Hello all! Thanks again for all of your revies, follows, and interests in this story! I appreciate you all!
WARNING: This chapter...yikes...okay, it is brutal, cruel, and emtional...you all will see exactly what kind of man Charles is and his associates. You will probably be upset...but PLEASE, hang on just a little while longer and trust me, okay...
It had been six weeks since that fateful night, where Molly had learned the true circumstances of her grandfather's finances and what it would cost her to save her family. Sherlock had agreed to a time of courting, so as not to cause any speculation or gossip into Molly's character. She had been forced to endure his company on many social occasions, playing the happy bride to be, and it was only by the love of her grandparents and brother that she had been able to bear it.
Much to Molly's surprise and delight, Janine had been a rock of support. She knew the circumstances of Molly's marriage and had cried, begging her cousin to not trap herself in a loveless marriage with a cruel man. But like Molly, she saw no other way to save her grandparents and aunt from a cruel fate.
Janine had unfortunately not been able to escape being forced into the situation as well. She had the unfortunate luck to be introduced to one of Sherlock's friends. Sir Henry Knight had taken an instant fancy to her. He had made his intentions known and had begun his pursual of her. He was as vile and ruthless a business man as Sherlock and she had tried to dissuade his interest in her, purposely drinking and being obnoxious and unruly at parties.
Sherlock and Henry had both scoffed at these attempts and had made public jokes that all Janine needed was a firm hand and she would be the lady that everyone expected of her. Henry had even taken it a step further and had announced at a dinner party one evening, in front of all of Sherlock's horrid business partners that the first thing he intended to do when Janine became his wife was to put her over his knee and give her the spanking she so sorely needed.
Several of his and Sherlock's disgusting friends had begged him to do it right then and there, just for sport, saying the embarrassment would be good for Janine to learn her place in a man's world. It was Molly, who had not been able to endure their disgusting antics that had stood and stunned all of them by shouting them all down and taking her crying and mortified cousin from the room. Sherlock had said nothing, only watched with an unreadable expression.
Now it was Molly's wedding day and it took every ounce of strength that she had to not run screaming from the cathedral. Only the fact that her brother and grandfather were with her made it bearable. Jim had no idea of the circumstances to his sister's decision to marry his long time friend. And even though he was a bit skeptic as to the reason that she gave, he was still thrilled that she was marrying Sherlock. He had no idea what a heartless monster his friend was and her grandfather felt it best not to burden him with it, since Jim had so much going on within his own life at the moment.
"Are you ready child?" Nathaniel asked softly, holding onto her arm.
She attempted to put on a brave face, unable to stand the look of helpless pain on her grandfather's face. "Yes, I am," she said. "We will get through this grandfather and we will find away to get out from under the Holmes' brothers."
He nodded and smiled sadly. "I am sure that you are right." The doors to the sanctuary were pushed open and the massive pipe organ began to play. Janine looked back at Molly, fighting tears before she began her march down the aisle. The next to follow Janine had been a child hood friend of Molly's.
Irene looked back at Molly with a look of anxiety. She did not believe for one moment that Molly wanted this marriage and she had rushed back to London upon receiving the letter from her friend announcing her engagement. Irene frowned, looking back into the sanctuary before beginning her walk down the aisle.
Next, it was Molly's turn. She and her grandfather waited for the appropriate musical piece to begin. Molly took the first step into the sanctuary, trying to be strong for her grandfather. He walked her down the aisle as the guests gasped at the beauty of Molly's dress and veil. Molly's face was hard as flint, but she had never been more determined in her life. She would do anything to protect her family and she knew that somehow, she would survive this.
Once she reached the groom and vicar, her grandfather hesitated a moment before placing her hand in Sherlock's. The two men looked at one another and there seemed to be something that was passing between them, within their eyes. It was not hostile or aggressive and Molly found that she did not understand it at all. Slowly, Nathaniel placed her hand in Sherlock's.
"Who gives this woman to this man in holy matrimony?" The Vicar asked.
Nathaniel once again looked at Sherlock with that strange expression before answering softly. "I do."
The rest of the ceremony seemed to pass by in a blur. Molly barely heard what was said. She realized that she had been asked a question when she felt the Vicar's eyes on her. She blinked, trying to clear her thoughts and looked at him. "I'm sorry, Vicar," she said barely above a whisper.
"Do you Molly Louise Hooper take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he repeated smiling gently, mistaking her silence for nerves.
Molly opened her mouth to answer, but found her throat so dry she could barely speak. Her heart pounded in her chest and she attempted to swallow the lump in her throat. Sherlock squeezed her hand, not tightly, but gently, almost as if he was offering support. She looked at him and he stared at her with gentle eyes. It shocked her momentarily, but she quickly regained her senses. She looked at the Vicar and nodded, speaking with a strength that the she did not think she possessed. "I do," she said.
The Vicar smiled happily and took both Sherlock and Molly's hand in his. He said a blessing over them and their marriage and pronounced the final words…that they be man and wife, never to part until death. "You may take your bride in your arms and kiss her," the Vicar said warmly.
Sherlock turned to her. His eyes were smoldering and glittering under the soft lights. He reached out and took hold of her gently and pulled her into his arms. Slowly, his head descended and he pressed his lips to hers. It was a gentle, chaste kiss.
The congregation stood and clapped. The Vicar held his hands out. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, on this most joyous occasion, Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock Holmes."
Molly cringed inwardly. She was now Mrs. Sherlock Holmes…not Molly…she wasn't even allowed her own name in the sight of the law. In the eyes of the church and the law, she was nothing more than this man's property and he could do with her what he wished. She was at the mercy of this man standing beside her and she had to force herself to remember those that needed her to keep from weeping. Sherlock walked her down the aisle and part of her was glad that he was beside her. She was in such despair that she was not sure that she could hold herself up under her own strength.
The reception hall was full of hundreds of prominent guests, friends, and relatives. Molly was barely aware of anything and was thankful that Sherlock did most of the talking for her.
She was simply going through the motions, accepting people's congratulations and being the proper society bride. She danced with her grandfather and her brother. It was more difficult to put on a show for her brother, but she dared not break his heart by telling him what a fiend his best friend was.
When it was time to dance with her husband, she followed his lead onto the ballroom floor. She laid her head against his shoulder, not wanting to look into his cold, green eyes. He held her tightly against him, moving her with expertise across the dance floor. Several of the guests clapped and cheered before joining them on the floor.
Molly looked up and saw her cousin, miserable, in the arms of Henry Knight. Irene danced with Jim and she stared at Molly with her shrewd blue eyes. Molly could see the concern within her friend's eyes. She turned her face away afraid that seeing Irene so worried for her would make her cry. She just wanted this day to be over.
"Sherlock," Molly said, forcing herself to look at him. "I am tired, can we go please?"
"Yes, of course," he said, surprising her that he would agree to it. "It has been a long day hasn't it? I am sure that our guests would understand. But you have one last task to complete as a new bride."
She blinked, looking at him with a blank and exhausted expression. "You must throw your bouquet, Molly," he said.
"Oh, yes," she said in a monotone. "Of course."
"Ladies and gentleman, my wife wishes that we should begin our honeymoon without delay," he announced loudly. Molly cringed at the implications of his words, but said nothing. "If all the single ladies will form a circle in the middle of the room, she will toss the bouquet."
The room began to bustle as several young giggling girls moved to the middle of the room. Molly looked around the room and found Janine and Irene standing at the banquet table together. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Henry Knight approach Janine and forcefully take her to the where the other girls stood. Irene followed silently behind them and Molly knew it was only to show support to Janine.
Molly moved to stand in front of them as Sherlock handed her the bouquet. She turned her back to them and sighed. With a quick jerk of her arm, she tossed the roses behind her and moved quickly out of the way to avoid being trampled.
She heard the disappointed sighs and whines of the girls behind her as she turned to look and she who had caught it. Molly's eyes widened as she met the tormented eyes of Janine, who had caught the flowers. She watched as Henry made his way towards Janine with a lecherous look on his face. He grabbed her arm and pulled her against him. She tried to pull free, but he was too strong for her.
Henry dragged Janine over to where Sherlock and Molly stood. "Looks like another wedding is in the air, eh, Sherlock?" Henry asked, kissing Janine on the cheek. "I've heard these Hooper women are quite the prize."
Sherlock smirked. "Indeed, I doubt you would find a better breeding mare in this hall, Henry."
Molly refused to respond to such a disgusting remark while Janine gasped as tears filled her eyes. Henry sighed. "He was just teasing you Janine," he said. "Can't you take a joke?" He looked at Molly and smiled. "Although I suppose you plan of giving this one a ride tonight, Sherlock."
"Indeed," Sherlock agreed. "I have to make sure that I actually get what I paid for."
Molly's eyes filled with tears then, but she said nothing. Before she or Janine could react, a man approached them.
"Sherlock," Charles said silkily. "Allow me to offer my congratulations on such a fine purchase," he said leering at Molly. "She is a delicious little thing…absolutely fuckable. Should you ever tire of her, I would love to put those delicate little ankles over my shoulders."
Henry and Sherlock laughed and shook their heads. "Surely you have enough women to fuck," Henry remarked.
Charles shrugged. "One can never have too many whores," he said turning his attention to Janine. "And that is all they are you know," he added, with disgust. "Whore, bitches in heat, useless pathetic creatures, that's what females are. All they are good for is producing a son, beyond that they are nothing but a tight wet hole to fill. They are on this Earth simply to provide men pleasure and to obey us." He took a step closer to Molly. "This one has fire in her, Sherlock, you chose well," he said. "I can see that you will enjoy breaking her in. Should you need any extra canes or whips, please feel free to drop by my home."
"Thank you, Charles," Sherlock said. "But I have enough of my own instruments of correction. I am sure that I have something to discipline a naughty wife with."
"You should fuck her ass first, Sherlock," Charles said. "That will put her in her place instantly. Then string her up and give her gorgeous bottom about twenty five lashes with the cane. That will douse out any desire for disobedience."
Suddenly, Molly felt Sherlock's hand clench against her back. She turned her head and saw his right fist, which hung by his side was in a tight fist, the veins in his hand pumping blood furiously. She glanced up at him and though he was smiling, laughing, and agreeing with what Charles was saying, his eyes were dangerous and dark.
Molly glanced at Henry, who stood behind Charles. He was also smiling, but the muscle in his jaw was twitching. She looked down at his hands; both were curled into tight fists. Janie, who was too distraught, did not seem to notice.
"If you will excuse us," Henry finally said, taking hold of Janine. "I think I shall make my intentions known to Janine's grandfather."
Charles nodded, looking Janine over. "Make sure you get a fair price, Henry."
Henry smiled, though the smile did not reach his eyes. He turned, pulling Janine behind him. Charles turned back to Sherlock. "I suppose I'll leave you now. "I'm sure you want to break this one in as soon as possible. Make sure to show her who is master, Sherlock. If you are gentle with her when you break her cherry, she will expect gentleness from you always and then she will think that she can have her own way. Begin her introduction into womanhood with a good, violent fucking. You are the man and she is little more than your pet."
Sherlock nodded. "Thank you for your advice, Sir Charles," he said. "I am sure that I will take into consideration all that you have suggested."
Charles gave Molly one more contemptuous leer before turning and walking away. Sherlock took hold of her arm. "Go and say your goodbyes. Tonight you begin a new life and your new duty as my wife," he said. "And all that it will entail."
Thanks again for reading and please don't kill me! Hugs and appreciation to all of you!