Hold the Umbrella (Mycroft Holmes Fanfic)

A Bumpy Start

Directly after the wedding, Mycroft and Anne were making their way out of London to catch a boat. Where this boat would be taking them, Anne did not know, but she knew that Mycroft had something up his sleeve.

Anne approximately a week before the wedding had disclosed to her chambermaid Eliza that she was in love with Mycroft. But as the the wedding day got closer, she realized that she really was lying to herself. All the emotions she had expressed throughout the wedding, were out of pure fancy, a childish reaction to the whole situation in itself. However, she thought to herself, were they, or did I really mean that?And the fact that she has to ask herself this question, she came to the conclusion she didn't. Being a young women, she had romanticized something that frankly, was far from romantic. Mycroft was a stranger, an absolute stranger, and she was childish to think that an impending marriage would make passion appear between them. If anything, her emotions were that of terror. But she had to admit, the ceremony was rather lovely.

She had just committed herself to him for life. It was ridiculous considering she hadn't lived long enough to even understand the concept of what that commitment would entail. She was also angered by the fact everyone was being deceitful and vague on what she was to expect as a married women. But mostly, she was afraid. Intercourse wasn't a new idea to her, but it was more relevant than ever considering she was bumbling along the English countryside to her honeymoon. It was enough to make her faint.

On the otherhand, she was quite aware that she was naive, and she was sick of being told so. Therefore, she made it her personal goal, to not live in a fantasy, and face the hard truth that would be her future, the rest of her life. Anne knew that despite the beauty, the splendor, and the romance that could be found in her situation, that it would never live up to her expectations. And if it did, well, she decided she may as well be the luckiest woman alive. 

However, as they made their way out of London, many things proved that she wasn't. First off, she had left some luggage behind by accident, had already caused a tear in her travel coat, and was feeling quite nauseous from the carriage ride. Mycroft had to regularly stop the carriage to make sure she didn't spew on his new dress pants.

Mycroft was trying to make the best of the situation. He could see that Anne was miserable. Not just from the rickety carriage ride, but she appeared to be having some deep thoughts. A wrinkle had appeared above her forehead, and he could only imagine what she was thinking. Well, Mycroft knew, and he himself was feeling the same anxieties that she was. Did he really love her? 

Surely, he had just got caught up in the moment. Weddings were supposed to do that kind of thing, weren't they, he continued to ask himself? However, whatever feeling he had for Anne, the one in particular he had now was sympathy. 

There were things that Anne wasn't ready for. Her body may be matured as a women's is, but her mind certainly hadn't.

However, the last thing on Mycroft's mind was to take advantage of her. After all, he was a gentleman. But then again, he remembered what his father had told him in privacy. It was his duty, and his father's opinion, his right to produce and heir to the Holmes' Estate. However, he had before the wedding, had basically told his father to go to hell on that matter. He had made a promise to himself not to consummate the marriage, and not be tied up with the trifles that came with a family.

However, sometimes his natural urges and instincts would get the better of him. He dreamt of her for a few nights in a thin chemise, with her hair down, flowing like water upon her shoulders. There would be candlelight, and her petit frame would lead him to the bedchamber. He would wake up usually at that point, but he always knew what was most likely to happen next if he had stayed asleep.

Despite all this lust, and desire, he would control himself, and by the likes of it, she would herself. They would live as old friends, colleagues under the same roof, and nothing more, and nothing less.

The carriage seemed to keep fumbling. Anne had opened the curtain closest to her, hoping some fresh air would ease her stomach. She looked across at Mycroft. 

"I'm sorry, I've never traveled this long before."

Mycroft gave her a sad excuse for a reassuring smile. "It's no worry. Happens to the best of us."

"I'm sorry we had to go go back for my luggage bag," Anne said abashedly.

"Oh, Anne, there's no need to keep on apologizing. That surely isn't a great start to a marriage."

Anne turned red as a tomato, and Mycroft felt as he might have been too forward, maybe harsh, he wasn't sure.

"I didn't mean to offend or embarrass you, I just want to know both situations are of no inconvenience."

"Thank you, Mr. Holmes."

"Please, Mycroft would certainly be more appropriate at this point."

Anne gave his a slight nod. She looked out the carriage window briefly, the trees seeming endless. Mycroft cleared his throat, and she became distracted, looking at him again, seated across from her.

"Not much longer, I suppose?" she asked.

"No, not much longer. From there, we take the boat across the channel."

A look of confusion crossed her face. "We're leaving the country?"

A slight smiled appeared on his face. "It would seem so. Or else, I'd say there would be no point in crossing the channel."

Anne smiled timidly. 'Well, where are we going?"

"Well, I can't very well tell you that, or I'd be letting the cat out of the bag."

The carriage lurched yet again. "It is a surprise then?", Anne asked.

"Yes, it is a surprise."

Anne squinted her eyes questioningly, then leaned her head again the carriage to feel the air coming in again.