Enola POV, Autumn 1889
Two days later Enola was dragging Julia and a leather suitcase through the streets of East London towards Stepney station.
"Miss Holmes! Enola!" her raven-haired governess called, trying to get her attention, "It is not proper for a lady to run."
"It is if that lady is going to miss her train." Enola argued back, slowing slightly only because Julia was not yet accustomed to such vigorous exercise.
Tewkesbury had gotten word to her that they were to meet at Basilwether Hall in time to catch the 1 o'clock train to Edinburgh, and to get there on time, they could not miss this train. Usually, Enola would not break one of Julia's rules so flagrantly in front of her - lest word gets back to the dowager marchioness, or worse Mycroft – but she would not let them get in the way of her work. She wouldn't let it get in the way of saving a girl's life.
Five minutes later they were dashing onto the train as it blew the final horn, grateful that there seemed to be very few passengers. When they found a seat in the carriage, Enola watched Julia, over the top of her book, set about fixing her dishevelled appearance in a tiny mirror. When she held out the mirror to Enola, her response was to pretend to be engrossed in the book. Rather a more difficult task than expected as the small volume was going into extensive detail about the history of the noble families of the highlands, but anything was betting than being forced to redo her mussed hair, knowing that she was going to spend hours on a train.
'Hours on a train, with Tewkesbury and an overzealous chaperone.' Enola thought to herself, with dread. The idea of having to sit still and make polite conversation was positively awful. Stillness was not a gift she had been bestowed at the best of times, but the adrenaline of a case to solve and the strange feelings Tewkesbury had agitated within her made the task almost impossible.
"Lady Davenport, Miss Holmes," one of Basilwether Halls's coachmen said welcomingly as they were disembarked, "Let me take your bags."
"Thank you." The women said in unison and nodded politely towards the steward. Though it took a sharp look from Julia to get Enola to let him help her. Enola wasn't ignorant of the fact that in less than a year, she would be Marchioness Basilwether and would need to allow the servants of Basilwether their employment, but she was also keen to set in stone that she didn't need help.
Soon they were driving down the long driveway to Basilwether Hall, through the large gardens that Enola knew Tewkesbury would love to spend all his time in. He startled her by beating the coachman to the door of the carriage to help her down.
"Miss Holmes, Lady Davenport," He chimed in much the same way as the coachman, "How lovely to see you both."
"You say that as if you weren't expecting us, Tewkesbury." Enola teased, gaining yet another sharp look from Julia.
Tewkey looked every part the handsome lord he was renowned for being. He was dressed smartly in his standard day wear - including a coat and top hat - and was sporting his signature charming smile. If Enola had been the sort to get butterflies in her stomach or tingles in her extremities, that combination of charming smile and dark eyes would have done it.
"My Lord," Mr James remarked toward Tewkesbury, breaking Enola's concentration on his eyes, "Best we get going soon if we want to catch the 1 o'clock train."
'Julia would love this man's hatred for tardiness', Enola thought to herself, trying not to laugh.
"Right you are, James," Tewkey declared, clearly trying to hide his exasperation, "Ladies." He smiled as he gestured towards the carriage.