CHAPTER 42
TW: RECOUNTING SEXUAL ASSAULT
As time went by, Fraser's Ridge was beginning to grow. A few settlers, some individuals and some families, moved onto the land which led to crops and harvests growing; and more money coming in from rents. Jamie had also started making extra money by starting a whiskey business out of a small still he, Ian, and Murtagh (while he had been there) set up by the river.
The Ridge was becoming fruitful and successful, and the family of four at the original first cabin could not be happier about it.
But with over two months having gone by with no major explosions of excitement or surprise interrupting their day to day routines, Skylar began to think that it might just be possible that things may settle down and she and her family could just exist peacefully at their home. But she would find out that she was woefully mistaken. What was about to play out would ignite a string of the most unforeseen and wild events that would change the path of each of their lives in several ways.
It started a week before when Jamie received a letter from Governor Tryon inviting him and Claire to attend a play with him in Wilmington.
The idea of being trapped in a room with Tryon for several hours unable to leave was less than appealing, but Jamie was not in a place to refuse. So he wrote back saying that he and Claire would be "more than happy te enjoy a fine evenin' of theatre wi' ye."
Skylar and Ian were coming along also because they decided to use this as a chance to visit Fergus and Marsali. But they opted to not let them know they were coming and surprise them.
There was a slight hitch to this plan when Jamie made an announcement. While they were eating dinner one night, he said, "With our whiskey business growin' and more people wantin' te purchase some, we're in need of some new casks te brew and sell it in. I was put in contact with a supplier in Brunswick and he has some available fer us." He looked at Ian and told him, "I need ye te go temorrow te pick them up."
Ian didn't quite understand the request. "Temorrow? But we're leavin' fer Wilmington in just two days."
"He needs to go tomorrow? Why can't it wait until after we're back?" Skylar inquired.
"Because this was the time the seller asked fer us te come get them and we canna risk losin' them," Jamie answered.
Skylar was annoyed at this sudden, and slightly unfair, decision. "So, Ian just isn't coming to Wilmington with us then?"
"That's why I said he's te leave temorrow mornin'. That way he'll get te Brunswick quick and meet us in Wilmington wi' the casks."
Ian knew he didn't really have a choice, so he just agreed. "Aye, Uncle Jamie. I'll leave first thing."
Skylar wasn't done arguing though. "You could've told him about this days ago instead of the night before. I think you're just trying to keep us apart any chance you can get."
Jamie let out a low laugh. "Though that isna my intention, I do think a couple days wi'out bein' stuck te one another could be good fer the both'a ye."
That was what he said, but it was definitely part of his plan to get a bit of distance between Ian and Skylar for just a few days at least. More so than ever, they weren't able to keep their hands from each other and Jamie needed to put an end to it. The last straw was just the day before when he walked into the cabin and saw them both sitting on Skylar's bed. Even though they weren't doing anything but sitting together, not even kissing, Jamie all but pulled his gun on Ian.
He was getting nervous over how physically affectionate they were and needed to come up with something to get Ian out of his daughter's immediate sight before it was too late and she was ruined. Thus, Ian going to Brunswick while Skylar was in Wilmington.
"Ye may find that ye can actually survive wi'out holdin' the other's hand," Jamie continued to them.
Skylar countered with, "Why would we want to do that?" and then Claire changed the subject.
The next morning, Ian took the wagon and headed for Brunswick, promising Skylar he would do whatever he needed to to get to Wilmington as fast as he could.
Then the morning after that, the rest of them started on their own journey. Fergus and Marsali had previously written to them and told them that they had moved from The Willow Tree and into another tavern with a more spacious apartment for their now family of three.
Jamie, Claire and Skylar tied their horses in front of said new tavern and went inside to Fergus and Marsali's door. When Jamie knocked and Marsali answered, she broke out into a giant grin at seeing them. She ushered them inside and happily hugged each of them.
"What on Earth are ye all doin' here?" she exclaimed.
"Some business with Governor Tryon," Claire explained. "But we figured we'd add some pleasure to that business and come see you as well."
"We thought it would be fun to surprise you," Skylar followed.
"And what a wonderful surprise it is!" Marsali responded, still smiling wide.
Skylar went on with, "Now, it's been so great seeing you, Marsi, but I'm really just here for my nephew. Where is he?"
Marsali laughed. "Right in here." She led them into the living room and to Germain's crib off to the side.
Seeing that he was awake, Skylar picked him help and held him to her chest. "Oh, hello there," she spoke to the baby. "I've missed you so much, you handsome little thing."
"Is Fergus still at work?" Jamie asked his daughter-in-law.
"Aye. He should be home soon. He will be so happy te see all'a ye."
"He's still employed by the printer?"
"He is, though Mr. Gillette treats him more like an errand boy than an assistant."
"I have no doubt that Fergus will win him over in no time."
"From yer mouth te God's ears. So, I was just preparin' te go out te the market te get some vegetables fer a stew. But ye all please stay and make yerselves at home. I willna take long."
"I can go for you," Skylar offered.
"Oh no, that's not necessary. Ye stay and be with Germain."
"I'd really like to go to the market, if that's okay. It'll give Germain a chance to spend time with his grandparents before I hog him for the rest of the time we're here. Plus, you deserve a break and for us to help you."
"Ye really dinna mind?"
"Not at all."
Marsali let show how tired she actually was for a split second as she said, "Thank ye, Skylar. Truly."
Skylar handed Germain to Claire and Marsali gave her the money needed for the vegetables she wanted.
Before she left, Jamie warned her, "Be careful, and come right back here once ye have everythin'."
"I'll be fine, Dad. You can literally see the market from the window."
The small vegetable market was barely 100 yards from the tavern, but Skylar took her leisurely time walking there. She really enjoyed seeing all the sights of the people and buildings. This was just another regular day in these people's lives here in the 1700s. She sometimes had to remind herself that she was from 2019 and hadn't lived in this time her whole life.
After she paid for the vegetables on Marsali's list, she headed back towards the tavern. But she hadn't made it ten steps from the market before someone bumped into her, causing her to drop her bag and all its contents spilled out.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath and bent down to pick them up. The other person did as well to help her.
"I am so so sorry," the person said in an unexpected American accent. "I am not coordinated enough to be walking backwards. I was just trying to look around."
"It's okay, really. Just a little mud, it comes right off."
When everything was put back in the bag, the two stood up and Skylar got a better look at the person who ran into her. She was a young woman who looked a few years older than her. She was thin like Skylar but a couple inches taller. She had fiery red curls pinned in an up-do and she was very naturally beautiful.
"I haven't heard anyone else talk in an accent that isn't Scottish or English, and like mine. It's nice to hear something familiar," the stranger said to her.
"Yeah, I've only met a handful myself."
"Do you live here in Wilmington?"
"No, I'm just here with my parents visiting my brother and his family."
"Do you by any chance know how to get to The Willow Tree tavern from here? I left to walk around for just ten minutes and I'm completely turned around."
"Yes, you go down this road and make a right at the end, then go past the blacksmith, make another right and you can't miss it."
"You're a life saver. Thank you so much um…"
"Skylar," she told her.
"Thank you, Skylar. I'm Brianna, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Brianna. I hope you get back safely."
"Thank you again." They smiled kindly at one another and then went in their respective opposite directions.
When she walked back into the apartment, she saw Marsali preparing a plate of fruits, cheeses and sliced meats.
"Everythin' go alright?" Marsali asked her.
"Someone bumped into me and I dropped the vegetables, so there's a little mud on some of them."
"That's no matter. I'll get them clean."
Skylar placed the bag on the floor next to Marsali. "Where's Dad and Claire?"
"In the bedroom wi' Germain."
Skylar went into the other room and smiled when she saw Jamie holding his grandchild.
"Welcome back," Claire greeted her, sitting on the bed.
"Good to be back." She held Germain's hand and let him grip onto her finger. "What time do you need to meet Tryon at the theater?"
"7:00," Jamie answered. "Which means we need te get ready soon. Canna embarrass the governor by havin' his guests show up lookin' like paupers instead'a princes."
"God forbid His Excellency is seen with commoners."
Germain started whining and Claire took him from Jamie as she joked, "Germain also finds the idea of mingling with commoners disagreeable."
"Well that's understandable since he is actually a little prince."
They looked to the entryway when they heard someone come in, and they saw a surprised, but happy, Fergus.
"Milady, Milord, I'm so glad you could come for a visit." He crossed the room to hug Jamie and then hugged Skylar after. "It is so good to see you, ma soeur."
"I've missed you too, mon frere."
When they pulled apart, Fergus did a quick sweep of the room and asked, "Is Ian not with you?"
"Dad banished him," Skylar stated.
Fergus lifted an eyebrow to Jamie, knowing there had to be a story.
Jamie rolled his eyes at Skylar's dramatics. "He'll be along temorrow. He's gone te Brunswick te fetch casks fer our whiskey."
Going off of Skylar's comment, Fergus concluded, "I take it he did offer to go out of the kindness of his heart."
Skylar explained more. "Dad thinks that Ian and I need to distances ourselves from each other for the sake of my far too precious and talked about virtue."
Before Jamie and Skylar had another head to head over the matter, Claire spoke up. "The governor has invited us to join him and his wife at the theater." She was clearly not looking forward to it.
"Summoned us to join him," Jamie corrected.
"You came all this way for a play?" Fergus questioned.
"No, we came all this way to see you," Claire told him.
"And Germain," Jamie added.
"Shall I put him down?" Claire asked Marsali who had come in behind Fergus. The young mother nodded and Skylar kissed his tiny head before Claire put him in his crib that they had brought in from the living room.
Jamie kept going about their plans for the night, "The governor is eager te introduce me te one of his right-hand men, Mr. Edmund Fanning."
"A right-hand man with both his hands dipped in the treasury, or so Murtagh would tell us," Claire brought up.
"How else do you expect someone to put up having to be around Tryon so much?"
Claire chuckled at Skylar's remark, then turned again to Marsali. "Shall I help you get the rest of lunch?"
"Yes, please."
"I'll help too," Skylar joined, and the three walked back into the kitchen.
Claire sliced bread while Skylar placed in on some plates and arranged another platter.
"So, how are you all coping, you and Fergus and the baby?" Claire wanted to know.
"You both seem really happy," Skylar commented.
Marsali took in a deep breath and sighed it out, smiling big all the while. "Bein' a mother te a wee bairn, my heart is so full'a love it's fit te burst." Her face dropped a little. "But…"
That worried Claire some. "Is something the matter?"
"No. It's only…wi' Germain bein' so precious, I look at him and I ken I'd have a knife through my gut before seein' him hurt or in sorrow. If anythin' should ever happen te him…" She didn't have the words to finish that thought, but her facial reactions to the very idea spoke plenty for her.
"That's the hardest thing about being a parent, I'm sure. Though you know you would die trying, you can't protect them from everyone and everything."
Is it weird for me to so badly want to feel like that? To have that petrifying fear for my child? Skylar thought.
She hadn't brought up the subject of a baby to Ian since the last time they saw Fergus and Marsali and he had said he still wanted to wait. But the empty hole she felt from wanting a child was only growing bigger every day, and she didn't know how much longer she would be able to hide it.
They all sat in the living room for lunch, just chatting casually and catching each other up on the last few months of their lives. But a couple hours later, Jamie and Claire, begrudgingly, had to leave.
Once they had been gone for a short time, Marsali said to her husband and sister-in-law, "Ye should go out fer a bit and enjoy yerselves, just the two of ye."
"No, Marsi, we could never just leave you here by yourself," Skylar countered.
"Te be perfectly honest, I really wouldna mind it a bit." She said to Fergus, "I love ye, mon mari, with my whole heart. But te just have a quiet evenin' wi' just me and Germain would be verra pleasin'."
"Are you sure you will be alright on your own for a few hours?" Fergus asked again.
"Absolutely. Go spend time with yer sister."
Fergus smiled and kissed his wife's cheek. As he and Skylar left the apartment and walked outside, he said to her, "What would you like to do tonight in the bustling city of Wilmington?"
Skylar chuckled. "How about we go somewhere to sit and have a drink and just talk. I haven't seen you in so long, mon frere, I just want to see you."
"I could not agree more. Now, between you and me, this tavern may cost more to live in, but the alcohol they provide here does not live up to the price."
"Okay then, how about your old place, The Willow Tree? Their liquor and food were always very good."
"Very well. Allons-y."
"Après vous."
Fergus offered her his arm and she took it.
When they walked inside The Willow Tree, they were greeted by large masses of people everywhere they looked. By some miracle, they found an empty table and quickly sat at it.
"I don't think we'll be able to get a waitress' attention in here," Fergus guessed.
"Just go up to the bar. The crowd isn't too horrendous up there."
"I'm not leaving you alone, so come with me."
"If we both get up, we will lose this table. So, either you wait here and I'll go to the bar and be open and available for all the men there to touch and grope me. Or, I'll stay at the table in my seat where no one can grab my ass."
"Fine, I will go. But don't move. I'll only be a couple of minutes."
"I'll be here," Skylar assured him.
While Fergus went to wait in the large crowd around the bar to get their drinks, Skylar kept glancing over to make sure that he was still insight in case any creepy men came her way that didn't understand the word "no." Though she tried to make herself as small as possible so this would not happen, she caught someone's eye and he approached her.
She heard his voice before she saw his face and her heart stopped.
"Well, well, well, fancy runnin' inte you here of all places."
When she looked up, her fears were confirmed. Stephen Bonnet was standing across the table from her, giving her that far too familiar and unsettling smirk. The same chills she felt the first time she saw him rand down her spine, but now ten times as strong.
He continued, "I never forget a face, you know. Especially one half as beautiful as yours."
Skylar didn't respond. She was too stunned to speak.
Bonnet pulled out the chair and sat down, leaning in towards her. "From yer expression, I take it you remember me as well."
She couldn't look away from him, but every second that she stared at him, the flashbacks from that night on the riverboat kept playing in her head, and were getting faster and more powerful to the where she thought she was going to pass out. She felt like she wasn't in her body, like she was watching herself from across the room. She wanted desperately to call out to Fergus and have him get her away from the man barely four feet in front of her, but she couldn't move. She was frozen, just like when he had her pressed against the boat cabin's wall.
She used the little breath that hadn't been knocked out of her to say, "What are you doing here?"
"I think the better question would be, what is a lovely lady like you doin' in a place as lowly as this?" He raised one side of his mouth in a half smile that plenty of other woman likely would find charming, but only made Skylar want to shoot him. "I happen te be here on business. My ship is sailin' up the coast and this just happens te be one of the ports on the way. And what lucky timing that our landin' here crosses at the same time as ye."
Her heart was going faster than it ever had and she could feel her sporadic breathing going in and out of her nose. But she was trying to appear as calm and collected as possible so he wouldn't know the power he had over her. She pressed her hands harder into the table so that their shaking wouldn't show. She knew that if he kept looking at her for another minute she was going to vomit. She needed to get away from him.
"You need to leave. Now," she told him.
He responded, overtly feigning disappointment, "Yer wantin' te be rid'a me so soon? I was thinkin' we could finish what we started te last time we saw one another before we were so rudely interrupted." He reached out and touched her hand, but for less of a second before she pulled away and held her hands securely in her lap. His touch felt like a burn, and she could feel too clearly the burns all over her body and neck from where he touched her last.
In a firm and assertive tone that surprised herself, she informed him, "My brother is here. If you don't walk away right now, I'll scream and he'll kill you."
Bonnet wasn't put off at all. But in a very condescending voice, he said, "Now, now, darlin'. No need te make any kind of scene. Especially when your brother would be in far more danger than I fer murderin' someone in cold blood wi' no reason other than talkin' to a pretty lass." She held her unwavering glare on him until he said, "I will take me leave of you. Besides, I have a feelin' this is not the last time we'll be meetin' in this lifetime." He stood up, winked at her, then disappeared into the crowd.
When he was out of sight, Skylar was able to let out the breath she had been holding since he first spoke. She took one in as well, but needed to remind herself to let it out.
She still couldn't process what had just happened. It felt like a distant fever dream or that she had imagined it. Her body was ice cold and she could tell she was about to be sick. She had to find Fergus and get out of there.
Not remembering standing or walking, she suddenly found herself next to him.
"Fergus," she said to him.
He turned to her and his face dropped immediately when he could tell something was very wrong.
"Are you alright? What's happened?" he asked.
She couldn't get the words out. She kept opening her mouth to speak, and then closing it. She was breathing way too fast and was looking all around the room to see if Bonnet was still there and watching her. But it was hard for her to see because everything seemed blurry and in slow motion.
It made Fergus horribly nervous and scared seeing her like this. She was pale and sweating and her whole body was visibly shaking.
He held her arms to get her to look at him, which made her flinch badly as a reaction. "Skylar, what happened? Tell me."
She finally found control of her voice and said, "I need…go. I need t-to go."
"Then let's leave." He took her hand and placed his wooden one on her back to guide her and keep her close.
Crossing the room to the door felt like it took a year. As they went, Skylar felt as though Bonnet's gaze was burning into her. But she couldn't tell if that was real or her paranoid imagination.
They second they got outside, Skylar ran to the nearest alley and threw up. She felt Fergus soothingly rub her back, but she didn't acknowledge him. Her mind was too busy focusing on the last five minutes and forcing herself to not faint.
When her stomach was empty, she sat on the ground with her back against the wall. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, counting 1, 2, 3 as she inhaled in through her nose and out through her mouth. She planted her hands flat on the ground and dug at the dirt to feel it and bring herself back to the present. It was April 1768. She was in the town of Wilmington. She was not on the riverboat in July 1767.
Fergus sat next to her and watched as she calmed herself down. He had only seen her in such a panic once when they were on the Artemis. It terrified him then and it terrified him now. His instincts told him it was best to not touch her or talk to her until she was fully down. So he waited.
When her heartrate and breathing returned to normal and she felt like she wasn't spinning, she opened her eyes and stared forward. She took a few more regular breaths. Her nerves were still on edge and her anxiety was sky high, but the panic had passed.
After waiting a couple extra minutes to make sure she was really okay, Fergus said gently, "Do you want to tell me what happened? What set that off?"
She was nervous to tell him. Not just about having to relive it through telling details, but she was afraid he'd be mad at her for keeping this from him. But there was no other way to explain what had just happened except with the truth.
When she was ready, she recounted it slowly. "After you left the table, a man approached me." She didn't have to look at him to know he had sat up straighter and had an energy of "ready to attack" if need be.
"What did he say to you? Did he hurt you? Who was he?"
"Um…it was…he…it was Stephen Bonnet."
"That's the man who robbed you all on the river, correct?" He started to sound more concerned.
"Yes. But that night, the robbery…that wasn't all he did."
"What do you mean?"
She swallowed hard and could feel the tears coming from just remembering it. Every detail was so clear in her head it was as if it just happened.
"He-" her voice cracked as she started. She cleared her throat to try to help. She licked her lips and sniffed, holding back all the emotion bursting at her seams like she had before. She tried again, "He, um…he-he tried to rape me. He didn't because somehow I pushed him off. But h…" She paused to collect her thoughts. She closed her eyes again and allowed a couple tears to fall down her face. Her voice was shaky as she went on, "He pushed me against the wall and ripped open my dress. He was grabbing me and touching me and kissing me all over and…and it took me so long to not see his face whenever I closed my eyes and to stop checking to see if the bruises on my neck and chest were still there even when they were long gone. It had been so long since I had a nightmare about him. I thought I was done. I thought I was never going to see him again. And then, there he is in front of me, like he knew I was doing okay and moving past it and he needed to just make me feel everything all over again." She had started to fully cry while telling the story, so she took a moment to catch her breath. "I'm sorry that that all came out like that. But seeing him just now…I thought I was done."
After a period where Fergus hadn't said anything in response, Skylar turned to look at him and his face looked murderous.
With his voice very low and through gritted teeth, he only asked, "Where is he?" He stood up and started back to the tavern with dangerous intent.
Skylar scrambled up and chased after him. "Fergus, Fergus! Wait!" She pulled him back before he could go inside.
"Where is he?" he repeated with venom in his voice. "Point him out to me. Which one is he? I'll kill him. I'll kill him right now with my one bare hand." He went once more for the door, but Skylar stopped him again.
"Fergus, no! You can't do anything to him."
"This son of a bitch bastard violates my sister and gets away with it? Not while I am breathing. And once I find him, he will not be. I'm going to kill him." He turned to move, but she stood in front of him to block him.
"If you hurt him, it's only you that will be in trouble. You'll be put in jail or worse, and you have Marsali and Germain to think about. You can't leave them alone. If something happens to you, something happens to them. They need you." She saw that realization hit him and his face and body relaxed just slightly. "Believe me, I want him dead in the worst way and I would do it myself if I could. Stephen Bonnet will get what's coming to him one way or another, I can promise you that. But not by you."
After a beat, he asked, "How did this happen? Where were Milord and Ian? Why were they not with you?"
"They were asleep, remember? He boarded us in the middle of the night. I was stupid and reckless and irresponsible and dumb and went outside in the dark by myself, and that was where he found me. Dad and Ian still fell gut-wrenchingly guilty about it to this day. Dad was so destroyed by his guilt that it almost ruined our relationship. That's why I didn't tell you about it. I didn't want to risk anything like that happening with us."
Full of brotherly love, he asked with total sincerity, "Are you alright, ma soeur?" He asked not only in relation to the assault itself, but also being face to face with Bonnet so suddenly that night.
"I think so," she answered. "This, seeing him tonight, I know it set me back. But I don't have to start all over with getting better. Hopefully soon I'll be back to the place I was in an hour ago." She let out a dry laugh.
She could see on his face the guilt he too felt for not being able to have been there and protect his little sister, and still not being able to do anything about it now. She just gave him a small smile and hugged him. She felt him hold her tight and she waited for him to be the first to pull away.
When he did, she let out a breath and said, needing to move on from this moment, "So, I am now much more hungry than I was when we first came out. Can we please go somewhere else to get dinner?"
Fergus gave her a small smile back. "Of course." He took her hand and they went to another pub a good distance away from The Willow Tree.
They stayed out for a couple hours. They were greatly enjoying this time with just them and wanted to make it last as long as they could. Skylar was still very jumpy and on high alert, but she put Stephen Bonnet as much in the back of her head as possible to try and relax and have fun with her brother.
She did convince him to not say anything to Jamie or anyone about seeing Bonnet. He fought hard against that, but Skylar just reiterated what she had said before. If any of them hurt Bonnet, they would likely be in more trouble than him and they should not risk that; especially with the still relatively new land from Governor Tryon at stake. Fergus reluctantly agreed.
When they did have to walk back, she held tight onto Fergus's hand and stayed pressed against his side. Her eyes darted around in the dark streets, scared that any person they passed may be Bonnet. She was able to breathe easy when they at last walked into Fergus and Marsali's apartment.
Marsali looked up when she heard the door open and close. She had put the kettle over the fire in the fireplace to, more than likely, boil water for tea. "There ye two are. We were wonderin' when ye would find yer way home."
"We? Are Dad and Claire back already?" Skylar wondered.
"No. But someone else arrived while ye were gone." She beckoned her head to the dining room, meaning for Skylar to go in.
Skylar followed the direction and went to the other room. Her face lit up when she saw Ian sitting at the table eating something Marsali had given him.
"Ian!" she exclaimed with such genuine happiness.
Ian's smile took up his entire face as he saw her and stood up.
She ran and collided into him, hugging him with all the strength she could muster. He returned it just as strong and kept one had on the back of her head to stroke her hair.
After being re-traumatized after seeing Bonnet, being in Ian's arms was the more than perfect way for her to feel safe again.
They pulled apart to look at each other for a moment, then shared a long and sweet kiss.
"God, I missed you, Youngin'," she told him, holding his face.
"I thought of ye every minute I was away," he replied.
"I thought you weren't supposed to be back until sometime tomorrow."
"I made sure everything went as fast as it could and then came straight here. I couldna stand not bein' next te ye anymore."
She couldn't help but kiss him again. They had been apart so many times in the last few months and she hoped that it would now be a long time before they were separated again.
"Are ye alright, Yank?" he asked. He could tell something was off with her, but she didn't want to bring up what had happened and start everything up again. She was so happy in this moment and she didn't want anything to ruin that.
So she just told him, honestly, "I am. I really really am."
Once Germain was down for the night, the two couples gathered in the living room, just chatting as they waited for Jamie and Claire to get back. While Fergus and Marsali sat in separate chairs and casually held hands between them, Skylar and Ian were trying to morph into one person. They were both on the small couch and Skylar was hugging her arms around his waist and her head leaning on his shoulder. Ian wrapped an arm around her to keep her as close to him as he physically could.
Fergus couldn't keep from laughing a little at them. "Sky, you said Milord had sent Ian to Brunswick to try to put some distance between you two. But it seems that plan has backfired."
Skylar giggled. "Yeah, he'll never understand that the more he pulls us apart, the harder we come right back together." She tightened her grip on him to further her point.
Their heads all snapped to the door when it suddenly opened and Jamie came running in. Everyone stood right up, sensing his urgency.
"Fergus," he said, "I need ye te do somethin' fer me."
"Anything, Milord," Fergus replied, crossing to the man.
"Governor Tryon has set a trap for Murtagh and the Regulators. A spy in their camp told Tryon about their plan to rob a carriage carrying tax money. Tryon planted Redcoats in the carriage and they're going to arrest all of them." He grabbed Fergus' arms. "Mon fils, ye need te ride out te where the Regulators are stationed. Find Murtagh and warn him."
"Aye, Milord. I will leave this instant."
"They're encamped along the road te New Bern. Make all haste." With just a single nod, Fergus was gone.
Jamie turned back to the now group of three all still staring at him. "I apologize fer scarin' ye wi' that bit'a excitement. But I must hurry te get back te the theatre."
"Where's Claire? Is she okay?" Skylar asked.
"Aye, she's fine. She's helpin' keep Tryon occupied while this all plays out. We'll explain everythin' when we return tenight. But now, I must get back before I'm missed."
"Be careful."
Jamie smiled at her comfortingly. "Nothin' will happen te me, I promise ye." Without another word, he too left and closed the door behind him.
The three stood still in a stunned silence at what had occurred in just 30 seconds.
Marsali went over to Germain's crib and peered in. "Jesus, I canna believe that commotion didna wake him." She stoked her son's head and went for the kitchen, "If anythin' happens te Fergus on this mission he's been sent on, I'll have Jamie's head te pay fer it, I swear te God."
Skylar flinched a little when she felt Ian's hands on her. "Yer shakin', Yank. Are ye sure yer alright?"
She still was not past the full body shock of seeing Bonnet earlier that night. So when Jamie all but bust the door down, she had nearly jumped out of her skin from a moment of involuntary panic. She relaxed when she saw it was Jamie, but the sudden spike in her anxiety made her nerves unable to settle.
Am I just gonna be on edge for the rest of my life? she thought. Why did he have to be here? Why did he have to see me? Why couldn't I just forget him?
But she still only told Ian, "I'm fine. Really. I'm just…also worried about Fergus." She sat back down and Ian did as well. He took her hand and kissed it, then held it on his knee.
"Fergus will be fine, I'm sure of it," Marsali commented as she walked back in. She handed Skylar and Ian cups with whiskey in them, having decided that they were all now in need of something stronger than just tea. She got her own drink and sat again in the chair across from them. "He was a pick pocket, ye remember. He kens better than most how te be discrete and unseen when he needs te be."
Skylar nodded and took a sip of her drink. She let it sit in her mouth to relish the taste and enjoyed the good burn of the alcohol when she did swallow it.
To distract herself, she thought, God, when did I become able to drink whiskey so easily? I used to not be able to stomach it for the longest time.
She remembered back to one of her first few days in the 18th Century when Fergus had taken her to a pub in Edinburgh. She had been so concerned with drinking ages and just one sip made her choke. It was funny to think back on and how much she had changed since then. She let the comfort of the memory envelop her to bring her back to a calm state.
None of them felt like they could attempt to sleep until they received word of Murtagh, Fergus, and Jamie and Claire. They didn't move from their seats and just sat quiet while they watched the clock tick.
It was well past 11:00pm when Fergus got back.
Marsali leapt to her feet and sprinted to him to hug him. "Thank Christ," she mumbled.
"Did ye reach Murtagh in time?" Ian asked as Fergus and Marsali came back into the living room.
"Aye. He is safe. He is headed for Fraser's Ridge as we speak. Have Milord and Milady returned yet?"
"Not yet," Skylar told him. "They're probably still covering their tracks with Tryon. All we can do now is wait. My favorite thing to do." She crossed her arms and leaned back against the couch.
"I'm sure they will not be much longer. They know what they're doing."
While they continued to wait, Skylar's leg wouldn't stop bouncing and her fingers were anxiously tapping on Ian's knee. She couldn't move her eyes from the door and felt her breath get caught in her throat when it opened again and Claire walked in. She was glad to see Claire safe, but seeing her alone made her stomach hurt.
The first thing Claire said, before she had finished closing the door, was, "Is Jamie here?"
"He has not come back yet," Fergus answered.
She walked further into the room. "He's likely still with Tryon then. When word reached that his plan for the Regulators fell through, he was furious. He called for Jamie and another of his men and they left." She looked at Fergus. "But I take it that everything went well with warning Murtagh?"
"Yes, Milady. As I told them, he is bound for Fraser's Ridge to stay out of sight for a while."
"Good, good. He'll be safe there."
Ian then remembered something. "When Uncle Jamie came to find Fergus, he told us of a diversion ye were leadin'. What was it?"
"Tryon's right hand man had an injury that required me to do emergency surgery. Jamie came up with the plan in the moment and it was a good thing he did. Not just to distract Tryon, but this man would have died had I not operated. I made sure he got home and I told his wife I would look in on him tomorrow before we leave."
When it got to be closer to midnight, Jamie finally returned. He didn't speak right away. He just looked at Fergus for confirmation.
Fergus nodded. "Murtagh is safe."
Skylar saw Jamie's body de-tense and he let out a breath of relief. He crossed behind Fergus' chair and patted his shoulders. "Good man."
"Does Tryon suspect anything?" Claire asked.
Jamie shook his head. "No. His man Mr. Frohock said he saw Colonel Washington and his wife leaving in their carriage when he went to find another surgeon. So Tryon suspects him of warning the Regulators."
Skylar's ears perked up at one of the names Jamie had so casually mentioned. "Um, I'm-I'm sorry. Who?"
Claire smiled knowingly at her and repeated, "Colonel George Washington."
"Ah, okay." She was trying hard to stay cool and nonconspicuous. But inside, she was majorly freaking out that the future first President of the United States was somewhere in the same town as her. The song "Right Hand Man" from Hamilton played in her head as everyone continued talking.
It was difficult for Skylar to fall asleep that night. She would try, but she would always be very quickly woken up by Stephen Bonnet's face flashing in her mind. She was a little bit scared to sleep out of fear she would have another nightmare about her assault.
She kept tossing and turning with no luck at getting comfortable. But at one point when she had turned onto her side, she came face to face with Ian who was sound asleep. His face was totally relaxed and his mouth was just the slightest bit open. She watched him sleep for a few minutes and eventually found she was getting more and more calm.
He made her always feel so happy, loved and safe, like nothing could ever hurt her as long as she was with him. She often wondered if he was the reason that she was able to hear the stones at Craigh na Dun. If some force was pulling her to him and the stones were calling her to come find him. Even if that wasn't true, she still thanked God and the universe every day for bringing her to him.
She didn't feel as scared to sleep now and wanted to try again. She carefully lifted his arm and put it around her stomach so that he could hold her as she pressed her back against him. She heard him wake up for just a moment when he sighed and tightened his grip around her. She smiled, finally feeling at peace for the first time that night. She closed her eyes and fell asleep fantasizing about their future.
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The next morning, Jamie and Fergus went out to see about a boat that would transport the whiskey casks Ian brought down the river to Fraser's Ridge while they used the wagon to bring back supplies they had needed to fill up on in town.
While they were gone, Claire went to check in on her patient from the previous night, and Marsali was packing a rather large bag of food for them to bring back with them. Skylar tried to tell her that for such a short journey there was no need, but Marsali wouldn't hear it.
"Well, if it gives me a chance to hold my nephew while you do this, who am I to argue?" she gave in.
So, she sat on the couch, cradling the tiny Germain. Even though he was not her child, she loved him the same amount as if he was.
She watched him sleep in her arms and imagined the day when she would be holding her and Ian's child. She was quietly humming Lavender's Blue to him, but stopped when she looked up and saw Ian staring at her from the chair across from her.
"What?" she asked him.
"Ye look so natural and beautiful holdin' a bairn. I could watch ye hold him all day." She smiled at him in response. "I remember thinkin' the same thing when I saw ye wi' Benjamin back at Lallybroch."
"You remember that?"
"Of course I do. That was when I heard ye singing the Lavender song fer the first time, and when I realized that I couldna live wi'out ye." She felt her cheeks go a little red at his comment and the butterflies came back.
He moved to sit next to her and smiled down at the baby, gently stroking his cheek with his finger.
"We could have our own, ye ken," he said suddenly.
Skylar's eyebrows shot up and she turned her head to him. "Our own what? Child?" She wanted to hear him actually say the words, but his eyes only flickered from Germain to Skylar and back down; which was confirmation enough for her. "I believe I remember you saying you wanted to wait quite a while longer on marriage and children."
He gave a small shrug. "I wanted us te be able te have adventure and excitement in our lives before we settled down. But wi' all that we've been through the last few months alone, not even mentionin' the last near two years, we've had plenty of that already. And I want so bad te be able to officially call ye mine." Skylar's mouth went dry and her stomach was in a huge knot as she was wondering if this was going to end in a proposal. But he unknowingly answered that question, saying, "I'm no propsoin' te ye right now in this moment. But, if yer wantin' te, we can start seriously talkin' about it."
God, I would say yes if you asked me right here and now, she wanted to say.
But she didn't want to freak him out with being over eager and instead said, "I want to. I'd like that very much."
They stared at each other, both fighting back outrageous idiotic smiles. Skylar's heart was going a mile a minute, but for a good reason this time. Excited and happy were understatements at how she felt knowing that much sooner than rather than the expected later, she would finally be married to the love of her life.
Ian kissed her deeply to show her how happy he was as well. He didn't pull back too far from her so that he could whisper in her ear, "If we're gonna be wantin' te have our own bairn once we're wed, it wouldna hurt te practice what we need te do te make one, no?"
Skylar's whole body got warm and tingly when he said that. She faced him again and they were centimeters apart. She looked down at his lips then back to his eyes.
"Careful, Youngin'," she whispered back. "If you talk about that within 10 miles of Dad, he will hear and make it so you can never have children."
"The risk is worth it." He closed the small space between them to kiss her again, more passionately this time. But they were reminded of the third person in the room when Germain started to whine and they quickly broke apart.
"What's wrong, my love?" Skylar said to the infant, putting him on her shoulder and rubbing his back. "Were you not getting enough attention?"
"He is quite an attention hog," Marsali commented as she came into the room. Skylar handed Germain back to his mother. She bounced with him as she went on, "If the whole room isna focused directly on him, he throws a fit."
"That'll be fun when he gets older," Skylar chuckled.
"What do ye mean older? No, he'll be stayin' this little ferever. I willna allow him te grow up."
The door opened and Jamie and Fergus came inside.
"Did ye find a boat?" Ian asked.
"Aye," Jamie said. "The Sally Ann."
The joyful butterflies in her stomach vanished and a painful pressure in her chest replaced it.
"The Sally Ann?" she repeated.
Jamie saw her sudden shift and his guilt seeped back in. "Twas the only one available te go the distance on this day."
The Sally Ann was the boat they had ridden on when Bonnet attacked them.
Jesus Christ. Did he fucking plan this somehow? I'm never going to escape him.
"Okay," she made herself say and forced the anxiety down. "Then that's that. What do we need to do now?"
Jamie knew Skylar was only pretending and it pained him that they had no other choice. "We now need te get the casks loaded onte the boat. I came back te get Ian te help wi' that." Ian gave a nod and stood up to go with his uncle.
"He and I can go on our own," Skylar offered.
"Yank, ye dinna need te go te the boat before we have te. Uncle Jamie and I will be fine," Ian told her.
"I know. But I want to. Get the worst part over with and see it." The three men standing in front of her seemed unsure about this plan. "Please? I'm gonna have to ride on it soon enough, so this will only help."
"Verra well," Jamie relented. "Go now so ye can hurry back." She got up and took Ian's hand. They walked out the door, Skylar feeling her father and brother's worried faces in her direction.
As Ian drove the wagon to the dock, Skylar closed her eyes and took slow breaths in and out.
He is not there, she kept telling herself. He is not on the boat. He can't hurt you.
But knowing that he was somewhere in the town currently didn't help her to believe her affirmations.
When they got to the dock, Skylar could see the Sally Ann tied in place. She stared at it.
"Skylar?" Ian's voice brought her out of the trance. She looked to him and saw he was standing on the ground.
"I'm gonna wait here. You go on."
"I can get some more sailors te load and I can sit wi' ye while we wait."
"It's okay. Really. I just want to look at it by myself for a bit."
Ian didn't like it, but if that's what she wanted, he'd let her do it.
Skylar didn't notice Ian and the sailors transporting the casks from the wagon to the boat. The world turned fuzzy and only the boat was in focus. She didn't feel any better seeing it. She was only getting more nervous to be on it later.
I'm fine. I'm fine. He doesn't get to control me like this.
She jumped when Ian climbed back onto the seat.
"You're done?" she asked.
"Aye. Are ye alright?"
She only said a small, "Yeah," in reply.
He didn't ask her anymore and flicked the reins to get the horses to move. She didn't look back as they rode away. She would see it again very soon.
Ian parked the wagon in front of Fergus and Marsali's cabin. When he helped Skylar down, she said to him, "I'm feeling a little bit hungry. Do you wanna come with me to the market? It's just a little ways down." She knew that there was a bag of food upstairs for them from Marsali, but she wanted to use this as an excuse to walk around and clear her head.
"A'course." He took her hand and they went to a nearby fruit stand.
Skylar picked out a couple apples, peaches and strawberries. While the seller bagged them up, Ian said to her, "What would ye think of namin' our son Ian?"
She knew he was asking that as a distraction for her, but she still laughed. "We just started talking about kids not even an hour ago and you're already thinking of names? And I'm not so sure about naming him Ian."
"Why not? Tis a good strong name."
"I'm not saying it's not. I love it for you and your father, but there are already two Ian Murrays in the world and one of them is already a Young Ian. What would we call this one, Young Ian Junior? We don't even know if our first child would be a boy. Could be a girl."
"So, Janet then. Fer me Ma and sister."
Skylar let out a breathy laugh and rolled her eyes. "I love you so much, Youngin', but I swear, I could strangle you sometimes."
He grabbed her hips and pulled her into him. "And that's how ye ken it's true love."
"I can't disagree there." She put her hands against his chest and smiled up at him.
"Are ye alright, Miss?" a voice came through. Skylar and Ian looked to who had spoken and saw some random young man standing there.
"I'm sorry?" Skylar said, very confused. Ian let go of her and they faced the stranger.
"Is this bawbag botherin' ye?" he asked, meaning Ian. "I saw him grab ye and I wanted te make sure he's leavin' ye alone." He looked Ian up and down, making it clear that he was ready to fight if need be. Ian just looked very nervous.
"No, he's not bothering me," she told him with a very annoyed tone.
"It's no safe fer a bonny lass like yerself te be alone wi'out yer man te protect ye from worms like him who canna take no fer an answer."
"This 'worm,' as you so nicely put it, is my man." She took Ian's hand and held it tight. "And if you saw him touch me, then you should've also seen that I was happy about it."
The guy looked between them, then started laughing. "Yer jokin', right?"
"Excuse me?"
"Ye canna be serious. There's no way in hell this pale, homely string bean is who ye've chosen fer yerself. What could a lady like ye possibly see in him, unless it's out of pity?"
Skylar was fuming at his totally uncalled for and unwanted opinion, but she kept her voice calm as she responded back with, "Listen, I don't know who you are or why you think I am any of your business. But I highly suggest walking away now before I ruin your reputation and dignity by beating your ass to the ground in front of all these people."
The random jerk glanced at Ian again, who hadn't said a word during the exchange, and scoffed. "Not even a man enough that his lass has te defend his honor." He walked away, Skylar glaring at him as he left her sight.
"What the fuck is wrong with people?" she thought out loud. "They just have to stick their noses where they don't belong."
Ian's voice was very small as he replied, "It's fine, Yank. Let's go find Uncle Jamie."
Skylar watched him as he picked up their bag and walked off, her close behind him.
As they walked silently, she saw his face was void of any emotion and the brightness of his eyes had dimmed to almost nothing. She could tell the idiot's words had affected him.
"Please, Ian. Do not pay any attention to that asshole. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
"He does though."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Come off it, Skylar. We're both foolin' ourselves if we think I'm anythin' much te look at. I'm far too skinny fer my absurdly height that my arms and legs may as well be straws of hay. I dinna have any of the strikin' features that Uncle Jamie or my father have, and I'm so pale that I look sickly. From the first time ye said ye loved me, I've never understood why ye would want me, and I never will. There are so many other men who are far more handsome, strong and manlier than me that ye can have yer pick from. I didna tell ye how I felt fer ye fer so long because I ken I'm no deservin' of ye, and this just proved me right and that others ken it too."
Every word he said was a punch in her gut. It broke her heart hearing him talk about himself like that.
"Ian." She took his hand and stopped them from moving forward. "Do you really feel like that?"
He looked down and away from her, embarrassed at how much he had let out.
"Never mind. It doesna matter. I shouldna have said anythin'." He pulled his hand from her and started on, but she caught him again.
"It does matter. Come here." She pulled him close and put her hands on his face. He gently pushed them off and looked down again. "Ian." She put her hands back on him. "Can you look at me? Please, look at me." He slowly raised his gaze to hers. "You know that not a word of what you just said is true. You are more than deserving of me. You're too good for me, in fact. You are so beautiful, Ian Murray. I know that men don't like being called that, but you are. God, your smile alone could turn a rainy sky blue again. But even if you weren't, even if you were the sickly piece of straw you think you are, I would still be madly deeply wholly completely in love with you." She put her hands on his chest. "Your soul is so light and pure and beautiful as well. You are perfect, and I wouldn't change any little slight thing about you ever. Please, please do not be mean and cruel to the man I love. Because if you insult him, you insult me. And you would never want to hurt me like that, right?"
"Never," he answered very faint.
"Then please be kind to yourself and know that I will only ever want you for as long as we both shall live." She pulled his face to hers and kissed him. "'For as long as we both shall live.' I can't wait to stand with you in front of a priest and say that again in front of all of our friends and family."
He gave a small smile and kissed her in return.
"We should find Uncle Jamie before he thinks we ran off," he said. He took her hand again and they continued on.
They found Jamie and Claire standing outside the tavern. But when they reached them, Skylar saw they were not alone and she recognized the person in between them. "Brianna?"
The red haired woman was just as surprised to see the other girl again. "Skylar. Omigod."
"Have you two met before?" Claire asked, phrasing it slowly out of total confusion.
"Yeah. We, um, kinda collided yesterday in the street," Skylar explained.
"She helped me find my way back to The Willow Tree," Brianna followed.
"I-I'm sorry, but how do you know them?" Skylar looked between Jamie and Claire and back to Brianna.
"She is…" Jamie started, but then looked at his wife to see if it was okay to tell the truth.
"Our daughter," Claire finished.
Skylar's mouth dropped open. "Your…daughter?" When the realization hit her, she said, sort of to herself, "Oh you're…Brianna."
Looking at her now, Skylar could see so many physical similarities between the young woman and the two adults that she never picked up on the day before.
Omigod, she's the Brianna. How is she here? She's a time traveler too? Omigod…holy shit! what?!
Jamie told Ian that she was his cousin, and Ian was the most surprised out of all of them since he was the only one who didn't know Brianna existed. But he was extremely happy to meet her.
Claire spoke again. "I know it's a surprise. But we'll explain it all later." Her smile went from ear to ear and she couldn't take her eyes off Brianna.
"When it comes te ye, Auntie Claire, I've learned it's better not te ask too many questions," Ian replied, which also helped answer Skylar's question of how the hell were they going to explain this. "Well then, welcome, cousin." He bowed his head to her.
"Thank you. It's very nice to meet you, um…" She looked to her mother for his name.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. My name is Ian. Ian Murray."
"It's very nice to meet you, Ian." She looked back at Skylar. "And how is it you know Jamie and my mother? Did your family settle on Fraser's Ridge?"
"No, um, I actually, uh…" She didn't know how to explain to Jamie's real daughter that she was his adopted daughter. But luckily, she was saved when Jamie cut her off.
"I'm afraid we must save everyone's questions fer a bit later. We need te start fer home." He looked to Ian and Skylar to ask, "Is everythin' ready and aboard the Sally Ann?"
Skylar told him, "Yes, Dad. Ian and some sailors took care of it."
"Dad?" Brianna repeated. "When you said yesterday that you were here with your parents, did you…did you mean Mama and Jamie?" She was clearly so beyond confused, and Skylar, Claire and Jamie knew there was a lot to go over.
Claire put her arm around her daughter and held her hand as she said to her, "We'll tell you everything once we're on the boat. Now, what was your maid's name?"
"Lizzie."
"Right. Where is she?"
"In our room, packing our things."
"Why don't we go find her and bring everythin' down te the wagon," Jamie suggested.
As they followed Brianna into The Willow Tree, Skylar's eyes scoured the room, praying that Bonnet wasn't still in there. She squeezed her hand that wasn't holding Ian's into a tight fist as they crossed the room and went up the stairs.
When they walked into the small bedroom, they found a girl who Skylar figured was Lizzie. She was as tall as Brianna but was definitely younger than her, and maybe even a year or two younger than Skylar. She was thin and pale but pretty, and she was wearing a bonnet so Skylar couldn't see her hair color. She had just finished closing a bag when she saw the group come in.
Brianna spoke to her. "Lizzie, I'd like you to meet my mother, Claire, and my father, Jamie."
Lizzie curtsied and said, in a Scottish accent, "It's such a pleasure te make yer acquaintances at last. My mistress has only spoken of ye since we boarded the ship in Scotland and I am so glad that ye've finally been reunited."
"Thank you, Lizzie, for taking care of our daughter on the long journey over here," Claire said to her.
"Tis nothin'. She is a verra kind and fair mistress." Her eyes then landed on Ian and Skylar. "Forgive me, but I'm afraid we have not been introduced."
"Ian, miss. Wonderful te meet ye." He gave her a kind smile and nodded at her.
Skylar saw her blush and smile shyly back at him as she curtsied. She could tell Lizzie found Ian attractive and a massive wave of jealousy washed over her.
Oh, absolutely the fuck not.
She let go of Ian's hand to curtsey in greeting to Lizzie. "I'm Skylar. Ian and I are courting." She tried to make sure none of the jealousy came through her voice and was rather just giving information.
She put her hands on Ian's shoulder and he put his arm around her waist, not knowing that him doing that very normal action helped Skylar show off their relationship to Lizzie.
Lizzie gave a small smile to hide the disappointment seeing Ian was taken, but curtsied as well. "Pleased te meet ye, Miss Skylar."
"You as well, and you can just call me Skylar."
Skylar didn't want to have any problems or bad feelings towards this girl she had known for all of a minute. But the jealousy was overpowering.
So long as she doesn't make any moves on him, we'll be fine.
Here we go with the start of another, if not the biggest, major adventure for the Frasers!
Btw, writing the line "madly deeply wholly completely" again made me realize that I sometimes forget there's a whole first half of this fic where Skylar and Ian aren't together and she's in fact denying she likes him…that was totally random, I know. But it's funny to think about.
ANYWHO, I hope you like the chapter and I will see you next week! I love ye all verra verra much! Stay safe and healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Please review, follow, favorite if you like it so far :)
