Chapter Text
Meg Price née Giry
Neither Erik nor I left the drawingroom that night, he remained in Edward's chair occasionally sipping the whisky he had seconded from the liquor cabinet. We had sat in relative silence for almost an hour as I turned his proposal over in my mind; it was hardly the most elaborate scheme, but it was a preposterous one none-the-less.
It wasn't until I felt my body jerk itself awake I realised I had began to slip into unconsciousness, which was likely the reason Erik finally broke the silence.
"It is hardly a difficult ailment to fake. Almost any affliction can be attributed to hysteria. You merely need to be both melancholic and coquettish. Your background makes the latter simple - "
My expression stopped him mid-sentence and Erik took a sharp breath. Our relationship was far from insecure, but the implication of Erik's words caused both hurt and anger began to burn in my chest. I had heard similar comments and been subjected to simular insinuations when I first arrived in England, and I had worked hard to distance myself from the reputation French women in my profession proquored. Erik knew of this; he knew how hard I had worked, he knew I've never guven my affections freely, and him implying that I had hurt me more than Id care to admit.
"I meant no offence Margariette. I know you are not a woman of lax morals. As a member of the corps du ballet you would merely flirt with patrons and admirers", he hurridly tried to take back the words he'd uttered, "but most importantly I do not doubt your skills as an actress. You will be able to convince those quacks that you are of poor mind with very little effort".
I wasnt sure whether I believed his quick response to his realisation, but after taking several long minutes to draw out my response while he assessed the possible damage he had done to.our relationship, I accepted his proposal. I knew that his rash words were due to concern for Christine - even though I knew he would never openly admit so at that particular juncture - and I too was concerned for her wellbeing and that of her family.
Sadly, it would be years before the work of Tuke and Ellis became mainstream meaning Christine was subjected to the traditional methods of treating lunicy and hysteria. I knew these treatments were not pleasant, but I could never have imagined what they were like to witness and experience first-hand.
--xxx--
When morning came I explained Erik's plan to Remy. I had expected tears, but instead I was met with an unnerving silence and a blank expression. I found her response - or rather lack of - unsettling.
She was clearly exhausted, both emotionally and physically, as her eyes appeared sunken and the skin beneath was of such a deep purple-grey hue that one could've mistaken it for a bruise obtained in a fight. She gripped the coverlet tightly as I spoke - the only indication that she was unsettled by the words - and nodded politely. She didn't resist when I escorted her to Edward's sister's home, and she didn't protest when she was shown to a guest room.
It had taken much cajoling to convince my sister by marriage, Sarah, to take-in my sister by choice's daughter.
"And she cannot stay at your house because?", Sarah asked through narrowed eyes
"I have already explained. I shan't be there. When I agreed to supervise her it had slipped my mind that I had already made plans"
"But you won't share these plans", she stated. I immediately knew she was not going to agree until she knew what I was doing, and more importantly whom I was doing it with. "Are you betraying my brother?". Her question was far more direct than I had expected.
"No", but her expression told me it wasn't enough, but I couldnt tell her the truth and risk her safety and a possible refusal of assistance. "No, I am not. I already had a prior engagement helping Erik with his work. As Edward is away I didn't see it to be of note, but now I wonder whether he suspects me to be unfaithful. Does he?"
"He has never...that isn't what I meant...No..No..I didn't mean to imply that." Her flustered response was exactly what I had aimed for and I immediately knew Remy would be safe in my absence.
--xxx--
When the carriage halted in front of the aslyum I had to take several deep breaths to steady my nerves. Erik took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze accompanied by a curt nod to acknowledge my own fear and give reassure that I could fulfil my task.
I took my que from hearing the heavy footfall of several men outside of the carriage door, and hovered over Erik asking consent for what I was about to do. The air was thick and heavy, neither of us wanting to partake in the task, but both knowing it would make my task easier.
He waited until the last moment before the carriage door opened before nodding in consent, and I took a deep breath and closed my eyes trying to picture Edward in Erik's place.
The moment the door opened I threw myself towards Erik, clutching his lapels and running my hands down his chest and along his kegs as I fell to my knees. The space between the facing seats in the carriage was hardly big enough for me to kneel, and I felt the back of my shoes dig into the base of my ankle, and I used the pain to fuel my emotions.
"Please don't send me", I cried gripping his trousers more tightly as I pulled myself closer to him. "I will do anything dear Uncle. Anything!"
I made sure my eyes lingered on his crotch, and I liked my lips in a lasciviously.
"Anything!" I cried louder, reaching for his groin while silently praying that he would still my hand before it made contact with his body.
But it wasn't Erik that stopped me. Instead I was pulled unceremoniously out of the carriage by one hand, falling in a heap on the rough stone beside the carriage. I could feel the jugged pebbles and stones digging into my arm, before I was hauled into a standing position with my arms pulled behind my back and my wrists held together by two rough and calloused hands.
A tall man with an air of importance walked past me. I tried to turn to follow his step, but the two orderlies jerked me forwards. I momentarily considered making some unsolicited flirtatious advances to the one on my left, but hearing the man address Erik drew me from those thoughts.
"You see the problem Sir? My niece is clearly overcome with hysteria, for in her right mind she would never - and I do not exagerrate - never - make such advances on anyone. Let alone her own kin".
"Of course Mr. Zabelle. I shall have Mrs Price escorted to her room, and we can discuss her ailment in private".