Claire turns to John Grey for comfort as they process difficult news. Ian and Rachel discuss their love and their future. Brianna confronts an intruder at Lallybroch.
Lord John’s Home
A Hundredweight of Stone opens with Lord John and Claire’s wedding. Clearly neither one of them is happy. Claire is a bit overcome during the vows but looks to William and appears to gain some strength. Immediately after the wedding, Claire retreats to her room where she removes John’s ring and goes back to her grief.
John is drinking when William inquiries about why he married Claire. William wants to know why he’d marry a Rebel. John tells him Jamie was his friend who loved his wife more than anything, and he did it to protect Claire for Jamie. William wants to know how John can owe Jamie Fraser that much. But how can John explain, Jamie is the reason he has William.
That night, Claire’s grief turns to anger, and she considers ending her life. She hears Jamie’s words about not being able to see her dead and she starts drinking.
John is also drinking in the parlor when he hears Claire’s screams and goes to mourn with her and try to provide comfort. As Claire is a physical person, she lashes out at John but at some point, the two sleep together and wake up dismayed in the morning.
The two talk and John apologizes for not being very gentlemanly and she admits she wasn’t being very ladylike. They confess they were both having sex with Jamie in their grief. John mentions Jamie offering himself to John and says the reason then, that he didn’t take him up on the offer, was because he wanted Jamie’s love too. He then says that in refusing he gained Jamie’s friendship all these years, which Claire admits Jamie treasured their friendship.
Claire wonders if John has someone special. John tells him of Manoke, but it is more of an opportunity kind of thing. Claire wonders if John has had a lover he could talk to and he says he has but not so frankly as he’s speaking to her. She apologizes for prying, but he is pleased she shows some interest in him as so many marriages that is not the case.
I must admit from the books to the show, this is a part I’ve never loved or understood. The idea is that in their grief they sleep together because they want Jamie. Yeah. No. It is just a way to cause conflict later. I’ve always thought it was out of character for Claire.
Ian & Rachel
Somewhere in the woods, Young Ian builds a cairn for Jamie and discusses heaven with Rachel. He believes, now, that Jamie and his father are together in heaven. Young Ian let’s Rachel know his father would have loved her even if she’s a Quaker.
Ian confesses to Rachel about his previous marriage. Rachel is dismayed to learn Emily is alive (probably believing Ian is still married).
Ian explains what happened to his marriage to Emily and the children they lost. Ian then explains about his son with Emily and how he couldn’t take him from the family his son knows. Ian says he was grateful Emily chose him but with his whole soul he chose her.
Lord John’s House
Young Ian stops in to see Claire and finds her making a tincture for Henry Grey. He is impressed she’s able to carry on and confesses how he feels like his lost two fathers. Ian is taking Rachel to Valley Forge but came to see her because he didn’t know if she was going back to her time, and he wanted to say goodbye if she was. She confesses that she doesn’t feel like the future is where she’s from anymore. Ian is happy she’s staying because she’s his family too.
Mercy Woodcock’s House
Claire checks on Henry and believes Mercy is taking good care of him. John is so happy Henry is doing well and will be going to England. Henry says he will be staying to be with Mercy. John is shocked. Henry wants John to convince his father, but John bluntly says he will not be writing to Hal, and they can’t get married because it is illegal. Henry’s position and title mean he will not be engaging in a secret marriage.
Claire is angry about John’s response and tells him so in the carriage on the way home. John explains that he knows full well what it is like to have your love be a crime. To live in fear of discovery or violence. He won’t let them be imprisoned or worse.
Roger & Buck
Roger tells Buck he barely remembers his father because he died during the war. He was believed to have been shot down over the English Channel on his way to Germany. It was the story Roger’s mother was told when his father’s plane and body were never found. Roger’s hoping Jemmy is with his father and the dog tags are the lead he needs to find the tinker and hopefully his father.
They find the tinker and ask after the man who gave him the “charm.” They then ask for gemstones and buy one off of the tinker. The tinker tells them where the strange man was last seen.
Roger is puzzled no one has seen his father. Buck thinks people have but they don’t want trouble. They see his father’s jacket hanging from a tree and inquire after the man who has it, but they aren’t friendly and Roger and Buck leave.
Roger doesn’t think his father would give up his jacket without a fight, but Buck thinks he may have traded it for food or money. Roger has a feeling everything is predestined.
Brianna
Brianna is waiting for word about Roger and Jemmy, frustrated that there is nothing she can do.
This bit about Bree hurting her finger in the drawer was put in to explain the splint on Sophie’s fingers because she hurt herself in real life.
Bree is pouring herself some win when Rob Cameron startles her by saying, “Tell Jem the Spaniard got you.” Rob’s there for her because Jem won’t tell him about the Spaniard. Bree tries to grab a knife but Rob wrestles it from her. His plan is for them all to go to America where they will find the Spaniard and get the gold.
Rob tells her to pour him some wine but instead she decks him with a pot. Go BREE!
Lord John’s House
When they arrive home, John gives Claire the gift of a dress telling her they need to have a supper for the Loyalist cause. It is important that she be there. Claire says no. John tries to explain but Claire refuses and John is exasperated. John needs her to try and tells her they only have each other and together they have Jamie.
On Thursday, people are showing up for the party. John greets them alone when Richardson appears and says he must have been mistaken about Claire, since someone like Lord John would marry her.
Claire then comes down the stairs and John presents her has Lady John Grey to his guests.
In the party, John leaves Claire with William. Miss Peggy Chew comes to speak with them and is clearly flirting with William and wanting to dance but he sidesteps her at every turn, clearly not wanting to dance with her. William hasn’t been inclined to dance since Rachel left.
Richardson approaches and asks Claire to dance. Claire tries to get out of it but says she out of practice but William doesn’t see her own attempt to get out of dancing and uses her words against her.
Claire is then forced to dance with Richardson, who confesses to her, he is also a rebel and spy. He wants her to spy on Lord John. He is after being able to influence Hal. Claire refuses but promises to keep Richardson’s secret.
The next day, John comes to tell her they received a lot of invitations to social engagements. They will have to attend at least one. John has a note from Colonel Graves. He’s about to open it but there is a commotion outside and Jamie bursts into the room. Claire throws herself at him and John is stunned. Claire kisses him and wants more but there are soldiers after him.
John asks how he’s alive and Jamie says he missed his boat, but his luggage was on board. John doesn’t want to break up their reunion (but he does) and warns that “Jamie’s son will be home shortly.” Jamie says William is here. When he goes to leave, they all realize that William heard it.
Jamie tells William his full name. He tells William his baptismal name is James because it was the only name he had a right to give. William is angry and damns Jamie. He gives Jamie back the rosary given to him as a child. William then turns on John who William also damns.
Soldiers break in on them and Jamie takes John hostage. They run off and Claire is left smiling after them.
I love this end part with Jamie and William but I must confess it annoys me that John called William Jamie’s son knowing William could show up at any moment. It felt a little like he wanted the news to come out. But William’s reaction and his anger were perfect and so well done. I know many don’t like William but we get to see a young Jamie here because Jamie would have reacted the same.
