Chapter 4:Masquerade
A/N: Hey guys Sorry for leaving you hanging for such a long time. HUGS TO MY REVIEWERS and congratulations to all the SAMFA award winners!
Music floated though the air at Chris's huge country house. Molly stood in front of the mirror, anxiously fussing with her hair. She was masquerading as a princess, with a beautiful butterfly mask to compliment her dress.
It was her first debut as Chris's fiancée, and she especially did not want to look dull in front of all his colourful friends.
There came a knock on her door.
"Darling, the guests are here. Hurry, I want to introduce you to them." Chris said, looking dashing as Count Dracula, with a matching mask.
"I'm ready." Molly gave a nervous chuckle.
As they descended the stairs, Molly heard much cheering and clapping. The whole house was lighted up spectacularly, and everyone looked so glamorous.
The conversation began, and everyone was in full swing.
Molly was having so much fun, laughing and acting silly. Then a slow song came on, and someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and saw a tall man wearing a plain white mask. He looked so…familiar.
"May I have this dance?" he said, in an even more familiar voice.
"Yes." Molly blurted out without even thinking.
The stranger held out a long, slender hand, and they glided onto the ballroom floor perfectly.
:::::::::S&M::::::::::
18 hours before.
Sherlock had arrived in London. The very moment he stepped onto it's soil, he knew that he was home battleground. He even smiled.
Mycroft had a car waiting to take Irene and Sherlock to Baker Street, where they would stay for the time being. Against all odds, Mycroft's string pulling had managed to obtain Irene a citizenship in England, and being cleared of all crimes that she had committed. God knows how he managed that.
The reunion in Baker Street was no less than expected. John was trying to do everything at one go. Typical, really.
"I can't believe you had us fooled so well!" John said disbelievingly.
"It was necessary. Moriarty's men are still out there. If anyone knew I was alive. You are dead people." Sherlock said sadly.
"Um, Sherlock, could I speak to you in private?" John asked nervously. They went.
John unfolded a newspaper and showed Sherlock the head line:
HOOPER MOVES ON.
Sherlock thought he would either stay frozen there forever or start screaming.
"what…?" he finally managed to blurt out.
"Molly is engaged. Her engagement party is tonight." John said.
"I need to get there."
"You're lucky I'm invited, and it's a masked ball. You can wear a mask." John suggested.
"Who is the person she is engaged to?" Sherlock asked more calmly.
"A rich guy called Christopher Smallwood."
"Oh."
"Sherlock, you should have told her."
"Wait." Sherlock snatched up the newspaper again and stared at Molly's hands. All he saw was a rather ostentious golden ring with a ruby set in it. The ring he gave her…?
It was gone.
::::::::S&M:::::::::::::
The stranger was altogether too familiar. The way he talked, the way he walked, everything about him. The only person she could think of… was the person she had sworn not to think about.
Earlier that evening, she had wondered whether to keep the ruby ring or wear the sapphire near, but she wanted to keep the sapphire near, so she hung it on a chain as they twirled on the dance floor.
"How long have you known Lord Smallwood?" the stranger asked as they twirled on the dancefloor.
"Around a month." She answered trying to see behind his mask.
"That's hardly an acquaintance."
"It may seem fast …"
"What say you we continue this chat on the balcony? It's far too hot in here." The stranger said, leading her out.
Molly knew that she should refuse in the politest way possible, and call the guards, but she was torn between wanting to do the right thing, and yet, an irresistible longing to find out who was behind that plain white mask.
She nodded.
The air outside was cool and fresh. It was a moonlit night, and the view from the balcony was particularly beautiful. Rose scent filled the air, casting a delicate net of enchantment over everything.
"Who are you?" Molly asked abruptly as they were looking out at the enchanting sight.
The stranger slowly turned to face her.
" Why don't you see for yourself?" he asked.
Slowly and cautiously, she slipped the mask off him.
And then she gasped.
It was Sherlock.
A/N: R&R please? I don't know when I'll be able to update, but I hope it'll be soon. HUGS!