Prison Games

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Lady Wilson looked at her husband as if he could say some magic words to change Sophia's mind. When he stayed quiet, she jumped in. "My dear, do you truly realize what you are saying? Not only do you want to leave this comfortable and safe home for the unknown, but to leave with a stranger! Think about what you are doing!"

"I do not wish to hurt either of you; however, I think you will understand when I tell you that I had to learn to trust strangers in my situation. I learned that just because people were locked up in a gaol didn't mean they were bad people. Many suffered from their circumstances. I saw horrible things, and I saw acts of courage and tenderness. My eyes were opened to many things. I found myself trusting people who were virtual strangers."

Lady and Lord Wilson did not have an answer to that. What could they say? For it was they who had let her down. They needed to trust her...and her judgment. Even if she were to make a mistake, it was her right to do so.

Lady Wilson spoke in a very contrite way. "Sophia, you are right. We need to let you live your life. You know we are only thinking of you, but we don't have any right. I guess we have been trying to control your life again. That needs to end. It's just that we have come to love you as if you were a daughter, and we want you safe." Lady Wilson then leaned over the table to place her hand over Sophia's. "Please, dear, I ask one thing: that you let us help you. We will keep your home open for as long as it takes for you to come back, even if it's for a visit. We will speak to the authorities and try to make the voyage more comfortable. Since you are free and your...husband is not, we may be limited as to what we can do, but we will try. You will always have a home here. If you ever need anything, simply ask. We have let you down once. It won't happen again."

Sophia's heart overflowed from their kindness, but she could not completely lean on these people. She needed to lean on herself and James Patrick. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, but they would never be able to help her where she was going.

Sophia thought of Alice. "There is one thing you could do for me if you would. There is a woman who is a great friend of mine. She's still in the gaol. She became as close to me as anyone could. She stepped in to protect me before she even knew me. I would wish that she could live here at Brady's Brick as long as she wants. Do you think we could meet with a magistrate on her behalf? Since she will have a home, they may let her leave. I believe she was given a hard sentence since she had nowhere to go. Alice is proud. She would never agree unless she could somehow pay her own way. She worked in the gaol kitchen with me. I can tell you she would be a great help to anyone given the chance. She is strong and intelligent, and even though she was in the gaol..."

Before Sophia could finish, Lord Wilson interrupted her. "Dear Sophia, you need not explain anything to us. Your friend will be welcomed. We would be happy to help. As far as her staying here at Brady's Brick, this is your home to do with as you wish. We will go tomorrow, and do what we can to have her released."

Sophia jumped up with tears in her eyes and hugged them both. "You will never know how happy you have made me." She sniffled.

The Wilsons promised to pick her up in the morning to submit a petition of release for Alice. With a job and a home waiting, they were very hopeful. Then they bid Sophia good-bye.

Maggie closed the door softly after they left. She had to wipe her own tears. "Blimey, can't say I ever heard the master and his wife sound so sad in all my days. They sure take a shining to you. It nearly killed them when all this first happened. I believe they knew the truth all along, but Miss Tess cornered them. She forced them to choose her over you. Of course they sided with their own blood. That young woman has a way of making people do what they don't want to do."

"What has become of Tess?" Sophia asked. "I was told she was sent away."

Maggie shrugged. "She was shipped off for a time. Hiding out, I guess. I heard it cost his Lordship a pretty copper penny to keep her from the gaol for falsely signing papers and lying about you."

That old feeling of bitterness washed over Sophia. She knew it was wrong to hate. Gran had taught her that, but she couldn't deny her hate for Tess. She would fanaticize about getting even with her. Sophia felt uncomfortable with this feeling. It seemed to have power over her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it could overtake her if she allowed it. For the most part she was able to fight it off, but once in a while it would raise its ugly head. Yes, hate was ugly, but at times it felt so good.

Victoria Reeves followed her maid to her room, throwing her hat and gloves on the bed. "Marie, put all my things on the table, and get my bath ready." Marie obeyed while Victoria began opening packages. Holding her new treasures, she admitted to herself that shopping was becoming a bore. She decided to get more comfortable by taking her hair down so Marie could brush it out.

Victoria reflected on her husband and his moodiness. After he had returned from his court rounds, he still seemed distant. Lately, he'd had little time for his wife. She sighed. Sometimes he could be so aggravating. She didn't want him around all the time, but when she required attention, he needed to be there. She smiled in the mirror. His mood really didn't matter. She knew how to handle

him. A little flattery, a little extra feminine attention, and her husband would melt.

Victoria only had one problem. She was getting as bored with her husband as with shopping. She needed someone or something new and exciting in her life.

Maybe a trip to America. No, there were wild Indians there, and even the idea of them made her shudder. Perhaps Paris. It had been a long time since she and Peter had gone anywhere.

Peter entered his wife's bedchamber and stopped to admire her beauty. He would never get tired of looking at her. Yes, he had to admit she was a beautiful woman, but empty inside; no substance, no depth. She couldn't or wouldn't meet his needs. Their lives revolved around her. He had once loved her deeply, but his desire for her had waned. He felt nothing for her anymore. When she tried to demurely force her will on him, it angered him. He was no fool. Peter suddenly felt that strange, restless feeling again. Although he had just returned from a long trip, he wanted to get away again.

Victoria jumped at seeing him out of the corner of her eye. "Peter! For heaven's sakes, you scared me half to death! How long have you been standing there?" "I'm sorry. You seemed deep in thought, and I didn't want to disturb you."

"Well, now that you have, I want to talk to you about something that's been on my mind. I would like for us to take a holiday to Paris. It has been so long since we have traveled anywhere exciting. You have been working so hard, and I hardly see you anymore. What do you think?"

Going to Paris was the last thing he needed. "You're right. It has been some time since we traveled, hasn't it? I really can't get away right now, no matter how much I would like. Why don't you go? Ask Ruth to go with you and make it a shopping trip." Victoria pressed her lips in an exaggerated pout. "Don't you want to be with me?"

Peter could see Victoria needed stroking, "Of course, darling, but because of the shortage of magistrates, I have to help pull the extra counties. I couldn't leave them strapped right now. We could wait until next year, if you're willing."

Victoria stood and walked over to her husband. Slipping her arms around him, she lay her head on his chest. "I don't want to wait that long. If you really can't come along, maybe I will see if Ruth can go. You wouldn't mind?"

Peter put his arms around her, setting his chin on top of her head. "I guess I could

let you go if you promise not to put us so far in debt that I would have to work the

next fifty years."

"Oh, thank you, Peter! I'll try to hold back a bit." Victoria lifted her head, considering him with a bright smile. "Now I must get in my bath before the water turns cold." Pulling away, she walked to the side room where her large tub was filled. She stopped and turned just before closing the door. "You realize, of course, I won't have as much fun without you."

Lady, you're not fooling anybody, Peter thought. He knew she didn't want him to go with her, but it worked out for him too. With Victoria gone for a time, he would have the freedom he desired, and that was something to look forward to. Even if it cost him a bundle with Victoria's spending, at least he would have some peace. The price was worth it. He hoped his lovely wife would be leaving soon.

Smiling, Victoria closed the door, then climbed into the warm water. Yes, she knew how to handle Peter. She knew he didn't want to go with her, and she didn't want him to. She would be free to really enjoy herself.

The harbor was a mass of humanity. Ships were loaded and unloaded. Huge crates and other materials were stacked everywhere. To one end of the harbor, carriages were dispatched to pick up incoming passengers and drop others off. A young woman in a maid's uniform stumbled on the plank descending from one

of the ships.

"Be careful, you twit! If you drop any of my bags in the water, you'll follow them!" Tess Wilson hissed. The maid turned red with

embarrassment as she held on tighter. Tess lifted her skirts to keep from tripping herself. At the bottom of the plank she paused, waiting impatiently for her father's coach. "Where are they? You would think they would care if their own daughter came home."