Sherlock Holmes and the Dance of the Tiger by Suzette Hollingsworth Read Free Book Online Page B

her feelings.
    “Y-y-you forget, Mr. Holmes, that I v-volunteer at Lady Graham’s Orphan Asylum for the Female Children of Deceased Officers of the Police ,” she managed to utter, stumbling across the words as she spoke.   She swallowed hard, determined to sound nonchalant.   “I encounter many young men in my comings and goings, so I don’t know why you should think it would be Dr. Watson or yourself—if there were any truth in your supposition, which there is not .”
    “I am well aware of every move you make, Miss Belle,” Sherlock stated quietly.   Upon reflection, he added, “And are there a great deal of young men in that establishment?   I would be most surprised to learn it.”
    “Y-y-yes, of course.   There is a young solicitor who is at Lady Graham’s at times, there is a gardener about the grounds, and a bookkeeper in the office.”
    “The young solicitor you refer to,” considered Sherlock.   “Would that be the same solicitor who is engaged to a Miss Bethany Allen?”
    “Well, y-y-yes, I believe so.”
    “Tsk. Tsk,” replied Sherlock.   “I sincerely hope your affections are not engaged there, Miss Belle, because that shall lead to nothing but heartache.   And Miss Bethany is your friend .”
    “Well, of course, I didn’t mean, I only meant that I do encounter other young men—“
    “Ah.   And tell me about them.”   Sherlock leaned forward in his chair.
    Yes, I will do that.   Right after I am crowned the Queen of England and just before the second coming .
    Dr. Watson watched attentively, strangely silent.   She could usually count on the good doctor to come to her defense when Sherlock was drilling her, but she was noticeably alone.   What could it mean?   No doubt he had considered the idea of being her beau—and withdrawn in horror.
    Praise God, I found the doorknob .   Now if I am able to turn it with all the sweat on my hands, it will be a miracle.   “You know, I think it is time for me to retire to my rooms.   I should not have trespassed on your time this long.   You have been fed, you have your evening tea and brandy, and your papers and your laboratory are in order.”
    “Not at all,” remarked Dr. Watson.   “Do tell us about your young man.”
    Praise the heavens!   He hadn’t guessed.   She bit her lip in relief.  
    “There is no young man, I assure you, Dr. Watson.”   She smiled shakily at John.   Though she would happily barbecue Sherlock Holmes and throw him to the wolves at this moment she had no wish to be rude to dear John Watson.   “And I would much prefer to hear about our assignment in Paris.   You know I must pack my bags and prepare for the journey.”
    “I shall tell you in the interest of peace,” agreed Sherlock, watching her.   “You will have a task in Paris.   And when it is time for you to know the specifics of your engagement, I will tell you.   My brother Mycroft in the Foreign Office believes it has implications at the highest levels of government.”
    “Mycroft?” demanded Dr. Watson.   “Must be important.”
    “I see,” murmured Mirabella, comprehending positively nothing at this moment in time.  
    “Good.   So let us return to the former topic which I had not quite concluded,” Sherlock mused.  
    “I have concluded it,” she replied through gritted teeth.
    “Ah, yes,” nodded Holmes in obvious dismissal of her wishes.   His expression bore that intensity of curiosity which she had come to fear.   “But I must be apprised of the emotional state of those in my employ.   Utilizing my powers of both observation and deduction, I do see, Miss Belle, that you are not so very much in love.   I will admit that I am relieved to know it.”
    “Why do you say so, Holmes?” asked Watson, his curiosity now piqued as well.
    “It is very unkind of you to discuss my feelings right in front of me as if your opinion were fact,” protested Mirabella.   “I can be the only actual judge of my