Outlander Book Club: Written in My Own Heart’s Blood Chapter 21 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

We start with Ian and Rachel. They get to where they were supposed to meet with Denzell and Dottie, but the two of them aren’t there. Ian and Rachel head to Philadelphia as just the two of them, and it gives Rachel a chance to see a happier Ian. He’s struggled with the loss of Jenny and Jamie.

Rachel thinks that Jenny wouldn’t like Ian’s choice of wife. We also see the two discuss how they will get married. Rachel doesn’t think that the Quaker way is an option, and she also doesn’t like the sound of how Brian and Ellen got married. They will have to think of their options later.

There are a few things going on before then, though. William comes across Rachel and Ian. This isn’t a happy reunion, especially as William now knows that Ian is his cousin. William punches Ian for this, possibly feeling like everyone was in on the secret but him. Rachel points out that she did think William and Jamie were related due to their resemblance.

Ian is angry at the entire situation. He lets his anger get the better of him and gets into a fight with William. When some British soldiers show up, William has Ian arrested for striking a British officer. One of the soldiers tells Rachel that Ian probably won’t be hanged, but he will get 500 lashes.

As Ian is being taken away, Rachel tries to talk to William. She ends up slapping him and William ends up kissing her. Eventually, Rachel walks away.

Ian’s cart passes Jamie’s cart, and Ian looks at Jamie as if he’s seen a ghost. Jamie gets caught up on the entire situation from Rachel and goes to see William. He makes it very clear that he will reveal all to those important if William doesn’t fix things for Ian. William doesn’t like the situation he’s in, but he does as he’s told.