I was taking down the washing, when I came across a rip in one of Ross' shirts. The I heard Jud's dulcet tones and glance up. He handed a note to Ross and converse though i couldn't here what about. They glanced back at me and I looked down, but Jud left and Ross approached.
"What did he bring you this time?" I question folding up the shirt and dropping it into the basket
"A proposal...from Trencrom." he informed me
"For crying out loud. Will you never learn?" I huff in flirtation which made my husband give a small smile in amusement.
"Possibly not." he answers
"You're about to stand trial for being apart of the smuggle run. I refuse to do this all over again. So you tell Trencrom, till he offers to stand in court in your place. He can shove his proposals, and his guides up where the sun don't shine." I huff returning inside to change for court. Once I was done, we said our goodbye to the children and I took the reigns while Ross held onto my waist and we rode into town.
In the room of the magistrates, those who were caught or suspected of being in the smuggle run, came before the two men. I sat at the back while Ross took his place at the front.
"Call Ross Poldark." I sat up hearing his name and paid more acute attention. Ross rose to his feet and stepped forward.
"Well, well. Here we are again" Halse began "There are those who seem capable of learning from their mistakes, and those who do not. Clearly you fall into the latter category." Ross glanced backwarrds
"Mr Poldark."
"With the deepest regrets, sir I beg to differ." Ross countered and my eyebrows furred in confusion at what he had planned.
"On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that on the night in question, I was not at Nampara cove but at St Ives. I can produce three witnesses to swear to the fact. Two men and a woman came in and near the front.
"Customs officer Vercoe alleges you were apart of the smuggling operation, that you attack him and broke his nose." Halse countered sitting forward. I don't think he could believe what was happening and to be fair. Neither could I.
"I'm very sorry to here about Mr Vercoe's injuries, sir, but as my witnesses will testify, the assailant could not possibly have been I ." Ross replied
"Aye, sir, it's true, sir." Jud piped up . I waited with baited breath for the decision.
"Case dismissed." I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, Dwight was called up as Ross sat next to me. I slipped my arm through his and kissed his cheek.
"I have perused your statement and I find it singularly unconvincing. no educated man can suddenly appear on a cliff edge and start building a bonfire without certain conclusions being drawn. What conclusion can you offer?"
"It was a cold night and my coat was thin." Dwight answered. There was ripples of laughter. I tried to hide a smile
"Heavy responsibility rests upon all men of reputation to help stamp out illegal conduct of their less enlightened neighbours, not to encourage or participate in it. What have you to say? Halse carried on.
"Nothing that would convince you, sir." The two magistrates glanced at each other
"Fine £50 or three months imprisonment." Court was dismissed and we all left. Outside we saw Jud approach Dwight and whisper something.
"Tell Mr Trencrom I thank him, but I'm perfectly capable of paying my own fine." Dwight walked away and over to us.
"You should take his bounty. He looks after his friends." Ross states
"Mr Trencrom is not my friend. I did not go to all of that trouble for his sake." Dwight rested his hand behind his back.
"No. For mine. You know what I feel about that." Ross replies
"You told me that many times." Dwight conveyed.
"I'm under an enduring debt."
"During, which is why I already settled your fine." he went to protest "So now this is all over when do you leave for Bath?" I ask not giving him the chance to protest my small gift.
"I've no plans to do so." he answered
"But...your wedding to Caroline."
"Is off. We were incompatible. I see that now. It could never have lasted and it would have led to misery on both sides." he replied then left us alone. I take Ross' arm.
"How awful, it's all my fault. I knew I should have dealt with Charlie and made him go." I shake my head
"You should have done no such thing. He was a dangerous man trying to protect his secret. From what Dwight told me, he was vicious in his attack." Ross and I began to return to our horse. "And I wouldn't have had you standing up in front of court today, not that I wanted Dwight to either." he taps my hand
YOU ARE READING
From Cornwall with Love
FanficWhen 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...
