Roger leads Jamie’s militia to the trading post of Brownsville and finds himself embroiled in a bitter feud. Jamie and Claire arrive to find that Roger’s unusual strategy may have cost them the loyalty of the militia.
Roger, Fergus and the men arrive in Brownsville calling hello to the inhabitants of the house who already knew they were coming. They begin shooting at Isaiah Morton and we learn he’s had intimate relations with Alicia Brown who was promised to another. Roger surrenders Morton to the Browns and shares the whisky they carry.
Back on the Ridge, Brianna returns from town with the Bugs and Jemmy. She discovers a coin in Jemmy’s basket and Mrs. Bug says a nice Irishman gave it to him. Brianna questions her and starts to believe the man is Bonnet. Brianna moves them to the big house as a precaution.
Roger wins over the men of Brownsville with the whisky and informs them of the price they will be paid to go up against the Regulators. Lionel Brown tells an inquiring Roger that Morton ruined an arranged marriage by having his daughter first. He let’s the Fraser Company stay the night but Morton will not be leaving with them in the morning.
On the road, Jamie is marveling and finally seeing Claire with a bairn while Claire worries about feeding the baby. Claire wonders what they will do with the child as it seems like a bad idea to take her to Hillsborough.
In Brownsville, Fergus informs Roger some of the men left because Roger gave up one of the men to the Browns. Jamie and Claire arrive to Roger singing for everyone.
Jamie tells Josiah he secured their indenture papers and they are free. Josiah wants to go with the militia but Jamie tells him he’s only 14 and too young to fight (even though he likely is older). Jamie wants him on the Ridge hunting for food.
Claire finds the woman of Brownsville and finds a woman who can feed the baby.
Fergus tells Jamie they had a difficulty and Roger goes on a wordy explanation about the alcohol being a distraction to keep the Browns from reacting to Morton too soon. Essentially he was buying time. Roger tells him some men left.
Jamie and Roger go to see Morton. Jamie is upset with Roger because he betrayed one of his men which is why the others left. Jamie calls Roger professor instead of captain making a point.
Jamie questions Morton who tells him he already has a wife and can’t marry Alicia. His marriage was arranged and unhappy. Jamie is concerned Morton won’t keep an oath to him if he can’t keep vows to his wife but Morton says his oath to Jamie was his own will. Jamie sends him away to keep him from the Browns.
Claire is with the woman telling them the story Jamie and she concocted of the Beardsley’s. Mrs. Brown comments that Fanny isn’t the only woman who will find herself in such a situation. Claire spills on a broadsheet and Alicia reads some of it about when a woman is most fertile to the horror of her aunt. Claire realizes it is her medical advice and asks if she can have the broadsheet as she could start a fire with it which amuses Mrs. Brown.
Lucinda offers to keep the baby overnight to be able to feed her and Claire worries her husband will be upset but Lucinda reassures her.
Roger continues to sing while Jamie and Claire discuss what Roger should have done. Claire defends Roger and then gives Jamie the broadsheet with the advice she gave. She says she doesn’t know how the broadsheets got it. Jamie and she question Fergus who says there was writing on the other side of the paper he took to the printer. Claire wonders if it will cause them trouble but Jamie doesn’t see how unless someone goes looking for the doctor.
The Browns alert to Morton’s absence. Jamie announces Morton is under his protection when Richard Brown rides into town. He went to talk to the man Alicia was to marry but he won’t change his mind. Jamie tells Richard Brown Morton is under his protection and any harm to him will be an act against the militia and Governor Tryon. Lionel Brown gets upset but Richard diffuses the situation and seems more reasonable.
Richard and Jamie go inside the trading post. Richard thinks Jamie keeps strange company but Jamie says he can’t account for a man’s character which Richard accepts. Richard also accept going to Hillsborough with the Fraser Company but wants his men to answer to him. Jamie agrees if Richard answers to Jamie.
Brianna goes out to get wood leaving Germain and Jemmy playing in the surgery. When she returns Jemmy is missing and starts to worry Stephen Bonnet took him. She starts calling for him which alerts Lizzie and Marsali. Marsali asks Germain who points to another door saying ball. They find him outside the door where he went in search of his ball but it seems someone could be watching from the woods.
In Brownsville, Roger take down the names of all the Browns. Claire is getting settled and Mrs. Brown says Lucinda would love to keep the baby as her own didn’t make it.
Alicia is helping Claire make up the bed and asks after Isaiah Morton. Alicia confesses her love for Morton and Claire tries to tell her he’s not worth her tears as he’s married. Alicia is upset and Claire comforts her but Alicia thinks she pregnant.
In the kitchen at the Big House, Marsali asks what happened over a dram and Brianna just says she shouldn’t have let Jemmy out of her sight. Marsali tells Brianna about her father dying in prison after she’d wished him dead for beating them. She killed him by wishing him dead. Brianna reassures Marsali she didn’t kill her father and Marsali points out that just because you think something doesn’t make it true. If it did she’s be a queen of some castle with jewels and fine wine. Bree gets the message and thanks Marsali.
In Brownsville, the men are pitching tents when Claire notices Kezzie is ill. He too has inflamed tonsils. Claire goes in to tell Jamie. She can’t do the surgery without the penicillin. Jamie decides to send Roger with Claire and the twins back to Fraser’s Ridge. Roger feels Jamie doesn’t trust him but Claire informs Roger he’s being entrusted with the thing Jamie loves most in the world.
Back at the Big House, Bree is going through her drawings and burns the ones of Bonnet.
In Brownsville, everyone is enjoying themselves and dancing. Claire relieves Lucinda of the baby who offers again to take her. Claire says she’ll talk to Jamie. The men bring out the swords for Scottish sword dancing. The men pressure Jamie into dancing and he does a fine jig which is a surprise to Claire.
Jamie takes Claire into the woods because he wishes to be intimate. Jamie asks Claire if she wishes to keep the baby (wee Bonnie). Claire confesses Lucinda would like to keep her. Jamie thinks it might be a balm to the Browns as the baby comes with the deed to the Beardsley estate. He’s been thinking if she wants a bairn this is a way he can give her one without the risk. Claire is touched and while she regrets they weren’t parents together but she doesn’t know if they are the best home with the obituary looming over them. Besides Marsali and Fergus will keep the Ridge populated.
Jamie and Claire hear a gun shot and go investigate finding Alicia trying to kill herself. Jamie stops her and they return her to their room. Alicia is upset about being alone and Claire sends Jamie to find some whisky. Outside Morton pulls a gun on Jamie but Jamie knows the man won’t shoot him. Morton says he hasn’t been with his wife for two years and Ally is his heart and soul.
Jamie takes Isaiah to see Ally who have a small reunion. Roger appears with the muster roll. Roger wants to know what he’s doing there and Isaiah says he’s a big a fool as them. He loves Ally as much as they love Claire and Bree. Both can’t really argue with him.
In the early morning, Jamie leads Isaiah and Alicia out of town with Roger’s help. Jamie then frees the horses as a distraction and informs the Browns a goat seems to have spooked the horses. It is unclear if the Browns believe him.
