Demelza had come in with a note for Sir Francis. I stood with Caroline and Lady Basset as the men talked.
"2,000 men descended upon Truro." Sir Francis stated
"2,000?" Dwight asked
"An exaggeration surely." I shared a worried glance with Caroline as not one of the three of us spoke, instead much wanted to hear what they were saying.
"Apparently it was too dangerous to even attempt to read the Riot act. I must return to Tehidy at once. Landowners and squires will be summoned immediately, yourselves included." Sir Francis went to leave as did Lady Francis
"To what end?" Dwight inquired
"Immediate re-establishment of law and order." Sir Francis asked
"May I ask who sent the note?" Ross wondered
"The Honourable member for Truro." George, figures he would have a hand in this somehow. The Bassets left as did George and Dwight. Caroline left shortly after.
That night I waited up for as long as I could before succumbing to sleep.
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I awoke the next morning to Ross returning. I groaned rubbing my eyes and sitting up, yawning.
"Was it as bad as I imagined?" I inquire making him sigh and come to sit beside me on the bed.
"Yes." I sit up on my knees and remove his coat. "No. I must go out again. There were arrests. Men are due in court at midday." I wrap my arms around him from behind.
"What can I do?" I ask I sit back and he lays down with me. We lay there in a comfortable silence as he traces his finger up and down my arm.
"I must go. Keep home today, everyone. There is unrest in the villages. I would have you safe." I lean up and kiss him. I let him up. He leaves and I get myself dressed I feel all dizzy again but it leaves after a few moments, so i head downstairs.
"Mr Ross gone to Truro?" Prudie asks
"No rest for the wicked." I comment fixing the children's breakfast, before they come down.
"I think maybe he's not that wicked." I look back at her confused "Indeed I dearly wish I'd never telled 'ee what Demelza saw that day at Sawle church." I glance at my friend then back at Prudie.
"Prudie." I breathe going over to her and taking her hand "It wasn't because of that, that I...that Hugh and I... Admittedly what happens feel like a dream that I had. What I do know is, this handsome young poet enchanted me and I him. We shared a moment then parted. The end." I finished what I was doing, Demelza brought the kids down. While the ate breakfast I took the letters that Hugh sent and and burnt them.
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I was invited to supper with Caroline and Dwight. We were mid meal when Dwight received a note. I paid it no attention till a familiar name was spoken.
"From Hugh. Will I attend on him at Tregothnan tomorrow?" he read out loud
"Is he unwell?" i wondered carrying on with my soup.
"He says he wants to reassure his uncle that he's fit to stand for parliament and urges Caroline and you and Ross to join me."
"Oh." I mutter and carry on with my supper
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I sat on my bed, it was another letter from Hugh that had just arrived asking me to join Caroline and Dwight. The same thing that our friend had received. The door opened and Ross stepped in.
"Ross." i smile folding it away "How was court?" I ask
"Some were treated fairly, others harshly" he removed his coat and dropped it over the chair "What's in the letter?" he wonders as I clear my throat.
"It's from Hugh. Inviting us to Tragothnan tomorrow. Along with Dwight and Caroline." I tell him, he comes and sits next to me "His letter speaks of a fever. Headaches and the like. I think it would be a kindness to visit."
"A kindness, yes." he replies. as I hum and rest the letter on the table "Do you think there's room...in a woman's heart for two men?" Ross questions. I bite my lip.
"Or two women in a man's?" I softly counter. He nods in understanding.
"No husband minds his wife being the one that other men desire but...no man wants his wife to be the one that other men possess."he voices and I sit taller.
"No, Ross."
"So, tomorrow, I have further business in Truro. But you...you go to Tregothnan." he encourages me.
"If you think I should." I reply
"I do" I take a hold of his hand and intwine it with mine
-3rd Person-
Ross goes downstairs to talk with Prudie and Demelza. He clears his throat capturing both their attention.
"I want the children busy tomorrow. I will be in Truro and Abigail is going to Tregothnan. Keep them at home again and away from the villages." Ross requested, thew two women nodded and accepted the request. Ross left the room as the two women shared a look.
"At least now he know what the Mistress went through." Demelza grumbled " I know that not why she did it. But you can't help but feel a sense of justice." Prudie hummed as the two got back to work.
YOU ARE READING
Love Thy Self
FanfictionI was the bastard child, lady, barmaid, kitchen maid, lover, wife, mother, lady of cornwall. Now i am a matriarch who fights for my family even when the current is against me. I thought things would get any more complicated but how wrong was I.
