60 for 60 II: 4: The Adventure of the Speckled Band: Graveside Condemnation

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: SPEC

Title: Graveside Condemnation

Author:  sabrinaphynn

Rating: PG
Warnings: Mention of verbal and physical abuse

Author's Notes: I pondered and pondered over this one.  I finally considered the line of dialogue of the Granada series where Helen Stoner states that Dr. Rylott was " ...the only father"  she had ever known and went from there.  I imagine that verbal abuse as well as isolation would be highly effective in keeping the girls away from suitors.

I shall not mourn this man. His physical violence was nothing to the years of casual verbal cruelty, belittling us for what hopes we had for life outside of his protection.  Without Julia's fighting spirit, I should have cowered, withered.  Only her presence, our shared bond, kept me from despair.  These last years have indeed been lonely, my dearest Percy. 

Comments

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
Yes, this is sad. But given we know that the man physically hurt his step-daughter and followed her to London...
Dr. Roylott is one of the worst baddies of the Canon and would stop at nothing to keep what he considers "his". I actually restrained myself here - verbal abuse of the girls could very well be the very least of this bad doctor's sins. (shudders in horror)

[debriswoman]

Sadly possible.