The Trial of Gwen Foley: a completely gripping historical mystery drama by Jane O'Connor

Author:Jane O'Connor [O'Connor, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books - crime, thriller and mystery
Published: 2021-07-05T16:00:00+00:00

Matthew was as angry as I’d ever seen him when I told him what had happened in Bore Street. He was nervous as well, for he was scared of his brother’s wrath and knew he would be coming soon to our home to take him to task for letting me follow my head in such a manner.

‘I had heard Philip was making plans to return to Lichfield – he has set up some business importing fruit, I believe – but I didn’t know it would be so soon,’ he said, putting his hands on his cheeks. ‘What have you done, Hester?’

‘I won’t see Gwen hanged. I had to defend her,’ I said, urging him to understand.

‘No. You have to allow the law to take its prescribed course. That is the only way,’ Matthew replied in an agitated tone. ‘We may not always agree with the law in cases such as Gwen Foley’s, but we have no choice but to align ourselves with it.’

‘But what would it mean for Liberty if we let this happen?’ I asked him. ‘If we let Gwen hang for witchcraft because she is different and has been made a scapegoat, what if misfortune takes you, me, Amber, all of us away and Liberty is left alone in the world when she grows up? What is happening to Gwen could happen to her. Liberty is different too and she hasn’t the voice to defend herself. We must at least try and change things before it is too late.’

‘Our Amber is another woman who is different is she not?’ Matthew countered. ‘And no one threatens her, she is no scapegoat.’

‘Amber is of an unusually strong character, Matthew, as well you know,’ I replied, although I had my own private fears about her being different from most other women. ‘She is clever and spirited and brave. She has a profession too and earns her own living. Liberty and Amber cannot be compared in such a way.’

Matthew came towards me, shuffling on his stick and put his arm around my shoulders. ‘Don’t upset yourself, Hettie. Our Liberty will always be protected. We are family enough ever to hold her safe.’

I took a step back and looked him sternly in the eye. ‘You know as well as I, husband, the cruel nature of life and the turns it can take. Nothing is certain,’ I said. ‘Not a one of us is ever truly safe.’

He took my hand. ‘Dear one, I do wish you would at least try to find solace in the teachings of Christ. I think it would give you succour in your times of doubt and fear.’

‘I don’t need God, Matthew,’ I said, shaking him off. ‘I need the law of our land to protect the vulnerable and not simply serve the whims of the wealthy. Do I ask for too much in that?’

Matthew went to speak but held his lip as Liberty came running in from the garden to show me a small beetle she had found. I

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.