Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 12 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Claire getting ready for dinner. Phaedre is taking in one of Jocasta’s old dresses to fit Claire rather than getting a new one made. It’s perfect for the time period, as this would have usually happened. We also saw this repurposing happen a lot on the TV series.

Jo has a good memory for color, but also for the dress. She helps Phaedre find something that will help to add to the bosom, where Claire’s is larger than Jocasta’s.

After fitting the dress and getting ready for dinner, Ulysses reaches out for Claire. He quickly steps back and apologizes, before leaving. Claire notes that his eye for her could have dangerous if it was any other woman, but it’s actually something much bigger than that, and we’ll get into that in the foreshadowing.

Jamie is in Hector’s plaid, and he tells Claire that she needs to create some sort of distraction at dinner. he doesn’t tell her why, but it’s clear that her creating a distraction isn’t necessary. However, she does get ready by asking for Philip Wylie to be seated next to him so she can get ready to stab him with a fork when it comes to the distraction.

She’s also sat with Herman Husband and Mr. Hunter. Both are involved in the Regulators, and Claire uses this chance to learn a little about them. There isn’t much to learn, nor is there time to learn too much.

John Quincy Myers makes a scene. He wants Claire to operate on him now, and he is steaming drunk for it. Claire doesn’t really want to do it, but everyone there wants to see her in action. Even Jocasta is happy for it to happen.

That leads to Claire doing the hernia operation instead of the dinner party going ahead. All goes smoothly and one of the slaves agrees (surprised to be asked) to stay and watch over him while Claire leaves to speak to Jamie. What does Jamie want to speak to her about? We’ll have to wait until the next Drums of Autumn chapter.