Emilie slept through the rest of the day and way into the night, whimpering through nightmares. She was so drugged she did not feel the visitor come into her room. But a few hours later, Emilie awoke, feeling something on her hand. She opened her mouth to scream, but saw a blond head on the pillow next to her. It was Percy! The wonderful boy must have sneaked up to see her and sat with her for so long that he had fallen asleep. She pulled the blanket over them both, not wanting him to be cold. She had just wanted to feel protected, having him there would make her feel much better. Emilie could not believe he had come to stay with her, to guard her from her nightmares. Percy was risking so much, and how did he get out of the cellar anyway? Maybe Lord Blakeney had let him out. She gave him a small kiss on the cheek and then placed her head on his shoulder. With that, Emilie went back to sleep, smiling. Even her bruises felt better.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Charlotte had gone in tears to sleep in her small and chilly room which she shared with two other maids. That lecture had really hurt and she had been frantic that the story about Miss Emilie would get out. People would talk and she had no way to stop them. She could not imagine what His Lordship would do to her. Seeing the poor girl hurt like that also made her think of her own family, miles away in Brittany. She had not seen them for a long time and she missed them terribly. Charlotte was one of eight children and her parents had wanted a better life for her then being married to one of the poor laborers like her father. Her mother had been friends with the Blakeney's cook and at ten; she had become a scullery maid when the Blakeney family had come on a vacation to a villa near the hamlet her family lived in. It had been the hardest work she had ever done, she had to work from dawn till dusk and everyone yelled at her. She remembered seeing Miss Emilie for the first time, the seven year old girl was the same age as Charlotte's sister Marie but she looked like a princess, dressed in the most gorgeous blue dress she had ever seen, it most likely cost more then her father made in a year. Miss Emilie was holding a huge doll, which was dressed in perfect miniature of a ball gown that a queen might wear and was sitting comfortably in a beautiful room filled with lovely toys, like a doll house with real little furniture. She had been so scared to approach this exquisite Little Lady to give her some tea. The girl was sitting and talking to Her Ladyship, and Miss Emilie had the prettiest whitest little hands Charlotte had ever seen, unlike her own which were hard and dirty all the time. She also had her beautiful hair combed and tied with a big velvet bow. Charlotte had been so embarrassed of her dirty and ugly dress, of her calloused hands and of her messy hair shoved under a cap. Thankfully, Miss Emilie had barely noticed her so she was able to hurry back to the kitchen. Though all night, on her narrow cot in the kitchen she had wondered what it was like to be Lady Emilie, who had a beautiful bedroom with lots of money, to never having to work, did she know how lucky she was?
She was crestfallen after two months to have to leave her family and travel back with her employers to England but she had no choice. Being a servant to a wealthy family was her way out of poverty and she did not want to lose the little money she made. It had taken her ten years, but now she actually was a chamber maid which was a great increase in salary. The money she had made had gone to her family, now she'd have even less to send them. She had been saving for some luxuries; she supposed she could send that money for a while until she earned back her salary. Her younger siblings, it seemed like years since she had seen them. Her brothers, Armand who was in the army, she had not seen him in years, the friend of her childhood gone off to battle and came home sick and wounded. There was clever Marie who wanted to be a nun but was now working for another family as a maid, Kind Blanchette who only wanted to be a mother and who would give the milk of her glass to another, she missed her a lot. Then there was Pascal who was quiet but hardworking, and Gaston, who like to sing, Noelle who was the little beauty of the family, naughty little Gaspard, the baby of the family who was an imp with blond curls that made you forgive him. It was because of them that she gossiped in the tavern, she liked being with other people, it was lonely at the manor. Being confined was like being dead.
She had awoken very early to start breakfast, trying to curry favor. "No mistakes, Lottie" she sternly told herself as she mixed the family's favorite foods. Maybe she'd put some flowers on Miss Emilie's tray, the young lady loved flowers. She would make tarts; Miss Emilie also liked apple tarts a great deal. She would also have to take Master Percy some breakfast in the basement, but she'd do that after serving his Lordship his own food and seeing how her Ladyship was doing. She'd have to go up and bank the coals soon, but it was too early. She would not want to wake anyone. She hummed to herself as she mixed. Maybe today would be better.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord Blakeney had rose early the next, unknown to most everyone save his valet he usually did. He had become accustomed to to infrequent sleep and early mornings after so many years of caring for his dear wife. He habitually prowled the house to check on his family to spent a few moments gazing upon the sleeping face of his long lost love and to gaze upon his son who he hoped would one day become the man he wished him to be. As always he visited his wife first thing, before her madness overtook her. He took her hand in his and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, lord she was beautiful still. How he longed for a return to those bygone days when his house was filled with joy and tranquility. He knew those days would never return, but sometimes in those early morning hours he could image the life he could have led.
Now there was Emilie to care for, since this terrible misfortune he realized how fond he was of her and how she seemed almost like a daughter to him. He swore he would find the fiend who had harmed her and make him repay. He left his wife's side and softly crept to Emilie's room, he hoped that she was more like herself this morning. It pained him to see her in such a broken state as the one he found her in yesterday. He softly opened the door and slipped in, for he didn't want her to fear that her attacker had returned, and when to the window to open the curtains to shed a little light into the dark room. As he turned to her a scowl crept across his brow, as the light reveal more than his sister-in-law in her bed. To his horror his errant son lay under the covers with his aunt's head upon his chest.
Blakeney jaw tightened and his fist clenched, with grim purpose he strode across the room, grabbed his son by the hair, and yanked him out of the bed onto the floor. "What is the meaning of this?" he roared.
Percy woke up with a start, stunned at having been thrown onto the floor. "F-father?" He stammered, thinking..'oh shit,' as he cowered. "I um, felt bad for Emily's being hurt so I came up and sat next to her during the night, but fell asleep..." Why was he bothering to explain, anyway? He would only get it worse than he had last time..then he realized what this must look like and tings would only get worse from there...
Emilie had been asleep when she felt something on her hand. Her head moved a bit and then a roar and crash. She screamed and sat up. Sweet Jesus, she saw a sight that scared her only a little less then seeing her attacker again. Percy was on the ground, Lord Blakeney standing over them both looking really angry. What was going on? She did not understand...unless the events, oh bloody hell, last night hadn't been a dream! She turned bright red, this was humilating! She could understand what this looked like and unless she could think quickly, this was going to go very poorly for them both. From all the reading she had done, girls who ended up like this were in a lot of trouble. She tried to not cry as she spoke up. "It's not what you think" she sputtered, her bruises starting to hurt again. Or was it, had she...well...oh god, had she preformed a wife's duties? She did not know how they were done, no one had ever explained these matters to her! Could she be pregnant, all she had been told that girls who stayed in the same bed as a man would have a baby. Well, she did not feel different, maybe something else would have to happen. She then remembered also one needed to take one's clothes off, she's was in her dressing gown, and Percy was fully dressed. Thank god, she was not pregnant!
She tried to get up but it was not something very easy, she was still a bit weak. After listening to Percy defend himself, she decided to speak up and back his story. "This is all my fault, I am so sorry but it's all innocent you see. Percy was just being a wonderful brother to me, by sitting with me all night. He fell asleep and well, it was cold so I covered him with the blanket, that's all. He was just being a good brother, trying to protect me" she said as calmly as she could considering the circumstances, stressing the word "brother" feeling the pain still coursing through her body. A thought crossed her mind, if Percy was going to get punished, she'd....she'd throw a fit again! The pain would be real enough, even if she was not as shaken up. She hoped she could fool her guardian, she didn't like lying very much, especially since she loved Lord Blakeney but to save Percy, she'd do anything.
Blakeney stood glaring at both children, the vein in his neck throbbing. His listened with half and ear to Percy's doubtful excuses and to Emilie's questionable excuses. He could believe either of them. Percy was fat less than an honourable man and Emilie would say anything to protect her nephew. He noted the blush on her cheeks, how she knew immediately what Blakeney's suspicions were. No virtuous girl would have merely guessed that. "How dare you commit such abomitable actions under my roof!"
Emilie burst into tears as her guardian seemed to suspect the worst of her. He seemed so angry and with good reason. She started coughing through her sobs. "But sir, you see it wasn't Chris...I know I shouldn't let boys come into my room at all, I should have woken Percy up...it was really improper but it was only Percy, and I was so scared...I know it's bad for my reputation ... if people find out and they don't know it was just my relative... I am so sorry, I am such a fool..I know I must have given you quite a shock, I am sure you thought...it was Chris but you see, it was only Percy, he was just sitting with...me since I was so scared. So no harm done. He was just sitting there and he was so cold.... Don't you believe me, sir? I have never lied to you before" she sobbed, bordering on hysteria. She looked up at him, through tear filled, pitiful eyes. "Are you going to send me away like Uther did to Morgen? I deserve it for making you think I did anything improper, that Chris was here with me. I am such a horrible girl and you took such good care of me, just like my father should have. I am so sorry, I've been a terrible ward, running away, making you think I was with Chris, you should just lock me away and throw away the key or send me back to Cornwall" she sobbed, trying to make herself seem as pitiable and innocent as possible.
Blakeney stood there for a moment in utter confusion, he had no idea what Emilie was going on about. When he finally did speak it was in one extented sylable, "Whaaa..." As this came out his brow furrowed, his eyes squinted, and his came forward, as if trying to peer through some physical presence that separted him from the answer that he sought. The _expression conveyed complete confusion and an almost physical attempt to grasp some sort of understanding. The sound that had come out sounded little the beginnings of a litany of question that had mounted at once but could not get any further than that one syllable.
Emilie inwardly grinned, her babble had clearly mitigated her guardian's anger. Without changing her sorrowful, penitent, wronged face, she continued. "I know you must be so angry, making you think that someone was here with me, instead of just being Percy. I am sure you must have thought the worst of me, sir but now you see it was all innocent, even though that was no excuse for frightening you like that. I was such a fool, allowing Percy to stay here, people might not know it was just my relative, that I was...doing something improper" she said in a slightly calmer voice. "I am so sorry for making you worry that something happened, I promise, I'll try to think more. Are...you going to send me away?" she asked in a broken tone, hoping she could get my lord's pity.
Blakeney listened to his sister-in-law, and though her _expression did not change, the tone of her voice did, which suggested that she wasn't being as entirely honest as she was trying to imply. He knew she was trying to confuse the situation, which did more to anger him, but he didn't want to believe that the children were capable of what the situation implied. If the subject was dismissed now, then it was unlikely for it to slip out as gossip, it would ruin the entire family... BUT they couldn't be allowed to get away with it completely. He glared at them coldly, "No, Emilie you won't be sent away, but you should have remembered to act proper and so there must be a punishment for you. It is actions like this that have brought yesterday's events upon you. And for you, Percy, you entered a young lady's room in the middle of the night and creep into her bed while she's asleep, is there no depth to which you will sink? I wonder what crime I have committed in this life to be curse by god with a son like you."
Percy stared at his father, his eyes dulled with shame at his words. How could a parent not love his own child? "I'm truly sorry, sir. I uh- got out of the cellar because the door was left open earlier. I was worried about Emilie- I fell asleep. I promise not to be an inconvenience to you anymore... would you like me to leave?"
Percy was so overwhelmed with shame that even tears failed to cover the emotion he felt at this time. "I'll go back into the cellar and stay there for the rest of the year," Poor Percy was wanting so badly to fall apart but his overwhelming English pride (damn being English..) wouldn't let his emotions show...he may as well be being sentenced to death. Which would be worse, after all?
If Emilie needed any motivation to keeping her face crestfallen, her guardian's next words were it. She had not earned his pity, her plan had failed. In a cold and rather disappointed tone, clearly furious he told her "No, Emilie you won't be sent away, but you should have remembered to act properly and so there must be a punishment for you. It is actions like this that have brought yesterday's events upon you". Emilie winced openly, the words really hurt. She was glad to remain here, she never wanted to go back to Cornwall, she never wanted to lay eyes on her father again, and this was her family now, problems and all. Lord Blakeney was the other father she cared to remember and only her loyalty to Percy outweighed her care for him. She hated disappointing her beloved brother in law, she should have acted suitably but of course, she had to follow her heart and not her head. He was right, if she hadn't run off; she wouldn't have been in the woods all alone. She didn't want to repeat the events of the previous day, she felt so stupid. Everything was her fault, she had gotten Percy into trouble, she had risked her life, if only she had told Percy to come back with her that time, she'd be healthy, Percy wouldn't be on the floor and Lord Blakeney would not be angry with them. Maybe she wasn't some innocent victim. Maybe she had brought yesterday's events on herself. Her face still hurt, though her body felt much better, it had mostly been her face that was struck. She felt horrible, she was an awful person who didn't deserve such a nice house, she was just a relation, milord didn't have to treat her like his child, yet he did. Emilie felt crushed, the same way she had felt when her father had packed her off.
The words about punishment were also not something she wanted to hear. When she had misbehaved in the past, usually she'd be sent to her room without dinner, or kept in the house or her room for a period of time, sometimes she'd get a slap but all those had been minor offenses where Percy had taken most of the blame. She had seen what happened when Percy was "punished", and Percy was far stronger then her. "Punishment? Dear god, no, please no" she said in a low voice looking up at her guardian, who easily stood head and shoulders taller then her. Then she heard what he said about Percy, it was so cruel, she pitied her poor nephew who looked to be the verge of tears. God hadn't cursed him; he had blessed him with such a kind son. His words were biting into her, making her feel mortified. It was her who was a burden. Percy spoke up; apologizing in a voice that indicated his heart was broken. All he had done was worry and care for her. He offered to return to the cellar, clearly burning under his father's severe words. She looked up, not sure what to say. She couldn't defend him without incriminating herself. "We are both really sorry, Percy really was just worried about me" but her mind kept going back to "A... a punishment?" she repeated, clearly terrified.
Blakeney turned on his son, a sneer curling his lips, "Ah, yes! The typical, cowardly response that I can expect from my son. Don't take any kind of responsibility for your actions or show any sort of familial loyalty, just run away as always. If you'd been half a man your aunt wouldn't be in the state that she's in. You have no sense of responsibility, no sense of honor! You want to leave? Then go! Go back to your little French whore!" Blakeney hissed, and then he turned to Emilie. "Yes, my dear, punished. I've been too lenient with the both of you," Blakeney said, then eyeing Emilie's guitar sitting on a chair nearby, he picked it up, examined it, then abruptly smashed it against the fireplace. "I have treated you like a daughter, and you act out like this, try and manipulate me? It's no wonder your parents sent you to me. Well, things are going to change." He took a sat where the guitar once lay, pressed his fingers together and said, "Well, what do you think would be fair punishment?"
Emilie knew she should try and defend Percy. It was Laurel who had ensnared Percy; Percy was a victim of evil like her. "It was..." she began but her eyes had widened and she cowered at the bang. Lord Blakeney had just smashed her guitar, her precious guitar that she loved. It had been given to her to Tessa, when she was eight. How could he, he knew she cared so much about that guitar? This was scaring her very badly. Where was the kind man who sponged her head yesterday and been so kind to her? Well, wherever he was, it wasn't here. She could tell he was furious with her and with good reason, she cowered even more. 'Percy...don't leave" she whispered desperately. She didn't want to be here alone with a guardian in high dudgeon against her.
Splinters fell around the fireplace, the strings twanging in protest to their treatment. She shuddered at his next words. "I have treated you like a daughter, and you act out like this, try and manipulate me? It's no wonder your parents sent you to me." Emilie reeled. She thought, well, everyone had told her that Father sent her away because she would make a better marriage under the Blakeney care then in far away Cornwall and because everyone was so sad over Mother's death, that it would be nice for her to have a friend and a new start. Everyone told her yes, her father loved her and only wanted the best for her. Maybe he hadn't, maybe she had been sent away because she was a horrible girl and no one wanted her. It hadn't been Father who was horrid, it was her. She had always been a manipulative brat and Father had seen it. He wanted her off his hands and sent her to be with his better child Tessa. Now she had lost this family's love too! Maybe it would have been better had she died yesterday, at least she would have been mourned. She hung her head; she had to get their love back, no matter what. She couldn't lose this family too. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to respond to the last question. She rose, pulling her dressing gown tighter around her and tried to get out of bed. She wobbled a lot, and had to lean on her nightstand to support herself. Her head was pounding but she managed to walk across the room, go to the fireplace and pick up the broken pieces of her once closest companion. She hugged them tightly, treasuring the smell of the wood. She turned to face her guardian, determined to win back his affection. "I don't know, sir. Anything you decide would be fair. I am sorry I am such a burden, even my own father thought I was a wicked child and you still took me in" she said, trembling with fresh tears, leaning on a chair with one hand. She hung her head, it felt so painful. She was really nervous and sick with depression. Her own parents hated her, her guardian hated her, she was a monster. She waited to know her fate.
Blakeney eyed her coldly, in his mind he knew he had gone too far, but he couldn't stop himself. He thought he had tried to act fair, but these children evidently wouldn't accept boundaries. They would count themselves fortunate if they could see things from his perspective. The strain on him was unending, and they seemed to want to add to the burden. "No, I have tried many forms of punishment with no effect, so perhaps it is time for you to think of some means of correcting your behavior. You more than I should be able to think of something... effective."
Emilie shuddered, not knowing what to say. Too lenient might get him angrier but too harsh and she might receive it. "Sir, you can lock me in my room for a month" she asked.
Emilie looked up a bit; Percy was coming to her rescue. He called her HIS aunt; he was putting his neck out for her. She didn't deserve his help; she was a horrible girl who didn't deserve anyone helping her. No one wanted her; it was only a bit of time before she was sent from here too. "Hush, Percy, my lord's right, I deserve this and more. I ran away, I am disobedient and after how kind he was to me. If I get strapped or confined, it's only what a wicked girl like me deserves. Didn't you hear? My own father saw that I was a willful brat. Don't defend me, it's not worth it. I was wrong, foolish and selfish, that's why no one wanted me. Just let me get what I deserve" she said to him in a low voice and then looked up at her guardian, who was within arm's reach, glowering on the chair. She really hoped she could redeem herself; she was almost desperate to be a beloved child again. Her eyes were dull, and her face, already swollen betrayed a crushed _expression. She shivered in her shift and dressing gown, but said nothing more to her nephew, unable to face him. She merely clutched her own chair even more; she wobbled even more, her head hurt. She couldn't stand for much more and leaned against the table. She was determined to take her medicine; she wanted Lord Blakeney to see she was a good girl, that she wasn't evil. Percy's words filled her with self disgust, she hated herself. She was dirty, she had an unclean soul. "Sir, I ought to be belted since it's what I am most afraid of. I am sure my father would agree" she finally said in a voice choked with tears. Maybe if she was punished, she'd become a better person, someone lovable. She hoped so.
Percy stared at his father for a few minutes... in a slight state of shock. Anger at his father and sympathetic towards Emilie. His natural instincts told him to smart off to his father but he'd basically already done that. But something else told him that he'd best see about his aunt before tearing into his father, even if it meant being in the cellar for days. "Emilie, listen to me. This whole thing is my fault, if I hadn't suggested that we leave, we wouldn't be in this mess. You don't need to be punished- why don't you try a different tactic? You are not a horrible person. You gave me a couple days peace when I needed it the most. Now c'mon, stand up to him- the worst he could do is send us both away." Percy pleaded with his aunt, hoping that she'd have the courage to stand up to his father without his assistance.
Emilie looked at Percy, she wanted to believe him but she didn't know what to believe anymore. She knew he was trying to comfort her, to make her believe she was not tainted by sin. But it had been her idea to run away. She remembered the conversation; she had been so brave then, so eager to see the world away from the Manor. "Percy, I can see two options to avoid you being punished. Either you come back and blame me or if you are planning to run away again, take me along" she had said so confidently, not realizing how dangerous it was. Oh, they had an adventure all right, one that almost cost her life.
This was all so confusing. It was as if there were two roads, she could turn to her guardian, trust him as she always did, believe she was a horrible girl, get punished and maybe redeem herself, or she could trust her closest friend, believe that she wasn't horrible, stand by him, get punished anyway but have the bravery to stand on her own. She just didn't know. Lord Blakeney had basically told her she was a manipulative brat, but Percy saw her as being good. Her guardian, the man who had taken care of her had told her she must be punished, that she was bad, but her confident, her friend said she didn't need to be strapped, that she had done the right thing. Her eyes went back and forth from the two people, the father she trusted or the friend she adored. She just wanted to run to Percy, to beg him to protect her and to stand behind him. But there was no hope, Lord Blakeney would just separate them, and she'd be only in more trouble. Then Percy said "he could send us away" and Emilie shook her head. "NO! I won't get sent away again, Percy, this is my family now, the only one I have. Your father kept you around, he didn't send you away, mine hated me, he saw what a wicked girl I am, I won't let that happen again. Enough games, it's over, time to wake and see reality. We're powerless children, we have no rights, and our only hope is just to obey orders. You call a few days peace? It was peaceful for you; you weren't tied up, waiting to have your throat slit or worse! It was not exactly peace for me, if Chris hadn't found me, I'd have been dead. Just at what those peaceful days felt like to me" she snapped, pointing to her swollen face. Her heart broke, he had been pleading with her, but she was so scared. She threw herself into his arms. "I am sorry, Percy, it's not your fault, I know you are right but I can't, I just can't, I am sorry, everything is all my fault, I don't want to be wicked anymore, I am so scared, please understand, I can't defy him anymore. I have to be good, I have to let him punish me, I don't want to be sent away, I want to be a good girl again" she bawled, being held up by his strong arms. She relished being in Percy's arms, she steeled herself, preparing herself for whatever punishment my Lord decided. She was barely able to stand though and her head hurt. She knew any second she'd be pulled away from her nephew and painfully punished but she wanted these seconds, no matter how it looked. Without turning around, she said over her shoulder, not wanting to see how her guardian must be fuming "I...I am ready, sir".
Blakeney leveled his cold eyes on Percy and Emilie as if piercing into their souls. Had he the slightest doubt before of the scandalous behavior that they were exhibiting, Emilie's action confirmed it. "Percy, it would seem that your aunt has more loyalty to this family than you have."
Emilie listened; My Lord thought she was loyal! She was overjoyed, maybe she wasn't a completely wicked girl, perhaps she had hope. She was still terrified and hung on to Percy, unconsciously but desperately. She didn't know what to say, all she could do was stay in his arms and wait for orders. "Percy, don't listen to him, it's me that evil, not you. He loves you, he has to" she murmured.
Percy remained silent for a few minutes, as if he couldn't believe his ears. Hadn't he risked his LIFE to save his aunt? Or maybe it was the other way around that made things so complicated. Percy was getting a headache. "I'm beyond caring, Em- I've tried so hard to meet up to his expectations, be the son he thinks I ought to be but apparently that isn't enough. Even if-if I saved the whole world from being condemned, I still don't think he'd acknowledge me as his son." The words hurt, really hurt. It was all Percy could do to keep from bursting into tears in front of them both. "Think what you want, father." Percy said coldly, hardly looking him in the eyes. "Your opinion will *never* change." Percy took several deep breaths, hardly believing that he was actually standing up to his father when it was supposed to be 'yes sir' or a 'no sir'. Most children wouldn't dare..."If you wish to keep your family in check, then you're not doing a very good job of it." Percy shrugged Emily off so he could be alone for a bit, think things over. "All you're doing is driving us apart." With that? He walked out of the room and was halfway down the hall before the tears came. Slamming himself into his room, Percy fought back control until he fell into a void sleep. One so dreamless that he didn't even wake to eat...
Emilie burned under Percy's cold words, he seemed beyond despair. She tried to hold him closer but he didn't even seem to care. She stopped crying, shocked. She then was shrugged off, even he hated her. Without his arms to help her stand, she crumpled to the floor. She sat down next to her broken guitar and began fiddling with it, tears running down her cheeks. She was furious with the world and at herself. "My guitar, my poor guitar" she murmured. It was a guitar that symbolized her family and it was broken, it would never play again.
Blakeney glared after his son. The boy, once again, was running from his responsibility. He stood up and stormed across the room, how could he have produced such a child. Emilie whimpered on the floor at his feet, fussing about the shards of the guitar and mumbling. She too had disappointed him. Carrying on with that son of his in a scandalous manner. He stooped down and wrenched her up by the arm and shook her. "Stop your whining!" he shouted at her. "There's nothing that can come of it! Life favors no one, we're born, lead miserable lives, watch everything that is import to you crumble to pieces, and then you die! You need to face reality!" Was he talking about her or himself, who was to say, but this being said he shoved her forcefully aside and charged after his son. He pounded on the door and shouted, "I haven't finished with you!"
Emilie felt her guardian stand over her. She tried not to shiver as My Lord grabbed her arm roughly. She was pulled up and shaken till it felt like her teeth were rattling. "Stop your whining!" he shouted. Emilie closed her eyes. "Yes...sir" she whispered. "There's nothing that can come of it! Life favors no one, we're born, lead miserable lives, watch everything that is important to you crumble to pieces, and then you die! You need to face reality!" he continued and then threw her aside as he walked out. Emilie was flung halfway across the room, slamming against her vanity table with a sharp cry of pain. Her head banged hard against the chair and began to bleed a bit. She didn't know that she lay there, alone in a small pool of blood. She wasn't thinking about the pain though or the fact that her vision had blurred badly for a second before going completely dark. She wasn't thinking that she was lying on the floor in a crumpled heap and that her hair and robe was going to get dusty. She didn't think of her broken family, or even wallow in self pity.
She didn't hear her guardian pound on Percy's door or see a blond maid walk in for a moment to maybe sneak a peek at the wounded girl and then run out screaming at the top of her lungs. Though all these events, Emilie lay silently for at impact, she had felt nothing more; everything in her head had gone dark. Emilie's final thought before passing out were a strange, almost calm one. "So when is Chris coming to save me?" she thought, before feeling no more. She lay on the ground, across from her broken guitar, her face pale and blank. It was almost ironic, to have been saved from brigands to lie wounded in her own bedroom, an irony Emilie would have composed a song about if her guitar hadn't been in worse condition then she was. It seemed almost like a morbid tableau, a beautiful young lady in one of the wealthiest houses of Britain, with an unmatched dowry, alone, beaten, unconscious and sprawled on the floor in her own blood. It almost reminded the reader of Shakespeare's 146 sonnet, the verse to match this tableau.
WHEN, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,"
