A tiny (loosely based) Poldark AU

"Mr. Holmes?" she asked at the closed door, tea tray in hand. When no answer came, she knocked hesitantly before turning the knob and stepping into the study. "Mr. Holmes, are you here?"

He was not and most likely had headed out for his daily trip to check on the family mines.

It was the first time she found herself alone in the room. Mrs. Hudson had warned her against snooping claiming that Mr. Holmes strictly forbade it, but Molly was feeling bold and her curiosity had finally gotten the better of her.

After setting the tray down on his cluttered desk, she wandered about the room and was filled with a sense of awe at his collections of insects in glass displays, carefully detailed botanical drawings, and bookcases crammed with volumes on every topic of science imaginable. There was even a human skull sitting on the mantle. She carefully lifted it up and turned it over gently in her hands wondering how one acquired such a item. He seemed to have particular fascinations with the natural world as well as the study of medicine. This realization thrilled her as it was an interest they both shared.

Her father had been the town doctor and when she was little she would often accompany him on his visits, assisting him as needed. But he had died suddenly leaving Molly in the care of her drunken uncle. It had left a gaping hole in her heart. Not only was her loving father taken from her, but so too was her newfound passion for tending to the sick. In addition, she was forced to live with a man who did nothing but drink and yell curses at her. She had never been more miserable. When Mr. Holmes had offered her the position as kitchen maid, she had jumped at the chance, eager to get away from her uncle's ranting and raving. At the Holmes farm, she had found a place of sanctuary and a man who treated her as an equal and allowed her to live with a sense of freedom.

She was so enthralled by the objects in his study that she didn't hear him enter the house until he was standing right behind her clearing his throat.

"Oh, Mr. Holmes. I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

He waved her off. "It's fine. I really just meant to keep out Mrs. Hudson. She was always rearranging my desk when I told her not to. She insists she's not my housekeeper even though she clearly likes to manage all my affairs."

He smiled at Molly causing the book in her hands to fall to the floor.

"I'm sorry-"

"Allow me-"

They both reached down to retrieve it at the exact same moment causing their arms to collide. Molly was thrown slightly off balance by the contact, but Sherlock grabbed her shoulders, steadying her before helping her to her feet.

"Thank you."

But he didn't remove his hands from her and instead began to trace the neckline of her dress with his finger. There was a heavy silence as Molly tried to control her breathing while feeling his touch on her skin.

"You know what they're saying about us - the rumours in the village," he said in a low, hoarse whisper.

She dared not move fearing that she'd break the spell. Instead, she could only stare into his eyes which had turned dark with desire.

But just when she thought he was about to continue a knock sounded at the front door forcing them to break apart.

Sherlock's friend, and one of the new village doctors, John Watson, burst through the entrance of the study. His face was bright red and perspiring and he struggled for breath.

"It's Mary. She's in labour and the baby is breech. Dr. Perry is away from the village. I would normally do it myself but I–I need an assistant. Just to be safe." His worried eyes revealed his desperation.

After briefly considering his options, Sherlock turned to Molly. "You have some experience with this, do you not?"

She had told him about her father and the visits she had spent caring for the sick and setting broken bones. There had been a few births too but…

"Only a little."

"Do you think you could assist Dr. Watson with his wife?"

"Yes, sir," she answered with a sudden confidence. Where had that come from?

"Then it's settled. John, ride on ahead. We will follow shortly."

John nodded looking relieved and left hastily.

Sherlock shouted instructions to Mrs. Hudson for managing things while they were gone and then they too were out the door.

After handing Molly the reins to his horse Blackbeard, he gently, but with a strong grip, lifted her onto the animal. In one graceful motion, he stepped into the stirrup and threw his leg over the side of the horse, settling into the saddle behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he took the reins in his hands and they set off.

Though her mind should have been on the task at hand, she couldn't help but savor the feeling of his body against hers and wonder what might have happened had John not interrupted.