An Echo in the Bone

In December 1777, John helps William prepare to cross enemy lines in search of Denny. Denny, Rachel, and Rollo travel to Philadelphia so Denny can perform surgery on Henry. During the surgery, William holds Rachel’s hands for support. Denny successfully removes one of the two bullets and uses a poultice he learned from Claire on the wound.

Later, Rachel notes to Denny how much William resembles Jamie and wonders if they are related. Denny teases Rachel about missing Ian. Suddenly, Dottie arrives. Denny is Dottie’s secret love, and the real reason she wanted to come to America. They met while Denny studied medicine in London. Dottie intends to convert to Quakerism, but Denny hesitates to ask this of her. Rachel proposes an impromptu Quaker meeting to see if the answer will come through prayer. During the meeting, Rachel thinks of Ian. After a short silence, Denny proposes to Dottie.

In early 1778, Claire and Ian arrive in Philadelphia. The British soldiers do not inspect Claire very closely when she enters the city, and she wonders if older women make the perfect spies. Claire visits Marsali while Ian goes to look for Rachel; they do not know the Hunters are also in Philadelphia. Fergus is in hiding, as the political situation is very dangerous. Claire attempts to buy vitriol to make ether for Henri-Christian’s surgery but learns from the apothecary that Lord John Grey already bought the entire store. Claire visits a delighted John; he bought the vitriol for Claire in the first place, hoping she could operate on Henry. Rachel arrives, and Claire tells her Ian is looking for her.

Claire performs a tonsillectomy on Henri-Christian, aided by Denny, who is amazed by the sedative effects of ether. William, Dottie, and Rachel wait outside and discuss how Dottie will break the news of her engagement to her father. William considers that his cousin is about to marry a rebel, and he will soon be “directly at war with […] his own family” (1063). Rollo growls at a visitor; it is Arch Bug, whom William recognizes from the crossroads in New Jersey.

Claire successfully removes the remaining bullet, though Henry has a difficult recovery ahead. Claire begins distributing revolutionary pamphlets, believing she is unlikely to get caught because of her age. She reads a letter from Jamie that announces his and Jenny’s intent to sail to America on the Euterpe. Jamie went to France to learn who might aid the American Revolution and describes attending a salon with Voltaire and telling an elaborate lie about how he lost his finger to gain favor with French politicians.

In 1980, Bree cuts apart a diamond brooch so Roger and William can use the gemstones to safely travel through the standing stones in pursuit of Rob and Jem. They assume Rob abducted Jem and time traveled with him but cannot imagine Rob’s motives. Before he leaves, Roger tells Bree, “I love you [...] I’ll bring him back. Believe me, Bree–I’ll see you again. In this world” (1077).

Bree seeks comfort in an unfinished letter from Jamie. Jamie calls Bree both “dangerous” and “in danger,” and Bree is unsure what her father means. Rob Cameron appears in the study. He did not time travel, but he has read the letters and demands to know where the gold is. He abducted Jem because Jamie’s letter mentioned that Jem knows the location of the Spaniard’s Cave. Rob demands Bree help him in return for Jem’s safety.

In Brest, France with Jamie, Jenny enjoys her newfound feeling of independence. Due to a drunk captain, they miss the Euterpe and set sail on the Philomene instead.

Lord John learns that the Euterpe sank with no survivors. Not knowing that he is on another ship, John brings Claire the news that Jamie is dead. She is devastated. That same day, Richardson visits John and announces his intention to arrest Claire for distributing “seditious pamphlets.” Richardson knows they are friends, so the forewarning is a courtesy. John, believing he can be of service to Jamie one last time, tells Claire she must marry him for protection, which will extend to her entire family. Claire and John marry immediately, and John gives her a new medical chest and microscope as a wedding present.

Devastated by Jamie’s supposed death and drinking heavily, Claire contemplates taking her own life. Meanwhile, Jamie contemplates death and grief on board the Philomene. Claire does not harm herself.

Claire drunkenly remembers sex with Jamie. John appears, declaring that he “will not mourn [Jamie] alone” that night (1097). John and Claire have sex, each trying to feel closer to Jamie. The next morning, they discuss intimacy; Claire knows that John prefers sex with men. Claire asks John if he believed it when Bree told him they were from the future years before. John admits that he does not believe it but will behave as though he does for her sake.

Jem is alone, locked in the dark in the same hydroelectric tunnel that Rob trapped Bree in on her first day of work. Jem finds the electric train and begins to drive it into the darkness, thinking of his family and especially Mandy.

In 1778 Philadelphia, Rollo runs away from Rachel while she is shopping. Rachel follows, thinking Rollo must smell Ian, but Arch Bug grabs her on the street. Rollo finds Ian, who has come to Philadelphia by way of Valley Forge, searching for the Hunters. Meanwhile, Fergus learns someone is looking for him and wonders if it is Jamie.

Arch assumes Rachel loves Ian since he saw her with Rollo. William saves Rachel from Arch but is injured in the process. Claire heals William’s wound and tells Rachel about Murdina Bug’s death. Rachel prays that Ian will not try to kill Arch.

In 1778, Claire attends the celebration of General Clinton’s appointment as the British commander-in-chief with John. John asks how she feels; she tells him she is okay because she knows the British will lose the war in three years. Claire considers using her diamond earrings, another gift from John, to travel back to the 20th century. Claire meets John André, a famous conspirator of Benedict Arnold’s who will soon be executed for spying.

Ian contemplates where Rachel could be in Philadelphia and decides to go to Fergus and Marsali’s print shop.

Claire mourns deeply. John comes to her again, unable to sleep, and Claire gives him sexual gratification but declines sexual intercourse.

William learns that Arch is still in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Arch finds Rachel minding Marsali and Fergus’s print shop while Marsali runs errands. Rachel tries to reason Arch out of his quest for revenge, but Arch insists that “vengeance [...] is a glory, lass. My glory, my duty to my wife” (1130). Arch knows Ian loves Rachel and is determined to kill her. Ian arrives but disarms himself at Rachel’s request. Rollo lunges at Arch and Ian and Arch begin to fight. Unarmed, Ian is soon wounded. William arrives and shoots Arch, killing him.

Jamie arrives safely in Philadelphia on the Philomene and immediately goes to John’s house, to Claire’s shock and delight. William arrives home at the same time, surprised to see the British soldiers who are following Jamie, a known rebel. William sees Jamie in full light for the first time and realizes that the man he remembers as “Mac” from his grandparents’ estate must be his real father. William is confused and upset. Jamie tenderly but emphatically tells him, “You are a stinking papist […] and your baptismal name is James […] it was the only name I had a right to give ye” (1135). William throws his rosary at Jamie. The British soldiers storm into the house, and Jamie takes John hostage to escape. William orders the redcoats to stand down and notify their commander of the abduction. Jamie and John flee the city. Jamie thanks John for taking care of Claire, and John admits that he had sex with her, to which Jamie replies, “Oh [...] Why?” (1142).

Though John’s motivations are noble, and his marriage to Claire was for practical reasons, John must explain to Jamie why he and Claire were also sexually involved, and how John’s love for Jamie facilitated his sexual attraction to Claire. John’s apprehension is fair, as Jamie espouses the traditional gender dynamics of the 1700s.

William speaks to Claire, hoping for answers. Claire notes the suppression of his rage and confusion and wonders if this quality is “bred in the bone or acquired by example” (1143). Claire confirms that Jamie’s one-night-stand with Geneva Dunsany was consensual, and that John knew the secret of William’s true parentage. Overwhelmed, William punches a wall and flees, causing Claire to remark, “Like father like son” (1146).

The British prepare to leave Philadelphia. Ian speaks with Fergus. Fergus learned from Denys Randall-Isaacs (who may be a spy for the Americans) that the British will try to cut the colonies in half to win the war.

As Ian and Rachel watch the British leave, Ian tells Rachel he loves her but cannot ask her to give up her Quaker faith nor offer to become a Quaker himself. Rachel notes that Rollo is part wolf but is also a “creature of rare courage and affection, and altogether a worthy being” (1149). Rachel tells Ian she loves him back and adds, “Thee is my wolf” (1149).