Drabbles on The Devil's Whore

written from prompts provided by dorsetgirl 

Letter to a (still-born) Child

Oh my son, born too early, you could never live, your lungs never took breath.  And what would the future have held for you?  Your father, who never saw you, was murdered for his beliefs.  And I, your heart-broken mother, have lost the final link I could have had with him.  There is nothing left for me now, and I am to be hanged in the morning.  But I will not wear the garb of mourning, but shall die in my wedding dress, to celebrate my lost love.  Oh my son, born too early, I would have named you Thomas.

000---000

Wrongful Imprisonment

John Lillburne surveys his cell and reflects on his life.  He’s been in prison before of course, he’s been whipped for speaking out, but this time it’s different.  This time the one who has imprisoned him was once a friend.  This time he’s been sent to Jersey, because the writ of habeas corpus does not apply here, so it’s not unlawful, not really.  This time there are no pens, no paper, no light.

And without pen and paper he cannot continue his fight.  And once the fight has gone, the mind goes too, and impending insanity becomes the final jailer.

000---000

Freedom

Back from exile, although no-one knows.  The soldiers don’t notice a widow standing with the others, the only ones permitted to watch the great John Lillburne laid to rest.  The clothes that limited movement have given him the freedom to return.   “No words!”  John must be buried without a eulogy.  The one who had once fought for the liberty of all had forbidden any tribute to a former comrade.

But Sexby is wrong – someone has noticed his appearance, yet made no response.  Later, in the safety of her home, Angelica will hold him close and they will share their freedom.

000 --- 000

New Beginnings

Angelica listened to the church bells ringing in the crowning of the Lord Protector and the permanent loss of her husband.  She had survived his exile, at least she could hope that one day Cromwell would relent and permit her Edward to return.  But death left no hope.

Yet, even as she mourned her loss, she felt the first movements of the child within her.  Much as she would have liked to stay weeping on the beach forever, she knew that she was responsible for another life.  She would go to Elizabeth Lillburne and the two widows could cry together.

000---000

Family History

“Your father was the son of a peasant woman and I’m not sure he ever knew his own father.  And my mother was a Catholic and left this country so she could worship as she wished.  My first husband was shot because he chose love above duty.  My second husband was murdered because he said all men should be treated equally.  And your father died because he stood up for his beliefs even when they were no longer popular.  So, Elizabeth Sexby, there is no reason for you to behave as society dictates; you may marry the man you chose.”