by SwordSkill
Author's Notes: none yet, only R/R!
Irene
"Mr. Holmes."
Mrs. Irene Norton stepped out from behind the shed, revealing her whole self. She wore a white evening dress reserved for special occasions and her long dark hair was tied up in a fashionable way that we men do not comprehend. Under the moonlight, she truly was dazzling, and I understood perfectly why the King of Bohemia had once desired her.
Holmes, on the other hand, was completely unfazed by this portrayal of beauty.
"Mrs. Norton, before you state you case," he said coolly, "might I ask why we had to meet in such clandestine a way?" Then he lifted an eyebrow. "Keeping you from the grand ball in the Opera house, are we not?"
Mrs. Norton looked furtively around and said, "Yes, I have just come from the ball, and excused myself from Godfrey for a while." In a low voice she continued, "I do not mean any wrong to my husband Godfrey, but I would wish that no one know of this meeting." To this, she shot me a suspicious glance.
Holmes saw this and he said, "Ah, Mrs. Norton, you have not met John Watson, a faithful friend of mine." He gave a little chuckle and said, "He played a role in the affair with King Wilhelm von Ormstein, but rest assured he is very much to be trusted."
"Mrs Norton." I tipped my hat.
She acknowledged me with a nod. She hesitated, then turned to Holmes."Mr. Holmes, you remember the last time we saw each other."
"I find it hard to forget."
"I apologize if I have hurt any wrong nerves, but you must understand that I had to do what I knew was right, and I was not to be told any difference." There was a fiery spark in her eyes.
"Oh, Mrs. Norton." Holmes waved his hand indifferently. "Surely you must not think I keep any grudge against you. I bear no emotion. Have no fear."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Holmes." She paused and said, "You must understand I preferred not to meet you at your lodgings for fear of being followed."
"Followed? Ah, we have enemies, then." Holmes rubbed his hands.
"No definite enemies yet." She shot me another suspicious look and said, "I did rather wish to converse with you in private, Mr. Holmes."
I quickly turned my heels to leave, but Holmes instantly straightened and said quite stiffly, "Watson, stop. Mrs. Norton, either Watson hears it with me, or no one shall."
Irene Norton looked condescendingly at me and said, "Very well, if that is your policy. I trust your judgment, Sherlock Holmes."
"That is a wise thing to do."
Irene chose to ignore the rather sardonic comment and began, "Mr. Holmes, you know my husband Godfrey Norton. He is a lawyer, and a very good one at that.
"I've heard of him."
"We have been living rather peacefully after the scandal with the King, and we even had a son by the name of Godwin."
Holmes did not respond.
"Well, working in political science can reward you some enemies, and I'm afraid Godfrey had gone and just done so."
"How so?"
"Our house has been broken into, Mr. Holmes."
"Hm-mm."
"We were burgled of some heirlooms and were left with numerous threatening letters."
"Ah." A hint of interest mixed in Holmes's voice. "And you suspect that these letters were goaded with Mr. Norton's law activities."
"It's only a theory." Irene Norton shook her head. "I don't believe that Godfrey has made any enemies other than his being a lawyer."
"Any suspects you may consider?"
"Not really."
Holmes paused his interrogation and Irene dove in. "Will you take the case of finding the proprietor of this injustice?"
Holmes must have thought the matter to be too trifling for his time for he said, "You have not considered to call upon Scotland Yard?"
Irene gave a laugh and said, "Well, the police has a very certain way of probing that makes Godfrey and I rather uncomfortable."
"I cannot guarantee you a pleasant sleuthing."
"Is that an affirmative, Sherlock Holmes?"
He shook his head. "Would you mind if we call upon you tomorrow morning to see how things are in your house?"
Irene smiled. "I'd be delighted." She told us the street where she lived.
"Very well, expect us at precisely ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
"You will, of course, take the case."
Holmes and I were quietly riding back to Baker Street.
"It's all too simple," he said, not answering my question.
"Surely you're not thinking of turning Mrs. Norton down because of its simplicity?"
"My dear Watson, perish the thought." Holmes faced me squarely and said, "It is precisely its simplicity that intrigues me. There's something strange about all of this."
He offered no explanation.
I persisted. "Holmes. You haven't said a word about Mrs. Norton."
He gave me a curious look. "Mrs. Norton? Why on earth should I?"
"Well, usually after you are offered a case, you verbally think it over and do that kind of sort," I said cautiously.
"In this case, it's different." Holmes took a pause before saying, "She is rather lovely, isn't she?"
I could hardly believe my ears! Here was my cold and callous friend talking about how lovely the lady was. Theat Irene was truly amazing!
"Why, yes," I said hurriedly, not to lose the thread of conversation. "Although I'm inclined not to think about it too much."
Holmes gave a ringing laugh. "I told you that marrying has a number of down sides."
I chuckled. I loved Mary more than anything. She had nothing to fear.
The next morning, I arrived briskly at Holmes's door and knocked.
"Ah, Watson. Your presence is very much appreciated!" Holmes banged the door open.
We were quickly cabbied to Mrs. Norton's house. As Holmes and I alighted, we saw a dark, aquiline man with a short moustache come out of the door and walk across the road.
"Ah, the master of the house, I presume," I heard Holmes say as he reached for the door.
"Remarkably handsome," I commented. "A perfect match for Mrs. Norton, wouldn't you think so, Holmes?"
"I have no comment whatsoever," was his reply.
I was left puzzled.
After Holmes rang, the door was quickly opened by a maid.
"Yes, who is it?" she inquired.
"Mr. Watson and Mr. Holmes, if you please," said Holmes. "Is Mrs. Norton in?"
"Oh yes, she's expecting you. Come this way, please."
We were shown in to the parlor.
Irene Norton sat on a sofa, looking very nervous. When she saw us, she rose up and said, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Mr. John Watson, I thank you very much for coming. Do sit down."
"You look rather out of the weather, Mrs. Norton," said Holmes absently, seating himself on an armchair, his eyes wandering around the room. I quietly sat down on a divan.
"Oh, well, I'm rather afraid for the sake my husband," said Mrs. Norton, resuming her seat.
"Burgled again?"
"Thank goodness, no," said Mrs. Norton, permitting a smile. "I'm just worried of him going to a work with potential enemies. Wouldn't you be frightened for your spouse's sake, Mr. Holmes?"
Holmes gave a quick laugh. "That area is not my specialty, Mrs. Norton."
Mrs. Norton looked surprised. "You are not married?"
Holmes raised his hand. "I'm afraid we've run out of the topic."
This seemed strange to me, for Holmes always grabs an opportunity to battle the principle of marriage.
"Oh, excuse me," said Mrs. Norton.
Holmes took this moment to rub his hands and eye Mrs. Norton."If you wouldn't mind, Mrs. Norton, I'd like a look at the letters now, please."
"Of course."