"I don't think he'll come," I said to Mary as we looked through our address book.
"Oh but John, it's our first dinner party!" Mary said brightly, writing out an invitation to her former employer. "All of our friends will there, it would be such a shame for him to miss it."
"Yes, but you know Holmes," I said. "There are few things he dislikes more than socializing, even with those few he considers friends."
Mary sighed, "I know. I don't want to put him in an uncomfortable situation, but I know how much it would mean to you for him to be there." She looked down at our admittedly small guest list. "Most of these people are my friends and acquaintances, not yours."
It was true that I had gained few friends other than Holmes myself and I smiled ruefully, "Perhaps I should judge him less since I seem to have done no better!" I supposed to an outsider we would appear as very similar; two loners who found their society in each other. For many years that had been true, until I found my Mary. What good fortune for me, although I still felt badly about leaving Holmes on his own.
"Besides, my friends all want to meet the detective who brought us together and who features so heavily in your writings," Mary said shyly.
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Are you putting Holmes on display?"
"Oh, John," Mary said, laughing. "Of course not, but you have to admit people are interested in him. Besides, I daresay you're the one putting him on display in A Study in Scarlet."
I couldn't argue with that; Holmes had said as much himself. I took one of the invitations and wrote his name in myself, adding a note:
My Dear Holmes,
I know how much you abhor social occasions, but I ask you to make an exception for our first dinner party. Your presence would mean a great deal to me.
Yours sincerely,
John Watson
Mary had already declared the party a great success after the first half hour. She was surrounded by friends in our sitting room, discussing the decorations of our new home and our honeymoon experiences. I must confess I was feeling slightly left out when the maid announced Holmes's presence. He slunk in behind her, as if trying to appear invisible against the back wall, but I smiled broadly and welcomed him with a warm handshake.
"Holmes! It is good to see you," I said, then, lowering my voice, "Thank you for coming. I know you would prefer to be alone with your chemicals and violin."
Holmes gave me a small smile, "Nonsense, Watson. I would not be so remiss as to be absent from your first dinner party. Good evening, Mrs. Watson," he said, turning to my wife.
"Oh, good evening, Mr. Holmes!" Mary said. "This is my husband's friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes."
"The detective?" One of Mary's friends asked incredulously. "I did so enjoy A Study in Scarlet." From that instant, Holmes was surrounded by curious friends and, I was relieved to see, seemed to be reveling in the attention. "I've never seen him so in demand," I whispered to Mary, as the group gasped at Holmes deducing Mary's former employer.
"He seems to be enjoying himself," she said.
"Genius needs an audience," I said, watching him discuss the latest series of concerts he had been to with our neighbors. I knew Holmes had impeccable manners when he chose, and I was grateful that he made the effort tonight. He even ate most of the dinner we had ordered prepared.
"I am certain Mrs. Hudson does not know you have this much of an appetite," I said in an undertone to Holmes, seated at my right. He started to laugh through his serving of roast chicken.
"No, but then she does not send me invitations and seat me at the place of honor."
I could not help laughing either, "I'll be sure to tell her that next time I see her."
"Thank you for coming, Holmes," I said, as our guests prepared to leave. "I promise these will not be too often an occurrence."
"It was no trouble at all, Watson. It was a most enjoyable evening," Holmes said.
"I'm glad to know I am somewhere at the same level as your Stradivarius or your chemicals," I retorted as he left.
"That was quite a success," I remarked to Mary. "Even Holmes enjoyed himself."
"Well then, it truly was a success," she answered with a smile. "Although I doubt he would enjoy a party thrown by the Queen herself as much as one of yours. He rates you very highly, you know."
"I know," I said, "Holmes is quite particular in who he associates with."
"Well, we are very lucky he is partial to us," Mary said, and I heartily agreed.