The morning of the trial came all too quick. I held my stomach protectively for a moment before I dressed myself for the day. Verity and i made the short walk over to the court.
"As ringleader and instigator of the affray in which you did, unlawfully assemble together a violent and unruly mob, you have been found guilty. It only now remains for me to pass the dreadful sentence of the law, which is you be taken from hence to a place of execution, where you will be handled by the neck until you die." Judge Lister declared. I shared a look of concern with Verity and we sat ourselves down. More people came in as a unruly mob and stirred up contempt as Ross was called up.
"Why do they cry murder, that's not the charge. So many against him." Verity voiced
"Only the ones paid by George this is his intricate web of lies and deception." I assured my cousin.
"But if the jury believe them?" Ross took his place inside the accused box.
"Ross Vennor Poldark, you stand accused that you did incite riot, viciously attack a customs officer and did plunder diverse goods belonging to a ship in distress. How do you plead?"
"Not Guilty." The crowd that gathered clamoured in protest as they were called to order. Then the door slammed open.
"Let the court beware this man!" My head snapped toward the entrance
"You have going to be joking." I scoffed. It was Mr Carne in all his self righteousness "A gents clothing. He stole my daughter, debauched and left her unfit for neither man nor beast!"
"Have him taken." Judge Lister Ordered
"And when I did go to rescue my child this man did viscously assault I...a poor God fearing man in his dotage while his hussy hid my girl away with fist and with weapons." I shook my head as he was restrained "I do feel ye this man do think himself above the law., do think he may take whatever he please an never pay the price for it. I do implore the court to see that justice is done, in the name of I and all that have suffered at his hands ." he was finally dragged out but the damage was done. Ross sat down feeling defeated and we caught each others eye. I could see the small shock that I had come and with Verity no less.
"Proceed." Judge Lister. Prosecution began
"Members of the jury. You recall that in the summer's great winds a ship got into distress and was driven ashore on Hendrawna Beach just below the house of the accused. You might expect that such a man's first thought would be the safety of the poor souls aboard. Instead, he saught to rouse the lawless spirits of the district, so that when the wreck cam in, it might be plundered with the utmost dispatch. Witnesses will testify that the accused personally directed the plunder. And that survivors from the wreck were beaten as they struggled ashore.
When a contingent of soldier and excise men arrived, the prisoner warned them not to interfere and threaten them with violence if they did. When they nonetheless went down upon the beach, they were set upon by the accused. One of them received near fatal injuries." The prosecution spewed lies one after the other and I struggled to hold my anger in. Each lie felt like a fatal blow. I took deep breaths holding my stomach.
One by one they called upon a series of liars to purge themselves upon the stand. Those who came in support voiced my contempt as the spoke the devils words of deceit. I began to feel like I was suffocating and loosing air. I excuse myself and made my quickly outside. I found a pole to lean against and catch my breath.
"Sister." I glanced up seeing Elizabeth "Are you well? I know it is intolerable in there. I could scarce breath."
"Nor I." I wrapped my arms around my waist
"I came for Francis." she added and I nodded
"I never thanked you for tending upon me while I was sick." I cleared my throat.
"You saved my son and at such a cost. How can you bear it?" she questioned
"I'm with chid again." I blurted out. I hadn't told anyone, not even Demelza. But I could not hold the news in anymore.
"Is...Ross glad?"
"I have not told him. What if things go sour today...I couldn't.... I..." she pulled me into a hug
"Pray God they do not."she rubbed my back and i pulled away.
"I must get back." Elizabeth nodded understandingly and let me return to my seat. Verity took my hand in comfort as they called their next witness.
YOU ARE READING
From Cornwall with Love
FanfictionWhen Ross Poldark came back into Abigails live, he turned everything around. Her life changed and she came out as a grown woman who was now a wife and mother. She has experienced love and loss, she has become a warrior for her family. But she faces...
