Henry tackles a challenging assignment in his own way. Ellen learns some concerning information about the family into which she’s expected to marry.
A Soldier’s Heart brings Julia and Ellen together! It is kind of weird that Jamie and Claire’s mothers knew each other, don’t you think? I mean what are the chances?
The Fairy Folk
Julia—much like her daughter—hears about the fairy folk and starts to think the stories are really about time travelers because…Hello! She’s in the past. When Julia brings in milk and promptly spills it, Davina scolds her for not thanking the fairies for their offering. This gets Julia’s thoughts going and gives her something of a plan. Under the guise of thanking the fairies she goes out looking for an herb—because like mother like daughter even though at this point I don’t think Claire ever sees her mother again.
The herb she picks gives her a rash which could look like any number of deadly disease which puts Simon Fraser off wanting to sleep with her—let’s be real, he wants to rape her. Simon is so concerned he wants her to go see the apothecary. Brian volunteers to take her because leaving helps his cause as well.
Going to Castle Leoch
On their way to the apothecary, Brian and Julia tentatively open up to each other. Brian makes the final leap and confides in her about Ellen. The two go to Leoch where Julia acts as a servant so she can be taken into the castle by Glenna and get a message to Ellen. In exchange for her part, he’ll get her away from Castle Leathers especially since she’s pregnant.
Julia tries to get into Leoch but is stopped by a guard. She immediately asks to see Glenna and is taken to her where she says she knows about herbs and was sent from Leathers and got lost. Glenna takes pity on her and has her wait in an alcove while Glenna takes food to Ellen. But that is just her opportunity to follow and get to Ellen.
Julia finds Ellen, who isn’t receptive at first because how can she really be with Brian at this point, but Julia talks her around and gives her the message.
Ellen Doesn’t Want to Marry Malcolm
Ellen does her best to get the marriage contract rescinded. The problem is that after going through the Clan’s finances Colum has realized their father Red Jacob left the family destitute. Without the marriage they will be ruined. This also means the dowry for Ellen is a problem, but they’ll have to figure that out.
Colum also wants Ellen in Castle Grant to spy for the MacKenzies. Ellen is clearly upset when she tells Colum his thinking is flawed. Once she is part of Clan Grant she won’t be part of Clan MacKenzie. She’ll be working for Grant interests, not MacKenzie.
Colum isn’t going to change his mind, so she tries getting Dougal involved. Problem is her brothers have everything they want and don’t much care about what Ellen wants.
So when Julia comes with a message from Brian saying she knows what it is like to be separated from the man you love, Ellen listens. Julia wants her to meet Brian and the two sneak out through a passageway in the castle.
Brian and Ellen plan to meet at Beltane, which involves a festival around a woman who traveled through time. Julia realizes the stones were the catalyst for her traveling and this knowledge offers a way home.
Unfortunately, when Ellen is at Beltane she’ll be there with Malcolm. When Brian and Julia leave, Ellen goes to Colum to inform him she will go to Beltane with Malcolm.
Henry’s Search
The madam from the brothel found a woman she thinks might be who Henry is looking for but when Henry meets her it is clear the madam isn’t really looking. The woman is pretending to be an English woman because the madam asked her to so they wouldn’t lose Henry’s money.
Isaac Grant is annoyed with Henry’s search and sends Henry out with Arch Bug to collect the rents with the news that they will be increased.
When confronted with the unhappy tenants. Not sure what to do, Henry has a PTSD episode but ultimately remembers the lottery to help Britain raise money after the war. Julia had purchased a ticket because it brought a sense of hope during such a dark time.
Henry then offers the tenants a lottery. They all take a ticket, and the winner gets a year’s free rent. Arch Bug isn’t happy because it isn’t what Isaac Grant asked. However, not only does Henry get the increased rents but he raises more than Isaac Grant expected. But when confronted by Isaac Grant, Henry is strong armed into paying the winner’s rent for the year out of his wages.
Issac Grant asks Arch Bug about Henry who relays there is something off with the man. It is his PTSD which Arch wouldn’t understand back then. He’ll keep an eye on things.
She’s Pregnant
When Julia is back at Castle Leathers, Simon decides he wants more intimate time wit her. Julia tells him he needs to be careful with her because she’s now with child and it is his. Simon is ecstatic. But Davina knows Julia was already pregnant and worried what it would mean for her and Brian if Julia is favored. Because let’s be real, who wants to be Simon Fraser’s favorite????
