Outlander Book Club: Written in My Own Heart’s Blood Chapter 42 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter is a relatively short one. It starts with Bree trying to figure out what to do. All she can do is write Roger a letter. Does this suggest that she’s decided to leave Lallybroch and knows that Roger will eventually return?

While doing that, she finds a hidden letter from Frank. This letter details some of what Frank knew. He knew that Jamie Fraser did really exist, and he believes in time travel. He found proof that Claire was in the past, and knows that there is a chance that Bree can travel too. It’s no wonder he’s been preparing her for life in the 18th century. He doesn’t know if she does travel, but suspects that she can.

During the letter, Frank mentions the Lovat Prophecy that says “the last of Lovat’s line will rule Scotland.” It’s not really clear what it all means together. And it doesn’t help that Simon Lovat had three wives and several illegitimate children—and he only claimed two of them, Brian being one of them.

Frank has found a family tree that connects Bree to Jamie, Jamie to Brian, and Brian to Simon. Bree is angry that Jem and Mandy haven’t been mentioned in all this. Frank doesn’t know who made the family tree, and he has been trying to find answers. We don’t get to find out if he did get answers, but he makes it clear that the Service (and we’re to assume MI6 there?) knows nothing. Reverend Wakefield knows everything and Bree is to speak to him if he’s still alive. We know that’s not the case.

It all feels like Bree has hit a dead end with this. One thing that she does feel is Frank’s love for her in the letter. We also see that while Frank didn’t like the idea of Jamie (and who would considering they loved the same woman), Frank knows that Jamie will protect Brianna.