Author's note: Thanks for your lovely reviews, dear readers. It definitely makes me want to churn the chapters out faster LOL. Eve, it was good to hear from you again, and I hope you'll join the site (if you have not done so already) so I can thank you properly via pm!
The big moment has arrived! Read on...
As Sherlock held her hand in his, Molly could not help feeling hopeful for the future. She had been so terrified a short time earlier when that vile sailor had been trying to force himself upon her. When Sherlock had kissed her however, she had thrilled at the sensations which rippled through her body at his touch. From the moment their lips met, she understood that this was true love. He was the man of her dreams and she loved him, even though he did not love her. She understood however, that he held an attraction for her as he had said, and that was enough for now. She really disliked intensely the fact that he was being forced into this situation, but it seemed he was resigned to it and determined.
"Well, are you ready to begin?" asked Captain Lestrade, looking at the couple standing before him. "I will need your full names, so that I can fill out the documents correctly to register your marriage once we return to Dover, and of course to perform the ceremony itself."
"My name is Molly Enid Hooper," she informed him shyly. "I am the daughter of the late Lord Gerald Hooper."
"And mine is William Sherlock Scott Holmes," responded Sherlock, with a quick glance at Molly.
Interesting, thought Molly. His first name isn't even Sherlock.
The couple stood before Captain Lestrade, and he performed a short marriage ceremony. There was very little to it besides repeating vows and the exchange of rings. The captain seemed quite surprised when Molly gave Sherlock his own ring for his left hand, but he made no comment.
Molly was a little disappointed. She had always dreamed of reciting her vows in a church in front of her parents and friends. Realistically, though, this would not have happened now that both her parents were deceased, and she really had not kept in touch with her friends from her school days in the schoolroom, nor the academy she had attended for young ladies. Any wedding guests would therefore most likely have been friends of her parents, rather than her own. She was really saddened more by the idea of not marrying in a church, which was a holy place, and to feel their union was blessed by God. But she consoled herself with the fact that God was everywhere anyway, and where the ceremony took place was not really of consequence. In time, she hoped that eventually the love she bore for Sherlock would be reciprocated.
Molly looked down at the ring on her finger. Surprisingly, it was quite a good fit. It was hard to believe she was married, though. Suddenly, she realised the captain had said something, and Sherlock was lifting her face to his and placing a gentle kiss upon her lips. Sensation immediately washed over her once again, but the kiss was over almost as soon as it began.
"Right then, I think I'll go back to my normal duties now," commented Lestrade with a smile, before taking his leave.
John lingered for a few moments longer. "You've done the right thing, mate. I'm proud of you. Should I go downstairs and have a word to Mrs. Hudson about preparing a tray for you for dinner? I can make the announcement of your marriage to the crewmen. That sailor is sure to have already revealed that another woman is aboard."
Molly could see that Sherlock was contemplating the idea by the way he pursed his lips in thought. Then he spoke. "No, John. I must be the one to do so. Instead of waiting till tomorrow, I think Molly and I need to go downstairs and reveal immediately that we are married. We must think of a reasonable premise for why she was on the ship in the first place."
"Perhaps you could say that we met and immediately fell in love at the inn, but my stepmother...did not want us to be together, so I came aboard with you to escape her?" suggested Molly shyly. It wasn't that far from the truth, she thought. After all she had been trying to escape her stepmother, and she knew now that she had fallen in love with Sherlock the moment she had met him.
Sherlock considered her words, then nodded. "I think that would be acceptable. Let us go and get this over with." He turned to his friend. "John, do you wish to accompany us?"
"Hell yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world," declared John, who immediately added, "Begging your pardon, Lady Holmes, for my use of such language."
Molly thrilled at his words, not the "hell" part of course, but the way he had called her Lady Holmes. Nevertheless, she could not have him use her new title that way. Instead she said, "That's quite all right, and please just continue to call me Molly. There is no need for formality."
They went downstairs to the mess hall where most of the sailors spent their leisure time. When they entered, a strange, rather expectant hush fell over the room.
Molly could see several men looking at her curiously, now that her hair was no longer hidden by the cap. Her eyes were drawn to the man who had assaulted her. His nose was swollen, and there was a belligerent look in his eyes which frightened her.
Sherlock cleared his throat. "I need everyone's attention," he said loudly in an authoritative voice. "I am here to inform you all about something very important. I expect you have heard by now there is a woman aboard besides my cook."
Molly noticed that Sherlock's eyes drifted towards the man he had punched earlier, who was now glaring at him in remembrance. "I will not go into details, but suffice to say that I brought the young lady aboard in disguise so we could be together away from her stepmother, who objected to a romantic liaison between us. Captain Lestrade has done the honours of uniting us in holy matrimony, and she is now my wife. Therefore, in future you will refer to her as Lady Holmes and accord her the respect she is due." He glanced around the room, and his lips thinned. "If anyone attempts to lay a finger on her," here he gave a very telling glare at the sailor who had earlier accosted Molly, "I shall have them tied to one of the masts and whipped. Do I make myself clear?"
There were general murmurs of agreement and a few, "Yes, Lord Holmes," answers. Molly noted that most of the men seemed respectful, although a few, including the one from earlier, had sulky or resentful expressions on their faces. She slipped her hand into Sherlock's and he gave her a gentle smile which reassured her.
From behind them came an exclamation. "Sherlock, why did you not tell me about this earlier? We must see that the poor child gets some women's clothes to wear. Fortunately, I always come prepared with extra." Molly and Sherlock turned as one to see that Mrs. Hudson had entered the mess hall. Her face was wreathed in smiles, and the way in which she had addressed Sherlock by name made Molly feel certain she thought of him as more than her master. Undoubtedly she had been in his employ for many years.
As chatter began again between the men in the mess hall, Sherlock said to the older woman, "It has all been rather sudden, but I knew you would be able to take care of Molly. Will you help her find something to wear and then come upstairs together to my cabin? John and I have some things to discuss."
"Of course, dear boy. I already have a tray ready for you, so you can take it upstairs with you. And may I offer my congratulations to you." She clasped her hands together in delight. "I never would have thought of you as the marrying kind – you seemed so determined to remain a bachelor, and it has been such a source of sadness for me." Then she looked at Molly. "Come with me, young lady and tell me all about it." Molly cast a nervous glance at Sherlock who nodded at her. What an earth was she going to tell the woman? It would certainly burst the elderly woman's bubble if she said he had only married her to protect her. Perhaps Mrs. Hudson wouldn't ask too many questions. In any case, she could be truthful about her own feelings.
Sherlock and John left the mess hall with the tray of food and headed upstairs, while Molly followed Mrs. Hudson to her cabin.
"So, tell me all about it, dear," said Mrs. Hudson, raising an eyebrow as they entered her cabin. "How was it you were able to capture his heart when nobody has been able to do so in the past?"
Molly gulped. This was going to be tricky. "There's not much to tell really. We have only known each other for a few days, after all." She offered the elderly woman a shy smile. "But I can tell you I love him with all my heart, have done so from the moment we met. He is a good, honourable man." That was the truth at least, she thought.
To Molly's relief, she realised that Mrs. Hudson was more concerned with unpacking her trunk than really listening intently to Molly's words.
"Aha," said the elderly woman triumphantly. "I knew this was in here." She pulled out a long white nightgown from her trunk, then gave Molly an appraising look. "We look to be around the same height. Mind you, when I was younger I was three inches taller than I am now. I always pack several nightgowns, and I think this one would suit you well when you are just sitting in your cabin. I know it will be more comfortable than those britches you are wearing now." She gave said garment a rather disparaging look, then winked at Molly. "Besides, you want to look pretty for your husband, don't you?"
"Of course," Molly murmured, blushing slightly. The nightgown was actually surprisingly very feminine, not at all what she would have expected from an elderly woman. The sleeves were lace edged as was the collar, which had buttons that went as far down as the chest area of the garment. And the material looked very soft.
Mrs. Hudson rummaged through her trunk some more, producing two gowns. "You can have these," she offered. "I don't even know why I brought them along. I definitely have no use for them in the kitchen, they would be ruined." One was of a navy blue colour, and the other was grey. Neither was elaborate, and the gowns were definitely more suitable for an older woman, but Molly was just grateful that she would be able to dress as a woman once more. She was good at sewing, and could probably alter the high necklines to make them a little lower and more fashionable for a younger woman to wear - not that she really expected Sherlock to notice what she was wearing.
Once more, Mrs. Hudson returned to the trunk, finally pulling out what seemed to be a sleeveless dress in a burgundy colour with some gold embroidery on the front, as well as a long sleeved burgundy coloured blouse which was presumably to be worn beneath the rather low-cut dress. Molly had never seen anything like it. "That's beautiful," she breathed.
Mrs. Hudson smiled. "It is, is it not? I received it as a gift several years ago from a foreign gentleman who was trying to court me. I take it with me everywhere, but I have never worn it, because I feel it is too young for me. I suppose it is rather providential that I packed it out of sentimentality. You may have it with my blessing."
"Thank you!" exclaimed Molly, fingering the sleeves of the blouse reverently. "Would you...would you mind if I put it on now?" she asked hesitantly.
Mrs. Hudson gave her a shrewd look. "Of course you may, dear. It is your wedding night, after all. No doubt you would like to look your best, or at least somewhat more femininely attired for your husband."
Molly could not help the blush that rose in her cheeks. Would Sherlock even want to be with her in that way? The thought of making love with him though filled her with excitement and anticipation. She was sure it would be wonderful to be intimate with him, unlike with that horrible sailor. Then she remembered his words about hating women. Perhaps their earlier encounter had just been due to the intensity of their emotions after her narrow escape from that sailor.
Mrs. Hudson helped her into the gown, and for the first time in days, Molly felt pretty. The blouse was quite wide at the neckline and it pulled down so that her shoulders were exposed.
The older lady looked at her approvingly. "It is far more becoming on you than it would have been on me. I am sure Sherlock will appreciate it. Why do we not take your hair from the braid now and let it flow free? I have a scarf that matches the dress which you can put around your hair."
Molly reached her hand back to draw her plait forward."Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. I would like that very much."
Mrs. Hudson assisted Molly to undo the long plait and brush out her hair with an expensive looking silver handled hairbrush, which Mrs. Hudson explained had been a gift the previous Christmas from Sherlock. "He's a funny man, you will find, my dear. He claims to despise sentiment, yet shows it despite himself, in many ways," she told Molly, with a quirk to her lips.
She then folded the scarf so it would go around Molly's head much like a head band. The older woman looked at her in satisfaction. "I've never had a daughter of my own, and Sherlock has always been quite like a son to me. I hope you will allow me to treat you like a daughter."
Molly felt the tears come to her eyes. She dearly missed her mother, and this woman was being so kind to her, unlike her stepmother. "I would like that," she said softly.
"Now, now dear, don't be getting all sentimental on me. This is your wedding night and you should be happy. We should be getting back upstairs now anyway. I am sure your husband is anxious to see you." she pursed her lips and added, "Besides, it is getting rather late and I need my rest."
By this time it was dark outside, so Mrs. Hudson collected two lanterns for them to use, and the women gathered the garments, then made their way upstairs to Sherlock's cabin.
Mrs. Hudson knocked on the door and then opened it, not waiting for a reply. "Here you are, Sherlock," she said brightly. "I've brought your wife back safe and sound, and she has some clothes to wear."
Sherlock had stood as the women entered, and he gave Molly an assessing look. Molly felt his glance was appreciative, at least she hoped so. John was nowhere in sight, so the men had presumably finished their conversation. "A decided improvement," he proclaimed, as a smile crossed his sensual lips. "Mrs. Hudson, if you would be so kind as to put the clothes in the wardrobe, I would be most grateful," he said to the elderly woman.
She nodded and went immediately to the wardrobe to hang the new garments as Molly continued to stand shyly just inside the door with her lantern. Mrs. Hudson had already deposited hers on the table. Sherlock walked to Molly, took the lantern from her and set it down, then raised her hand to his lips, before murmuring, "You changed your hair - it's good. It suits you better this way."
She blushed and then looked at Sherlock properly. He had also changed while she had been gone, and was now wearing a white shirt with long, wide sleeves beneath a brown vest with matching trousers. There was some sort of gold sash around his waist which gave him a rather raffish look. He looks like a foppish gentleman, though a very handsome one at that, she thought, remembering that he had said he was trying to catch a notorious pirate. "Y...you changed your clothes," she ventured hesitantly.
"Indeed," he affirmed. "I was asking John's opinion as to whether I looked enough like an ignorant, self-important nobleman to fool Moriarty when we meet. We should be encountering him soon, all being well."
Molly couldn't help an involuntary shudder, and Sherlock squeezed her hand, which he had not relinquished. "I will look after you, Molly." Her fear subsided somewhat as he looked at her with an intense expression. I want you to kiss me again, she thought silently, and it seemed he was thinking the same thing as he leaned in towards her.
"All done," Mrs. Hudson proclaimed, breaking into their reverie and Molly blinked, coming back to herself.
"Thank you, Mrs. Hudson," Sherlock said smoothly, and it was as if that moment had not happened between them, but had nearly been a figment of her own imagination, thinking that he might be about to kiss her.
"Would you like me to have someone bring up breakfast for you and your wife in the morning?" Mrs. Hudson asked with a look that showed she expected the couple to not be in any state to want to leave their cabin the following morning.
"Fine, fine," said Sherlock dismissively, with a wave of his hand, and Mrs. Hudson left the cabin with a smug smile, taking her lantern with her.
Molly gave Sherlock a nervous look. Now what? To her surprise, he seemed to sense her discomfort. "Molly, would you like to take another walk on the deck after we eat our dinner? It is late enough now that nobody should be about, and perhaps we can just talk. After all, we do have a lantern." He gestured at the lantern she had brought in with her.
"Thank you, Sherlock. I would like that," she responded, peeking at him from beneath her lashes. Perhaps he will kiss me again during our walk, she thought hopefully, following him to the table on which the food had been placed.
They sat down together and ate the modest fare quietly. Afterwards, Sherlock picked up the lantern and together, they exited the cabin.
Author's note 2: So, Sherlock and Molly are married. What do you think will happen next? Will Sherlock be overwhelmed by passion for her and sweep her off to the bedroom to consummate the marriage immediately?
Did you enjoy the way he informed the crewmen of their marriage? What did you think of Molly's interaction with Mrs. Hudson? I love showing that dear, elderly woman as being motherly. Who caught the little bit of canon from season one, episode two of Sherlock? I couldn't resist!
If you took note of the title cover for this story, you may have noticed that the clothes they are wearing now are the ones from that picture. It will also give you a clue about the next chapter. Are you looking forward to it?