Heart of Nobility
Chapter 1: The Laughing Stag
CW: NOT HISTORICALLY ACCURATE!!! Politics of the era are heavily involved. Gambling. I think swears (derogatory language for sure). Also the Laughing Stag is the name of the pub they're at.
Based on this
Also if you like this, consider checking out a book of mine that's coming out in a few weeks (hopefully)
"Full house!" Two queens and three 8s. The French man across from you in the pub laughs. "If you need this money for a hotel room tonight, I'd be more than happy to let you stay with me~"
"I think you'll find that won't be necessary. Four of a kind!" You say as you lay down the four 4s before your opponent. The crowd around your groaned in disappointment. "I believe that makes me the winner of this little... how you say..." Your accent thick as you fluttered your lashes at him gracefully. "...tournament! It was fun while it lasted."
As you stand to leave the man across the table grabs your arm "YOU LITTLE SLUT!! YOU MUST HAVE CHEATED!!"
You gasp and backhand him. "I DID NO SUCH THING!! It's not my fault you all chose to underestimate the girl in the fur coat!"
The crowd starts to mumble. "She's probably a plant, the pub made a killing..."
You look around at the crowd confused. What on earth were these Englishmen talking about? "I'd like my winnings now." You turn to the tournament coordinator.
"Actually... we'd like to talk to you." He scowls at you.
From the back of the crowd you hear someone struggling. "LET ME GO, BASTARD!!" They pushed a man with long black hair draped in a ponytail.
"Who on earth is this?" You blink at the coordinator.
He scowls at you. "Don't play dumb! You two planned this didn't you! How is it that a pretty little broad like you shows up the night of this poker game, and the only one who so happens to bet on you is him?"
"I told you, I'm here visiting my 3rd cousin! I'm not to blame just because of his dumb luck! Now unhand me at once and give me the money I rightfully earned!"
"Not a snowflakes chance in hell sweet cheeks." He grabs you and pins you to the table. You grab one of the tankards and smash it into the guys crotch. When he doubles over in pain you backhand him with the wooden cylinder.
The raven haired man in the ponytail elbows his own assailant in the gut and flips him onto the table. "Quickly! Grab your winnings and follow me!"
You quickly stuff as much of the money as you can into your bustier and follow the man as he makes a break for the stairs. The people on the second floor gasp and squeal as the two of you rush up there, being pursued by two angry men.
Your unlikely ally grabs a cane from one of the richer patrons and swings it around the tournament coordinators arm before he can get punched. You jump up on one of the tables and grab onto a wooden chandelier. Using the momentum you kick the other assailant in the face knocking him into the coordinator, causing both of them to fall back into the private bar on the second floor.
The momentum is too much and you fall into the arms of the man with the ponytail. "Grab the curtain." He says as he runs over to one of the windows and kicks open the hinges. You do as he says and he jumps out the window. His body crashes against the wall as you two dangle. He drops to the ground and opens his arms. "JUMP!! I'LL CATCH YOU!"
"YOU'RE INSANE!!"
"LOOK DARLIN' IT'S EITHER ME OR THEM!"
You hesitate for a moment before trusting him. He catches you and runs through the back allies of the city, you still cradled like a bride in his arms.
After a few twists and turns you loose your pursuers and he finally sets you down.
"Thank you." You curtsy to the man. "Here, as compensation please take my earring." You hand him one of your diamond earrings. "I figured since you did not get your earning you should at least have this."
"Why do you only have one?" He asks you, a slight amusement coats his tone as he ponders you in bewilderment.
"I bargained the other as collateral in the card game."
He stares at you for a moment before he burst out laughing. "You are absolutely insane!"
You scoff at the impudent man. "Then why did you bet on me."
"Elementary, my dear." He leans close to you, letting you catch a whiff of his cologne... or was it something chemical... sulfur maybe? His gaze struck you still as he scanned you over again. Not lingering on your curves perse but gazing at you like you were a piece of artwork in a museum. "Despite your accent, you speak English very acutely. I can imagine it was taught alongside your native tongue as a child. Your posture is that of a wealthy woman as are the gloves on your hand."
He takes one of your hands in his own to prove his point, rubbing his finger over the navy blue fabric on your knuckles. "Such a strange color. Most women wear white or black... and velvet... such an interesting choice of fabric. It's sleek yet you sacrifice no warmth for style. Pairing that alongside your matching cloak, I imagine you're a noble lady from the north; and because of that... you were probably educated." He smirks and brings your hand to his lips.
You gaze at him, concealing your astonishment under the poker face that just won you a tournament. "Are you a Scotland dog?"
He chuckles. "No, I'm not with the police. I'm a detective."
"Then I'll be taking my leave." You spin on your heel and walk away towards the hotel you were staying at until you could be officially presented to the court tomorrow.
"Sherlock Holmes!" He calls out, but you keep walking. "If you're ever in need of a detective, ask around for me!" You get far enough away that you don't hear him mutter, "or footstool..." nor do you see his eyes follow your curves as you walk away. This is still Sherlock afterall.













