A long silence fell upon the public at the end of Ross's speech.

Demelza was shaking slightlty in her efforts to contain the sobs that almost choked her. She was vaguely aware of the various reactions around her. Admiration or outrage, but mostly, astonishment.

Demelza couldn't share that feeling. She knew Ross too well to have imagined, even for a minute, that he could carry on with the penitent, grovelling speech his councel had prepared for him. But that inability to bow the truth to achieve his aims, that indomitable pride, that complete disregard for any kind of caution were part of what he was. And she loved him as he was. Whether these personality traits were qualities or flaws, or rather alternatively both, it didn't even matter. They were essentially Ross, and she had never imagined that he would deliver any other kind of speech.

Justice had trapped Ross because of what he was, and she felt trapped as well, paralized by the icy fear that was chilling her to the bones as she waited now for what seemed an inevitable death sentence. She knew her life would stop with his, that him gone, any light would disappear from the world for her. But the worst was she'd have to go on breathing and fighting for survival, because of the new life that was growing inside of her.

How could she ever manage that ? She'd have to, anyway.

Ross turned his head to give her what was probably a last look, sending a silent apology, and all his love. But there was nothing to forgive. If Ross could have forgiven her to have caused Julia's death in her attempt to save his cousin's family, she could forgive him to have only considered the dire need in which were the villagers, and not his own personal risks in leading the plundering of the wreck. And even, to have been unable to change his ways for once, just enough to save his own life.

Yet as much as she'd have wanted to convey this with her own gaze, to send him only love and strength, she knew she couldn't hide the despair in her eyes.