Prison Games

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

She felt different changed somehow from a girl to a woman. She felt stronger and not as afraid of the future. Hardships were coming. Of that, she had no doubt. But people could live soft and still have a hard life. Hardships were not something to fear, but to live and work through. She knew in her heart that somehow they would make it, for they had each other. Yes, she and James would make it. That was the promise of the kiss they shared.

"I can't believe you let those men tell Sophia about all the horrors aboard those ships. I think that was cruel. That wasn't like you at all, Edward!" Lady Wilson scolded.

"My dear, it is best that she realize what she's getting herself into. It won't be easy,

especially for an innocent such as Sophia." "But to let them give her gory details that only served to frighten the poor girl...well, she has been through enough. You said you wanted to help her!"

"I do, but she needs to know what can happen. How else will she prepare for such a journey? I hear it's very difficult. I don't want to tell her otherwise. Besides, after hearing all this, she may change her mind. It would be best for her to do that now, rather than when she's halfway across the ocean."

would she want to do this in the first place? I truly have tried to understand, but I Overwhelmed with fear and grief, Lady Wilson dabbed her eyes. "Why in the world can't. To marry a stranger, and go off to some godforsaken place? At best all they can do is to scratch out a living-if they survive at all. It's beyond me."

forgotten that you and I were virtual strangers when we married? That ours was an "Now, now, Barbara, there's no reason to get yourself all worked up. Have you arranged marriage? We have come to love each other deeply. I know that it isn't quite the same, but we need to let her make her own decisions. I wasn't trying to be cruel, but to prepare her for some of what she may face." Lady Wilson nodded in agreement, and he continued. "She has her mind made up, so all we can do is try our best to help her. Since she is going to be so far away, it will be next to impossible once she is there. You will need to trust me, my dear. I promise you, we will do everything in our power to help her. Now, go rest before dinner. We don't want Tess to know that you've been crying. How would you explain it?"

Lady Wilson let her husband lead her to the staircase and obediently went to her rooms to rest. Sleep eluded her as her mind went from Sophia to Tess. Once again she had to admit that she had enjoyed her relationship with Sophia more than with Tess. This knowledge caused her much pain and guilt. She couldn't help it. She had come to love Sophia as much, if not more, than her own daughter. Her fear for the girl's future was very real. She knew she had no control over her own future, let alone anyone else's. It was futile to worry. Nonetheless, she felt panic whenever she thought of Sophia sailing away. She decided to indeed trust her husband and promised herself something. She would watch to make sure as time passed that her husband's concern for Sophia wouldn't ebb away. Once that was decided, she was able to rest.

Lord Wilson stepped out into the garden. Although the temperatures were dropping, the sun had not fully set, leaving the temperature still pleasant. Soon it would be time to close the house up and move to their summer home. He felt tired. His age was catching up with him. Knowing that made him feel melancholy. This should have been an easy time for him and Barbara. He had expected to have grandchildren by now. It had been his intention to see Tess married and settled into home life. He had hoped that would curb some of her wild nature.

He knew his wife was also feeling agitated due to their daughter's return. Her health seemed fragile. He needed to take steps to ease his wife's worries, but what could he do? He was a man of action, which was easy if you had the money. He did, but money wasn't the answer this time.

He had expected to hear from the detective he had hired any day now. He should have hired him sooner to check on James Murphy. He would have to know what kind of man Murphy was if he was to help them. It all depended on the detective's report. Sophia may have decided to stay married to the man, but if he turned out to be a rogue, Lord Wilson would not spend his time or money on him. Being in the gaol in the first place was cause for mistrust. However, Sophia had been in the gaol for no fault of her own; perhaps something similar had happened to the man, though he doubted it.

Lord Wilson's brow creased as his thoughts returned to his daughter. He knew it was only a matter of time before she once again got herself into a "situation." Barbara could never know what he knew about Tess. He had spent a lot of money keeping their family name cleared of any scandal. However, he was never sure what Tess was up to. Barbara told him how Tess had practically thrown herself at a married man.

Deeply troubled, he walked back into the house. After closing the French doors, he stepped to the side table to pour some brandy. Arrangements to move to the summerhouse would have to be postponed. He had too many irons in the fire to leave and questions that needed to be answered. It was time to give George Day the answer he had been expecting. If George's son was truly interested in marrying Tess, he would give his permission. If she wouldn't settle down on her own, he would arrange a good match for her. That decision made, he belted down the brandy, pouring another. Tomorrow would be a difficult day. He didn't want to face it, but face it he would, and so would Tess.

"Lord Wilson, you have a visitor, sir. A Mr. Grimes." The servant stepped aside to show the man into his employer's study. A young man stepped over the threshold smiling, bowing ever so slightly. "Grimes, thank you for coming. Sit down." Lord Wilson extended his hand. The

man took it. "Graines, fetch some tea, and brandy."

Once the two men were settled, Grimes took out a small notebook from his pocket

and opened it. "I have some interesting information for you. What do you want first?"

"What do you have on Murphy?"

"He was orphaned and traveled from job to job. Ended up with a family for about eight years, but they lost their farm. As far as I could find out, he was once again on his own. Seems he's a hard worker. Except for stealing bread and cheese from a shopkeeper, he was never in trouble before. He fared better than most of the gutter pups here in the city. I checked him out at Newgate. Seems when he first arrived most of the men were afraid of him. Probably from his size; he's huge. The gaolers even use him on jobs with a team of men. Seems he gets the job done, and done right. I came across something interesting. Many of the turnkeys respect him. That's unheard of."

Lord Wilson listened intently.

The man went on. "I also found many of the other prisoners are quite loyal to the man. They treated me with great suspicion and were quick to defend him. I find myself quite amazed by it. They usually tell any and all if they think it will help them. Many times they offer information I don't ask for. But not on this man." Lord Wilson lit a cigar and leaned back in his chair. Taking his time, he puffed.

blowing the smoke over his head. "What was all the stealing business about?"

"I guess he was hungry. Stole bread and cheese and got caught."

"That's it? I still can't believe they will transport a man for as little as that." Lord Wilson snorted.

"I hear tell of a lad, twelve years old, who was sent out for stealing pants for himself. He was cold and half-naked. They want these thieves gone. It doesn't matter what they stole."

"Taking food because you're hungry or clothes to cover yourself doesn't make you a thief. If he worked all those years, it shows that it's not his nature. I can't fault anyone for trying to eat. Is that all the information you have on him?"

"Yes, sir, I had trouble finding out anything else since he has no family, and the tight-lipped cronies wouldn't talk."

"What other information do you have for me?" Lord Wilson picked up his ornate cigar box and offered one.

Taking a cigar, the man clipped it and waited for a light. "Your daughter, well, has been seen on several occasions with Magistrate Reeves. Seems his wife is on an extended trip to Paris with a friend of hers. Reeves and your daughter have been seen at the gambling house and out to a few plays."

"Gambling house! Her mother would faint dead away if she knew her daughter was frequenting such an establishment and with a married man! What else?"

The man squirmed in his chair. "That's about all. It seems they are...well, shall we say, becoming close friends? The man's wife is due back in another month."

"So there seems to be a marriage of convenience between Reeves and his

wife?"

"I was told Reeves got his title of magistrate from his father-in-law. Was

a barrister

making less than he is now. Met his wife and fell into money." Lord Wilson leaned back in his chair once more. He had much to think about.

"Anything else?" was all he said.

"That's about it for now. I'm still working on getting a meeting together for you with those men I told you about. Grayson is free now, but I'm having trouble getting in touch with Brice and Knotts."

"Contact me when you are able to set something up. If there are any new developments, contact me immediately." Lord Wilson rose from his chair, dismissing the younger man. "Good job, Grimes. You answered many of the questions I had. Thank you for coming."

The two men left the study, stepping into the massive foyer to the front entrance. Once again they shook hands before Grimes left.

Lady Wilson descended the stairs smiling at her husband. "Business, Seems a lot of people have been coming and going lately."

Edward?

Lord Wilson took his wife by the hand and led her into the parlor to sit before the fire. "Nothing you need to concern yourself over, dear. I've decided to stay in London instead of going to the summerhouse. I have some important business I need to finish, and I thought it would be nice to have the holidays here this year. What do you think?" "Of course, Edward, I don't mind if you need to stay. I will need to get word to the staff not to open the summerhouse."

"I've already taken care of that. Would you like to have a Christmas ball this year?" Lady Wilson looked surprised. Normally he was not one for such social functions. "It's been such a long time since we entertained like that, Edward. I would love it! It would give me a chance to show off the house dressed in its Christmas finest. Tess will be excited too, I'm sure of it."

"I think you will be the one most excited, my dear," the man said. "Why, Edward? Is there more to all your surprising news?"

"Oh, yes, but I'm not telling you yet. You must wait and see. I don't want to spoil it." He failed to mention to his wife that it would be more than a Christmas ball. She didn't know it yet, but she was about to plan her daughter's engagement party. "Start making the arrangements and make sure Tess helps. Spare no expense, Barbara.

Christmas comes only once a year, and who knows when we will ever do this again." Lady Wilson's eyes twinkled with merriment. "Oh, Edward, what a wonderful ball it will be. Thank you!" Off she ran to make her plans.

Lord Wilson smiled at his wife's excitement and at his cleverness. Soon all would be set, and he would not have to worry about his daughter any longer. Let another man have the job.

M ary held the back door of the cottage open for Henry as he pulled at the pine tree. Snow followed, leaving a wet trail on Maggie's clean kitchen floor. "Blimey, 'enry, Maggie will cuff ya if she sees that snow all over," Alice

warned.

"Well, git a rag, woman, and wipe it up afore she sees it," Henry quipped. The fragrance of cookies baking along with the aroma of pine filled the warm kitchen. Alice was amused, watching Henry struggle with the tree. "Ya think maybe ya could help some, putting this monster up?" Henry leaned forward as his chest heaved.

"Are ya alright there, 'enry?"

"Aye, just need some more breaths of air, and I'll be fine."

Between the two of them the tree was soon standing in front of the windows, ready to be decorated.

Maggie came in to check on her cookies and gave her approval. "Tis a fine tree. Sophia will like it. Come and have some tea now. Sit and rest yourselves."

"Don 'ave to ask me twice." Alice smiled, grabbing Henry's arm. "Ave we any honey left, Maggie?"