Prison Games

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Sophia slowly opened the door and peeked in. Her eyes had to adjust to the dimmer light of the room. To the left of the entrance a large fireplace took up most of the wall. Two doorways stood on each side of it. Straight ahead were four cottage windows with criss-cross panes and, under them, a table with four chairs. Sunshine filtered through the trees, splashed onto the table, and overflowed onto the floor. To her right were steps that evidently led to a loft area. Furniture filled the cozy room. Everything was neat and tidy like the outside.

Sophia heard a noise and turned to see a woman enter the main room. She was wiping her hands on her apron. Suddenly the two women squealed at the same time, for in front of Sophia stood her dear friend, Maggie. The women ran and grabbed each other in great delight, jumping up and down like two little girls. Once they calmed down they stood back, looking at each other.

"Oh, Sophia, I didn't hear ya come in! What a sight for me old eyes. How I've missed

you, lass." Maggie hugged her again.

Sophia was still in shock. "I can't believe you are here. I never expected you! It's so wonderful to see you." Suddenly Sophia's tears of joy turned into uncontrollable sobs. She had fought the onslaught of tears for so long. The dam she had built to hold them back broke. Tears freely flowed-tears of joy, sorrow, fear, and shame streamed down her face. Embarrassed, she turned away, covering her face with her hands.

Maggie held the girl in her arms. As if comforting a small child, she cooed, "It be all right, lass, Maggie is here. You go ahead and cry." Sobs wracked Sophia as Maggie led her to a chair. After a few moments Sophia's crying

ceased. She wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and started to apologize for her outburst. "I won't hear of it!" Maggie exclaimed. "Had I been there in that place I'd do worse than cry a few tears. So much has happened to you of late. No wonder you're overwhelmed. You are home now. I insisted on being here for you. I think Lady Wilson would give you anything, so she let me come. I wanted to surprise you. I'll stay until they call me back to the Brick House. Come, let me show you the cottage, and then you are to rest. After that, I'll finish supper."

Sophia followed Maggie. The room off to the left of the large fireplace was a small bedchamber. Rose-colored curtains around a bed with a matching coverlet caught Sophia's attention first. A small fireplace graced one wall along with a desk and chair. On the mantle of the fireplace was a small woodcarving of a dog. Sophia gasped. She had forgotten about the little carving her father had given her one Christmas long ago. "Maggie! How did this get here? I thought it was lost in the fire!"

"It was in the things Lord and Lady Wilson kept for you. A few days ago I was told to unpack your trunks and ready the cottage. That's when I found it."

Sophia went over to pick up her treasure. She noticed it was scorched on one side. "Look, someone must have found it after the fire, but who? It was probably Papa." After placing it gently back on the mantle, she scanned the room again. A wardrobe stood in one corner, and a rose-colored rug lay beside the bed. The lace curtains that covered the double windows fluttered in the soft autumn breeze. Fresh-cut flowers and an oil lamp sat on a small table next to the bed.

The two women turned back into the main room. On the other side of the fireplace was another doorway. Stepping through, Sophia found herself in the cook's room, where another fireplace with a baker's oven next to it occupied the farthest wall. Colorful rag rugs covered the floor for warmth. Two small criss-cross windows graced the outer wall. They were also open, to let in fresh air. Underneath the windows were a small table and two chairs. Open-faced cupboards and shelves holding utensils and food occupied the wall opposite the door. The back door was divided into two halves with the top half open. Sophia looked out to a beautiful flower garden planted on one side of a cobbled path. On the other side was a vegetable garden.

The two women turned toward the main room again. Sophia walked over to the large table adorned with more fresh-cut flowers. Speckled sunlight danced on the high-gloss surface. Two overstuffed chairs, a small divan, and various-shaped tables were arranged to face the fireplace. Across the room was another door to a small room used for storage.

"How cozy!" Sophia gushed. "Where do you sleep?"

"Up those stairs to the loft. It's warm up there. Come, I'll show you." They went to the stairs that led up to Maggie's loft. It was a charming room with a low ceiling. A window was centered at the arch of the roof. A bed, bench, and a table with a lamp were all the room held. Wooden pegs for Maggie's clothes hung on the

taller wall at the other end. A simple rag rug covered the floor. After descending the steps, Maggie asked, "Sophia, are you up to some tea, or would

you rather lay down for a quick nap?" "I feel wide awake. Do we have coffee?"

"Aye, I forgot you favor it. I can only imagine how you must be feeling, coming to your father's house after all you have been through." Maggie stopped after seeing Sophia's downcast face. "I'm sorry, lass; I didn't mean to upset you again."

Sophia raised her hand toward Maggie. "No need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. It was so terrible in the beginning, but then I started to look forward to the future once I was married. Isn't it funny how a day can change a life? Now I'm not sure what I will do. I feel like I've been going from a dream to a nightmare back to a dream again. My life has taken on so many strange twists and turns."

Maggie hadn't seemed surprised about Sophia's marriage. Most likely Lady Wilson had already told her about it. As she made the drinks, she listened to Sophia without judgment or questions. The two friends sat at the table in the cook's room, enjoying each other's company.

Maggie reassured Sophia once more. "Tis no dream, Sophia, you are home. No one can take it from you, and I will stay as long as you want."

They spoke of Papa, of old times, and the events leading up to Sophia being arrested. Sophia had always known Maggie had deep feelings for Papa. It would not have surprised her if Papa had asked Maggie to marry him, if he had lived. They would have made each other happy.

"Now drink your coffee, then lay down while I fix our supper," Maggie ordered. Sophia did as she was told. She was used to doing that after all. She was sure she wouldn't sleep but needed to rest. Climbing in her soft bed, she curled up.

Within minutes Maggie could hear the girl's deep breathing. "Sleep the sleep of the innocent, lass," Maggie whispered as she peeled potatoes.

't didn't take long for Sophia to become settled in her new surroundings. It was time

for her to make some serious decisions. The gaol seemed a distant bad dream, but

relaxed and comfortable. Instead, uneasiness shadowed her spirit, as if something was expected of her. It was a dismal day. Thunder crashed as lightning blazed across the sky. Maggie built a roaring fire to keep the dampness at bay. Sophia curled up in her chair, staring at

the same page of her book until Maggie interrupted.

"Sophia, come get some fresh coffee."

Sophia moved to the table to watch the rain. "Oh, Maggie, I don't know how to help

James Patrick." It was the first time Sophia had mentioned her husband. "No one will fault you if you turn from the marriage. People don't expect you to stay married to him, lass." When Sophia didn't respond, Maggie went on. "You aren't considering staying married to him, are you?"

Before she could answer, the clopping of horses coming up the lane caught their attention. Maggie went to look out the front door.

"Who is it, Maggie?"

"I don't know. Never seen the carriage around here before, but it's someone

important. Sure is a fancy rig."

Once the horses pulled up, and the coachman opened the door, a gentleman dismounted. Since he wore a black cloak with his hat pulled low, his identity was hidden as he briskly walked through the front gate and up the path. through. "Good day, sir." She curtsied.

Maggie opened the door for him to step "Is your mistress home?" he inquired.

"Aye."

Lifting his hat, he stepped inside. Sophia was surprised to see Magistrate Reeves. Apprehension struck. What in the world could he want? Was her release a mistake? Did he come to take her back to the gaol?

"Forgive my intrusion, miss. I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time?" "No...not at all. Please come and sit by the fire. Maggie, would you please get some fresh coffee?"

The man shook the rain from his hat and coat, handing them to Maggie, who scowled at the water on her clean floor. Sophia and Magistrate Reeves sat before the fire, nervously smiling at one another.

Peter couldn't help but notice how much the young woman had changed. She was attractive even in dirty rags and a shaved head, but now she was radiant. In this short span of time she glowed with health. Her simple dress only added to her charms,

He spoke first. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. I heard from Lord Wilson that you were living here, and the circumstances by which you acquired this home. It's quite a story indeed."