Chapter 137: Two Days Previously Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Two days before the events of the main timeline, Lord John Grey is enjoying a quiet afternoon at Number 12 Oglethorpe Street when a note arrives. Delivered by an ostler named Gunter, the letter claims that Lord John’s former servant Thomas Byrd is aboard a ship called the Pallas and needs money to pay for a stowaway’s passage. Although suspicious of the story’s convenience, Lord John decides to investigate. He walks to the warehouse district, noting the many ships in the harbor. While buying apples, he is distracted by a sailor who points at his hat. When Lord John lowers the hat, he is struck on the head and loses consciousness.
He awakens bound, with a sack over his head, on a small boat. After being hauled aboard a larger vessel, he is brought before Ezekiel Richardson, who apologizes for the rough treatment. Richardson confronts Lord John about his marriage to Claire Fraser and then produces a folder containing confessions. The first is from Neil Stapleton, detailing a sexual encounter with Lord John; the second, longer document is from Percy Wainwright, confessing to an incestuous and unnatural relationship with him. Richardson reveals that he plans to use these confessions to blackmail Lord John’s brother, Hal, the Duke of Pardloe. Richardson believes that Hal intends to make a speech in Parliament that could affect the course of the war, and he wants to prevent that speech. He explains that copies of the confessions will be delivered to Hal, and that Lord John and Percy will remain as prisoners aboard the ship. Lord John refuses to submit to blackmail, but Richardson dismisses his defiance and orders food brought to them.
Key Events
- Lord John receives a suspicious note about Thomas Byrd aboard the Pallas and decides to investigate.
- He is kidnapped by a sailor after being struck on the head.
- Ezekiel Richardson apologizes for the rough treatment and explains the kidnapping.
- Richardson presents confessions from Neil Stapleton and Percy Wainwright documenting Lord John’s homosexual affairs.
- Richardson reveals his plan: to use these confessions to blackmail Hal Grey, preventing him from giving a speech in the House of Lords that might affect the war.
- Percy Wainwright is revealed to be a prisoner alongside Lord John; he appears disheveled and apologetic.
- Lord John refuses to be blackmailed, stating that a gentleman does not submit to such coercion.
- Richardson dismisses the protest, noting that copies of the documents will be sent to Hal, and both Lord John and Percy are kept captive.
Character Development
- Lord John Grey – Demonstrates his characteristic composure under extreme duress. He refuses to yield to blackmail, preserving his honor even at great personal risk. His past willingness to protect Jamie Fraser’s wife is confirmed as chivalrous rather than romantic, as he explains to Richardson.
- Ezekiel Richardson – Revealed as a manipulative and calculating double agent. He has gone to great lengths to assemble evidence against Lord John and plans to use him as a tool to control Hal. His calm, almost apologetic demeanor masks a cold ruthlessness.
- Percy Wainwright – Appears broken and ashamed, apologizing for his lack of bravery. His presence underscores the vulnerability of those who share Lord John’s secret. Percy’s confession (using a false first name) shows a small act of defiance amid his helplessness.
- Hal Grey (mentioned) – Though not present, Hal’s potential political speech holds enough weight for Richardson to orchestrate an elaborate blackmail scheme. The bond between the Grey brothers is central: Hal’s loyalty to John could be enough to make him abandon his political plans.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Blackmail and Power – Richardson’s use of intimate confessions to leverage political outcomes highlights the theme of power through secrecy. He targets Lord John not for personal malice but as a means to an end—controlling a key political figure.
- Honor and Sacrifice – Lord John’s refusal to submit to blackmail, even when his life and reputation are threatened, underscores the theme of personal honor. His willingness to face disgrace rather than betray his principles defines his character.
- Family Loyalty – The plot hinges on Hal’s anticipated reaction to the blackmail. Richardson believes that Hal’s love for his brother will override his political stance. This motif reinforces the importance of family ties throughout the series.
- Secrecy and Identity – The confessions expose aspects of Lord John’s private life that he has carefully guarded. The chapter examines how hidden identities can be weaponized, and how individuals with something to hide are constantly vulnerable.
- War and Political Manipulation – The war serves as a backdrop for personal conflicts. Richardson’s aim to influence the war’s outcome through blackmail shows that battles are fought not only on the field but also through political intrigue.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal for Lord John Grey’s storyline in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. It introduces a serious threat to his reputation and freedom, and by extension to his brother Hal’s political influence. The use of flashback (set two days prior to the main timeline) creates dramatic irony: readers now know what Lord John is facing when they return to the present tense. The chapter also deepens the antagonism between Lord John and Ezekiel Richardson, setting up further conflict. Additionally, it provides insight into Lord John’s past relationships, particularly with Percy Wainwright, and shows how his sexual identity remains a source of danger even decades later.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Lord John decide to go to the docks despite suspecting the note might be a trap?
Lord John is reminded of Thomas Byrd’s susceptibility to young women, and his innate kindness overrides his suspicion. He also wishes to take a pleasant walk on a fine day, which makes him less cautious. The mention of a female (the turbot with roe) triggers the memory of Tom’s past behavior, prompting him to at least check the situation.
2. What does the confrontation between Lord John and Richardson reveal about the nature of power in this novel?
The scene shows that power often lies not in military strength but in knowledge of personal secrets. Richardson holds no official authority over Lord John, yet he can manipulate him through the confessions. This mirrors the larger conflict between colonial and imperial forces, where intelligence and personal connections can be as decisive as battles.
3. Why does Percy Wainwright confess his relationship with Lord John? How does his character contrast with Lord John’s?
Percy confesses because he is not brave enough to endure the consequences of refusal. He has been coerced by Richardson, and his disheveled appearance reflects his internal collapse. In contrast, Lord John remains composed and defiant, representing a model of stoic courage. Percy’s apology highlights his awareness of his own weakness, while Lord John’s steadfastness underscores his commitment to honor.