Fanfiction - This Man I Chose
This is a direct continuation for Andromeda, a story featured in my Constellations series. However, it’s a side piece and doesn’t belong in the series. I blame this on @iwanttodriveyouthroughthenight and @shortiemcbealle, some of the most lovely ladies out there. Thank you for all the support in my latest ficlets, I’m feeling the love! <3 <3</p>
She was sitting by the lake, her naked feet dipped in the calm waters, made blue and silver by the moonlight. Her white stockings made of fine silk were carelessly abandoned near the watercress that grew in the bank.
“I was looking for ye, Lady Claire.” Jamie said in a hushed tone, so not to frighten her. “I missed ye during dinner tonight.”
She glanced over her shoulder, noticing how his eyes were fixed in the exposed skin of her ankles and lower part of her calves, a rare and sensuous sight. She blushed slightly and fumbled with her skirts to cover more of her legs, divided between defiance and amusement.
“I wasn’t feeling very well.” Claire replied. “I came here to catch some fresh air.”
“I see.” He moved to sit near her in the soft grass, leaving a respectable distance between them - most certainly approved by any chaperone, although no living soul was within sight. “Are ye certain there’s nothing amiss, lass?”
She breathed deeply, trying to gather her thoughts. Oh well, best to come straight out with it then.
“I overheard your conversation with Lord Delmar and Lord Tadeus.” She admitted in a clipped tone. “You didn’t need to defend me, you know. I couldn’t care less about what those two swiving pigs think of my behaviour.”
She had been walking to the Great Hall, slightly late for dinner as she had spent the afternoon riding her mare in the woods near Beauchamp Castle. She had needed to spend some time alone, away from the crowd that seemed to populate every room and corner those days. Away from eager eyes and gossiping whispers. Even away from Jamie.
Claire couldn’t reasonably deny the appeal he exerted over her since the moment she first saw him – a sentiment that only grew with each glance, touch and conversation. That wild ride against him during the tournament had been one of the most trilling and satisfying moments of her life. And the acceptance and honesty she had found afterwards had sealed the deal.
But she was afraid of the course her life had suddenly gained without her consent. Of the changes to come, which might find her as unprepared as she had been to the idea of loving Jamie Fraser.
Her thoughts had been interrupted by the sound of voices talking near a tapestry and she was about to greet them when she heard her name. Claire halted and, hidden by the growing shadows, had recognized the voices of two young knights, vassals of her uncle.
“Do you think Lord Fraser will succeed in taming the wild mare?” Tadeus said with a crude laugh. “And will she bite his cock off while he does it?”
“Likely.” Delmar laughed. “I expect she will ride him, if he doesn’t show her the proper place for a lady. More time sewing and praying and less time meddling in men’s affairs.”
“She is a pretty thing.” Tadeus added. “If she didn’t look like she would much prefer to wear an armour and a signet ring over a dress, I’d have married her years ago.”
Claire had been about to barge in and present them with a piece of her mind when she heard footsteps and a commanding voice.
“I would advise ye to be more careful in addressing my future wife – and yer mistress – in the future, Sir Tadeus. Unless ye want to solve this in the jousting arena.” She immediately recognized Jamie’s lilt.
“Lord Fraser!” Claire could hear the tremor in the man’s voice. “I was just commenting on the brave task you have upon you, sir. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”
Jamie had laughed then, humourless.
“Lady Claire could have handled any of ye without needing a champion.” He said. “That the lot of ye seems so threatened by a lass tells me more about yer manhood than of my lady’s abilities. Ye have been warned.” And he marched away.
She stood there, her heart furiously beating in her chest, while they went away, probably seeking the comfort of food and drink after their humiliation.
“Ye are my bride, Lady Claire.” Jamie answered her in a serious tone. “We’re still getting to know one another and I ken that well, but…Do ye really think I could stand by and say nothing about it?” Jamie shook his head in disbelief.
“I told you in the stables that day,” She started, watching as a trained hawk made a low flight at distance before turning away, undoubtedly seeking its master’s hand. ”I am what I am. I fear you’ll spend every hour you’re not sleeping defending me, if you take that course of action. I’m used to it by now. Their words mean nothing to me.”
“Ye shouldn’t be.” Jamie retorted heatedly. “Used to it, I mean. Those were bold remarks and uncalled for. Ye are a Lady and the daughter of this castle.”
“But they told the truth!” She looked at him, fiercely. “I am good with a horse. I speak my mind. I clearly don’t spend enough time around laces and needles. I don’t need to be found pleasant or beautiful.” Their eyes met. “I am sorry – for embarrassing you, Lord Fraser. If you find you need to dissolve our commitment then…”
“Why do you do that?” Jamie asked, his big hands opening in desperation. “Are ye really so afraid that ye need to push me away everytime I get too close? Are ye so scared of me seeing that ye are beautiful and worth of any battles I might face?” His hand travelled the distance between them, as his fingers brushed hers. ”I won’t go away, Lady Claire. I won’t leave ye – not as long as ye want me here. My bride. My home. My equal.”
She gulped, fighting back tears that threatened to overpower the dam in her soul. To be wanted. To be respected. To be loved so completely by this man – the one she chose.
They stood in silence for a while, the soft summer breeze cooling their skin. A toad made a nasty flicker with its tongue and an awkward jump nearby, making them both laugh, easing the tension between them.
“Do ye ken what swiving is?” Jamie asked in a casual tone.
“I…” She glanced at him, trying to measure the best response. “Well, I…Yes, I do.”
“Ah.” There was a light frown between his ruddy brows made funny by the tenuous smile in the corner of his mouth. “Do ye…ken much about it?”
“The matter is not only a favourite amongst men, I believe.” She smiled. “The ladies also spend quite some time talking about it behind closed doors. You would be amazed by all the details.”
“They do?” He seemed surprised. “And what do they say about it?”
“All sorts of things.” She snorted. “There is the question of sizes, I believe. And some women say men grunt a lot during it; and snore afterwards.”
“Hm.” Jamie looked concerned and Claire noticed how his eyes discretely went to his own groin, as if measuring his own adequacy to recommended standards. “But you…I….I mean, you…are…”
“Yes. I am a maiden, Lord Fraser.” She raised an eyebrow to him, happily noticing how embarrassed he seemed. “And you milord – are you very…very familiar with the subject?”
She was pleased to realize he could get even redder, now that his cheeks truly matched his hair colour. Claire found it both adorable and refreshing, deeply contrasting with the usual poise and hardness of knights.
“I ken some of the theory.” He said in a low voice.
“Not the practice, then?” Claire pressed on. Her eyes found his and she saw quiet storms brewing in the dark blue of his eyes.
“No.” Jamie whispered. “Not the practice. Not what ye would suspect of a Scottish barbarian, aye?” He laughed. “I learned ye used to call me that before.”
“Yes.” She admitted. “One of the many things I was surprised to discover about ye, Lord Fraser.”
“I hope I may continue to amaze ye, Lady Claire.” He said and his eyes softened in tenderness, while he grabbed her hand and planted a chaste kiss in her palm.
“You’re going to see me in my shift soon enough.” She said cautiously, after a moment. “Maybe…you could call me Claire? At least when we are alone?”
“Aye.” He agreed with a smile. “If ye think ye can call me Jamie?”
“I do.” She returned the smile. “Jamie.”
He got up and bent slightly, so that his mouth was close to her ear.
“I look forward to seeing ye in yer shift, Claire.” His hot breath caused a shiver down her spine. “And everything else that lies underneath it, mo graidh.”
And he walked away leaving the soles of her feet and her belly tingling with what she was most certain wasn’t cold.
