Outlander Book Club: The Fiery Cross Chapter 44 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

Claire goes to see Jocasta about Duncan’s secret, but she thinks about Duncan’s injury along the way. She wants to see Duncan’s parts to see what type of injury he sustained, wondering if he had been castrated. That would be the only reason she’d think physically he wouldn’t be able to perform, and she doesn’t think that happened.

However, she acknowledges that Duncan is a shy man. He probably wouldn’t let her look at anything. She does think that it’s all psychological, though.

She finally gets to talk to Jocasta about it all, though. Jocasta is relieved. She had wondered why Duncan hadn’t shown her that much affection when she flirted with him, and now it all makes sense for her. Now she does have to decide whether she still wants to marry him.

The priest overhears some of the conversation. He doesn’t speak English, but he does speak Latin, so he can understand the word “scrotum.” Claire explains the situation since she can’t lie about it, and the priest explains that consummation is important as it allows God to bless the marriage with children if he chooses to. However, the priest notes that children isn’t something for Jocasta and Duncan considering Jocasta’s age.

Jocasta decides that she wants to marry Duncan anyway. The priest is still concerned that it won’t be a consummated marriage, but Jocasta isn’t backing down. She is going to marry this man. It secures her at River Run and Jamie gets his wish that Duncan is protected financially after such a hard life.