Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter opens with Lord John Grey alone. He’s still tied up, and it takes some time for Richardson to join him.
The first thing that Richardson asks about is why John married Claire. John has already answered this in that he was doing something for a friend, Jamie. However, Richardson knows there’s more to it, and he wants to get to the bottom of it.
When John doesn’t give him the answer that he wants, Richardson asks if he knows what Claire is. Richardson knows that Claire is a time traveler, and based on a reaction from John, he realizes that John knows the truth, too. It’s time to find out what Richardson wants.
He shares that his great-grandmother was a slave. Despite John making light of how children shouldn’t inherit the bad of their ancestors, Richardson continues. He wants to know if John agrees with slavery. Of course, John doesn’t.
Now, Richardson shares that slavery was allowed to continue because the Americans won the Revolutionary War. This led to another bloody war (the Civil War). It also led to more problems and difficult times, and I’m guessing we’re talking all about the Jim Crow movement, racism, the Civil Rights movement, and more. Richardson knows his history, so he is definitely from somewhere in the future. Has he time travelled more than once?
Richardson believes that Hal’s speech to the House of Lords leads to the Americans winning and the British abandoning the colonies. He believes this led to slavery being allowed to continue. He wants to make sure the British win.
Something John realizes is that Hal’s speech is to protect his son, Ben. Knowing that Ben would be classed as a traitor if the British wins, Hal wants to lead to an American victory. Ben can remain in the colonies and be safe from death.
Richardson shares that he thinks Hal will not do it if it means outing John. It would be a huge scandal for the Greys. Richardson also believes that John can die knowing that he is dying for Britain.