Prison Games

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"Then you will leave this house, never to return. You will have to rely on your lover's money and help, which I doubt will come after his wife returns."

Could he, would he really do that? Tess wasn't sure, so she simply nodded. Slowly she opened the door, waiting for her father to say, "I'm only joking," but it didn't come. She advanced the staircase, heading for her rooms. Locking the door, she curled up in the chair before the fireplace. Putting her hands over her face, she cried. Her life was over. She would marry some stranger and get fat having his brats. She would probably die in childbirth. Tess considered suicide for a minute, but not seriously.

A soft knock was heard at her door. "Miss Tess, 'tis Betsy. I'ave a bit o' tea fer ya." Tess unlocked the door. "Leave the tea, and don't bother me anymore. Tell my mother when she gets back that I have a headache and went to bed early. Make sure no one bothers me anymore tonight. Now get out!"

Betsy quickly headed out the bedroom door after Tess locked herself in once more. Going into the kitchen, Betsy couldn't wait to tell the others that Miss Tess was in some kind of trouble again. Why else would her eyes be red from crying? No one on the staff would feel pity for the girl. It was always a time to gloat whenever she was in one of her "tragedies."

With great exaggeration Betsy told of the goings-on upstairs, then concluded gleefully, "Miss Tess is 'ard to work for, but she sure keeps things excitin'." All agreed before returning to work. They couldn't wait to see what would happen

next.

"We ave a letter!" Alice shouted as she came through the door. "Tis a 'ard winter's day out. Wind darn near blew the letter from me 'ands."

Sophia smiled at Alice's excitement. As time passed, Alice seemed to become more comfortable with her surroundings. It was fun to watch her take such great pleasure in simple things...like a letter. Alice handed it to Sophia, then waited with expectation to hear the news it held. "Oh, it's from Lord and Lady Wilson. They will be able to come for our Christmas

gathering after all. Alice, we have so much to do. We only have three days left!" Sophia's excitement at the news was contagious. Alice beamed at the idea of planning something this important. "Tis grand news fer sure. Well, Maggie an' me put our 'eads

together, an' thought long an' 'ard 'bout what ter be serving for Christmas. We 'ave decided on lamb an' red potatoes. I can make me best puddin', some sausage, an' wine sauce. What ya think, Sophia?"

"It all sounds wonderful. You have done a beautiful job at decorating already. I want to use the linen cloth for the table, and our best dishes, of course. They may be Lady Wilson's hand-me-downs, but they are still beautiful. I also need to finish wrapping gifts. Do you think we should hang some pine boughs on the fence outside?"

The two friends talked over their plans for Christmas. "Ne'er dreamt I would be sittin' in such a fine cottage as this, 'avin' cider. Life is funny, ain't it, Sophia girl?"

Sophia smiled as she sipped her cider. "It sure is. It wasn't so long ago that we were sitting in filthy hay. Now look at us on soft chairs in front of a warm, bright fire." She

sighed, thinking of all the changes in her life in such a short time. Alice, too, was quiet, staring at the fire.

At last Sophia broke the silence. "When I went to visit James Patrick last, he told me there was to be another hanging. That could have been us they were leading from Newgate. James said there will be three women hanged along with seven men next week. Remember the woman who killed her husband trying to protect her little ones? I suspect she'll be one of them. I wish we could do something for those poor souls."

"Aye, 'tis a sad thing indeed. I 'ad a friend taken' out an' 'anged. Did I tell ya that?” "Oh, Alice, I'm sorry. When was this?"

"Oh, 'twas a long time now. 'Er name was Rosie Meggens, a good friend 'o mine.

Lost 'er man an' two of 'er babes to the fever. She became a Pure-finder after that." "Pure-finder? What in the world is that?"

"Pickin' up dog turds. She got a few shillings a bucket fer 'em from the tanneries.* "Oh, how awful. What did the tanneries do with it?" Sophia asked.

"Rosie told me it were used in makin' the bindin' of fancy leather books. Can ya believe it? Ole Rosie worked 'ard to find them turds. After a while it all got ta her. She took to stealin' an' got caught. They 'anged 'er. Couldn't go an' see 'er 'anged meself. That's when I turned to the streets. "Ard times hit me, but I weren't going to be no Pure-finder. All stealin' got yas was swingin' from the gallows."

Sophia rose from her chair to go over and put her arm around Alice. "Alice, I'm so sorry you lost your friend that way."

"Ya, it be a 'ard thing fer sure, but I wanna ferget it now. That's why I don't go to no hangin'. 'Enry does when 'e can, but I don't go with 'im."

For a while the only sounds were the ticking clock and the crackling fire. Bang! The front door flew open, startling them. "Blimey, ye scared ten years off

me!" Alice shouted at Maggie.

"Sorry, I couldn't grab hold of the door. Wind is picking up."

Sophia rose to take some of the packages from her. "Were you able to find what you were looking for?"

"Aye, it took me some time, but it was worth the search," Maggie answered as she removed her cape.

"What yer lookin' fer, Maggie?" Alice asked. "Never mind with you! I needed a gift for a friend,

"Maggie spoke with a twinkle in her eye.

more."

and you don't need to know

Alice crinkled her brow until she understood Maggie was talking about her.

Smiling, Alice got up, turning toward the kitchen. "Well, fine. Ol' Ma secrets of 'er own, ya know." 'as ome: Sophia poured Maggie hot tea. "Come and warm yourself. Alice and I were just talking about our Christmas gathering, Lord and Lady Wilson will be coming. We got

a letter from them today."

"Good. Did Alice tell you what we were thinking about serving for dinner?" "Aye, and it sounds wonderful. I'm really getting excited. It has been a long time since I celebrated Christmas with family," Sophia said.

""Tis true of meself as well," Alice stated as she came back into the room. "We are going to have a fine Christmas this year," Maggie added. "What are you giving James Patrick?"

"I've crocheted a blanket, a sweater, and more socks for him. He keeps giving his away, and I can't make them fast enough. Alice is going to bake a rum cake, and I'll pack a fine lunch. We'll make it as merry a Christmas as we can." The women talked into the night, of their plans for the holidays until Sophia stood.

"Well, I best be off to bed. We have much to do in the next few days, and I want to

have an early start tomorrow. Good night." The other two rose as well, saying their good nights. They all settled in, but sleep wasn't to be for a while. Too much knitting was going on until the wee hours.

After much tossing and turning, Alice sat up from the floor, looking at her bed. Tis

time ter try out this soft bed. Picking up her blankets, she smoothed them on the mattress along with the coverlet. Setting her pillow at the head of the bed, she lowered herself gingerly, as if on

a bed of nails. Covering herself up, she lay there stiffly, quickly deciding she was not yet ready. She doubted she would ever get used to a soft mattress. But since it was so cold, and the bed was warming from her body, she decided not to get up right away. She would lie there a little longer before climbing back onto the floor. But soon she was fast asleep.

baking, and pine. Alice and Maggie were up early with all the excitement of the day ahead. A fire crackled in each fireplace, helping to warm the cottage

with Christmas spirit.

Aromas reached Sophia's nose, waking her. Yawning, she rubbed her eyes and waited for her. stretched. Realizing what day it was, she jumped out of bed, grabbing her robe and slippers. She flew into the main room, where Alice and Maggie alre "Merry Christmas Eve!" all shouted at the same time. The three friends sat at the table laughing, eating rolls, and telling of Christmases past.

"Let's open some presents," Sophia suggested. "Ain't ne'er opened presents on Christmas Eve morn," Alice whispered as if they were all about to commit some mortal sin.

"I know, but let's just open one. I can't wait!" Sophia laughed after seeing Alice's serious expression. Carrying their cups, they went by the tree and sat down. Sophia sat cross-legged on the floor while Alice and Maggie pulled up chairs. "Here's one for you, Alice. Sophia laughed as she handed the gift over.

"Tis been a piece o' time since I got me a present. We were jest happy if n we 'ad any food on Christmas Day." Sophia nodded in understanding. She watched as Alice opened the box.

"Blimey, 'tis two aprons! None grand I e'er see! Don't know fer sure if I be

wearing 'em. They be too pretty to mess up wearin' cookin' and cleanin'." "You better wear them, Alice Willow! The head cook at the gaol should look the part."

""Tis a fine present, Sophia girl. Thank ye." Alice blinked as her eyes misted. "Here, open mine, Alice!" Maggie laughed.

"What? Thought we were to open only one!" Alice beamed, reaching for the gift.

She carefully pulled back the paper and sucked in her breath as she stared at a new dress with lace at the collar. "Oh, I ne'er saw such a fine dress as this! Ya made it fer me, did ya, Maggie?"

Maggie nodded as she helped Alice hold it up. "I snuck in yer room and copied the size from one of your dresses hanging there. I hope it fits."

Tis a pretty blue color, an' there be lace at me throat! Well, where will I e'er wear Alice questioned. "Don't forget that we're invited to several Christmas celebrations. I was going to ask

you both to go to Chapel with me tonight," Sophia asked. Blimey, Sophia girl, 'tis you that people was invitin' to Christmas. Not ol' Alice." "No, the invitations were for all of us, and I won't go if you don't."

"Then best we all go. Don't want ta ruin yer fine Christmas by keepin' ya at 'ome." Alice laughed. "I be thankin' ya, Maggie, fer the fine blue dress. I ne'er 'ad such a dress in me life! I want yas to open me gifts. Such fine gifts as these they are not, but I 'ope as like 'em anyway." After both women assured Alice that her

gifts were special to them, they began unwrapping. Sophia received a beautiful linen hanky with her initials embroidered on it. For Maggie, there was a knitted hat that would keep away the winter cold. They were both thrilled. "Now open your gift from me, Maggie," Sophia said as she handed it to her.

"Oh, 'tis lovely. It's going to look beautiful on my bed. So much work you've done on it. Now I know what Alice means about not wanting to wear those pretty aprons. I'm tempted to hang this coverlet on the wall instead of putting it on my bed. Now ain't that silly. Can you imagine anyone hanging their bed coverlet on the wall? Thank ya, Sophia. Now open my gift to you."

Sophia opened the package to find a soft nightgown with matching robe. Maggie was pleased when Sophia stood, holding it up. She twirled around the room several times. After thanking each other once more, the women sat before the fire, drank their warm drinks, and talked.

"Well, so much for self-control. Who said we had to wait to open gifts on

Christmas Day anyway?" Sophia smiled. "You did!" came the at the same time. All laughed.

**Tis it time now?" Alice asked Maggie.

"Time for what?" Sophia inquired. "One more gift to be opened," Maggie answered. She nodded to Alice. "Tis a gift from your husband."