Outlander: A Bonnie and Clyde Story Vol. 1

Chapter 9

We entered the party by carriage with Stephen driving it as Daniel and I rode inside. We had to pretend to be a married couple and I knew it killed him to see us this way. We had no other choice at this time, and we prayed it would all be over soon once we got ourselves a ship.

"Invitation please." one of the soldiers asked as we stepped out of our carriage. Daniel handed it to them without a word. The soldiers scanned us both from head to toe then nodded to let us in.

I discretely looked back at Stephen who rode away. I took one look at Daniel and he smiled reassuring he'd take care of me. I sucked in a deep breath and we continued onward into the estate.

As we entered, everyone was bowing and chatting with each other. There was a grand piano in the middle of the foyer and people gliding along and showing off their fancy dresses. Daniel and I stood as scarcely as possible to avoid any conversation with anyone. At the corner of my eye, I saw Stephen discretely slide in and stood against the wall with the other servants.

"Ah, Mr...." someone said approaching us. He was tall and probably around his mid 30's and early 50's, with a very rich snooty trot.

"Abbey." Daniel answered as he bowed.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Abbey." he said in a yeah-yeah-whatever manner. "I understand you own the small.. erm... cottage at the edge of town."

"I do." Daniel said, keeping his answers simple.

"And you and the Mrs..." he turns to me and gives me a flirtatious smile, as he grabbed my hand and kisses it. "... how ARE you handling everything over there?" he asked, with some snobby intent.

Daniel cleared his throat. He was always so uncomfortable when it came to me and him as a pretend couple. "We are making do." he answered.

The man couldn't take his eyes off me and I could feel Stephen's burning stare as the man tried to shuffle me away.

I tried my best to discretely pull my hand away as politely as possible, but this man insisted. Ugh! I hated persistent guys.

"My apologies Sir, I didn't quite hear you name." I said, facing him politely. Daniel strode behind me and put his hands on my shoulders to portray any kind of intimacy.

"Ah yes, my apologies my lady." he said without breaking eye contact with me. "Sir Bouchard." he was looking at me from head to toe, savoring every little detail of my physical body. It made me cringe. I rested my hand on Daniel's to give a small reminder I was unavailable.

He turned to Daniel. "Such a beautiful flower you have. Have you been married long?"

What's it to him? I'm married, period.

"A few months now." Daniel said uncomfortably. He was still unsure how to play along with Stephen standing near.

"Ah, newly weds!" he exclaimed. "You are a lucky man Mr. Abbey to acquire such a beautiful lady." he still kept his eyes on me.

Creep.

Just in the nick of time, someone announced to the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, his majesty the Crown."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully to a heavily guarded man. Then everyone went about chatting as he gracefully walked around greeting everyone.

Daniel nudged me discretely and whispered in my ear. "We may need to hasten, mistress." as his eyes shot at Stephen's direction.

A guard paced back and fourth a few meters away from Stephen with all his attention on him. 

Shit! Someone knows who he is! 

My mind raced as I thought of a way to distract him without causing a scene. Then, it hit me. 

I took in a big breath and made my way to his majesty himself. Oh god, what am I doing? I made sure I chose my words carefully.

"Your majesty." I bowed, stopping a safe distance away from the guards to not give off the wrong impression. "May I acquire your permission to play on your lovely piano?" I asked as politely as possible.

He took one look at me, pausing to observe every physical aspect of my body. He nodded as I bowed once more in thanks.

I can't believe I'm doing this. I felt nervous bile rise up in my throat but I calmed myself down. This had to be done. I sat down on the piano bench and played Fur Elise. Everyone turned their attention to me. I quickly glanced in Stephen's direction as it seemed to be working. This would be a great distraction for Daniel and Stephen to do their looting. I ended the piece and bowed as everyone clapped.

"That was wonderful my lady." his majesty said beaming. "Where did you learn to play?"

Shit, conversation. 

"My mother taught me." I could see out of the corner of my eye Daniel and Stephen haven't left yet, as not all full attention was on me. "I also write music and sing."

People ooh'd and awe'd. His majesty smiled at me impressed. "Ah a Bard! Well now, why don't you play one of your own works."

I sat down and played as gracefully as possible the intro to Only Hope, obviously not one of my own original pieces, but something I knew wouldn't sound super suspicious in this era. Once I started singing, I glanced around to have everyone, even the soldiers watch me. This gave Daniel and Stephen a chance to slip out.

Think about the movie Sucker Punch when Babydoll started dancing and everyone fell into their own world. Yeah, it felt exactly like that. I kept an eye out for Stephen or Daniel. Just as the song ended, Daniel appeared out the corner of my eye and discretely nodded at me. 

I gracefully bowed, and made my way to Daniel who laid his hands on my shoulders once more, like a proud husband.

"Wonderful! Splendid! Such beautiful music and such a beautiful voice!" his majesty exclaimed clapping and everyone else joined. "I would like to extend an invitation for you to join me in our private dining area for dinner, with some of my notable Lords and their ladies." I notice Mr. Flirt from earlier was beaming at this offer. I guess he was part of the guest list as well.

Before Daniel could stutter an excuse, I spoke before he had the chance to. "That is certainly a gracious offer your majesty..." I said. "But I'm afraid I have to decline. I am feeling quite faint after all this excitement and I wish not to spoil your party." I took out my fan and gracefully started to fan my face.

"Nonsense! You would be the fire of this intimate gathering!" he said with disappointment. I had a feeling he was talking about a different kind of party, you know, one where I would be completely alone with him and possibly naked. "His majesty is too kind. I am a fool to refuse such a courteous offer. However it seems I won't be able to hide my secretly any longer."

I turn to face Daniel who was trying to keep a straight face but I could read confusion in his eyes. "Darling..." I started, taking in a deep breath. "I am with child."