Hello All my lovely lovely readers! Heres another chapter for you, I've gone for a bit of suspence towards the end, I hope I nailed it ... Let me know if I did! As always I'd like to thank everyone for subscribing etc ... and of course as always (I know this must get boring to all you lovely people, but I just want to show my appreciation.) I would like to thank my reviewers ... who are all massive stars ... TinkerbellxO, MidnightBlueSinger, Posiedrose, Dragon Lovers in BC, and SPEEDIE22 ... Really means a lot to me guys thank you! ... any who ... Big Holmes hugs all round and I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!
The journey to the Royal Italian Opera House was quiet, Bonnie only emitting the odd squeak when the carriage hit a bump or hole in the well worn road, the small noises of surprise causing Holmes to chuckle quietly in his seat beside her. "Why can't these things be more comfortable, I will have the worst bruises on my behind come the morning." she whispered to herself, making Holmes' barely audible titter turn into a raucous bout of laughter, that was most uncharacteristic of the detective. Bonnie's eyes widened in shock and her cheeks flushed a violent red as she realised she had stated her thoughts out loud. "Uhhh ..." She stuttered, completely embarrassed, "I did not mean to come out with such a statement, It was meant for my head only." Holmes grinned at her and nodded, "Never apologise for such musings my dear, it is what gets a person through the day and what I base my observations on, my own musings. And if you are fearful that you were heard by anyone but me, you have nothing to worry about, the clattering of the wheels would have drowned your voice out to all ears but my own." Bonnie smiled gratefully up at the man beside her but was soon thrown forward, as the hansom cab came to a halt, a strong, well dressed arm broke her fall before she met the floor of the cab. "We appear to have arrived." He drawled, stepping down from the horse drawn vehicle and offered a hand to Bonnie which she readily accepted, as she emerged into the cool London air. Bonnie's mouth dropped as she took in the sights all around them. The opera house glittered with a warm yellow light, its stone angels becoming looming shadows against the grand building, and all around the street men and women in beautiful evening finery of all colours bustled and moved in a throng towards the theatre. She admired the many shades in silk dresses and the men's tailored coats from the famous Savile Row, of which they were stood on the corner. Bonnie felt butterflies erupt in her tummy as she felt Sherlock's hand wrap around her hip protectively, keeping her body in close to him. "Beautiful isn't it? How the human mind works, attracted to finery and light, just like moths around a flame." His voice was close to her ear and his breath stirred a few loose curls as he spoke. "It certainly is" She mumbled, in an attempt to push past the proximity of his body to hers and find her voice. "Not as beautiful as you however Miss Watson, I must say, that dress looks extraordinary on you, you are the very picture of beauty." Bonnie opened her mouth to thank Holmes for the unexpected compliment when a deep, humour filled voice cut her off.
"Sherlock Holmes, I do declare, Is that you?" The voice was strong and elegantly English with a very faint lacing of Irish that was cunningly disguised. Bonnie and Holmes turned on the spot to face the man in question. He was tall, with big, dark eyes and full lips and wavy dark hair to his shoulders. He was clothed in a black and green foppish suit and waving a long ebony cigarette holder from his left hand. "It is. I had no idea you were attending this evening." Holmes chatted pleasantly to the stranger, making Bonnie raise an eyebrow in surprise, for Holmes was known for being a man who rarely liked company and kept very few friends. "Couldn't possibly have passed it up Sherlock dear, it has been the talk of London. My, who is this enchanting young woman on your arm?" He asked, finally turning his attention to Bonnie, who allowed the stranger to place a kiss on her free hand, Holmes cleared his throat uncomfortably before speaking, "This is Miss Bonnie Watson, Miss Watson I'd like you to meet Oscar Wilde." Her eyes widened as her brain processed the information, "Oscar Wilde?" She asked, a little unsure of herself "The Oscar Wilde?" The famous writer just laughed and bowed deeply, "The very same. And you must be related to the good Doctor Watson, a sister by chance." Bonnie nodded and relished the feel of Holmes' fingers virtually burning through her dress. "I am indeed, John's younger sister." Oscar straightened and nodded to Holmes, "Very nice to meet you Miss Watson, however I fear our acquaintance is being hampered by the start of this evenings performance. I shall look forward to meeting you again. Until next time Sherlock." And with that he disappeared into the crowd leaving Bonnie and Holmes once again alone on the street corner. "Shall we go in, darling?" he questioned, holding his hand out for her to take and leading her into the warmth of the building, and up a red and gold lined hallway, with rows of seats that were already filled with milling people.
"A box Sherlock? Really" Bonnie laughed as she took her seat, peeking over the golden railing down to the stage below. The detective chuckled and accepted a tulip shaped glass of champagne from a masked waiter who had materialised into the box. "Only the best seats Miss Watson." Bonnie smiled at the waiter, her delicate fingers closing around the stem of her own fragile champagne glass, but the bubbly drink was not what caught her attention, a sinking feeling in the pit of stomach held some recognition for the blond haired, blue eyed man behind the mask. "Do I, uh, Do I know you sir?" she asked uneasily trying her hardest not to alarm Holmes who was reading a piece of gold lined paper. The new comer shook his head, an attractive smile on his thin lips as he bowed and left them alone in the box. Bonnie sat back in her chair uneasily, one hand clenched in her lap while the other gripped the railing so tight her knuckles went white beneath her satin gloves.
Bonnie and Holmes clapped the actors along with the rest of the crowded auditorium as the red velvet curtain descended onto the stage. Holmes pulled on his outer coat and grabbed his cane, before turning to Bonnie and holding his hand out to help her up from her seat, which she gratefully accepted, a warm smile and blush on her face, as Sherlock continued to hold her hand as they left through the big golden doors and out into the dimly lit street. "Did you enjoy the opera Miss Bonnie?" He murmured, as they wandered along side lines of tall town houses and private gardens, their destination as of yet undetermined, "I did Sherlock, thank you. I saw La Vestale, eight years or so back with our elder brother before he left to do missionary work in India. I have loved it ever since, but I very rarely got time to go to the theatre at home in the country." "I find La Vestale is Spontini's greatest masterpiece. Oh, we appear to have arrived at Hyde Park, would you be inclined to join me in a stroll?" Bonnie just grinned and tightened her grip around his elbow by way of confirmation. A comfortable silence surrounded the pair as they wound their way through the moonlit park. "Did you remember who he was?" the detective drawled, his voice held at a hushed tone. Bonnie stopped, taken aback by his question, "Who who was?" she questioned, unsure what he meant. "The waiter darling, you recognised him." Bonnie, sighed and looked up into his handsome face, "His eyes and smile were so familiar Sherlock, I just cant place him." Holmes nodded, reaching into his waistcoat and retrieving his handkerchief as tears started to roll down her cheeks. "I'm sorry Sherlock, I don't mean to get emotional, its very unlike me." She sniffed daintily and wiped her eyes with the embroidered cloth. "It is of no consequence to me Bonnie darling,it is completely understandable." he consoled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. "You will work through the sadness and find your strength again." he rubbed a rough thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears, "Don't let tears ruin that beautiful face." and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, Bonnie giggled and stood on her tip toes, her nose brushing against the tip of his, "Thank you for a lovely evening Mr Holmes." a smirk found its way onto his lips, "I'm glad you enjoyed it Miss Watson." he countered before kissing her again, a heated degree of passion flowing through their fused lips. A loud crack and rustling in the trees around them made Holmes and Bonnie spring apart, the detective's eyes searching the area Bonnie gripped the hand he used to push her behind him in fear. "Bonnie, stay very quiet." he commanded as he looked around, trying to pick up anything out of place. Another crack sounded behind them, and Holmes spun around, carefully pulling his gun from the waistband of his trousers, "Who's there?" he called into the darkness, only being answered by another cracking of twigs to the right of them.
Using both his hands to cup her face, Holmes instructed Bonnie to stay still and take his gun, "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, if you need to use my gun, use it." he whispered kissing her on the cheek and pressing his revolver into the palm of her hand, before backing away and running into the trees, towards the origin of the cracking sound, stripping his coat, and waistcoat off and rolling his sleeves up as he went.
Bonnie took a deep breath to calm herself as she turned around in a slow circle, arms outstretched in front of her with the small gun cocked and ready to fire. The breeze ruffled her skirt and blew her hair around her face, sticking to her lips that she licked repeatedly in fear, "You can do this, you can do this." she whispered to herself in an attempt to build her strength. "Oh, I'm sure you can my love" growled a deep voice behind her, as something hard and heavy connected to the back of her skull, and she slumped to the ground, limp and unconscious. The masked man chuckled and picked the limp woman up bridal style, carrying her away into the darkness, oblivious of her gloves that had slipped out of her bag as he carried her away.
"Miss Watson? Miss Watson?" Holmes shouted as he made his way back into the clearing he had left her in mere minutes before, the empty grassland filling him with an unknown emotion, somewhere between fear and guilt. Spotting the silk gloves on the floor, he knelt, raising the discarded garment to his lips in thought. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone." he whispered into the material. A golden glinting caught his eye, in the darkened grass, and already hampered by guilt he picked up the glittering object, hoping that it may give him some help towards solving the case, a task that had just become even more urgent than before. Holmes examined the object in the palm of his hand, his eyes straining in the darkness, it was a cuff link, a small gold and sapphire cuff link that had obviously gotten ripped out of a sleeve, but had been hidden by Bonnie's gloves. Standing and shoving the cuff link into his trouser pocket, he began to walk, disheartened, out of the clearing and back to 221b Baker Street where he knew an unpleasant situation would be awaiting him.