The night is ticking on and the wine is flowing and whilst they might not be drunk they are definitely getting tipsy ;).

Chapter 10

Molly put down her spoon, wiped her mouth with her napkin and then thanked Lady Catherine for a simply delicious meal. The final course had been a sublime Eton Mess and Molly had scraped up every last bit. As she finished, the butler had once again leant over and refilled both her glass and Sherlock's with a light and fruity white wine.

Molly picked up her glass with her right hand and let her left rest on Sherlock's leg. She felt him jump slightly at her touch but other than that there was no other acknowledgment or sign. This time it was Lady Catherine who was talking, letting them know that there would be some other visitors the following day, some local villagers and a couple of families that the Holmes's also knew; they were to be having an afternoon garden party in celebration of her birthday.

It seemed that the end of dessert also signalled a change in conversation and Catherine smoothly moved on to asking about Eurus; Mycroft had informed her of everything that had happened and she was curious as to how everyone was getting on with the news. When she didn't get far with that line of questioning she went for the more dramatic.

'It's a shame it seems she'll never be freed, I don't suppose there is any chance of her getting pregnant whilst she's in incarceration?'

Mycroft dabbed his mouth with his napkin. 'Even if she were to be allowed she isn't that way inclined as far as I understand it.'

The older woman sat back in her chair. 'Not another one.'

Molly watched as Mycroft cocked his head to one side and smiled sweetly. 'Another one? Do you mean to ask if she's a homosexual like myself? I didn't realise you were homophobic aunt dearest, you never implied that you were.'

'Of course I'm not homophobic, what a ridiculous thing to say but I do think you should be putting your familial duty ahead of personal preference. It was much better in my day.'

'You mean when men were imprisoned for their preferences?'

'No not that, I mean when people married and had their children and then carried on their personal affairs to their own preference once their family line had been secured.'

Mycroft threw down his napkin. 'So you still want me to marry and have children even though I'm gay?'

'Yes Mycroft, as I said I think you should have more consideration of your duty to your family.'

'You obnoxious old bitch.'

'Yes but I'm the obnoxious bitch who's letting you inherit this house that you want so much.'

Molly saw Mycroft's mouth flatten out into a line at the same time that Sherlock let out a snort of laughter which had his aunt turning towards him and Molly.

'Let's not forget Sherlock that whilst you might have your mother convinced I am not yet certain that you aren't still playing me with this relationship of yours.'

Violet cut across the conversation asking about one of the families arriving the next day and trying to divert them all back to a safer topic and Catherine willingly complied having got her point across.

Molly zoned out of the rest of the conversation as she remembered her plan from earlier and she squeezed Sherlock's leg before letting her hand slide further down between his legs, her little finger lightly grazing his groin area. She noticed him shift and swallow out of the corner of her eye and she saw Mycroft narrow his eyes at the two of them from across the table. Rather than feeling embarrassed Molly felt a sense of accomplishment which made her a little braver. After all they were supposed to be acting real and what's more real for a couple in the throes of first lust than to tease each other in a public place.

The next time she moved her hand it was more than just one finger that stroked the area between his legs. As he licked his lips and took a large draught of his wine she couldn't help but give him a sly smile but he seemed determined to ignore her and it just egged her on.

She had to be careful not to move her arm too obviously but this time she pressed the palm of her hand full on his trousers and she was rewarded with feeling him pulse under her touch just before Sherlock coughed and pushed his chair back from the table a little making the others all look round at him. Molly immediately withdrew her hand, putting it on his shoulder instead and asking if he was alright.

'Yes, fine. I just swallowed my wine down the wrong way that's all.'

At that the butler stepped forward and topped up his glass once more making Sherlock frown. 'You're being awfully generous with the wine tonight aunt.'

'Yes well you can't take it with you Sherlock so enjoy it whilst I'm feeling frivolous.' She picked up her glass in a silent toast which the others followed bar Mycroft who pointedly remarked that his own glass had not been so generously refilled. If he was trying to make a point Molly didn't quite get it but Sherlock did cast his aunt a suspicious glance.

After dinner they were served port and then a generous helping of whiskey and by the time they moved back into the drawing room Molly knew she was in danger of having too much to drink but she couldn't quite care enough to consider it as a problem...everything seemed better with alcohol, the company, the weekend away and most of all the chance to be affectionate with Sherlock.

Whilst his father and brother moved to the sideboard to pour drinks and Catherine and Violet excused themselves to go to the bathroom Sherlock sat down on the long settee in front of the fireplace. Molly, following him, couldn't resist sitting on his knee and wrapping her hands around his neck.

She couldn't be sure but he seemed a little tipsy himself because instead of protesting he just put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer so they could kiss. He tasted of the whiskey they'd just drunk and Molly almost forget that they weren't alone as Sherlock's tongue slid against her own eliciting a low moan from her.

She could feel the span of his hand against her back and the other holding her knee, his thumb circling the bare skin just under her hemline and it brought back all the lust from earlier when they'd been sat at the dinner table. She let her hands move up into his hair tugging on his curls knowing from their previous encounters how much he liked it.

It was when she heard Mycroft and his father conversing and moving closer that she had to reluctantly end the kiss but when she did Sherlock just moved his lips to her ear, nibbling at her ear lobe for a moment before whispering, 'God Molly you feel too good.'

The sound of his voice turned her on so much in that moment that she knew she was dangerously close to just dragging him off to their bedroom. She closed her eyes and bit her lip trying to get her errant heart under control and then she slipped off his knee until she was sitting next to him.

His hand moved back to her knee squeezing it lightly. 'Do you want another drink?'

She knew she ought to say no but she was enjoying the buzz so instead she nodded and asked for another whiskey, standing to join him as he moved to the side board. As they went Violet and Catherine returned and Sherlock ended up pouring them all another drink.

Meanwhile Molly had spotted an old gramophone record player in the corner of the room along with half a dozen old records. Mycroft moved alongside her. 'I see you've found the family entertainment system. The long, winter nights just fly by.'

She giggled at the sarcasm and he helped her get the player started so she could put on one of the records. It was an old Viennese waltz and as it started Mycroft offered her his hand. Molly had to admit to feeling quite surprised at finding herself dancing with Mycroft but she had to say he was very good. A minute later and his parents joined them laughing as they twirled around.

'I see that you and my brother are getting on remarkably well Miss Hooper. I'm not sure even I can tell it isn't real...that's if it still isn't?'

Molly frowned at him repeating his assertion from earlier and she couldn't help but glance over to where Sherlock was chatting with his aunt. He looked up at that exact moment and caught her eye, smiling at her and she found herself returning it.

'I think that's my answer right there.'

She turned back to Mycroft. 'What? No, don't be ridiculous. You know your brother.'

'Hmm...exactly.'

It was at that point that Sherlock interrupted them. 'Mind if I cut in, after all Molly's my girl isn't she.'

Mycroft stood back and raised an eyebrow. 'Yes, she certainly is. Enjoy, brother mine.' He walked back over to his aunt as Sherlock took over, holding Molly closer to him than Mycroft had. She had to admit that she by far preferred dancing with the younger brother. Mycroft was very technically correct but Sherlock brought more feeling to his dancing which surprised her. In fact dancing with him at all both surprised her and turned her on.

'I never expected you to be dancing.'

He rolled his eyes and his smile widened. 'Why ever not? I love to dance, though not many people know that.' At that he spun and dipped her, smirking at her shriek of shock, before kissing her once more.

Molly loved kissing him more than anything else in the world. She clung to him knowing he was the only thing holding her up at that moment but she felt secure in his arms. The kiss deepened until Molly heard his mother still dancing a couple of feet away. 'Oh Sigur, it's just like us when we first got together. So beautiful.'

Sherlock brought her back up and when she looked at his face his eyes were fully dilated and he had a flush on his cheeks that she didn't normally see. He took her hand and looked around at the others. 'I think we're going to turn in. We'll see you in the morning.'

The others bid them good night as he led her from the room but her last image was of Mycroft leaning against the fireplace with a slight frown on his face and she wondered what he could possibly be concerned about.

She forgot almost the moment they left the room as she suddenly started to realise that she would be sharing a bed with Sherlock and not only that she was feeling more than a little light-headed and very horny. She groaned at the thought and Sherlock turned to her with such a look on his face that with anyone else she knew she'd be in for one hell of a night...but this was still Sherlock and this was all still fake.

It didn't help that as they reached the top of the stairs and started down the corridor to their room Sherlock pushed her against the wall and started to kiss her again. This time his hands were on her hips and she could feel his fingers digging into her skin pulling her against him, not only that but she could feel his arousal as he ground himself against her. For the first time she really understood that he was being affected by her, by their activities and it sent a spike of lust through her body.

His tongue was in her mouth and one of his hands started to pull the material of her dress up and all Molly could think about was how badly she wanted him, her own hands under his jacket pulling on his shirt until she could feel his hot skin under her fingers.

There was a discreet cough off to their right and Molly could have wept as Sherlock pulled away from her. It was the butler.

'Is there anything else I can get for you tonight sir...madam?'

She saw Sherlock take a breath before shaking his head. 'No, thanks Graves, we'll be fine. Come on Molly.'

He took her hand once more and this time they made it to the bedroom without stopping. Molly could only assume that Sherlock had seen the old man and had therefore put on a performance for him and she felt her heart sink. Just for a moment there she had felt that they were on the verge of something.

Before I comment on anything else can I just clarify that I don't share Lady C's views…it just seemed like a view she'd take…duty over love and all that.

Meanwhile back to our pair of lovers do you want them to do the dirty or not?