Hodie Mihi Cras Tibi, Said The Inscription.

I Talk To You As I Talk To My Own Soul," He Said, Turning Me To Face Him. He Reached Up And Cupped My Cheek, Fingers Light On My Temple. "and Sassenach," He Whispered, "your Face Is My Heart.

Bedding Her Could Be Anything From Tenderness To Riot, But To Take Her When She Was A Bit The Worse For Drink Was Always A Particular Delight. Intoxicated, She Took Less Care For Him Than Usual; Abandoned And Oblivious To All But Her Own Pleasure, She Would Rake Him, Bite Him - And Beg Him To Serve Her So, As Well. He Loved The Feeling Of Power In It, The Tantalizing Choice Between Joining Her At Once In Animal Lust, Or Of Holding Himself-for A Time- In Check, So As To Drive Her At His Whim.

Murtagh Was Right About Women. Sassenach, I Risked My Life For Ye, Committing Theft, Arson, Assault, And Murder Into The Bargain. In Return For Which Ye Call Me Names, Insult My Manhood, Kick Me In The Ballocks And Claw My Face. Then I Beat You Half To Death And Tell Ye All The Most Humiliating Things Have Ever Happened To Me, And Ye Say Ye Love Me." He Laid His Head On His Knees And Laughed Some More. Finally He Rose And Held Out A Hand To Me, Wiping His Eyes With The Other. "you're No Verra Sensible, Sassenach, But I Like Ye Fine. Let's Go.

Why, What's The Matter Wi' The Poor Child?" She Demanded Of Jamie. "has She Had An Accident O' Some Sort?" "no, It's Only She's Married Me," He Said, "though If Ye Care To Call It An Accident, Ye May.

For I Had Come Back, And I Dreamed Once More In The Cool Air Of The Highlands. And The Voice Of My Dream Still Echoed Through Ears And Heart, Repeated With The Sound Of Brianna's Sleeping Breath. "you Are Mine," It Had Said. "mine. And I Will Not Let You Go.