A Broken Engagement, Chapter 4.

A week later, in Bath.

Sherlock had only stayed two more days with the Lestrades after their return from Lyme, before rejoining the rest of the Holmeses in Bath. In that time the news from Lyme was much the same. Mary had opened her eyes but was still very weak and spent most of the time sleeping. Charles had taken the old nursery maid down to Lyme to nurse Mary and brought back Elizabeth, and affairs at Morstan House were as close to normal as could be expected under the circumstances.

It was rather odd then for Sherlock to arrive at Camden Place in Bath and be reunited with his mother, father and Mycroft, to find that they had only little interest in what had happened at Lyme. They were much more interested in their evening card parties and social connections and the latest news – that the Watsons were in Bath. Sherlock was delegated to go pay the family's respects and to invite them to an evening party. The visit was duly paid, and Sherlock breathed a sigh of relief only to meet with Harry and Clara Watson. John had not yet joined them, although they said he was expected any day.

The next arrivals in Bath were the Lestrades, and they brought interesting news not only of Mary Morstan but also of Captain Murray. Apparently he had been invited to join them in Bath and at first had accepted but then there was talk of being "completely misunderstood" and with one thing and another the end result was that he did not mean to come.

Greg interrupted his wife at that point. "Don't be ridiculous, you know how it really was. He wanted to see Sherlock, thinking that he was staying with us in Bath as well. When he found out that Sherlock was with his own family and not with us, he suddenly lost interest in the trip!"

Mrs Lestrade huffed and puffed, but could not deny it. She merely sniffed and added, "He only lost his fiancée six months ago. If he feels able to move on already, I think his heart is not worth having. Besides, Mr Holmes, it is not as if he talks of you."

"No, that is true," admitted Greg. "But he carries on about violin music, and he was never interested in it before." Greg shrugged as if to say make of it what you will.

The subject then shifted to Captain Watson. Mrs Lestrade informed them all that his spirits were still very low, but recovering as Mary was now able to sit up. Once he was assured of her well-being, he had gone off to Plymouth on navy business and left her to rest.

Lady Holmes then hurried forward to inform the party of some other new acquaintance in Bath. A certain Mrs Irene Adler was being much fêted about the place, and apparently she had been seen to be paying particular attention to Mycroft. She was a wealthy widow and Mycroft was preening under the attention, finally, which as the heir he had long felt he deserved.

Mycroft was very pleased with Bath. Their house in Camden Place was one of the best on the street, his acquaintance was very sought-after and he was making connections and even turning away the cards of people seeking introductions. It was all very satisfactory. Most importantly, Mycroft was being courted by Mrs Adler. She had been in Bath a fortnight and had spent most of that time with Mycroft. She had called, dined with them and generally made herself pleasing not only to Mycroft but also to Lady Holmes and Sir Siger. None of them could find a fault in her, and the rumour of her personal wealth made Sir Siger positively rub his hands with anticipation.

Sherlock was struck with the suddenness of Mrs Adler's appearance in their lives, but as Mycroft seemed to have no objections or hesitations, he shrugged it off. Unlikely as it seemed, perhaps she was genuinely attracted to Mycroft? Either that or his title, Sherlock could not bring himself to care.

Even as they were discussing the various people of Bath, there was a knock at the door. Sherlock was surprised, as it was ten o'clock at night. Were they in the habit of entertaining so late? Lady Holmes giggled and Mycroft blushed, and Sherlock easily deduced that they were expecting Mrs Adler to pay her respects.

Another moment and the woman herself was before them. It was indeed the same lady Sherlock had seen so briefly at Lyme. She swept elegantly into the room, apologizing for the lateness of the hour, but she knew they would excuse her intrusion, etc. She came, apparently, to make sure Lady Holmes had taken no cold from being caught in the rain the day before. Lady Holmes assured Mrs Adler that she was perfectly well, with a smile which said that they both knew that was the excuse and not the reason for her call.

Sherlock had stayed in the shadows by the fireplace initially, until Lady Holmes then asked leave to introduce her younger son and drew him forward. Mrs Adler started somewhat on seeing him, but then smiled and was clearly pleased to make the acquaintance of the mysterious stranger she had so admired at Lyme. With the most perfect poise she begged to be claimed as an acquaintance already and made several pretty speeches alluding to the beauties of Lyme. Her manner was so pleasing, so open, so attentive that Sherlock could only think of one other person whose manners he liked so well. Their styles were not at all similar, naturally, but perhaps both did equally well.

Mrs Adler sat down on the chaise next to Sherlock and made some further allusions to Lyme. She wanted to hear of Sherlock's travels, his impressions of the place and of course, once she heard about the accident nothing would do but for her to have all the details in her possession. By the time the clock struck eleven, they were all amazed that the time had passed so quickly and so pleasantly. Mrs Adler made her goodbyes, promised to visit again the next day and departed leaving all the Holmeses well satisfied with her performance.

..oOo..

The following week only improved their knowledge of each other. Mrs Adler visited every day, and was uniformly charming. Every conversation showed her to be educated, attentive and to have well thought-out opinions. Her manners were elegant, her dress always correct in every detail and she was always considerate as to what would best please Lady Holmes, her ostensible hostess.

Whenever Mrs Adler sat with Sherlock, they spoke of Lyme. She recollected her surprise at first seeing Sherlock and how struck she was by his face and figure. Sherlock recalled her stare, and of course that brought to mind the gaze of another person who was not so well pleased to see Mrs Adler looking at him.

Mrs Adler was once again lamenting that she had not inquired at the inn as to the names of the lively company next door, or that she had not requested an introduction. "For you all sounded such a jovial company I would have loved to join you, but I was so focused on my journey. Never mind, we are now acquainted and I find you all and the Lestrades such good company."

Sherlock raised one eyebrow. "You find Mrs Lestrade good company? I must beg to differ. My idea of good company is that of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation."

Mrs Adler laughed. "You are mistaken then. That is not good company, that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education and manners, and with regard to education it is not very demanding. Birth and good manners are essential. A little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good company, on the contrary it will do very well!"

Sherlock laughed and turned the subject.

..oOo..

Sherlock had one other acquaintance in Bath to visit. His old boarding school landlady was now a widow and living permanently in Bath due to her declining health. Mrs Hudson's arthritis was bothering her to such an extent that she was no longer able to move freely about the town. Her husband had been a criminal and by the time of his death their financial affairs were very involved, leaving her with almost nothing to live upon. She had come to Bath for the healing waters and found herself almost completely excluded from society and living in small lodgings unable to afford even a servant to attend her. Her only contact with the outside world was via a certain Nurse Rooke, who brought gossip and news from the streets of Bath and who also took Mrs Hudson's little handcrafts and sold them to the wealthy women she nursed on other days.

Sherlock was amazed at her cheerful fortitude in the midst of most distressing circumstances. Mrs Hudson had been independent and now it was all gone and she was effectively crippled, yet she was very rarely subject to lowness of spirits. Sherlock was all admiration, and a little shamefaced at how quickly he had let himself go after John had gone back to sea. He resolved to give up the laudanum and to follow Mrs Hudson's example.

..oOo..

Sherlock returned to Camden Place to find that Mrs Adler had called in his absence and been disappointed to find him gone. On hearing that he was visiting a sick Mrs Hudson, she had been all praise and admiration of his dutiful visits. Mycroft was forgotten, Mrs Adler's admiration was all for Sherlock. Lady Holmes was all a-flutter, being equally well pleased to see either son of hers well married. She spoke incautiously of these hopes directly to Sherlock, who wasted no time in pouring cold water on the whole idea.

"We should not suit," he said shortly. He turned and walked away from his mother towards the window. Mrs Adler was certainly agreeable, mannerly and all that was genteel. But Sherlock could only ever see himself married to one person and until he was lost forever in marriage to another, Sherlock must always yearn after him.