title: The English Vice: Beating, Sex and Shame in Victorian England and After
author:  Ian Gibson 
description: A serious study of flogging and flagellation in English society by the author of The Assassination of Garcia Lorca and biographer of Dali.
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  ## [**VIRGINS**](part0002.html#chapter030)
  
  
  OCTOBER, 1740  
  NEAR BORDEAUX, FRANCE
  
  
  Ian Murray knew from the moment he saw his best friend’s face that something
  terrible had happened. The fact that he was seeing Jamie Fraser’s face at all
  was evidence enough of that, never mind the look of the man.
  
  
  Jamie was standing by the armorer’s wagon, his arms full of the bits and
  pieces Armand had just given him, white as milk and swaying back and forth
  like a reed on Loch Awe. Ian reached him in three paces and took him by the
  arm before he could fall over.
  
  
  “Ian.” Jamie looked so relieved at seeing him that Ian thought he might break
  into tears. “God, Ian.”
  
  
  Ian seized Jamie in embrace, and felt him stiffen and draw in his breath at
  the same instant he felt the bandages beneath Jamie’s shirt.
  
  
  “Jesus!” he began, startled, but then coughed and said, “Jesus, man, it’s good
  to see ye.” He patted Jamie’s back gently and let go. “Ye’ll need a bit to
  eat, aye? Co