From Cornwall with Love

Chapter Thirty - Vex

-Abigail-

Back home I carried on with my chores now that Ross and Dwight were no there and attending to business. I was much happy when Verity decided to drop by.

"Ross continues to vex society." she commented as I fixed one of Henry's shirts. How that boy managed to rip something every single day surprises me.

"What's he done now?" i drawl

"What has he not done? Graced the Poldark family pew at church, taken his seat as magistrate on the bench. As head of the Poldark family these things are expected of him." Verity stressed

"Ross and expectation? When has he ever followed what he was supposed to do. Besides does he not fulfil his duties in other ways or at least like to think he does. Like with my sister?" I smile bitterly

"Does that trouble you?"

"He never tells me of what happens in his meeting with her, and for my sanity I never ask." I stick the needle through the cloth and bring it back up.

"But if your concerned." she trailed of

"Demelza made quite the observation the other day. Despite not being married herself. She came to the conclusion that having a husband is a  bit like going to church. You either believe in something or you don't. And if you don't, then why go at all? If you do, then you've no cause to keep asking proof."

"And do you believe?" she wondered. I never answered because Henry brought Rebekah Grace in.

"Hello, my sweets." I put the shirt to one side and lift them up onto the chair

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Admist clearing out the stables Ross returns home with an outrageous preposition, in regards to the smuggling trade and what we had to risk even more..

"A secret cache? On our land?" I ask breathing heavily

"To store goods during a run so they can be carried away at leisure." he replied

"Or found by gaugers and you carried away in chains, again. Why bother having this conversation with me, you'll do it regardless of what i say." I carry on mucking out the stables

"I value your opinion besides I'll be in chains regardless soon enough."

"Do whatever you want. I'm to tired to fight with you anymore."  I rest the fork against the wall and walk out.

"If I go to prison for debt, this will mean more money coming. The quicker the debt is paid. The quicker I'll be out." he reasons

"Whatever you say?!" He grabs my arms and pulls me to a stop "What...what do you want me to say Ross?" I start to cry

"I  beg and plead you not to do something, you'll do it anyway. I offer, insist that I will fix things and you refuse out of pride. I bet even now you about to say where and when it can be built but I don't care. I am tired of fighting and not being heard. So do whatever the hell you want, like always. So while you risk your life with a traitor about, I'm going inside to spend time with our children." I pull my arm out of his and head back inside

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Prudie, Demelza and I log more wood to make a pile in the doors. I wince dropping my recent load.

"Bloody hell." I curse. Prudie takes my hands and cleans them up "You reading my fortune again, Prudie?" I chuckle

"Aye, Mistress. It do tell me that, with hands like these Abigail Poldark be no lady." she joked

"You're so funny." I stick my tongue out. "Speaking of ladies. I think it's high time that we found someone for you Demelza."

"Oh, no. You have no need." she denied

"We do, even if it is to eventually participate in a little complaining of our other halves" Prudie and I laughed "Do you have an eye on anyone?"

"I did, but his eye has another." she admitted

"So, a man's heart can be turn. Ar' Mistress is proof of that." Purdue commented and I realised who she was talking about.

"You like Dwight. The Dr Enys. Oh how have i not see this before. You should have said something, I would have made up reasons for you two to meet each other or something." I felt bad knowing his eye had fallen upon Caroline.