A letter arrived from Edward summonsing Louis to Hobart Town. He was to bring Jessica with him. The petition had been put through. Jessica was to appear before the Governor and present her story.

When the ship from Ireland docked in London, Adam knocked on the door of her cabin.

Jessica opened it.

He pushed past her, closing it behind him. "We have arrived. Are you ready?"

Jessica nodded but wouldn't look at him. She was unsure of why Adam should bring her to London.

He tilted her face upwards and peered at her. "You are nervous?"

Jessica would have liked to lie to him. Something told her she was in danger. "Yes. A little," she murmured.

He touched her tenderly on the cheek with the back of his hand. "There is no need to be. We shall have a wonderful time and not let our differences come between us." Adam pulled a black lace veil from his waistcoat. "However, you will wear this over your face while we are in London."

Jessica took a step back. "Why?"

"You are very beautiful, Jessica." He smiled and touched her cheek again. "If I cannot have you, no one shall. You will wear the veil so your face is hidden." He paused. "And you will pose as my wife while we are here."

"No, Adam!" Jessica took another step back. "What is this that you are planning? I will not do it."

Adam lunged at her and gripped her chin. "You shall do as I say, Jessica or I will change my mind about forcing you to succumb to me," he hissed and then added sweetly, "It is just to protect you. I will not have men presenting themselves to you without my permission." He released his hold on her chin and cupped her face lovingly. "Do we have an agreement Jessica?"

"Edward, Kathleen, this is Jessica." Louis presented her to his friends.

"Oh, Louis she is beautiful," Kathleen gushed. "Come. Come with me my dear, you must be tired." Kathleen led her away.

Louis smiled at Jessica when she looked over her shoulder at him as she was led away.

"Well, Louis." Edward clapped him on the back, bringing him out of his thoughts. "She'll definitely be pardoned, but whether it's unconditional or not will be up to the Governor. He doesn't give out many of those I'm afraid."

"It's of no matter, Edward." Louis took his friend by the hand and shook it hard. "You've done a great job. I couldn't have done better myself. I thank you immensely." Louis looked toward where the two women were seated, chatting as if they were long lost friends. Kathleen was wonderful at making people feel comfortable in her presence. He turned back to Edward. "She has agreed to become my wife, but refuses to marry until she has been pardoned. I've tried to explain to her that, yes it's illegal for a free man to have relations with a convict, but a husband is allowed to have his wife assigned to him."

"Congratulations. I never thought I'd see the day." Edward laughed and studied Louis. "What are her reasons against being wed and assigned to you?"

Louis dragged in a lungful of air and shook his head. "I would have married her weeks ago, but she won't marry me if she's not pardoned. She says she wants to marry as a free woman and not a convict because she doesn't want to disgrace me by being a convict. She thinks it will ruin me and my business." A sad look crossed Louis's face. "I don't know what I'll do if she's not freed."

"We shall require two separate rooms." Adam looked at the hotel manager. "Adjoining of course. My wife enjoys her moments alone, especially since she is in mourning over the loss of her mother."

"Certainly, Your Lordship. I have two exactly as you require." The manager rang his bell for the porter. "Show Lord and Lady Loxton to rooms ten and eleven."

"Yes, sir." The porter nodded. "My Lord." He bowed his head towards Adam. "My Lady." He bowed once more toward Jessica. "If you would please come this way." He held out his hand in the direction of the stairs.

"What time is Jessica to appear in front of the governor, Edward?"

"After lunch. You don't think she'll be too tired do you?"

Louis shook his head. "It wouldn't matter if she was, Edward. She would still appear." Louis laughed. "And even if she changed her mind I would force her. If I can only marry her when she has her freedom, nothing will stop me from acquiring it for her."

"Adam I cannot wear this veil and eat at the same time, it is impossible."

Adam smiled and nodded his head at an attractive red head who was sitting across the room from them. With the smile seemingly stuck on his face he spoke through clenched teeth. "Then do not eat, Jessica." He took his gaze from the woman who had been admiring him for some time and looked at Jessica. "It is only until tomorrow. I am taking you into the country for this afternoon. I have friends there whom we shall be dining with."

"Who?" Jessica wondered what he was up to. "I have never heard you speak of friends in England."

"Later, Jessica you shall meet them when we arrive."

Jessica fiddled nervously with her handkerchief, her hands in her lap. Louis placed his hand over hers. "Don't worry everything will turn out."

"What if he doesn't believe me?" she gasped.

Louis's heart went out to her. He gripped her hand harder. "I believe you."

She lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. "But you, my darling, cannot give me my freedom."

"I can still marry you. It will make no difference to me." Louis smiled at her. "I love you, Jessica and though you are against it, a man can have his wife assigned to him. At Ashton House we are home. No one can take that away from us."

"Mr. Jamison," Adam spoke to the hotel's manager. "We are going into the country to visit with friends. I trust my wife's belongings will be safe in her room."

Jamison bowed his head. "Most certainly, My Lord. My staff are very dependable."

Adam smiled and placed a golden sovereign into the man's hand. "I hope this will make them more so." He paused. "We shall return later this evening."

Jamison looked at the coin in his palm and smiled. "As you wish, My Lord."

Adam steered Jessica into the carriage. As he stepped on the tread he called, "Gray's-Inn Lane, driver!" He sat on the opposite seat to Jessica and stared at his hands.

The carriage pulled up in front of an old rookery. "Why have we stopped here?" Fear clenched Jessica's chest.

"I have some business to attend. Come. I want you to follow me inside."

Jessica peered into the dark shadows of the squalid street and foreboding building. She shook her head. "I think I should like to wait in the carriage for you."

"Do not defy me, Jessica." Adam stood outside the carriage and jerked his held out hand to her. "I have asked you to come with me." When she didn't move he grabbed her tightly by the wrist and forced her from the coach.

Jessica covered her mouth and nose with her gloved hand to mask the smell of death and rotting debris. She could hear a baby crying and the sound of a man's angry voice.

Adam dragged her through one of the doors. A fire burnt in the hob, casting dull light throughout the low ceilinged room. A woman dressed in dirty ragged clothes stood beside the table. Adam nudged his head at her and closed the door as he said, "Get undressed Jessica."

"No, Adam what is this?" Jessica stared at the woman and wondered who she was and how Adam knew her.

"You have made your decision, Jessica. You don't want me. I no longer want you. I plan to dispose of you."

Fear thundered in Jessica's heart. Her mouth fell opened in shock, not knowing what to say.

"Don't worry my dear. I do not plan to kill you; just remove you from my life." His face darkened as he growled, "Now take off your clothes and swap with this...lady."

Jessica shook her head. She rushed to the door. Adam caught her and pushed her hard against the wall knocking the wind from her lungs. He swung her around and backhanded her. Pain exploded in her head. Jessica's eyes watered, blood ran from her nose. She struggled to stay on her feet. When he struck her the second time, everything went black.

Copyright© 2019 Donna Fieldhouse. All rightsreserved.

Poor Jessica :(