Hey, great and compelling story!
Gotta love the Tom-Matthew bromance :)

*Yes* Thank you! I see so many stories across so many fandoms that worry far more about the privacy or scandal for the main characters in these sorts of situations. They'll have a character who is a predator or an out and out rapist, but its fine, just let them walk if the main characters are now safe. So glad to see some actual sense of justice and worry over other potential victims.

This was a lovely story. I'm surprised at how much happened in such a short time.

This was a great

brilliant！

A good stoty

Such an intriguing plot! Now I am off to read the sequel.

Perfect! Perfect scary story. Thank you

How exciting! Brilliant and possible start of story

Omg! It's horrible that Branson suffered abus as well! It's sad that Sybil isn't there to help and advice them. It was curious to see Anna being so open with Mary, but it as good to hear a servant's perspective. I'm so glad Matthew knows that Mary isn't blaming him.

Interesting to see Thomas having his own internal debate and finally doing the right thing.

God, all the corpses were there? That's beyond disgusting and cruel. I'm glad the plan worked and that Mary reassurdd Matthew that it isn't his fault. Well done with slapping Tony, he is insufferable, and hitting the Duke with the bottle.

Now Matthew remembered evrything! It's so sad he feels shame and fear of embarassing and ruining the family. Bates certainly overstepped with his comments, but I'm glad he stopped Mary's fury and that she supports Matthew. I wonder what he will do, it's so in-character that he wants to stop the Duke to hurting more people.

First of all, I congratulate you for adding a trigger warning. It shows a respect and responsibilty as a writer.

This was dark. From the more humorous and morbid conversation of Matthew and Mary about her "boyfriends" and her remarrying to the abuse Matthew suffered. It surprised me that Thomas spoke freely with Bates, I like that it shows the kinder side of him, and that Bates doesn't like him for his personality and not for his homosexuality.

Tony was so arrogant, and I thought Blake was being more rational, but he seems to have a secret to protect. I hope he does the right thing.

I liked that Mary didn't want to pressure him, told him directly that they weren't forced to marry and realised quickly that Matthew didn't want to contradict them. She said that it was possible that love won't come but it was clear she hope it will. In the end, she's taking chances.

I have to admit that Bates was really smart, he knows that the world is cruel and that the aristocrats aren't like the Crawleys. I have to say that Branson's annoyance of the family's patience with Matthew is petty, he has a serious trauma.

It's sad that Matthew has so much fear. He's intelligent, so he realised what he is expected to do but his confusion and self-image is still on the floor. I liked the dark humour at the library.

I've been curious about this story for a while, and finally gave it a chance. I liked that Matthew has parts of his personality but he's changed by the last year's events. His hardships are a great way of showing how people treat does that don't fit in, he had no place in the world and his accent mixed with his injuries didn't contribute.

It was nice to relate Isobel's kindness and desire of help with her first reaction. Dr. Clarkson it's the worst doctor ever, but he was vey smart and careful about a possible scam. The memories about Patrick and polishing shoes were interesting. I have to admit that Robert did the right thing with bluntness, there isn't an easy way for some news.