Prison Games

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The young woman smiled at her mother, saying nothing. Tess was struggling with her feelings. She felt trepidation about her upcoming marriage mixed with some degree liaisons with Peter. She was angry with him for his interference and for how easily he of excitement. Then there was the shame she felt, knowing her father knew about her cast her off on to another man.

father? He seems honorable and pleasant. He is taken with you, but how could he not Lady Wilson went on. "You seem happy with David. What do you think of his be? Look at what a beautiful daughter-in-law he is getting. Just think, Tess, by next Christmas I could be a grandmother! What a wonderful present that would be! We should go downstairs. David is waiting for you, and our guests have been arriving."

"I'll be down shortly, Mother." Tess kissed her mother's cheek. Once alone, again she sat in front of the fireplace trying to compose herself. That was just like her mother. To make her feel pressured to have a child right away. She was trapped into this and didn't like it. But she had no choice. Peter never promised her anything. Then there was his wife. Tess heard the woman could be ruthless. She didn't want to explain to Victoria why she was taking up a lot of her husband's time of late.

David was very handsome and seemed kind. He was also intelligent. She remembered their first meeting when she was much younger. It was at the theater. She remembered flirting with him, but he hardly took notice of her. She was as surprised as anyone that he had made a bid for her hand.

A horrifying thought surfaced. Did her father offer David money to marry her? Tess's face burned with humiliation. How can I ever face David again if my father has paid him? She had to know the truth. She would not start a marriage like this, even if it meant losing her father's support. She pulled the cord to summon her maid.

When Betsy knocked, Tess drew her in. "Go downstairs and tell my father I need to speak to him right away. Tell him it's very important, and hurry!" Soon her father knocked. "Tess?"

Tess opened her door to let him in. "I need to know one thing, Father, before I go

through with this. Did you pay David to marry me? Did you tell him I had to get

married, and then offer him money?"

Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close. "Oh, Tess, don't you know that I have done this because of my concern for you?"

"And Mother," she simply stated.

"Yes, that's true, but I do love you, and I have been gravely worried about you. The answer to your question is no. I did not bribe him into it. I had a business meeting with his father, and he mentioned that David had asked about you. He said his son was seeking out a suitable wife and had been struck by your beauty, good humor, and family. I lied and told him you had mentioned his son from time to time as well. One thing led to another, and here we are. I'm sorry I had to do this against your wishes. I would not have embarrassed you by paying someone to take you. You are a worthy wife. David is honored that you have consented. He believes this is all his idea. Of course he doesn't know it was me who consented for you. Tess, this is an extraordinary chance for you to be happy in the way God meant women to be...married and, hopefully, a mother. People have been arranging marriages since the dawn of time. You know my marriage with your mother was arranged, and look how much we love each

other. You need to give it a chance. By the way, you look lovely." Tess could hear her father's heart beating as she kept her head on his chest. "I thought you didn't love me anymore."

Gently pushing her away from his chest, he looked down at his only child. "How could I not love you? You are my daughter. Besides, I can only stay angry with you for a short time. You must understand what a great marriage you are entering into. David is a young suitable man with a good family name...and money. Most women would give anything for a marriage such as this. Please promise me you will work hard to make this marriage work. Will you make me proud?" Tess felt irritation at her father's words. This

wasn't about him. It was about her life, but she knew she was stuck. Why alienate him from her by getting angry? Instead of expressing her true feelings, she looked up, trying to give her most innocent gaze. With a pout she nodded. "Yes, Father, I will work hard and make you proud." Lord Wilson beamed down at her. "Come now, Tess. Let's greet your guests who have already begun to arrive."

Tess held tightly to her father's arm as she descended the staircase. Holding her head high, she made quite the entrance. She only hesitated for a second when she saw David and Peter standing together at the bottom of the staircase...waiting for her.

It was Sophia's second visit to her husband after the holidays. James held his wife tenderly. As they embraced, he prayed silently, Thank You, Father, for Sophia. Bless her, and help me to be the kind of husband You want me to be. Amen. "So, have you given your Christmas presents away yet?" Sophia teased. Smiling, James shook his head. "I couldn't after all the hard work you put into

them. I've been enjoying them myself."

Sophia giggled. "I still can't believe you got me a ring. I'll have to remember that you are quite the schemer." She laughed. "So, are you still meeting with the women's group? What dragons are they fighting

now?" James asked.

"Aye, and don't tease about it, James. We have done much to help prisoners in various gaols. It's important what we do. Especially to you, who are still locked in this place. You know Newgate and Kirkdale are the worse prisons, but the others are not much better. Think of those who don't have families to comfort them, or bring them extra food and clothes."

"Scolding me, are ya? Don't forget that I know exactly how it feels to be alone as you do. I thank God every day for you, and the blessings He gives. I don't take your work for the prisoners for granted one bit." Sophia relaxed. "I'm sorry, James. I guess I have been fighting so long for the

and arguing against the wrongs done them that I get a bit touchy when talking about it." Smiling, James told his wife how happy he was to have her on his side. "I wouldn't

prisoners want you against me, Sophia Murphy."

Sophia went on to tell of the blankets and Bibles that her group had passed out. "We have been able to successfully argue for better conditions on the prison ships. The prisoners are getting more exercise time and surgeons to help with their ailments. Now we're working on getting them more blankets and food. More matrons are needed for the women as well. Most of them are attacked within days of arriving. With matrons on board, it keeps everyone in their place, if you know what I mean. We don't have time to rejoice in our winning small battles. There is so much more needed. "

James nodded in understanding, then turned the subject. "I believe when spring comes, we will sail out. I could be wrong, but I know a man on one of the harbor crews who knows they like to pull out in spring."

It was Sophia's turn to nod in agreement. "Aye, I think you may be right. When I think about it, I get such mixed feelings. I think I'll have myself worked up into a tizzy when the time comes to set sail."

Like so many times before, they made small talk, got to know each other better, and became closer. In one way this time was different, for they began to share together the importance of God in their lives. They laughed, held hands, and shyly kissed good-bye. As always, Sophia walked out alone, Loneliness covered them both each time they had to separate, but they were thankful for having each other. They knew it wouldn't be long before they could be together...in every way. Yes, a time of change was coming for them.

ord Wilson leaned back in his chair and smoked his cigar, content to listen to the four men telling of the prison hulks. Grimes was there as well. Lord Wilson wanted to hear more. If he was to help, he would need more information. Some of what they said he already knew from the men who had talked to Sophia, but some information was new. But he didn't like the fact that they were in his office, where his dear wife could come knocking at his door at any moment. There was much of what was being said that he didn't want her to overhear.

"The hulks are necessary, Lord Wilson. What with the war ending and the population doubling, crime increases. There's been an increase in transports over the last five years with no end in sight," a man named Trace informed the others. "I can tell you stories well into the night about when I was quartermaster on the Liberty. Fine name for a prison hulk, wouldn't you say? Liberty, ha!" Lord Wilson detested this brass braggart of a man, but he had a wealth of

knowledge when it came to this subject. Lord Wilson told Grimes to find him a man who lived in the thick of it, and he did. Trace went on, "These people aren't any better than dogs on the streets, maggots

one and all. If they make it alive, fine. If not, there are more to replace them." Brice interrupted, "It has gotten much better than it was, but it's still a hard journey for sure. Takes from four to six months before dropping anchor off of New South Wales. Most of the prisoners are half dead before they even leave Langston, Portsmouth, Deptford, or Woolwich Harbor. Don't make any difference what hulk they're on, they are all treated pretty much the same. If the lot is lucky, they'll work ten hours a day on the docks while they wait to sail. If they aren't lucky, they are left on board chained up, starved, beaten, and sick of heart and body."

"What do you expect? You think we should pat them on the wrists, and feed them good beef? It be best for everyone to be rid of them. They deserve to be punished. That

is my job," Trace bragged. "And I hear you do it well." Grayson narrowed his eyes at the man. "I assure you, sir, I do the job I'm hired for. After a week in that hell's pot, you'd

not fair a any different. Lord Wilson jumped in before an argument erupted. "What about the families left behind? Can they be transported with their husbands or wives?"

"Not often," came the answer from Brice. "There have been thousands of letters written by families. They often ask to sail along with their mates, but unless they have a ticket-of-leave, chances are they stay behind."

"What's a ticket-of-leave?"

"It would show that the convict could somehow support his family once transported. If a person had money to do that, he probably wouldn't be in a gaol in the first place. Usually it's all they can do to survive, let alone bring a wife and brats in tow. Sometimes letters are written, beseeching the authorities on behalf of the convict. If funds follow, they may let the family go then, but that is a rare thing indeed. Once in a while a husband and wife are convicted together and transported out, but not always to the same place. The brats are shipped out with the mothers, though. We have no need to keep them. The foundling homes bulge now."

"And it only gets worse," replied Grayson. "Any time a new prisoner comes on board one of the hulks, the old-timers' steal from him. They take whatever is of value after one of the marines attaches a fourteen-pound iron to his right ankle. They aren't likely to try to swim away with that on their leg. Once the irons are removed, their legs jerk up uncontrollably when the prisoner tries to walk. It depends on how long the iron is left on. It takes a long time to get over that, if they ever do."

"Tell me about the food on these prison ships. Why did you say they were starved?"

Lord Wilson asked, sitting forward. It was Knotts' turn to share his knowledge. "The Naval agent assigned to the transports mostly determines whether prisoners see the food they're supposed to get.

They're usually issued an 'institutional pound' of raw meat but..."