My Dear Emma [Sherlock Holmes Romance]

Chapter Nine

I awoke to the sound of the wind, blowing in the tree branches. The sky was still dark, but the dawn grew near. The lanterns had burned out, but Sebastian had started a fire in the latter part of the night. Mama lay next to Lottie and Eliza. Scarlett was next to her brother, but Augustus lay a few feet away, holding her hand. I was nearer to Thomas, because he helped keep me warm.

"Thomas," I whispered, touching his shoulder gently. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," he replied, yawning as he sat up. "I barely slept though. I was keeping watch."

"Oh, then rest a bit more. I can keep watch."

"I will be alright. Papa and your father should be arriving soon."

I leaned against him, kissing his cheek.

"You should rest," I said, resting my head against his shoulder.

"I can't," Thomas said, touching my cheek. "Watching you sleep is like a dream. You are so peaceful and you smile. I wonder if you dreamt of me if you missed me while you slept."

I smiled, "Of course I do. I am always thinking of you, even when I sleep."

I looked at him and he kissed me. He helped me to get comfortable, and shortly afterward I was asleep again.

~ * ~

"Emma darling, wake up."

I stirred slowly, sighing softly as I opened my eyes. Thomas smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Good morning my love," he whispered.

"Have they arrived?" I asked softly. "Are they alright?"

"No," Thomas replied, shaking his head. "There has not been a sound of anyone coming. Sebastian and Augustus have gone to town for some food. Lottie's and Eliza's mothers are still at the inn, with the other ladies. Your mama went to stay with them a short while ago."

"And Mr. Charles is yet next to Eliza?"

I sat up to look and saw that it was true. Lottie and Scarlett were lying very close together as they tried to keep warm.

"Thomas," I whispered, looking back at him. "What if the worst has happened to them? What if Papa did not escape the blast?"

"It would be more likely that my father did not make it out in time," he said, touching my chin as he leaned in to kiss me.

"You are not worried?"

"No, this would not be the first time Papa died."

I stared at him in horror, utterly confused. Thomas chuckled softly and kissed me again. I was about to ask about it further, but there came the sound of twigs breaking on the forest floor and someone shouting.

"Thomas! Thomas my boy, where are you?"

"That's Papa's voice," Thomas said, scrambling to his feet. "Papa, we are here!"

The others began to stand as Mr. Holmes came with Papa over his shoulder.

"He is alright," the detective assured me as I helped him to place Papa on the ground. "Battered and bruised, but he has had worse. Miss Steiner, I must apologize for the inconvenience, and on your birthday! Quite dreadful, truly."

"On the contrary, Mr. Holmes," Lottie said, smiling as she shook her head. "It was the highlight of the evening. We must escape an explosion again in the future."

"Never again," Papa began as he came to consciousness. "Holmes, I say never again will I ever let you pull me into another one of your cases."

"My dear Watson," the detective said as he helped my father to a sitting position. "Must I remind you that I did not pull you into this case? Whose choice was it to stay and help? You had the option of escape; you just chose not to take it."