Do you feel endangered by your husband's work, or that of your brother-in-law? Do you ever fear that a vengeful criminal might attempt to get revenge on either of them through hurting you?

- S.E.

I will admit there have been periods of time when I've been a bit anxious about that sort of thing, but I do have faith in Whitehall to handle situations such as that. Sherlock and Watson also keep an eye and an ear on their old enemies when they are no longer in prison. I believe Mycroft worries more than I do about it, however.

How did you and Mycroft fall into love? He like his brother seems to be a proud man and one not likely to express feeling easily.

Yours, D.M.

In short, at a moderate pace. He still is rather stiff-lipped about anything concerning emotions and our romance is hardly one out of a passionate novel, but I think we are quite well off in our marriage to one another.

I am firmly in the belief that romance like that in novels should remain on paper. There is no need for behaviour like that in a proper British society. - M.

As the 'cat is rather out of the bag', have you picked out any names for your expected son or daughter? Since the married into which you have married has rather a legacy for 'exceptional' names, do you plan on following suit?

-V.H.

I still cannot believe how quickly this got around (I have a feeling who spoke first, and she knows who she is). Our first son will be named after his father, but finding a name for a girl will be harder. I don't think Mycroft will actually allow a normal name and so I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time rooting through books in the coming months. I adore Greek names like Antigone and Hippolyta, but I'm not sure if I could use them knowing the myths behind them...

Which is the reason Electra, Pandora, and Alcmene won't even be considered. - M.

First, when you mentioned the non-existence of Sherlock's tattoo, you said that Watson would have seen it by now, to my mind it suggests Watson would have seen Sherlock shirtless at some point and I can't really think of a scenario that Sherlock would have no shirt.

My second question is why are there so many stories circulating around about Holmes and Watson together? It seems to me that people these days are unaccustomed to the deep friendship those two have, and one tends to want people to fall in love and the like.

Yours Truly, D.M.

Sherlock and Dr. Watson have lived in close proximity for quite a while, and anyone who has ever had to share a space with another of their sex knows that privacy is not always what you'd like it to be. Added to that, there's the fact that Dr. Watson acts as Sherlock's primary physician as it's terrible trying to get him to see someone else, and so between tending gashes and treating colds, it's understandable he must have seen him without a shirt at several points.

I'd attribute two things to these stories. The first is an excess of spare time (although that's an excuse for all of those stories), and the second is the fact that everyone loves a love story. Friendship is all well and good, but I don't think any of us are innocent of having thumbed through a soppy romance novel at some point.

A third reason, they are rather amusing. - M.

We've heard of the Holmeses' cousin Sherrinford, but other than him no other relations have been mentioned except in passing. Have you ever heard Mycroft or Sherlock mention either of their parents? Are they still even alive?

- V.H.

Mycroft and Sherlock very rarely talk about their parents, and Mrs. Heather Holmes (Sherrinford's wife) told me in passing that they had a bit of a rough time with their mother for the first few years of their lives. I do know their father is deceased, and while I believed their mother was for the longest time, Mycroft tells me she is not even estranged from them, she is simply overenthusiastic with her hobby of travel.

How would you react if you heard a dreadfully disgusting and utterly untrue rumour going about concerning yourself?

- R.S.

The ladylike thing to do would be to deny it and ignore it, but the practical thing to do would be to figure out who started it and have a frank discussion that would ensure it would not happen again. I am not in any way advocating blackmail, but some things need to be nipped in the bud.

I've always wondered; when is the proper time to stop addressing a boy as "Master" and begin addressing him as "Mister"?"

- F.G.

This varies, but the general consensus is that a boy becomes a "mister" around the age of sixteen to eighteen. Also, no boy over eight should be addressed as "master" by anyone but a servant (including nannies) or a teacher of any sort.

My husband reads the newspaper at the dinner table almost every night in front of the children. He says it's the only time he has to read the paper. Is it a bit rude to read at the dinner table when there are four other people sitting there?

- I.M.

It is more than bit rude; one hopes he never does it when company is over! As meals are sometimes the only time families have to sit down with one another, your children might be getting the impression he does not have time for them. If you've tried talking to him nicely about it, I suggest hiding it from him. Surely he can find another hour in the day to enjoy his reading.

This is a bit of an odd question; many people feel they make too little money, but the job I have just applied to seems to pay much more than the standard secretary's salary. It is a government institution so I am assured it is nothing unwholesome, but the pay really is more than I need. Should I actually ask them to reduce my pay, or simply not take the job on principal?

- J.J.

Although you should feel no guilt at being overpaid if it is through honesty, if you truly feel torn up about it I suggest you take the job and give the money you feel is excess to a worthy charity. It will help you feel better not only about being overpaid but because you are helping the less fortunate.

This may not be encouraging, but there is a saying that states no government worker is overpaid. Also, while the health benefits are excellent, the catch is you may end up needing to use all of them. - M.

I have seen you do get a few questions from men wanting a woman's opinion, so I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone... If you are at a small gathering at a person's house and a woman's coat or bag is draped across two chairs, is it unforgivably rude to move them onto one so that one can sit down? Or is it better to ask whose belongings they are and ask permission first?

- G.M.

It is perfectly acceptable to just move the items. As long as you are not rooting through her bag or pockets, a lady will understand and would not likely appreciated being interrupted in the middle of a conversation for permission.

Could you please tell me what your stance is on long nails? My daughter insists on growing hers out like claws and claims every girl her age does it. Since you are her age, I thought I should ask you.

- P.M.

Nails grown out a bit, and properly filed and cared for, can be a mark of distinction. Very, very long nails on the other hand look cheap and are a magnet for bacteria. Not only that, but long nails can cause runs in stockings, lace and silks, making them entirely unpractical.

elsewhere in London:

"I honestly hope Mrs. Holmes told him before this ran," Reg Janii commented, arching a dark eyebrow over the magazine. "This would be a bad way to find out."

"Use your brain, Janii," sighed Emily, working diligently even though their employer was not breathing down their necks. "He added a note beneath it, he obviously knew. I found out from Fiona, she told a lot of people. Mrs. Holmes is going to be mad at her..."

"I can't believe Holmes didn't spot it himself; I saw it after they returned from Dover. How much more obvious can morning sickness get? You don't need to be a doctor to pick up on that."

"You also have a herd of younger siblings," pointed out Dante, snatching the magazine from him to leaf through. "You know the symptoms."

"I'm actually the only one my mother birthed, the rest are adopted. I think Mother likes me least out of all of us, though..."

"I don't know why." The young woman's voice was practically dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh, how original. Speaking of my younger siblings, my sister's applying for a job here, Emily. She's new to London, you know. Fresh-faced country girl, only a few years older than you..."

"Piss off, Janii, and I mean it. You can't handle your own love life. What's she applying for?"

"Secretary in Research and Development."

She looked up from her papers, a horrified look on her face. "And you're letting her? What kind of a brother are you! There's a reason the position's been empty for two years!"

"Jacqueline has good typing skills and nerves of steel, she's perfect for the job. Makes a mean cup of coffee, too." He doubted anything R&D could produce would rattle her; their childhood had been spent on secular missionary medical work much to their mother's displeasure.

"I have a question and I hardly care if it is rude..." the Frenchman began without looking up from the magazine. "Your sister has a European name, so why do you have an Eastern one?"

Janii scowled slightly. "What do you mean, an Eastern name?"

"You never say what Reg is short for, I assumed it was something exotic."

"It's short for Reginald, you racist frog!"

Emily sighed as she continued her work, tuning the pair of them out. Reginald... Such a noble name for such a brash man. She truly did hope Mrs. Holmes had told her husband the news rather than letting him find out on his own. When Mycroft Holmes was in a bad mood, no one in the office enjoyed life for the next week.

AN: Afraid there's no bonus this week; I'm going on vacation! I think I deserve one after a year and a half of doing "The Girl". The sequel will launch next Sunday. Until then, check out the poll on my profile, get caught up on the "Girl" and "What Words Fail Of", and wonder just how the hell Mycroft Holmes is going to take impending fatherhood.