Outlander Book Club: Voyager Chapter 57 breakdown
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter opens with the Artemis reaching Jamaican shores. They see that the Porpoise has docked, which makes Jamie worried. Why is the Porpoise where the merchants and civilians dock? Why not at one of the Naval ports?
That will be linked to the new governor being on the ship. Claire learns that Lord John Grey is a friend of Jamie’s. Well, he was the Governor of Ardsmuir when he was a prisoner there, which makes Claire question Jamie’s idea of friendship. It is a complicated story to explain in a short amount of time, though, and it doesn’t really seem to matter at this point.
Before they disembark, Ishmael shares that he would like to go free at Jamaica. He doesn’t need the gold, but he wants to take Temeraire with him. Temeraire doesn’t argue against the idea, but I do get the feeling he’s shocked to hear that Jamie and Claire will just let him go. After all, they paid for him. He is their slave.
It’s not like Ishmael gives them a choice, though. Taking Temeraire isn’t a request. Lawrence Stern explains there are Maroons in Jamaica, just like in Hispaniola. That is where the two men are likely going.
Now it’s time to find their land legs and get on with the search for Young Ian. After a warm bath, a nap, and some passionate love making, Claire and Jamie enjoy dinner with the McIvers. The McIvers are employed by Jared, so they had expected the Frasers to arrive.
Rosie McIver knows who Mrs. Abernathy is and shares a story about Barnabas Abernathy. There are rumors that Mrs. Abernathy killed him, but she points out that slave cooks have been known to poison food. It’s just not something a lot of people talk about. Claire also considers the fact that Barbabas could have died of a disease.
Rosie also shares that Reverend Campbell was asking about Mrs. Abernathy. This is the same Campbell as Claire met in Edinburgh. Margaret has gone missing and the reverend had hoped Mrs. Abernathy may have had some answers to help him find her.