Outlander Book Club: A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 98 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Claire and Jamie just finishing their first round of lovemaking. There is a lazy intimacy between them, but the conversation topic moves to something more serious. The two discuss why Tom decided to turn himself in. Was it something Tom always planned to do?

Jamie explains that Tom was in love with Claire. He also shares that Tom only turned himself in when it became clear that Claire had no chance of being freed. Jamie had tried hard, but Tom realized it was either now or never, and he couldn’t see Claire go down for something she didn’t do.

After that, Claire can’t help but think of people from her past. She mostly thinks about Tom and Malva, wondering what will happen to Tom now. Will he be hanged for his “crimes?” Probably. As for Malva, will the truth about her murder ever come out?

One thing she wonders is whether Ian did it. However, Jamie points out that there is no way Ian would have let Claire go down for his crimes. He would have done the right thing if necessary, but Ian isn’t a murderer.

As they finish the conversation, Jamie wants Claire again. She agrees, but her mind is on the ghosts of the past. Even Frank shows up in her thoughts, so she asks Jamie to stop and explains why. Jamie does agree to stop the lovemaking. He wants Claire to grieve and get past all this, and that means he will be there for her.