A Broken Engagement, Chapter 5.
A month later, still in Bath.
It was now the beginning of February, and Sherlock was wondering whatever had happened in Lyme with Mary, and where was John? He had heard nothing for over three weeks, and he resolved to seek out Admiral Watson and ask. Surely she must have heard something from her brother?
He called on the Watsons, and they were very welcoming and eager to share their news. Mary was well and had returned to Morstan House without incident – but their best news concerned not her health but her offer of marriage!
Sherlock steeled himself to hear the news he had been dreading for months. Was it all over then? Was it all finally settled between Mary Morstan and John?
Harry Watson was overflowing with the news, "Oh, you will never believe it! Mary had spent all that time in the care of her old nursery maid and Captain Murray, and now he has gone and made her an offer! She was inclined to accept, though of course nothing could be finally settled until her parents gave the attachment their seal of approval, but the young people were so happy and he has a very eligible fortune and isn't it all delightful?"
Clara interrupted, "I do wonder what John will say, as I know Harry thought him rather sweet on Mary at one stage, but I always said I could see nothing of it. I would hate to see a friendship such as that of John and Bill ruined over a woman."
Clara had more to say on the subject, but Sherlock was no longer listening. It was all he could do to stay upright as relief and joy flooded his body. John was free! But how had it happened? Had John given Mary up? Was that why he had gone to Portsmouth? Did it mean, could it mean that he still had feelings for… someone else? Please, let that be the case and not that Captain Murray had gone behind his back. Although, that could still be good for Sherlock, as a broken John might need comforting? No, the first way was better. Sherlock was not too proud to take John back in any case, but it would be better if he came to Sherlock because he wanted him, and not just because he had a broken heart.
He came back to himself with a start. Clara was still talking about Captain Murray, "…Only a commander and now that peace has come is not likely to be promoted soon, but he's none the worse for that. I just cannot understand how Mary, who was supposed to be so in love with John, could come to prefer Bill. He is not half the man John is, but I suppose after all those weeks together as she recovered from her head injury… Poor John, now he will have to start all over again with someone else. I think we should invite him again to come to Bath, don't you Harry? We should get him to Bath. There are lots of suitable young people here for him to meet. Well, anyway, Mr Holmes, can I offer you some tea and cake?"
Sherlock jumped to his feet. "Nothing, thank you. I must get back to Camden Place. Mycroft, that is Mr Holmes, will want to know…"
"At least let us offer you our carriage to take you back?" Harry gestured to the window which was heavily overcast.
"No, thank you, I'm fine. I would rather walk. Get some air." Sherlock wandered out of their lodgings and into the street with only the vaguest idea of where he was going. His head was full of only one thought; John is free!
When the chorus dinning in his head finally receded enough for Sherlock to know where he was, he realized his feet had carried him into town. He turned into the bookshop to sit down for a moment. Inside, he was surprised to see Mycroft and his mother talking with Mrs Adler. Sherlock decided to hover out of the way, but soon realized that in the confines of the shop it would be impossible to pass unnoticed. He therefore took a deep breath and sighed, then joined them in idle conversation about the weather and gossip of Bath.
Outside it was starting to rain, and more people were pouring into the shop every minute, making it unpleasantly crowded. With the onset of the rain, Mrs Adler naturally offered Lady Holmes the use of her barouche to take her home without getting her feet wet. The invitation was extended to the whole party, and they slowly made their way to the front of the shop where Mrs Adler called for her footman with an umbrella. Lady Holmes and Mycroft were escorted to the carriage first while Mrs Adler attached herself to Sherlock's arm.
As they were waiting, Sherlock suddenly spied Captain John Watson making his way down the street to the shop to get out of the rain. His stomach gave an unexpected lurch. How could John be here already? His sister had spoken of writing to invite him only that morning. But then Sherlock remembered that she had said she would invite him again, so she must have written before.
Mrs Adler went to speak to her footman for a moment, leaving Sherlock to gather his thoughts before facing John. The next moment John was before him. John himself was clearly startled and not expecting to see Sherlock. He flushed quite red before collecting himself and bowing. Sherlock was glad that seeing him through the shop window had given him a few extra moments to prepare himself, and felt that for once he had the advantage of John in a social setting. Sherlock looked closely at John, but it was impossible to tell if he felt himself disappointed or not by the loss of Mary. The question would need to be settled another time.
"Mr Holmes," John finally managed, and then passed the usual enquiries about everyone's health since they had last met. Sherlock noted that he was not at ease. His eyes darted around the shop as if wondering that Sherlock was alone. He was just offering himself as escort and the use of his umbrella to take Sherlock home, when Mrs Adler reappeared. She appropriated his arm in a familiar manner and remarked that the carriage was ready whenever Sherlock wished to return home. She cooed and smiled and insinuated but did not request an introduction, instead drawing Sherlock away towards the door. He only had time to wish John "Good morning!" before Mrs Adler had pulled him completely out of the shop and under the umbrella held by her footman. Sherlock cursed her timing inwardly, even while maintaining his social smile.
Back inside the bookshop, John had no trouble having his enquiries answered as to the identity of the lady. Mrs Adler and Mr Sherlock Holmes were widely rumoured to be, if not actually engaged, then the next best thing to it. It was rather the local sensation, seeing as Mrs Adler had first been interested in the elder Mr Holmes but had thrown over the heir in favour of the younger son. But all present could agree that the younger son was much better looking, and it was well known that Mrs Adler had enough money to marry where she liked. It was said that Lady Holmes and Sir Siger were anxious for either of their sons to marry her and redeem some rather pressing debts on the family.
John had heard enough. He clenched his fists and walked out of the bookshop heedless of the rain, even forgetting that he had an umbrella under his arm.
..oOo..
It was another week before Sherlock saw John again. It seemed a ridiculously long time, considering that in Bath everyone saw everyone else nearly every day, but they were in different social circles once again. Sir and Lady Holmes were working the elite side of town, while John was mostly associating with navy colleagues and friends of his sister.
However, this evening there was a concert being hosted by the navy band. The society people were all invited and the navy people would also be in attendance. Sherlock would see John again! The only blot on the horizon was that without a carriage of their own the Holmeses would once again be conveyed to the concert and back by Mrs Adler. Sherlock had little hope that he could get rid of her. His only ambition was to speak with John again, and perhaps find out the state of his feelings towards Mary.
As the carriage only held four, Mrs Adler took Lady Holmes and her two sons to the concert first, and would send the carriage back for Sir Siger. Mrs Adler had allowed plenty of time to make certain that Sir Siger would be able to hear the concert from the beginning, with the consequence that they arrived very early. The foyer to the hall was practically empty and very cold, so Lady Holmes immediately headed for the large fireplace taking Mycroft with her. Mrs Adler was outside giving instructions to her driver, so Sherlock was the first to see John enter the room. He was headed for the fireplace and would have passed by Sherlock standing just to one side of the entrance, except that Sherlock reached out and daringly placed a hand on his sleeve.
"How do you do, John," he said, in a low voice.
John turned to him with surprise and pleasure. "I am well, and I have no need to ask how you are. You look well, I see." He tilted his head to one side. "You have given up the laudanum?"
Sherlock started. "I… Yes. How did you know?"
John shrugged. "Harry had a wound several years ago, and the doctors gave her laudanum for it and she became addicted. It was a… difficult time and I remember the signs. She is over it now though. Clara brought her to her senses." John flicked his head as if to throw off dark thoughts. "But I have hardly seen you since that day at Lyme – how did you recover from the shock of that dreadful day?"
Sherlock said, "Captain Murray did so well, and Elizabeth stayed with Mary. Really, I had nothing to do."
John passed his hand across his forehead. "It was a horrible day. Just the memory of it…" Then he looked up and smiled. "Still, something good has come of it, as I suppose you might have heard - Mary Morstan and Captain Murray are engaged!"
Sherlock smiled, "Yes, your sister told me last week. I am glad for them. I hope you are too?"
John replied heartily, "With all my soul I wish them happy. Captain Murray is a solid sort and Miss Morstan seems determined to make him happy. Best of all, her family supports the match. They have no whims or caprices against them at home and nothing to wait for. Happiness seems just around the corner for them." There was an awkward pause as both John and Sherlock reflected on events in the past before John resumed. "The only point which surprises me is Captain Murray's recovering so quickly from losing his fiancée. It seems to me that a man should not recover from losing a part of his heart. He ought not, he does not." John trailed off. Sherlock was struck by his wording; losing a part of his heart. Could it mean…?
Just at that moment their conversation was interrupted by Mrs Adler taking Sherlock's arm and tugging him into the concert hall. His very interesting conversation with John must be put on hold for now, but there was still interval ahead. Besides, he had information to process. In the last ten minutes he had learned more of John's thoughts about Mary and possibly about Sherlock himself than he had thought possible an hour ago.
Sherlock was seated next to Mrs Adler, of course, but he managed to manoever himself to the end of the bench so that the seat on his other side was free. He could not see John at the moment, probably he was still in the foyer, but if he happened to come in and happened to see a seat free next to Sherlock… But that was too much happiness to expect. The music began and John was still nowhere in sight. Sherlock allowed his eyes to roam around the room as much as he could without turning his head, and finally spied John leaning against a wall on the other side of the room. The whole width of the hall separated them, for now. Sherlock settled down to enjoy the music, and the anticipation of interval.
Towards the end of the first act there was a selection of songs in Italian. No-one else understood the language, so the whole party inclined to listen to Sherlock explain the meaning of the words. No eyes were more attentively fixed on his face than Mrs Adler's. At the conclusion of his explanation the others all turned back to their own concert bills, but Mrs Adler continued to lean close.
"That was well explained. One cannot speak of the 'sense' of an Italian love song, but you conveyed the meaning of the words in beautiful English."
Sherlock shrugged. "As you say, there is not much sense to convey."
Mrs Adler leaned even closer to whisper in Sherlock's ear. "You are too modest. I know you have accomplishments beyond what you display to the company here." She finally leaned back and gave him a mysterious smile.
Sherlock frowned. "What do you mean? You can only have heard of me before my arrival from Mycroft. You did not recognize me in Lyme."
"No, that is true, but I had heard of you prior to that date. In fact, I have known of you by name and reputation for many years now." She raised one arched eyebrow.
No-one can withstand the allure of a mystery, least of all Sherlock Holmes. His interest was raised despite himself, and he leaned towards her and pressed for an answer. "Who can have spoken to you of me?"
Mrs Adler laughed at him. She delighted in being pressed, but she would not tell. "No, no! Not today. Another time perhaps. For now, I shall only tell you that the name of Sherlock Holmes has long held a deep interest for me. The only name I can imagine ever being more fascinated by would be Irene Holmes." With that, she turned her attention back to the stage.
Sherlock was just grappling with the thought that she had really said what he thought, when his ears caught the sound of Mycroft and his mother talking softly on Mrs Adler's other side.
"Isn't that the brother of Admiral Watson standing over there?"
"Yes, I believe so. He's a Captain now. He must be Captain Watson."
"Was he the same one who Sherlock…?"
"Yes. Yes, he was. Well, no-one could have known how well he would turn out. I hear he made thousands of pounds during the war and now is considered one of the most eligible matches in Bath."
"Well, it doesn't matter. Sherlock has Mrs Adler now."
Sherlock felt his cheeks heating up, and even more so when he realized that John was making his way over to them. He had the whole hall to cross, but he should arrive at Sherlock's side just in time for interval. Sherlock wished Mrs Adler were not sitting right next to him, and certainly not leaning so very close and holding his arm so very tightly.
Interval came, but John did not. The rest of the party adjourned to the foyer for cups of tea, but Mrs Adler would not be shaken. She would not be removed from Sherlock's side and continued to grip his arm and make small talk until he was ready to snarl at her. Only the knowledge of the humiliation it would bring his mother kept him civil, but it could not avoid bringing a flush to his cheeks.
Just as interval was ending and everyone was resuming their seats, John passed by the end of Sherlock's bench. Sherlock's eyes were bright looking up at him, and his cheeks were flushed with pleasure and the warmth of the hall – and it was all for Mrs Adler clinging onto his arm. John ground his teeth with frustration.
John considered sitting down at the end of the bench next to Sherlock but to sit there with Mrs Adler holding Sherlock's arm on his other side? No, intolerable! Finally, John contented himself with simply saying to Sherlock with a stiff bow, "Good night, I must be going."
Sherlock looked up from his bench, his eye fixed on John's face. "Would you not consider staying for one more song? I believe there is to be a very good Italian duet coming up."
"No," gritted out John shortly. "There is nothing worth staying for. I do not care for Italian songs." Then he strode off, and the next aria was starting.
When the music ceased, Sherlock was free to look around the hall and check the shadows at the back and around the entrance. John had gone. What had he thought of Mrs Adler pawing at him? Was he jealous? Could that be why he had left? If so, how could Sherlock reach him with the truth? Sherlock realized abruptly that the music was resuming, and he was fixed in his seat for the duration. With a sigh he settled down to endure another hour of pleasure before he would be allowed to go home.