As they approached the city, Julia voiced the concern that had been nagging at her most of the evening. "So this Mr. Meyers is a spy. What I don't understand is how did he know all of those things about me? I'd met him once years ago, yet he knew things about me that I'm not even sure William knows-like I have occasionally enjoyed a good cigar and whiskey," she stated, staring at the Inspector and daring him to make a comment about her unladylike behavior.
This revelation must have been no surprise to the man or he truly didn't care as he looked and laughed at William's stunned expression. Julia realized that she had never mentioned those details to her husband, but conceded that she hadn't had much cause to do so, as they were only occasional indulgences. So occasional in fact, she was stunned that Meyers knew that particular detail.
"Because he's a bloody spy, doctor," the Inspector scoffed. "They're like ghosts, haunting your every move and compiling information on your most intimate details. Damned spooky, if you ask me, perhaps we should start calling them spooks!" he replied, seeming quite pleased at his new turn of phrase.
Julia had to admit that it was an apt description and admitted as much to the Inspector.
Turning to her husband to explain that it wasn't a secret so much as rare indulgence, she stopped when she saw the look of pure hatred on his face. Getting angry herself, she explained. "William, it's not a secret-they're something I enjoy so rarely I didn't even think about it, I…" she began.
Holding up a hand, he interrupted her. "I don't care about the occasional vice, Julia. But how did Meyers know that? How long has he been collecting information on you, Julia?" he asked in a low voice, more to himself than her or the Inspector.
Julia's blood ran cold at the realization and immediately shared William's anger.
Across the carriage she could hear the Inspector; "Christ," he muttered before looking out the window himself.
William's grip on her hand intensified as he pulled her closer.
Though it was well past midnight when they finally walked into their suite, it was even later once they finally went to sleep. Even though she'd only been missing for hours, William needed to reassure himself of her safety and well being, and with her encouragement, William was particularly bold in his lovemaking this time, and it was her turn to be tied to the headboard with one of his ties, and for William to "have his way with her". She had been somewhat concerned that being restrained might bring back particularly unpleasant memories, but as this time was with William, the man she trusted with every ounce of her being, she exulted in being his captive and subject to his whims-which just so happened to coincide nicely with her own.
Afterwards as she lay in his arms and he stroked her bare back, she'd never felt more content or closer to her man. There was nothing she couldn't trust him with, she realized, snuggling deeper into his embrace and placing soft kisses along his equally bare chest, gently tugging at his nipple with her teeth and then blowing on it. He shuddered and wrapped his leg over both of hers, cocooning her.
True to his word (oddly enough), Meyers had indeed contacted the Crown Prosecutor's office the following morning, and arranged for all remaining charges against George Crabtree to be dismissed. Despite there being no formal charges, the Constabulary decided against promoting George to detective of Station House #3, and he was to remain in his current position as a Constable at Station House #4. However, given his excellent reputation, his high standing in the community, and his membership in the Masonic Lodge, he was encouraged to apply and be considered for future promotions. George was disappointed, but he had to admit that it was more than fair and that he could have fared much worse.
While happy for George that he wasn't going to face too much punishment for his altruistic if misguided actions, Julia couldn't help but feel angry that William hadn't been shown that same level of forgiveness for a similar misdeed or considered for any promotions of his own. She said as much to her husband one evening at dinner after he had told her of George's "punishment".
"Though I am indeed fortunate that Inspector Brackenreid and George are good, honorable men, they're still part of the preferred class, Julia. Both are Protestant as well as members of the Masonic Lodge. I'm not Julia, I'm Catholic, and therefore one rung above women on the ladder of hierarchy," he explained with a shrug and a smirk to let her know that he was expressing the opinion of his Constabulary bosses, and certainly not his own.
"What a load of bollocks," Julia replied.
"Julia!"
"I'm serious, William. Just because of the gender they were born and the religion in which they were raised, they're more capable of leading and making decisions than others? Some of them are as useful as a fart in bed!" she stated, throwing down her napkin and pushing her chair back from the table. She was done with dinner.
Figuring that perhaps he could do with a bit less dinner lest his suits cease fitting altogether, William called for the dishes to be cleared before joining her at the window, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her temple.
"Such foul language, Mrs. Murdoch. Surely you know better than to speak like a man-it's most unbecoming," he murmured in her ear, amusement evident in his voice.
Snorting, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. "I also kiss my husband with that same mouth," she murmured in return.
"Shocking, absolutely scandalous! Does your husband know that his wife is so ill-bred and indelicate?" he teased.
"Oh, if he thinks this is indelicate, he's in for quite surprise," she replied.
"He eagerly awaits this demonstration-apparently he is one of those depraved papists who is also quite sexually repressed. His domineering wife supposedly reminds him of the nuns who frequently punished him for his transgressions when he was a school boy in short pants," he stated in mock seriousness.
She couldn't help but laugh out loud at his last comment and kissed him, delighted at his humor that was definitely serving to lighten the mood. "Does the thought of nuns habits and rods excite my husband," she asked half-jokingly. To be perfectly honest, she was somewhat concerned that it might.
Laughing out loud, he cupped her face with his hand. "I can assure you it does not. Provocative French corsets and lingerie paired with bow and arrow on the other hand, most certainly do excite me."
"But I don't have my bow and arrow here," she said as his hands found the clasp on her skirt and deftly undid it, her skirt dropping to the floor. Quickly, his hands made equally fast work of her blouse, which soon joined her skirt.
Picking her up, he carried her to the side table where he had taken her the night George was arrested for murder. "I think we'll manage this time," he answered as he divested himself of his own clothes before devouring her neck with his teeth and lips. Just as she did last time, she happily abandoned herself to his attentions.
A few weeks later and deciding that she would surprise him for lunch, Julia arrived to find William, Inspector Brackenreid, George Crabtree and Edna Brooks all talking in the Inspector's office each with scotch in hand-save for Edna who sipped a cup of tea. Seeing her standing outside, the Inspector motioned her in, gesturing to Murdoch to pour a drink for his wife. Taking the glass, Julia asked what they were drinking to.
"It seems that Crabtree is taking the afternoon off to go to the courthouse and get hitched," the Inspector explained.
"Constable, that's wonderful news!" Julia exclaimed. She was truly happy for the couple.
"Are you free this afternoon, Doctor? We would love for you and the detective as well as the Inspector and Mrs. Brackenreid serve as our witnesses," George asked.
"I will clear my schedule at once!" Julia replied gesturing at the phone in William's office.
As she was leaving, she could hear the Inspector comment to the bridegroom "Not wasting any time, buggalugs. I like that."
"Well, uh, that's the other part of the announcement we have to make, sir," George confessed, blushing. "There's a reason we're not waiting for a large church wedding sir, it would take too much time, and…" he trailed off.
"George!" Edna chastised.
"Well, they were going to figure it out sooner or later" George exclaimed.
Laughing even harder than he was previously, the Inspector pounded George on the back, causing the young man to spill some of his drink.
"Well done, Crabtree. Making up for all sorts of lost time, aren't you?" he praised George.
"Oh, my, George. Congratulations, indeed." William said stunned. Though there was a smile on his face, Julia did not miss how it failed to travel to his eyes. She had a feeling that discussions involving children were going feature in her and William's lives soon, and not for the first time, she despaired at her inability to provide William with the family she knew he would never dare admit to still dreaming of.
Offering her own quiet congratulations, she slipped out of the office to phone the asylum and clear her schedule for the afternoon. No one noticed, as William was undoubtedly brooding about children of his own given his current contemplative expression, while the Inspector was too busy teasing the bright red George Crabtree. To her credit, even Edna seemed amused at George's reaction.
Not for the first time, Julia pushed down the longing that had never quite completely went away and picked up the phone. Glancing at her husband across the bullpen, she feared that she sensed clouds on the horizon for their relationship.
Nothing was ever easy for them for very long.
Thanks to everyone who submitted reviews-your words were very kind and inspiring. Thanks for your words of encouragement-they really meant a lot to me as I wrote my first lengthy piece. I don't know if George will marry Edna, but I sure hope he does (love how he's a man with Edna), and since this is my fic, why not? :)