'er knew him. A clocked him wance, bit ne'er knew him. He is a braw laddie 'n' lanky. That rid locks ye kin see fae a lang wey aff."
"Yes."
"Bit his faither choice a mackenzie fur a bride."
Lord Thomas looked at her. "Is that true, Elizabeth?" He had been watching. Clearly the Lord Lovat and Elizabeth both knew each other and did not care for weach other.
She nodded. "I know you do not well understand the politics." She said softly.
Lord Thomas scoffed. "I know well enough about the clan politics to know MacKenzie and Fraser are not the best of friends."
Lizzy chuckled without humor. "No they are not."
"'n' her guidman is th' ill-bred son o' a union o' th' twa clans." Lovat said.
Lizzy's eyes narrowed. "Well you would know ill-breeding. You fathered bastards all over the region, my lord."
"My lady!" Lord Thomas gasped scandalized.
Lovat sighed a little. "Na th' lassie is richt." He said. "Though her tongue is pointy she haes learned aboot th' fowk she wed intae it wid seem." He stepped closer. "Ah cuid see ye tae a ship, lassie. Ye 'n' yer wee wean. See ye safely awa'."
She was startled at this measure. "Not without Jamie."
Lovat narrowed his eyes. "Ye ask muckle."
The Duke lifted a hand. He had been listening to the discussion. "Hear her oot, lovat. She's a brave lassie tae come tae me tae ask this." He said calmly. "Is it true that th' lassie is yer granddaughter thro' mairriage then?"
"Aye." Lovat said. "She is merrit tae th' son o' mah naturalized son brian."
"Ah mind. Th' mirk haired laddie." The Duke nodded. "She does nae carry herself lik' a scot."
"That is because she isn't." Lord Thomas said. "She is a Prussian Duchess and for the life of me, sink me, I still do not understand why she is here caught up in all here."
The Duke shifted a little.
Lizzy then took a breath and dropped to her knees. "I had wished to ask, but now I beg you. Please. I have three small children and I carry another within me." She said her hand going to her belly. "I would soon follow him to the grave for grief if he dies so."
The men looked at her, startled at that revelation. Randall blinked startled, but said nothing.
Lord Thomas went to her and offered a hand. She took it, rising slowly. He looked back at Randall. "She should not have traveled in her condition. It is a wonder you would have brought her so."
"I had little choice." She cut in. "He brought me here at my behest." She said. "I needed an escort and the good captain offered."
"I see. Well Randall it seems you can be a gentleman at times." Lord Thomas said.
Randall sneered a little behind her, but remained motionless.
Lord Thomas looked back at the Duke of Argyll. "Is there nothing that can be done?"
The Duke stepped forward, ignoring the look that the Lord of Lovat gave him. "Mah lady Elizabeth. ah kin sign a document tae bade his execution fur a time ainlie." He took a breath. "If ye fail tae gain cum stain oan his behauf, he wull hing."
She nodded and closed her eyes. "I understand."
"A week wifie. 'n' that is a'."
She nodded again.
He lifted a hand and Randall stepped forward with a document he had written. The Duke looked over the draft and nodded. He signed it and then handed it back to Randall. "See this thro'." He said.
Randall nodded a little taking the paper.
Lord Lovat smiled a title. "Gie mah grandson mah regards whin ye see him." He said dipping his head to her.
She nodded a little. "Je suis Prest." She said.
Lovat looked at her startled and then nodded. "A buzz as aye, granddaughter."
"My lord." She said dipping her head. She then turned to Lord Thomas and did likewise as he looked at her in amazement.
The Duke walked to Lizzy and took her hand. He kissed it. "A week, mah dear. A week ainlie." He said.
She nodded and bowed her head and kissed his ring before she moved to leave the room.
Randall fell into step behind her.
They moved outside and the groom helped Lizzy mount her horse. She held the rein as she looked at Randall.
He looked back at her. "That was the easy part." He said. "It is amazing what a woman can accomplish with just her smile."
She took a breath. "Will we make it in time?"
"It will be a hard ride though the night at a hard pace."
She nodded. "Je suis Prest." She repeated.
He nodded and kicked his horse's flanks and they were off.
They rode through the night and as the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon, Lizzy looked over a valley as they came to a halt on a ridge. Randall looked back at her as he drank from a canteen. He handed it to her. She took it and drank.
"Is that it?" she asked.
He nodded. "Wentworth Prison." He looked back at her. "Where men go to die."
She looked at him sharply.
He took a breath. "Come then, Kat."
She nodded and followed as he let his horse pick it's way down the ridge to the valley floor. Before them was the town of Wentworth and the great prison looming there in the shadows, a large impregnable fortress.
Lizzy took a breath as they made it to the floor and then Randall spurred his mount.
"Come Kat. We haven't much time!" He called behind him.
She nodded and followed, holding on.
They came to the fortress portcullis and Randall rode ahead since the entrance was narrow, only designed for one horse at a time. "Stop!" He cried out. "Stop the executions!"
He came into the courtyard and looked up at the scaffold as he wheeled his horse about.
Jamie Fraser was standing there looking at him, startled, but the look changed to something akin to horror when Lizzy pulled up beside Randall, her horse dancing a little as Randall leaned down to speak with a man. A man took the rein looking up at her, startled as she looked about, nose wrinkling at the smell of death, piss, and shit in the courtyard indicating several executions had already occurred.
Jamie blinked a little, watching the pair.
Lizzy looked up at him and took a breath, her face becoming pale as she saw the rope about his neck.
They had saved him by moments only.