“Jonathan was arrested this morning and taken to Newgate prison.Or so I’ve been told.”
Turner frowned as he leaned back in his chair.“What was the charge?”
“Treason!”
“Ridiculous!How could he be brought up on such charges?”Turner stood up.“Do you want to accompany me to Newgate to see him?Perhaps we can get the matter straightened out before nightfall.”
Lord Middlesex chuckled.“You’d have a hard time keeping me away, by Jove.”
The journey to the prison was short, and the marquess had to admit he enjoyed being out in the fresh air.So far his energy was holding up, and he hadn’t had any fits of coughing.Perhaps that old sawbones hadn’t been correct about his health.
He gazed out the window and, soon enough, Newgate Prison came into view.He groaned as he looked at the ominous building.The walls were a drab-colored stone, and two towers stood on each side of the main gate.In the middle, a door that didn’t appear much over four feet high appeared to be the only entrance.The marquess chuckled wryly.“Look, Edward.The door is so small it appears that they don’t want anyone coming into the prison.”
“They don’t!And getting out in one piece is even harder, I’m afraid,” Turner said.
The carriage door opened, and Harry, one of the bigger men employed by the marquess, reached in to help Lord Middlesex down and situate him in his wheelchair.
“I hope you can think of a way to get Jonathan out,” Middlesex said as they moved closer to the entrance.
“I shall surely try,” Turner said.“They have made mistakes before.”He ducked through the low entrance.
Once inside, they waited until the Warden came into the small, damp room.“Gentleman,” the Warden said, “I’m Robert Williams, at your service.”He was a short man, heavyset with bushy eyebrows, and he wheezed when he spoke.
“I’m the Marquess of Middlesex, and this is my barrister, Edward Turner.”
“Yes, I’m familiar with Mr.Turner,” the Warden said with a nod.
“I understand you are holding my son, the Earl of Longdale,” the marquess stated.
“So I’ve been told,” Williams said.
“Can you explain this outrage?”
Williams opened a book on his desk.“I believe the charge is treason.”
“Well, it is ridiculous!”Lord Middlesex slammed his hands against the arms of his chair.“I want him released immediately.”
Williams stood.“I understand your concern, My Lord.However, the law is binding.”
“What evidence do you have?”Turner asked quietly.
“A witness has come forth to lay information against the earl,” Williams said as he went to the door leading into the jail.“I cannot release him, but I’ll have Lord Longdale brought to you if you’ll wait right here.”
It seemed like forever before Jonathan appeared in the doorway.His hands were shackled.His hair was ill-kept and there were dark shadows under his eyes.
“Father!You’re out of bed,” Jonathan said, shocked by the sight.
“Damn right I am!What are you doing in here?”
Jonathan turned to the other man.“Edward, it is good to see you, as always ...perhaps not under these circumstances,” Jonathan admitted, arching a brow as he sat down on one of the benches beside a long wooden table.Then he looked at his father.“They have charged me with treason.”
“How did they get such a ridiculous idea?”
“As you know, I was in America visiting Adam when the British invaded New Orleans.It seems someone has come forth to ‘lay information.’”
“That is what Turner just told us.Doesn’t sound good,” Edward spoke up.“They just hung Brandeth and others for High Treason.”He rubbed his jaw in thought.“I hate to ask this, but did you fight against the British?”
Jonathan thought carefully before he answered because he knew his father would never understand.He didn’t want to lie, but the truth would kill his father.“I never fired a shot.I ended up on the battlefield by mistake and was shot by the British.”
