An Unspeakable Crime

by Theresa Lorella

  “If you gentlemen only knew, then you would understand…”

  “No, all I need to know is that Richard did not do the things they have accused,” Henry cut in, not wanting to hear it anymore. “I can’t have it muddled with more detail than that. Did he do those things?”

  “Well…”

  “Did he kill your baby, Miss Randolph?”

  “No, he did not.” She didn’t say there was no baby, she didn’t say that nobody killed a baby. Henry would not ask anything more—at that point he didn’t want to know the answer.

  “Go back to Bizarre, Miss Randolph.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Letter from Nancy Randolph to Richard Randolph

  MY DEAREST RICHARD,

  OH, how my heart breaks to think of you in that place, suffering because of me! Tell them I’m guilty, tell them whatever it takes, just make sure you are vindicated, as you should be. Remember that you are in my thoughts always and I will do what I can to make this right.

  Things here at Bizarre are as they should be, do not worry about any of us.

  With all my love, Nancy

  ******

  Letter from Judith Randolph to Richard Randolph

  Dearest Richard,

  I am receiving regular reports from Mr. Marshall and Mr. Henry about the progress of your case. I will hope and presume that all is well. I will stay at Bizarre with our son unless I hear otherwise.

  Unfortunately, the rains came early and we may have lost an entire crop. The field boys are out working to salvage what they can. If the season is a loss, I don’t know how we’ll stay afloat. I am quite worried.

  I received word from the Harrisons today. They are sorry to have caused you any trouble. I will leave it to you if such an apology is sufficient after all the harm done.

  Your wife, Judith

  ******

  Letter from John Randolph to Nancy Randolph

  To Miss Nancy Randolph,

  I spent my day listening to the testimony of the Commonwealth, spewing lies about my beloved brother, Richard. All of this—all of it—is your fault. I wish for you to know what others may be too polite to say. You are a vile creature and your disgusting and manipulative ways have resulted in nothing but the complete and utter destruction of the Bizarre Randolphs. Theodorick is dead and Richard is locked up, facing the gallows. I don’t know how you look yourself in the mirror.

  You may have charmed my brother and half the county, but I know who you really are and I will watch you. I will not rest until the entire world knows of the horrors you have inflicted. I will start by telling everyone I meet what I know to be true about you—you will be ashamed to show your face in Cumberland County ever again. If I have my way, you will not be welcome in the Commonwealth of Virginia while I live here. Mark my words, Nancy Randolph, you will never be rid of me.

  John Randolph

  ******

  Letter from Nancy Randolph to Patsy Jefferson Randolph

  Dearest Patsy,

  Oh, how I have fantasized about the days I spent with you at Monticello! Life was so much easier then. Or if I could go back in time, to before Mama died and Papa married that horrid woman, and I was still at home at Tuckahoe. It is so amazing how quickly life can change, in just a blink of an eye. And to be always at the mercy of other people is so very scary. But you treated me well, dearest sister, and I wanted you to know when I look back at that time—it feels so long ago now—my heart is happy.

  It cannot surprise you that my welcome has worn at Bizarre. My heart breaks for the damage done to my relationship with my sister, but outside forces have swayed Judy and I fear she puts on a kind face only when others are there to watch. She is doing it for Richard’s good, not for me. (Oh, but Richard does not deserve what is happening to him so I agree that Judy should do everything she can for Richard, please don’t misunderstand!)

  I am trying to politely just come out and ask if I could return to Monticello and be with you and your family? You always treated me with such respect. I know it is hard to believe, but I have not wavered from my ideals of being a good person, even if one who has made mistakes.

  If you feel you can have me return to the bosom of family but you do not wish to take on another mouth to feed, I offer my services as a maid or housekeeper. I helped at Tuckahoe and here at Bizarre things are so dire that I do much of the cleaning and mending myself while Judy minds the baby. I would be happy to come to Monticello and work alongside your house staff, Patsy dearest.

  I am not proud, but I am desperate! Please, please think of me and if you can help me in any way.

  With an imploring heart, Nancy

  ******

  Letter from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. to Richard Randolph

  Cousin Richard,

  As you may or may not know and understand, you have utterly ruined my sister and, likely, our entire family. When we sent Nancy to live with you in your care, we would never have expected that she would become the focus of a horrifying and devastating scandal. I cannot see how she will ever live this down.

  She was a child when I sent her to Bizarre, innocent and untouched. She was naïve and trusting. She is now unwelcome from the sitting rooms of every respectable lady in Virginia. I cannot even ask her back to Monticello while my wife’s father continues his political career. She is a complete and utter pariah, a social leper. If you find yourself cleared of the crimes charged, please know that we, Nancy’s brothers, will not have forgiven you simply because a tribunal exonerates you. Your crimes are too numerous to list before the courts.

  You have said you wish you had fought a duel with William or I. A guilty man cannot win honor in such a cowardly way. If you wish to prove your innocence, you might as well turn your pistol on yourself rather than on any of your kin. You have already done sufficient damage to your fellow Randolphs.

  You may or may not find your fight ends in the gallows. I care not. It may seem harsh, but you are already dead. Think of what you have done to my sister. And before you jump to think of Nancy, I ask you to think of my other sister, the one you married. Judith has done nothing to deserve the horrors that have been visited upon her and her good name. Is she now to be known as a woman whose husband seduced her own sister, who was tried for the murder of a tiny baby, and who likely met his fate at the gallows? My treasured mother never wanted her to marry you and I cannot tell you how very much I wish that Judith had listened to her advice.

  I will hold my own thoughts about Nancy’s behavior in this situation, as she is not innocent. But she was a child, your sister in marriage. She was in your care, Richard. She is now utterly ruined, and that is certainly ample punishment for any indiscretions she may have committed at your persuasion.

  May you think on what you have done to each of my sisters, to your child, to your brother, and to your cousins as you sit in that jail cell. Regardless of the outcome, you are dead.

  Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. at Monticello, Virginia

  ******

  Letter from Nancy Randolph to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr.

  Dearest Brother,

  Please hear my pleas. I must have you and Patsy understand that what you are hearing about me is not true. Richard is a good man. This is all wrong. Please know there is a reason for all this but not that anyone is bad, certainly not Richard. He has been nothing more than a good brother to me and a good husband to Judith. We cannot allow the horrible rumors to tear us apart.

  I care not for my wellbeing; while they lock Richard up on my behalf, he must be my concern. He is wrongly accused. If you would admit me to Monticello again—oh how I loved the days I passed there with you, Patsy and your family—I could explain to you all. I know that you do not wish to have me in your home as you believe me to be tarnished, or worse. But please, brother, let me explain.

  I am so worried that people are saying the wrong thing about Richard and I. It is one thing for me to endure as I have blame that I will have to shoulder for the rest of my life. It is not fair to vili
fy Richard so.

  You will think that what I say next is for my own good and I suppose that is partially true. It’s just that Judith is turning on me so quickly that I do not even understand what has happened. It can’t be just the trial—Judy was kind when this began and nothing has happened between us since. It’s this fighting inside the family and gossip against me that is tearing us apart. Judith is making life at Bizarre unbearable and I think she is doing so on the advice of someone. Why must we all turn on each other with our family in crisis? Don't people see I want only to provide support to dear Judy? Please, if you know why this is happening, help me! Not for me or even for Richard, but at least for Judy and her young baby.

  With all my love, Nancy

  ******

  Letter from Judith Randolph to John Randolph

  Dearest John,

  Thank you so much for your offer to help with the running of Bizarre while Richard is away. I am so overwhelmed right now I cannot even tell you. I feel the weight of the world to keep the farm running, to care for my boy, to provide for my people, and to keep my head held high amidst this nightmare.

  I appreciate very much your thoughts about my sister. Yes, it is difficult to have her here, always going on about Richard and helping him. I hardly see how she can be of help when she caused all our suffering whether she meant it. But be that as it may, I cannot turn her out right now. She is my sister and I worry for her wellbeing, regardless of your opinions. More important than that, if I must be honest, it would hurt Richard if I were to admit anything at all was amiss here at Bizarre. If I, the wife in the middle of this supposed tragedy is supportive of Nancy, Richard could hardly be guilty. But if I show the world I am upset with my sister, it will speak volumes. It will say that I think my husband is guilty. I cannot now do that.

  Right now what Richard needs is all of us to present to the world we are united. It is too easy for the public to turn on the illustrious Randolph family; we must not give them any fuel for the fire. Once Richard is cleared of this heinous crime, then we can privately discuss the situation amongst ourselves. Until then, kindly leave this alone and do not cause further problems with my brothers.

  Sincerely, Judith

  ******

  Letter from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. to John Randolph

  John,

  If I hear one more word of you speaking out against Nancy in public, please know that I will personally ride out to wherever you may be hiding and show you how a man deals with justice. And it is not by gossiping like a woman. That is both a threat and a promise.

  TMR

  ******

  Letter from Patsy Jefferson Randolph to Nancy Randolph

  Dear Nan,

  I, too, very much miss the happier days we shared here at Monticello when you first came to stay. It was so sad to lose your mother so early in life, but having you and your sisters here with us was a pleasure. As you remember, times were hard with so many mouths to feed, but you always made yourself useful, just as it sounds you have done at Bizarre.

  Nancy, I will not beat around the bush: You cannot come back to Monticello. This is likely not a temporary ban.

  Oh, Nan, I loved you like a sister and that warmth in my heart has not cooled. But I have young girls here and I cannot risk their reputations by having you in my home. It is a rather harsh punishment, I know, and one wherein you may not have the full blame. You are quick to defend Richard, but we all feel that he allowed you to find yourself in this position. The brunt of the blame may be with Richard, but the price is yours to pay.

  Dear girl, my heart breaks for you. I cannot have you in my home nor do I have any money, but I will look for ways to be charitable to you now and forevermore as I am able.

  With love, your sister-in-law, Patsy

  ******

  Letter from Nancy Randolph to Patsy Jefferson Randolph

  Dearest Patsy,

  I have given great thought to the letter you sent me. I am not asking you to reconsider your ability to open Monticello's doors—I fear you may know more of the situation than I had expected and I understand why you feel as you do. I very much appreciate your kind thoughts and wishes. I do not understand how we allowed this to get to this point, but I suppose we must now deal with the aftermath of the storm.

  If there is one thing I can ask you to do, it would be to ask Tom to stop interacting with John. I do not fully understand his vitriol towards me and he is using all his energy to poison Judy against me. I know it sounds selfish to say I am worried about being asked to leave Bizarre. You amongst all others know that I truly have no other place to call home and I very much fear what would happen if Judith turned me out. I would have to live off the generosity of family and I know now that is not something that would be given freely. I do not wish to cause further trouble and I know that Tom is even somewhat defending me. I fear that his actions, if he means them to help, are causing more grief.

  If you hear of any good family needing the services of a governess or housekeeper, please think of me. I’m afraid that I will soon need to make it for myself in this world.

  With love, Nancy

  ******

  Letter from Nancy Randolph to John Marshall and Patrick Henry

  Dear Sirs,

  I am posting this letter to Mr. Marshall, but I intend it for the both of you. I feel that it is important for you to know that our family is strongly divided over the current situation and I fear that we are likely the laughingstock of the county if we weren’t before. The letters that have been circulating are nasty and damning.

  While I do not expect you to care about our family’s squabbles, you were clear that we are not to go to the newspapers or do any other form of “self help” to clear our names or, amongst my family, to cast blame. I have heeded your words. I have no reason to worry that Judith will cause any problems although she has grown very cold. I cannot promise the same for my brothers or for Richard’s brother John. They are all poised against me and they are very much pitted against each other. My brothers are against Richard. John is adamant that Richard is innocent and I am to blame. It is a dangerous combination.

  I am feeling rather desperate. I am so very embarrassed by the things my own family is saying. I wish I did not have to bring any attention to this personal disaster, but I will do anything to help Richard, even embarrass myself. I have forwarded some letters that have arrived here at Bizarre so you can see what I am talking about. Please do not hold this against our family.

  Most Sincerely, Nancy Randolph

  ******

  “My God, that will make for an uncomfortable Christmas dinner later this year,” Henry whistled as he put down the packet from Nancy Randolph that Marshall had brought to him.

  Marshall laughed despite himself. “They are quite a bunch, aren’t they? Perhaps it’s time for them to marry outside the family occasionally.” The two men made eye contact and smiled. “Obviously, we shan’t repeat that to anyone, shall we?”

  “Don’t worry, John, I won’t tell anyone you made a vaguely critical comment about a client. Even though said comment was actually just factual, really. They should try marrying someone with, say, a different last name than their own I should think. Anyway, mum’s the word, John.”

  “That’s what I want to hear. So, what do we do with all this, Patrick? We can’t exactly contact hostile family members and tell them not to talk.”

  “Agreed, nothing would be better encouragement to speak out than a fervent request from us to keep quiet. Who do you think is a bigger problem, Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. or John?”

  “It’s hard to predict, of course. I would immediately be inclined to nominate young John Randolph.”

  Henry nodded; he would be inclined in the same way.

  Marshall used to providing evidence, continued his thought even though Henry was of like mind. “I would say Richard’s brother because he would protect his brother completely at Nancy’s expense.”

  “Right,” Henry said, “And Thomas, wh
ile hostile to Richard and angry with his sister, seems to view Nancy as a victim of Richard.”

  “So he will do nothing to hurt his sister however angry he is with Richard,” Marshall added. “But for Richard’s sake, John may prove useful.”

  “Now we must hope that John heeds Judith’s wise words and just keeps quiet long enough for us to secure an acquittal for Richard before he tells half the county that Nancy is a witch.”

  “Right, Patrick, right. Now, what these folks will do come Christmas is anyone’s guess.”

  “Perhaps they can go to church and eat a nice ham. Perhaps less action will do them all a bit of good,” Henry joked. “Any way, I suppose if the worst that can be said about Richard and Nancy is what the Harrisons presented, it will all be just fine.” Marshall nodded and laughed, but the moment that Henry said it, he felt he had jinxed what had been a relatively good thing.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The Virginia Gazette

  Matthew Dickson

  DID THEY OR DIDN’T they? Were they or weren’t they? We have heard and talked about this story for months, yet something has always been missing. Why, in a house full of people could nobody present at Glentivar tell us what happened? Could it be that they are all protecting each other? Even as they take the stand against their family, cousins are holding back facts, sisters are protecting each other, and lovers have lied to save each other. These are the people who are presenting evidence to the court. But what if there was someone else, someone who was at Glentivar that night?