Chapter 15 #2
“So I’ve been informed,” Jonathan replied, then frowned in exasperation. “I believe the ridiculous charge was treason.”
“This is correct.” Bridewell nodded, his brow drawn together in a frown.
“Do you care to explain?”
“I believe you deserve that much, since treason is a very serious charge. It seems someone has come forth and is laying information against you.”
Jonathan gave the constable a bleak, tight-lipped smile. “Would you like to tell me who and when?”
“I cannot tell you who, but I do know he claims you were with the Americans fighting against your fellow countrymen.”
“That is absurd.” Jonathan’s temper grew hotter by the minute. He slammed his hand down on the desk. “I demand to be released immediately.”
“Quite frankly, you don’t look like a traitor to me.
But we have a witness …” He spread his hands in an expansive gesture.
“Therefore, I suggest you retain a good barrister and perhaps he can work a miracle.” Bridewell slowly came to his feet.
“Until your hearing, I’m sending you to Newgate.
” He waved his hand in dismissal. “Take him away.”
When the petty constable took his arm, Jonathan jerked. “I’m quite capable of moving on my own.” He thought about telling the constable exactly what he thought, but he knew it would do no good.
It was still raining as they rode to Newgate Prison, and Jonathan’s mood grew as black as the clouds outside.
“Welcome to Newgate,” the constable on the left said when the wagon finally stopped.
Jonathan looked out the window in between the raindrops at the grim outline of Newgate’s front door.
It was the most notorious prison in all of England, a prison that had stood for a thousand years, a place where he never thought he’d find himself.
His stomach plummeted to his toes as he disembarked from the wagon.
Swallowing hard, he headed for the gate to hell. He hoped he’d learned enough from his time with the pirates to survive this hellhole. He fervently hoped that Elizabeth could get him some help, and quickly.
He was going to need it.
Hanging wasn’t to his liking.
Elizabeth instructed the upstairs maid to pack as quickly as possible, then she went to find Tiffany. She couldn’t just up and leave without explaining to her friend.
She knocked on Tiffany’s bedroom door, and when she answered, Elizabeth barged into the room.
“Elizabeth!” Tiffany exclaimed and clapped her hands. “Tell me everything and don’t leave anything out.”
“I can’t.” Elizabeth couldn’t stand still, so she began to pace. “I have to leave right away for Briercliff, but I couldn’t leave without first saying goodbye.”
Tiffany placed her hands on her hips. “Well, you’re not leaving me like this,” she told her with a definite firmness. “Not after what I’ve been though. You owe me a thorough explanation, so I’m going with you.”
Elizabeth stopped abruptly. “What about your husband?”
“He won’t be back for weeks.” Tiffany waved her hand. “I’ll be home long before he gets back. Besides, it will give me a chance to see Dawson,” she said as she began picking up a few of her things and placing them in a portmanteau. “However, I don’t understand why you’re leaving.”
“I’ll explain once we’re in the carriage,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll have Mary pack your things and send them in another vehicle,” she explained, tossing her friend a nightgown from a chair. “Hurry— we must go before Jonathan comes over here.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Tiffany said as she hurried to finish dressing.
Without stopping for breakfast they dashed through the rain to the carriage.
Half an hour later, Elizabeth was on her way home.
The dark clouds above her seemed to part and her heavy heart felt lighter.
Everything would be all right once she was at Briercliff.
She’d be able to think clearly once she got home.
Tiffany waited patiently until the coach had left the city before her patience wore thin. “There is nothing out the window that’s interesting, so quit ignoring me, Elizabeth. Turn around and talk to me.”
Elizabeth let out a loud sigh and her shoulders slumped. “Oh, Tiffany, I don’t know where to start.”
Tiffany hated seeing her friend so miserable, and she wanted to give Elizabeth a big hug, but that would only bring on tears, and then she’d never hear the story.
Instead, she straightened her skirt and folded her hands in her lap.
“You didn’t come home last night so I assume you stayed with Jonathan. ”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Well? Did you spend the night talking?”
“No, but I wish we had. We started off arguing, then the next thing I knew, we were in each other’s arms.”
“Then our mission was successful,” Tiffany said, smiling triumphantly.
Elizabeth blushed a bright red. “Yes, we made love.”
“I can tell it was wonderful by the look on your face. There is nothing that can replace the special glow.” Tiffany watched her friend with smug delight. “So what is wrong? Why are we making a mad dash to Briercliff?”
Elizabeth shrugged and said offhandedly, “We are going to Briercliff because I need time to think.”
“Think about what?”
Elizabeth could tell Tiffany wasn’t about to give up until she heard the whole story.
“Jonathan said he wanted answers this morning when we woke up,” Elizabeth told her, frowning.
“I thought I was ready, but when the morning dawned, I panicked. I sneaked out of his house before he awoke.” Elizabeth held her throbbing head with both hands. “I’m so confused.”
Tiffany reached over and patted Elizabeth on the knee, then resumed her previous position against the cushions. “That is the smartest thing you’ve said. You are very confused!”
“I know. I know. I’m hopeless,” Elizabeth agreed, then cast her eyes downward. “What am I going to do?”
Tiffany studied Elizabeth with curious intensity. “Are you sure you want to hear the answer? You might not like it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “If there is one.”
“You must stop running away from your problems,” Tiffany said firmly. “Do you know what I think?”
“What?”
“That you’re afraid to love Jonathan. You’re afraid he is going to hurt you.” A long moment passed, then she added, “You don’t give him the chance to prove himself. You don’t trust him.”
“Oh! But I—” Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut. It seemed so simple when Tiffany said it. Maybe she truly didn’t trust Jonathan. “But he didn’t say he loved me,” she declared.
Tiffany’s gentle laughter rippled through the air.
“My dear girl, those are the hardest words to get any man to say,” she stated firmly.
“It’s as if the words don’t exist in a man’s vocabulary.
They assume that women should know when they love them.
” When Elizabeth looked skeptical, Tiffany went on, “I can tell from watching Jonathan Hird that he loves you very much.”
Elizabeth glanced out the window and then back to Tiffany. She sighed deeply. “Do you think I’m making a mistake?”
Tiffany nodded. “I’m afraid so, but we’re on our way to Briercliff now, so we’ll have to continue. The damage is done. Perhaps, once you see Dawson, you’ll feel better. Then you’re going to have to tell Jonathan the truth.”
“Why am I always doing the wrong thing?”
“Because you’re human. We all learn from our mistakes. Granted, some of us are slower than others.” Tiffany chuckled.
Elizabeth’s voice sounded tired even to her own ears. “You made your point. I will tell Jonathan the truth.”
The truth shall set me free, Elizabeth hoped. Or cost me the only person I have ever loved.