Hi readers! It's time to deepen Sherlock's connection to the Hoopers in this chapter. I also introduce Janine. The only reason I'm mentioning ahead of time is because of her last name. I looked it up, and I did see bakerstreet/dot/wikia use the name Hawkins. I went with that. I'm pretty sure that's not at all official, but I didn't feel like making something up myself. So there you have it haha! Hope you enjoy this one! ;)
"This town leaves much to be desired," Sherlock mumbled as he and John walked the road that was lined with small shops and carts.
"Why? Because there's a lack of criminals running the place? Look on the bright side, you can focus on your beekeeping," John teased.
"You'll not be laughing at the end of the summer when I've got a bountiful harvest of honey! Besides, they keep me company. I...talk to them."
"Holmes, you of all people should know that's a load of rubbish! You do not need to talk to the bees!" John laughed.
"Yes, Watson, I do need to! Mrs. Hudson wouldn't allow me to pack my skull from Baker Street," he sulked. "And if things continue as they have for the past week, I'll not be able to count on you either. May I remind you that I did not invite you so that you could spend the summer with my cousin!"
John actually blushed a little as he walked along. "You shouldn't have invited me then. She's a lovely woman. I can't imagine why she's been away from London so long. Seems she should have been there, attending parties and meeting people."
John was still looking straight ahead of him, trying to calm his smile again, so he didn't notice Sherlock's hesitance in responding.
"For some, the country offers a necessary...sanctuary," Sherlock said quietly.
John stopped walking and faced his friend, not bothering to address what Sherlock had actually said.
"Honestly, Holmes, are you opposed to my...interest in Miss Morstan? You're my friend, and I don't want to offend you in any way. I feel I'd better ask now, before I become increasingly attached. Would this bother you in some way?"
Sherlock looked at John, then glanced away at the surrounding scenery. Bother him? No, not particularly. Though the tradition of marriage seemed a bit unnecessary and troublesome to him, he knew John was a man in favor of that sort of lifelong union. And if he looked at the two people in question, he had to admit that they were actually rather well suited for one another. It wasn't really a matter of what bothered him, but more a matter of what may bother John. Things that he was yet unaware of.
"Not particularly, no. You may do as you wish," Sherlock answered, in partial truth. He added a small smile, which made his friend react in kind.
"Thank you. I appreciate that, Holmes, honestly. I'm sure you care about your cousin's happiness, and it's natural you should have a say in whatever match she makes. I hope you know that I'd do my very best to take care of her, and make her happy, if she'd have me."
"Yes, I realize you would." Sherlock didn't enjoy this sort of conversation, and would rather not have to discuss this subject much further. "Just don't jump ahead of yourself, Watson. No need to rush things."
"Of course. We shall see what the summer brings," John smiled.
Just then, a couple women came walking out of a shop and caught sight of the two men. The older of the two women smiled and waved.
"Hello there! Mr. Sherlock Holmes, isn't it?"
Sherlock and John stopped and greeted the two women with a small bow. "Yes, good day to you," Sherlock answered coolly.
"I'm Mrs. Hawkins, and this is my daughter, Miss Janine Hawkins," she said rather proudly as she gestured to the lovely dark hair haloed face beside her.
John smiled warmly and Sherlock gave a small nod to the young woman who beamed back at him.
"We'd heard you were back for the summer. It'll be lovely to get to know you and the rest of your family," Miss Hawkins said sweetly. "The last time you were here, I barely remember. I was just a little girl then!"
"All grown up now, isn't she?" Mrs. Hawkins laughed, smiling quite obviously at Sherlock.
"Quite," Sherlock said flatly. It was all he could manage without becoming rude, and John Watson could clearly see it.
"Well, we don't want to keep you ladies. Enjoy the day, and perhaps we'll see you again before the summer is over," John said kindly.
"I certainly hope so! We shall have to have a party, and all of you will be more than welcome," Mrs. Hawkins said gleefully. "But we must be on our way, you're right. One of our kitchen staff has badly cut his hand and we must check in on him again. I do hope it heals properly. We sent for Dr. Hooper this morning, but word came back from Miss Hooper that they are unable to make the visit today as her father is not well. Imagine that! One has need for a doctor and they are unwell?!" the woman huffed.
"How dare he," Sherlock mumbled to himself, and thankfully nobody took notice.
"Well, perhaps I may be of service. Forgive me, I'm Doctor John Watson of the Fifth Northumberland Regiment. If Dr. Hooper is unwell, I'd be happy to take a look at the injury."
Mrs. Hawkins smiled in surprise. "Oh! A doctor! How lovely! You are most welcome if you have the time Dr. Watson, and it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you ma'am, and you as well," John nodded.
"We are an easy distance from Seaborne, your mother knows where," Mrs. Hawkins said more to Sherlock. "And you are most welcome to come along, Mr. Holmes. We would be happy to have you. Wouldn't we Janine?"
Janine smiled at Sherlock and blushed a little. "Indeed we would, Mr. Holmes."
Sherlock said nothing at first till John very obviously cleared his throat. Then Sherlock forced a small smile.
"Thank you for your kind offer."
"Perhaps we shall see you today then. Good day to both of you gentlemen!" Mrs. Hawkins smiled, and then she and her daughter finally turned and began walking off. Though Janine turned briefly and glanced back.
"Well well, that was a lovely encounter," John said slyly.
"Forgetting my cousin so very quickly, Watson?" Sherlock teased as they kept on their way.
"I wasn't thinking of myself actually. Miss Hawkins seemed rather taken with you, I'd say."
"Perhaps she was. An excellent reason for you to call on them on your own today."
"What is the matter with you? Are you so determined to remain a cranky old bachelor for the whole of your life?" John laughed.
"I am not a bachelor, Watson. I'm married to my work. And if I am cranky, it is only because I've been cruelly separated from my spouse for the entirety of the summer! So I do not wish to be tempted into taking a mistress!"
"So you find her tempting?" John teased.
"Incidentally...no, I do not. She is conventionally pretty, but she lacks the intelligence to keep me interested. I do not, however, wish to appear to show interest. Her mother seems the sort to aggressively pursue suitors for her daughter. If I accepted their invitation to accompany you today, I would be showing myself agreeable to the possibility of courting Miss Hawkins. And I do not, in fact, wish to do any such thing."
John sighed. "Fine, do as you like! Though I understood you to be wishing for some sort of diversions this summer. Locking yourself away will do nothing to help boredom!"
Sherlock's eyes suddenly brightened and he stopped in his tracks, grabbing John's arm to stop him as well.
"Oh, I've just had the most marvelous idea! This will provide definite entertainment over the summer! He'll have to agree to accepting your help, but I'm sure that can be accomplished rather easily," and he had begun talking more to himself as he looked off in the distance past John.
"Hang on, Holmes, what are you talking about? Who will have to agree to my help? And wouldn't that require my agreement as well? Perhaps you'd be willing to include me in this scheme of yours!"
Sherlock waved his hand in dismissal. "Oh yes yes, you'll agree of course, probably more easily...I believe that you should offer your services and skill to Dr. Hooper for the summer, thus allowing him more time to rest. You do him the favor of helping him care for his patients, and you'll be able to share with me all sorts of interesting medical findings. You may even have access to wonderful things! Perhaps someone needs to have a wart removed, or looses a digit in an unfortunate farming accident, or perhaps has to have something drained-"
John laughed in disbelief and put his hands up, halting Sherlock's excited rant. "You must be out of your mind! You're asking me to take over a well loved and respected Dr's practice as he lays ill and possible dying, all so you can have access to some interesting things to experiment with? I will have no part in this, Holmes! I'm doing a favor to one person today, that's all I agreed to!"
Sherlock was the very polar opposite of sentimental, but if playing this card would help him procure the cooperation of his friend, so be it.
"Watson, how could you refuse such an opportunity? This man is most likely dying, and the extra work load has now fallen on the shoulders of his unmarried daughter. Surely you would not withhold your medical expertise in a case such as this! Imagine the weight off Dr. and Miss Hooper's minds if you were to help them in this way! My personal entertainment is, naturally, of very secondary importance." Sherlock did his best to maintain an earnest look of sincerity.
"Somehow I don't think you mean that... but, I do suppose you're right. I'm not sure what else Dr. Hooper will do while he's in this state. His daughter can't possible do everything...Alright, I suppose I should offer to help."
Sherlock grinned and clapped his hands together. "Excellent! I shall call on the Hoopers today and make them aware of our offer."
"Shouldn't I be the one to offer my services?!" John questioned as he followed on Sherlock's heels after the man had continued walking again.
"Having known the Hooper family a bit more than you, and as a man of my position, I will be able to vouch for your character. As well as assuring Dr. Hooper that it won't be any trouble to my family, seeing as you are a guest of ours for the summer. I shall assure him that we do not mind sharing you," Sherlock grinned.
"Aren't you the gracious host?" John shook his head and chuckled.
"Always, Watson!"
They arrived back to their carriage with the waiting driver, and requested that they be taken back to Seaborne. Sherlock was thrilled at the plan he'd concocted, and eager to get things started.
Sherlock knocked firmly at the front door of the Hooper's home. He surveyed the home and grounds and found it to be a modest, but very comfortable building. If he were honest with himself, he preferred something smaller to the grand scale of a home like Seaborne. He didn't need a lot of space for himself. He put up with a small London flat just fine.
A few moments later, a housekeeper opened the door, and Sherlock received a somewhat awed stare from the middle aged woman.
"Good afternoon sir. May I help you?"
"Yes, please. I would very much like to see Dr. Hooper. And if he is too unwell to be seen, I shall settle for speaking with Miss Hooper."
The woman looked a bit surprised at this stranger's familiarity with both Dr. Hooper and his daughter, and also the fact that he knew how unwell the doctor was. The woman stepped aside, making way for him to enter.
"Perhaps you would like to come into the sitting room and I'll just go and fetch Miss Hooper," she offered.
"Thank you, yes." Sherlock stepped inside past her, then followed her down the hall after she'd shut the door.
Sherlock was left alone, waiting in the modest sitting room for a few minutes. Finally, he heard the approaching footsteps, and the door opened. The housekeeper stood aside and Molly walked in the room, looking a bit surprised at Sherlock's presence.
Sherlock rose from his seat and gave a small bow and a quick smile as she came closer. "Good afternoon, Miss Hooper."
Molly took a seat in the couch across from him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Holmes. I'm sorry, but my-"
"I know, your father is unwell and cannot see me."
Molly frowned for a second at his words. She wondered...
"Mr. Holmes, was there something you needed? Forgive me, but I didn't think we were expecting you today."
Sherlock folded his hands in his lap and smiled again. "No indeed, Miss Hooper, you were not expecting me. I came today to make a sort of...offer to your father."
Something inside Molly jumped, and she suddenly felt like a bit lightheaded. "Make an- an offer?"
"Mm, perhaps you would be willing to give him a message?"
"I, suppose I could, yes."
"Excellent." Sherlock leaned forward a bit. "I would like to offer to your father, the services of one of my house guests."
Molly looked at him in confusion, and he continued.
"Forgive me for noticing, but it seems your father is having a bit of trouble caring for the needs of his patients in light of his own health concerns. My friend, Dr. John Watson of the Fifth Northumberland Regiment, has recently returned from the war due to a leg injury. He's been back for some months now, and recovered quite well, though he's certainly not going back into the battle. He is here, at Seaborne for the summer, and he is a skilled physician. He is available and willing to help your father keep up with his patients, and if there is any expense incurred, I would be willing to take care of it."
Molly fidgeted with her hair which was only loosely tied back, not having been properly done today. She knew she must look awfully tired, wearing one of her much less attractive dresses, and having spent most of the day caring for her father and trying to help him to regain his strength. Was her father short handed? Most definitely. But Molly was unsure of two things. Would her father be willing to accept any help? And why in the world was Mr. Holmes even offering such a thing?
"Mr. Holmes, why would you make my father such an offer?" she asked hesitantly.
Sherlock shrugged. "Why should I not? You don't assume that I'm simply doing something charitable?"
Molly was somewhat confident that wasn't the case. "No, I do not," she answered honestly.
Sherlock chuckled. This woman was pleasantly surprising. "As you've already heard me mention, I consider it imperative that I remain activities and exercise my mind. Perhaps I saw an opportunity to do something interesting and out of the ordinary this summer...and I took it."
"But, you are not the doctor. How would this be of interest to you?"
"True. But you could still say I am overseeing a project. Anything I learn can be filed away in my mind, and perhaps used in the future. You never can tell what will be useful when working alongside Scotland Yard. Or should I say, doing the work for them."
"You're not one for modesty, are you?" she asked, with a slight smile.
"Why bother? Everyone else spends plenty of time worrying about that," he said simply, barely blinking at the question.
Molly cleared her throat and got back on topic. "I will, of course, have to see how my father feels about this. And if nothing else, he will certainly want to meet this Dr. Watson himself."
"I'd like to know how you feel about it."
The deep and resonating words rendered Molly dumbfounded for a moment. He had to be the strangest man she'd ever met. What other gentleman would inquire about how an unmarried young woman felt about her father receiving help running his business? Did he really care what she thought?
"You want to know how I feel about it?" she asked slowly.
Sherlock looked around for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at her as he answered. "Yes, as I asked. Nobody knows your father or his medical practice better than you, Miss Hooper. Who better to judge whether this offer of mine would be well received or not? And who better to encourage him to accept if he is hesitant?" He leaned forward and looked at her intensely. "Would you do that?"
Molly felt her cool exterior faltering under his deeper gaze. "I- I...well, perhaps. I do believe he can't keep up with all the work. And there's really only so much I'm able to do. I wouldn't want his patients to suffer. So...I'll do my best to speak to him about it. Perhaps you could call again tomorrow, and he could speak to you himself. I'm sure he'll be stronger tomorrow. Some days are better than others."
"I will return tomorrow then, Miss Hooper, and I will bring Dr. Watson." Sherlock stood from his seat immediately and started toward the door.
"Can't I offer you some tea?" she asked as she also stood quickly, realizing she'd been a terrible hostess.
Sherlock turned back again to face her. "Thank you, but I believe I shall accept that offer tomorrow when I call again."
"Of course...Mr. Holmes!" She halted him from leaving again, and he turned. "Thank you," she added softly.
Sherlock didn't say anything, but gave her a small nod and a half smile. He opened the sitting room door and left.
Molly walked out a moment later and she heard the front door shut. She came and stood next to their housekeeper, who was still peering out the window.
"Who was that, Miss Hooper?" she inquired, looking a little starry eyed.
Molly looked passed her, out the window, as she answered. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes," she said quietly.
"Ah yes, I've heard he was back. My, what a gentleman! Do you think we will be seeing more of him, Miss?"
Molly couldn't help the smile that contorted her lips just a bit as she saw his carriage pull away and disappear. "I hope so, Mrs. Hart. I hope so."
John appeared nervous as the carriage neared the Hooper's residence.
"Watson, do relax," Sherlock said in exasperation. "You're offering to do him a favor!"
"The relationship between a doctor and his patients is a very important one, Holmes! It would be difficult for a man to step back and hand over the care of those people to someone he barely knows. And I do wish you would have waited till you could speak to him directly, and not put this on his daughter! You may well have offended him by speaking to Miss Hooper of such a thing first!"
"Believe me, that man views his daughter differently than most would. She works with him day in and day out, you can tell. A man who doesn't value his daughter's opinion would never allow such a thing. She's intelligent, he knows it, and he values it."
John Watson stopped his train of thought for a moment and stared at his friend. "You like her."
Sherlock frowned. "I'm not sure what you're implying, Watson."
"Perhaps you value her intelligence as well," he smirked.
Sherlock avoided his friend's eyes. "Thankfully, this conversation is over, as we have arrived."
John smiled to himself, and was suddenly a touch more interested to meet Miss Molly Hooper, as well as Dr. Hooper.
They were received into the home and ushered into the sitting room, but this time Dr. Hooper and Miss Hooper were there awaiting their arrival. Dr. Hooper looked at both men, but especially Sherlock, with an inquisitive eye as they were introduced in the room.
"Mr. Holmes, a pleasure to see you again," Dr. Hooper said as he stood. "Dr. Watson, a pleasure to meet you."
The four of them were soon seated as tea was being brought in. At one point Dr. Hooper looked over at his daughter, and saw her eyes planted firmly in Sherlock Holmes' direction. He looked away quickly, but the little he saw was enough to leave an impression.
"I must confess," Dr. Hooper began, "that I was a bit taken aback when my daughter told me of your visit yesterday, and the subsequent idea that you presented."
Sherlock sipped his tea calmly and caught Molly's eye for a moment as he listened to her father speak.
"I do pride myself in seeing the best in people, so I'm inclined to think that you're the very best sort of men to offer such a service to me during this difficult time. Though I'm also not a fool, so I must have my reservations as well. Do you truly want nothing from me in return? I have nothing to offer you if you do me this favor, Dr. Watson."
"I understand, and don't mind at all. I enjoy practicing medicine, and I know you're having a difficult time at present. I'd be perfectly happy to do what I can while I'm here. Mr. Holmes is more than willing to take care of my expenses, though they will surely be few."
Dr. Hooper then turned to Sherlock. "Why would you care to do such a thing, Mr. Holmes? Naturally, you're a man who can do exactly as he pleases, but why do this?"
"It's simple, really. Medicine and science fascinate me, and they always have. You may consider this a happy distraction from an otherwise tedious summer."
A smile spread slowly on Dr. Hooper's face. "Answered quite honestly, Mr. Holmes. So my medical practice is an interesting diversion for you? Isn't it fortunate for you that I'm so ill?" The words could have been spoken in bitterness, but there was clearly amusement written on the man's face.
"I always answer honestly, Dr. Hooper, for better or worse. I believe you will learn that about me rather quickly," he answered with only a ghost of a smile.
Dr. Hooper smiled again, but had to quickly set his tea down and take out his handkerchief as he began coughing.
"Father, are you alright?" Molly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," he wheezed and slowly was able to remove the cloth from his mouth, which afforded the two men across from him a very brief glimpse of the bright red that stained it. "I would like to continue this conversation in private with Dr. Watson. Perhaps, you would join me in my office?"
"Yes, of course." John stood immediately, and watched as Dr. Hooper followed with some difficulty.
"Molly, darling, perhaps you can keep Mr. Holmes company while Dr. Watson and I talk?" Dr. Hooper said, smiling at his daughter.
Molly smiled and nodded, then her father and Dr. Watson disappeared behind the door and were heard walking away down the hall.
Molly slowly moved her line of vision back over to where Sherlock sat across from her. "So, Mr. Holmes, you're a detective? How wonderful," she said brightly.
Sherlock tilted his head slightly as he considered this, then his lip curled in a slow smile...
After Dr. Hooper closed the door, John began talking immediately. "Is there anything else you'd like to know about me? I can certainly tell you a bit about my experience if you'd like-"
"What I would like, is to be the patient for a moment," Dr. Hooper said seriously as he turned to face John.
"Oh," John answered in some surprise. "Well, of course, if you'd like...Would you perhaps get on the table please?"
John Watson immediately stepped into the role of the doctor that he so naturally was. He examined Dr. Hooper and asked him a number of questions. He felt his torso, and took note of the places where he could actually feel tumors from beneath the skin, and he listened to the man's breathing carefully.
"And, the coughing is rather frequent now, is it?"
"Very," he answered hoarsely. "Becoming bloody as well."
"How often does that happen?
"Almost every time now...So, Dr. Watson, what do you think?" Dr. Hooper asked as he sat up on his own medical table and began buttoning his waistcoat again.
John stepped back and smiled kindly at the man. "I think you need to take it easy. You need to get as much rest as you can, perhaps a touch of laudanum if necessary for the cough. Don't exert yourself, and try to relax."
Dr. Hooper nodded slowly. "There. I'm done playing patient now. I'd like for you to now speak to me as a doctor. And I beg you, do speak freely," he asked with a somber expression.
John recognized what the man was asking for, and it pained him to comply. He took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest. "Dr. Hooper, this is in no way my area of expertise. Please understand, I know relatively little on the subject of cancer."
"Dr. Watson, please," he said simply.
John stared at the man for a moment, then opened his mouth, speaking softly. "One to two months. That's my- my guess. From what I've read, from what I've seen, it can't possibly be longer than that, with your symptoms being what they are...I'm sorry."
Dr. Hooper pursed his lips and gave his head a small shake. "I'm not surprised, of course. That's approximately what I've been guessing of late. But I wanted to hear it from another professional. And don't be sorry. Never be sorry for doing your job. Sometimes the work isn't easy, and it isn't pretty, but there's also almost nothing greater in the world. How I have loved my work."
John smiled. "I've heard that said before, a time or two."
Dr. Hooper inhaled and exhaled with some difficulty, then stood again. "I would be honored if you would assist me in caring for my patients, while you're here. And perhaps, by the end, I'd very much like to think you'll find a suitable permanent replacement. That is something I would be especially grateful for, if you would be willing to oversee it."
John nodded. "I would, of course. And I appreciate your faith in me. I'm glad to be able to help."
"I am grateful you volunteered, Dr. Watson. You're a good man."
"Well, to be honest, it was Mr. Holmes' idea in the first place. And you'll find that when he has an idea, he can be awfully stubborn," John laughed.
"Mm, yes he is a pleasantly unusual gentleman. I had only known him as a child up till now. He was unique, even then. I look forward to knowing him better, now that he is a grown man. I suppose we should get back to them now, shouldn't we? Hopefully they've found something to pass the time discussing!" Dr. Hooper smiled.
"And what had you found?" Molly asked, eyes widened.
"There were sizable pieces of glass embedded in the man's skull which did not match the glass of the broken window he was found laying in. Therefore-"
"He must have died elsewhere, and been moved!"
"Precisely." Sherlock nodded. "This, of course, led me to believe that the man who said he'd witnessed the death was lying. This turned out to be correct, and we quickly had our killer."
"How exciting, and how rewarding as well. How were you ever offered such a job by Scotland Yard?"
Sherlock shrugged. "It wasn't exactly an offer. I simply began telling them things, things they were not able to discern for themselves. And soon enough, they couldn't do without me."
"You are very fortunate. You are able to do what you love, and that means so much. I know how much it pains my father to be forced to step back from his work."
"But you convinced him it would be wise, didn't you?" Sherlock guessed.
Molly looked sad, but nodded. "It was the right thing to do."
"His patients are in genuinely good hands. He should be able to rest easy, knowing that," he said confidently.
Molly's expression was still a bit dreary. "Would you be able to rest easy, Mr. Holmes, if you had to let somebody else take over your work with Scotland Yard?"
This hit him, probably harder than if it had been said differently. It forced him to put himself in another man's place, and that was an unusual occurrence. Sherlock looked down for a moment, and when he raised his eye back to Molly's, his expression answered the question. It would kill him to do such a thing, and he would probably rather be dead than give up his detective work forever. And in that moment, he wasn't thinking about how much more interesting this summer would be now that John was acting as the town's doctor. He was genuinely feeling for Dr. Hooper.
Sherlock wasn't one for words of sentiment. He rarely ever felt much anyway, so was especially unskilled when it came to expressing anything he did feel. He had opened his mouth and was trying to formulate the words to say something, when Dr. Hooper and Dr. Watson reentered the room.
Dr. Hooper smiled at Sherlock as he stood. "You're a good man, Mr. Holmes. And so is your friend...I would be most pleased to accept your generous offer." He extended his hand to Sherlock.
The two men shook hands firmly and Sherlock smiled genuinely back at Dr. Hooper. "I am glad. You are both most welcome at Seaborne, at any time. And I believe my mother is currently busy planning a party, which you will both be invited to."
"I do hope I am well enough to attend. If not, I shall have to send my Molly alone. No doubt she will be much lovelier company than an old man like me anyway." He smiled at his daughter warmly.
A few minutes later, Sherlock and John were back in the carriage and on their way to Seaborne.
John sighed heavily as he said, "I am glad we're helping him, Holmes. That man doesn't have long. He's dying, and he'll likely be gone before Autumn. He asked me to help him find a permanent replacement as well. He's got to get his affairs in order, that's for certain...I do hope he's made arrangements for his daughter. God knows who'll look after her."
Sherlock didn't answer. He stared out the window watching the countryside fly past him as they moved. But for some reason, he was also concerned for the well-being of Miss Molly Hooper. He wasn't sure why he should care at all about this man and his daughter, but mysteriously, he did.
And it so happened that it was not the worst feeling in the world.
I feel the pace of this fic moving a bit on the faster side than some other multi chapters that I've done. I think it's maybe more in keeping with the time period. And honestly, it's not easy to come up with a ton of writing material for this stuff. When you subtract a bunch of crime, texting, the hospital, and easy transportation, there's not a heck of a lot left haha! So just fyi, I feel like this one may go be more quickly.
I'm looking forward to what's coming up in the next chapter or two. It's just about time for me to research some of the regency period group dances! Yaaaay! Ok, see you next time, and I'd love to hear what you thought. ;)