Nothing — short of saving him from committing some horrible atrocity that would destroy their children's futures perhaps — would have guided her to cast an imperio on him before the shift. Even now, as he stood there threatening her with the loss of her own control, she still had her doubts about this. There was a reason the spell was an unforgiveable one, and she didn't have the time to go to the library and research what possible effects might happen were the spell to go awry. He would possibly under her control, sure, but to what end? How did she end it? What if she couldn't end it?

"Philip..." Alexandra warned as she took a half step back and (hopefully) subtly unlatched the inner pocket of her sleeve where her wand was stored. She was no duelist, and she certainly wouldn't stand a chance against him, but what other option did she have if he meant to impair her like this? "Give me a reason - a valid one, not a threat - and I might. You will have to show me how to, too. I never learned." It was a risk to continue to negotiate rather than flee. Perhaps if she began to scream one of the maids might still hear her. Something - anything - to prevent her husband from enacting whatever plans he had in mind.

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