I stand there looking at Lambert in utter confusion.

"Shake a leg? Why do you want me to do that, Lambert?" I ask.

Lambert stops, looks at me and laughs. "I don't mean it literally, it's a figure of speech, Jamie. It means get moving."

"Shower? What is that? Do you want me to stand in the rain?" I ask.

"No Jamie. A shower is like a bath only you stand up. The water falls down on you like rain. Come, I'll show you. Get your towel and wash cloth that Claire set out for you and meet me in the bathroom," Lambert says to me with a grin on his face.

Once in the 'bathroom', which turns out to be the 'loo', Lambert walks to this curtain and pulls it back. There is no window behind it, just a wall. How strange. Maybe it's like the tapestries on the walls in Castle Leoch. Maybe this one holds in heat, keeps away drafts, although this flat is neither cold nor drafty. On the floor is a tub, white, not metal, the size of a horse trough with feet on the bottom that lift it off the ground. The feet look like a cat's paw grabbing a round rock only the paws are much larger; it must be a verra large cat. Lambert pulls the curtain around the tub and covers the wall. "Keep the curtain inside the tub or the water will splash out and wet the floor. You turn the water on here," and he points at two knobs on the wall. "This one is Hot water," Lambert says, and turns one of the knobs and water comes out of this spout into the tub, like the Parish Pump in Broch Mordha. "This one is Cold water," and he turns it and more water comes out the spout. "You place your hand under the water and adjust the hot and cold water, like so, until it is the temperature you want. You try Jamie," Lambert says and steps back to let me by.

I put my hand under the water and it is warm to the touch. I look at Lambert and whisper, "You are a wizard, are you not, Lambert? Tell me true." I turn the Hot knob and quickly pull my hand out of the water. It is verra hot, almost scalding.

"Try turning the Cold one to even out the temperature," Lambert suggests. "Now if you want a bath, you take the plug and put it in the drain so the tub will fill up, like so," and Lambert places the plug in the drain. Sure as day, the water is captured and the tub starts to fill with water.

"Magic indeed." I express loudly and pat Lambert on his shoulder. "Well done wizard."

Smiling, Lambert tells me, "Now my niece Claire, she loves her bath. She will spend hours soaking. She comes out looking like a dried current. Since we are in a hurry today, you will have to take a shower," and Lambert reaches in, removes the plug and the water starts to go down the hole in the tub. I get down on my knees and look under the tub but there is no water pouring out the bottom of the tub.

"The water goes down this pipe, similar to what Claire showed you with the sink in the kitchen last night," and he points to a silver tube like ones I have seen in Paris to catch the rain water off roofs. It must take the water outside to a rain barrel, I think to myself.

"Now, for the shower, you simply lift this lever," and he raises a small metal knob on the spout and the water stops pouring out the spout. The water then starts coming out, much like rain, from a spout, covered in tiny holes, that is mounted on the wall almost even with the curtain.

"Truly magical. You are an amazing wizard Lambert," and I laugh out loud.

Lambert shows me the soap and 'shampoo', a verra special soap for my hair, places the shaving cup, brush and razor by the sink and then leaves me to 'my business'. I already have my 'toothbrush' and a brush for my hair from Claire last night.

I have to go back out to the kitchen so Lambert can release Claire's bandage from my arm, then I take my shower.

Dressing is not too difficult. The shirt is a verra soft plaid fabric. It has verra tiny buttons but even with my large hands, I manage. The breeks are big around the waist, but I have my belt to hold them up. I can not close the front however because the breeks have only one button at the verra top. I ca'na walk around exposing myself. When I show Lambert, he laughs. He says the 'trousers' only have one button at the waist and the rest is a 'zipper'. He shows me with his zipper how it works. I like it at first; I pull it up and down trying to figure out how it works, but then it starts to catch and pull the hairs around my cock and I stop playing with it. I hope Claire brings my kilt back tonight. I find these clothes verra confining. I have my boots and as it is a nice day, I will na need a coat Lambert says and he hands me a sweater instead. He says I must leave my sword and dirk here at Claire's apartment as Libraries do not allow weapons. I have my sgian dhu tucked into the back of my boot so I am na worried.

Washed, shaved, dressed and fed, Lambert and I walk out the door, down the three flights of stairs and outside. It is a beautiful day. Clear sky, not a single cloud. Not the usual rainy Scotland days I am used to. Lambert says we will 'catch the bus' and take it to the Library. I do'na ken what a 'bus' is but I am sure I can capture one for Lambert if he really wants one. Across 'the street' from Claire's apartment is a wonderful nest of trees which Lambert says is a park. We 'cross the street' at the 'intersection' when the 'traffic light' turns green and then we walk to the 'bus stop' to wait for 'the bus'. I am now just a little apprehensive about catching one. If it is large enough to carry both of us it must be as large as a highland cow. I am not sure I can catch an animal that size without help. We will have to see what a bus looks like.

There is a bench by the bus stop and Lambert sits down. He says the bus will come along in about 15 minutes so I turn and look at the 'park' and watch the people walk the paths and the bairn running and playing. Some people have dogs. They are attached to a lead, walking with the people. The dogs are not running wild like they do at Lallybroch and Castle Leoch. The men dress mostly like Frank and Lambert but the women, their manor of dress is shocking. Some are wearing breeks like the men, others are wearing skirts but the skirts stop at their knees. I can see their legs. No ones seems to mind or is shocked by this. These women can'na be whores because some women are pushing 'prams', verra small wagons that hold bairn, and walking with bairn, but they are certainly of verra loose morals. I can'na stop staring. Claire would never dress like that, I reassure myself.

Then something moves in the park I have never seen before. I knock Lambert in the shoulder and point, "What is that?" I ask.

"That Jamie, is a bicycle", Lambert says in answer to my stare.

"A by-sickle.," I repeat. It is not a scythe at all; it has nothing to do with cutting hay. And there are not two of them. According to Lambert, "it has two wheels and a seat in between the wheels. You sit on the seat and 'pedal' it to make it move and you can ride and steer it wherever you need to go."

It looks like fun and I tell Lambert, "I would like to try and pedal one." Everything I say seems to make Lambert laugh.

"Why do I not see any horses, Lambert?" I notice and comment to him.

Lambert replies, "The 'Bobbies' ride them in the park mostly, 'patrolling'." None of that makes any sense to me so I don't even ask any further questions. I make a note to ask Claire later about the horses.

There are lots of horseless carriages, however. All of various shapes, sizes and colors. Why Lambert has such a little one, I do not ken. The bus comes. It is a large horseless carriage as well. It is long with lots of windows. There are several people besides us that 'catch' the bus with us and there are more already on it. Some people even get off before we get on. Lambert puts coins in a box to pay for us to ride. I follow Lambert on and we find a seat that will hold us both. Lambert lets me sit next to the window and I look out it as the bus moves.

We pass a church. "Lambert," I say excitedly. "I ken that church."

"We can not stop and get off the bus now or we will be late to meet Frank. We can come back another time if you would like to see it," he offers. "It would not do for us to be late," he adds.

The bus makes several stops but we finally arrive at the Inverness Library. "Promptly at 9:00," Lambert announces and he puts his watch back in his pocket.

We find Randall already inside looking at tiny pieces of paper in little drawers in a chest. Frank calls it a 'card catalog'. "I have already pulled several books and placed them on the table over there, where my jacket is," he says and points to one of several tables by rows of bookcases. "I think I have pulled enough books for you to get started, Lambert." Randall turns to me and says, " I have the poem for you to translate out on the table as well, the one you started reading last night. It is about the battle of Culloden in1746 and I would really like to be able to read the poem. There is plenty of plain paper and a 'pen' for you to write with on the table as well. I really appreciate the help, Jamie. I am glad you came along."

Randall must have a wealthy benefactor to have so much clean paper. I have never seen such a quantity. It is fine and smooth, not like the paper my father had. The poem speaks of the clans that were involved in trying to regain the throne for Charles Stuart and his father King James. None of it had happened yet, or at least not before I came here. I ken all these clans; some are friends others are enemies. The poem even speaks of Clans Fraser and MacKenzie. I pick up 'a pen' to start writing. It is similar to the quills at home. The pen tip is shaped like a quill yet fashioned of metal so it does'na need sharpening. There is no ink well to dip the pen in that I can find however. I watch Lambert. He is writing. He never once dips the pen he is using in ink and yet the words are written in ink. I copy him and find the pen works. It does not need to be dipped in an ink well to work, apparently. The ink is wet when I write and smudges just like at home, I find out. More magic. I have translated the poem and put it to paper by the time Randall comes back with more books.

While I wait for Randall to read what I wrote, I take the envelope from my pocket; the note Claire left for me this morning. I open and read it.

Dearest Jamie-

Thank you for last night. It was wonderful and I did not want the night to end. I have never felt such a pull of emotions in such a short span of time. Your openness and honesty with me means more than I can ever express. You treated me as an equal and for that alone, I thank you. You are indeed a rare man.

You allowed me a glimpse of your heart as well and I am honored. I am glad that you feel you can trust me with your "truths". They are safe with me. I will not fail you. I will not let you down.

I will meet up with you and Uncle Lamb at the Library when I finish work.

Sincerely yours,

Claire

I read it three times. I missed Claire this morning, she was gone by the time I woke up. Her smile and her laugh are already important to me. She is the first lass I have ever talked to at such length and in such depth. She has knowledge in a great many subjects and is quite well read; I find our conversations stimulating. Claire is feisty too. She has a good mind and challenges me; she does not just accept everything I say as fact but questions me, looking to find her own answers. She is kind and gentle as any good healer should be. And bonnie; her pale, smooth, flawless skin is like nothing I have ever seen before, with a beautiful nest of brown curly hair, a large, round arse that makes me have ungentlemanly thought about her, and those whiskey eyes, I could certainly look into them all day. There is no lass like her in my time. I will miss her when I go. When I asked her last night, she said she would take me back to the stones today, after work, to see if I can return to my time. Back to my family.

Randall is still reading the poem. I reach over and grab a book he has placed on the table. The book is titled Midwinter by a John Buchan. The book is published in 1923 according to the title page. The back of the book has a picture of the author, Lambert calls them photographs. It also says the book is about a Scottish supporter of Prince Charles who sets out on a secret mission in the west of England to gain support for the Jacobite Rebellion. Sounds like a book for my sister; she loves these romance novels. I still have trouble accepting the idea that this book is writing about something that, for me, has yet to happen. I place the book back on the table.

Randall finally looks up at me and whispers "Thank you, Jamie. This translation is perfect. The poem will be an amazing help in finding direction for my research. It names several clans that were involved in the rising. Very helpful."

I nod my head and say, "Se do bheathe, Frank. Now, how do I start to try and find Lallybroch?"

"Well, we cannot do that here, we will have to go to the registrars office where land claims are filed and see if we can locate the property that way," Randall says. "I don't think it should be too difficult since you have a general idea where the estate is and know some of the family names associated with the property. Most of these large estates are no longer with the original families. Culloden was more than a loss of lives, it meant the end of the Scots way of life, for Highlanders especially. Most lost their homes to the British in retribution for supporting Prince Charlie rather than King George. The Scots were forbidden to speak Gaelic and the wearing of traditional dress, similar to the clothes you had on last night. Culloden cost them their property and their way of life, pretty much. Those that did not die on the battle field were often deported to the Americas or put in prison. Women and children were left to starve to death. There is a paper trail for your Lallybroch, I am sure of it, since it dates back to the early 1700's. We just have to find it." Randall places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a reassuring shake. I think if anyone can find it it will be Randall and I smile back.

"Lambert," Frank starts. "I have made arrangements to meet with Reverend Wakefield this afternoon. He has some very rare additions about the Jacobite Risings and is considered an expert in the field. Would you care to come along?"

Lambert looks up from his writing and says, "No. No, Frank, I was not planing to meet with you tomorrow either. I am expecting an old friend to come into town for a couple of days. That is part of the reason for my sudden visit. They will phone when they have arrived so I will go back to Claire's apartment and wait for their call."

Frank looks up and smiles. "Well, that is certainly vague, almost secretive. Have you got a woman, Lambert? You old dog, you. Why didn't you tell me? Who is she? Anyone I know? Did you flirt with the head librarian in Edinburgh and now have her coming to visit?"

I lean back in my chair, fold my arms across my chest and watch this exchange with a smile on my face. I miss this banter among men. In traveling with my uncle and clan MacKenzie, this exchange happened quite frequently. I miss it.

I watch as a shocked look comes over Lambert's face while he goes red and he stammers, "Frank, really! How could you think such a thing? A man of my age and a confirmed bachelor, as you well know. How could you even imagine such a thing? Honestly, I'll never understand how your mind works," and he lowers his head as he shakes it and goes back to writing.

Randall laughs, shakes his head in return and says, "Have it your way then, old friend." He then turns to me and says, "Well, looks to be just you and me then Jamie, unless you have something planned. Do you have a secret girlfriend you are meeting up with as well?"

I smile and look him straight in the face as I state, "I will wait here. Claire is coming to the library when she gets off work." I watch Frank's whole face smile upon hearing that Claire is coming. I then add, "Claire and I are going to Craigh na Dun this afternoon." It was verra mean of me, I ken, but I receive such pleasure as I watch his face fall and his eyes narrow at me when he realizes that Claire and I have already made plans. He does not like it. Only for an instant do I see his true feelings, then his mask is up and forced smile is back. Claire might not ken it but the man is in love with her. Or maybe she does ken and does'na care. Clearly she does not return his feelings. I observed Randall with Claire last night in the kitchen, as she prepared dinner. He was clinging to her, touching her, offering to help, trying to engage her in conversation, trying to make her laugh. He failed miserably. Claire mostly ignored him and directed her conversations to me. Several times she actually pushed Randall out of the kitchen "because he was in the way". He finally left, going into the living room, sulking, to talk to Lambert.

Randall had wanted to sleep at the 'flat' last night as well, but Claire would have none of that; anticipating it and stopping the implication before it became a verbal request. I had been given the 2nd bed in Lambert's room and Randall had been upset about that as well; I was staying the night and he was'na. No, I am not really worried, I've watched the way she looks at him; she tolerates him, almost like he is barely in the room. He is only her uncle's work associate to her, maybe a friend but not a close one. To bad Randall, Claire is mine for the taking.

But what am I thinking? My plan is to leave today, if I can figure out how I got here. That is why Claire is taking me back to the Stones. Why does it anger me to think of Randall wanting Claire? This Randall is not Black Jack Randall, though they look enough alike. Randall seems a good man, an honorable one as well. He would take good care of Claire. He is not much of a warrior, but he is educated. He would be a good provider. Cac. I don't like it. If I were staying, or could not return to my Scotland, my time, what would I do about Claire myself? That is not so simple. I am most certainly implying a wish to court her, with my behavior toward her last night. I wonder if Claire expects it or even wants me to? I have not even asked her uncle's permission to do so. Clearly, Lambert wishes it, expects it. It is almost like he is trying to help make it so. He seemed verra pleased about Claire and I this morning.

Last night I asked Claire to take me to the Stones and she consented to take me. All day today I have struggled with my thoughts and feelings for Claire. I have to ask myself, do I really want to go? I shake my head to get rid of the thought. I have been listening all morning to Randall speak of a Battle at Culloden and what will happen to the Highlanders, my family and friends because the Scots loose this battle. I need to go back. I need to get back to Lallybroch. To protect my sister and her family from what is going to happen. I can do nothing less. It is my duty as Laird. I can'na let the feelings I am beginning to have for this woman interfere with my going home. What does my Uncle Dougal always say..."family first, laddie."

I look up from my thoughts when suddenly Randall stands up straight, smooths his 'tie' and runs his hand over his hair; a peacock preening. Without even turning around I would bet my dirk I ken who is walking towards us... I stand up, turn around and watch Claire walk into the 'research section' we are sitting in and head toward us.