Dessau saw Cristof to the door then returned to the parlor and unlocked it. A click sounded in the elegant parlor. Emilie looked up, cowering, thinking it was His Lordship. "I'm sorry" she whispered and saw Dessau walk in. "You are most fortunate that I felt some pity on you and your friend. Despite your poor behavior of late," Dessau commented.
She listened and wondered at his words. "What happened, what do you mean you had been pity some pity? So you didn't tell my Lord or you softened it? What did you say to him?" she asked. She looked about for Chris to come behind him. "Where is Chris, is he all right?" she asked desperately. All sorts of pictures filled her mind. "What do you mean, as of late? It's been the last ten minutes" she muttered to herself, wondering if she was still in trouble and what happened to her beloved Chris.
Dessau was a little upset by the comments made by Emilie earlier and felt that the young lady needed to learn her place, if only to save her from Lord Blakeney's wrath should she act in a similar manner around him. "I sent the young lord away, my lady, I felt some pity for the boy. After all, in all likelihood he would be horsewhipped like that delivery boy and all because he had been seduced by a 'lady' of the house. How could he defend himself from such advances? Had milor been here where I stand, he would scarce be blamed had he struck down such a sinful child as yourself. I am bound by duty to tell him of such behavior, yet out of pity for your delicate condition I might be inclined to forget. Your scandalous behavior has brought misfortune upon you far be it for me to bring more." Dessau drew closer. "Next time you might not fair so well, my lady. Twould be a sad event for milor to lament over two ladies. But perhaps the affliction that took your sister, is already manifesting itself in you. Fortunately should it be a reoccurrence, his lordship has excellent doctors. Otherwise, you might be sent to a mad house. I fear for you, my lady, the wrong image can be most damning. Are you ready to ready to return to your room?"
Emilie bowed her head in disgrace, tears furthering messing up her cosmetics. She was glad that Chris had escaped her brother in law. But seduced? Chris had kissed her; she had just allowed him to but could she have spurred him on? She had dressed inappropriately and worn makeup, could she have beguiled him? She was a horrible person, putting everyone in danger. Chris had almost been whipped, all because of her. A sinful child, that's what she was, a girl sent away by her own parents, she deserved to be struck down, to be beaten just like Andre was. Everything, running away, waking up with Percy, Andre, Chris was her fault and she was still getting mercy. She wondered if she would have been killed, would everyone be happier. She had caused everyone so much pain, she was a horrible person. She didn't think as usual. It had been so nice to stand up for herself, she had always been such a meek person, bowing to everyone's will and she thought it would garner her respect but people were seeing her as a seductress and as mad, a stigma she had lived with since before she could remember. "Her sister's mad" would come the taunts and she would have to ignore them? Could she be mad too? She doubted it but how could she know? The thought of madness made her cower even more, it was her greatest fear. She continued to cry softly, all her former confidence was gone, leaving the cowed girl who had trembled at every shadow, the girl she was the day before. It would be inappropriate to respond, though all she wanted to do was throw herself at the valet's feet and beg forgiveness for being a horrid brat. "Yes, thank you" she whispered and tried to get up but her head was spinning. She fell hard to her knees and couldn't even get up.
Dessau stooped down and collected the young lady, he felt a small twinge of guilt at his remarks, but they were necessary. If she continued in the manner she was behaving in there was no doubt that his Lordship would kill her, even if he came to regret later. Dessau carried her up the stairs and paused before Lady Tessa's door which was uncharacteristically open. Inside, Lord Blakeney knelt at his wife's side in a position of abject despair. Dessau quickly proceeded onward, he was certain his lordship did not wish to be see in such a position. Dessau took Emilie to her room, placed her in bed and covered her with the blanket. "I will send Danielle up to help you change and prepare your bath. Might I suggest a glass of warm milk to settle your nerves?" If she fell asleep it would be easier to accomplish the young compte's request.
Emilie meekly allowed herself to be carried, still sobbing. She felt terrible about being such a burden, everything was wrong, and it was all her fault. As she was transported past Tessa's room, she caught a glimpse of her brother in law kneeling sadly by Tessa's side and felt even more low. She had caused this wonderful guardian pain! He didn't have to take her in, and all she did was cause trouble. She trembled as she was carried away, she would have been punished so badly had Dessau not had mercy on her, and she most definitely deserved it. Lately, she had been behaving so strangely, so unlike her. Was she going mad? Still whimpering, she was laid out on her bed and covered. Strangely, amid all the guilt, she was hungry, she had barely eaten in three days. The last normal meal had been before she had ran away. "Yes and some food too. Anything, eggs, bacon, bread, it doesn't matter, just something" she said in a weak tone, still choking in tears. She wished Percy would come, she could use someone to talk to, anyone would be nice.
Dessau quickly slipped down stairs and ordered the cook to prepare a lunch. Emilie usually became drowsy after a meal and that might provide him with the opportunity to clip the lock of hair Cristof requested. "If Charlotte returns soon, have her draw a bath for Lady Emilie, if she does not the task will fall on you," Dessau told one of the maids, the girl paled then nodded. When the lunch was finished Dessau carried it back up and presented it to Emilie. "Might I suggest you get a bit of rest once you've finished."
Emilie lay in her bed, weeping over this whole imbroglio of events, all having her at the fault of them. "Had milord been here where I stand, he would scarce be blamed had he struck down such a sinful child as yourself" she remembered Dessau saying and it hurt. She didn't want to be a sinful girl; she wanted to please her brother in law and she most definitely did not want to be struck. She kept wondering if she was going mad, why she had been misbehaving so badly. Well, it all ended there, she was not going to make another mistake, from now on, complete obedience. She would keep out of everyone's way, and be a proper young woman. That made her feel a bit better, but her heart was still broken. When Dessau came in with the food, she allowed him to help her sit up but didn't respond to his question. She didn't say a word, she was still whimpering so she just ate the soft fresh bread and butter and drank the warm milk which was delicious and calmed her down a bit. She didn't want to rest but frankly, she didn't want to seem wayward. She could just lie here and think for a bit. Maybe some rest would help; she was feeling tired, warm milk always made her feel tired. "All right, please ask the maid to wake me when my bath is ready" she said softly in a meek tone. She would ask her dress be cleaned so she could wear it again, and her stays were loose enough for her to be comfortable. Her head was swimming, damn the milk, it wasn't settling her nerves, it was making her so drowsy that she felt nervous. "I don't feel well, my head hurts" she said, the room was spinning already and her mind was feeling really tired. She got nervous, was she getting ill like her sister? "Please get milord" she begged as she faded in and out of consciousness.
Dessau set about collecting the tray to bring down stairs, all the while watch for any signs that indicated that Emilie was asleep. When he was quite certain that Emilie had drifted off, he carefully extracted a small knife and discretely cut off a lock, slipping it into his sleeve. He then took the tray down to the kitchen, perspiration beading on his head for fear the someone might suspect him, and in the kitchen ordered a maid to go about Emilie's request.
Emilie lay whimpering in her sleep. The last thing she had done was beg for Lord Blakeney but then everything had gone dark. "Please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be trouble" she mumbled, still panicking even in sleep. "Please, don't hurt me, I am sorry" she wept and it was unsure who she meant, the unknown attacker or her brother in law.
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Percy walked timidly down the stairs, after having crept around the maids and such. He was so tired of walking around everybody, making sure that he set nobody�s temper off. Especially his fathers. Trembling slightly, Percy found his way towards the parlor. "Pardon, is anybody in here?"
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Much to her chagrin, Penelope was forced to draw Emilie's bath and tend to the girl in Charlotte's and Danielle's absence. She was rather happy to see Danielle sacked, after all Danielle was a notorious gossip and rather lazy in her work, but Penelope did not enjoy taking up the slack. She prepared the bath and slipped up the back stairs and into Emilie's room. She was shocked by Emilie's miserable appearance and was saddened by the mournfully manner in which Emilie called to milor in her sleep and muttered "Please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be trouble" and "Please, don't hurt me, I am sorry". Penelope thought his lordship should see to her, after all if something was wrong perhaps his lordship might set Emilie's anxieties to rest.
She intended to go to his study, but saw him in his wife's room. She rapped on the door lighting and looked down at her feet waiting to be acknowledged.
Lord Blakeney looked up, slightly shock that he had left the door open. He stood up and straightened himself, noting that there was at least one maid in this house that seemed to know her place. "What is it?" he asked, as he arrived at the door and stood in it's frame.
"Milady Emilie, seems most distressed, milor. I came up to announce that her bath was ready and heard her calling your name," Penelope explained meekly in terror of the lord. "I thought you would wish to know, sir."
Blakeney nodded and brushed past her. He headed for Emilie's room and even before he entered, he could hear her tragic muttering. He slipped in side and kneeled beside the beside. He felt a stab of pain in his heart at seeing her, she had been through so much, this beautiful child. "Emilie!" he whispered, hoping not to terrify her. "Emilie wake up! You are dreaming!" Blakeney vaguely wondered where his son was, he hadn't seen him since the morning.
Emilie heard someone talking to her, as if from a distance. She kept seeing her attacker, feeling trapped, being led along, being tied in the room, being thrown into the sack and being beaten, coming home and hearing all those screams, being thrown into a desk, seeing Andre being beaten, and Dessau's scolding, all tumbling through her head. She kept whimpering, she was so scared. Someone was calling her name...she could hear it. "Please sir, I am sorry, don't hurt me..." she muttered, remembering the vanity incident. "Emilie wake up! You are dreaming!" a voice was saying. She was scared...no, she didn't want to be hurt again. Someone was there. She opened her eyes, and almost screamed when she saw a pair of eyes over her. "Sir..." she asked weakly, recognizing the face beside her. She held out a hand for him to hold. She wanted him there so badly, to prove that he still cared for her. "I am so sorry...I really am, it's all my fault. You're always so good to me, and I am so terrible...I am sorry. I want to be a good daughter to you" she murmured weakly, still half asleep, so English reserve had been forgotten.
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Doctor walked out and went to the kitchen, feeling slightly sick at what had just happened, as that had shown him what Lord Blakeney was capable of, and he was now very sure some of those bruises hadn't come from that "brigand" in the woods, the girl had most likely run away and then found and brought back by a friend, then brutally punished by the man who had sworn to take care of her. Poor little girl, raised between a mad sister, a violent and despotic brother in law and a wild nephew. He could not believe how Lord Blakeney had let loose on that poor little boy, he seemed so slightly built. True, he had been wrong to come into a Lady's room, if a boy had come into his daughter's room, he'd have him thrashed too but he would not have gone berserk and nearly killed the boy. A vision of Emilie getting some of that same treatment filled his head and he turned away with disgust, memories of the bloody pool by the bed, the bloody clothes and the broken piece of wood, had His Lordship broken a timber box over the child's head? It seemed correct, considering the girl had a concussion, besides a few fresh and nasty bruises. He helped himself to some food and wondered if the young master was all right, but most likely the boy had run away, or was locked in the cellar or was beaten himself and locked in his room. He sat there for a bit, lost in his thoughts. He didn't notice the valet come in and out, so busy was he but then he noticed the valet return with an empty tray. "Is Lady Emilie still resting? Is she all right? What happened?" he asked, noticing the valet looked nervous. He got up, ready to assist to the child again.
Dessau started, he had forgotten the doctor had been about. "Lady Emilie is sleeping!" Dessau replied quickly. "What do you ask?"
Doctor was worried, the valet looked very scared. Was the Lady being punished again. "Why do I ask? Because I am concerned with my young patient. The young lady was hurt very badly, and she needs rest. Dear god, she is sleeping, right? His Lordship is not angry with her?" he asked, hoping the girl was all right.
The boy who Hastings paid to deliver the note rode up to the house tied his horse up and went to the door, upon which he knock.
"Of course she's asleep!" Dessau exclaimed. "I just finished serving her and she fell asleep." Dessau faintly heard a knock and sighed in relief that it gave him the opportunity to get away from the inquisitive doctor. "Pardon! The door!" Dessau slipped away quickly and found a messenger at the door. He took the message and noted it was for the young master who seemed to be eluded everyone this morning. Now where was the boy?
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Emilie just teared up. "Sir, everything, it's all my fault. I've been so wicked. Are you sorry you took me in?" she asked.
Just when Percy had given up and was about to go looking for somebody to talk to besides himself, the young baronet to be stopped dead in his tracks half way out the door when he thought he heard voices coming from the direction he had just come from. Had he been imagining things when he had seen nobody in there a few minutes before then? "Emilie?" He called weakly, walking rather timidly towards that direction once more, softly knocking on the door, not daring to just barge in, uneasily awaiting whomever might appear on the other side. "Father- is everything alright in there? It's me, Percy.."
Blakeney looked at her seriously. "No, Emilie, I'm not." A moment later he heard his son's voice calling to them. "Come in Percy," Blakeney said.
Emilie smiled, he did care for her! "Thank you, sir". She was overjoyed, she still had a family. She could have sat silently, basking in the glow of his love for a while but a knock came. She frowned when she heard Percy's voice though, he had walked out on her, he had abandoned her. She was at the mercy of an enraged father, she was sick and barely able to walk, and he left her! She had stood by him so many times, often getting in trouble herself and being punished. All the times she had been slapped, confined to her room or denied dinner for him sped through her mind, filling her with disgust. She was a sinful child, because of HIM! She would have never run away if not for him being an idiot and going away when he should have been home. All the kind feelings she had always had for him vanished. She turned her head to the wall when her nephew came in. "Oh it's you. Everything is fine in here, no thanks to you! As Horatio said in Hamlet 'a truant disposition', Shakespeare must have meant you, Percival! You're always late! Late to save me, late to visit your mother, late to take your share of the blame, late to think of anyone but yourself! If you were half the man your father was, maybe I wouldn't have been tied in a room at the mercy of brigands!" she said in a sullen tone.
Blakeney stared back and forth between Emilie and Percy, he hadn't expected that kind of reaction from the girl. As true as her statement was, Emilie had always defended Percy and now she spoke with such venom.
Emilie looked up for a moment and noticed the surprised look on Milord's face at her words. "I apologize for my tone, sir but Percy is well acquainted with raising one's voice to family members who love them dearly. But do come, Percy, sit. It's so nice you even remember you have a family, even if it is a bit late. Just like this morning, I am not going anywhere, though I am sure you will, as you always do and leave me to pick up the pieces" she said in a quieter tone, still not looking at her nephew, still holding her guardian's hands. She truly was burning with fury, it was the first time she had not willing placed her neck on the chopping block for her nephew. Every other time, she had willingly helped him, through every punishment but not after this, it was her or Laurel! She wanted him to apologize and now, in front of Lord Blakeney! She wanted him to suffer a bit, after he walked out on her.
Percy sat there for a moment, rooted to the floor in shock. "I-I'm sorry, Emilie- I was only trying to help you earlier, when you were hurt." Why was he constantly apologizing for things? Slightly hurt and confused, he glanced at his father. "I thought I was doing good earlier... but apparently not.." He dropped his head. "Forgive me for being such a rotten person."
Emilie finally looked at him, her eyes blazing with fury. "When were you trying to help me, when you left me alone? Oh that helped a lot! I was thro.. fell into a vanity table! You let me take all the blame for everything" she snapped, editing her words a bit. She was not going to allow Percy to guilt her anymore.
Percy sighed, there was no point in arguing. "I know all about the table, Emilie. I came back after awhile and helped mop your forehead. You don't remember anything because you were knocked out." Percy shook his head, wondering if he would ever be able to mend the horrible things he had done. Probably not. If he could, it would take a life time. "I felt terrible, I thought you'd been killed. Does that sound wrong, does that sound selfish? To want to help somebody when you feel so helpless that you wish you were dead? yourself?"
Emilie stopped short. "You came back?" she asked softly. She must have been a bloody mess, looking half dead. She could imagine Percy�s despair, he didn�t want to see her dead. "Percy, I am sorry, I lost my temper" she whispered. Was this another example of her madness? Her face was turning gray, she was terrified.
Percy turned even paler, if that was possible. "No, it's ok, Em- what on earth are you apologizing for?" If he hadn't been taught to act like a grown man when it came to emotions- and if he hadn't been brought up English, Percy would have burst into tears but he kept himself in check. "It is I that should apologize, I've been a fool." He dropped his head into his lap and struggled against a flood of upcoming emotions within him.
Emilie sighed at Percy's behavior. Would Chris act so weakly, no, he'd take control of the situation. Even Andre seemed tougher compared to the trembling figure before her, and the delivery boy wasn�t even of noble birth. She had destroyed a nobleman with some harsh words, it was most pathetic. She felt maternal feelings well up for her nephew. He should protect her, but lately, she felt she was protecting him. She was pleased he had come back but she still felt he needed a spine. "I know you're sorry, I forgive you. Well, it's over now, I am all right. Please get a hold of yourself, you see I am not dead. I know it must have hurt you to have seen me wounded like that, but you know milord wouldn't let anything happen to me. I just...fell. Are you all right?" she said calmly in a voice used to reassure children. She knew it was rich, she who had only a moment ago been nearly hysterical telling Percy to calm down, but she was a woman, she could be hysterical if she wished, Percy had to act like a man!
Percy nodded uncertainly and tried to brace himself. "I-I'm fine, Emilie. Just a bit tired, that's all. It's been a long day, I'm sure you can testify to that." He would have snapped but what was the point in making her upset again? There wasn't one. Sighing, Percy pulled his chair up closer. "I've disappointed you, haven't I? I'm sorry... I shouldn't have ran away."
Emilie winced as her head started to ache again. She avoided the topic, Percy had disappointed her. "It has been a long day" she answered and looked up at her little family, her brother in law and nephew.
Blakeney had watched the exchange in amazement, what was there to say that Emilie hadn't and perhaps Percy would listen to his aunt. "Indeed, it has been a long day. A long week for that matter," Blakeney sighed. "But if we learn from the mistakes of the past, then perhaps there will be far fewer of these sort of days. We must all learn to act with more consideration and responsible, then perhaps these... misunderstandings will cease. Does that sound agreeable to you both?" He gave Emilie's hand a reassuring squeeze and placed his hand on Percy's shoulder.
Emilie nodded, feeling suddenly at peace. Her family was finally being the way she wanted it to be, serene, happy, violence free and together. She smiled, maybe this would be the way it would be from now on. "Yes, of course, sir" she whispered in a tired tone. Now if only she wouldn't go mad and break the fragile peace, everything would be ideal. As much as she would like to revel in this domestic peace, she was very tired. "I should bathe, I must look a fright. May I ask that you help me up?" she asked.
Blakeney smiled and offered her his arm for support, he helped her to her feet. "Penelope, is it? Has already drawn your bath, she can escort you..." The moment was perfect, he looked at his son, Emilie had seen the error of his ways would he?
Percy said nothing for a moment, scared that he'd ruin this moment. It was the first time (or one of them..) that he had actually seen his father calm and peaceful, not ready to drag his son out by the collar to the wood shed so that he could get a beating he rightfully deserved. In truth, Percy was scared to tell anybody what he had tried to do earlier that day. Surely they would think him selfish. "What should I do?" He blurted out, unsure of his current fate and direction that his life was taking him.
Emilie took his lordship's arm and got to her feet. "Excellent, thank you, sir" she said. She looked at Percy strangely. "I don't need any help, Percy" and went off to take her bath.
Lord Blakeney was silent for a long time, it had been so long since he had talked to his son with an argument. "Emilie has been through a lot. She'll need us both to be strong for her." It was a lame way of making peace, but it was a start. Maybe Percy would be willing to make an effort after the events of the last few days.
Percy glanced at his father uncertainly. 'And I haven't been through a lot?' Inside, Percy was burning with fury, both of his relatives had hardly recognized that he too was a person with feelings. However, he refused to let that show on the outside. "What do you want me to do? I can't exactly be a grown man over night.." Percy said softly, not purposely trying to provoke anybody. "It will take time."
Blakeney stiffed slightly, he was trying to make peace and the boy was being obstinate! "I'm only asking for an effort on your part to try and be less of a selfish child!" He want his family together and Percy seemed to be trying to keep that from happening. How had he gone so wrong with this boy?
"Well it's obvious that you've already assumed the worst about me." Percy's tone was cool and nonchalant as if it no longer mattered anymore. "I was just going with what you said. I feel like I've tried to be a better son but no matter how much I try to change, I'll never live up to your expectations, be the son you want..."
It was too soon for this peace to break apart! He was trying to change, couldn't Percy see that? "I only want you to be a man like the great lineage whose name you bear. I want this family to live in peace, I want this to be a family," Blakeney said coolly, trying to suppress the emotions that were bubbling up. Had he not shed enough blood for it? "You aunt was nearly murdered and you spent your time on a French tart rather than look for her! You don't want to see that other people have problems, you just want to concentrate on how you've been wrong! Being a man is more than focusing on your own problems, it's protecting your family, it's sacrifices, it's... it's... Perhaps you can't understand... Perhaps I was wrong to think there could be a reconciliation between us."
Percy looked at his father in horror. "Didn't LOOK for her? It was LAUREL that found out she was missing, father! After that we *did* look for her, go ahead and ask Emilie- she can verify to what I have to say." He snapped, though fully understanding his father's wishes on having family peace at last. "If you want to have peace in your family then might I suggest you stop accusing your own SON for everything that goes wrong and try pointing fingers elsewhere instead. I'm sick of taking all the blame, father. I'm trying to change, too, but then again, maybe you don't see that."
The boy was not to be reasoned with... but Blakeney now knew the name of the little whore that Percy had abandoned his family for. Blakeney's eyes narrowed. "Laurel? 'found out that she was missing'?" he intoned. "Didn't you even notice she was gone?! Does your little whore have more sense, more consideration then you? I happen to know you whiled away that morning while your aunt was being ravaged!" Blakeney grinned his teeth. "'Change'? I see a selfish child! Which you have always been! You act without thinking and shy away when the times comes to take responsibility for your actions!" He could feel his temper rising, suddenly there was a quick sharp pain in his chest. "I'm sick of the sight of you! Go to your room!"
