Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty – Three

Ebony wasn’t required at court the next day. Or the day after that. The solicitors were reviewing other evidence and statements as well as questioning the final witnesses that had come forward to testify against Vernon. If Ebony didn’t have to be there, she didn’t want to be.

She would be there for the sentencing but not before. Hearing the defence paint Vernon as a ‘saint’ who was being extorted for money was not her idea of an enjoyable time.

Sebastian and Henry went every day though and brought back with them the news of what had occurred.

When the seventh day of the trail had ended, Henry and Sebastian had come home to tell the rest of the family that the jury was out, and that the defence had nothing and that their closing statement was more of a bed for mercy than a protest of Vernon’s innocence.

Word would be sent to the house for when the jury had reached their verdict and then they would all go into the court to hear Vernon’s sentence. Ebony didn’t know if she was hoping for his execution or not. Did that make her a terrible person if she wanted his death? She didn’t think time in prison would be enough. She wondered if perhaps the judge would send him on the prison ships to Australia to labour as a convict for seven years. Even then, seven years of labour would not make up for the decades of suffering he’d caused people, and not just her.

When thinking logically though, she didn’t think that, if found guilty, Vernon could escape the hangman’s noose.

While waiting for the verdict, the Alcotts distracted themselves with organising a farewell do for William as he set off on his six month voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Sebastian and Emilia were big supporters of their son-in-law’s career and wanted to send him off in style.

The ball was organised for three days before the HMS Scarlet was set to sail. Ebony had never been to a ball before, nor had she ever really danced. She wouldn’t be dancing much either as she’d been commissioned to lead the band. She was singing for the first time in a long time. It was a nice distraction to be practicing. She was actually looking forward to it.

Since she’d been singing the songs for so long, she’d decided to sing her I puritani performances but in a lower key. She didn’t want to be responsible for shattering any champagne glasses or windows.

The ballroom at Ethridge was a large, rectangular room toward the back of the house. There were large windows adjacent to the door which gave a beautiful view of the garden and the rest of London. There was also an easily accessible courtyard which would provide guests a place to go to escape the noise of the balls. While she practiced, footmen and maids scurried about the room getting it ready for the guests. Tables were being brought in along with chairs to put around the edge of the room. A stage was being erected and a great British flag was being hung on the far wall – a sign of patriotism and proudness of their leaving hero. At the end of each song they all stopped and applauded her which made her feel quite flattered. She enjoyed performing for people.

There was no doubt in her mind that one day she would like to return to the stage. There was a certain thrill she got when her voice got to its highest octave. Just knowing she could do something that many others couldn’t made her feel quite special. And that sort of feeling didn’t come to someone like her very often.

After she’d finished softly singing A una fonte afflitto e solo she heard the slow, strong clap belonging to large, male hands. Looking up from the newly erected stage she saw Henry standing in the doorway with a delighted smile on his face.

“You are magnificent,” he stated proudly. “So talented. So, so talented.”

Ebony blushed. “I don’t know about that,” she said bashfully. Though she knew she could sing, praise still made anyone feel a little vain.

“I do,” Henry said simply. He pulled a letter from his pocket and Ebony knew exactly what it was.

“A verdict?” she guessed.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “We need to leave. The verdict will be announced in half an hour. My parents and James are already in the carriage.”

Ebony looked down at her gown. It was sky blue colour and the sleeves were short and hugged her upper arms. A white sash was tied around her waist, which had expanded a little now that she was eating regularly. She liked her softer figure. It made her feel human. “I’m not really dressed …” she murmured.

“We’ve your coat. It’ll be alright.” Henry offered her his hand and Ebony stepped down off the stage and joined him at the door.

“I’m nervous,” she admitted, looking up into his calm, kind brown eyes.

“Even if the verdict doesn’t go your way, he won’t ever hurt you again, I can promise you that.” He began to lead her out of the ballroom and down the long corridor which led to the entry foyer.

“Our way,” she corrected him. “He hurt you just as much as he hurt me.” He’d nearly died. She’d never forget the look of his lifeless body on Little J’s table. She’d also never forget watching the blood travelling from James’ veins into Henry. She’d been scared before but that was truly terrifying.

“The only way he could hurt me is through you. The rest is just details. Come on, let us leave.”

The courtroom was emptier than it had been when she’d last given evidence. The only people present were Vernon’s aunt, Ellen and a handful of her old colleagues. She greeted them all but they weren’t really in an environment to reconnect. She and the Alcotts took their seats beside Ellen.

Ellen seized Ebony’s hand and squeezed it tightly, looking forward.

Both legal benches were occupied by the prosecutors and the defence, with Vernon sitting beside his solicitor.

The jurors were all sitting in their seats and their faces looked blank, giving nothing away. Ebony could tell what they’d decided.

No sooner had they taken their seats, they all had to stand as Judge Anderson entered the courtroom.

He looked quite sombre as he took his seat. He wasted no time in getting the proceedings started. “Have you reached a decision?” he asked the jury.

The first juror, a man who looked to be in his thirties stood. “We have, Your Honour,” he said confidently. “We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of all charges.”

A smile spread across Ebony’s face as a weight suddenly lifted off her shoulders. It was as if a stormy cloud was continually raining on her and it had suddenly disappeared. Ellen kissed Ebony’s cheek and Henry hugged her tightly.

Ebony caught the reaction of Vernon’s aunt at that moment, and her head was hanging. The prosecutors shook hands and the court awaited the judge’s final decision.

Vernon’s back was to Ebony but by his slumped shoulder’s, she knew he knew it was all over.

Judge Anderson looked down on Vernon with disgust. “You are a tyrant,” he growled. “You deserve to be the dirt beneath my boot. You kill, you rape, you steal and you exploit. You are nothing more than a pirate. And for that you will endure a pirate’s fate. My daughter is the exact age of that girl there,” he spat, pointing directly at Ebony. “And if you’d done to her what you’ve done to that girl then I would have no qualms with quartering you. Vernon Shaw, I hereby sentence you to hang by the neck until dead. Your body will be buried in an unmarked grave. Your property will be sold and they money will be split equally between your victims. May God have mercy on your soul. You will not get such treatment from me. You will meet your maker at dawn tomorrow. Dismissed.” With that final speech he stood up and motioned for the policemen to take Vernon away.

Justice. It was justice. An elated Ebony stood up and beamed at the judge who gave her a respectful nod.

Vernon rose from his chair and turned around to look at Ebony. Instead of looking defeated with knowledge that he would be dead in less than a day, he looked sinister.

He sneered at her. “This won’t be the last you see of me, little Ebony. I will haunt your dreams and your nightmares.” He was trying to have the last word. He wanted to ruin what he still could.

Ebony knew that Henry was right. She couldn’t let him win. She wouldn’t let him win. “No, Vernon. You won’t see me again. You will never enter my thoughts from this day forward. You will be forgotten by everyone. Because the birds don’t sing where you are going.” Hell was where he belonged. She would never lose this feeling of gumption.

Vernon glared at her as the shackles were snapped onto his wrists by the policemen. “I had her first,” he said sadistically to Henry. “You’ll always be thinking that, even if she forgets me.”

No, Ebony wouldn’t let that statement affect her. She couldn’t. She refused. Henry had told her specifically that Vernon hadn’t stolen her purity. He’d told her only she could give it away to the person of her choosing. He wouldn’t be thinking of Vernon, she prayed he wouldn’t.

“Why would I think of you when I’m fortunate enough to have her?” Henry quipped. He didn’t look at Vernon again, and neither did Ebony.

Henry wrapped his arm around her waist as he led the Alcotts and Ellen from the courtroom. Looking up at the man who had saved her, in many more ways than just preserving her life, she knew she was ready. If he asked, she would say ‘yes’.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been so forthcoming with my affections, Henry,” she whispered, only for him. “But if you’d like to …”

He didn’t let her finish her sentence, instead he captured her lips with his as they left the courtroom behind them.

The theme of the ball was changed to be a half celebratory affair and half a farewell occasion for William.

She wasn’t the type of person to view an execution so she’d rather celebrate her freedom rather than watch a man drop.

Ebony spent the rest of the day doing Celeste’s hair and having her own hair done by Kitty who said she needed the distraction. Even though it was meant to be a happy occasion, Kitty was miserable.

Celeste had left the room when Kitty had entered as her first question was “Is Will here?”

Ebony hadn’t realised how lovely it was to have one’s hair done. She’d had it pulled into buns and braided but to have it actually intricately done was an experience completely foreign to her.

“I don’t know your husband that well, but he seems very strong and capable, I’m sure he will be fine,” Ebony said, trying help Kitty see the bright side.

Kitty smiled at Ebony through the mirror as she braided the front half of Ebony’s hair. Ebony noticed that Kitty and Henry looked quite similar. Except for the eyes. Henry’s eyes were lovelier in Ebony’s opinion. “I know he is, that’s what I’m worried about,” she replied. “Do you know why I am so miserable?” she asked. “Why I worry so much?”

“No,” Ebony said quietly.

“William and I married the day before he left London on a similar voyage. I found out I was carrying our son not long after. But William and his crew encountered a gang of pirates close to Christmastime. He did everything right. He protected his men and the ship and goods he was charged with guarding. He did it so well that he pushed his Commander out of the way of a falling mast which crushed his leg and knocked him unconscious. He woke up in Jamaica with only one leg.” Kitty looked proud as she told the tale. She was proud of William’s bravery.

“He has only one leg?” Ebony repeated. One wouldn’t notice if they weren’t aware. He walked normally.

“Yes,” Kitty confirmed. “He has a magnificently crafted false leg carved for him by a carpenter in Port Royal. But because he is so noble, he thought by sending me word of his death he was doing me a favour. He was trying to stop me from being his nurse. I’m just afraid of him being a hero again and something worse happening. I know he won’t ever send me a letter like that again. I know if I receive the word it’s true. I will just dread every letter that is sent to me. Will is too young to be the man of the house.” Kitty pinned Ebony’s braid to the back of her head. Kitty took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be bringing you down. This is a happy day.”

“Not at all,” Ebony said sincerely. “I’m happy you trust me to tell me your story.” If she had everything her way, they would be true sisters soon enough.

“I am fairly certain my brother is to ask you a question tonight so I’d like to think we can share anything. We are family now.”

“A question?” Ebony repeated. “What question?” Was it a ‘courting’ question or was it a ‘proposal’ question. She felt her heartbeat quicken. Whichever it was, her answer would be ‘yes’. She was unbelievably ready to move on. She wanted her life back and she wanted so desperately for Henry to be a part of that.

“Kitty,” hissed a woman at the doorway. Both women turned to see Little J, Annie and Alice entering Ebony’s bedchamber carrying a gown, slippers and a jewellery box. They were all dressed very finely, ready for the ball. “Stop spoiling poor Henry’s plans,” Little J finished.

“What plans?” Ebony pushed. How could she be expected to sing if this was on her mind?

Kitty’s expression was coy. “Oh, come now!” she protested. “This is exciting. I need to talk about it … you know, to make me happy.” She looked like a pathetic puppy, batting her eyelashes.

“Don’t use that against us,” Annie said, rolling her eyes. “Please, Ebony, just act surprised.

She hadn’t expected him to act so quickly! It was exciting! Could she truly be engaged by the end of the night? It was remarkable to think that only a day ago she’d been feeling so morbid. Now Vernon was gone as she was herself again. She hadn’t felt like herself in a long time. Probably not since before her mother had passed away.

She was ready. Ready to be a wife and a mother and a better sister and guardian to Celeste. She was ready to be a citizen of the world again. She was ready to be a member of a family again. And she was certain she could not have found a better family.

Emilia poked her head inside the bedchamber and frowned. “Will you girls stop gossiping and get downstairs. People are arriving!” she exclaimed. “I need my hostesses and we need our entertainment – everyone is asking for you Ebony!”

Ebony grinned. “I’ll be down shortly,” she promised.

“Let us get you ready so that you can dazzle us with your voice. I’m very much looking forward to it,” Alice said, holding up a golden ball gown.

“Me too,” Ebony replied with a smile, but she was looking forward to much more.

------

Hope you enjoyed it!!!!

Man of Steel came out on DVD in Oz today so naturally I drove straight to JB Hi-Fi (my go to electronics store!) and picked it up :D I put it on when my mum came home from work and she and one of my brothers were watching it. It came to Henry Cavill's first topless scene and I'm like 'This is my favourite part!' and my brother goes 'That guy has boobs!' - They're called pecs, James, and they are deliciously sexy ;)

When I was driving home a police car was behind me and we were in an 80 zone (that's kilometres per hour, not miles - we're not hoons Down Under hehe) and I have never watched my speedometre so closely in my life hahaha. I was doing about 72 all the way home until they turned :P

Anyways so YAY! Got the right verdict :) I've never killed anyone in this series but I created a very sadistic villain for this story. It was necessary.

And for those of you asking for a Will and Celeste story - I was reading your comments last night and damn you, you got the cogs turning in my brain thinking of a story line for them but then I said to myself 'No, you said seven, and you're sticking with seven'. I'm sorry guys but this is the last one. EVERYONE'S story will be cleared up in the epilogue - including what happens to Will and Celeste. And I'm just forewarning you, by the epilogue a character you love will be dead ...... ;) I'm sure I'll cry writing the death :( But it has to happen.

So anyways, if I wrote a story for Celeste and Will then my ENTIRE epilogue will be thrown out of whack. Sorry guys :( I have another historical fiction story planned after this - it's called 'The Accidental Duchess' :) It's about a woman (at the moment I have her named Corinne but I'm not sure if I'm going to stick to that name) who is content living by herself and being independent. Anyways, so against her will she's caught in a compromising situtation with a drunk rake by the name of Emmett and so they're forced to marry (Emmett's not heartless) with Emmett promising he'll forge a death certificate when he gets home. Safe to say they hate each other ;) When he returns home he finds out his brother, the Duke (yet to name the title), has died without an heir so now Emmett is the Duke of *insert name here* and he can no longer deny his Duchess :) Sound okay? Would you be interested in reading that one?

Let me know!

Vote and comment!!!