Prison Games

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The three old friends sat in comfortable silence for a time, sipping tea. The rest of the afternoon was spent sewing lace onto the cloth decorations they had made earlier. They strung cookies for the tree. As they placed all the decorations, Maggie asked, "When did Sophia say she would be back from seeing James?"

"Don't know but won't be too long now. It be gettin' dark." As if to answer, a horse

whinnied, and the sound of a carriage pulling up was heard. "I'm home! Anyone here?" Sophia shouted breathlessly.

"Aye, in the kitchen, Sophia. Are ya hungry?" Alice shouted.

"Aye, famished. What's on the stove?"

Supper was pleasant, and Sophia raved about the tree.

Henry finished eating, then said his good-byes before heading home. "Let me walk a piece with ya, 'enry," Alice said before running for her cloak. The two old lovebirds left, leaving the house quiet.

"I think it's sweet that Henry started courting Alice after she left the gaol. The way they act, you would think they were kids." Sophia laughed.

Maggie chuckled. "Remember the day the old rogue came to the door with that handful of wilted flowers, all red-faced and stammering? I thought Alice was going to bust with pride. She was more flustered than him, I believe. Never saw her at a loss of words before. Probably never will again neither. Do you think he'll ask her to marry him?"

"I don't know. Would be grand if he did, but I don't know if Alice would go through with it. Still talks of her Percy a lot and says she's too old for such things. It's fun to watch, though.” "How have your meetings been going with the Lady's Society? Have you been able those souls in the

to help poor gaol? Any more changes made?" Sophia shook her head. "Not really. It can be so frustrating. Trying to make any kind of changes in this old system is like dragging a dead horse. Everyone agrees the changes need to be made, but they seem to drag their feet. Laws are born, not written, and labor can be hard and painful. Elizabeth Fry has struggled for years for reform, but it comes slow."

"Who is Elizabeth Fry?"

"She's the one who has fought for changes for the women at Newgate. She visits them, brings them food and clothing. She has given them hope when they had none." Soon the two turned their conversation toward other things, enjoying each other's

company. Sophia picked up her bag of knitting and began working on it.

"What are you knitting now, Sophia?" Maggie questioned as she finished washing the

dishes.

"Another sweater for James. You would not believe how damp it is in that place. I thought I was going to die from the cold when I was there. I wouldn't be surprised if James gives this one away too. He always says that he finds someone whose needs are greater than his."

"A rare man he is, Sophia. A glorious find he is. Not too many men like him around. Wouldn't mind finding one such as him for myself." "Who says you won't? You never know, Maggie. Just like Alice, you could get a

man knocking on your door."

"Won't hold my breath-or anything else-waiting." Maggie joked. "Maybe if your papa had lived....well, you know."

The two sat quietly after that. Sophia thought of her beloved papa, while Maggie

remembered her lost love...the same man.

Christmas was approaching fast. Sophia needed to stay up late each night to finish making her presents for her "family." There was a sweater for James, warm socks for Henry, and a new warm covering for Maggie's bed. She had finished sewing the two new aprons for Alice the previous week. The hardest of all was what to give Lord and Lady Wilson. They had everything, and there was nothing they couldn't buy. Sophia wanted so much to give them something special for all they had done. The Wilsons had more than made up for any past mistakes. Sophia thought of them now as part of her family. She never went to the Brick House because of Tess, but they came to see her on a regular basis. What could she make for them? Time was running out, and she was feeling panicky.

Suddenly it dawned on her. She would give Lord Wilson her father's watch. It had meant the world to Papa, for it had come from his father. It was one of her treasures, but she wanted Lord Wilson to have it. He had not only given her father a job when most people hated and mistreated the Irish, but he took her father into his heart. If it hadn't been for the Wilsons, her family would not have been able to have a comfortable life. Oh, her father worked hard earning what he made, but he was happy because of it. For that, she had to credit Lord Wilson. Sophia had thought of giving the watch to James, keeping it in the family, until she reminded herself that the Wilsons were her family, too.

For Lady Wilson she would give her the most valued prize of all-a beautiful shawl made by Gran, given to her mother. It was a delicate knit, the color of cream, and made when Gran lived in Ireland. Gran had saved it for Sophia, keeping it in one of her trunks. Thank God, the Wilsons kept Sophia's things for her when she was locked up. It was because of them that she still had her treasures. She became very excited now that she had gifts for them. She knew they would like anything she gave, but it was important to her to give them something special. She was almost finished, and Christmas was only two weeks away.

There was only one thing that could have made her Christmas perfect-having James there with her. Sighing, Sophia slipped out to the kitchen for some milk. Returning to the main room, she stirred the fire. She began thinking how much her life had changed since Gran had died. More changes were to come, and perhaps there would not be a time like this again. Would she ever sit at a warm fire on a cold night, and feel safe and secure again once she left?

Sophia felt apprehensive about the future, but it was too late to worry about it now. The decision to go was made, and go she would. Hopefully it wouldn't be the nightmare she kept hearing about. After all, she had heard terrible things about Newgate, too. While it certainly wasn't pleasant, she had found she could endure.

Finally, as the clock chimed three in the morning, Sophia lifted herself out of the chair, stretched, and headed for bed. As she lay watching the flames in her fireplace, she thought of her family. Family, yes, she once again had a family besides James, and it would be hard to leave them. She was as close to those around her now as she was to Papa and Gran. Blessed she was, and she knew it. As she lay in her bed, she again whispered a soft prayer: Thank You, God. Thank You for my family.

Father, you wanted to see me?" Tess bounced into her father's study. "Come sit down, Tess. I need to talk to you. Where's your mother?"

"Didn't she tell you that she had to run to do some shopping for the ball?" "Yes, but I wanted to make sure she was gone. I need to talk to you, and what

have to say may upset you. I do not want your mother to hear."

Tess leaned forward in her chair. "Is Mother all right? She isn't ill, is she?" "No, she's fine. What I need to speak to you about concerns your future."

The hair on the back of Tess's neck stood up. She knew this wasn't going to be good. Her father never called her into his study. Something was wrong...wrong for her. She braced herself.

Tess, I hired a detective to look into your activities. What he found greatly disturbed me. You have forced me to make some hard decisions." "You what? A detective? Who?" Tess blurted out.

As calmly as possible, Lord Wilson answered her questions. "He's a friend of mine. His name isn't important, but what he found out is. Seems you are 'seeing' a married man, and you have been frequenting some unsavory places. Tess, what are you thinking? Don't you know a lady doesn't go to the gambling houses?"

Tess leaped to her feet, thundering, "How dare you! I'm not a child to be dictated You side with some servant, sending me off to Aunt Marilyn's, and now you have me followed? I'm not going to stand for it." Tess pivoted to storm out.

"If you don't sit down, you will never get another cent from me."

Tess stopped in her tracks. Pulled between her pride and greed, she teetered in the doorway. Finally greed won out. She turned back toward her father.

"Good. Now I want you to listen to what I'm going to say. First of all, we've been through all this about Sophia. You lied, sending an innocent person to the gaol. Your mother and I couldn't believe you would do such a thing. I had to pay a great deal of money not to have you arrested for falsely signing those papers, but that is past. I now have new concerns. The reason I told you about the detective in the first place was to avoid your denial and save time. I had hoped by now that you would accept one of the proposals that had come in for you. Instead, you decide it's more to your liking to run with a married man and show yourself a loose woman."

-ay. I had hoped you would have settled down by now and possibly have a couple of Tess opened her mouth to respond, but her father raised his hand. "I will have my children. It has been your mother's hope as well. Since that is not the case, I have taken Reps to make it happen."

and it

It will be your engagement party as well. Your mother doesn't know about this, but Tess's "The s eyes widened. "What do you mean you've taken steps? What steps?" party your mother is preparing for is going to be more than a Christmas ball.

after our talk, she will." Lord Wilson waited for the words to sink in.

Tess's mouth opened, but nothing came out.

He continued. "I have been corresponding with George Day. His son, David, has asked my permission to marry you. I said yes, and you shall also. They will be coming for a visit in a week, and I want you to be ready for it." "You what! You can't do this, Father! Give me away as if I were a puppy David Day! I've never met the man, and you expect me to marry him?"

"You have met him, but it has been years. His father is a ship builder. He owns a large estate just outside London. The family is old blood. Your future husband has a own estate in Kent. He has asked for your hand, and I am giving it to him. He will be taking over his father's business and feels it is time to settle down. I've had him checked out and found him to be an excellent catch."

Tess sat paralyzed. How could this be happening? She'd had her father wrapped around her little finger for as long as she could remember. What had changed? How could he even talk to her like this, as if she were some kind of harlot off the street know who he is, Father, but I don't remember ever meeting him, just hearing abou him. I heard he was dull and dim-witted."

Lord Wilson lit a cigar. "Tess, I can see that you are in shock. You must realize I'm doing this for your own good. You are heading into disaster, and as your father, I feel inclined to take the necessary steps to secure you a future. David Day is far from dim witted. He's a great businessman."

Tess spoke as if to herself. "I can't believe you're doing this to me. Have I been that horrible that you would throw my life away as if it meant nothing?" Tears threatened as she looked up at the man who had always been her protector.

For the first time, doubts clouded Lord Wilson's mind. Maybe she was right. What if he was doing the wrong thing? After all, Tess at least had had the decency to be concerned about her mother in the beginning of their conversation. Perhaps there was hope for the girl after all. No, he chided himself, he had to concentrate, and remember all that she had been

involved in lately. Her tears were not going to work to change his mind this time. His chin firmed in determination. "You have no choice in the matter. You have proved you are not capable of making your own decisions. Before you ruin your reputation, and our name, I will see you married! That is the end of it, except for this your mother will be home soon. You will not say anything to her. I will tell her the news, and I will also let her know that you were in on the surprise. She must think that you and I planned to surprise her as a Christmas present. Do you understand?" She crossed her arms. "And what if I refuse?"