Character: Jamie Fraser. Page 4

- I have never been close to a woman... but I have hugged a few. - He smiled sheepishly and shook his head. - It wasn't the same. I mean, that kept women in an embrace and kissing them and...
He waved his hand, discarding is the last "and".
- It was nice, really nice. Her heart was beating, and the breath has become frequent, and all that. But it wasn't like that with you, when I hug and kiss you.
His eyes are the color of lakes and skies, I thought, and they are bottomless.
He reached out his hand and touched my bottom lip, touching the edge.
- Starts the same, but after a moment, he continued softly - after a moment, it seems to me that holding live fire.
He pressed harder, circling my lips and stroking his chin.
And I want only to throw myself into this fire and burn.

- These birds inhabit the souls of young mothers dead in childbirth, ' he said, turning towards me. - I say they scream and run around the nest, because I don't believe that the babies hatch safely. They grieve about someone you lost - looking for a child orphaned.
- I think it's just tradition, ' he said. Habit. I first made when I was much younger, after I heard this story. Actually I don't believe they have a soul, but, you know, like something out of a sense of respect...
Without finishing the sentence, he looked at me and suddenly smiled.
- I used to do it, I didn't even notice. In Scotland very few Plovers...
He got up and threw the twig.
- Went on. There's a place that I want to show you. Over there, at the top of the hill.
He took my elbow and helped me up off the ground. We began to climb the slope.
I heard what he said to Plover when he let her go. And although I knew very little Gaelic words, it's an old greeting I heard often enough to understand it. "The Lord be with thee, mother" - said Jamie.
A young mother died during childbirth. And the child who was left an orphan. I touched Jamie's sleeve, and he turned towards me.
- How old were you? - I asked.
- Eight, - he said. - Not a baby.
More he said nothing and led me higher up the hill.

- It was as you imagined? with curiosity I asked.
'Almost,' he suddenly giggled me in my ear. - But I thought... no, nothing.
- No, tell me! What did you think?
- I will not say you will laugh at me.
- I promise not to laugh. Tell me!
He smoothed down my hair, removing the curls from the ear.
- Okay. I didn't know that this can be done face to face. I thought you have to turn your back on me... well, you know, like horses...
A promise to keep was very difficult, but I laughed.
- I know it sounds silly, ' said Jamie in his defense. Just... well, you probably know that if in youth that sit on the head so hard.

- This is one reason. And there are others that you could I say?
He began to carefully study his glass.
Probably just because I want to sleep with you - he looked quickly at me. Have you thought about this?
If he wanted to embarrass me, then it succeeded, but I decided not to show it.
- Is it true? - boldly, I asked?
- To be honest, Yes, it is true, ' he answered, and the blue eyes looked at me over his glasses.
- This does not have to marry me, - I said.
Jamie was shocked at this statement.
- Do you think that I would have to do it, not suggesting you marry me?
- Many men don't bother, ' I said, amused by his naivety.
In obvious embarrassment he muttered something unintelligible, but then got together and said with full of dignity
- Maybe I'm overconfident in saying so, but I prefer to think that I am not "many men", and does not consider it necessary to behave in accordance with the lowest public denominator.
I was touched by his words and hastened to assure that you find his behavior a highly respectable and gentlemanly, and I apologize for unintentionally doubts about his motives.

I know, Claire, that there are things that you don't want to talk to me. Probably can't even talk about them.
"If you only knew how right you are", I thought.
- I'm never going to force you or insist to know about the things concerning you, - seriously said as he looked at his hands and clenched his hands. - There are things that I can't tell you, at least not yet. Not asking you about what you can't give me. I ask only one thing: let it be the truth that you will find it necessary to tell me. And I promise you the same thing. Between us now there's nothing but respect likely. And I think respect gives the place a secret, but not lies. Do you agree?
- Yes, I agree. I promise to be honest.

You are blood of my blood and bone of my bone,
I give my body to you, that we two become one
And my soul I give you collateral for the rest of my days.

I thanked him by staying near his temporary bed before you retire to your shitty shelter, but he only waved a careless hand in response to my words.
Isn't this selfless service on my part, he said. - I better not get caught their eye.
I had completely forgotten about the fact that he has his reasons to stay away from English soldiery. But I immediately came to mind, which is more secure, he could settle in for the night in a warm stable, rather than at my door on the floor.
- But here can anyone come, ' I said, then you will find.
He stretched out his long arm and closed the open shutter. The corridor was dark, and Jamie turned into a kind of shapeless mass.
They will not see my face, he said. Besides, my name does not represent for them any interest, even there I will call the present, which I'm not going to do.
- Yes, - with doubt I said, but does it not seem strange to them, what are you doing here in the dark?
I have not seen him, but judging by his voice he was smiling.
- Nothing like anglichanka. They'll just think I'm waiting in line.
I laughed and left the room. I lay on the bed and fell asleep in admiration of Jamie: afford free jokes, and he was scared even thinking about sleeping with me in the same room.

- You can't sleep, ' I said. - Come in. The room floor still cleaner.
Jamie stopped, his hand on the doorpost.
- To sleep in the same room? - he was really stunned. - I can't do it. Your reputation will perish.
He spoke quite sincerely. I almost laughed, but tactfully turned the laugh into a cough. Taking into account the conditions of our journey, the overcrowding of hotels, the wretched condition or complete lack of sanitary facilities, I was in such close physical communication with these men, Jamie included, that the thought of such delicacy struck me as funny.

Booze is a very pleasant fellow, but not too good adviser in what is called good behavior, especially if a cute little girl bumps into you in the dark.

I again sat in the saddle in front of him, my horse we were about. I thanked Jamie for the help. He shrugged off my gratitude:
- Not at all, lady!
But for you it was risky, I said. - Unfortunately, I did not realize that endanger you your request.
- Ah! - he said it, but a minute later added with a short laugh: - Oh, do not you think me less brave than a little English miss?
Twilight descended, and Jamie let the horses trot. We hardly spoke on the way, and when he reached the castle, he left me short: "good night, Mrs. English!" But I felt that was the beginning of friendship is much deeper than that, which is limited to the light-hearted chit-chat under the Apple trees.

Know that would not have happened, the last face you'll see on this earth will not be the person other.

I could be brave, could fight back, I hate myself for what happened.
- You couldn't stop it.
- I can try!
- Courage was needed not to fight, otherwise he would have killed you.

- You mean die trying? So I had Roger with Ian to get you here?
- This I did without difficulty. It was harder not to die. Yes, I was going to die, but that was before I made a decision. When I realized that the heart slows down, and the pain farther and farther from my body left the fever, and the mind cleared, I saw...
- What did you see?
- It was not really a door, something like a corridor. I could go through it if I wanted and I wanted. But I also knew that is left behind, then I realized that I have a choice to go forward or go back.
- And then you asked me to touch you?
I knew that only you will be able to bring me back.
- Why did you decide to stay?
- Because you need me.
But not because you love me?
- If I'm dead or you we together or apart, I will always love you.

- You really scared me.
- And I'm not afraid?
- You can't. Only one of us can be scared. Now it's my turn.