Old Sins Long Shadows (47 page)

‘
I’ve wanted this for so long,’ he murmured as he savoured the moment against her cheek, ‘I won’t hurt you. Just tell me if you want me to stop.’

Janey shook her head and reached up t
o wrap her arms around his neck.

‘
I won’t want you to stop. Not now, not ever,’ she reassured him as she wanted this as much as he.

Slowly he unbuttoned the bodice of her dress and eased it down over her hips letting it fall like a cloud around her feet
. He embraced his wife and lifted her away from the folds of material to stand near the bed. As each undergarment was undone and eased from her body, it was replaced with kisses and caresses. Janey was taken away from the reality of day to day life and it seemed to her that only the two of them now mattered. She followed his lead, touching him, kissing him and tasting his cold, freshly washed skin that warmed as their passions grew. He sat down on the bed and pulled her between his legs to kiss her hips and her belly, whilst his hands cupped her buttocks though her draws. With one gentle pull of the cord at her waist her draws lay loose on her hips and he eased them over her curves with trembling hands. Janey looked down at his head and threaded her fingers though his hair, enjoying the power that her body had to affect him so. This feeling of power made her bold and all the Victorian values that good women were chaste and angels from heaven were forgotten. She no longer cared for her mother’s beliefs that sex was not to be enjoyed. Daniel desired her and feeling desired was a potent aphrodisiac. Her mother’s doctrine that sex was something respectable women did not indulge or talk about no longer felt relevant to her. Daniel not only wanted her but wanted her to feel pleasure in his touch. She did not feel judged by him and this allowed the door to sexual awakening to be flung open.

It did not surprise her to learn that Daniel was a
skillful lover. It did not surprise her that his pleasure came from seeing hers. The more she relaxed, the more he took her to another world where her body senses were heightened and she felt no shame. She wanted him as much as he wanted her and as their body’s explored and became entwined in erotic embraces, the thrilling sensations within her body grew and grew. It built to a crescendo, finally climaxing with exquisite pleasure which made her shake and tremble with desire. In the aftermath Janey could do nothing but lay exhausted, feeling the pulsing pleasure flow away from her like the falling embers from an exploding firework. Janey lay disheveled on the bed, shaking as her nerves continued to ignite at the briefest touch but Daniel had not finished yet. Daniel moved to lay above her and nestled his body between her legs. She felt his hardness against her throbbing softness. It was his turn now and when he asked if she was ready all she could do was nod and faintly smile. She felt him gently enter her and filling her as they became one. He lay above her, kissing her and she returned his kisses with a contentment born from feeling complete. Then the rhythmical dance of their lovemaking began and Janey was lost yet again as they both hit the sky with their climax and consummated their marriage for the first time.

The night was still young and Janey settled herself back into their bed to nurse Hope at her breast. Daniel had fallen asleep at her side and had not woken to Hope’s stirring. As she fed her daughter, Janey quietly observed her husband, enjoying being able to watch him without him knowing. He looked young, almost boyish as he lay beside her and she couldn’t help smiling at his carefree expression. He opened an eye, looked at her and returned her smile. Easing himself on his side so he had a better view of his wife, he took Hope’s foot in his hand and gently rubbed the sole with his thumb. In companionable silence they watched her feed until she fell asleep. Daniel leaned over and planted a kiss on her little toes before Janey took her away to settle her back in her cot. Soon Janey too was ready for sleep. She slipped back under the covers and into Daniel’s arms and finally they both fell asleep in the security of each others warm embrace.

The first rays of dawn peaked through the chink in the curtains casting dancing rays of light upon the sleeping couple. Daniel and Janey slept peacefully in their bed, deep in their dreams they unknowingly mirrored each others body positions. A dawn chorus from the birds outside did not wake them, or the horses’ hooves and metal rimmed wheels of the wagon that rolled into the farmyard. It was not Hope stirring slightly in her cot when disturbed by the sound of men’s boots approaching the house. What tore them from their dreams, with a sudden brutal force that set their hearts racing, was the thundering knocking on their front door.

Suddenly the house was in confusion as Daniel quickly dressed and Janey went to comfort a distressed baby
. A call on a house so early in the morning was never good news but with a questioning look at one another it was clear neither Janey nor Daniel knew what it could be. Daniel left her, descending the stairs in haste before opening the door downstairs. Janey grew even more concerned when she heard men’s voices downstairs that she did not recognize. She too quickly dressed, and carrying Hope in her arms, she followed him down the stairs to see who the visitors were.

Daniel stood
between two tall constables, as she entered the room he turned to her. To her horror she saw that his hands were shackled with cuffs and chain, his face was grave as he looked at her.

‘
Daniel?  What is happening?’ she asked as her brain tried to take in the sight before her. The heavier built constable replied.

‘
Mrs Kellow?’ he asked. She nodded numbly. ‘We are arresting your husband for murder.’  Janey’s eyes darted to Daniel.

‘
Who’s murder?’ she asked. He had sworn to her he would not kill Brockenshaw. Had he broken his promise to her while she lay giving birth?  Daniel saw her silent question and shook his head.

‘
We are arresting him for the murder of Zachariah Trebilcock.’

Janey could not believe what she was hearing.
‘But he died years ago. Why now?’ They were leaving, pushing Daniel ahead of them.

‘The charge has been made and we have a duty to act. He will face the magistrate on Monday morning at the Guild Hall in Bodmin.’ Janey ran after them desperate to know more.

‘
Where are you taking him?’ she shouted.

‘
There was a drunken brawl in St.Tude last night,’ said the thinner of the two constables, ‘Our lock-up is now full with the culprits who are also waiting to be seen by the magistrates on Monday. Considering the seriousness of the charge we have been granted permission to take him directly to Bodmin gaol.’  He opened the prison van door and motioned for Daniel to climb in. Daniel hesitated, before doing so.

‘
Daniel!’ screamed Janey running to the door.

‘
Take care of Hope, Janey,’ he told her. His voice was hoarse and sounded unfamiliar to her. She wanted his reassurance that all would be well but he would not look at her. The door of the prison van shut with a bang and the wheels started turning. Suddenly she was left alone, except for her babe in her arms, watching the prison van disappearing down the bumpy lane with her husband handcuffed inside.

David and Molly ran out to join her, a plethora of questions spilling from their lips
, but Janey did not hear them. Daniel would not look at her but she knew it was not a sign of guilt. She had seen him try to swallow to clear the choking in his throat and she had seen his stricken face when she had entered the room. She knew that Daniel had avoided looking at her in order to avoid falling apart when he saw the life and family he was about to loose.

Janey was distraught
. She wished she was braver but she wasn’t. For the next hour she was inconsolable, sobbing until her lungs ached and she had no more tears to fall. Molly was no better and David sought solitude by tending to the animals and crying alone. The man that had come to mean so much to them had been taken from them and they felt powerless to help.

However after an hour Janey’s distress had turned to a growing ange
r and anger has energy of its own. It gave her the strength to dry her tears and it sharpened her brain to make plans. After ensuring the necessary chores were done to keep the farm running, she prepared to leave by dressing in her smartest clothes and her best boots. Daniel had helped her on many occasions and now it was her turn to help him. She knew nothing of the judicial system and what to expect. She knew nothing about who had brought the charges against him or how she could help, so there was only one thing she could do. After harnessing the horse she climbed up into the trap, Hope strapped to her body by a makeshift sling.

‘
Where are you going?’ asked David anxiously holding onto the horses head.

‘
I’m going to Bodmin to find out what I can do to help Daniel,’ she said as she positioned the reins in her hands, ‘Look after the farm for me and direct Matt’s sisters to which milk needs turning to butter and cheese. I want this farm in good order for Daniel when he comes home on Monday.’  She gave the reins a shake and the horse moved forward into a trot in the direction of Bodmin town. It was only when she had disappeared from sight David realized she had never driven the trap alone before.

Bodmin was built on a slope and at its base, lurking in the shadows like an animal waiting to pounce, stood its gaol. Its design mirrored many prisons and lunatic asylums built around the country during the nineteenth century. From a central hub, a number of wings radiated outwards like the spokes of a wheel, allowing a good view of all the wings on each floor to the wardens that patrolled the cells. The imposing stone building was sited behind a high stone wall and access was gained by a single arched entrance. As Janey entered the grounds a thousand evenly spaced windows of equal size looked down on her and witnessed her approach. Behind those windows, thought Janey, were four hundred or more convicts awaiting trial or serving their sentence and one of those was Daniel. She shivered and moved on to the reception office to speak to the warden on duty.

She could tell by his expression that he was not expecting a visitor or one as smartly dressed
as she was. He eased himself to a more upright stance as Janey came to stand in front of him.

‘
Good day, sir,’ she greeted him in what she hoped sounded like a business-like manner. ‘My husband was arrested in the early hours of the morning and brought here to await the magistrates on Monday. There has been a dreadful mistake. He should not be here.’

The warden laughed,
‘I suspect given the opportunity, ma’am, most of the prisoners here would claim they are innocent.’

‘
In this case it’s true.’

‘
Then you have nothing to fear when he appears before the magistrate,’ came the reply. Janey observed the warden behind the desk and the futility of her visit became apparent. She hadn’t really expected to walk out of the grounds with Daniel on her arm but she was here and she must make the most of it.

‘
Sir, I’m not accustomed to the system or what to expect. I will speak plainly, I don’t even know what to expect on Monday. I would be grateful if you could share your knowledge.’ The warden visibly puffed out his chest at her flattery.

‘
The magistrate will hear the charge at the Guild Hall on Monday morning. Witnesses for and against the prisoner will be heard and the magistrate decides if there is a case to answer. If he feels there is not enough evidence then your husband will be set free. If he feels there is a case to answer then he will sentence him to go on trial at the Assizes in a few months time. He will be brought here again to await trial by jury.’

‘
So I must find witnesses for his defence?’

‘
Indeed, ma’am, if there are any.’

Janey thought for a moment. I
f she could not find any she would try to find someone who would vouch for his character.

‘
May I see him, sir?’

The warden shook his head,

‘That is out of the question,’ he said, ‘Criminals must have served at least three months of their sentence before visitation is granted and then only twice a year.’

‘
But my husband has not been convicted,’ she countered.

‘
I am only a warden. In special circumstances visits can be granted by the governor but this is hardly a special circumstance.’

‘
It is to me.’

‘
I’m sorry ma’am.’

Janey was at a loss what to do and as she consi
dered her next steps her gaze wandered from the warden’s face to the wall behind. She looked at the photograph displayed in a fine gold frame that hung on the wall. It did not register initially as her mind was on Daniel, but the more she looked the more the figures came into focus and she recognized the people in it. Staring back at her was the late Lord Brockenshaw, her former employer, Lady Brockenshaw and a man she did not recognize. The warden saw her surprise.

‘
Did you know Lord and Lady Brockenshaw?’ he asked.

‘
Indeed I did. Lord Brockenshaw died last year from scarlet fever and I nursed him in his final days. Lady Brockenshaw and I became quite close. I consider her a friend.’  She omitted that they were her employers, better he thought she was on their social level as it may prove beneficial to her needs.