Je Suis Prest – Driving 101
Clan Fraser woke early the next morning. Jamie and Murtagh expressed a strong desire to have a driving lesson before heading back to the Macvey's, and Frank, ever a wise man, took their mutual expression seriously.
"No more lectures, Randall" Murtagh said firmly over breakfast. "I want to actually make the truck move."
"Drive." Frank corrected.
Both Murtagh and Jamie glared at Frank with a look that told Frank not to trifle with their request.
"Leave the dishes te soak, Sassenach. Come watch Murtagh and I drive for the first time."
Claire's face crinkled with amusement. Jamie and Murtagh were like small children eagerly waiting their turn to ride the pony. She most definitely did not want to miss the grand event so she topped her cup of tea off and followed them outside. She and John took up front row seats on the front steps. Frank pulled the truck around and parked in the yard right in front of the stoop, turning off the engine when he did. Jamie, excited to begin, hopped in behind the wheel. Murtagh climbed in beside him. Both had huge grins plastered on their faces that made Claire and John laugh out loud.
Jamie's face turned somber as he watched Claire and John roll with mirth.
"Not at you Jamie. Honest." Claire tried to defend herself. "You and Murtagh just look so happy and excited. We naturally think your exuberance is, well, it's rather cute." She tried to utter with a straight face, and failed miserably. "It's fun to see you and Murtagh so excited to learn something that Frank, John and I take for granted. We've forgotten the thrill of it, is all. It's wonderful to experience it again, through you."
"Yes," John added. "Live'n on the farm, I've been drive'n since I was old enough to touch the pedals and see over the steering wheel. I agree with Claire, 'tis cute to see ye so enthusiastic about the lessons."
"Cute? I do'na wish to be seen as cute when I am driving." Jamie retorted.
Frank cleared his throat, as a way to interrupt the banter. All eyes moved to him. "A review first." Frank said. "There are three pedals. Which is the accelerator?" Mutagen and Jamie both pointed to the one on the left.
"No. From right to left it is Accelerator... Clutch... Brake. Go and stop are on the outside, shift is in the middle." Frank then opened the truck door. "Depress the clutch and show me the shift pattern please, Jamie."
"I step on the middle pedal. I grab the handle, find neutral the pull it toward me and up for First gear then I ..."
"No Jamie, yer wrong. Toward ye and up is te go backwards. Toward ye and down makes the truck go forward. We are never gon'na move this metal beast at this rate."
Murtagh climbed out of the truck and sat down on the steps next to Claire. "Did ye pour any whiskey in yer tea by chance?" He asked and wagged an eyebrow at her.
"No but I should have." Claire said. "It would dull the pain of listening to Professor Randall repeat the lesson for the third time. I don't think you or Jamie are going to learn to drive before Frank and I leave tomorrow at this rate." She said with a sigh. "You really need to learn. John should not be driving yet."
"I do not feel comfortable driving distances Claire, but I can certainly run into town to pick up nails from the hardware store or bread from the grocer." John defended.
"I repeat. You should not be driving John. Jamie and Murtagh should be driving by now, so that your only job would be to navigate for them. I'll be right back," Claire said and she went up the stairs and back into the house. She found the bottle of whiskey they kept in the parlor and poured a hefty dollop into her mug. Just as she reached the door, she spied Frank's keys to the roadster on the table by the phone. She did not even need to think about it. She grabbed the keys and headed out the door. She set her cup down on the step next to John and nudged Murtagh's shoulder as she continued down the steps and headed toward the car. Frank had backed into the far corner of the yard. She was rounding the back of the truck when she looked back at Murtagh, still sitting by John on the steps, sipping from her cup. She held up the car keys and jangled them a bit. Murtagh and John both look up and then at each other. Both smiling. John pushed Murtagh and nodded his chin toward Claire. Murtagh stood up and followed her, handing John the cup as he did.
"Alright" Claire said as they approached the car. "Just a few differences between the roadster and the truck. First, the car's stick shift is on the floor not on the steering wheel column. The gear pattern is the same." She smiled at Murtagh, opened the passenger door and climbed in. Murtagh ran around the car and climbed in behind the wheel.
"This is the stick" Claire said and placed her finger on the gear shift between the two bucket seats. Murtagh placed his hand on it and Claire put hers on top of his. "Depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. Good. Now, here is neutral" and she moved their hands and the stick from side to side … toward my seat and forward is reverse and neutral and then back is first gear." She instructed as she moved their joined hands. "Do you feel that?"
"Aye" Murtagh said and grinned like a lad in a candy store.
"Now... this is second" and she moved their hands, along with the stick back to neutral and then over toward Murtagh and forward.
Murtagh laughed.
"And this is third" she moved the stick to neutral and then back. "Now, I want you to to put the car in first."
Murtagh had no problem.
"Now, second... and now third. That's wonderful Murtagh. Once the car is started, when you start to drive, you need to release your left food off the clutch, while at the same time begin to gently press your right foot down on the gas. She raised her hands and simulated it in the air.
Murtagh nodded his head and Claire watched as he moved his feet.
"That's perfect" She said. "Now shift into second by doing the reverse. Ease up on the gas by lessening the pressure on the gas pedal while you depress the clutch. When your foot is completely off the gas and the clutch is completely depressed, move the stick into second gear." The gears made a grinding noise.
"Ooch" Murtagh exclaimed as he made a pained, wincing face.
"No, no. It's fine, Murtagh. You will do it a couple of times in the beginning. You will most probably stall out as well. That's part of the initiation of learning to drive" she said and laughed. "That, and it's Franks car, so we won't tell him" and she winked.
"Stall oot?"
That's when you do not press on the gas hard enough while you release the clutch so the engine stalls. Dies. Stops working because it did not get enough gas."
"Aye." Murtagh said with a knowing nod. "What's the second difference?"
"The car needs a key" and she dangled them in the air. "The truck doesn't. It is a push button start."
Murtagh took the keys from Claire and she reached over and pointed to the key slot on the right side of the dash. "The key slips in there. Don't turn it yet, please."
A couple of tries and Murtagh slipped the key into place. He turned and looked at her.
"The third difference is that this car has a manual choke." Claire said and pointed to a little metal knob on the dash, just left of the steering wheel. "The truck doesn't have one."
"A choke?" Murtagh questioned.
"Well," Claire said. "It is a sport car, so it likes to go fast and that means it has a fussy engine. So on a cold start, meaning when you start it for the first time in the day, you need to help the engine receive the correct amount of fuel. The truck does it automatically."
"I do'na understand." Murtagh said looking confused.
"Well, it may be easier to physically start the car to show you, then." Claire said. "First the choke... you want to pull the knob all the way out.."
Murtagh did as instructed.
"Now, you need to prime the engine. Depressing the gas pedal half way, twice, slowly."
Murtagh did so.
"Make sure the car is in neutral... good and turn the key." The car roared to life. "Now we need to let the car engine warm up for a minute so we will keep adjusting the choke, like so." Claire pushed the choke button in, just slightly until the engine was running smoothly.
At this point Frank's head shot out of the truck and looked directly at Claire...
Claire looked up and waved. Murtagh was beaming with both hands gripping the steering wheel and turning it like he was driving. She couldn't help but giggle at him. "Now you want to continue adjusting the choke, to keep the engine idling smoothly until the choke is fully depressed. When the choke is completely depressed, the engine is warm and we are ready to drive. Do you remember where the break is?"
Murtagh nodded.
Frank stepped away from the truck, hand still on the open door. "Claire? What are you doing?"
Claire waved at Frank again. "So the right foot is responsible for the accelerator, and the left foot works the clutch and the break. Alright?"
Murtagh nodded enthusiastically. He was so excited he could hardly keep from honking the horn.
"Well, then lets see how you do. Depress the clutch, find first gear. Good. Now ease up on the clutch while you press down on the gas..."
And suddenly the car lurched forward. The car was moving. They were driving. They passed the truck, and continued toward the gate.
"Hey" Frank shouted as he watched his car drive passed.
"Why is Murtagh already driving and I have not even started the damn truck?" Jamie demanded. "We should be drive'n as well."
Claire turned around, raised her hands and shrugged her shoulders. She had just enough time to blow a kiss to Jamie as Murtagh drove out the gate, onto the road and turned right, away from Broch Mordha. The last thing Claire saw was John standing on the steps, toasting them bon voyage with her whiskey laden tea.
Murtagh was doing quite well. The lane they were on was not well traveled and Murtagh was still in first gear so they weren't going more than 20mph. Claire was a little concerned with the death grip Jamie's godfather had on the wheel, but other that that he was doing fine.
"Do you want to try second gear?
Murtagh emphatically shook his head no. "No. No, we're fine. I'm already going faster in this carriage than I have on any horse I've ever ridden."
Well at least he was driving, she thought. Several minutes passed, in quiet, while Murtagh concentrated on driving. Claire finally asked, "Since we are alone, where did you and John scamper off to last night? You left Frank and Jamie to clean the entire kitchen. You all made quite a mess and I don't think they were very happy to be left alone in each others company while they scoured."
"John and I went to visit a widowed lady friend of his." Murtagh said with a smile.
"Oh?" Claire said knowingly.
"No oh, Claire. Nothing so bold as that. Mary MacNab explained she's been a widow since before the war. Her husband died in a fire. Fell asleep smoke'n in bed while Mary and her boys were away visit'n her mother in Falkirk. She's been hard pressed to make ends meet ever since. Been live'n at the Bed and Breakfast in town, in exchange for cleaning and cooking for the woman that runs it.
"Oh? Is that a fact?" Claire said coyly.
"Do'na start yer matchmake'n woman. ' Tis no like that. Ye ken John needs help, and that Jamie and I can'na look after John and the farm both. And with ye going back to Inverness..."
"You know I don't..."
"Aye, I ken lass. I do. Jamie says ye gave ye word to yer friends at the hospital that ye would work so they could be with their families over the Yuletide. He said ye promised a while ago, 'afore we came. Jamie kens ye must keep yer word." Murtagh looked at her briefly.
"Keep your eyes on the road, mister." Claire said sternly.
"Aye, Professor Beauchamp" Murtagh said with a smile.
"So why the visit to the Widow MacNab then, Murtagh?"
"Weel, John asked her to come work for him at Lallybroch. Said he'd fix up rooms on the third floor for her and her lad Rabbie. Free room and board, and a small wage if she'll cook and clean, wash and mend, and if yer in accord, te stay and help ye when ye return. Said Rabbie would be given some chores to do as well, maybe yers for now and we promised to figure 'oot a way te get him to and from school."
"What a marvelous idea. What did she say?" Claire asked excitedly.
"She could'na say yes fast enough." Murtagh said a small turn of his mouth. It was clear to Claire he was pleased. "We'll go into town so ye can meet her if ye'll tell me how te turn the horseless carriage around, Claire."
"Oh, I'd like that. Lets do. Turn left into the next lane. Then stop. I'll teach you how to make a 'Y' turn."
Murtagh slowed and used the proper hand signals Frank had taught him. He turned onto the land then stopped. The car stalled.
"Remember, put the car in neutral before you come to a complete stop or keep the clutch pedal depressed." Claire reminded him. "Start the car."
Murtagh reached for the choke.
"No, no. You don't need to use the choke now that the engine is warm." Claire reminded him. "Only when the engine is cold, remember?"
Murtagh put the car in neutral and started it.
"Now," Claire said. "Find reverse. You are going to back up so you'll need to look behind you to make sure you don't hit anything and to watch for other vehicles, people or animals.
Murtagh nodded and stalled.
"No worries. Try again. You are doing very well, Murtagh. Honest."
Murtagh got them back on the road and headed back toward Broch Mordha after stalling only one more time. Before Claire knew it, they were approaching Lallybroch. Murtagh beeped the horn as they drove passed.
"You are enjoying this aren't you?"
"Aye. 'Tis no often I ken do some'thin 'afore Jamie does. He's a grand lad, but he can be a trifle annoying, besting everyone at everythi'n."
"You'll never let him forget it, will you." Claire said with a laugh.
"No a chance." He said and smiled. "Now, that I have ye alone, lass Any chance ye want te tell me what yesterday afternoon was all about? Jamie and I worked next te Beval Keir all morn'n. Seem'd a pleasant enough fellow."
"I have no idea, Murtagh. I just know Mr. Keir frightened Fred half to death. Made the boy panic just to see him. Fred was so scared, he was shaking and the pup, Brom, did not care for him one bit, either. Kept growling at him."
"Jamie and I are of the suspicion that he was focused on yoo, no the lad..."
"I thought he had come to talk to Fred, at least at first, Murtagh. He spoke as if he and Fred knew each other. Clearly Fred's fear confirmed that. But when Fred was safely away, Mr. Keir mentioned my being married to Frank. He actually seemed confused when he discovered my name was Beauchamp and not Randall, though not surprised that Jamie and I were together, which seems a bit odd, I think."
"Thought you and Randall were wedded?" Murtagh said out loud, almost as if talking to himself. "That's when he disappeared. When Frank showed up look'n for ye. Said he'd lost ye. Jamie and I had just seen ye go'n into the barn with the lad." Murtagh said and shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs. "Jamie and Frank got into a heated discussion 'bout Frank's negligence at loosen ye, when we noticed that Beval was already up at the barn. Jamie was no happy about how quickly the man went from where we were stand'n, work'n on the shed, to the main barn. We barley had time to blink."
"Well, Mr. Keir certainly gave me the willies, that's for sure. I'm not sure I want to meet with him again any time soon." Claire said as Murtagh pulled in front of the B & B.
"Well, Jamie no wants ye anywhere near 'em either. I do'na care for the comment about how he could just reach 'oot and take ye. And ye sure ye do'na ken them, any of them, lass?"
"I have a funny feeling that I should know them, all of them but I don't. I have the distinct feeling that he felt the same strange connection, the woman certainly did. You should have seen the shock on her face when Beval spoke of The Holy Grail. Almost like she thought I had something to do with it."
"No. I was thinking the connection was the talk of someone looking for Claire Randall. That our friend Beval Keir was hired to find her. Why would someone think ye were married to Randall? What is The Holy Grail Beval referred to?"
"I don't have any idea, other than it is supposedly the challis that Jesus drank from at the last supper. Jamie and I spoke about it for a while last night. It's all very strange. I wish I had answers but I don't" Claire said shaking her head. "Now come, introduce me to Mary MacNab and then we'd better get back to Lallybroch. Jamie will be worried and you all have to get to the Macvey's."
"Ye mean we, didn't ye?" Murtagh said with eye brows knitted in confusion.
"No. I told Jamie last night that I thought my time might be better spent at the farm. I need to do laundry for you and Jamie. I need to get some meals prepared, so all you need to do is heat them up, though if Mary is to stay... Frank said I could use the roadster to run into town for supplies..."
"Claire... why? Is it because of the Keirs or the women? I did no see ye for be'n a coward and hid'n from yer troubles. I thought ye were made of stouter stuff'n than that, lass. Ye do no need protect'n, do ye?"
Claire gave Murtagh a look and said, "Let's meet Mary, shall we?" She opened the car door and walked toward the B&B. This was a wonderful idea of John's. If John was happy with her, then she was sure she would be as well. To have someone that would do the cooking, some general cleaning and keep an eye on John, would be an enormous relief to her. She was not excited about the seven weeks absence but it had to be done. At least she would not have to worry about her men with Mary to look after them.
Murtagh opened the door to the establishment and they walked inside.
When Murtagh pulled the roadster into Lallybroch's yard, they found the yard empty and the truck parked right where they had left it, almost an hour ago.
"Tisk, tisk" was the sound that came from Murtagh as he parked the car. "I think someone might be in a wee bit of trouble" and he glanced at Claire.
"Oh, don't worry Murtagh." Claire stated with confidence. "Have no fear. I will explain that I took the keys so you could practice on the roadster while you waited for your turn. Frank will understand that it was not our intention to move the car, let alone leave the yard. You just got caught up in the thrill of the moment, is all.
Murtagh's face went from calm concern to one of shocked confusion in an instant.
"Whaaattt?" Claire slowing inquired.
"Oh lass." Murtagh began. "I do'na think it is me that is the one in trouble..." He shook his head slowly side to side.
"Who theennn...?" Claire started. "What? You think Frank will be angry with me?" Claire pointed her index finger at herself. "Whatever for? What did I do?" She questioned.
"Ye taught me te drive. That was Frank's job." Murtagh stated succinctly. "Three lectures with Frank and Jamie and I had no even started the damn truck. 10 minutes with you and I was drive'n. And not only that, but ye used his fancy carriage te teach me." Mutagh declared and raised both eyebrows at her. "No to mention, ye brought it back dirty."
"Dirty? Me? You drove" She practically screamed. But, I … "
"But it is'na Frank that I would be concerned with..."
"Who then?"
"Jamie."
"Jamie?"
"Yes, Jamie."
"No, Jamie..."
"Aye, Jamie"
"But you said..."
Aye, I did." Murtagh said as he handed Claire the keys and climbed out of the roadster. "Does no mean he won't be angry or hurt. You helped me best 'em. Jamie will no be take'n that so well. Ye've scorned the lad, Claire."
"Why didn't you..."
"Because I wanted to be first remember? I told ye that." Murtagh smiled and strolled off toward the house.
"Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser... you best watch what you eat tonight. I might slip you a poisonous tomato..."
Murtagh reached the door before Claire and held it open for her to enter. They crossed the threshold and found the house as silent as a tomb.
"I'm using the loo before we go" and Murtagh ran up the stairs.
"Hello the house" Claire called as she set the keys down on the table by the door. Not a sound. She walked to the stairs to see John descending. He gave her a big smile. "So how did Murtagh do?" he asked as he nodded his head up the stairs. "He was in too big a hurry to tell me."
"I think you will be in good hands with him. He drove the roadster like an old lady. You'll crawl like a snail in the truck. He took a good half hour just to get to Broch Mordha. Time how long it takes you to get to the Macveys. My money is that it will take Murtagh an hour" and she laughed.
"It's only fifteen minutes to Broch Mordha and thirty to the Macveys. Are you say'n to double the time if Murtagh's drive'n, lass?"
"Better than Frank's speeding." Claire said and laughed again. Speaking of Frank, it doesn't look like the truck has moved. Please tell me Jamie had gotten to drive as well. Murtagh said Jamie will be upset that Murtagh drove before Jamie did."
"Aye, well, when the roadster drove passed, honking the horn, yer lad climbed 'oot of the truck and walked off to the barn. Did'na utter a single word. I have no seen him since nor have I heard a word from Frank though I believe Frank's in the Lairds Study."
"Well, I better go find Jamie" and Claire started for the kitchen. She stopped and turned back to John. "I won't be going to the Macveys with you all today. I've decided to stay here at Lallybroch" and she turned back to the kitchen. She heard a shuffle of feet and then felt John's hand on her elbow. She stopped and turned around. The door to the study opened and Frank stepped out.
"What do ye mean ye won't be go'n today, Claire? John dropped his voiced and said, "Jamie will no go without ye, especially after what happened yesterday afternoon with the Keirs."
"I already spoke with Jamie last night and Murtagh this morning, John. I see no point in going. Really. My time is better spent here. I need to run into town, to the grocers, to stock the pantry. I need to run a load of wash and tidy up the house a bit before I leave..."
"Claire..." John started to argue.
"No John. My mind is made up. I see no point. I will try again when I come back after Christmas." Claire said with a sigh. "Jane is a possible friend. And Mary, Mary MacNab. Oh, I do like her, John. She will do nicely here for you three. She was a wonderful idea. Which reminds me, I'll need to clean two rooms on the third floor for Mary and her son..."
"When did you meet her?" John inquired.
"Murtagh told me, on our little drive, about what you two were up to last night. That's where we were headed when we drove passed. She was extremely busy so we did not stay long, but she seems very pleased with your offer. I invited she and Rabbie to supper tonight. So be back from the Macveys at a decent hour please. I know how Jamie likes to stay and talk."
"Claire, I wish ye'd change yer mind and come..." John said with hope.
Claire shook her head and entered the kitchen. She decided she would do the breakfast dishes after the men left so she grabbed a couple of carrots and a handful of sugar cubes and headed for the barn. She paused to feed and scratch Donas, the other two horses never showed up. She entered the barn and found Jamie brushing the horse they had ridden back to Lallybroch that first night of her return.
She stopped at the door and after watching Jamie for a moment, cleared her throat. Jamie hesitated for brief second and then continued as if there had been no sound at all. If Claire had blinked, she would have missed Jamie's acknowledgment of the sound.
"May I come in?" Claire asked.
Jamie stopped his work. Waited a second and then said, "So ye and Murtagh are back then. Did ye enjoy yer drive through the country?"
"Jamie..." Claire started. "You know it wasn't like that."
Jamie's head dropped to rest on the neck of the horse, his arm, still holding the brush, draped over the animal's back. He rubbed his forehead back and forth against the animal's coat. His two fingers druming away on his thigh.
Thinking. She could tell he was trying to find the right words. She would wait. Give him time.
Finally he lifted his hand and rested it on the horse's muzzle, running it up and down the animal's white blaze. The horse nickered in appreciation.
Claire took a step forward, rustling the hay as she walked. Jamie stopped moving and stiffened. She stopped. "Do you want me to leave?" she asked softly.
Jamie turned, hand still on the back of the animal, leaning his weight into it's side. "No, Claire. I've been out here brush'n the animal bald, trying to find the words te speak my mind, my heart te ya. I ken Murtagh would know I was upset and the why of it. I ken ye'd come te find me when ye returned."
"I'm sorry Jamie. It never occurred to me that I might hurt your feelings... teaching Murtagh to drive. The stinker knew too, but did not say a word to me about it until we parked the car in the yard." Claire said as she watched the hay on the floor as she moved it around with her foot. "I would never do anything to slight you, you know that, don't you?" and she looked up. Jamie let her see how hurt he was. It was clearly written on his face, in his eyes. Almost made her cry to see the pain she was responsible for. "Why?" she asked.
He set the brush down on the stall rail and took a step toward her. "Sassenach, you are mine. I am the man who will protect you, provide for you, love you. I had it in my heart to show you. To be the man you need me to be. But Murtagh has bested me in front of you, My Lady. He mastered the skill to drive first and took you for the ride that was mine by right. And you, Claire, you were the one that taught him." He turned back to the horse, grabbed the brush and with large, sweeping strokes he began to brush the animal's flank.
"Jamie. I didn't think... I didn't realize the significance of my action." She said with conviction. "Had I understood, I never would have shown Murtagh. I would have waited for you. Please believe that."
Jamie's furious movement stopped.
"You are mine as much as I am yours, Jamie" she whispered as she took a step toward him. "Please believe that I would never do anything to hurt you or cause you pain, not on purpose." She paused, wringing her hands to prevent herself from touching him. She would need him to touch her, to show her he forgave her. Until then she needed to keep her hands to herself. "I am struggling to understand your ways, your time, as much as you are struggling to understand mine. We will get it wrong sometimes, make mistakes. We just have to believe in each other, know and believe that our hearts are true, that nothing is done with the intent to slight the other."
Jamie turned and spoke the words she needed to hear... "I ken Sassenach. 'Tis what made it so painful. To see how verra proud of Murtagh ye were. Know'n it should have been me. Te have ye so proud of me..." He stopped and shook his heid in distain. "I am so vain. I'm truly sorry, Claire. I am a fool." He walked forward and gathered her into his arms and held her. Tightly.
After a moment or two, Claire pulled away. "Oh Jamie, I am so very proud of you. So lucky that you are so strong and honorable. Looking out for all of Broch Mordha like the Laird you were born to be." She took his hands in hers and squeezed them tightly. "I only taught Murtagh because you were already in the truck and Professor Frank was into his lecture. Your godfather was so frustrated with Frank and, at the rate Frank was going, neither of you were going to learn before we needed to leave. John is in no condition to be driving so I did something about it. I honestly did not intend to let Murtagh physically drive, but one thing led to another and the next thing I knew we were leaving the yard and were on the road." She reached up and placed her hand on Jamie's cheek. "Please believe me."
He kissed her softly on the lips. "Aye, Mo Neighan Donn. I believe ye. Do yoo forgive me?"
"For what?"
"For being so jealous of my own godfather."
Claire laughed. "Jealous? Of Murtagh? What on earth for?"
"Because yoo, my bonnie lass, have won more than just my heart. You have Murtagh completely devoted to ye, do ye no realize? John as well, to say noth'n of Frank. And now I fear, Beval Keir may be in, how do you say it... in the queue?" And he gathered her back into his arms and gave her a kiss; verra long and verra hard.
When he finally released her, Claire said, "You need to get going. Seamus Macvey will no like his Laird be'n late for the calf shed build'n."
"What was that Sassenach?"
"That was my impression of Seamus. Did ye no ken?"
Jamie started to laugh.
"Just what is so funny?"
"Yoo. Your Scots needs a bit of work, 'tis all, mo chridhe."
"Oh, so you don't think my Scottish accient sounds real?"
"No, Sassenach. Yer French is good. Yer Latin is fair. Yer Gàidhlig does'na exist but yer Scottish accent would make a dog bark. 'Tis hurtful to the ears."
She smiled and giggled. "As bad as all that?"
"Aye."
"Well, you best put the horse in the paddock. John and Murtagh were ready to go when I left the house to find you."
"Oh, I'm no go'n to Macvey's. If yer stay'n than so am I."
"No, Jamie. This is important. You made it all happen for them. You must go..."
"I'll no have the women treating you badly, Claire. To disrespect yoo, is to disrespect me. I need for them to understand that. I choose you, Sassenach. We are handfast, yer are te be my wife. They have no cause to treat ye the way that they did yesterday. Not a friend among them. I have spoken to Murtagh. He kens. He will go today to represent Frasers and Lallybroch. And tomorrow, Sunday, Clan Fraser will all attend Father Brown's Service. The Frasers will do no more until the ladies ask forgiveness of ye Claire. I will no have you slighted."
"But Jamie... I don't think... It doesn't work like... I was going to try again when I return for good..."
"No Claire. 'Tis like ye said about the supper, I allowed them to treat ye that way by no do'n anythi'n. Well, I will no allow them to treat ye like ye do'na belong. It's all Frasers or none. John agreed."
"Just when did you have this little meeting?"
"While ye were have'n yer wee wash last night."
"Well, my men are cleaver, I will say that for the lot of you. And thank you." Claire stepped closer and kissed him. "Thank you for listening and for caring enough to do something about it, Jamie. Really. I know what this town means to you."
"That's why I am brush'n aulde Rob Roy here, and William Wallace is te be next. We are go'n for a ride. Ye did say ye could ride, can ye no Sassenach?"
"Yes, I can ride. Horses, camels and even an elephant."
"An elephant? Truly?"
"Yes."
Well, ye might want te pack us a wee lunch, I'll try and see if we can find some of the spots I ken as a lad. Bring a plaid as well. I'll saddle the horses."
Claire turned and walked toward the house. A huge smile on her face. Jamie loved her. He listened.