The militia remains encamped next to the Alamance River. Brianna and Claire move to the nearby town of Hillsborough with Mrs. Sherston, the woman who hired Brianna to paint her portrait. They nurse Roger and Isaiah Morton there, and Jamie splits his time between Hillsborough and the militia camp. Isaiah makes an impressive recovery, especially after Alicia arrives to be with him. Roger, however, does not seem to be getting better.

Jamie tries to find out who lied about Roger’s identity in hopes of getting revenge. Eventually, Roger confirms that he only knows the identity of one of the men who turned him over—William MacKenzie, who is the secret son of Dougal MacKenzie (Jocasta’s brother, and Jamie’s uncle) and a woman named Geilis Duncan. Jamie is determined to track William down and discover his motives, but he is torn between a desire to avenge Roger and a refusal to kill his own cousin. Meanwhile, Brianna and Roger learn that Governor Tryon has issued Roger a significant amount of land as compensation for his injuries and suffering.

After some time, the portrait is complete, and Roger is recovered enough to make the journey back to Fraser’s Ridge. Isaiah Morton and Alicia have found a place to stay in Hillsborough as they await the birth of their child.