This feels slightly awkward with starting in the middle of a party scene, but we'll have to deal. Keep reviewing! And thanks!

Mominator – Aw crap! I hate it when I mess up words like that! Ack! Oh well. I'll fix it eventually. And yeah, portraying Christine as dim-witted is much more funny. Hehe.

Charity – Nah, he's one of Holmes' old school associates. He had a case for him in "The Musgrave Ritual." And in case you're wondering, Victor Trevor was Holmes' closest friend before Watson, and who he had also met at school. He made his appearance in "The Gloria Scott."

And to the rest of you – Keep on reading, keep on reviewing, keep on reading, keep on reviewing . . .

Disclaimer: Need I ask?

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Chapter 3 (continued) (sorry I didn't label the previous chapter)

Angelique and Adele stood near one of the windows of the room, trying to carry a conversation without being distracted by the commotion made by everyone else.

"I see Mr. Trevor continues his attentions towards Charlotte," noted Adele.

Both girls looked over at the couple who were standing no more than five feet away. Mr. Trevor spoke in an eager and pleasant manner, which could be seen just by the motions of his hands and the expressions of his mouth and face. Charlotte appeared to return his regard warmly, but she still held some reserve in her owns expressions. Angelique sighed at this. Charlotte was such a timid girl, if only she could be a little easier around Mr. Trevor. Altogether, however, it would seem that no better couple could be found anywhere else in the world.

"I am very happy for her, Adele," she said with an unrestrained smile. It was one of those few moments in which Angelique was truly happy, and it was often for Charlotte's sake.

"Do you think she is in love with him?"

"Almost without a doubt."

"And do you think Mr. Trevor is in love with her?"

Angelique decided to look at them again, just to be sure. "Well, he certainly likes her very much. I would not be surprised if he is or should soon be in love with her."

"Then she should leave him in no doubt of her heart," said Adele, speaking in a very practical tone. "She should show more affection – not less – is she wants to secure him."

Angelique laughed. "Secure him? Why do you worry about that?"

"Mr. Trevor does not know Charlotte the way we do. They have only known each other for a week. If she wants to assure him that she is attracted to him, then she should make an effort to show it more."

"Oh, Adele, you know she is not the sort of person to do something like that. She is shy and modest."

"Then how will he know her feelings if she is reserved about them? It is all a game, Angelique, one that I know you don't care to take part in. But that is how life is. We think that when we find love, all will turn out as we want it to, one way or another. But love takes work."

Angelique shook her head. "You know you would never act that way yourself. Only a fool in love would subject themselves to such a display."

It was Adele's turn to smile. "We are all fools in love in the end. It is a part of our human nature."

Angelique sighed. She very much doubted that Charlotte would being willing to put herself through that. As far as she could see, their only hope was that Mr. Trevor would.

"In any case, Mr. Trevor does not seem to get much encouragement from his cousins," continued Adele.

"Or his friend," added Angelique in a begrudging tone.

Both of the girl's eyes found Mr. Holmes standing by himself, staring around the room in his usual, unsociable way. As they keenly watched, however, they noticed that his eyes often turned in Angel's direction. He would look her way for a moment or two, then pretend to be distracted and look somewhere else for a little while. This ritual was repeated several times during the evening, and it did not take long for Adele and Angel to detect it.

"I wonder why Mr. Holmes looks at you so much, Angel?"

Angel wondered the same herself. He could not have found her attractive, for she had heard it straight from his mouth that he did not. She could only conclude, then, that he merely stared at her with contempt. Perhaps from the way she had spoken to him at the ball.

Perhaps he is seeking his own form of revenge, she thought. Well, I can play at that game for as long as he can.

"It's a shame he should be bound to society in such a way," she mused aloud. "His presence only makes others uneasy."

Suddenly there was a disturbance. They could both hear Lottie speaking very loudly, "A ball, Colonel Dubois? Who's giving a ball? We've been longing for a ball! We would be happy to dance with all of the officers, right Rose? Oh, but if only Madeleine could play something so that we could dance with them now."

Then the redhead stormed through the crowd and approached the piano forte where Madeleine was playing one of her prized concertos. "Enough of that stuff, Madeleine! Play something we can dance to!"

"But I'm not finished!" objected Madeleine frantically. "Mama, tell her it isn't fair!"

Christine sighed. "Why don't you oblige your sisters, Madeleine? They would enjoy it more than those concertos."

A silence hung over the room. Angelique could see that Madeleine was distressed at her situation. Then the Baroness approached her.

"My dear, you will have plenty of opportunity to play your pieces," she said gently, "for no one can play as well as you. Let us just oblige them this once, shall we?"

Lottie gave Madeleine a doubtful look when the Baroness mentioned the idea that no one could play better than her. She found that very unlikely.

"Very well," grumbled Madeleine. She looked at Lottie with gritting teeth. "Although you know it gives me very little pleasure."

"Whatever you say," said Lottie in a sarcastic tone, then she quickly joined Rose, Henri, and Jules. A few more couples joined them, and soon the entire group was spinning around the room like a set of toy tops released with incredible force.

In the midst of the lively music and addition of noise, Angel and Adele spotted the Baron approaching Mr. Holmes. Angelique's interest was immediately seized and she carefully inched her way in their direction.

"Angel, what are you doing?" whispered Adele.

"Come now, Adele, you wouldn't want to miss out on another conversation with Mr. Sherlock Holmes, now would you? If you listen, you will see why I think of him as I do. Let's listen to your father, and see what the Yorkshire gentleman has to say about it."

Adele sighed and reluctantly followed Angelique as they tried to be as furtive and inconspicuous as possible. They were soon within earshot.

"Is this not a splendid party, Mr. Holmes?" said the Baron. "Nothing like dancing, eh? It is, without a doubt, one of the refinements of every polished society."

"And every unpolished society," Holmes pointed out. He did not even look in the Baron's direction.

The Baron was caught off balance. "Um, sir?"

Holmes looked out of the corner of his eye. "Every savage can dance."

The Baron's eyes widened a bit at the man's grim response, then muttered quietly, "Yes, yes," and took a few steps away.

Angelique covered her mouth as she tried not to laugh. "What did I tell you?"

Adele shook her head. "It's extraordinary. He certainly has a cynical way of looking at things."

"Poor he may not be," said Angel, turning her friend's own words around, "but miserable he most certainly is."

The two friends looked at the group of dancers again. Lottie seemed to become the center of attention for most of the officers, since a number of them were trying to have their chance to dance with her. At one point there were a few who began to playfully try to catch a part of her dress or one of the ribbons in her hair. She would manage to slip away and give an excited shriek at their attempts. Angelique could see how such a situation could go out of control.

"I should probably speak to Lottie," said Angel at last, "before she exposes herself as a source of ridicule."

She parted from Adele and smoothly made her way to the dancing area. She had to, however, slip by Mr. Holmes and the Baron first. Holmes would have probably let her go by, but the Baron had another idea.

"Ah, Mlle. Ange!" he cried as he eagerly took her arm. Although she was surprised by his move, she had no reason for averting his sudden attention. Not yet.

"Why are you not dancing, my dear?" he asked warmly. Then he turned her in the direction of Mr. Holmes. "Mr. Holmes, allow me to introduce you to this young lady as a desirable partner."

Both Holmes and Angel looked at him in surprise, and then at each other. Angelique immediately knew she had to escape. Of all the situations she could imagine finding herself in with this gentleman, this was one of the least favored.

"Please, sir," she implored, "I do not have any intention of dancing. Please don't assume I came this way to beg for a partner. I am quite all right at present."

"I would be very honored at the pleasure of dancing with you, Miss Noir," said Holmes.

This took Angel by surprise for a moment. He did not need to say that to be polite. She already knew his true opinion of her. It was almost insulting that he was trying to appear interested in her. Despite the temptation to tell him off as her initial feelings would have demanded, she politely replied, "Thank you, but I must apologize. I am not inclined to dance tonight."

"Why not, mademoiselle?" inquired the Baron. "You can see that Mr. Holmes has no objection to it, although he generally abhors the amusement so much."

"Mr. Holmes is all politeness, sir," said Angel, trying to be cheerful but still displaying her strong dislike at his offer.

"Oh, he certainly is! And who wouldn't be when they behold such beauty? Wouldn't you say so, Holmes?"

She couldn't take it anymore. The Baron's less-than-discreet hints were making her turn red, half with embarrassment, half with frustration at having to face Holmes through all of this. "I beg you to excuse me," she said quickly, then curtsied and took off into the crowd.

Although the Baron was a bit startled at this, he still managed to remain as cordial and upbeat as always. He soon left Holmes too, saying "Capital! Capital!" to everyone.

Miss Adler had been listening on the conversation without anyone else being aware of her presence. So, Holmes had actually wished to dance with the Noir girl after all. This was certainly a point of interest. Just to be sure of the situation, though, Irene decided to test him. She came up behind him and said, "I think I can guess your thoughts at this moment."

Holmes flinched ever so slightly at hearing her voice. He replied with complete calm, "I think not."

She smiled and continued, "You are thinking about how unbearable it will be to spend weeks on end in such tedious company."

"Not in the least. My mind is more agreeably engaged." Holmes could guess that Miss Adler had witnessed some of what had passed between Miss Angel and himself. He had no reason to fear what she thought, for he was sure he was in no danger. He decided to turn the tables on her.

"In fact, I've been meditating on the pleasure that only a pair of very fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can give."

Miss Adler hesitated for moment, then asked in a quieter voice, "And whose are the eyes that inspired these reflections?"

"Miss Angelique Noir's."

Irene raised her eyebrows, then peered over his shoulder at the young woman. She was not seeking the significance Holmes saw in those eyes, but she merely wished to remind herself of the poor country girl who had managed to win the cold-hearted gentleman-detective's admiration. Her only disappointment was in the fact that he was not the least bit worried about this admiration of his; there was no material to use as a teasing device at the moment. Still, the whole idea was still amusing.

"Miss Angel Noir!" she cried with a laugh. "By all astonishment!"

Then she walked away, leaving the both of them to their own thoughts. In spite of his confidence, Irene was sure she could use this admiration to goat him in some sort of way. Holmes, on the other hand, knew that all would be well and safe as long as he only let his regard for Miss Angelique reach the level of admiration, and no more.

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The Noir family was eating at the breakfast table when the post arrived. Christine could not get over the match between Mr. Trevor and Charlotte. It was simply too perfect for them, she said, and it would be a great relief to them all if a marriage should in fact come out of it. Erik was growing more and more irritated at Christine's remarks on the subject. It was all she would ever talk about.

"Just remember, Erik," said Christine when Erik informed her of his opinion, "that when you die, which will very likely be soon, your wife and daughters will be cast out of this house with no form of comfort or protection. If Mr. Trevor should decide to marry Charlotte, you will be very grateful to him."

Everyone else thanked God when the servant came in with a letter for Charlotte. She just had enough time to read the envelope and tear it open when Christine began to inquire about it.

"It is from Sherriford."

"I knew it! And who sent it?"

Charlotte quickly scanned the letter. "It is from Irene Adler."

Christine hesitated for a moment. "Oh, well, that is a good sign, too. Here, give it to me."

Charlotte did not even have a chance to read it. Christine promptly swiped it out of her hands and began to read it aloud.

"My dear Friend – mm-hmm! - Dine with Alice and me . . . la-de-da-de-daaa . . . la-daaa . . . as the gentlemen are going out to dine with the officers of Colonel Dubois' regiment. Oh, that's unlucky! Still, it will be an advantageous visit. Yours truly, Irene Adler. See there, we have made some progress!"

"May I have the carriage, Father?" asked Charlotte.

Erik didn't have a chance to answer. "What do you mean?" said Christine. "If you go in the carriage, you shall have to come back."

Charlotte looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean, Mother?"

"Look outside," she replied. "It is about to rain. If you go on horseback, you will have to spend the night. That would be of much more help to us than if you went and came back without seeing Mr. Trevor!"

Angel's jaw dropped. "Mother!"

"It is all for the best," she insisted. "And that is that."

Both Charlotte and Angel looked at their father. He only gave a slight shrug to them and drabbed his mouth with his napkin.

It started to rain soon after Charlotte left. Angelique and Erik were standing by the window as they watched the storm, and Christine just returned, soaking wet, from the garden.

"You see?" she said. "It is all exactly as I planned."

"Your powers are remarkable," said Erik in a half-facetious tone.

Angelique smiled. "Although I don't think you can be credited with making it rain, Mama."

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Charlotte did not return that night. The next morning a letter came from her from Sherriford. As it turned out, Charlotte had caught a very bad cold and was now quite ill. Angel shook her head as she read the letter, which stated that "she was just fine except for a cough and a headache and a high fever." It was too ridiculous to comprehend.

"Well, Christine," said Erik after the letter had been read to all, "if Charlotte should die of this fever, it will certainly be a comfort to know that it was in pursuit of Mr. Trevor, and under your orders."

"Nonsense!" Christine cried in a more defensive tone than usual. "People do not die of little trifling colds. And she will be well taken care of where she is."

Angel did not have as much confidence. She decided to speak up again. "Mama, I think it would be best if I went to Sherriford."

The rest of the family stared at her in disbelief. "Go to Sherriford? What on earth for? There's certainly nothing for you at Sherriford. Charlotte will be perfectly fine. It would be better for you to go with your sisters into Rouen and meet the officers."

"Yes, Angel, come with us!" said Lottie excitedly. "There are more than enough to go around."

"I think I should be there for Charlotte. I think she would really want me to be with her."

Erik looked at Angel and Christine, wondering if any of them were going to make another statement. When neither did, he put in, "I suppose, then, that I should take the hint and send for the carriage."

"Oh, no, Father, that's all right," said Angelique quickly. "It's only a three-mile walk. I'll be back in time for dinner."

"Are you serious?" exclaimed Christine. She still could not believe what she was hearing. "You'll be walking in dirt and mud from yesterday's storm! You won't be fit to be seen!"

"I'll be fit to see Charlotte," said Angel firmly. "I'm determined to do this, no matter what objections you may make. Charlotte needs me, and I will go see her."

Christine decided it was time to draw back. One could not persuade Angel from anything she wanted to do if she was stubborn enough.

"I have an idea," said Rose. "Lottie and I will take you as far as Rouen, and then you can continue on to Sherriford. We'll be in town for most of the day, anyway, so you can call back at l'Auberge De l'Arbre Bleu on your way home."

"Yes, that's good!" said Lottie."Henri is staying there, too! Let's call on him before he is dressed. Ooh, what a shock he'll get!"

Both girls began to giggle in their silly way, then made some "ah-mmmmm" sound together, which set off more giggling. Erik leaned forward, his weight on his elbow and his forehead on his fingers. "Our life holds few distinctions, my dear," he said to Christine while massaging his head, "but I think we may safely boast that here sit two of the silliest girls in the country."

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Well, there you have it. A bit shorter than last time, but I'll make the effort to get more posts up. I have some homework to do over the vacation, though, (CURSES!) so it is a question of organizing my time (which I'm not very good at). Anyway, if I don't get my chapters up as soon as you like, please forgive me. Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!