Humble

I am very sorry I have not written earlier, but it was only recently that I was able to acquire your new address. It did not help that it was not in any of the directories.

I have grown to be very happy being Mrs. Holmes. Mycroft is a very kind man and he more than provides for me. We have become quite fond of one another, and many say we are well-suited to one another. I would not think a man as brilliant as him could ever be contentedly matched with me, but somehow it is so.

It is somewhat odd being entangled in the Holmes family and being in Dr. Watson's publications on occasion as well as having my own column. Sometimes, however, Dr. Watson makes me seem a bit more helpful than I usually am. I usually just make the tea.

I know you told me not to try to contact you again, but I believed I should make you aware that I am in the family way with our first child. I am sorry things turned out the way they did, but I do want you to know that your rash choice gave me happiness.

Ann Marie Holmes

The former Lord Chaplin read it once, was grateful his daughter was likely not being beaten, and tossed the letter in the fire. No use thinking of a gem long sold to a stranger when one had lost the means to keep it.