Percy woke with a start- it didn't take him very long to realize that the house was empty. Nobody was yelling or stomping on the stairs, so it meant that Percy was safe to leave his room. That is if he could move. It took some time but Percy finally got himself up and made his way down stairs after picking the lock to his room.
His movements were slow and painful but at least he was able to do so without too much effort. "Thank God," Percy murmured when he got out of the house unscathed. He had fallen asleep in his clothing- shoes and all. Percy's hair was mussed but he could care less.
He thought about heading towards Calais, but then at the last minute decided to head towards the Ffoulkes. He knew that Tony was over there and heard that he was recovering from something but as nobody ever told him anything, it was time to find out for himself. By the time he arrived at the Ffoulkes', Percy was so sore from the previous beating that he could hardly walk to the door after sending his horse to the stable.
It took courage but Percy finally went up to the front door and knocked, praying that he wouldn't be turned away. What if the Ffoulkes' blamed HIM for Michelle's beating? After all, it had happened near his house and his father didn't hesitate to blame him for anything.
The Ffoulkes' butler, Jacques, came and opened the door. "Ah, Sir Percy. You are here to visit your cousin, Lord Tony, I presume?" Percy nodded. "Follow me," said Jacques and led the young man into the parlor. "Lord Tony shall arrive in a moment," he said, then went up the stairs, where he found Tony in his room. "Lord Tony, your cousin Sir Percy Blakeney is in the parlor." "Really?" asked Tony, happily. He'd wanted to visit his cousin since they had arrived in France. He went down the stairs carefully and stepped into the parlor. "Percy, what a surprise to see you!"
Percy smiled weakly, hoping to God that his own pain did not show. "You look good, how are you feeling? I had heard rumors that you were here and considering that father has all but placed me under constant surveillance, I thought I would at least attempt to sneak over here since he is gone for the afternoon." Percy winced as a sharp pain hit him in the back.
Tony looked at Percy. "Your father hurt you again, didn't he? I can see that you're in pain. For heavens sakes, sit down Percy! You look like you're feeling much worse than I at the moment, thanks to Sir Ffoulkes and Docteur Jacquot." He eyed his cousin and noticed his stiff, pained movements. His father must have done a number on him this time.
Percy eyed Tony skeptically. "What does it matter if he hit me? There's nothing that anybody can do about it. I don't even care anymore what he does. I wish he would have... never mind that." Finally, Percy did sit, though. It sure beat arguing with his cousin by a long shot. Every muscle in his body ached. "I'm glad you're doing ok, you enjoying your vacation here? Seen much of Andrew?" The little Percy had seen of him had been spent pouring out his confession, then chaos had erupted and came down like rain. After that, he remembered nothing more. "It must be nice, to have somebody around besides Ralph." He teased, wishing that he could disappear from his father's house forever.
"I actually have practically just arrived. The Ffoulkes themselves only arrived a day or two ago. Before that, I spent some time recovering. Sir Ffoulkes' doctor, name of Jacquot, came and took care of me. Hurt, but he says I shouldn't have to take all of those nasty medicines the doctors in England tried to give me," he also sat. "Won't let me do practically anything, yet. The Ffoulkes, of course, are wonderful." He looked at his cousin. "And Percy, what did you do this time that your father felt deserved a beating? Unless he's starting beating you just because he feels like it," which, frankly, wouldn't surprise him much.
Percy winced at Tony's question. "I-I stood up to him, Tony." He said quietly, his voice hardly above a whisper. "I've only told one other person and you've got to swear not to tell but this morning," He took a deep breath and gulped. "It got so unbearable that I tried to take my life. Things went down hill after that- thank God father doesn't know or else he'd try killing me for even I could complete the task myself." The pain in his eyes was so real that nobody could mistake it. Andrew had made him feel guilty about what he had tried to do but the pain had been so unbearable that he couldn't didn't feel as though he could go on anymore- at least and feel like he wanted to. "Sorry, I shouldn't be dumping my problems out on you." Clearly, Percy was ashamed.
"Don't be ashamed, Percy. Keep your head high. You're a baronet, after all. You have nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, your father should be ashamed that he doesn't care about his own son."
Percy winced again. "Not much of a baronet." He said softly, not even having the courage to look his cousin in the eyes. "So what do you plan to do while your here, anything exciting besides listen to me whine?" He asked, attempting to smile for Tony.
Tony sighed. "I'm trying to get Dr. Jacquot to let me go riding. No luck yet. He says I'm not healed enough for it. I've been bored out of my mind so far, and have hardly even been here!"
"You do know that you are always welcome at the Blakeney home, do you not?" Percy asked softly also wondering why in the world Tony would want to set two feet near that manor when Percy himself who lived there wanted to get away as far as possible from the place.
"Of course. As are you at the Dewhurst home, and, I believe, the Ffoulkes'." Tony suddenly heard a voice calling out "MOTHER! FATHER! ANDREW!" He looked at his cousin. "Isn't that Michelle's voice?"
Percy started, then glanced at his cousin. "It would seem so, cousin- let us go find out, shall we?" Giving Tony a rather shaken smile, Percy walked slowly towards the direction of the cries so that Tony could keep up. It was then Percy caught site of Michelle on the stairs- she looked almost worse than Emilie had after her kidnapping. "Milady- are you alright? Let me help you down the stairs.." Tony winced and turned away, he couldn't bear to see somebody hurting. He felt Percy nudge him and Tony finally looked up and smiled. "Please, let Percy help you- I would but I fear my doctor would have my head." Tony joked, hoping to make the man smile.
Percy felt his spirits slump as Andrew practically brushed him aside. "Well Tony, I must be off. It seems as though Andrew has things under control, here." Percy said quietly, dreading going back home and facing his father's wrath if he ever came to find out that his errant son had left the house to begin with.
Tony was a bit disappointed that Percy had decided to leave- especially after what he had told him about ending his life- but Tony tried to understand. "Feel free to come by and see me any time you want, Percy- it gets lonely here what with only books for company."
Percy gave a weak smile and headed off for his horse, feeling much lighter in spirits than he had when first arriving that morning. With a sigh, the baronet slowly climbed upon his horse and headed towards Blakeney Manor where he would shut himself back up in his room with nobody to talk to except himself.
The ride didn't take him very long as the Ffoulkes' property was only a few miles away from his fathers, which was the only advantage Percy had at living where he did. Silently, he went back upstairs to his room where he did what Tony would normally do, read a good book. It would at least keep Percy out of trouble.
