Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn discussion

Posting a few hours early, I won't have time in the morning and will be home late tomorrow, so I wanted to get it posted before then.

Happy guessing, although I'm sure most will figure it out :)
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I remonstrated at some length further on the ride back to the inn. Dougal advised me finally to save my breath to cool my parritch with, and after that we rode in silence.

Reaching the inn, I flung my reins to the ground and stamped upstairs to the refuge of my room.

The whole idea was not only outrageous, but unthinkable. I paced around and around the narrow room, feeling increasingly like a rat in a trap. Why in hell hadn't I had the nerve to steal away from the Scots earlier, whatever the risk?

I sat down on the bed and tried to think calmly. Considered strictly from Dougal’s point of view, no doubt the idea had merit If he refused point blank to hand me over to Randall, with no excuse, the Captain might easily try to take me by force. And whether he believed me or not, Dougal might understandably not want to engage in a skirmish with a lot of English dragoons for my sake.

And, viewed in cold blood, the idea had some merit from my side as well. If I were married to a Scot, I would presumably no longer be watched and guarded. It would be that much easier to get away when the time came. And if it were Hero-well, he liked me, clearly. And he knew the Highlands like the backs of his hands. He would perhaps take me to Craigh na Dun, or at least in the general direction. Yes, possibly marriage was the best way to gain my goal.

That was the cold-blooded way to look at it. My blood, however, was anything but cold. I was hot with fury and agitation, and could not keep still, pacing and fuming, looking for a way out. Any way. After an hour of this, my face was flushed and my head throbbing. I got up and threw open the shutters, sticking my head out into the cooling breeze.

There was a peremptory rap on the door behind me. Dougal entered as I pulled my head in. He bore a sheaf of stiff paper like a salver and was followed by Rupert and the immaculate Ned Gowan, bringing up the rear like royal equerries.

“Please do come in,” I said courteously.

Ignoring me as usual, Dougal removed a chamber pot from its resting place on the table and fanned the sheets of paper out ceremoniously on the rough oak surface.

“All done,” he said, with the pride of one who has shepherded a difficult project to a successful conclusion. “Ned’s drawn up the papers; nothing like a lawyer-so long as he’s on your side, eh Ned?”

The men all laughed, evidently in good humor.

“Not really difficult, ye ken,” Ned said modestly. “It’s but a simple contract.” He riffled the pages with a proprietary forefinger, then paused, wrinkling his brow at a sudden thought.

“You've no property in France, have ye?” he asked, peering worriedly at me over the half-spectacles he wore for close work. I shook my head, and he relaxed, shuffling the papers back into a pile and tapping the edges neatly together.

“That’s that, then. You’ll only need to sign here at the foot, and Dougal and Rupert to witness.”

The lawyer set down the inkpot he had brought in, and whipping a clean quill from his pocket, presented it ceremoniously to me.

“And just what is this?” I asked. This was in the nature of a rhetorical question, for the top page of the bundle said CONTRACT OF MARRIAGE in a clear calligraphic hand, the letters two inches high and starkly black across the page.

Dougal suppressed a sigh of impatience at my recalcitrance.

“Ye ken quite well what it is.” He said shortly. “And unless you've had another bright thought for keeping yourself out of Randall’s hands, you’ll sign it and have done with it. Time’s short.”

Bright thoughts were in particularly short supply at the moment, despite the hour I had spent hammering away at the problem. It really began to seem that this incredible alternative was the best I could do, struggle as I might.

“But I don’t want to marry!” I said stubbornly. It occurred to me as well that mine was not the only point of view involved. I remembered the girl with blond hair I had seen kissing Hero in the alcove at the castle.

“And maybe Hero doesn't want to marry me!” I said What about that?” Dougal dismissed this as unimportant.

“Hero’s a soldier, he’ll do as he’s told. So will you,” he said pointedly, “unless, of course, ye’d prefer and English prison.”

I glared at him, breathing heavily. I had been in a stir ever since our abrupt removal from Randall’s office, and my level of agitation had now increased substantially, confronted with the choice in black and white, as it were.

“I want to talk to him,” I said abruptly. Dougal’s eyebrows shot up.

“Hero? Why?”

“Why? Because you’re forcing me to marry him, and so
far as I can see, you haven’t even told him!”

Plainly this was an irrelevancy, as far as Dougal was concerned, but he eventually gave in and, accompanied by his minions, went to fetch Hero from the taproom
below.

Hero appeared shortly, looking understandably bewildered.

“Did you know that Dougal want us to marry?” I demanded bluntly.

His expression cleared. “Oh, aye I knew that.”

“But surely,” I said, “a young man like yourself; I mean, isn't there anyone else you’re ah interested in?” He looked blank for a moment, then understanding dawned.

“Oh, am I promised? Nay, I’m no much of a prospect for a girl.” He hurried on, as though feeling this might sound insulting. “I mean, I've no property speak of, and nothing more than a soldier’s pay to live on.”

He rubbed his chin, eyeing me dubiously. “Then there’s the minor difficulty that I've a price on my head. No father much wants his daughter married to a man as may be arrested and hanged any time. Did ye think of that?”

I flapped my hand, dismissing the matter of outlawry as a minor consideration, compared to the whole monstrous idea. I had one last try.

“Does it bother you that I’m not a virgin?” He hesitated a moment before answering.

“Well, no,” he said slowly, “so long as it doesna bother you that I am.” He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door.

“Reckon one of us should know what they’re doing.” He said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over.

God I love these books, I'm on #4 now

I find her a mixed bag--some wonderful moments, but buried in too much other stuff

I think I'm the odd-bird on this series. I didn't enjoy it when I first read the books and I'm very hesitant to try going back to re-read. At least now there are other ways to enjoy the storyline :)

I have a good guess. If I'm right, I belong to the minority in the romance community who has not read the books.

What Janga said.

Same here - I know what it is, but still haven't got around to reading it!

I didn't read it until I saw the show! I have a huge crush on the lead guy so I was interested in reading the books

No idea! Never saw a show like this either. She's definitely in a pickle.

I haven't really read the main books. I skimmed one and was captured by a wonderful scene where a secondary character wrote and then burned a love letter to the hero. Started reading the side series about that character but couldn't keep it up. I think her books would be wonderful if she had an editor that took out all the stuff that should be back story.

I know I've read this one recently, but the senior moment is governing my inability to pull a title from the ether...
I'll look forward once again to the revelation :)

Oh I've read it. I'm with Deb (DLS) on the writing. Great storytelling with flashes of brilliance. I got burnt out around two books ago. Just too many words...

What time period is this set in? Is it okay to ask that?

Other people can drop hints if they choose...in this case the time period is, shall we say, confused.

Well. DLS, I can now guess the book's title. Hope I got it right!

I liked this book, but agree the author gets very wordy.

As most of you know it is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I actually tried to read this book years ago, but it was so long and wordy, I just couldn't get into it. Since the TV series started a couple of weeks ago and I started watching it and loved it, I thought I'd give the books another chance. Certainly enjoying it more now, they are just so long.

It takes a lot of time, Cheri. I think I had just gotten out of grad school and hadn't found a job yet when I read the first four. I remember finishing one and driving to B&N at nine at night to get the next one. (This was before e-books.)

I'm really enjoying the show a lot. For about five minutes I thought about reading the books again but I don't have that kind of time these days.

The casting for that show is beyond amazing

Rachel, you are so right! I don't know who the guy who plays Jamie is but I think they got it perfect. Manda, it does take a lot of time to read them, I've even taken a break to read a quick novella just to break it up some. Some of the novella's out there make you appreciate a book like Outlander, it is very well written and edited :)

Sam Heughan - super hot in a kilt, google it!

You had me at Dougal. :) I have read every one as soon as they were released, huge fan. Loved every book. The size of the books do not bother me, as I read every day anyway. I just read the same book for several days instead of two or three.

Sharlene, I read everyday too & so far I really like the books! I'm excited to see the series play out in film! It's pretty spot on as far as following the books!