America (chapter 2)
Previously
I had slept fitfully through the remainder of the storm, eventually falling into a deeper sleep towards the early hours of the morning, comforted by Jamie’s steady breathing beside me. ‘You look verra beautiful this morning,’ he said softly, as my eyelids fluttered open.
‘Flatterer,’ I said contentedly, lifting my eyes to look up at his face.
‘While I do have a lot to make up to ye, strict honesty is the way forward, Sassenach.’ His eyes glimmered with a hint of flirtation. He tentatively put an arm around my hip.
I opened my mouth to speak, before closing it again, mindful of the fragile reconciliation.
‘What is it?’
The question tumbled out before my rational mind could stop it: ‘Do you have anything to be honest about?’
He knew what I meant immediately. ‘I have a lot to apologise for, but I have never played ye false. I love you, Claire. Only you.’ His tone was sincere and his face was genuinely contrite.
‘I should have trusted you,’ I murmured back. He puffed out his cheeks. ‘Did I give ye any reason to trust me?’
I turned my face up to his. ‘S’okay. Friends again.’
‘Sides, I can’t stand any of those harpies,’ he muttered out of the side of his mouth. I gave a most unladylike snort. ‘I am supposed to be visiting at ten. Louise and her cronies.’ He groaned theatrically. ‘Or you could spend the day with your husband.’ He blinked owlishly. ‘Spoiling him. Making sure he knows he’s forgiven.’
‘Is my husband going to spend the day with me?’ I inquired, fluttering my eyelashes in mock surprise. Yer husband is no longer associating with any of the so-called nobles,’ he informed me. ‘Sinners and reprobates the lot of ‘em. And I have an idea I’d like ye to consider.’
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