Chapter: VII

Author's note: Sorry for any stupid mistakes that may be found in the text and thank you to all the reviewers. I would also ask that all readers read the message I put up in the first chapter because it is important that you do.

Lily didn't know what to think after what she and James had just done, she'd never felt anything like it before. When the baron used to visit her at night, he wouldn't waste time on preparations, he'd get right to it. That was probably the reason why Lily wasn't to keen on sleeping with James: she feared he would take advantage of her just as baron Gruder had.

When Gruder used to come to her, she'd always feel disgusted with herself afterwards. But when James had taken her, she'd waited for that feeling but it didn't come. She felt so good she could yell.

James had been gentle with her, something she hadn't expected from a warrior such as himself. His tenderness surprised her, he didn't grab at her with the intention of using her for his own personal pleasure, it wasn't just about him. He made her feel important, as if she had something worth living for. He also made her suffer on the way for he took his time, brushing his fingers over every part of her body.

His hands were dry, the hands of someone who'd grown up holding a sword, but his touch was as soft as a feather. His hands grazed her whole being, tickling her skin, instigating the right reaction every single time. If heaven really existed as the church said, this must have been it. Sexual intercourse was considered a sacred act not to be taken for granted. Bishop Bolton always said that love was a service, there is a master and a slave. Of course he never mentioned who played which role, then again, he didn't really have to because everyone already knew the answer.

Though Lily doubted James felt that way about her, she couldn't be too sure. He hadn't done anything that would prove otherwise, so she just stuck with the idea that as his wife, she had the right to even the smallest ounce of respect. Lying there next to him, in his tight embrace, her mind was recounting the past events of the early morning.

James looked to have fallen asleep so Lily lightly untangled herself from his strong arms, got out of bed and redressed. Her intent was to reach the door without making a sound. As she went to turn the knob, it made a creaking sound; Lily winced. She turned around to make sure the noise hadn't aroused James' attention.

Lily gave a little shriek, he was standing stark naked next to her. He hadn't made a sound and had sneaked up behind her without so much as a peep. He cocked his head to the side in wonder. "Now where do you think you're going? You weren't planning on leaving, where you?"

Lily squirmed, she was trapped. "I only thought to go in search of new sleeping quarters, milord, seeing as you have finished with me."

James wrinkled his brow. "Now, why would you do something like that?"

Lily didn't answer looking very uncomfortable. This annoyed James to no end; he'd thought that after a night together she would have opened up to him more, apparently not. He also hated the fact she was wearing that ghastly nightgown; there was nothing wrong with it per say, he just didn't much appreciate his wife's modesty.

He tapped his foot on the ground, still waiting for a response. "Well?"

Lily shrugged, what could she say? The idea of spending a whole night with James had appealed to her but then another thought had popped into mind. Was she supposed to leave after? Gruder always did, he'd never felt inclined to stay when he had dozens of whores in line, waiting for a go.

James growing tired of loitering, picked Lily up, sat her on the bed, took off her garment and pushed her back installing himself on top. She was still in deep thought and didn't even notice.

James held her waist with one arm and busied the other stroking her red locks. "From now on, you will sleep with me every night. I meant to make you mine, Lillian, I always keep my word. Now go to sleep."

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lily later on woke to an empty bed, James had probably gone down to the Hall for breakfast. She sat up stretching her arms out but soon clutched her sides in pain; it had been a very active night for Lily who wasn't at all accustomed to such "exercise".

As soon as the maid drew her a warm bath, Lily didn't want to move an inch but word from her husband made her hastily jump out and get dressed. She then grabbed her bow and arrows with the intention of going hunting; it was a fine day. Lily was very good with the bow, it was probably the only activity she truly enjoyed apart from riding for she was actually good at it. Her aim was flawless and she always hit her mark.

Another reason why she loved it so was because it wasn't permitted and since Lily wasn't one to follow rules, especially not the church's, she took up the sport but she didn't stop there. She also learned, in secret, how to read and write and found it to be quite amusing.

So Lily calmly strolled out of her bedroom thinking about what the day would be like in her new home but by the time she found the way out, she was grumbling under her breath, cursing the one who'd come up with the idea of front and back doors. "There is more than one way into a keep," she thought reaching the top of the stairs.

As she looked up, taking in the nice view, she found herself staring at a not so pretty sight. A man surrounded by guards was seated on his horse and seemed to be very angry but that was not what was so horrible. A woman covered in blood and dirt was seated in front of him, her clothes were ripped apart and her face was unrecognizable due to the heavy bruising and bleeding. The journey must have been tough for she was presently unconscious.

The man atop his horse wasn't all too pleased with his position and sighed in abandonment, he then turned back to the crowd of men who'd gathered up around him, mumbling out. "I never thought to set foot here again, Potter, but I feel in circumstances such as these that I must."

It was only then Lily noticed James standing directly in front of the one who'd spoken. He looked none too happy about it ether. "What is the meaning of this, Mcduwee?"

The man in question gulped, James wasn't helping the situation by getting aggressive. "Surely, you must have some idea of what I speak."

"If I knew, would I be asking?"

Mcduwee snapped his fingers and one of his company dismounted his horse and made for the girl, grabbing her and picking her up none too carefully just to drop her at James' feet.

The young man puffed his chest, taking on a very arrogant look. "This whore drew practically half the English cavalry against us seeing as she's been engaging in 'curricular activities' with a couple of your men."

"Rabbie!" Mcduwee yelled in anger. "Hold your tongue boy or I'll cut it out!" he then looked at James. "Forgive my son, his mouth runs away with him... the better part of the time."

Rabbie blushed with embarrassment, his father continued. "What my son tells you is true, the English attacked our clan and is going about ravaging the countryside. Now I don't know what the girl has anything to do with this but they gave her a right fine beating from what I hear."

James looked at the girl lying at his feet. "Why the beating? Was she their prisoner?"

Mcduwee shook his head. "No, she is English but I have it in mind that they think she's betrayed their trust in some way. She was found in your lands, Potter, with a group of your men."

"You mean to say that you think…" James started but was interrupted by the irritated son.

"We don't think, we know. 'Tis bad enough she's English but going off whoring around the countryside with your men makes it all the worse!"

"Rabbie…" Mcduwee warned.

"Why shouldn't I voice my opinion father, you think it as well. Their all war mongrels and he's the leading bastard!" Rabbie shouted pointing an accusing finger at James.

He'd been standing not but a couple of feet away from the girl when he spat on her. "And this, this bitch can go to hell with the rest of you!" he raised his foot preparing to kick the lifeless body when an arrow struck his leg. Rabbie yelped clutching his wounded limb, swearing in Gaelic.

This had caught everyone by surprise, especially James who whirled around, eyes wide. Lily was standing at the top of the stairs, her bow in hand with a fierce look on her face. She positioned another arrow while keeping a watchful eye on the injured man who was crying out obscenities.

Rabbie, still holding his leg, glared up at Lily and as if to dare her to attack again, he attempted another go at the girl. Lily, of course, was quick to react: she shot an additional arrow at the man who had no choice but to take the blow.

He cried out in pain for the arrow punctured his shoulder. "Who is this madwoman?" he questioned while Lily made her way down the stairs and right beside James.

James was proud of his wife, very proud. This proved she wasn't as weak as he'd thought and he was lucky to have such a spunky person at his side but he didn't need a war on his hands. He leisurely approached his wife and set a hand on her arm. "Put it down, Lillian."

Her hand trembled, she was preparing for another shot. "No, I won't let him hurt her any longer. You don't understand, you can never understand…" tears were streaming down her face as she quivered.

"He can't harm her anymore, they are surrounded by my men. Put it down, now." Lily loosened her grip on the bow which James snatched out of her hands. As soon as he moved away, Lily knelt beside the girl checking for a pulse.

"Her breathing is faint," she announced looking up a her husband. "James, we must get her inside, she won't last very long out here."

He gave her a curt nod and turned to one of his men who immediately bent down to pick the woman up. "Take her to one of the guest rooms and send for nanny Macnab." The Macfee soldier stood up and took off in a hurry.

Rabbie, still seething, was right about prepared to jump at Lily's neck but a glare from James made him remember his place. James pushed Lily in back of him and took a step towards the visitor's son. "You're lucky if I don't kill you now…"

"You wouldn't dare, not with all these witnesses. Besides, I did nothing wrong, it's that wench who is cowering behind you that caused all this ruckus. Who is she anyway?" spat the Scot while reaching for his dagger.

"This wench just happens to be my wife and you'd better put your weapon down for you give me leave to attack you by drawing it. Trust me, the last thing your clan needs is me as an enemy."

"Rabbie," Mcduwee called. "Mount your horse, we're leaving."

As soon as they had gone, all the men let out one big sigh, it was like a weight off everyone's shoulders. Each clansmen released their grip on their weapons and went back to their duties. Only Remus, the first in command on the Potter's side, remained. James took hold of Lily's arm and shoved her bow in Remus' arms.

He practically dragged her inside for he was mad enough to explode but thought better than to yell at his wife in public. Lily was having a hard time understanding her husband's actions as well, he was being forceful something she hadn't expected after their early bonding.

They finally came to a stop in front of the guest room where nanny Macnab was cleansing the girls wounds. "Good day to you, laird." James said nothing to this but pushed Lily into the chair on the side of the bed.

Lily leaned forward to get a better look. "How is she? Will she be all right?"

Nanny Macnab frowned. "She took a right hard beating the poor lass, can't even recognize the girl under all that bruising. It will take a while but… aye, she will be fine."

James was leaning on the wall with a rather smug expression on his face. When he finally spoke, his words were directed towards Remus who'd just entered the chamber. "They are over the border?"

"Aye, that they are and they were in a hurry to get there too if it weren't for the men who were just about prepared to jump at them."

James pushed off the wall and shifted towards his men. "Any idea as to who she might be?"

"No, laird, we have yet to find out."

"I want you to send out your most skilled riders to our allies, inform them of what we've just been told. Also send Kelmet to the border, he's our best spy, see if he can get some information out of his connections. I want to know what the English are up to." James gave his orders and left.

Lily listened to her husbands commands and wondered whether his men would be able to learn anything of the least importance. The English were very good at keeping secrets, she was proof enough.

She felt sorry for the girl who didn't seem to be much older than herself. As she regained her composure, the sight was unbearable, she stood up only to have her path blocked by Remus who was frowning.

"Will your men be able to identify this woman?"

Remus nodded still scowling, this confused Lily. "Sir, why do you glare at me."

Remus' glower turned into a grin. "Forgive me, milady, 'tis just that… and I'm certain you didn't mean to… you are wearing the wrong plaid. Today's Monday, you should be wearing the Potter plaid and not the Macfee's."

Lily blushed looking down at herself. 'Twas true, she was in fact wearing the wrong plaid. "Forgive me, Remus, I must have forgotten. I assure you it won't happen again."

"No harm done, milady." The soldier smiled as Lily made her exit. She felt quite embarrassed for it had completely slipped her mind while she was getting dressed this morning.

"I will never get used to this," she groaned, slumping her shoulders on her way out.

"Of course you will, milady," called Remus with a note of laughter in his voice.

AN: This is a crappy chapter but I hope you guys will like it anyway. Please review. Sorry for the long wait.