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A few days since Bella and Jamie's kiss. They didn't talk about it, but then it was awkward now. Jamie wasn't sure what to say to Bella and Bella wasn't sure either.
"What's got yer tongue?" Murtagh asked Jamie as they watered the horses.
Jamie looked at his Godfather. "Hmm?"
"You've been quiet the last few days. Something is wrong. Tell me."
Jamie knew that Murtagh was oddly intuitive. He just sighed. "Nothing Murtagh."
"No. Something is troublin' you lad, so spit it out." Murtagh insisted.
Jamie was quiet again, but he finally caved. "Bella."
"Aye, what about her?"
"We kissed." Jamie said simply, a slight nod, but he wouldn't look back at Murtagh.
"That's it? That's what's got ya so twisted?" Murtagh said with a shake of his head. "A lass troublin' yer head and heart. Was the kiss not good?"
Jamie sighed. "No. It was amazing. I think I love her."
"James." Murtagh said, stopping short. He used James, his given name and not his nickname Jamie because he was serious now. "Wallowing about a woman isn't good. She's from a different land. Don't talk like that. Dougal already has half a mind to kill the lass, don't give him a reason to actually do it."
"Murtagh. I can't help how I feel when I'm around her. She feels the same way." Jamie said and then faced Murtagh. "What if she doesn't go back to America. To Boston? What if she stays because she can't go? I won't abandon her in Inverness with a price on her head because of me."
Murtagh shook his head. "She's a liability. Yer not thinking straight."
"She speaks Gaelic." Jamie said.
"What? No, she doesn't."
"She does. She spoke to me three nights ago. She understands what we're sayin'. Her mother is Scottish. It makes her Scottish. She was just raised in a different land. Clansmen have gone to the colonies to settle before." Jamie said and then kept going, getting more passionate with his words now. "It's like we were meant to find each other. Tell me Murtagh. How is it that I was the one that heard her scream and ya didn't? Hmm?"
Murtagh shook his head. "I have old ears."
"Talking bollocks now? Don't dim this feeling I have. I know my own heart. I know my mind."
Murtagh studied his godson. He had promised to take care of him and in many ways, he had failed his mother, letting him be lashed like he was. Letting him become a fugitive. "Aye, ya do." He conceded. "Doesn't explain why yer quiet about it. If yer gonna take her, take her."
"Murtagh. She's different. I can't just be some brute that muscles his way in. She deserves… more than me."
"So ya love her, but yer not going to do nothing about it." Murtagh said, shaking his head.
Jamie sighed. "Look at me Murtagh. I'm a fugitive. At least she can explain hers away."
"Aye, she could, though Dougal wants to lay low. He doesn't want to even travel near Inverness with both of ya." Murtagh said. "But ye are a worthy lover, Jamie. Don't sell yourself short."
It was true. Jamie was a worthy man and lover, though he doubted himself. Self-doubt was the number one reason why he wouldn't take from Bella what he already has.
Bella stooped over to fix her boot. They weren't great hiking boots and she wished that she had worn her hiking boots before accidentally falling through time, but she wasn't a psychic, so she hadn't anticipated falling through time. She heard the hooves of horses and she glanced down the road and saw red coats.
Rupert pulled her to him, pushing her behind him. "Don't speak." He said lowly. "Throw yer hood up." Bella didn't question it, she did as she was told. Rupert was nice to her. He was easily likeable because of his charm. His hair was long to his shoulders, dirty blonde and he had the Mackenzie blue eyes.
The red coats approached. There were five of them. The Lieutenant, or the one in charge, was youthful in the face. His hair was blonde, pulled back at his neck. He didn't wear the white wigs that were common for the British. His eyes were a bronze color, almost like honey. His skin was fair from what you could see. He brought his horse to a stop. He looked at Rupert and Bella. "Are there more in your party?" he asked, his voice lilted with an accent from England.
"Aye, we're a rent party, collecting rents in the name of Laird Colum Mackenzie." Rupert responded with a nod.
"You bring a woman with you on your travels?" The man asked.
Rupert nodded. "Aye, she's the wife of one of our men. We're traveling back from the castle, to bring her to her home in Inverness." He explained.
The man nodded. "I'm Jasper Whitlock, Second Lieutenant. I'm heading to Inverness myself. I'll be glad to escort the lady."
"That's alright. She rather stay with our rent party. Her husband-"
Jasper cut him off. "Remove your hood miss."
Bella swallowed and then removed her hood. Her dark eyes looked up at Jasper's golden ones.
"Are you who he says you are?" Jasper asked.
Rupert snorted. "Yer callin' me a liar. Amadan." (Idiot)
Jasper got down off his horse, but motioned for the men to stay. He took a look at Bella. "What is your name?"
Bella looked at Rupert. "Bella." She said it simply, hoping to hide the fact she was American.
"Are you with these men willingly?" Jasper queried.
"Aye." Bella said with a nod.
Jasper studied her, trying to place her face. "You're Scottish?"
Bella looked at Rupert and then back at Jasper and nodded.
"Sir, she's the girl." One of the men said, leaning forward on his horse, handing Jasper a flier with Bella's face on it.
Jasper took it and studied it. "There is a likeness. The Captain said there was a girl he encountered on his way to Inverness…" he murmured. "You said you live in Inverness?"
Bella nodded again, still silent.
Dougal rode up on his horse, Angus, and a few others with him. "Why have you stopped to question my party?"
Jasper looked at Dougal. "Worried about the lady. She was alone with this man."
Dougal looked at Rupert and Bella. "Aye, they're part of my party. Rupert Mackenzie of Clan Mackenzie. He is my cousin."
"And the lady?" Jasper asked, raising a brow.
"She's part of my party. She's under my protection. I am Dougal Mackenzie of Clan Mackenzie. I serve my laird Colum Mackenzie and the king." Dougal said, his voice stern.
Jasper nodded. "I know who you are. I've had the pleasure of meeting you when I was a boy on my travels through these lands. If you are kidnapping an English woman, then I- "
"She's not English." Dougal said.
"I know a fake accent when I hear one." Jasper said, blinking a little sarcastically.
Bella had said one word. Did it not sound Scottish enough? "I'm from the colonies." She finally said.
Jasper turned and looked at Bella. "Not Scottish?"
"I am. My mother is. I was raised in the colonies. We moved back." Bella explained. "I am with these men willingly."
Jasper looked at the flier and then back at her. "You're the girl in the flier."
Bella swallowed. "Yes."
Dougal wanted to hit something now, though he stayed quiet. If they were going to take Bella, he would let them… for now.
Jasper nodded and handed her the flier. "You're wanted for questioning about a man. James Fraser. Do you know him?"
Bella shook her head. Not hesitating. "I'm afraid, I don't."
"We have a sworn statement from a Captain that says you do. Do you have an explanation?"
"What Captain are you talking about? The only Captain I have encountered, was the one that tried to take advantage of me while I was walking through the woods gathering herbs." Bella said curtly. She angled her chin up, trying to stay strong.
Jasper raised a brow. "I see. That is a bold allegation."
"Perhaps, but maybe your men should be watched better. Is that what the English do? Assault women on their travels? I have been respected better with this lot of Scotsmen, than I have by the English. Now, why your Captain put my face on fliers after his crimes, is beside me. I knocked him over his head and ran. I ran until I encountered these men on the road." Bella said, her eyes not leaving Jasper's.
Jasper listened to her. "Okay. Then you'll accompany me to Glencorse then. Make a statement that I can file with my Captain."
Dougal nodded. "Aye, I'll deliver her to ya. She'll make her statement."
Jasper looked at Dougal. "I'll take you at your word Mackenzie." He said before getting up on his horse. He left with his own party.
When they were far enough away Dougal looked at Bella. "You dug yourself a deeper hole admitting to being the lass on the flier."
"He knew I was lying." Bella said, looking up at Dougal. "Would you rather me jeopardize Jamie? Or any of you? No. I wouldn't do it. I'll go. Make my peace."
Jamie and Murtagh returned. They were waiting for the redcoats to leave. Jamie wanted to rush over to Bella, but he kept himself from going to her. "What did they want?" Jamie asked, looking at Dougal.
Dougal looked at Bella. "Her. I have to deliver her to Glencorse. It's a half day trip from here."
"What? Ya can't just hand her over to those heathens!" Jamie spat.
"I don't have many choices. Ye will stay put here. Rupert, Murtagh, come with me." Dougal said and then looked at Bella. "Get on yer horse, lets go."
Bella looked at Jamie and saw that he was about to fight. "It's okay. I'll be okay." She said with a nod. "This is the right way to do this. It's safer for all of you if I go and make a statement."
"The red coats are going to take ya. They will hurt ye." Jamie said, his eyes nearly pleading. He loved her. It was the only explanation for the feelings he felt and he didn't want to let her go.
"Jamie." Bella murmured. "Please."
Jamie stared at her. "Tha gaol agam ort." He murmured. (I love you)
Bella felt a tear in her eye, but she forced it away and nodded. "I know." She said and then turned to her horse and pulled herself up.
Dougal narrowed his eyes. Jamie spoke to her in Gaelic and she understood. It made him more suspicious. He thought that Bella, was an English spy. But he was quiet about his suspicions. "Let's go." He said roughly and Bella followed Dougal, Rupert and Murtagh along. Bella had a million and one things running through her head, but one of the things that stood out to her is that she didn't want to go back to her time and leave Jamie. She was hopeful that Jasper Whitlock would show her some grace and take her statement. That the fliers of her face could be taken down, but not because she needed to go back to Inverness, so that it would be easier on travel for Jamie and the others.