In honor of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser’s birthday–October 20, 1918– here’s Claire’s first scene from WRITTEN IN MY HEART’S OWN BLOOD. (NO, I don’t have pub date for this book. I’m not done _writing_ it, for heaven’s sake. When it’s done, I’ll tell you, OK? (I’m hoping to have it finished by the end of 2012. Meanwhile, THE SCOTTISH PRISONER and Jamie will perhaps help tide you over–that one comes out next month–November 29th))
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
Copyright 2011 Diana Gabaldon
Mrs. Figg was smoothly spherical, gleamingly black, and inclined to glide silently up behind one like a menacing ball-bearing.
“What’s this?” she barked, manifesting herself suddenly behind Jenny.
“Holy Mother of God!” Jenny whirled, eyes round and hand pressed to her chest. “Who in God’s name are you?”
“This is Mrs. Figg,” I said, feeling a surreal urge to laugh, despite–or maybe because of–recent events. “Lord John Grey’s cook. And Mrs. Figg, this is Mrs. Murray. My, um…my…”
“Your good-sister,” Jenny said firmly. She raised one black eyebrow. “If ye’ll have me, still?” Her look was straight and open, and the urge to laugh changed abruptly into an equally strong urge to burst into tears. Of all the unlikely sources of succor I could have imagined… I took a deep breath and put out my hand.
“I’ll have you.”
Her small firm fingers wove through mine, and as simply as that, it was done. No need for apologies or spoken forgiveness. She’d never had to wear the mask that Jamie did. What she thought and felt was there in her eyes, those slanted blue cat-eyes she shared with her brother. She knew me, now, for what I was—and knew I loved—had always loved–her brother with all my heart and soul–despite the minor complications of being presently married to someone else. And that knowledge obliterated years of mistrust, suspicion, and injury.
She heaved a sigh, eyes closing for an instant, then opened them and smiled at me, mouth trembling only a little.
“Well, fine and dandy,” said Mrs. Figg, shortly. She narrowed her eyes and rotated smoothly on her axis, taking in the panorama of destruction. The railing at the top of the stair had been ripped off, and cracked banisters, dented walls, and bloody smudges marked the path of William’s descent. Shattered crystals from the chandelier littered the floor, glinting festively in the light that poured through the open front door, the door itself hanging drunkenly from one hinge.
“Merde on toast,” Mrs. Figg murmured. She turned abruptly to me, her small black-currant eyes still narrowed. “Where’s his lordship?”
“Ah,” I said. This was going to be rather sticky, I saw. While deeply disapproving of most people, Mrs. Figg was devoted to John. She wasn’t going to be at all pleased to hear that he’d been abducted by–
“For that matter, where’s my brother?” Jenny inquired, glancing round as though expecting Jamie to appear suddenly out from under the settee.
“Oh,” I said. “Hm. Well…” Possibly worse than sticky. Because…
“And where’s my Sweet William?” Mrs. Figg demanded, sniffing the air. “He’s been here; I smell that stinky cologne he puts on his linen.” She nudged a dislodged chunk of plaster disapprovingly with the toe of her shoe.
I took another long, deep breath, and a tight grip on what remained of my sanity.
Mrs. Figg,” I said, “perhaps you would be so kind as to make us all a cup of tea?”
[end section]
Happy 93rd. Birthday, Claire! Love reading all of your books, Diana, keep up the great work! I, also, love the fact that you added Lord John’s own stories, @ Veerle R., my first born, who also happens to be named John, (well, actually, Johnathan, but he uses John,) is also gay and he is now 39yrs. old and a sweetheart…he turned out really well, if I do say so, myself…lol! Don’t worry about your son…he’ll be ok…and you will be as proud of him as I am for my wonderfully, gay son…wouldn’t trade him for the world! Lord John is one of the most intriguing gay charaters I have encounted in my 56 yrs of reading books…thank you, Diana for intoducing this character to the world!
i cannot wait to the end of 2012 its just to far away im greiving for jamie and claire and the rest of the family xx
Ack! Too short of a snippet! *big grin* But then again, nothing would ever be long enough.. I desperately need to go back and read the series again, especially the last book..I think I sped through it too quickly. Thank you for the tidbit and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAIRE!
Thank you. Mx
Sigh……….thank you for this and all the other peeks..I never thought I would be as attached to some fictional characters as I am to Claire and Jamie…oh, and especially Ian…
Ah Claire…a part of myself and her darlin’ Jamie….. happy birthday dearest Claire…cant wait to hear more of you really soon…
Thank you so much for this bite that is going to be another one of your wonderful books. I love them so much and they have so become part of my life and heart. So much so that I have gone to Scotland for the last two years, and have fallen in love with it as much as I do them.
Thank you Dianna for your words and your love of the land that I have come to love so much. Can’t wait for the next installment of this next wonderful book.
This is fantastic! Happy Birthday, Claire! I will be getting the new one as soon as I can! Thanks, Diana, for giving us this snippet. The imagery comes right back…I love it! Waiting patiently! Love ya!
I have so missed Claire’s turn of phrase
I cannot wait to see what happens with the next generation…I miss Brianna and Roger, and cannot wait to see what you do with William…let alone continue on Jamie and Claire’s long and arduous road together….Thank you Diana….there is no other series that I have enjoyed more xxx
Happy Birthday, Claire! …shaking finger at Diana… that snippet is just overloaded with teaser questions… LOL
I’m going to start reading the whole series again, just because I miss them all so much.
I was at DragonCon, in the Madmen panel and got to see the kilt demonstration – it was awesome!
Thank you for creating such a wonderful world for us to enjoy.
Kilt demonstration? Kilt demonstration?!?! I was fortunate enough to see Diana G. at the Tucson Festival of Books earlier this year and there was definitely NO kilt demonstration!
Dear Christie–
The kilt demonstration was at DragonCon. We had a panel at which one of the gentlemen in the audience got into a heckling match with the moderator. He was wearing a great kilt–a belted plaid–and I invited him to show the audience how one takes one of those off and gets back into it–and he graciously accepted my challenge. {g} Kept him out of trouble for the next half-hour or so…
–Diana
Did anyone take photos of the kilted heckler they could post? If he conformed to the traditional lack of undergarments, it must have made for an interesting demonstration. Fun mystery titles: “Kilt Dead” and “Dead Men do Wear Plaid”
The perfect healing moment between Claire and Jenny! Thank you!
I love your books and echo all the comments posted here. Thanks so much for sharing your gift
‘married to someone else’…’abducted by ___ ‘. This is going to be interesting! Write quickly, please!
Happy Birthday Claire!!
Those of you who are on Twitter can help celebrate Claire’s birthday by tagging your tweets today with #Happy93Claire. We did something similar last year, and had a lot of fun with it.
Many thanks to Diana for creating such an amazing character!
Karen
Happy Birthday, Claire!
As much as I’d love to meet you, Diana, we really must keep you home so you can finish Moby! Thanks for all the snippets.
I agree with CherylT. As much as I enjoy Diana’s regular participation on her website, blog and Facebook page…. I’d rather read her terrific books!!
Diana, I think the way you write is a psychic/super power. Talk about containing multitudes. You give that line a whole new meaning. I miss our people so much between books. It is magic how a few lines brings one right back into the story as if the book had just been put down for a moment. Thank you. And Happy Birthday to Claire.
Happy Birthday, Claire. Diana, I also look forward eagerly, if not patiently, to the next book. Thank you so much for sharing your work and talent with us.
Ooooohhh, you can´t leave us just with that, come on! ;DD
No, serious: it´s great to be back in the stories and it´s great to have Claire back, thank you Diana for your fantastic continuing work. I love Jamie and Claire and Brianna and Roger and Jem and Jenny and…. you get the idea
So: happy Birthday, Claire!
Ahhhh..what a pickle Claire is in! Can’t wait! Thanks for the sneak peak and happy birthday Claire!
Happy birthday indeed! Can’t wait to read both Scottish Prisoner & In My Heart’s Own Blood! You make words sing!