•︎ •︎ •︎

━︎━︎ IN WHICH THEY VISIT BASILWETHER

Enola and Edith had put together a plan of going undercover as private detectives and trying to convince Tewkesbury's family to agree on their help with finding the young lord. It seemed like a good plan until Enola decided to force Edith into dressing up as a widow. She didn't see the point in it, but after all, Enola was the brains of their duo.

They were currently sat in a carriage that was being pulled by two black mares in the direction of the Basilwether Hall — which was the Ancestral seat and home of Lord Tewkesbury and his family. There where small bumps in the path they drove on, so when they drove by a bigger hole it made Edith jump out of her thoughts and jump quite literally for the second time on their little trip.

Edith peeked her head out of the window, taking in the view of the large and beautiful mansion as air blew softly through her pinned up hair that was being covered by a black veil. She moved the veil out of her face, putting it behind her head as she took a look at the gardens surrounding the mansion.

"Miss May Beatrice Posy and Miss Frances Browning". One of the servants announced as the two stepped inside of the mansion. Enola had just put the veil behind her head as the man continued announcing "For the Lady Tewkesbury, Marchioness of Basilwether". The servant gave a small nod before turning around and walking further into the hall as the double doors behind the two girls were closed.

Enola sighed almost silently as Edith looked around, trying to figure out what to do now or where to go.

. . .

"What is your buisiness here?" Sir Whimbrel asked as the two girls stood in one of the many rooms of Basilwether.

"We're private detectives" Enola told the man as the rest of the family entered the same room.

"We've come to offer our services" Edith added but was slightly cut off when the man spoke again —

"My sister-in-law has all the help she needs. Show them out".

Enola took a step forward as she said "I believe we can help you"

"You are reporters for one of those dirty newspapers". The woman assumed and Edith raised an eyebrow.

"We are no such thing!" Edith exclaimed as she too took a step forward.

"We are lady detectives". Enola told the woman as she scrubbed her face up.

"Please leave!" The woman told them with an annoyed tone in her voice. Two servants started walking towards them as one grabbed Enola by the shoulders, turning her around, the other doing the same to Edith. "Before we make you leave"

"We work for Sherlock Holmes!" Enola suddenly exclaimed as she stopped in her tracks.

Edith's eyes widened for a second before going back to normal after realising what Enola was trying to do.

"We're his assistants" Edith said as she turned around only to see that Enola was already facing the family with shocked faces.

"He sends us ahead of time to prepare the ground" Enola said as she took steps towards the family with her head raised as Edith stayed slightly behind.

The woman who told them to leave started walking towards Enola, shock still written on her face as she asked "Sherlock Holmes is interested in our case?"

"Yes"

"And he . . . sent along widows to fleece his path?"

Enola cleared her throat before saying with her voice raised slightly "Widowhood doesn't impact on our ability to do our job. Sherlock trusts us to — "

"Poppycock! I'm sorry but I've hear enough" a man with dark skin and a beard said as he walked out from the corridor to inside the room, his walking stick clanking every time he hit the floor with it. "You do not know Sherlock Holmes".

"Oh, Lestrade. So pleased you could make this young lady's acquaintance".

"I am Lestrade of Scotland Yard and I'm a close personal friend of Sherlock Holmes. . ."

Edith had suddenly zoned out of the conversation, no longer paying attention to the small argument going on between Enola and the man called Lestrade, but on a certain painting that hung on the wall beside where she stood.

It was a small family painting of the Tewkesburys. The Mother, Uncle, Grandmother and the son — or otherwise know by Edith as Flowerboy.

The painting was so realistic it almost looked like someone had trapped the family into a little frame and displayed them on the wall.

Her eyes locked with the painting of the boy she had met a few days ago and a small smile crept onto her face until she yelped when she felt someone grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the room. Her head turned around and she saw it was Enola, with a slightly furious look on her face and narrowed eyes.

. . .

The man that claimed to know Sherlock Holmes stood outside with Enola and Edith, waiting impatiently for a carriage as him and Enola asked each other questions about Sherlock, but Edith found herself staring at the bush beside her rather that paying attention to the bicker of her friend and a man.

She only snapped back to her surroundings when she heard Enola exclaim "I say!"

Her eyes widened as she ran after the Enola — who was speaking to two gardeners.

"I'll pay both of you five pounds each. . . to swap clothes with us" Edith heard Enola say as she stopped beside her. The two gardeners gave her a strange look as she added "You needn't you wear my dress if you prefer not to"

He nodded with hesitation after a moment as Enola staring taking the money out but Edith thought of something.

"The young master. He was outside a lot. Am I right?" Edith asked the gardeners.

"Could never get him inside" one of the gardeners answered.

"Where would he go?"

The other gardener turned around pointing to the land behind him.

"The woods"

Hi dudes, long time no see, hope you enjoyed.

Also, wth thank you for 16k reads on this book and all the support, it means the world to me when you guys comments and vote on my books.

And tysm for 400 followers

With love, Lennon