So I almost thought I had abandoned this, but Violet is too near and dear to my heart to just get rid of her. However, due to the fact that I really haven't any idea where this story is going, I would love suggestions. As always, I own nothing. Hope you enjoy!
Nearly two weeks later, a knock was heard at the 221B door, and being opened it revealed the serene face of Violet Hunter. When Mrs. Hudson showed her up the stairs, John was delighted and called,
"Sherlock! She's back!" Sherlock's answer drifted back from his bedroom:
"Irene Adler?"
"No!" cried John exasperatedly as he cast an apologetic glance at Miss Violet. "Violet Hunter!"
"Oh," came the reply disinterestedly. Sensing the disapproval, Violet called to Sherlock,
"I do apologize, Mr. Holmes, for troubling you again, but my job has turned out to be a real case after all." She waited a few moments, and when she failed to receive a response she turned a questioning eye upon John. The doctor shrugged and said,
"I'm sorry, Miss Hunter. He can be such a bas- a brat sometimes." In a normal conversation, even with a lady, John would hardly have held his tongue so. Miss Hunter, on the other hand, had that rare quality of making people civil in her presence. She smiled at John and said,
"I quite understand. I've handled stubborn children before." Then her smile was replaced by a look of resolution and she marched toward Sherlock's bedroom door. Knocking firmly, she called, "Mr. Holmes, if a case involving erratic habits and a person wearing copper breeches does not interest you, I don't know what will." Sherlock's interest was piqued, but he masked the fact with a sarcastic question.
"Breeches, Miss Hunter? Can you not think of a twenty-first century term, such as, pants?"
"I mean exactly what I say, Sherlock: Breeches." Sherlock felt a tinge of elation that he had irritated Violet enough to elicit his first name. However, despite his dislike of her, he was impressed by Violet's tenacity and perseverance. Anyone else would have given up long ago. But not her.
"Mr. Holmes, if you don't take this case for me, I suppose I'll take it to Scotland Yard." She hit a chord; she knew how to manipulate unruly children. There was nothing Sherlock hated more than hearing Lestrade boast about the cases he had solved single-handedly. He sighed dramatically and opened the door, violin in hand and housecoat slipping off his shoulder. Brushing past Miss Hunter, he stalked to the kitchen.
"All right, I'll listen to your case tomorrow," he huffed as he made a cup of tea. Violet began to protest, but Sherlock cut her short. "I'm tired of you for today, Miss Hunter. No, I'm not going to offer you a cup of tea. No, I won't hear your objections. No, I don't want to talk to you until tomorrow. Goodbye, Miss Hunter." With that, he showed her to the door and closed it on her disgruntled face.
"Sherlock!" rebuked John when he turned. "Must you be so bloody discourteous?" Ignoring him, Sherlock sipped his tea and walked toward his room. A thought struck him halfway, though, and he turned back to John, hand half raised.
"This employer of hers is quite an odd fellow. Who gives their new nanny her wages before they've even seen her work or-" He broke off abruptly with an, "Ah! A woman! Of course! Only a woman would do that, because she possesses that ability to ascertain a person's character at a first meeting." John was surprised, and asked,
"Do you think she-"
"No, she doesn't." John, interrupted in the midst of his sentence, paused, and then said,
"There's no way you knew what I was going to say."
"You were going to ask if this woman meant Miss Violet Hunter any harm. Oh, come now, John, you're so predictable. Do you think I haven't noticed what an influence Miss Hunter has over you? You act as if she were the Queen of England gracing us with her presence. Therefore, when I mentioned that this employer was odd, your first thought was of Miss Hunter's well-being." Looking a bit frustrated, John closed his mouth.
Sherlock, still musing on the problem, observed, "This employer is egotistical, probably insecure, and seeking attention. Also obviously a horse-rider."
"Obviously," commented John sardonically.
"We'll see what else Miss Hunter has to tell us tomorrow," responded Sherlock, ignoring John's irritation.