The Abbey Grange: The Mask (PG)

[vaysh]

Canon Story: The Abbey Grange
Title: The Mask
Summary: What the maid thought of their neighbours' (and Inspector Hopkins') estimation of her employer's character.
Words: 100
Rating: PG
Warning | Contains: domestic violence implied, pre-canon
Author's Notes: I did not manage to file this down to 60 words, so 100 it is.

"He was a goodhearted man when he was sober, but a perfect fiend when he was drunk."

But that's what men believe, Theresa thought as she stood by the window. Women knew such a fiend was always present; the good heart merely a mask shown to the world. Outside, Sir Eustace broadened the hole in the ice for the single swan living on the pond. That he would show more care for this bird than for his wife, her mistress – imprisoned in a home growing icier with each day! Theresa touched the bruise where the silver decanter had hit her, and as she watched the pond glitter in the sun, a plan took shape in her mind.

Comments

[gardnerhill]

How very fitting that they tossed the silver into that pond.

[vaysh]

This was the idea: that Theresa's and Captain Crocker's plan started with where to hide the supposed stolen goods. :)

[smallhobbit]

I like the way Sir Eustace's actions gave Theresa the first part of the plan.

[vaysh]

Thank you. *grins*

[scfrankles]

Such an inspired idea to have Sir Eustace being the one who broadened the hole for the swan. And you using that to give the parallel of That he would show more care for this bird than for his wife, her mistress – imprisoned in a home growing icier with each day!

[vaysh]

Thank you for your kind words. I found the moment with the solitary swan very intriguing,