I stared at the box in my hands. This gift wasn't from Mycroft. It was from Anthea and Timothy. He had been so bold as to tell me so, just before he stepped out the door with a wink of the eye. Oh, that cheeky bastard! They had bought me condoms. Mycroft's PA and his personal bodyguard thought Mycroft and I were going to have sex and had bought us condoms. How embarrassing! Even though I wanted it to happen, I didn't like everyone knowing it. I put them aside and picked up the other box Tim had given me after I tried on the dress. It was another pair of designer shoes, this time with sparkles and a shorter heel. I was somewhat relieved. I would hate to embarrass Mycroft in front of his peers by falling off my shoes.
It was still early, but I decided to start the process of getting ready for tonight. I ordered lunch from room service hoping it would tide me over until dinner tonight. Then I would shower and fix my hair, maybe a French twist with some curls around my face. I should be able to do that without too much trouble and I had a jeweled comb with me that would be perfect to secure it with.
Mycroft walked in the door just as I was finishing my makeup. He stopped mid-stride with the door open, brolly in hand. "Oh, my!" he gasped. I assumed at that point that I had done a good job. I was usually a minimalist when it came to makeup, but I had gone all out today. I hoped it looked as good with my dress as it did with pyjamas. "You look lovely," he finally managed to get out, shutting the door behind him. I laughed. Score one for me; I made Mycroft Holmes nearly speechless.
The next thirty minutes were a flurry of activity. Mycroft showered and dressed in his evening wear. I donned my dress and shoes but waited on the sofa for Mycroft to help me with the buttons. When he kissed the nape of my neck after buttoning all twelve buttons, I wondered if he had picked this particular dress for me so he could perform that very act. I could not help but moan at the intimacy of the gesture and Mycroft smiled rakishly down at me. I was learning there was a very passionate man beneath that cold façade he put up.
I slipped my silk shawl around my shoulders, smiling at how well it matched my attire. Mycroft must have had this dress in mind when he purchased it. I wondered if he ever let his mind go silent and stopped planning.
Before stepping out the door, he pinned me with a sharp gaze and held out his hand. "Leave it, Serena."
"But…"
"I promise that you won't have time to read. If you find yourself getting bored, all you have to do is ask and I will provide you with a diversion. Now leave the book!" He said it sternly and if I hadn't been able to see the mischief in his eyes I would have thought he was angry with me. I relented and handed Poe over to him and he glanced approvingly at the book he had given me some time ago. He placed it on the table and ushered me out the door, holding his arm out for me to entwine with his.
We were driven to an elaborate stone mansion, surrounded by lush gardens. It was gorgeous, later I would have to ask him about the building's history. It reminded me of the Palace in London. Mycroft escorted me from the car into the house where we were greeted by any number of elegant couples, all of them in the similar fancy dress. I felt a little out of my element and was reluctant to let go of Mycroft's arm. He must have sensed my discomfort, for he occasionally would whisper in my ear something like: 'Are you alright?'or 'Relax, I won't leave you alone.'
The evening went by quite fast, faster than I had expected. The food was excellent and Mycroft kept giving me flutes of champagne after I told him I dearly loved the stuff. I am not sure if he was trying to get me tipsy or if he was trying to keep me relaxed. Either way, it worked and I began declining them when I began to feel the slight dizziness that let me know I had drunk just a little too much. I was not pissed, but pleasantly carefree and untroubled.
Mycroft introduced me to several people, including one very famous American actor and his wife. I gathered through their conversation that this had been some kind of humanitan/health-related conference they had been attending.
When the music began and couples moved towards the dance floor, I was startled to find myself among them. I remember my dad teaching me to waltz when I was a little girl but was surprised to find that it came back to me so easily. I silently thanked Dad for the lessons. Mycroft was surprisingly graceful for someone of his height, and I could not stop myself from wondering what else he was good at.
At the end of the dance, Mycroft suggested we step outside for a moment. The evening air felt delightful after the stuffiness of the dance floor. There were quite a few people enjoying the breeze. Mycroft led me to a quiet area at the far end of the garden. The bench we sat upon looked to be made of marble, and I thought I would love to have a garden much like this with a marble bench, too.
We could hear the music continue in the distance and the quiet chatter of others in the garden, but we were essentially alone. I felt Mycroft shift beside me, reaching into his coat to take something out.
"Please don't."
"Serena, it is just one."
"I know, but you don't need to smoke. Remember your heart," I chided.
Not missing a beat, Mycroft replied. "My heart belongs to you, Serena."
"Well, you better take good care of it, then." I turned to him and leant over to whisper in his ear, "Besides, when you snog me silly in the car I want to taste you, not your nasty cigarette. That might make me want to sleep alone tonight."
I could see Mycroft studying me from the corner of his eye and I wondered what thoughts were going through his mind. Did he tire of my prodding into matters of his health? Did he think me too bold and feel as if I were overstepping my bounds? Did he wish for a more docile companion?
Unexpectedly, he laughed, slid the cigarettes back into his jacket and called for the car. We said our goodbyes and were on our way back to the hotel within fifteen minutes. This wasn't the response I had intended, but it was the right one. With the divider up between us and the driver, Mycroft unfastened the seat belt and slid over to begin snogging me. I take it he didn't want to sleep alone, especially when his hand slipped under my gown and stroked up my thigh. "See, Serena, I told you that you didn't need to bring a book."
