I bookmarked this the other day, and I'm just now making it back--sorry for the delay. I liked this a lot, although I'm not sure how it works with my view of Sybilla. Or maybe it works too well--that she knows what Gavin is, and goes back to him regardless.
well, she must have gone back, she's living at Midculter in canon. She doesn't have much of a choice.
In re-reading I realize that I inadvertantly made it sound as if Gavin was molesting the children. Which I didn't intend. Though, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch I suppose.
Oh, no, I know she goes back. Just--I'd prefer to think that if she had a choice of revealing her marriage to Francis to the world (and bastardizing? illegitimizing? Richard) or going back to a man she knew would abuse her children, she'd choose the first option. But I always really, really disliked canon Sybilla, because I felt like she handled all three of her children as badly as was humanly possible. And canon Sybilla should have known better, if she was as wise and wonderful as Dunnett wanted us to think she was. I feel like she watched Eloise and Francis, both, drowning, and failed utterly to try to save them.
Um. Which is to say, I did like your drabble very much, and found it very in character.
ah thanks. What you said makes sense. I'm never sure whether Dunnett's intent was to portray Sybilla favorably or not. Certainly Francis saw her that way, as unassailable (at least for awhile) though I totally agree with you that she did allow Eloise and Francis both to destroy themselves. I never fully understood her motivation/explanation in Checkmate, it seemed to me to be selfish, like she'd rather her son die than admit what she'd done.
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In re-reading I realize that I inadvertantly made it sound as if Gavin was molesting the children. Which I didn't intend. Though, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch I suppose.
Thanks for reading!
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Um. Which is to say, I did like your drabble very much, and found it very in character.
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