"If not London, then where could the inventor be?" I wondered and looked to Watson and Holmes.
Holmes stood up and walked to the window with folded hands behind his back. He is gathering the facts before answering the question.
"The inventor must be in London or you two wouldn't be here." Said Watson convinced and then turned to Holmes.
Holmes paced up to us. In his pale green eyes I saw flicker of excitement. He must have seen something on Bakerstreet to react so and perhaps in addition an idea or plan. "Watson, why don't you accompany Miss Wanett for a walk in the park?"
"I beg your pardon?" Watson blinked in bewilderment.
"I could accompany Miss Wanett." Suggested Charles standing up.
"Holmes, you know perfectly why I can't!" Watson narrowed his blond eyebrows.
"My dear Watson, I've never doubted your loyalty."
"Miss Morstan may see it differently." Watson clenched his teeth.
"Why does it trouble you so? Then take Miss Morstan along."
Apparently Holmes does not entirely understand what it means to be engaged. I bit my tongue and suppressed my grin. I understood what was said from both sides.
Charles was scratching the back of his head with a confused looked. "What about me? What should I do?"
"You can join along the others."
"Are you joining too?" I wondered. Holmes has a plan yet I can not see it but feel it in my bones.
"I have an important appointment that will shed more light into this intriguing case, Miss Wanett. Who will arrive any moment."
"Very well. We're leaving." Sighed Watson annoyed while wearing his bowler, coat and walking-cane. Charles quickly placed his hat right and helped me with my coat.
Not very long John, Mary, Charles and I were in Kensington gardens. It was nice but somehow strange. I had the feeling of being watched. Whenever I turned to see there was nothing but from the corners of my eyes I could not stop noticing a shadow looking at me.
Is it the inventor? Telling the others is not the best option. For if it is the inventor, I doubt there will be a second chance to get to him so close. Of course catching him alone will be very, very difficult. I do need help. If only Sherlock were here he would have devised a plan at a leisurely pace. As irony has it, I a leisure writer with colourful imagination lack here for a plan. As Albert Einstein used to say, use your imagination.
"Eleanor, is something wrong?" Asked Charles who stood suddenly beside me with a concerned look as our eyes met.
I blinked. Quickly collected my train of thoughts and grinned at him. "No. Was just thinking why being here. Wondering."
"Well great minds think alike."
"Pardon!" I stared at Charles. I think I did not hear that correctly.
"Come on. John and Mary are waiting for us." Noted Charles while taking my hand.
Sooner than I have thought we were walking through the streets of London. John and Mary showed us wonderful sights and shops. It was fun with Charles, John and Mary but the shadow is always there at the corners of my eyes. By the hour I am getting more and more nervous and curious who is this shadow following me.
Finally, an opportunity was at hand to inspect the follower closer. The others were interested in a certain shop while I decided to wait outside. Charles was otherwise always close at my side but this time he went in too. Once the door was shut from the shop I pretended to be interested at the flower stand right beside the shop. As an extra help a mirror hung from a wooden pole of the stand thus was able to see the stranger. The stranger was without a doubt a man; a man with a curly moustache and a rather large hat to conceal his face.
"Would you like to buy a fresh flower? To your lovely rosy cheeks and beautiful dress a sweet smelling flower like red roses fit perfectly, miss." Spoke an elderly woman with a warming smile, gesturing with her trembling hands to the bucket filled with roses in different colours.
"Thank you. I do love roses but could you suggest to me some other flower, roses are bit ordinary to me?"
"Well, ..." The woman talked on while I paid more attention to the mirror. The stranger suddenly stood beside me. Our eyes met in the mirror. A shudder went down my spine. With a silent gasp I turned to see the follower eye to eye.
"Oui, those lovely violets will make mademoiselle Wanett beautiful." Spoke the follower coolly while paying the flower-woman, his gaze locked to me. Gently and with a slow, cautious manner he handed to me the flower.
Slowly I took it although I did not want to have it, especially from him. I looked up as I held gently the violet in my hands. He was smirking very broadly down at me. My heart raced in fear. No, panicking is not an option. I must get ahold of myself. The opportunity is now. I took a deep breath. "François."
"Absolument. And you are Eleanor. Come with me and we can discuss in peace." He suggested with the same thin French accent I heard the last time. Now in the brighter light of the sun I recognized his face. Taking away the moustache and large top hat it is him without mistake. He placed a hand upon my shoulder and led me away from the stand and shop.
"It appears you have recovered well from your amnesia. I was for a moment too afraid to lose everything under one press of a button."
"Loose everything?" I wondered, halted and looked to him. So the mind blockage was not caused by him?
The hand at my shoulder slowly wandered towards my face and along my jawline. I turned away and withdrew few steps back. A snigger came from him. "So you know." He smiled. "How about we make a deal? You bring me Charles and a certain artifact, then both of you can return to your world. How does that sound?"
Too good to be true and what proof has he that he will hold his word? "What certain artifact would that be? The Queen's crown and/or her jewels?"
"Oh I'm not a man who is drawn to shiny things but knowledge and brilliance. It is very simple and I believe not so hard to find; Holmes' memoire."
"Quoi (What)!" I blinked wide eyed at him.
"So far I would guess that you would simply ask and Holmes will give it to you."
"Oh no! Holmes is no fool to be taken!" I snapped. My shock is turning into anger. Control Eleanor, control. Only a fool would strike with anger.
François sniggered amused. "Has anyone ever told you look so adorable with your natural rosy cheeks? Even now flushed in anger you still look adorable." Before I could give my notation he quickly took my hand, pushed me closer to him and kissed me.
Quickly with all my strength I was able to push him away and immediately rubbed off the feeling on my lips with the back of my hand. "How dare you!" I shouted bewildered.
He continued to snigger and shortly licked his lips. "What a unique taste, for a unique woman."
"Do you think you can take advantage of me besides bribing?"
"Sorry. Couldn't help it. I wanted to do that since the first time we met, in the cellar, so close. Charles really does have good taste. But to be frank, you are enjoying your stay here aren't you? Thinking almost the same like great Sherlock Holmes in this time although you are child of the modern times."
"Who are you to say what I think!" I snapped in controlled anger.
