Note: This post is restricted to chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9 from Dragonfly in Amber.
There are few things about Raymond that attract readers the very first time Claire meets him.
- He does not only prepare potions and charms but cherry brandy.
- He associates himself with cabalists and occultists, and that includes the Comte St. Germain (ch. 9).
- He has an extensive knowledge of herbs, including abortifacients, a characteristic he shares with both Geillis and Claire.
- He sells his customers bitter cascara instead of poison.
- He has a “froglike” look. In fact the comments between Claire and Raymond when they first meet brings to mind the fairytale known as “The Frog King.”
. . . “I was just wondering whether you’d ever been kissed by a beautiful young girl” (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 8).
How does this quote relates to “The Frog King”? Raymond’s looks and his reputation are not the best. The princess in “The Frog King” is not very fond of the frog due to its ugliness. In Dragonfly in Amber, Claire and Jamie have certain doubts about him: Is Raymond trustworthy? However, beneath his ill-favoured looks, he is such a gentleman with Claire. He eventually becomes one of Claire’s best friend.
There is a reference to Master Raymond’s healing hands in their first encounter.
My first impulse was to jerk my hand away, but his touch was oddly comfortable; quite impersonal, but unexpectedly warm and soothing. I glanced at the frost riming the edge of the leaded- glass panes, and thought that that was it; his ungloved hands were warm, a highly unusual condition for anyone’s hands at this time of year (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 8).
Their first meeting ends in a discussion about what herb to use for purging. Claire is probably seeking something that would help Jamie relax since Black Jack haunts his dreams. Of note is the fact that she associates herself with the white colour (she is a White Lady). The black colour that Master Raymond suggests implies that there is something mysterious about him.
“Oh? Well, in any case, you were saying that black betony is what you use for purging? I would use the white, myself” (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 8).
What I found out about betony is that it is useful for headache and hangover (Evert Hopman 121). There are instances throughout book 2 in which Jamie comes home drunk. He is also taking care of a wine business that requires parties and drinking. Therefore, it is possible that Claire is also looking for something to ease his hangovers.
Sources
Evert Hopman, Ellen. Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore. Los Angeles: PENDRAIG Publishing. 2010. Print.
Gabaldon, Diana. Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.