Chapter 9

Five days had passed since Jen"s arrival, and she found herself immersed in a world so different from her own. What had initially been a bewildering experience had slowly transformed into something unexpected. She discovered a sense of joy and belonging in the embrace of the Scottish people and their timeless traditions.

On this particular day, Jen made her way to the stables, her steps filled with a newfound lightness. As she entered the rustic haven of horses and hay, she was greeted with a delightful surprise. There, amid the equine companions, stood Cam.

A playful smile tugged at the corners of Jen"s lips as she approached him. "Well, well, Cam. I see you"ve found solace among the noble steeds," she remarked, her voice laced with good-natured banter.

Cam chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Aye, lass. The horses possess a wisdom few can comprehend. Besides, they seem to share a kinship with your fiery spirit."

Jen smiled and reached up to pet the horse in the stall Cam stood next to.

Cam"s brow arched. "I"m curious, is there anything in this MMA fighting style of yours that you would be willing to teach me that you won"t teach the others?" he asked, his voice soft.

Jennifer"s laughter bubbled forth, the sound echoing through the stables. "I"d be delighted, Cam. But be warned, mixed martial arts is not for the faint of heart."

"I assure you, lass, I am far from faint of heart." He gave her a cocky grin.

Jen grinned back and thought about what to teach him. After a moment, she made up her mind to show him the rear-naked choke. "I"ll show you a move that has the potential to put your opponent to sleep if you do it correctly," she said, then with a slightly mischievous grin, added, "It"s called a rear-naked choke."

Cam arched a brow and burst into laughter. "Must you do it unclothed?"

Jen just shook her head, a twinkle in her eye as she too laughed. She led Cam through the intricacies of the move right there in the stables. With each demonstration and correction, their laughter mingled with the sweet scent of hay, filling the stable with an air of camaraderie and joy.

Cam, despite his initial confusion at the intimacy of the move, embraced the unfamiliar fighting style with determination and a touch of grace. His movements, though different from what Jennifer had been accustomed to, carried the fiery spirit of the Highlands, blending tradition with the unorthodox.

As they laughed and practiced together, a sense of mutual respect and admiration grew between them. They reveled in the connection forged through the sharing of knowledge and the breaking of boundaries, finding solace.

Through the shared moments of laughter and learning, as well as their exchange of skills and stories, they discovered a deep appreciation for each other"s worlds, recognizing the strength and beauty that lay within both the ancient traditions of the Highlands and Jennifer"s modern world approach.

As the stables filled with the echoes of their shared laughter, Jen couldn"t help but be grateful for this unexpected connection. In Cam, she had found a friend and confidant, someone who had welcomed her into his world with open arms and an open heart.

As Jennifer and Cam continued their lively banter and playful training, a spark of something more flickered between them.

A couple of days later, the training grounds were a hive of activity as Jennifer prepared for another day of instructing Cam"s warriors. Her determination burned bright within her, a flame that refused to be extinguished by the rounds of skepticism or adversity that came from a particular quarter of the guardsmen.

Jen could sense tension in the air as she stepped onto the field. Whispers and sidelong glances followed her, fueled by the dissenting voices of Cam"s older cousin, Malcolm, and his supporters. Their belief that training with her was a waste of time threatened to undermine her efforts. Especially training from a woman with a strange accent and no family connections near or far. Suspicions were cast upon her that she might be a witch or a spy.

Cam, standing by Jennifer"s side, clenched his fists, frustrated with their suspicions. "I will not tolerate their disrespect, lass. We must show them the strength of your teachings and the value they bring."

Jen nodded; her gaze focused. "I agree, Cam, but we cannot force them to participate. We can prove the worth of our methods through our actions, though."

The training began, and Jennifer spared no effort in demonstrating the techniques she had honed through years of practice. However, the men now seemed resistant, their responses lackluster and their attention wandering. Malcolm, in particular, made his disdain apparent, deriding the training.

"I question your leadership to let a woman teach the men," Malcolm said with a sneer.

Cam"s face reddened with anger; his voice sharp as he confronted Malcolm. "You dare to undermine our unity and dishonor our clan? This disrespect will not go unanswered."

As their argument unfolded, Jennifer"s gaze flickered between the two men, gaining insights into the deep-rooted bitterness that fueled Malcolm"s hostility. She realized that their disagreement ran deeper than a difference in opinion—it stemmed from a longstanding rivalry and a wounded ego.

Determined to prove herself, Jennifer hatched a daring plan.

At the next training session, she announced to the assembled guardsmen, "Any man who wishes to walk away and not train under my guidance may do so. But if you truly believe this is all a waste of time, then prove it. Face me in a barehand fight. If you defeat me, I will accept your decision without question."

A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd, but Malcolm clearly saw an opportunity to humiliate both Jen and Cam. He stepped forward, a smug grin on his face. "I"ll be the one to teach you a lesson, lass. And I will enjoy pushing you to the ground and maybe laying on top of you."

The men cackled. Cam was about to step forward, but she shook her head, no.

"Let"s have it then, Malcolm," Jen said waving him in.

The tension in the air was palpable as the two squared off. Jennifer"s heart raced, the weight of the challenge on her shoulders. With each movement, she showcased the techniques she had taught them, their fluidity a testament to her skill and determination.

The fight was fierce, a dance of strength and agility. Jen"s focus remained unyielding; her eyes locked on her opponent. She anticipated Malcolm"s every move, countering his clunky attacks with precision and grace.

Finally, with a well-timed kick, Jennifer sent Malcolm crashing to the ground, his back hitting the earth with a thud. The crowd erupted in astonishment and applause.

But as Malcolm rose to his feet, his face twisted with anger and humiliation, he drew a knife from his belt. A hushed gasp swept through the onlookers; their collective breath caught in their throats.

Jen"s heart pounded in her chest as she prepared to defend herself. Without hesitation, she launched herself forward, her training guiding her movements. With a swift strike, she landed a jab, her fist connecting with Malcolm"s eye, then she grabbed his knife-wielding hand and twisted, using his body"s momentum to make him drop the knife as she flipped him to the ground. He struggled to rise as she grabbed up the knife and tossed it away. A moment later, she was on him, grappling and maneuvering herself around his body, putting him into the same chokehold she"d shown Cam days earlier. Soon enough, he was disarmed, defeated, and passed out from the hold.

The training grounds fell silent, the gravity of the moment settling over the men. Malcolm, woke to find he"d lost and slunk away, nursing his bruised pride.

The men who had already been on Cam"s side erupted with cheers. They gathered around and congratulated her. She laughed and locked eyes with Cam. He applauded and cheered along with the others.

Malcolm"s presence was absent from the subsequent training sessions. However, his absence seemed to fuel others' curiosity.

Later in her chambers, Jen stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the shimmering waters of the loch below. The moonlight danced on its surface, casting an enchanting glow. Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by a gentle knock at the door. Curiosity piqued, she crossed the chamber and opened it.

To her delight, Cam stood before her with a smile. "May I come in, lass?"

Jen"s heart fluttered at the sight of him, his presence filling the room with an undeniable magnetism. "Of course, Cam. Please, come in."

As he entered, Cam"s eyes lingered on her, his voice filled with admiration. "I must say, lass, I am impressed with your fighting style. You handled yourself masterfully and put Malcolm in his place. You"ve gained the respect of the men."

A warm flush spread across Jen"s cheeks as she met Cam"s gaze. "Thank you, Cam. Your words mean a great deal to me. I"m glad to have earned their respect."

Cam"s smile deepened, and he extended a hand toward her. "In celebration of your victories, perhaps we could toast your achievements with a glass of fine Scottish whisky."

Jen hesitated for a moment, torn between the undeniable attraction she felt and the cautionary voice in her mind. Ultimately, her desire to embrace the moment won, and she accepted his offer. "I would love to."

They settled by the crackling fire, the flickering flames casting playful shadows across the room. Cam poured the liquid into two mugs, and as they raised their glasses, their eyes locked in a shared understanding. Chemistry crackled in the air between them.

Jen"s heart urged her to surrender to the magnetic pull, to lean in, and let her lips meet his. Yet, her rational mind cautioned her against it, reminding her that Cam was still a stranger in this unfamiliar world, and they"d only known one another for a few days.

Their smiles mirrored one another's, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken desires swirling between them. Jen"s hand trembled slightly as she brought the glass to her lips, the taste of the whisky mingling with the bittersweet ache of longing.

In that intimate moment, Jennifer realized the complexity of her emotions. Her heart yearned to follow its desires, to surrender to the passionate energy that surged between them. But her head warned her of the risks and uncertainty that lay ahead.

With a gentle sigh, Jennifer pushed aside her inner turmoil, savoring the warmth of the whisky and the company of the man before her.

"I believe you are the talk of the castle," Cam said.

"Am I? I don"t want to be. I prefer not to be anyone"s target," she said. "Especially not as a woman." Her brow rose.

Cam smiled. "Not even if 'tis me?" His smile widened.

Jen felt her cheeks heat at his gaze. "So, there"s no one special in your life whose toes I"d be stepping on?"

"I've had a tryst here and there in the past, lass. I will be truthful about that. There was one who I thought I would marry. Sadly, she didnae make it past her twenty-fifth year," he said.

"Oh, Cam, I"m so sorry."

"Don"t be. I admit my heart was sore for a wee bit, but that was nearly five years ago. No one holds my heart now," he said.

"I see," she said.

She desperately wanted to kiss him, but she knew she shouldn"t. It could jeopardize a lot. She needed to focus on the task at hand, training his men and meeting the wise woman who would tell her how to get home. She stood up to keep from being too close to him and moved to the window.

Cam stood up from the chair. "I suppose I should get back to my bed," he said.

Jennifer turned back to look at him, standing awkwardly by his chair. She smiled. "I"ll see you tomorrow," she said.

"Aye, I look forward to it," he murmured before he headed for the door and walked out.

Jen sighed. Then she shot back the last of her whisky and sat down by the fire again. Why was she being so coy with him? She might never see him again.

She was lost in her thoughts when a timid knock on the door disrupted her reverie. Opening it, she found Sally standing there, a hint of desperation in her eyes.

"Miss," Sally began, her voice soft, "I know it 'tis late, but I have a favor to ask."

"What is it, Sally? You look upset; come in." She held the door open wider.

Sally hurried in, wringing her hands together. She turned and a few tears slid down her cheeks.

Jennifer quickly closed the door and moved toward her, reaching for her hands. "Sally, what"s wrong? What can I do to help?"

"Oh, Miss… could you…" she hesitated and looked toward the window, then back again. "Could you teach me some of those moves you do?"

Jennifer was worried. It was late, and Sally was acting as though something awful had happened. "Did someone hurt you?"

Sally sniffled. "No, I… I got away, Miss, but…" She looked back toward the window again, and then seemed to pull herself together and strengthen her resolve. "I want to be able to ward off unwanted advances, Miss."

Jen squeezed her hand gently. "Then I would be happy to teach you how to defend yourself against anyone who pushes themselves on you."

Sally gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Miss. I"m ever so grateful to you." She turned toward the door.

"There isn"t much space here, but I can show you a few things now. Let"s move this table and clear a little space."

Surprised, Sally turned back and helped her move the table to the corner, opening up a space on the side of the room.

Jennifer demonstrated some basic defensive techniques, explaining the principles behind each move. Sally followed her instructions diligently, absorbing the knowledge with determination.

Jennifer could see the growing confidence in Sally"s eyes with each demonstration. "Remember, Sally, it"s all about using their strength against them and your quick thinking. Trust your instincts, and never hesitate when it comes time to defend yourself."

Sally nodded; her eyes gleaming with newfound determination. "Thank you, Miss. I feel safer already. I think this will help me defend against unwanted advances and also help protect me against other aggressors. There"s always unrest in these lands."

"I"m glad I could help you to feel safer. Just keep practicing and remember: It"s not always about strength; being smart in a fight is just as important. Men are almost always going to be stronger than we are, but we can use their strength against them with the right moves."

Jennifer couldn"t help but feel a sense of fulfillment. Sharing her knowledge and empowering others brought her immense joy, and seeing Sally"s efforts to learn reminded her of the resilience and strength that resided within each person.

They spent another hour practicing various defensive maneuvers, their movements becoming more fluid and confident with each repetition. Jennifer admired Sally"s determination and eagerness to learn, knowing that she was making a difference in her life.

As the training session came to an end, Jen patted Sally"s shoulder. "You"ve done great, Sally. You just need to keep practicing, and they"ll become second nature to you."

Sally beamed with pride. "Thank you, Miss. I feel much more confident now. I won"t let unwanted advances intimidate me anymore."

Jen nodded, and a yawn escaped. "I"m glad I could help, Sally."

"I should let you get your rest, Miss. I"m sorry to have kept you from your bed," Sally rushed to say.

"Don"t worry about it, Sally. I had fun, and I would much rather you ask me to teach you than you suffer from some man pawing at you."

Sally smiled as they put the room back in order. "Thank you, Miss. I"ll see you in the morning." She gave a small wave as she walked through the door.