Chapter 43
Murtagh gingerly took hold of Daniea's hand as he signalled for Jamie to lead the way. She followed the men around the corner to the main hall and then down another corridor in the tower.
"This will be Daniea's room and three doors down is yer usual room Murtagh." Jamie said as he ground his teeth.
Murtagh maneuvered Jamie away from the door before he held it open for Daniea to pass through. She squeezed his hand before speaking, a silent signal.
"If I may inquire about M'Laird's health? How have you been feeling? Do ye need anything?"
A lump caught in Jamie's throat as he thought about his near death by poisoning.
"I am fine Mistress." He assured, as he continued to glare at Murtagh.
"Go rest Lass, ye need sleep. I will bring up yer trunk in a few minutes." Murtagh assured, kissing her on the temple then shooing her into the room.
"Don't ye have some Lairdly duties ye need to be doing lad?"
Jamie bit his tongue and turned away from his infuriating godfather.
Word spread like wildfire throughout the village and well wishers came from all corners to Lallybroch. The manor buzzed with life as the kitchen began to overflow with treats made for Jenny. The noise kept Daniea from napping but thankfully everytime she checked in on her patients all was well. Jenny was sleeping and the baby was in the tender arms of her father.
Dinner that night was brief as everyone had it in their rooms but afterwards Jamie found Murtagh resting in the library enjoying the roaring fire and a glass of whiskey.
"May I join you?" Jamie prodded as he poured himself a drink.
"Aye, of course lad."
He hankered down in the leather seat next to the older man, his mind tangled with questions.
"By the way yer staring at me I suppose ye have something to get off yer chest."
"What on God's green Earth is going on?" Jamie exclaimed, his eyes begging Murtagh for answers to questions he couldn't formulate.
"Jamie. Ye know I love ye and I have sworn to protect ye fer as long as I live." He whispered cautiously, twisting to look him in the eye.
Jamie nodded. "I know and I love ye fer it but why?... Why Ireland? And why is she going by O'Dowd now? What's going on? Why do ye keep acting like I'm going to maul her like some kind of beast?"
Murtagh looked around, always reassessing if eavesdroppers were near.
" If ye must know. The lass is going by O'Dowd now because she is in hiding from Taran and is no longer a Fraser, but I'm sure ye knew that one already"
Jamie remained silent, taking in the information.
"And... she's going to Ireland because she is no longer under the protection of Scottish Law."
Jamie looked on confused, his wrecked memory irritating the man.
"Do I need to spell it out fer ya boy?.. Ye married her to protect her from Randall. Now that she is no longer a Scot or under the Watch's protection for that matter; she has to flee in order to avoid becoming property."
The glass fell from Jamie's hand, shattering upon the floor.
The sound brought about the scurrying of servants. For the few moments it took them to clean up the mess Jamie remained silent, his gut twisting at the realization.
"Now I have had many long talks with the lass." Murtagh continued once they were alone again. "She... unlike myself, is happy with yer decision."
Jamie's jaw dropped at the confession.
"Now only ye would know if this is true or not...but she assured me that she in fact released ye from the marriage with an open heart... she keeps telling Dougal, Colum and I that she has been more trouble than she's worth and we must allow her to leave so everyone can start over. Those being her words! Not mine!" He growled, downing his tumbler at the memory.
"What.."
"That is all ye need to know lad. Ye are free from each other and ye will keep yer word and leave her be while she is here. She has enough to deal with already."
Jamie's retort was cut off as the all too familiar steps of Ian coming down the stairs sounded.
"As I said lad, I swore to protect ye and that's exactly what I'm doing. Even if it may not make sense right now." Murtagh finished as he plastered a grin on his face just in time to greet Ian.
The next two days Jamie kept his word to avoid what little interaction he could have had with Daniea. He forced himself into his work, both as Laird and horsemaster; keeping from the manor as much as possible. In the past he would have never thought it possible but he was actually beginning to look forward to her departure; the need for his new routine at Lallybroch to get back to normal was dire.
Deciding to venture out to the village was a much needed escape and a welcome one. It was around lunch when he arrived at Mistress MacNiven's cottage. The energetic woman opened the door after the third knock, surprise and excitement woven into her smile.
"M'Laird! I mean… Jamie. To what do I owe this honor?" Sorcha inquired as she ushered him inside to the parlor.
"Well," Jamie grinned, "My sister was expecting another son but we have sweet Maggie instead... I realized she doesn't have very many things fer a wee lassie. I was hoping I could persuade ye to make her a few items so I may purchase them."
Sorcha's energy seemed to dip for just an instance at his request but she merrily agreed.
After they discussed types of gifts to make and she had shown him examples; he chose a few items including a blanket, dress and bonnet.
Afterwards he finally asked, "How much do I owe ye?"
Sorcha thought for a moment but finally worked up the courage to answer, "A picnic."
Her answer threw him completely off guard, but the charming way she bit her lip as she looked up at his form intrigued him.
"A picnic would be delightful, shall I.."
"I will prepare everything M'Laird." She assured "Would tomorrow fer lunch be agreeable?"
"I look forward to it." Jamie smirked as he tipped his hat, "Till tomorrow mistress."
The next afternoon as Jamie was slowly tacking up Raven, Ian teased, "Someone's in a grand mood!"
"Aye, I am."
Ian beamed at his friend, "It's a sight to see, ye have been a ghost since ye arrived. What changed?" he asked, as he leaned against the hitching post.
"Let's just say I needed some sunshine and fresh air." Jamie quipped as he finished.
"If that's the truth then I'm a will o'the wisp." Ian retorted, knowing bull when he heard it. "But safe journey anyway."
A short while later he halted the stallion in front of the cottage. Sorcha greeted him before he could ever dismount.
The horse pranced in place as Jamie swept into a deep bow before the young woman.
"Ye look bonnie mistress." He complemented.
The blush he had started to deem as adorable rushed to her cheeks.
"Ye are too kind M'Laird."
"No, just honest." He smirked, taking the picnic basket from her hands to secure it on Raven's pack.
His hands roamed over the basket's latches, causing flashes of a time he was trying to forget to bore through his mind. They threatened to sour his mood, but he quickly buried the bloody images as he cast his gaze upon Sorcha's radiant smile once more.
"Shall we?" Jamie asked after he remounted. His hand outstretched towards the woman.
Raven anxiously danced underneath Jamie.
"Certainly..." Sorcha stammered, placing her hand in Jamie's. She let out a yelp as he easily pulled her across him in the saddle. Her heart raced as her blond locks bounced against his chest. His closeness intoxicating as they rode to his favorite spot by the lake.
Staring out at the shining water and luscious meadow around them, Sorcha stood in awe. Jamie led her to a shady overhang and laid out the blanket he had brought along. While she spread out the feast she had prepared, Jamie let Raven loose to graze; but as he removed his bridle Raven sharply nipped Jamie's arm before bolting off towards the water.
"Yer horse is quite the animal." Sorcha praised.
"Aye... with quite the temper." Jamie half joked, rubbing his arm as he stretched out across from his date. "Thankye fer the picnic, it has been years since I have partaken in one."
"I hope ye enjoy what I prepared."
Jamie looked on at the plates of meat, bread, cheese and fruits. The aroma of assorted sweet and wine making his mouth water.
"Please help yerself."
Jamie was careful to prepare both portions, as any gentleman would, while she poured the wine.
Throughout the next hour they conversed on all manner of topics, Sorcha all the while hanging on every word of Jamie's tales.
As the daylight began to wane Sorcha realized she should be returning home. Jamie whistled to Raven expecting him to come cantering back but the horse refused to leave his sweet grass. Sorcha couldn't help but giggle as she walked with Jamie to retrieve the animal by hand.
"Ye have a beautiful laugh mistress." Jamie stated, his smile bright as he looked upon her.
"Thankyou." She purred, biting her lip once again as she added. "I hope we can do this again in the future."
"I would like that." Jamie answered truthfully as he sprinted forward, bridle in hand; readying himself to wrestle Raven for control.
When Jamie arrived back at the manor Ian and Daniea were conversing in the garden. Their laughter rang through the courtyard as she assisted with picking the vegetables for dinner. Ian couldn't help but find the young woman sweet and enchanting. Just as he couldn't help noticing the constant strain between her and Jamie.
The struggle becoming all too apparent when she spied Jamie. The longer she gazed upon him, the faster her fiery smile faded away.
Feigning reason to excuse herself she retired to the kitchen, leaving Ian alone to greet the Laird.
"Did ye have an interesting afternoon with yer sunshine and fresh air?" he questioned, leaning on his cane.
"Why do ye say that?" A bewildered look contorting Jamie's face at the comment, his eyes silently tracking Daniea's movements.
"Well the yellow shawl stuck to yer bedroll is certainly interesting." Ian snickered as he took his own leave to retire inside.
