As today is my own personal ‘write-in,’ I will be stopping by with regular updates to the actual page (click here) as well as posting the promised excerpt. If anyone is around for a word war between noon and 1PM central time, please leave a comment below, and I’ll set up a tally sheet – oh, and you don’t have to be involved in NaNo to participate in the word war… Any bit of encouragement is welcome!

NOTE: Write-in was a bust. Fornit and muse may be looking for work elsewhere, if they don’t get out of the typewriter and start doing their jobs…

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By popular vote, the New Bedlam prologue is the chosen piece. I’m almost disappointed it’s not flying monkeys.

I hope you enjoy it.

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Prologue
Bethlam Hospital
20 June 1806

Dr. James Devizes had enough of the arguments amongst his colleagues. For the most part, they were opposed to his current experiment and he was not willing to forsake his goal to honor their wishes. He left the hall and returned to his office, ready to pack his papers and return home for what little remained of the evening. As he was about to close the hall door, one of his colleagues accused him of being obsessed with his patients.

He did not believe he was obsessed with his patients, he could simply see the reality beyond their madness.

Upon reaching his office, Devizes gathered his papers, guttered the lamp and turned to leave the room. He knew exactly how to proceed, now. All that remained was to raise the required funds, hire appropriate staff, and convince his family they would be better off in the colonies. His brother had been in New England for some time, and had already expressed an interest in helping establish the experiment there.

As he approached the door, he stopped long enough to gaze at the map on the wall. Yes, he thought, running his finger along a barely discernible line. When he reached the end, he mumbled aloud: “Right there, that’s right.”

I won’t take no for an answer. Not from anyone.

* * *
Arabelle Devizes was by no means a weak woman, at least to most, but as she argued with her husband over his plans to move them across the world to a life unknown, she faltered. He could see her will dissolving under his, and knew it would take only one more little push to have her give in to his desire. He had trained her well, learning and exploiting her weaknesses while building up her strengths.

He took a step forward, set his features and glared down into her eyes. “We are leaving in two months, Arabelle.”

Despite the anger in her eyes, despite the tears that rose to trickle across her lightly powdered cheek, she nodded. To reward her, he bent to embrace her and kissed the tear away. “There now, my love, don’t take on so. You have nothing left to hold you here. Your friends are among the wives of my trusted colleagues, and I believe they too, are having this very same conversation. You see, darling, I’ve hired only those I trust implicitly to come along on this journey. You won’t be alone.” He felt her nod against his chest.

She was little more than another puppet in his life. He had little time to gloat, however, as his children interrupted the moment. The governess escorted all three into the parlor to hear the news of their impending departure.

James Devizes terrified his children. He knew it, Arabelle knew it, and the governess knew it. Not a one of them would look him directly in the eye, and that was how he liked it. More puppets, he thought, they will not argue with me. Looking at Jamie, he thought perhaps that his son would be the only one to make an attempt at dissension. At sixteen, the boy had begun to live a life of his own, abandoning his studies in favor of pursuing a life in the military. He had his eye on a young lady, the daughter of a captain of the Royal Navy. Not good enough for the son of Dr. James Devizes.

Devizes felt the smallest of twinges of guilt as he looked at his son. Perhaps he should allow the boy to stay behind, but he would need all the man-power he could get, and Jamie had not only the strength to handle the patients, he had the experience.

“Children, your mother and I have an announcement to make. You will accept this decision without question, without argument. Is that understood?”

The girls answered with a simultaneous “Yes, Father.” Jamie said nothing, only set his jaw further and glared at the wall behind his father.

“Jamie?” Devizes pushed his son verbally, and was mildly amused when the boy met his gaze, anger quietly evident in his stare. “I asked you a question, son, and I expect you to answer.”

“Yes, Father, I understand what you’ve said,” Jamie replied. His voice was far stronger than Devizes remembered, deeper, more mature. He wasn’t sure, but he thought it might have been at least six months since he’d spoken to his son directly. He nodded.

“Well. I have made the decision to move my experiments and patients to the colonies. We will take as much as we possibly can from the house, but we’ll have very limited means to retain a full house staff. You will all be expected to do your share during this transition. I have arranged for your governess to attend us, as well as two of the maids and the cook.” Devizes paused to give his words a chance to sink in.
“I won’t be leaving with you, Father.”

He turned his gaze to Jamie, and waited for the boy to continue. When he did not, he motioned for his wife and the governess to take the girls from the room. Once the door was shut firmly behind them, he stepped closer to his son, and in lower tones, said “I explained this already, boy, I will brook no arguments.”

Jamie took a step forward as well, perhaps wishing to have his father back down. This only incensed Devizes further, and he set his feet, preparing for a fight. Jamie stopped at one, however, putting his arms behind his back and standing as though on guard.

“Oh for pity’s sake, Jamie, enough with the façade. You are not a soldier yet, and I will not have that attitude under my roof. You are still my son, and I will not be denied by you. You will prepare to leave for the colonies, and you will participate in the establishment of my experiment.” Devizes took another small step forward, straightening his back and pulling his shoulders up. He knew intimidation would work to his advantage eventually, but hoped Jamie would show some resistance. He is becoming a man, after all, Devizes thought.

He was almost pleasantly surprised when Jamie’s demeanor sagged. He’d hoped the boy would give him a bit of a challenge at the very least, but compliance would do far better.

“Yes, Father.”

“Excellent, my boy. Now, a young man your age needs a bride, and I suggest we find you one before we leave. I imagine the choice over there is very slim indeed.”

“I have already betrothed myself to Lily, Father.”

Devizes did not immediately react to the announcement. He took a moment to mull it over, knowing a concession on his part would solidify his stance, but angered nonetheless that his son had made such a poor choice in brides, and without consulting him. Needing further contemplation, he turned toward the sidebar and poured himself a glass of whiskey, swallowing it down without grimace. The burn focused his thoughts once more, and he poured a second glass, then another for himself. Turning, he passed the second glass to Jamie, smiled, and spoke.

“Well, then, congratulations, son. I’m sure she will do fine as a wife and mother. Have you spoken to Captain Farrell yet?”

Jamie took the offered glass, and sipped at the contents. “No, sir. I have not. I… I was hoping to get your approval before approaching him.”

Devizes saw his chance to further ally his son to his cause. “Yes, well, perhaps we should go speak to him together, hmm? I can explain the situation appropriately, and you can speak to your Lily first. Shall we?”
Jamie turned immediately, and headed for the door. He didn’t see the smile that spread across his father’s face as they left the room.