Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade Chapter 3 breakdown

It’s almost time for a trip to Helwater in Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade Chapter 3. That means a trip to see Jamie Fraser.

This chapter sets up the story for John to marry Isobel. After all, we know that it has to happen at some point, but we never did find out how the two ended up together. Well, now it’s clear, with John being asked to come to Helwater.

This chapter also makes the timeline clear. Geneva and Ellesmere have died. That puts us at the time of William’s birth in Outlander.

Breaking down Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade Chapter 3

The chapter starts with John home but unable to sleep. There is a lot playing on his mind when it comes to Hal. It’s clear that the two brothers have grown apart over the years, and now John is frustrated that he doesn’t know his brother all that well.

The next morning, John learns from his mother that Geneva died in childbirth and Ellesmere has died by an “accident.” We know what’s happened thanks to reading Outlander, and I love hearing all of this through the letter and getting to hear John’s thoughts on the matter. We also find out just how John and Isobel end up together.

Lord Dunsany wants John to come to Helwater to help Isobel in her grief. It’s clear that Dunsany respects John, and this is a man who is sure to set up a relationship for his younger daughter. He’ll want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to Geneva as Isobel is all he has left.

Benedicta comments that John will have been going to Helwater soon to check on his “pet criminal,” anyway. I love her humor, but it’s clear from some of her comments about Jamie Fraser that she suspects something. I think she knows about John’s sexuality but she doesn’t want to admit to them. They’re wrong for the time period, and she needs to avoid more shame being brought on the family.

John needs to settle his mind to head to Helwater, though. It means putting his fling with Percy on hold, but it means he gets to see Jamie Fraser again.

Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?

If the Lord John books were adapted into a show, I could see this chapter being used. We would need a reminder of where the Outlander storyline is within this one, and this is the perfect way to do it. It sets up events for John and Isobel to end up being together, and it brings a reason for John to head to Helwater to see Jamie.

I would also love to see Benedicta’s comments about Jamie. We need to see where John gets his humor from. It would also be helpful to see those signs that she knows about her son. Maybe she wants to push for a marriage to Isobel as it would help to stop people talking—I’m guessing there is talk.