Why, yes, actually I _have_ (in and amongst everything else) been working on Book Eight. [g] I think I showed you a brief snip of the pickup to the Jem-in-the-tunnel cliffhanger last month; here’s a likewise brief snip of the one between Jamie and Lord John:
Excerpt, Book Eight
Copyright 2010 Diana Gabaldon
He’d been quite resigned to dying. Had expected it from the moment that he’d blurted out, “I have had carnal knowledge of your wife.” The only question in his mind had been whether Fraser would shoot him, stab him, or eviscerate him with his bare hands.
To have the injured husband regard him calmly, and say merely, “Oh? Why?” was not merely unexpected, but…infamous. Absolutely infamous.
“Why?” John Grey repeated, incredulous. “Did you say ‘Why’?”
“I did. And I should appreciate an answer.”
Now that Grey had both eyes open, he could see that Fraser’s outward calm was not quite so impervious as he’d first supposed. There was a pulse beating in Fraser’s temple, and he’d shifted his weight a little, like a man might do in the vicinity of a tavern brawl, not quite ready to commit violence, but readying himself to meet it. Perversely, Grey found this sight steadying.
“What do you bloody mean, ‘why’?” he said, suddenly irritated. “And why aren’t you fucking dead?”
“I often wonder that myself,” Fraser replied politely. “I take it ye thought I was?”
“Yes, and so did your wife! Do you have the faintest idea what the knowledge of your death _did_ to her?”
The dark blue eyes narrowed just a trifle.
“Are ye implying that the news of my death deranged her to such an extent that she lost her reason and took ye to her bed by force? Because,” he went on, neatly cutting off Grey’s heated reply, “unless I’ve been seriously misled regarding your own nature, it would take substantial force to compel ye to any such action. Or am I wrong?”
The eyes stayed narrow. Grey stared back at them. Then he closed his eyes briefly and rubbed both hands hard over his face, like a man waking from nightmare. He dropped his hands and opened his eyes again.
“You are not misled,” he said, through clenched teeth. “And you _are_ wrong.”
You're evil, Diana. Just plain, plain evil (g).
Such a tease!!
I love reading your excerpts, but I can't wait for the whole thing!
Wow. Just wow. Absolutely cannot wait to read the rest!
Is your Methadone list posted anywhere in its entirety?
AAAGH!
OOOOHHHHH! I was so upset over the cliffhanger(s) at the end of the last book, but now that I've resigned myself to the wait I'm quite enjoying the suspense. I do love a good surprise and you never dissapoint.
That is so not fair! I've been addicted to your books for 17 years and have have read them so many times that they are falling apart. I don't want to wait for the rest. (sigh) Thanks for the snippet to keep the appetite whetted.
thanks Diana! You just made my day
I have been looking forward to this scene between Jamie and John since I finished Echo. Can't wait to read the rest!
It's like having someone hand me *one* tiny bit of dark chocolate, when I want the entire bar.
But it's better then no chocolate at all.
You are wicked, simply wicked. However, I will continue to torture myself by constantly logging onto this blog to for any nuggets you toss our way.
Amaaaaaaazing! Thank you, Diana, for sharing this with us! Must……have……..more…….Jamie…..uggh! The waiting is torture!
Being true to the title of this post, right? Thanks anyway, because this scene is actually one I'm so so so looking forward to and any glimpse of it, is highly appreciated. Even though it's wicked to keep us hanging there. But we all know that you are Black Jack Randall after all
Hi Diana,
I hope you know how torturing it is for us all to be waiting. However, my-other-self argues that I need to wait because I know it will be worth every bit of it. (if that makes any sense.)
Well, back to the excerpt; after reading this, I'm on the edge of my seat, thinking — what does this mean? — Why do I think that something BIG going to happen – Does LJG just about to reveal his (new found) feeling he has toward Claire — to Jamie? Does LJG has a change of heart?
My day brightened substantially when I saw that you had posted an excerpt, following up on my favorite cliffhanger of Echo. Of course, you managed to tease me even more. Black Jack Randall, indeed. Still….I loved it, as I do any piece in which Jamie is involved. Thanks for giving me my daily Jamie fix. Can't wait to read more.
Am I the only one who can hear Jaime's blood boiling?
Black Jack…er…I mean… Diana,
I'm convinced that Cliffhanger Excerpts are your revenge for the constant when-will-the-next-book-come-out?? questions!
But I ask you…with Jemmy standing (possibly) on the precipice of time, his hair crackling with static electricity, and Jamie circling LJ like a wolf stalking his prey… how AM I going to get any work done today???
Maybe we're all a bit sadistic…because we love it anyway!! Thanks for keeping us on the edge of our seats!
Love it! I have been imagining my own scenarios, but I know they will not be as wonderful as what you give us!
Wasn't expecting this, this morning. I like it! Dinna piss off the J-man! *g*
Yay, thank you! That made my day.
Dear Felicity–
["I'm convinced that Cliffhanger Excerpts are your revenge for the constant when-will-the-next-book-come-out?? questions!"]
That's _very_ perceptive of you! [g]
(Mind, the end of ECHO was revenge on the people who all wrote to me in droves whining about how ABOSA was the end of the story and what were they supposed to read next? Look, guys, it's not over 'til I say it is! [g])
–Diana
Patience is a virtue but virtue is very overrated!!!! Repeating: Diana is BJR and verra evil!!! Karen in PA