Chapter 6:
"Are ye sure ye dinnae mind?" Jenny asked, arrange the foods in a basket.
"Of course not," Eleanor said, "I said I would be happy to help visit with any tenets especially with your hands so full."
"Now, Mistress Kirby is a fine woman with six wee bairns of her own, the latest born last week. The eldest is Young Ian's age, perhaps ye have seen him with Ian- Alistor."
"I think I have," Eleanor nodded.
"Mister Kirby is a fine tenet and farmer and a good husband to his wife and a good father to his bairns. There isn't a unkind bone in his body and that's a fact," Jenny said as she put freshly baked bread into the basket. "He'll be in the fields, but the mistress will be aching for a visit. It be a good tenet to visit at first, she will no question ye too much. There ye are. Young Ian will take ye, Ellie, play with Alistor and bring ye back when yer ready. Now, mind yer Auntie, ye wee rascal."
"Ach, Ma," Ian smoothed down his hair, "I'm just glad we have the day off of school even if Mr. Hodges be taken sick though serves him right."
"Now, that's enough out of ye."
"What's wrong with the school master?" Eleanor asked, twisting her hair.
"He takes no nonsense out of the children which is what they need," Jenny said, matter of factually. "Here's the basket, Ellie. Please tell Mistress Kirby that we send our best well wishes."
"Thank you, Jenny," Eleanor took the basket, "I'm sure we will be just fine."
"Aye, I ken ye will." Jenny said, shooing them out the door.
They were out of the yard when Ellie turned to Jamie's nephew. "Ian, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course, Auntie," Ian said, seriously, "though ye no have to ask for permission."
She smiled at him, "You seem like you don't like your school master, is that true?"
"Aye, Auntie," Ian said, "and it isn't like Ma says. He's mean and makes fun of ye when ye dinnae ken the answers. I think he takes a great pleasure in beating the right answers out of us, but dinnae tell ma I said so."
"Do you not know the answers alot?" Ellie asked.
"I canna seem to get the letters to come into words and its been years. I get by as best as I can, but I canna say that I willna be glad when I am old enough to stop going."
Ellie thought for a moment. "Will you show me your work later? Maybe, I can help if your Mama is ok...that is, if she is agreeable to that."
"Aye," Ian held out his arm to steady her as she side swiped a fallen branch, nearly tripping over it. "Careful, Auntie Ellie."
"Thank you, Ian." Eleanor said. "What's it like being the youngest of the family?"
"I think they dinnae ken what to do with me at times," Ian said, earnestly. "Uncle Jamie helps, but I fear I am trouble, Auntie."
Eleanor fought a smile, "I seriously doubt that, Ian."
"Ack, no, I've been over the fence post more than Uncle Jamie and that's sayin something."
"Your parents love you, Ian. And if you were perfect, I seriously doubt they would love you more. We love the imperfections in each other because that's what makes us human. My little ones, they were handfuls. But I couldn't love them more."
"What happened to them?" Ian asked, curiously.
"They are gone," Eleanor said, quietly.
"Ye dinnae have to tell me, if ye dinnae want to, Auntie. I am sorry I asked."
"No," Eleanor smiled, "I'm finding that it helps me feel better to talk about them...with Jamie, with Murtagh, with your mama. So, where to start?"
Ellie began to tell stories of her children to Young Ian, who was an easy companion. While she was sure he gave his parents a hard time, that walk with Ian was thoroughly enjoyable and Ellie thought he was a wonderful young man.
They reached the cottage in no time and Alistor greet his friend in the yard. "Ian! Come, I want to show ye somethin."
"May I, Auntie?" Ian asked.
"Of course, but don't venture too far."
"Mistress Fraser," Alistor greeted her, "Ma said to go on in."
"Thank you," Eleanor smiled at him. She pushed the door open to the cottage and her eyes adjusted to the dim light. A boy maybe just six ran up to her, an excited look on his face.
He bowed his head and then started to ramble at her, a jumble of words and pauses, Eleanor stopping to try to make sense of it. She could understand that he was trying to tell her his name and age and welcome her to the home.
"It's very nice to meet you..." she paused, not fully understanding his name.
"That's wee Rupert, Mistress," a lady came in carrying a baby. "Of ye go, go play with yer brother."
The lady curtseyed to her, "Welcome to our home, Mistress Fraser."
"It's so nice to meet you, Mistress Kirby. Mistress Murray sends her well wishes and is very sorry she could not come herself." She sit the basket on the table. "Is that your newest little one?"
"Aye," Mistress Kirby rocked the babe, "This is wee Rosie."
"Rosie," Eleanor went over to get a better look at the babe. "She is beautiful. Look at that hair. How precious!"
Mistress Kirby's face lit up with Eleanor's praise. "Would ye like to hold her?"
"Would you mind?" Eleanor said.
"It would be an honor," Mistress Kirby slipped the baby in her arms. "Have a seat, Mistress Fraser."
"Thank you," Eleanor went to sit down with the baby, marveling over the life in front of her. "When my youngest was born, she had all this black hair, very similar to wee Rose's," Eleanor said, allowing the babe to grip her finger.
"Ah, I was verra sorry to hear about yer husband and yer wee ones."
"Word travels quickly in these parts."
"Ye were fortunate to find a husband in Mister Fraser. Mister Jamie...well, we all think so highly of him, though he has verra often been met with misfortunate."
"Yes," Eleanor shifted the babe, "I think highly of him as well."
"Ye have a good touch with her," Mistress Kirby said, watching her with wee Rosie.
"I love new babies," Eleanor admitted, "They are just so sweet even if they require quite a bit of attention."
"That they do. Would ye like some refreshment?"
"That would be lovely," Ellie said, but they were interrupted by Rupert, who had come bouncing back in, rambling to his mama.
Eleanor listened intently as Mistress Kirby leaned in to whisper in his ear. He ran back off.
Ellie offered, "I hope Ian isn't excluding him."
"Nah," Mistress Kirby waved off, "I am sure it was his brother. The lads fight often." She paused, "Did ye understand my lad?"
"Yes, I did. I was a governess before I married my first husband. And my son had something similar. Does he go to school with his brother?"
"No, the school master dinnae take too kindly on him. I try to help him the best I can here," Mistress Kirby's look was far-off. Then she pulled herself in, "I'm sorry, I plain forgot about the drinks." She stood and went to busy herself with the drinks.
Eleanor looked down at the baby, but her mind was wrapped up in wee Rupert. She wondered if there was anything they could do to intervene to give the boy some help.
Later that day, Ellie went in search of her husband.
"Am I interrupting?" Eleanor found Jamie in the study, studying pieces of parchment, wearing his glasses.
"I am just tryin to make sense of these numbers," Jamie said, taking off his spectacles and chewing on the end, "I canna seem to get them to work. I am sure I am making some sort of foolish error, but I canna tell what it is."
Ellie walked over to sit on the desk in front of him, picking up the paper and looking at it. She stood with the paper. "May I have this..." she reached for the quill. "thanks."
"I dinnae think, lass..." Jamie said, but Ellie hushed him as she scribbled on the paper. "Here you go. You forgot to carry your number over here." She pointed to where the error was.
"Ack, there it was. Ye are good at figures then."
"I'm fair. I did take calculus at college though that was a long time ago. I do not remember any of it."
"What is calculus?" Jamie asked, putting the spectacles back on and studying the figures once again.
"It's the study of numbers and variables over time. it's pretty complicated math, but I took the easier version for non- mathematicians."
Jamie looked over her, in wonder, "ye are canny, are ye no?"
She laughed, "I'm really not, Jamie. I told you, it's what we do. I took all sorts of classes until I found what interested me. Women had the same rights as men and that especially included education."
Jamie clucked and then folded his glasses up, putting them away. "Did ye need to speak to me?" he asked, turning his attention to his wife.
"Actually, yes," Eleanor said. "Is this private enough?"
"Aye, but shut the door, lass."
Eleanor went to shut the door and Jamie stood, moving to the settee.
"Come sit with me," Jamie beckoned to her and she sat next to him. "What is this about?"
"Well," Eleanor let out a long breath, "I went to visit Mistress Kirby this morning."
"Aye, Jenny said ye would be. How was yer visit?"
"It was good. She is really sweet, Jamie and the baby is adorable. A little girl with lots of hair."
"Then, ye had a good visit."
"Yes, a very good one, except..." Ellie paused, biting her lip.
"Did somethin happen, lass?" Jamie frowned at her expression. "On the way or back? Young Ian was with ye, aye?"
"Yes, he was," Ellie quickly said, "And nothing happened. It's just that do you know that the Kirby's son, Rupert..." she bit her lip again, "do you know him?"
"Aye, lass," Jamie said, with a nod. "I ken the situation well. Young Jamie does too. And Ian and Jenny."
"The thing is, the school master, Mr. Hodges, he will not let Rupert go to school and that's where he can learn to correct his speech. It's completely treatable with the right instruction. I do not think it is a tongue tie because I can actually understand quite a bit of what he is saying and so can his family, but to the outside observer it would be difficult. Plus, he shouldn't be excluded from school. His language delay should have no impact on his ability to do math or think through things. It may affect his reading but cognitively he is most likely similar to his peers. And I could tell that he is. He was so personable and energetic. Can't you do something to allow him to go to school?"
Jamie put a heavy hand on her knee, patting it once and then stood, paced for a moment and then turned to her, "I dinnae think it is is possible, lass. Around here is is called the Devil's Tongue. A schoolmaster willna teach a lad with it. It simply isn't done."
"Devil's tongue?" Ellie rose too, "That's absurd. it's a speech delay, nothing more."
"There is nothing we can do, lass," Jamie said, his arms still crossed. "Ye need to stay out of it. Did you say anything to Mistress Kirby?"
Ellie paused and then shook her head, "I mean, I asked her questions about why he was not in school with his brother, but I did not make a fuss."
"Verra good," Jamie said, with a nod. "then no harm done."
"But," Eleanor look at Jamie, a pleading in her eyes, "Rupert should be afforded the same as his brother. What kind of life will he have if no one can understand him?"
"Lads are only educated for a wee bit of time to learn numbers and reading and such. Father wanted everyone to learn a bit, which is why the school master is here. Young Ian will have more than the others. Dinnae fash lass, the lad will be fine."
"Perhaps, if I talked to Mr. Hodges, then i could explain..."
Jamie's eyebrows rose. "No, that willna do. Yer a woman, lass. Ye dinnae have any merit here. He willna listen."
"But maybe if I just ask questions, as yer wife..."
"Eleanor," Jamie's voice held a warning, "it isna yer place to do such a thing."
"But they are tenets of Lallybroch, so maybe you could..."
"I willna say anything to him and ye will stay out of it, do ye understand?"
"But..." Eleanor looked torn, "I don't know if I can."
"Ye will, lass," Jamie said, pointing a finger at her, "I willna have ye interfering in things ye have no right to be interferrin in. Ye will abide by my word even if ye agree with it or no. I will require yer word that ye will."
"Jamie," Ellie looked at him, evenly. "I do not know if I can."
"You are a Sassanach, an outlander, Eleanor. Ye dinnae ken what yer interferences will look like to the others. Ye dinnae need enemies. What if you raise suspicions and people start to question why yer ideas are so radical?"
She looked torn, "I doubt my questioning would do such a think."
"Still," Jamie crossed his arms and stared her down, "I require yer word that ye will abide by my wishes."
His gaze was intense and stern and for a moment Eleanor saw the would have been laird of Lallybroch, the commander of troops, her 18th century highlander husband. And she knew it would be pointless to argue further. He would not budge.
She licked her lips, "I suppose."
"See that ye do," Jamie said. "Now if ye dinnae mind, I need to get back to this."
Eleanor approached Jamie and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Of course. I'm sorry I bothered you."
Jamie's hard look softened. "Ye are never a bother, lass." He reached for her to put his arm around her waist. It was that Jamie that she recognized, the man who so gently made love to her the past six nights, coaxing her to respond, being patient with her when she could only give him so much. Eleanor's heart twisted. "But..." Jamie gave her a pat on the rear, "I need ye to obey me, do ye hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Ellie said. But what she retreated from the room, there was another voice in her mind, coming through loud and clear. And she simply could not ignore what she knew in her heart and in her head to be true.
"Ian," Eleanor approached Jamie's nephew. "Do you have school tomorrow?"
"Aye, Auntie," Ian replied, "Mr. Hodges isna ailing any longer."
"That's good," Ellie said, "Do you think you could show me the way to the school house tomorrow?"
"Aye," Ian said slowly, "But I have to go early."
"That's perfect," Eleanor said, "Thank you, Ian."
"Yer most welcome, Auntie Ellie."
Ellie found the school master to be exactly what Ian portrayed him to be, cold and cruel and unwilling to see reason. She tried talking to him reasonably, but he was dismissive. When she argued, he shoved a hand in her face and told her that he would be addressing this with her husband, much to Ian's worried look. When she told him he was being unreasonable and he began to grab her arm and shoved her away. That's the moment when they heard a throat clear.
She could barely comprehend what was happening as a British solider unit approached the school house. That was either rotten timing or maybe provenience, since the school master had clearly thought she crossed the line and was about to put her in her place, no matter if she was the wife of Jamie Fraser or not.
"Madam, can we be of some assistance?" one of the soldiers asked he from his perch on his horse. "Is this gentleman troubling you?
"No, we are fine, thank you, sir. Just a mere disagreement on how to best educate the children."
"Is that so?" A tall handsome man got down from his horse. He looked young, but there was kindness in his eyes. "I'm Lieutenant Hawkins, ma'am. May I inquire about your name?"
"Good morning, sir," She gave a quick curtsey, "Eleanor Fraser."
"Fraser," the officer frowned, "I do not recognize your accent. You are not Scottish nor are you English."
"No, I am neither. I am from the colonies, from Virginia."
"What are you doing here in the Highlands?" the solider asked.
"It's quite a long story," she said.
"One, we would welcome to hear," The solider said, "Will you come with us? We are quartered not very far from here."
She looked wearily at the school master, but he offered no assistance, nothing to prevent her from going away with the British soldiers to God knows what. In her head, she heard Jamie's voice, "They did alot in the days and years that followed to show the force of their hand."
"Very well, if you wish," she glanced at Ian, who had grown extremely pale. "It will be alright, Ian. I will be home before long. Have a good day at school, dear."
"Take care, Auntie," Ian said and was about to run off, Eleanor assumed in the direction of Lallybroch, but the schoolmaster caught him by the collar. "Not so fast," he grumbled.
It was then Eleanor knew there would be no intervention. Her heart beat through her chest as the Lieutenant helped her up on the horse and led her away.
Lieutenant Hawkins made small conversation with her before leading her to a village with an inn. "We have made quarters here for the night. We are supposed to be visited here by one of the officers later today. I'm sure he will want to meet you."
"Very well," Eleanor allowed him to help her down and lead her into the tavern. They were greeted by a younger solider, whose eyes were lit with excitement. "He is here already and he has said that it is time to go home."
"That is good news indeed," Hawkins said, with a slap on the younger man's shoulder.
He led her up the stairs and pushed open the door, "Sir, we have a situation."
A man with blonde hair and blue eyes stood before her. "I see," he said, appraising the situation, "Lieutenant, kindly fill me into the particulars." His hand rested on the table, which was scattered with parchment.
"I found her being accosted by the school master in the country. She has a most unusual accent, sir. I wanted to make sure that she is in this situation out of her own will and I did not wish to make a stir with the villagers by questioning their schoolmaster."
"Very good judgement. Madam, I am Lord John Grey, an officer in his majesty's army."
"You're Lord John?" Eleanor's mouth opened, shocked at this turn of events. What were the odds that Jamie's friend would be here?
"Do we know each other?" John asked, "Hawkins is right, your accent is very peculiar. I cannot place it though I have traveled."
"I'm from the colonies, specifically the colony of Virginia," Eleanor said.
"Virginia," his eyebrows raised. "That is a long way from here, madam."
"Yes, it is," Ellie replied, "And no, we are not acquainted, but I think you might know my husband." Her face flushed deeply and Lord John turned to Hawkins, "Hawkins, our guest is looking faint. Will you not find us some tea and refreshments? I am sure nothing nefarious is going on, but you were right to bring her."
He nodded, "Madam."
She curtseyed, "Lieutenant."
When the door clicked behind them, Lord John said, quietly, "Madam, I require a name."
"I'm sorry," she curtseyed, "Eleanor Fraser. I have been married for the past month to James Fraser, I believe you know him."
He folded his hands, "James Fraser. I do see now. What a happy coincidence. You do look ill." He frowned and then side swiped the table to gracefully take her by the crook of her elbow and led her to a comfortable looking chair. "Here." He then sat in the chair closest to the chair he led her to. "Sit. Please, Madam Fraser." There was a slight pause between Madam and Fraser that Eleanor found somewhat odd, even though she could not imagine why.
"I'm not ill," She sat down, "I'm just..." She gave him a weary look, "Jamie is going to be quite put out with me." she blurted out.
Now he gave her a small smile, trying to hide his amusement. "I can only imagine. We will get to that matter in a moment. Pray tell me, how did a woman from Virginia come to marry a Scottish highlander?"
"My husband and my children died while we were visiting Inverness. I was alone, without any means to get home and Jamie happened upon me."
"He must have been quite taken with you if he married you at first meeting," Lord John commented, smoothly, but again, there was something to his tone that made Ellie pause.
"I doubt that. He is still mourning his first wife even though it has many years. But as I am sure you know, Jamie's sense of justice and honor can defy what is logical and rational."
"I do know that, of course, though I find him quite rational," Lord John said, "Jamie has told you of our history then."
"Bits and pieces. I know about Willie though if that is what you are asking."
He nodded and then rose, going over to the table and reaching for a piece of parchment. He scribbled a note for a few minutes and then folded it up, sealed it with wax and stepped out the door, "Hawkins, do you know the place Lallybroch?"
"Yes, of course." Hawkins said, briefly. "Would you like that delivered?"
"Yes, discreetly if you please."
"Of course, sir," Hawkins bowed and then left them, with a click of the door.
"Jamie is going to be angry," Ellie said, worriedly. "What did you say?"
"I tried to soften the blow the best I could," Lord John went to sit down again next to her, "I have no doubt he will be relieved that his wife is in safe hands."
She let out a long sigh, "I doubt it."
"Surely, you don't doubt that your husband has some regard for your safety," John frowned, "That isn't a very good appraisal of his character and as his friend, I must object."
"And as his friend, you should know that his regard only goes far as Claire. I may be his wife, but I am not his love and as such, in matters like these, the heart cannot intervene to sway your partner towards understanding when wronged."
"Ah, I see," John nodded, his eyes lit with compassion, "but I am sure you are mistaken, Madam Fraser."
"Please call me, Ellie or Eleanor, if you'd like," she said and then she hesitated, "is that acceptable?"
"Of course," John nodded, his eyes searching her, trying to make sense of it all. "He may be put out, but his anger will not last long, Eleanor, once the right is wronged. Tell me about the school master."
Ellie filled him in best she could and Lord John looked troubled. "The highlanders are known for their superstition. Unfortunately, this seems another occurrence of that, at the expensive of a little boy. But Jamie is right, you will not sway them. It will only serve for getting you in trouble. And that sort of trouble in the highlands, that could carry most unwelcome consequences for you. Jamie was right to discourage it. And you are most fortunate Hawkins came along when he did."
"I guess I am just not used to what things are like here," Ellie said, quietly, "I thought I could change his mind. I was foolish."
"Indeed, though," John leaned forward, "I do believe that being foolish when it comes from a place of care and compassion is not the blot on your character as you might feel at the moment. In fact, it is quite the opposite."
"You are really kind," Eleanor said, "Jamie speaks so highly of you, Lord John."
"Does he?" John mused, "I am surprised he spoke to you of me at all."
She smiled, "He told me of Willie when he was trying to get me to speak of my children."
John rose, "I have a portrait of him, somewhere. I carry one with me when I travel." He reached for his satchel and began to pull out books. He opened one and pulled out a portrait. Walking back over, he handed it to her, "Here you are. This is William or Willie as we like to call him."
She smiled, "Ah, I see his father in him."
"Indeed, he is so much like Jamie in appearance and often times in character," Lord John said, "He of course knows nothing of his heritage, but often Isobel and i marvel at the uncanny resemblance."
"He is certainly handsome. I know you are proud of him," Ellie handed the portrait back.
"Enormously," Lord John put it back in the book.
"I also see that you pack alot of books with you when you travel," Eleanor commented.
"Do you enjoy reading?"
"Very much so, though I haven't done much since arriving in Scotland."
"What a shame," Lord John said. "What type of reading to enjoy?"
"A bit of adventure. Some mystery. Poetry sometimes," Eleanor said.
The tea had arrived and Lord John motioned it to be sat on the table near Ellie. "May I trouble you to pour?"
She smiled, "Not at all."
They drank tea and easily carried on their conversation. Lord John found Jamie's new wife to be quick witted and a happy companion. And while he wanted to be jealous of her, Lord John felt a kinship with Eleanor, wrapped in the fact that while she had Jamie, she was well aware that she could never truly have him. It was a feeling he could relate to quite well.
Jamie was out of his mind in concern. "Did she not leave a note?" he asked, for the 100th time.
"I'm sure she is just takin a walk," Jenny said, "I had asked her to visit a few more tenets, perhaps she went before I had awaken."
"We checked and she is no where," Jamie said, "She dinnae ken the land well. She could be lost."
"We will find her, lad," Murtagh said, but his face was also creased in concern. "it is not like Eleanor to wander though without letting someone know."
"She was upset yesterday," Jamie said.
"About the Kirby lad?" Jenny asked, "ye dinnae think she would interfere, do ye?"
"I ordered her not to, but..." Jamie frowned, because while she gave her word, he wasn't actually sure she would have been able to drop the matter she felt so passionate about just on an order from him.
"She isna used to takin orders from ye and her mama heart was stirred by the wee lad" Jenny said, matter of factually, "Ye canna blame her for that. But if she did go to the school master, there will be debts to pay, Jamie."
"Aye, I ken that well, Jenny, and she will pay them," Jamie groaned, "Will ye go check with Ian at the Murrays, maybe she went there?"
"Aye, brother, I will, but if ye do find her, dinnae be too harsh with her," Jenny said, "she isna ken to our ways and God only kens how she will respond."
"She will be fine, Janet, I thank ye to let me handle my wife as I see fit," Jamie retorted and Jenny left, throwing up her hands.
"She isna wrong, lad," Murtagh intervened, "it will surely be easier to smooth things over with the schoolmaster than to come down too harsh with the lassie."
"I gave her orders to no interfere in this, and if she did, then they only way things will be settled with the school master, will be to take my wife into hand, Murtagh. Better now, then later, when she does something truly egregious. She has to ken that i ken what is best and submit to my judgement. I canna have it any other way, especially with her being who she is. What does she ken of things?"
Murtagh shook his head, "I dinnae blame ye, lad. I canna say that I would do differently. She thinks she kens much."
"And that makes it all the more imperative for me to address her disobedience now. It was a order and she agreed to it, which makes it all the worse. If she did do this, then it is not just about the defyin, it's about lyin to boot."
"Aye," Murtagh said grimly, "But perhaps, this is all for naught."
"I hope so. But even then, she should have left a note. I had discussed with her not wandering far. She dinnae ken the land or how to survive if she is met with a wild animal."
"Aye," Murtagh agreed, "Who is that now?" he looked out into the horizon. "Is that a British solider?"
Jamie covered his forehead with his hand, "Aye, I believe ye are right."
The solider rode up to them, "A message for Mr. Fraser of Lallybroch."
"Aye, that is I. What is this about?"
The solider handed him the message, "From Lord John Grey."
"Lord John?" Jamie asked, surprised. "Thank you."
"What does he want, lad?" Murtagh frowned deeply. He did not approve of the friendship between Grey and Jamie.
Jamie tore open the seal and read the contents. He handed the note to Murtagh.
He grunted and scowled, "At least she is with Grey," he muttered. "i'm coming with you and you will no argue with me, lad."
"Of course, let's go get my fool heided wife." Jamie looked grim. "Though I canna say I am looking forward to this."
"Aye," Murtagh clasped his shoulder. "But ye are her husband. And ye have a duty to Eleanor. Let's go lad."