Day 2: Fake Dating/Undercover as lovers. Victorian Sherlolly. Sequel to Day 1.
"And here I am, thinking we have established a respectful relationship and a common understanding last night." Molly said, feeling annoyed. She was taking a walk with Sherlock across the lake near their hotel in Sussex after breakfast, and she was beyond disappointed.
"Why would you say such a horrible thing? We have a respectful relationship." Sherlock commented, still looking ahead.
"Yet, here you are, Mr. Holmes, asking me to pretend to be the lady you are courting." Molly said in a low voice, in order not to attract the unwanted attention of anyone around them; anyone who might notice the short gentleman with the men's attire and the feminine voice.
"Dr. Hooper, this is an essential part of the investigation." Sherlock said, matter-of-factly, still walking beside his shorter companion.
When she was sure she would not receive any coherent reply or explanation from him, Molly stopped walking abruptly and gritted her teeth, "Please do enlighten me."
Likewise, Sherlock stopped walking and turned to face Dr. Matthew Hooper. He stared down at his companion and narrowed his eyes slightly, before saying, "The suspect we are chasing is attending the ceremony held by Lord Bennett tomorrow evening in his mansion."
"So?" Molly shrugged.
"So, I cannot go by myself. I need you as a distraction." Sherlock explained.
"I beg your pardon?" Molly cried, then quickly composed herself, looking around to make sure no one was near enough to hear her.
Silently, Sherlock's eyes followed hers and once he made sure no one was near them, he continued in a gentler voice, "I did not mean this in an ill manner, pardon me. But, the truth is, a man is always less suspicious if accompanied by a lady."
"I could accompany you as Dr. Matthew Hooper." Molly argued.
"That is even more suspicious." Sherlock furrowed his eyebrows, pouting his lips in disdain, then he continued calmly, "That is why I have arranged for new accommodations in another hotel. Now each one of us has their own bedchamber and you can simply use you real name; Miss Margaret Harlan."
"Miss?" Molly repeated, confusion invading her face.
Sherlock smiled teasingly, though his smile was gentle, "Well, we cannot inform the world that you are indeed a doctor, let alone a pathologist."
Molly's first instinct was to take Sherlock's words as an offense, but a moment later she understood that he was only teasing her, and not in an unkind way. She raised one eyebrow before asking, "And how do you suggest we follow this insane plan of yours, Mr. Holmes?"
Sherlock raised his arm slightly, asking Molly to resume walking with him, "We will say that we have met in our new hotel for the first time over breakfast. I have asked you to accompany me to the ceremony and you have kindly agreed, my lady."
"And how would you disguise yourself, Mr. Holmes? You are quite famous."
"Not as famous as you imagine, my dear lady. Besides, I will introduce myself by my real name and I might do some facial disguise." Sherlock teased, glancing at her fake moustache.
"Your real name?" Molly stopped in her tracks, staring at him.
"Yes. William." Sherlock shrugged.
"Your real name is William?" Molly asked, surprise written all over her face.
"William Sherlock Scott Holmes, if you are curious. I have booked our chambers by the name of William Scott, which is legal, in case you were wondering, and Margaret Harlan, using your mother's maiden name as an extra precaution."
Molly swallowed heavily then murmured, "I was not wondering". She raised her head to look at him, and to her utter shock, she found him staring at her, waiting for her reply. He actually looked nervous, biting his lower lip, as if he was afraid she would refuse his plan and their shared adventure altogether.
Without giving it any more thought, Molly steadily said, "Alright, then. I must have lost my sanity by agreeing to this plan, but, unfortunately, I cannot find another way to get closer to our suspect."
Sherlock's face broke into a huge relieved smile. His smile was so wide that Molly found herself smiling involuntarily. A few moments passed before a sudden thought crossed her mind.
"One moment, please. How did you secure an invitation to this function?"
"You already know the answer, my dear lady." Sherlock smirked.
"THE British Government, I suppose?" Molly quirked an eyebrow, already knowing the answer.
"You suppose right."
"And what kind of disguise do you actually plan to use?"
"That will be my surprise for tonight." Sherlock winked.
And that was how Miss Margaret Harlan found herself taking the extended hand of Mr. William Scott, who was helping her out of their carriage that took them to the gates of Lord Bennett's mansion.
"You truly believe this disguise is going to be beneficial?" Molly whispered, looking at his curled hair.
"Yes, I do. Now focus, my dear lady. The game is afoot." Sherlock said, gently hooking Molly's left arm in his right arm.
"Are you ready, Miss Harlan?" Sherlock gazed at her, waiting for her answer.
"How did you know my mother's maiden name?"
"I know a lot of things about you, my dear lady. And I wish to know more." Sherlock smiled tenderly, then he gently patted her left hand that was now resting against his right arm and he repeated, "Now, are you ready?"
"Yes, Mr. Scott. I am ready." Molly responded, hoping her voice was not trembling like her left arm now was.
Confidently, they walked the long cobbled path to the mansion's wooden door, walking through the main entrance. Molly felt overwhelmed by everything and everyone around her, until the voice of the butler cut thought her haze, "Mister William Scott and Lady Margaret Harlan, from London."