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Phaedre is Jocasta Cameron's enslaved body servant at River Run.
Personal History[]
Phaedre is the daughter of an enslaved woman named Betty and her mother's enslaver, Hector Cameron. Knowing the girl's true paternity, Cameron's wife Jocasta chose to treat Phaedre as an enslaved body servant who lived in the house with her (and Hector), rather than with the other enslaved people of River Run.[3]
Phaedre tells Claire that her grandmother was taken from Africa, and practiced her native customs.[4]
Outlander series[]
Drums of Autumn[]
In July 1767, Phaedre acts as seamstress and hairdresser for Claire to ready her for Jocasta's dinner held in honor of Jamie and his family's arrival.
The Fiery Cross[]
In March 1771 during the party for Jocasta and Duncan Innes's wedding, Phaedre's mother, Betty, is found apparently drunk under the bushes by Brianna MacKenzie and Jamie. Upon further investigation, however, they discover she was drugged with laudanum. Hours later, Betty's condition has worsened considerably, and she eventually dies.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes[]
In July 1773, while watching Jeremiah MacKenzie Phaedre noticed a tall, blond Irishman who took an inordinate interest in the boy. Later she tells Roger MacKenzie about the man.
In August 1774, Phaedre confides to Claire that she senses that something isn't right, that something is coming, while the two women stand at a window in the middle of the night. Phaedre mentions that her grandmother was taken from Africa, and she "talked to the bones" to divine when bad things were coming.[4]
In November 1774, Phaedre sends a cryptic note to Claire Fraser. When Claire and Jamie travel to River Run to see what's to do, only to discover that Phaedre has disappeared. Jocasta reveals that Phaedre's father was her late husband, Hector Cameron.
In 1775, Brianna discovers Phaedre working in the kitchens of Bonnet's house. Phaedre tells Brianna that is was Ulysses who had gotten rid of her, because she threatened to expose his affair with Jocasta if he spoke a word about her affair with Duncan.
After she is manumitted, the Frasers help her to find work in Wilmington.
An Echo in the Bone[]
In April 1777, Phaedre is still working in Wilmington when the Frasers come through looking for passage to Scotland.
Personality[]
Phaedre is described as soft-spoken and kind, but also with an inclination to make snide remarks to people she doesn't care for, such as Gerald Forbes.
Physical Appearance[]
A beautiful young woman, Phaedre has cinnamon-brown skin and thick dark hair that she wears long, though it is usually covered by a headcloth.
Relationships[]
- Jocasta Innes: Phaedre attends to Jocasta's every need, and they have a close relationship – or as close a one as is appropriate between a slave and her mistress.
- Duncan Innes: Phaedre begins an affair with Jocasta's husband, Duncan, who had previously believed himself impotent.
Name[]
- Phaedre is an alternate spelling of Phaedra, from the Greek Φαιδρα (Phaidra), derived from φαιδρος (phaidros) meaning "bright".[5]
Trivia[]
TV Series[]
British Nigerian actress Natalie Simpson portrays Phaedre in the Outlander television adaptation.
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Age by the end of Written in My Own Heart's Blood.
- ↑ A Breath of Snow and Ashes, revealed by Jocasta in November 1774
- ↑ A Breath of Snow and Ashes, chapter 72.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Breath of Snow and Ashes, chapter 54.
- ↑ Behind the Name: Phaedra. Accessed 20 May 2016