Prison Games

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

"F or heaven's sake, Peter." Victoria quipped, "stop pacing the floor. You are truly working up my nerves."

Peter Reeves pivoted toward his wife. As long as he could remember she loved to make decisions regarding his business. He could sidestep her for the most part, but this time she had him against the wall. He took a long drag off his cigar and slowly blew the smoke before speaking. "I just don't think it is realistic, Victoria. You must realize that women placed in these gaols are not the same caliber as yourself. Besides, my dear, you really do not need to worry your little head about such matters."

"Peter, why do you insist on talking to me as if I were a child?" Victoria moved with grace toward him.

Peter knew "it" wasn't over by the lift of her dainty chin. "All I mean, Victoria, is that these women are not decent thinking. They do not live by the standards you do. The same rules do not apply to them as to women such as you."

"What does it matter if a woman has learned gentle and feminine ways? Women are women, so how can you even think of sending single women on ships? It isn't decent. I can't believe you would even consider such a thing, let alone agree to it."

Peter ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn't about to tell her that women had been shipped out unmarried for many years now. Victoria gave her husband the look. He knew he had two choices: he could do as she said, or lie and tell her he would do as she said. "Must we speak of this right now? We'll be late meeting our guests for dinner." Hoping to divert her attention, he gently touched her cheek.

"All right, Peter. We can discuss this later, but be assured I will be satisfied on this matter." Turning, she called her maid to attend to her.

Putting up with his wife's self-righteousness was a source of great irritation. Her chin was raised, but not her morals. Oh, Peter wasn't the most moral man either, but he didn't pretend to be by dictating to others...except for prisoners, of course.

After leaving her husband's suite of rooms, Victoria headed toward her own. As her maid brushed out her heavy black hair, she thought of Peter. How she loved being

He always gave in to her wishes, but that was because she knew how to handle him. She enjoyed the attention and prestige that came with her husband's position. Being married to a Common Law Judge had benefits indeed. Peter had to travel to many different towns to sit the bench, giving her freedom to do as she pleased. She accompanied people she enjoyed instead of the many stuffed shirts they had to socialize with. With Peter's appointment on the bench and her inheritance there was more than enough money for the lifestyle she loved so much.

Yes, Victoria was very happy with her life. She only had two fears: growing old and boredom. It was the second fear that caused her to help the needy. When she heard Peter talking about those wretched women, she knew she had to step in. Men couldn't understand what a woman needed. Every woman wanted a man to take care of them, to give them a home and some stability. Certainly she understood it would be difficult to marry a stranger, especially a criminal, but the women were criminals themselves. That made it right. At least they would have someone to help them. Yes, it was the best way, the only way. Victoria planned on talking to her father to make sure he would convince Peter of that fact.

The ride to the dining hall was peaceful. Once arriving, Peter and Victoria spotted their friends and quickly walked over. "So, Peter, how is the world of law and order?" Crowley offered his hand. "I think we are all safe for now," Peter answered.

The women hugged, then sat after their husbands pulled out their chairs. They ate a

light dinner due to the theater date afterwards, but found they still had time before the

opening. "You see, Peter, Lydia agrees with me concerning the female prisoners." Victoria smiled at her husband.

"Now, Victoria, must we bring that up again? I was looking forward to a more uneventful evening. I prefer not to talk about prisoners or court matters of any kind." Victoria could not be so easily swayed. "What do you think, Brent? Do you feel that women should be shipped off to...God knows where? They would have no safety in

marriage with men all around!"

Brent squirmed, as if he hated to be thrust between the couple's disagreements. "I'm sure Peter will have the right answer whatever he decides," he answered tactfully.. Victoria sighed. "Leave it to men to stick together on an issue that concerns the

welfare of women." Peter glanced at his "It's time to be off. We don't want to be late, do we, ladies?"

Once in the carriage the talk again turned to crime.

"Did you hear that poor Mrs. Pike was accosted on Newberry Road, and the thugs got away?" Lydia stated. "It wouldn't matter if they did catch them," Victoria said. "There is no room to put any of these people. Our gaols are full, and so are the prison hulks in the harbor."

"It almost sounds like you have more sympathy for these ruffians than for the

victims," Lydia replied harshly.

Bristling. Victoria bit back, "Don't misunderstand me. It's just that with so many criminals abounding, and nowhere to go with them, things could get much worse." "Hallelujah!" Peter yelled. "Now, my dear, you have it: the reason we are sending these prisoners to Australia."

"Peter, I never said I didn't want these people sent away. But we need to make sure

the single women are sent with husbands. I believe it's our Christian duty. I've never

wanted to keep these prisoners here. I, like everyone else, want them as far away from

us as possible."

Peter scowled in the shadows. So much for Christian duty.

"Oh, what a wonderful idea!" Lydia exclaimed. "Can you imagine marrying a stranger, especially a convict who did only God knows what?"

"Lydia!" Her husband jumped in. "Try to calm yourself. I'm not sure ladies should

be discussing such things!" Lydia, properly chastised, sank back against the seat. "Oh, for heaven's sakes, Brent, Victoria said. "she is only stat a fact. These women are prisoners and have questionable character. They need our guidance in

moral and spiritual matters. It may be difficult for them to marry a stranger, but think

of the alternatives...actually, I don't want to think of the alternatives."

Peter's dark mood deepened. Once his wife sunk her teeth into something, she wouldn't let go. He would be forced to take steps to satisfy her. That, or suffer, and suffer he would.

Victoria, perhaps sensing she had overstepped when the only thing coming from her husband was silence, tried to smooth things a bit. "These people can thank whoever it is they thank that Peter is their judge. At least you know they will get justice for their acts. If it were up to Earl Pierson, they would all be hanged. It's said he's hung more people than a woman hangs laundry."

Peter had to give her credit. She was good, but he knew she was "handling" him. A master been manipulator, she practiced on him constantly, and he hated it. His wife had daughter to let Peter know what he wanted done in the court. Since he had handed Peter his position, the old man expected Peter to judge in accordance to his will. taught by the best, his father-in-law. Every chance he got, the old man used his

Victoria continued her stroking. "Father knew when he stepped down that his recommendations would carry a lot of weight. He knew Peter was the best man for the job.

There it was. Peter expected it to come sooner than this but knew it would come. Victoria had to remind him and everyone else that her father gave him his position. Deep down he felt envy for the men being shipped out. Given a second chance, he wasn't sure he would make the same choices he had, in business or marriage. The best thing about his position was the traveling, being away from the constant dickering of his wife. It brought him peace and a chance to explore the pleasures he wasn't able to when at home. Tomorrow he would be leaving again. It couldn't happen soon enough.

Victoria couldn't wait until tomorrow. Her husband would leave and be gone a couple of weeks. This would give her enough time to put her plan into motion. She would have satisfaction in regard to these women and their situation. This would also give her enough time to see her latest male friend. A thrill sent shivers through her body. She felt sorry for anyone who wasn't her. She had the perfect life, and all that went with it-beauty, intelligence, money, and power. Oh, and her Christian duty, as well. That was important too. Those women were lucky that she was looking out for their best interest. They should all be on their knees thanking her. Yes, life was good.

But after the rush of pleasure left her, she was left with a sense of emptiness. If her life was so perfect, why did she feel so empty? I'm just being silly, she chided. I am the luckiest woman in the world.

Yet the emptiness remained.

The females were led to an underground floor of a large building where other women were already held. The gaoler turned, locking the heavy door behind him. One small lantern did nothing but send dark shadows across the room. The room itself was long and narrow with wood planks for them to sit on. Hay lay on the floor with a few blankets scattered about. The women snuggled together, trying to fight off the chill. The darkness matched their mood. Despair was their constant companion. The uncertainty about their future lay heavy on them.

Alice whispered, "Sophia, I be hearin' the women talk and 'tis afraid I am. They be speakin' of ships and sailin' away to some far-off place."

Sophia despaired even more. If Alice was afraid, Sophia was petrified. "Before we get ourselves upset, let's ask them about it," she suggested.

Alice nodded.

"Aye, many ships have left already." one the women shared. "Most of the ships don't make it, so I hear. Sea monsters get them for the most part afore they reach land."

"Why are ya frightenin' these women?" Alice said. "Tis bad enough without ya runnin' yer mouth off!" ""Tis true what I say! I be knowin' 'bout the sea. Me cousin sailed a time or two,

and he told me of all the demons of the sea." Alice eyed the woman. "Ow can it be if yer cousin sailed a time or two, an' faced them demons, 'e came back ter tell tales?"