The Lazarus Machine

Chapter 35

Lord Sherrinford met John and Sherlock in the foyer as they waited for their overcoats.

"Pardon us, Captain Watson.  I must have a final word with my brother before he departs."

Lord Sherrinford didn't wait for John's brief nod before unlocking the study door and ushering Sherlock into the empty room.  He made sure the door was shut completely behind him before speaking.

"Congratulations, brother, on that lovely display on the lawn.  Lady Adler almost believed it, for a brief second, just long enough for her laugh to stutter.  She handled it quite smoothly, though, pretending she was entranced by the beauty of such a loving moment."

"Did Victor believe it?  That will be the true test."

"What do you mean, Victor?"

"Do not tell me you neglected to invite him, Mycroft."  As annoyed as Sherlock was at Victor's unexpected presence, he did enjoy knowing something his brother did not.

"I most certainly did not invite that man, I promise you."  Lord Sherrinford's voice was edged with the pointiest icicles.

"He was here.  Gone now, most likely."

"Did you invite him?"

Sherlock glared at his brother.  "No, of course not."

"He must have accompanied someone else.  I shall endeavor, dear brother, to find out whom."

"Don’t bother.  He's already made his trouble."

Sherlock didn't put it above his brother to allow Victor into his home for the sole purpose of proving to the provocateur that Sherlock was now a married man and out of his reach.  Sherlock just wasn't sure if Mycroft understood that his marriage would mean nothing to the Victor he knew.  Marriage vows meant little when it came to his pursuance of pleasure and discord.

"What sort of trouble?"

Sherlock didn't want to tell him, but Mycroft was only helpful if he had full knowledge.  Surprising him only led to further annoyance.

"I had gone up to my old room; he was there.  When I descended the staircase, he followed."

"Making it clear what you two were doing in an upstairs bedroom, no doubt.  Sherlock, how could you be so stupid?"

"I'm not going to have this argument for the umpteenth time.  My acquaintance with Victor is over.  It's been over for a year.  It is not a mistake I wish to repeat."

"See that you don't."

"Draconian, egotistical, dictatorial…"  Sherlock drained his extensive vocabulary onto his brother as he pulled open the door and rejoined his new husband in the foyer.

Lord Sherrinford moved to shake his brother-in-law's hand.

"Have you said goodbye to Sir Harold, Captain Watson?  I understand he leaves for Essex in the morning."

"I've no wish to, Lord Sherrinford," John answered shortly.  "Are you ready, Sherlock?"

"More than," answered his husband with a dramatic sigh.

Lord Sherrinford's coach was waiting at the foot of the front steps to transport them to their new home on Baker Street.  Neither of them spoke, and John only sat on the seat beside Sherlock so he wouldn't have to face that probing glare directly. 

Time, he told himself, they both needed time to figure out where their place in each other's life would be.  Nothing had to be set in stone tonight.  John could be patient.  Just because John so desperately wanted to kiss Sherlock and Sherlock came away from the activity so dispassionate and unaffected didn't mean that was the end.  And even if it was, John could live his own life.  Sherlock was right about one thing: this marriage was freedom for them both.