This will not be update with any regularity. School starts in 11 days and I should be doing h/w but I am bored. So after nearly 3/4 of a year, here you go:
Chapter 3 – The Case?
I had been a permanent fixture in the Holmes household for almost a month and my skills at disguise, language, literature, mathematics, and detection were improving rapidly under the guidance of a master. I was not, however, improving several of my accents and I was becoming rather hopeless the further into geometry I ventured. Mary had taken over the simple task that had been set for me (Mrs. Hudson had not been in need of a maid, but had taken pity on me) and she sleep in to room I had vacated when I moved up to the guest bedroom.
It was one day shy of a month and I was visiting my mother. It was the first visit I had allowed myself since the day I kicked out Teddy. Holmes was with me, wishing to be introduced to my mother. He did, not however feel it wise that all of Society know I was living in his spare room, so he had dressed in a very un-Holmes-Like and dapper manner. Which turned out to be a very lucky thing and caused me no end of amusement.
"Mother, I don't see what you are worried about! I am basically living a double life and you are aware of it. Society loves me now, because I am so scandalous, and they have no idea where I live. Everyone who knows me as Watson's niece, think I am just that. A poor niece whose parents died."
"I don't like it. I am afr-" She was cut of by Jerkins entering the room.
"M'Lady, Miss, Sir, a guest to see the Duchess. A Lady Eldermore." Jerkins stated and withdrew, making room for said lady.
Holmes stood out of curtsey. Mother stood out of shock, looking a bit like a young child when they are caught doing something naughty. I stood quickly and turned to the women in the doorway, ready to save the day or at least my freedom from Society. Or so I thought. "Lady Eldermore! How good it is to see you! How is Lavender? I hope she is well, I haven't seen her for ages! Oh, Madame, do come in a sit down. We must have a lovely chat about all I have missed. I am sure Lavender has told you everything. You two are the best of friends even though you are mother and daughter!" I gushed. Did I mention that I hate gushing?
I ushered the Lady in, all the wile smiling happily and sneaking glares at my mother willing her to sit down. Finally, she got the message and returned to her seat. I began to gush again. "Oh, Lady Eldermore. I have missed your parties so! You must give another one soon. I would love to see everyone again. Oh! You could open the season early! That would be lovely. Oh, how awful of me I haven't introduced to my," I hesitated slightly for effect. "friend. Lady, this is Johnathon Meldon. Johnnie, this is Lady Eldermore, the mother of my dear friend Lavender, you know the one I talk about all the time?" I said this, praying that Holmes wouldn't trip me up, sure that he wouldn't.
"Ah, yes. I do remember you talking about Lavender, Kessie darling. How lovely to meet you Lady Eldermore." I almost sighed in relief. Holmes had even pick up my insinuation and played along. Oh dear, I really should have feared for my reputation, but I couldn't have possibly cared less. Mother just sat there looking mildly horrified.
"My dear Kessandra, that is exactly what I wished to speak to you about and the sole reason for my visit. Lavender is becoming bored with winter and has begged my to open the season early this year. I have relented and am planning a ball for next Friday evening."
"Oh, Dear! That soon? However will I get a dress made in time!"
"You will find a way, Kessie. You always do." Holmes said in an affectionate voice, soundly oddly similar to Teddy. I suppressed a shudder.
"I am sure you will manage something beautiful, Kessandra, you always seem to be at the height of fashion! However, Lavender has always told me you wished to be a detective." She smiled at me. I could almost feel Holmes stiffen. I plaster a fake smile across my face and didn't even dare to look at my mother.
"Well, you know how I love the Watson narratives in the Strand."
"Yes, I believe everyone knows how much you idolize that Mr. Holmes that Doyle writes about." I felt myself turn pink, and could not look at Holmes. How very awkward this all was. "That is why I knew I must come to you. Someone has sent me a note warning of a jewelry theft. It says that someone is planning to steal my large diamond necklace that night of the party. I am so very worried."
My ears perked up at this. Could it be a case? "Do you have the note?"
"Yes, actually. Right here." She handed me a badly crinkled piece of paper. I nearly cringed. No fingerprints would be found on it. "I had hoped you might be able to help me."
"I believe I might be able to, yes. Do you have the necklace with you? Oh, how exciting! I get to be a detective." I could not kept all the amusement out of my voice, but I tried very hard. She pulled out a black velvet box and handed it to me. I opened it and gasped softly. My God, It had to be the biggest diamond I had ever seen. It was a least 8 or 9 carats probably closer to 15. The thing was enormous. "Lady, if you leave it with me until the party I promise to arrive early and return it, so you may wear it that night."
She agreed and, after a few more pleasant (not at all) gushings, she departed. When she left, I slumped back into my chair. I turned to Holmes, who had one eyebrow raised. "What? I thought we could have a fake made so they, whoever they are, wouldn't steal the real thing."
"What?" he queried in return. "Several things, actually. Why on earth did you imply that I was your 'friend'?"
"Well, I had to tell her something! She has never seen you before, and I have been missing for almost two month now from this house. It is not like I have a reputation to protect and I didn't even give your real name!"
"Alright." Apparently he conceded that point. "At what time did you begin gushing and please do not do it again?"
"That, Holmes, was my Society persona. Ghastly, wasn't it?"
"Indeed."
"However, if you think that was unbearable you should be Lavender. She is terrible. The biggest gossip in London, besides her mother, of course. Therefore be the time we return to Baker Street, everyone in London will know that I have taken another lover, this time of no rank, name Johnathon, whom no one has met. And that I am no doubt living with him, as I am no longer in residence at Berwick Place."
"Just so. And lastly, for the moment, you idolize me?" He smirked faintly and quirked the eyebrow higher.
I could feel the blush creeping up my neck to my face, but I refused to allowed it. It took me a moment, but I conquered the reddening of my face. "I do not idolize you, as Lady Eldermore so graciously put it. When I was younger, I loved the Watson stories, because his Holmes…or rather you, had the life I always dreamed of, but knew I could never have. However, life has a tendency of defying all expectations and plans and here I am as your apprentice. So, no, I do not idolize you, I simply wanted to be you, up until about two month ago." I could not look him directly in the eye, so I didn't see the look of amazement and admiration that passed there very briefly.
"Ah, well…"
That, however, was when my mother recovered from her shock. "You slipped into that rolled very easily, Kessandra."
"Mother, do everyone a favor, and shut up and think a moment before you insult everyone and go accusing anyone of anything unseemly, which you undoubtedly regret later, as no here is having any unseemly affairs…that I know of."
The Duchess of Berwick actually shut her month and took a deep breath. "Kessandra, are you going to that ball?"
"Yes, actually, I was thinking both Holmes and I should go, as it would seem odd for me to go with out my new…well…you know." I looked between them helplessly. Holmes simply smirked and my mother glared at me. "I thought I might cause even more scandal by showing up in a red gown…however, that might be a bit much. Although, it might be alright if it's rose colored. Hmm. Will you have one made for me, Mother. You always seem to know just what is fashionable."
"Yes, well. At the moment, necklines are shockingly low. I was appalled at the last Gala I attended, but it is the fashionable thing. I will see to it, a rose dress and rose shoes. Mr. Holmes, would you like a new suit for this ball?"
"No, Madame. I thank you, but I believe I have the proper attire for such an event." Holmes declined gracefully, looking like he'd rather spend the next ten year in a opium-induced stupor then have to attend fittings. Which, thinking on it, was probably accurate.
My mother and I talked of the ball for another twenty minutes, while Holmes looked bored. We took our leave then, as my mother had an appointment.
As we sat in the coach on the way back to Baker Street, My mind could not calm down. I sat perfectly still, my thoughts going a mile a minute. My first real case! And I was going to see Holmes in a tuxedo! That should be very amusing.
I could not wait for ball.