The next morning, Sherlock led his guests on a tour of the house, as none of them had seen Thornfield before. Adele had gone with them, and Molly was free to do as she wished. Since no one was in the parlor, Molly decided to practice the piano. She got out some of the sheet music, and started in on one of her favorites. It was an adaptation of one of Molly's favorite hymns. As the last chord of the song faded, someone slowly clapped behind Molly, making her jump and turn around. Irene Adler stood in the doorway.

"Nice, Miss Eyre. You've got a modicum of talent. But," she loped over to the piano, "I noticed you've got an awkward fingering at the beginning of the second part that trips you up. Try this." Irene sat next to Molly and played the section perfectly with a slight smirk on her face.

Molly bit her lip and tried it as Irene had. It was better, Molly had to admit, but Molly kept messing up in different spots because Irene's eyes on her made her nervous. From the corner of Molly's eye, Molly could see Irene studying her with a rather strange look. Molly said, "I thought you were on the tour. If you want the piano,"

"No, keep playing. I slipped away ages ago, and besides," she winked, "I like to find my own way around."

Irene sighed when Molly played a particularly wrong note and said, "Keep at it. You'll get it, eventually." Irene got up and left the room, leaving Molly, thankfully, in peace. She played the piece through another time and managed to play it perfectly without the beautiful woman watching over her like a hawk. Smiling, she moved on to a cheerful Christmas song.

As she finished, Sherlock said behind her, "Molly, are you busy? I need a lab assistant and you're the only one I would trust with the job."

Molly was shocked. "What?"

"Mrs. Hudson is too old, John, Lestrade, and Stamford are out on a ride and the servants and the women are either too stupid or too stuck-up to be helpful."

"Lab assistant?"

Sherlock huffed and said, "Yes, Molly. I want to run some experiments and I would like your assistance."

As Adele was upstairs with the women last time Molly checked, she said ,"Sure."

"Follow me. And don't touch anything, unless I tell you to." Sherlock led her out the door and they went down the stairs to the kitchen, stopping a door short. Sherlock produced a key and opened the door. The room was small and dark, with only one small window for light, and was made even smaller by the large tables, sink, and racks that took up most of the space. He grabbed a large lab apron and handed it to her. "Put this on. It'll protect you and your dress from the chemicals." He put another one on himself, and handed out a pair of thick gloves that were enormous on Molly's small hands.

Dressed and ready, Molly looked around the strange room. There were glass beakers and vials everywhere, and one wall was devoted to an extensive collection of small and large bottles. Sherlock stared at them for a few seconds before selecting one of the smaller bottles. He set them all on one of the sturdy wooden tables and got out several glasses. Sherlock pointed to the bottle as he brought out seven large pieces of wood. "Today, we will be testing how different types of wood react to sulfuric acid. While I cut these pieces of wood so that they all have the same mass, take this bottle," he picked it up, "and measure out ten milliliters of sulfuric acid using the graduated cylinder and put it in each of these seven glasses. Once you finish with that, wash out the graduated cylinder and add forty milliliters of water into each glass." He pointed to a glass full of glass stirrers. "Use one stirrer for each glass and stir the solution. Molly, do be careful. Sulfuric acid can cause horrendous burns if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes, so leave your gloves on when handling it or washing out the glasses. Do you have any questions?"

Molly looked at the table, glasses, bottle, and graduated cylinder, and said, "I don't think so."

"Repeat back what I said."

She swallowed and said, "Measure out ten milliliters of sulfuric acid for each of the seven glasses, then wash out the cylinder and measure out forty milliliters of water and put it in each glass. Stir it with the stirrers. Don't touch the sulfuric acid in any way because it will burn you."

"Good. You can begin."

Molly stepped forward to the table and took a deep breath before opening the bottle of acid. She carefully poured the acid into the small graduated cylinder until it filled up to the 10 mark. Molly bent down so that her head was at the same height as the top of the acid, and it was just right. Molly arranged the glasses into a line and poured the sulfuric acid into the first one. Molly glanced behind her, where Sherlock was carving one of the types of wood into a cube. He placed it onto a pair of scales with a small metal weight on the other side. The cube dipped lower than the weight, and Sherlock took it off to carve another portion off. Molly went back to her work.

It was nice to be doing something interesting and unexpected, and Molly couldn't help but like that Sherlock chose her to assist him. It was hard for Molly to remind herself that Sherlock's heart belonged to Irene Adler, and nothing she could say or do can change that. Sherlock seemed so focused in his work, and his curiosity was infectious, as Molly now wondered which of the seven woods would be most affected.

Molly finally measured out the last of the sulfuric acid and put the top back on the bottle. She went over to the deep sink and washed out the graduated cylinder thoroughly. Molly set aside the graduated cylinder as she took a large glass from off a shelf. It would be easier to get a large glass and fill it with water than have to go back and forth to the sink. Molly looked over at Sherlock again and he already had four of the cubes done and lined up side by side. Molly carefully measured out all the water for the glasses and stirred them. By this time, Sherlock was finished with the last cube and brought the lot over.

Sherlock took down a black notebook from a shelf and flipped to an empty page. "From left to right, the order is oak, pine, elm, willow, birch, cherry, and ash." He put the cubes in order by type in front of its respective glass and picked up a set of tongs from the table. "Trial 1: Oak." He picked up the first cube and set it in the acid. Immediately the bottom of the cube turned black and steam came from the liquid. Molly bent down so that she could see the bubbling solution.

The wood was being burned by the acid, and yet no fire had been lit. She said, "Amazing!" with a note of wonder in her voice. Science and experiments were incredibly interesting. Molly took her eyes off the wood, which was almost halfway charred, and looked at Sherlock. His face held little emotion as he glanced at her for a second, but there was something in his eyes that Molly didn't understand.

He replied, "Yes, acids are quite powerful. Given the densities of the different woods, I think that the least dense woods will burn fastest because the acid will have less to eat through."

"Fascinating." The bubbling in the glass slowed as the last of the cube charred. Sherlock scribbled down several lines on notes in his notebook, then picked the second cube up with the tongs and placed it inside its glass.

"Trial 2: Pine. Molly, dump the wood fragments and acid into the bin, and wash out the glass, please."

Molly did so, occasionally turning and looking at the second reaction. They repeated this for the next four types of wood, and just as Molly was washing out the glass from the cherry trial, someone opened the door. Molly turned and saw it was John Watson, who said, "Sherlock, what are you doing down here?"

"Experimenting, John. I'm testing how different woods react with sulfuric acid."

"Interesting." Watson looked around the lab and spotted Molly. "Hello, Miss Eyre! What are you doing down here?"

Before Molly could reply, Sherlock said, "As you, Stamford, and Lestrade were out and the servants and the women were either too stupid or too stuck-up to be useful, Molly was the best alternative."

Watson looked between Sherlock and Molly as the final wood cube finished reacting and Molly washed the last glass and the tongs.

"Is there anything else you need, Sherlock?"

"No, Molly. Thank you for your assistance." He took her gloves and apron from her, and they stood for a minute in awkward silence.

Molly said, "I should probably see to Adele."

John Watson looked at her and replied, "I was just going to head upstairs, can you show me the way, Miss Eyre?"

Sherlock said, "John gets lost easily."

Molly nodded and said, "This way, Dr. Watson."

As they went up the back kitchen stairs, John said, "Call me John. How long have you been at Thornfield, Molly?"

"Since this summer. I like it here, and Adele is pretty easy to teach."

"That's good, she seems like a nice little girl."

"She's rather hyperactive at times, but sweet as could be."

They were just passing through the hall and up the main staircase when Molly spotted Mary coming down from the third story. Mary said, "Hello, Molly. How are you today?"

"Fine, Mary. This is Dr. John Watson, one of Sherlock's guests."

John shook Mary's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"And you as well." Mary smiled, something Molly had only occasionally seen her do. Molly left the two of them in search of Adele, and the two blonds began to make small talk as they walked along the corridor.

Later that evening, all the guests at Thornfield, except for John, he wasn't feeling well that night, got together in the parlor, and Molly sat in the same window seat and read for the first hour. Eliza and her mother languished on the couch, Irene picked out pieces on the piano, and the men continued to talk together. Out of nowhere, Irene stood and said, "Let's play charades! I'm simply dying for a distraction."

Sherlock said, "Alright. There are some old clothes and furnishings upstairs. I'll have some of the servants fetch them." He then called for Mrs. Hudson to make the arrangements.

"Shall we form teams?" Stamford asked.

"Certainly," Sherlock replied. "Who wishes to be on mine?"

"I will," Irene answered immediately.

"I will too!" Adele cried and ran to stand by her guardian.

Lestrade said, "I guess I'll just have to form my own team."

"I'll be on Lestrade's," Stamford said with a smile.

Eliza looked at her mother and said, "I do believe I will match wits against my sister, mama." She stood by Lestrade, but her mother said, "I'm afraid I'm rather too old for this kind of sport. Should anyone check on John?"

"No, he insisted that he needed the rest, although I can't imagine why. He seemed fine this afternoon." Sherlock looked rather puzzled, but shook his head and turned to Molly. "Would you care to join us?"

"No, thank you." Molly was content where she was, and both Irene and Eliza looked taken aback that Sherlock would want her to play. Neither of them had insulted her intelligence yet, but anytime their eyes wandered in her direction, they would look away as if Molly were some kind of beggar unworthy of their glance. Already a shy person, Molly further retreated into her window-seat, but was interested in the game.

Meanwhile, trunks had been brought down and screens arranged so the players could dress in private. Curtains were put up in front of the doorway to hide the players from the other team.

Sherlock, Irene, and Adele were first up. They conferred for a minute or two, then went outside the room for a minute or two to prepare. Stamford called, "Ready?" and Sherlock yelled back, "Yes."

Sherlock entered first, wearing a large top hat, long coat, and holding a whip. He made many great gestures, then mimed whistling, and Irene came out. The only change in her appearance was a mustache and beard. She curtsied and tweaked her mustache for the audience. Sherlock pretended to whistle again, and Adele came out wearing a headdress around her head. She rather looked like a lion, but the illusion was a bit off because she kept giggling. Sherlock pretended to whip Adele while she clawed at him. They continued this mime for another minute while Lestrade, Eliza, and Stamford whispered among themselves. Finally, Lestrade said, "The circus?"

"Correct." Sherlock smiled and Irene happily took off her mustache. "Adele thought of that one. Give us another minute."

Sherlock and company went back behind the curtain, and before long, Sherlock came back in, this time in a tunic with a bow and arrow. Adele came in, wearing a tiara and holding a large sack that clicked like there were gold pieces in it, and Sherlock made her give it up. Adele ran off as Irene came back in, wearing an old-fashioned hat and embraced Sherlock. She then stood by his side and the look on her face conveyed awe and wonder. Adele walked back, covered in dirt and wearing a dress that was practically in tatters, and Sherlock handed her the bag of money. Adele feigned shock and awe and hugged Sherlock, which he wasn't expecting, but he managed to smile nevertheless.

Again, the other team talked, and they said, "Robin Hood?"

"Right. Irene makes a lovely Maid Marion, does she not?"

Eliza laughed and said, "Certainly."

Sherlock, Irene, and Adele went back behind the curtain for the third and last time, and this time, Adele was the first to come out. She was dressed in clerical robes that were enormous on her and holding a book. She turned back to the doorway so that her back was to the rest of the room. Sherlock came next, wearing dress clothes and a tie, and paced back and forth in front of Adele before going to her right and facing the door. Irene then came out, walking stately forward in a long white dress and veil. Sherlock smiled and took her hands, and they faced each other in front of Adele. Adele gestured and pretended to talk like a pastor before throwing up a handful of rice. Sherlock lifted Irene's veil and pretended to kiss her.

Molly immediately knew what the charade was, a wedding ceremony. Molly felt a little sick watching it, as it was likely a vision of the future. Stamford broke her out of her reverie when he said, "Wedding!"

"Three for three. Well done." Sherlock took off the dress coat and he, Irene, and Adele went out to change back into their normal clothes.

With Sherlock's part in the game finished, Molly lost interest in the game, and instead watched how he and Irene talked together, smiling and whispering, as the other team went. Molly became so engrossed in watching Sherlock and Irene that later that night, Molly couldn't remember what the other team had acted out.

Molly also thought about Sherlock and Irene's relationship, and she thought Irene was wrong for Sherlock. Irene was too cruel and self-centered for Sherlock to be happy with her. She would never deign to do experiments with him. She may be his intellectual match, but Sherlock deserved someone kinder.

After the game, Sherlock played his violin, and several of the guests remarked that Sherlock could have played first chair in a symphony if he had put his mind to it. Molly closed her eyes as she drank in the beautiful music.

About a half-hour later, Molly took Adele to bed, and as she did, she saw Mary walking up the stairs. John came out of his room, not appearing out of sorts in the least, and looked at Mary's retreating form. He then heard them walking up the stairs, and Molly said, "I sure hope you feel better."

"Yeah, I think I am. Tell me, what do you know of Mary Morstan?"