Outlander (Outlander, #1)

Claire and Murtagh befriend a band of gypsies, who promise to give them word if they come across a Scottish man of Jamie’s description. Two days later, one of the Romani men fetches Claire at the inn, claiming to have found Jamie. However, to Claire’s disappointment, it is Dougal they have found. Dougal informs Claire that Jamie is being held at Wentworth Prison and is condemned to hang. When Claire implores Dougal to help her free Jamie, Dougal refuses, claiming that Wentworth is a fortress from which no one can escape. Claire accuses Dougal of disloyalty after letting Geillis, with whom he was having an affair and has had a child, die. She also questions him about harming Jamie, but Dougal replies that Jamie is the closest thing he has ever had to a son. Dougal confesses to siring Hamish, at Colum’s behest.

Dougal admits his infatuation with Claire, then menacingly wonders out loud if he can impregnate Claire once Jamie is dead. Murtagh interrupts the conversation, advancing on Dougal with a loaded pistol and forcing Dougal to do as Claire says. Claire bargains with Dougal that if she can convince Dougal’s men to help her free Jamie from Wentworth Prison then Dougal will let her, and if she cannot, she will give Dougal back his horses and money.