Dragonfly in Amber

Jamie and Claire get a steady stream of correspondence from their friends in France despite the difficulties of transporting mail to the Highlands. Claire fills her days helping Jenny with the housework and visiting the tenant to provide treats for the children and medicines. She also reflects on her childhood and compares it to Jamie’s.

Ian has begun to grow potatoes. Since potatoes have never been grown in Scotland, Ian ordered a book from Ireland that explains how to grow them. He is unsure when they should be harvested. The book says, “harvesting of the crop should be undertaken simultaneously with the appearance of the first winter goose” (563), but they see geese all year round in Scotland. They simply dig some up, decide they are ready, and cook a bunch for everyone to celebrate.

Jenny and Claire discuss the importance of boys having brothers. At the same time, Jamie and Ian go to Broch Mordha for supplies and are late in returning. When they return, Ian is clearly suffering from an accident that broke his peg leg and left him with bruises and scrapes. Claire learns later that Jamie hit Ian because he got too close to him during the night. The next day, feeling guilty, Jamie told Ian what Jack Randall did to him at Wentworth Prison.

The spring comes and Jenny gives birth to a baby girl, Katherine Mary. One day late in spring, the mail arrives carrying two letters for Jamie, one from his cousin Jared and one from Charles Stuart. Both letters refer to a “Bill of Association” (592) that bears Jamie’s signature. Jared signed it for Jamie. Somehow, Charles Stuart has raised the money he needs, and he is coming to Scotland to begin the Jacobite Uprising, and Jared has forced Jamie to join.

Jamie begins preparations to go to war. He declares that no children or women are to accompany the men. He makes an exception, however, for Claire because of her healing abilities, and for Fergus, because he belongs with Jamie. Charles Stuart arrives in Scotland with only a small armament and a few men. Jamie has trouble sleeping because he is nervous, but he is determined to go.