From Cornwall with Love

Chapter Fifty Four - Unrest

-Abigail-

The children were none the wiser as I made my way into the parlour with Prudie watching over them.

"Where's  Jud?" I ask not seeing him around.

"He be gone Mistress. He be putting things right with the ones that nearly had your life. Showing them we will not be messed with." Purdue answered

"What? Why didn't you stop him?" I exclaimed feeling the adrenaline kick in

"Stop him? 'Twas I that told him to go. George Warleggan do think he can throw his weight around and tramp common fold beneath his boot. But fire at thee? Tis too much." she scowled with such venom.

"Oh, what have you done." I rush out of the Nampara and over to Trenwith, taking every shortcut I knew. I did not bother to knock but pushed myself in. George stood to his feet.

"What do you want?"

"I'm idiotically here to tell you that you should bar your doors. There's unrest in the village and it should like there about to march on Trenwith." I breathe heavily 

"What happened to you?" Elizabeth questioned

"Ask him and his brute." I point at George

"You expect me to believe this?" He scoffed

"To be honest it would please me greatly if the two of you rotted in the worst depths of hell. I do however care for Geoffrey Charles and Agatha, I urge you to take this seriously." I warn him

"A mob would be ill advised to trespass here. They would be breaking the law and I would see to it that they hang." he responded

"Is this before or after they string you up, for having your lucky fire upon their Mistress?" I question of handedly

"Is that a threat?" Elizabeth asked

"What do you think? He needs to come to his senses and be quick about it." I retort

"Did Ross send you?"

"How could he? He'll be on his way to France by now." My gaze shifted to him "My informers tell me he has rejoined his regiment. Oh, surely he hasn't snuck away without telling you?" he taunted

"But perhaps having tasted defeat at home he's gone to vent his rage on a different enemy."

"Defeat?"

"As you can see. His foe is in possession of the filed. Of his ancestral home, of the woman he loved. And in March, the rout will be complete when Elizabeth gives birth to a Warleggan heir. I look forward to Ross' congratulations. If he ever returns" I glance outside and see the arrival of the villagers "But don't let me keep you from your scullery."

"You know George. I think it maybe time to barricade yourself in yours." I smirk

"To what purposed."

"Saving yourself from being lynched  , might be a good start." I turn my head to look out of the window. They stand as they noticed and George went to the window. "How does it feel..sister. To know you are married and pregnant to the most hated man in all of Cornwall." the horror on her face was evident.

"Tankard, Harry! Briggs! Kemp!" George called and I left the house to run out and meet them

"Paul! Jud! Don't do this. Not for me, please. I beg you, lead them home. Theres elderly and children inside." I pant

"If Warleggan have no care for ours, why should we care for his?" Paul sneered. I grabbed ahold of him as the others past me

"Don't do this. Save yourselves and go home, they have weapons!" I stress

"So do we!" Jus cried

"And Its time to have his own medicine !" They carried on ahead and I clutched mine as I was getting what felt worse than a hangover. I heard them confront George and his men as I pulled myself around then pushed forward.

"No! Stop!" I yell coming to the front "These people are your neighbours, why are you treating them like this?"

"They're threatening my family and must take the consequences." George answered

"You started it first. Just stop this." There was a gunshot and everything went quiet. It came from no one in front of us and I turned around.