Life at Baker Street became a quiet routine. Mrs. Hudson did indeed teach Katie the many intricacies of Victorian house keeping. While, normally, she would be bored to tears, Katie was currently in heaven. She had spent the last four years rigorously studying the daily life of the Victorians, and now, she was putting all that research into first-hand experience. Experimental archaeologists eat your hearts out.
Katie often wondered what Mrs. Hudson's role was: landlady or housekeeper. It turns out, she was indeed the landlady but had such a fondness for her two boys that she was happy to take on the role of a housekeeper for them on occasion. It took a couple weeks, but she was finally able to perform her cleaning duties without supervision. Cooking and prep only took a couple of days. Katie chalked it up to growing up in her family's bakery. True, a coal Victorian cooking range was a bit different, but not by much. Any mistakes she made, Mrs. Hudson attributed to her not being used to this specific stove. Katie was grateful. The last thing she needed was for her greatest ally to be suspicious, because a supposed baker's daughter couldn't bake bread properly.
Doctor Watson was always the gentleman. While Katie kept mostly out of the way, as her position as maid dictated, she ran into him at least once a day. He greeted her with a smile and kind word every time, without fail. There were instances where he seemed to seek her out. She couldn't tell if it was because he enjoyed her company or wanted to make sure she was adjusting alright.
Mr. Holmes, on the other hand, stayed aloof. The times she did come in contact with the man, she was often ignored. Whether this was because of him working on a case or his distrust of Katie, she wasn't sure. Regardless, she usually took extra pains to stay out of his way, waiting for the time the first letter would be opened.
The first major case, surprisingly, was not one of the letters.
Mrs. Hudson was tied up preparing a chicken for the next evening's dinner, so it was left to Katie to answer the door. An American cowgirl with a covered wagon was the last thing she expected.
"Is a Sherlock Holmes here?"
"Uuuhhh"
"What? You never seen a wagon before?"
"No, can't say that I have."
"Oh. Well now you have. My name's Minnie O'Malley. I need to see Sherlock right away. So, if you'll just take me to him, I'd be right obliged."
"Yes, Miss O'Malley-"
"Just Minnie, Sugar."
"Minnie. I'll take you right up. Follow me." Oh how Katie wished she could follow along on this case. Just to see how the two prim and proper gentlemen would interact with the lady in front of her.
"What's your name, Honey?"
"Katie Williams."
"Thank ya kindly, Katie." The unexpected clap on the back caused her to stumble for a second, but she righted herself quickly.
"You're welcome, Minnie." She smiled, just imagining, again, how the cowgirl's rough forwardness would be received. Minnie's open cheerfulness was refreshing. While not usually unkind, the subdued Victorian demeanor was different. It made Katie a little nostalgic for home.
"Give me a sec." She motioned for Minnie to pause at the top of the stairs.
After a quick knock, Katie stepped into the sitting room. "A Miss Minnie O'Malley to see you, Mr. Holmes." Before he could reply, Minnie was already halfway into the room.
"Nice to meetcha, Mr. Holmes. I'm sure glad to know ya." It was all Katie could do to keep the big grin off her face. Holmes was making a valiant effort to be cordial, though the rough handshake and manners were throwing him off. Watson was completely at a loss and did not look like he would be recovering any time soon. It was all too priceless.
"I'm pleased to know you as well, Miss O'Malley. You're, uh, with Bison Jack's Rodeo, I believe."
"How did ya figure that out?"
"Your, uh, costume is a bit unique in these parts."
"Well, I didn't have a chance to change into my store clothes. I came straight here from my hotel." Minnie suddenly paused as she noticed the third person in the room. "Who's he?"
"He is Doctor Watson, my esteemed friend and colleague." At the introduction, Watson seemed to be pulled out of his stupor. With another "Howdy" and firm handshake, the cowgirl appeared to have won over the gentlemen, even if she kept them off balance. Holmes' stuttering was rather endearing. Katie was right, it was great fun to watch. Oh well. Time to get back to her chores.
Usually she snuck out as introductions finished and the case began to be discussed, as was expected for a servant. Leave it to an American cowgirl to throw things off kilter.
"Ya'll have a good night now, Katie."
"You as well, Minnie." While Minnie didn't bat an eye, Holmes and Watson's necks spun so quickly she thought she heard them crack. Right… Even in America at this time, people did not generally use first names. She had let her modern casualness show, and it might cost her.
"Do you know each other, Miss O'Malley?"
"We sure do!" This just kept getting better. Watson's jaw dropped, and Holmes, well… Holmes' expression was stony at best.
Minnie, oblivious of the new atmosphere she created just continued, "We met at the front door when she let me in."
"Oh. I, uh, I see," Watson said as he pulled on his collar.
Holmes gave a quick side eye as Katie tried to quietly back out the door. "Yes, well, what can we do for you Miss O'Malley?"
"I've got a case for you, Sherlock. There's a man in my room, and I want you to get him out of there, pronto."
"Pronto? Is that his name?"
"Whatcha goin' on about, Doc?"
Even though she was almost out of the room, Katie couldn't help herself. "Quickly." Everyone turned to look at her.
"I beg your pardon."
"Pronto means quickly, Doctor Watson."
"You got it, Sugar."
"Yes, well, perhaps it's best that Miss Williams remain for the moment." Holmes gave away none of his thoughts. He either wanted her to translate or play chaperon. Katie just wanted to get away as quickly as possible after the recent heart attack Minnie caused, but something told her she would do more damage by leaving than staying. So, she stood beside the fireplace mantle trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.
"Now, Miss Minnie-"
"Just Minnie, Sherlock."
"Yes, Minnie. You say there is a gentleman in your room. Is he someone you know?"
"No way. I've never seen him before in my life."
"Now really!"
"Oh don't worry, Doc. He's dead."
"Dead?!"
"Ya, with my tomahawk lying next to him." Well, that escalated quickly. By the complete silence, it seemed to have caught the gentleman off guard (yet again) as well. Minnie sure had a talent.
"Minnie, why didn't you go to the police?"
"Sherlock, out in Texas, we call in the sheriff when we wanna make a fuss about something. I don't wanna make a fuss about this. I just wanna get the critter outta my room."
"Why don't you want to make a fuss about it?"
"I'm aiming to get myself hitched."
"Hitched?" Poor Watson. Katie felt bad for the good man. Even Holmes was trying to hide a smile this time.
"Married, Doctor Watson."
"Right again, Katie honey. And what would Freddy and his Ma, the countess, say if they found out I got a dead man in my room?"
"Freddy I assume is your fiancé."
"Yup. The Earl of Worset. Met him last week when I got tossed off a bronco. Landed in his lap." Watson's eyes grew so wide so fast that Katie thought they would pop out. She was having her own difficulties, though, as her own surprise started a coughing fit.
"You alright there, Sugar?" Watson moved to assist at Minnie's question, but Katie waved him off as the fit subsided.
"I don't believe I've heard of that title, Minnie."
"Oh, well Freddy calls it something else, too, Doc. But it's spelled W-O-R-C-E-S-T-E-R. Worset." Even in Victorian times, Americans couldn't pronounce the word. Katie almost laughed at that.
"Ah, yes, I see. Lord Worcester." Well, at least Watson could pronounce it.
"His ma would be fit to be hogtied if I got caught in any scandal."
Anticipating Watson's confusion, "Furious, Doctor Watson." Katie could have sworn she saw Holmes' mouth quirk.
"You've just gotta get this body outta my room."
"Now see here, Miss Minnie. It's illegal to move a body from a crime scene. At least here in London, though I don't know how they do it in Texas."
"Anglo-American relations are involved in this, Watson. To say nothing of chivalry."
"Now look here, Holmes. I know all about Anglo-American relations and chivalry, but just the same, I don't feel good about this."
"Doc." Evidently Minnie wasn't going to let this pass. "Maybe you better stay home tonight and leave this to me and Sherlock."
"Yes, maybe you'd better. Might turn out to be a risky business, Watson."
Watson was not going to let Holmes get away with that. "Now really, Holmes!" Katie was already at the door waiting with their coats and hats in hand. "You are going to go off and get yourself into trouble if I don't go along with you!"
No one acknowledged her as they left the room, so Katie assumed she was dismissed. Thankfully, she seemed to have just scraped by. She could only hope that nothing lasting comes from tonight's experience. At least she would have a fun story to share with Mrs. Hudson.
This chapter is based on the 1954 tv show "Sherlock Holmes", episode 4 "The Case of the Texas Cowgirl". It's not my favorite episode, but I thought it would be a cute start. Updates will continue to be sporadic as life has not slowed down for me.