
Marsali is facing a tempting offer: Percy Beauchamp wants to legally establish Fergus as the son of Comte St. Germain and name Marsali and Fergus’s son, Germain, as the Comte’s heir. In exchange, Percy and his investors would buy land owned by the Comte, making everyone involved very wealthy. This money could secure her family’s future – especially with another baby on the way – and allow her to rebuild the print shop. However, there’s a catch: Fergus strongly opposed acknowledging the Comte as his father. When Jamie understands Fergus’s reluctance stemmed from the Comte being a terrible person, Marsali reveals the real reason: Fergus simply wanted Jamie to be his father, and that meant everything to him. It’s a deeply emotional moment, bringing both Jamie and the narrator to tears. Jamie then goes to Fergus’s grave and declares, with great emotion, “Fergus Fraser was my son. Son of my name, of my heart. Now, then, forevermore.” This means Marsali will likely accept the offer and provide for her family, while the narrator prepares to be overwhelmed with emotion.