The Lazarus Machine

Chapter 6

After tea was drunk and formal pleasantries re-engaged, Harry invited Lord Sherrinford into his study to begin preliminary negotiations.  Sherlock strode along behind them as if he'd been invited, though John was well aware that their presence was unnecessary to the proceedings and was likely unwanted as well.  Still, he limped after Sherlock with the hope of further entertainment.

Sherlock draped himself over the worn leather sofa, clearly taking in the detail of the new location.  Harry had been about to seat himself behind his desk, but he seemed to change his mind and went to the sideboard instead. 

"Brandy, Lord Sherrinford?  Mr. Holmes?"

"Thank you, no," Lord Sherrinford demurred, no matter that his polite mask couldn't quite hide his disapproval as Harry poured himself a deep snifter.

"I must have a home in London," Sherlock announced.  "I do not believe I can tolerate living anywhere else."

"I, as well, prefer London."  Sherlock glanced over at John, who had quietly deposited himself at the other end of Sherlock's sofa.  He hadn't expected the man to speak up at all during the negotiations.  "Can a portion of the provision be established for a London home?  I realize it's an expensive city, but it needn't be large."

"I must have room for a laboratory.  And a housekeeper," Sherlock declared.

"I shall have the estate agent begin a search for suitable lodgings right away.  You make take Mrs. Hudson from the London house staff, if she agrees."  Lord Sherrinford had discussed this with his brother more than long enough to officially acquiesce.  Sherlock had refused to live as a married man in his brother's home, whether Mycroft was in residence or not. 

Sherlock did his best to hide his pleasure from his older brother.  He had no success.  He gloated.

"I'll also be taking my library with me, so perhaps it ought to be a large house.  One with ten bedrooms.  Ten is a good, round number, don't you think?" 

"That many bedrooms, Sherlock, and people might expect you to entertain."  Lord Sherrinford looked pleased when Sherlock's face twisted up in horror.

"Very well, perhaps a smaller house will do.  Is there anything you must have, John?"

The men in the room looked at Sherlock in a bit of shock: Harry because Sherlock so casually used John's Christian name, though he obviously flouted convention by referring to his brother not by his title but by his Christian name as well, not to mention in every other conceivable way; Lord Sherrinford was clearly startled because Sherlock asked for an opinion other than his own; and John because his name sounded so wonderful from those lips.

Sherlock noted Captain Watson was too uncomfortable to answer.  Perhaps he didn't think he was earning this house, all this money from his brother.  Sherlock, on the other hand, knew just how much he could milk from Mycroft's fat teat.  "And vast gardens, Mycroft.  I must have space to grow my poisons."

Lord Sherrinford sighed.

"I apologize for the vivacity of my brother…"

"I hate it when you apologize for me.  There is nothing to apologize for."

"He does have some eccentric hobbies, one of which is experimenting with poisonous vegetation.  I assure you that Captain Watson will not need to fear for his life.  Sherlock does not test his poisons on humans."

But when Lord Sherrinford really looked at the Watson brothers, he noted that Sir Harold had buried his nose into the papers in front of him, while Captain Watson appeared…intrigued.

"Of course, John has nothing to fear, Mycroft!  Were I a widower, I'd be back in your household and entirely under your thick thumb again."

And there were Captain Watson's lips twitching up at the corners, trying not to laugh.

Fascinating, thought Lord Sherrinford.