Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 28 breakdown
Just the Outlander chapter
Claire is treating her patients at the start of the episode. Young Ian is now suffering, although Claire doesn’t seem all too worried. There is a sweet moment when Rollo comes in to rest with Young Ian, and I just have to smile at the moment. I have two dogs that are just the same. They will do anything to offer their comfort.
Young Ian sleeps through a lot of the chapter, fighting the infection. This gives Lord John Grey and Claire some time to talk. John isn’t suffering as much, through the worst of the illness now. So, the two talk about Jamie, their intentions, and their children.
There is talk of jealousy and of love. Claire is also curious about John’s wife, Isobel, and John admits to why he came to the Ridge. He wanted to see Jamie to see if he could still feel something. He didn’t feel anything when he learned of Isobel’s death, despite being fond of her. He can still love, though, so it’s not that he’s broken.
Claire also tells John a little bit about Brianna. More of the fact that she has a daughter with Jamie. John is shocked to hear that. Jamie has never mentioned anything about a child with Claire.
One thing John does note is that he understands what Jamie sees in Claire. While she is a handsome woman, it’s more about her strength of character, which is something he admires.
Later in the chapter, Claire sees a Lutheran minister turn up at the house. This minister is worried because Mueller’s daughter and grandchild have died of the measles. Mueller blames a local tribe, but Claire has no idea who that is. All she knows is that Mueller is on his way to her, and that could put her in danger.
The only way she figures this out is through John. Since he’s not contagious anymore, he can be around the minister and translate the German for her.
Mueller finally arrives. Claire realizes that he’s killed and scalped Nayawenne and her tribe. Mueller came to gift Claire the scalps to help lift the curse from her house, too. Now everything about something not being Claire’s fault finally makes sense.
It’s certainly a sad way to end the chapter, but I’m so glad she wasn’t alone for this. While it wasn’t Jamie, having John there is important.