So, plotbunnies tend to bite me, and this was a particularly insistent little thing! I do not own "Crimson Peak", obviously, as my story is nothing like the film/book. At least I assume it is nothing like the book, I have yet to read it. I intend to, though.

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Edith's father was a very astute man, and he did know every trick in the book. Not only that, but he had a lawyer, and - more alarmingly, for some - that lawyer had a wife.

She was in her late fifties, with several children and long experience of not only running a large household of children (and their children), but also of gently steering her husband's decisions to achieve the best outcome for everyone.

When Mr Cushing had an investigator look into the Sharpe siblings, and subsequently contacted her husband about what was found out, this very wise, dignified lady thus listened silently over her book, before cutting them off promptly when they spoke of "paying him off", "breaking her heart", and "making the man leave". That, she decided, wouldn't do at all.

Lucille Sharpe was mad. There was really no doubt about it, once they started to dig deeper. She had murdered her own mother; as well as at least two sister-in-laws as well. Her brother, well, he had done nothing, or at any rate very little, to stop her. It seemed she had used his guilt and familiar obligation against him with great efficiency.

As the case went to court, the elder sibling, Lucille Sharpe, raved and raged and returned allegations every time she was let loose to speak, but her brother, Sir Thomas, sitting with his fiance, Edith Cushing, he never said a word.

The doom on the siblings were diverse, but most thought it fair. The sister was to be locked away in an asylum, where she could never hurt anyone ever again, and her brother, he was to be declared legally incompetent and live under the watchful eyes of his wife, after marrying.

Lucille shouted when her own judgement was declared and even more so when her brother's was, but he himself still didn't speak a word. Edith, on the other hand, she did, speaking up on her fiance's behalf, saying it was unfair, not giving him any choice, and swatted her father's concerned hand away when he attempted to calm her.

Then, suddenly, there was another hand on the woman's back, and sir Thomas Sharpe looked onto her with what was obviously deep affection. And when he spoke, it was for the first time during the entire trial. "Edith, peace. It is alright. I get a second chance, which is more than any of her victim's got. I... I did not kill anyone, no, but I knew, at least partly, what she was doing. I could have tried to fight her, or fought for her when we were children as she did for me.

I hope I can say I am no murderer; maybe eventually I will even believe it, and I sincerely hope I am not insane, so there is only the third option left. I must face the consequences of my actions; if I am so incapable of acting, then perhaps it is a fitting punishment. And with your strong will," he smiled now, only for her, "I must rely on you to want for both of us".

"You should not be forced into marrying..!" "That was in the past, Edith". He argued gently, still holding his wife-to-be tenderly to soothe her temper. "Lucille cannot hurt me now, nor you. She cannot force my hand again. Never again will she convince me to marry though I never loved either of them. I never chose anything, until I chose you, and now... if we can be together, then it is worth it. Please don't worry, Edith".

Those words brough back rage to Lucille Sharpe's face, and she made such a scene that it shocked almost everyone, including her little brother; and the lawyer's wife, she made sure the jury noticed that.