Prison Games

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The old familiar dread had washed over Sophia as soon as she entered the house. Now she sat quietly wondering if they had any idea of the fear, pain, and suffering she had endured...not only that, but the day-to-day humiliation of it all. Would they understand her suffering began long before her imprisonment? That one prison had only been replaced with another? That their beautiful home had been a place of darkness and despair for her just as much as that cell she had been in? Because of their daughter's cruelty, and their blindness to it, Sophia had suffered greatly. Oh, she knew they were sincere, caring people, but how could they not have seen their daughter for what she really was? What could they possibly give Sophia to make up for any of it? At Sophia's silence, Lord Wilson stood. He walked to the mantel of the fireplace to

of what we owe you. Please realize we know in our hearts no amount of money could make up for this. But we want you to have something to help you in your new life." Sophia slowly opened the paper. In her hands was a bank note for a tremendous amount of money. Not in her whole life could she possibly spend it all. Stunned, she

pick up a sealed envelope and promptly handed it to her. "This is just a small portion looked at Lord Wilson, waiting for him to say, "Oh, Sophia, this is just another cruel

joke." He waited for any kind of response. When there was none, Lord Wilson again spoke. "Along with these funds we have the papers of ownership to your father's

house." He handed her another envelope. "Papa's house?" Sophia questioned. "Papa never owned a house."

Lord Wilson explained, "We never told you, but this house was given to your father for many years of faithful service. Along with it, he received seventy acres of land. I don't know if you knew this, but he saved my life once. I fell off my horse when it bolted. My boot became caught in the stirrup. I was dragged a great distance. Your father jumped in front of the horse, putting himself in danger. He was able to grab the reins and thus saved my life."

Sophia vaguely remembered, as a little girl, hearing a lot of commotion about Lord Wilson getting hurt. She heard something about Papa being a hero, but Papa had always been a hero to Sophia. "Two weeks before you were supposed to move into the house is when he was

killed. He was going to surprise you. We never mentioned it to you after he died

because you were too young to live alone. By the time you were old enough we,

well..." Lord Wilson looked down as if embarrassed. "...we were so attached to you, we couldn't bear the thought of you leaving us. That, and also we hoped some of your sweet nature would rub off on Tess. We kept your papa's house in good repair. We fully expected to hand it over to you, but the opportunity never came."

Anger filled Sophia. So she was left to endure their daughter's abuse in hopes she would what? Teach their daughter to be a better person?

Lady Wilson added, "Sophia, there are no words to tell you how devastated we are. We have always known that Tess is a troubled girl, but we never believed she would be capable of this. We wore blinders when it came to our daughter. We cannot lay all the blame on her shoulders. I know we are just as guilty, like Edward said. We have come to realize how selfish we have been. We ask...no, we beg your forgiveness, and ask only one other thing of you. Please tell us if there is anything else we could do to try and make things right."

Sophia felt overwhelmed. Money and a house! What did it matter now without Papa and Gran to share it with? Why now? Why at all? Could she so easily take these things and call it even? Was forgiveness bought and sold? Was a year of her life and the ruin of Papa's name worth all this money and a house? Papa's good name was all he ever had. He sealed bargains on his word alone. Isn't that how she first got this position, on his word alone? Sophia's throat burned; tears threatened. She tried blinking them away, but one slipped through.

The older woman knelt by Sophia's chair. "Please forgive us, dear. The most painful thing for us above all was discovering our daughter was capable of such lies and deception. Not only to lie to us, but to have a heart capable of hurting you in such a terrible manner. We are not excusing our part in all this, Sophia, but we were wounded as well. We felt it best to send Tess to her aunt's estate for a time. We are not sure what will become of her, but we are ready to face any charges made against Tess."

Sophia nodded slowly and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. Did they really want her to feel bad for them because their daughter was a liar and cheat? Sophia's anger grew a little hotter until she looked at Lady Wilson. The pain was so evident on her face. If Lady Wilson was guilty of anything, it was believing in her daughter.

Sophia thought of Alice and James. Maybe there was a reason for all this. Gran used to say things didn't just happen. Sophia's anger cooled as her heart softened toward the matronly woman. Reaching her arms out to Lady Wilson, both women began to cry. Lord Wilson shifted uncomfortably, looking toward the ceiling. The two women clung to each other, weeping bitterly. They had both lost so much.

Sophia finally felt her throat relax enough for her to speak. "I guess a lot of people have been hurt by this. It was especially horrible in the beginning, but I forged friendships there. I became close to some of the other women. It is amazing how people can adjust when they have to. Gran used to say that unforgiveness was one of the quickest ways to hell. It is capable of killing a heart and putting disease on a body. I understand now what she meant."

Lady Wilson daintily blew her nose. "Sophia, I must again confess we had selfish motives. We couldn't think of our home without you. We were very wrong for that. It's just that you were a ray of sunshine and laughter. We were hoping some of your wonderful qualities would rub off on Tess, as Edward has said. You had attached yourself to our hearts. We were so wrong to lay the responsibility of Tess's actions and attitudes in your young hands." Lady Wilson put her arm around Sophia's shoulders. "We need to make plans. Do you think you will want to move into your own home?"

Sophia looked into her kind face. "I'm not sure. I can't believe the change in my life in one morning. My mind is spinning." She thought about her beloved papa, how proud he would have been to have a home of his own. After losing Gran in the cottage fire, they were all that was left of their family. Papa had stayed in the men's quarters on the estate, and Sophia had a small room of her own in Brick House. She closed her eyes to the memory of the most terrible time in her life except for the gaol. First Gran had died. Then Papa was crushed while cutting down a tree.

Lady Wilson's voice broke in. "Then, dear girl, why not move into your new home? Stay until you decide what you want to do. Whatever you decide, we will be here to help you. We have also heard of the circumstances which you were forced into marrying some criminal. Needless to say, we were appalled. You can have annulled. We are willing to help you with that as well." Sophia wasn't sure if she should tell them of her plans to stay married to James, so marriage

she was silent.

"Enough for today. You look exhausted, dear. We'll have our carriage brought around to take you to Brady's Brick."

Sophia's jaw dropped.

"Yes, that's what your father named his cottage. He said you would like that. We had it prepared for you just in case you agreed to go there. Write down anything you require, and we will have it brought over to you. In the meantime try to rest, and think about what you want to do with your future."

Sophia remembered. "Magistrate Reeves agreed to help me find a place to stay temporarily. I should let him know I have a home."

"I'll have a message sent to him," Lord Wilson stated.

"May I ask you something?" Sophia inquired.

"Of course, dear," Lady Wilson answered.

"Did you supply the clothes I'm wearing? The ones brought to me just after my release?"

The older woman smiled. "I took it upon myself to buy some things. I wasn't sure

of your size. I hope you don't mind?"

Sophia was relieved they weren't Tess's castoffs. "Not at all. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness." Everyone rose to leave. Lady Wilson and Sophia walk hand-in-hand to the carriage.

Soon she was heading to her new home, Brady's Brick. Tears flowed freely once she was

alone. It all seemed surreal-a new life, a new home, freedom. Her life seemed to be

pushed and pulled every which way and none of it by her own actions.

Sophia closed her eyes, letting her body rest in the gentle sway of the coach. She decided not to make any decisions for three days. By three days she would be rested and have some idea of where she was heading. For now she would just wait to see her inheritance. Brady's Brick was a gift from Papa, making her love it already. She could hardly wait to see it. Her own home, the home of Papa and of Gran too. Given the choice, the three of them would have lived there together, but they were not given choices. They were just given hardship and death.

A stab of self-pity bolted through Sophia, but she didn't let it take hold. She wasn't going to waste time on that. This time yesterday she was locked up, but now...no more sleeping on a blanket covering hay, no more hunger or cold. Sophia appreciated the sunshine like never before. She melted into the softness of the coach seats, rejoicing in the thythmic clopping of the horses' hooves. She was thrilled at the femininity of her dress and bonnet. She felt weak with thankfulness for her freedom. Freedom she had not experienced since she had left her precious home with Papa after the fire.

The next time she opened her eyes she saw it...her home. The carriage pulled up in front. Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn't too long ago when she'd thought, I'll never feel joy again. She was wrong. Joy flooded her. For the first time in a very long time, she cried...tears of joy.