Outlander Book Club: An Echo in the Bone Chapter 40 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Ian thinking about Joseph Brant. He is the Mohawk chief Thayendanegea, and has found a way to merge his English affiliations with his Mohawk ones. Ian does feel conflicted between the two parts of him, and he needs to figure out how to merge them. He would like to talk to Brant about that, but he decides to ask about Sun Elk instead.

Sun Elk is Emil’s husband. It turns out that the family is in Unadilla, so Ian and Rollo head on a journey to there. On the way, they come upon a Mohawk camp where he eats with the men. There is a moment where he considers laying with a woman, but she reminds him of Emily and he can’t do it.

After that, he makes it to Brant’s house and meets with a few men. Eats Turtles and Sun Elk are both there, two men Ian knows. Sun Elk isn’t happy that Ian wants to see Emily, worried that Ian will try to take her away. Why would he come 300 miles if he wasn’t going to take Emily away? There is a fight that breaks up, but after this, Ia heads out to see his ex-wife.

This is when Ian starts to wonder about whether Emily wants to see him. He hasn’t even considered her feelings up to this point. When they do come face-to-face, Ian apologizes for not being able to give Emily children. She accepts his apology, and now she has one of her own.

There is a chance for the two of them to connect and find out more about each other. It’s clear that Emily isn’t over Ian all that much. She made a choice for the sake of her tribe, but not one that her heart would have chosen. Ian wants to make sure Emily is happy, but he’s confused that she doesn’t wonder the same. Emily simply tells him that she has eyes. She can see the sadness in him.

I adore that we get this moment. We see that their love is never going to disappear. It will change over time, but they will always be fond of each other, and it’s no wonder Sun Elk was worried about losing his wife.

After Emily leaves, Ian is left with her son, Digger. Digger shares that Emily said he is the child of Ian’s spirit, but he’s not supposed to say anything to his father. I do think this is a clear sign that Emily and Ian did eventually have a child together.

Emily has another child, a girl. She asks Ian to name the child, but he wants to name the boy. Emily doesn’t like that, saying the boy is hers to name. To be honest, getting Ian to name the girl is surprising. This would be an honor to a biological family member, and at this point, we’re left to believe that none of these children are Ian’s biologically. It’s supposed to show the emotional and spiritual connection Emily and Ian have. I do think it shows something else.