Outlander Kitchen

Hot Broth at Castle Leoch from Outlander

“I’m so sorry…that is, I mean, thank you for…but I…” I was babbling, backing away from him with my face flaming.  He was a bit flushed, too, but not disconcerted.  He reached for my hand and pulled me back.  Careful not to touch me otherwise, he put a hand under my chin and forced my head up to face him.

“Ye need not be scairt of me,” he said softly.  “Nor of anyone here, so long as I’m with ye.” He let go and turned to the fire.

“You need somethin’ hot, lass,” he said matter-of-factly, “and a bit to eat as well.  Something in your belly will help more than anything.”  I laughed shakily at his attempts to pour broth one-handed, and went to help.  He was right; food did help.  We sipped broth and ate bread in a companionable silence, sharing the growing comfort of warmth and fullness.

Finally, he stood up, picking up the fallen quilt from the floor.  He dropped it back on the bed, and motioned me toward it.  “Do ye sleep a bit, Claire.  You’re worn out, and likely someone will want to talk wi’ ye before too long.”

This was a sinister reminder of my precarious position, but I was too exhausted to care much.  I uttered no more than a pro forma protest at taking the bed; I had never seen anything so enticing.  Jamie assured me that he could find a bed elsewhere.  I fell headfirst into the pile of quilts and was asleep before he reached the door.

Diana Gabaldon, Outlander (Chapter 4)