Outlander Book Club: Book 1, Chapter 20 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with what should be a little fun. Claire and Jamie have found a spot to do some love-making, but they have two British Army deserters come upon them. These two men decide they want to have their way with Claire before killing Jamie.

As mentioned in the Chapter 18 breakdown, it was clear that she would have to use the skills she learned eventually. That happened in this chapter, as she used her knife to kill one of the deserters just before he raped her. It wasn’t a perfect stab, but she managed to keep her wits about her and make sure she stabbed him right the second time.

Both Claire and Jamie are in some shock after the attack. They’re so focused on each other that they don’t hear Dougal coming about them. Dougal has no idea that the two have been attacked and he doesn’t find out in the chapter. Instead, he berates Jamie for allowing him the chance to sneak up on the pair, leading to Claire end up in a fit of laughter. After all, that’s what happened with the deserters.

However, while she ended up laughing, she also ended up scared.

We move onto Jamie making it clear that Claire has to remain in a copse alone for a while. He, Dougal and a few men need to see Horrocks, while Ned and others will continue collecting rent. It will be safer for Claire to remain in a hidden section of the copse for a few hours.

Of course, she doesn’t want to leave. She wants to remain with Jamie. After being attacked by the deserters, she doesn’t feel safe alone. She admits that she’s found a comfort with the men’s sounds, which connects back to an earlier chapter where she mentions how it felt odd being alone in a room. It’s funny what we get used to.

But while alone, Claire realizes that she’s just a few miles away from Fort William. That means she’s just a few extra miles away from Craigh na Dun. She has a chance to get back home, and she decides to take it.

There is a quick thought of Jamie, but she assumes he’ll move on. It’s not like they’ve been married for long. But to get to Craigh na Dun, she has to follow a river, which often means stepping onto stones in the middle to avoid sharp rocks.

Of course, things go wrong. She slips in the water and there’s a chance she’ll drown if she doesn’t focus. Fortunately, she manages to find what she thinks is a branch to pull herself out of the water. It’s not a branch, though. It’s an arm.

Claire comes face-to-face with Corporal Hawkins. She knows what this means.