Outlander Book Club: Book 2, Chapter 35 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

We pick up with Jamie getting ready to join Charles. Jenny has a request. She needs Jamie to take Ian with him, knowing that her husband will feel useless if he has to stay behind. Jenny won’t have part of her husband, so she’d rather allow him to die on the battlefield where he’ll feel useful.

However, when Jamie asks Ian to join him, Ian says that he’s needed at Lallybroch. He won’t be any good on the battlefield, which means he should stay home. He won’t leave Jenny with three children to raise.

With that, Claire starts to question whether Jamie is going to leave her behind. After all, while in the workings of figuring out who from Lallybroch can join him with Charles and who will need to remain at Lallybroch to help with the farms. Jamie has already made it clear that women and children aren’t joining him.

Does that mean Claire is staying behind? Oh no! Jamie needs Claire with him. It’s not just that he needs her physically, but she’s a damn fine healer. She also has some knowledge of the events to come. Even if she doesn’t remember things now or think they’re important, they could be in the moment.

Jamie also says that he’s going to bring Fergus. The boy has grown attached to the Frasers and has proved to be useful. Jamie isn’t leaving him behind.

That night, Claire wakes to realize Jamie isn’t able to sleep. Baby Katherine also isn’t able to sleep, so Jamie decides to take Katherine to allow Jenny to get some sleep that night. Claire hears Jamie talking to Katherine softly. She doesn’t quite hear it all clearly, but she can tell that he’s working through his worries.

Jenny notes to Claire the next morning that people are able to talk to babies in a way they can’t talk to anyone else. Babies don’t understand, but it’s possible to talk to their souls.