Holmes & Holmes: 3

J-

All is well.

IAN

You feel like you should send more but you don’t have much else to say. You blot the message then sigh and fold it. You take some red sealing wax drip it onto your message then press your seal into it. You place it on the small tray outside the drawing room of the house you’re renting then sigh softly and make your way into your bedroom. You don’t have to be at the theatre until tomorrow so you could get settled today, one of the good things about being the star of the show.

You’re reading when one of the servants comes into the room with a silver tray and a card on it. You take the card as she says,

“Miss Enola Holmes ma’am.” The left side of your mouth creeps up, you didn’t think it would be so soon.

“Thank you Maggie. Please bring her to the sitting room and get tea.” You tell her as you put your bookmark into the book you’d been reading before you stand

“Of course ma’am.” She says, her drawl so unlike Enola and her brother’s. He was rather handsome, a bit annoying in his desire for you to leave his sister alone but he’d played his part well. Should Mr. Holmes have been more agreeable to Enola taking your case she may not have been nearly as intrigued.

“Miss Holmes. I did not expect to see you again so soon.” You tell her, she looks similar to how she had earlier, the only difference is the hat on her head with her new pin.

“I want to know a few things if you don’t mind.” She says as you gesture for her to sit down.

“I am an open book Miss Holmes.”

“Enola, please.” She implores you and you nod,

“Then you must call me Irene.” You tell her with a kind smile as the maid enters the room with the tea, “Can I offer you some tea?”

“Thank you.” She nods and you pour her a cup and she takes it before dropping three sugar cubes into it. You take your own tea with cream and sugar, much preferring coffee to English tea but when in Rome you supposed.

“You said you had questions, please ask.”

“I must confess that they’re not about the case.” She warns and you tilt your head in acknowledgment that it is fine for her to continue. “My brother seemed rather insistent that I not take your case. I have a feeling there’s more to it than what you said, about being an independent woman.”

“As you know I’m a widow,” She nods but doesn’t interrupt, “My husband was a railroad baron in America named Godfrey Norton. He was a good man, kind and agreeable. He didn’t insist that I stop acting or singing, he didn’t insist that I give up my freedom. Nearly twenty years my senior but I didn’t mind.” When she looks at you in surprise you laugh softly, “I really didn’t. Not many men would have been as agreeable as he was. But he died quite suddenly nearly five years ago. That’s when the rumors started, that I’d killed him. His much younger wife got bored of an older man and had done what needed to be done.” Enola’s eyes widen,

“You didn’t though!”

“You say that as if you know.” You tell her with a small smile.

“I’m a very good judge of character.” She assures you before another sip of tea.

“I did not kill him. Like I told Mr. Holmes earlier, I was quite fond of Godfrey.”

“How do you know Lady Cecily?”

“Her mother and my older sister went to school together.”

“Boarding school?” She asks with a frown and you nod. “Did you go?”

“I did not. We were born in New Jersey, my mother left with my sister when we were just children, I didn’t mind, my father and I got along far better than I ever had with my mother.”

“What brings you here? To London?”

“My sister.”

“You have a good relationship then?”

“Pleasant enough. Not like you and Mr. Holmes, living in the same house with my sister would likely drive me mad!” You say pleasantly while dropping back onto the couch in dramatic fashion.

“You don’t wear a corset!” Enola cries much to your amusement. She’s not wrong though, in order to be in fashion a corset is required. “I didn’t think you did when you visited the house but I couldn’t imagine- forgive me.”

“You are much like your brother.” You tell her with a laugh, “Both saying what you think, then asking for forgiveness.”

“That’s odd, neither of us are usually much like that. There’s just something about you that seems so comfortable, so familiar.”

“I feel much the same about you.” Which makes this all that much worse. Duke comes trotting into the room and plops down on your feet.

“Oh! What a handsome dog.”

“Thank you. He’s my constant companion.”

“I did not see him when you visited the other day.”

“He was waiting outside. If you don’t believe me you can ask your brother.” You tell her giving Duke a gentle pat.

“Speaking of Sherlock. What did you say to him? He seemed rather put out when he came back in.”

“Does he like dogs?” You ask, trying to get more information about the man.

“Yes?” Of course he does, handsome, smart and loves dogs. Does he have a flaw? Other than being incredibly suspicious of you.

“Maybe that explains it then,” You tell her with a smirk, “I told Duke to protect and Mr. Holmes not to touch him.” She hums softly with a little smile. “I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings.”

“Sherlock? Feelings. No, the only person that I think he cares about is himself.” She says with a fond eye roll.

“I highly disagree with you.” You tell her gently as you reach across the table and grasp her hand, “He cares very much for you.”

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