Hold the Umbrella (Mycroft Holmes Fanfic)

Nervous

Mycroft immediately rose to stuff his pamphlet in his jacket and then, they made eye contact. He had known Anne was standing there for quite some time, but he felt that he needed to find the right moment to truly recognize her presence. After all, she needed to get acquainted with her future husband, and like most women, she wanted some time to see what he looked like. 

Watching from his peripherals he wasn't able to properly deduce who Anne Chapman was, and currently is. And now, looking at her, he was opening her like a book. If she knew what he was doing, she would certainly slap him. He was undressing her mind, which is far more private than the undressing her body. 

Ms. Chapman was twenty-four years old, highly intelligent, and fairly pretty. However, for being so smart it appeared sometimes she could be very naive. 

In reality, Mycroft only deduced this after he could recover from the shock of what she was wearing.

Now, Mycroft Holmes wouldn't consider himself educated in women's fashion but this dress was a disaster. He's seen what ladies wear and this monstrosity certainly wasn't it. And worse, he knew she picked this out for herself. For herself! Of course, this was to find her undesirable and call off the wedding, but at this point, it was too late for the both of them. Besides, nothing could hinder the beauty or her face. 

Now, this dress was the color of what Mycroft could only describe as sewage with green specks that swam all over the dress. Or in the dresses case, drowned. 

The only reason Mycroft was focusing on her dress was so he didn't spoil himself. He wanted to know about his future wife, but some things he wanted to learn as their marriage progressed.  

The only thing he really liked about the dress was its tight fit. It hugged all her curves and edges and Mycroft found himself liking them in the brief second he glanced.

That's all he got before she decided to sit down in the chair across from him. He then returned to his sitting position. As she sat, it was almost like her close presence stole his ability to deduce anything further. Besides, he really didn't want to spoil himself. 

As they sat across from each other, Mycroft could feel the tension rising. He knew that if someone didn't speak the room may burst into flames.

"Well, ain't you gonna talk?" 

Mycroft looked over. He hadn't even noticed the woman with Ms. Chapman. 

Obviously, the cook disguised as a chaperone. Their estate was really in a state worse than he imagined.

Mycroft then drew his attention back to Ms. Chapman and saw her flush with embarrassment from the cook speaking. The tension was nauseating. He was going to end it. He cleared his throat

"Hello. I am Mycroft Holmes."

"Anne Chapman."

"We are to be married."

"It would appear so."

Then, just as the conversation started, it ended. Again, the silence permeated. Mycroft couldn't look at her, and she couldn't look at him. However, this time she broke the silence. 

"Would you like some tea, perhaps?"

She motioned to the tea tray set between them. Mycroft found himself a bit flustered at the question. It was a simple question. Why was he flustered?

"No, I'm fine, thank you."

Then, it was round three. Round three of silence. 

Anne picked at her fingers the more nervous she got. She was a nailbiter.  He hadn't noticed that before. 

It was the last thing he noticed before the silence again caused the cook to feel the need to speak. This time to end the disaster that was supposed to be Mycroft and Anne's only meeting before they were married. Their only meeting.

"Annie, I mean, Ms. Chapman, time's up. You got stuff to do and I'm sure Mr. Holmes is a busy man."

Anne looked relieved and Mycroft felt relieved. 

"Yes, chaperone." Oh, thought Mycroft, she does have a little sass. "It was a pleasure to have your company, Mr. Holmes."

"The pleasure was mine."

She blushed. It was subtle, but Mycroft was sure he saw her blush.

"Come along. You'll see each other in a bit."

The cook began to rise and made a motion towards Anne to get her to stand up. Anne must have been still in a daze because it took a couple seconds before she stood up abruptly. Mycroft, being the gentleman he is, stood up to respect her exit. She looked a though she wanted to say something but no words left her mouth. Again, the cook was impatient. 

"Haven't got all day, you know."

And with that, Anne nearly shot out of the parlor and the cook followed behind her at much slower pace. 

Mycroft attempted to return to his pamphlet hoping that it would ease his tension. All he could really think about was the conclusion that he had come to. He would marry Ms. Chapman, and he would enjoy it. She wasn't anything special, but she wasn't dull either.

In mid-thought, Lord Chapman, Anne's father, entered the parlor.

All he said was, "Do you like her, Mr. Holmes?"

And all Mycroft could say was, "She'll do."