Lady Devonshire floated through the gardens, admiring the colourful blooms that sat in their beds in the midday sun.

"What a lovely assortment of plants. The arrangement of ferns and flowers together make such a flattering ensemble." She said to Fred who stood nearby with Bond.

"Yes, a rather smart choice indeed. Did you know that ferns are a special classification of their own. They fall under the species: Polypodiophyta." A voice said behind her. Peering over her shoulder she found William standing with a sweet smile directed at her. 

"Why yes, I did. It's extremely handy, in the wind of autumn the gardening is practically gets done itself. The seeds germinate and grow where it falls. How self sufficient." The lady replied with a smile. Fred's eyes widened at the notion of another person understanding his work.

"I think it's rather clever of you. A wise choice. All you have to worry about is seeing to the flowers and pruning the ferns. The different types also makes for an attractive garden. The large leaves add a mysterious wonder to the space." Lady Devonshire said with a soft smile on her intelligent face. Fred blushed profusely and nodded.

"No one's ever noticed my work in such detail before. It's honour to speak with you." Fred replied with a small bow. 

"Oh no you don't have to do that. The honour is mine. Thank you for allowing me such a wondrous sight." She said with a tinkling laugh. 

Bond stepped forward to escort Lady Devonshire further into the garden when William placed a firm hand on Bond's shoulder and gave him a piercing gaze.

"If you would be ever so kind as to assist those ladies over there Bond." William prompted making up an excuse for Bond, to which the man took Williams que and disappeared from view.

"Such charming company, you're quite adept in the sciences of the world. If you don't mind, could I walk with you for the remainder of the route?" William asked holding his arm out. She agreed by silently placing her gloved palm in his she walked with him, discussing plants and horticulture along the way, whilst admiring the flora.

"I didn't recall seeing you at the previous tea party." William remarked with a curious drawl.

The warmth of their palms relaxing his usually taut shoulders.
Moran and Bond watched the handsome blonde from their allocated posts, enjoying the sight of William pursuing a female unknowingly.

"Perhaps because there were so many lovely ladies surrounding you?" She teased glancing at him from beneath her lashes. 

"And yet I don't recall your face among them." He countered. She smiled mischievously, eyes flitting over the water feature that gurgled softly in a corner.

"I couldn't make the last one." She admitted softly.

"Why not? Busy having a killing of a time elsewhere?" He prodded sarcastically. She chuckled brightly, shaking her head.

"My goodness, no. I had to visit my grandmother. She wasn't doing too well." She countered perfectly. William narrowed his eyes in thought, analysing all the information in his head.

"I see, how unfortunate." He replied in a guarded voice, glancing at her from the side.

Collecting his thoughts and righting himself, he swept his hand out in a welcoming motion.

"We've prepared a list of activities to entertain you ladies. Please, I do hope you'll enjoy. First up we've flower arrangement." William led her to the area Fred had set up.

Numerous vases sat waiting to be filled with various flowers. 

Fred stood in front of a large rectangle table. The sturdy, wooden surface held a curvy jade vase that Fred filled with purple Asters and fronds from an Eagle fern. 

"This style and choice of flowers are perfect for rooms with large airy spaces." Fred explained in a conversational tone.

The young man had displayed a variety of ferns and flowers, sharing ways on how to perfume a room and make it look attractive.

"The type of flower, choice of colour and fillers you use in the vase can enhance your room and make it look larger or smaller. The colour of your wallpaper in a room and the colour flowers and lighting can either beautify your room or do the opposite." Fred explained. 

"One thing to bare in mind is that some flowers are poisonous. If you have pets, lilies can be an extremely dangerous flower to have. Be sure to keep your fluffy little ones safe." Fred warned in a soft voice that was easy to follow.

Some of the ladies gasped and covered their mouths in surprise. The ladies around him gushed with excitement, bombarding him with questions.

Lady Devonshire smiled and snapped open her fan to her smirk behind it. She fanned it lightly, peering over at William, over the top of it.

She found it amusing that the women would throw themselves at any good-looking man, tossing dignity out into the air. 

William on the other hand studied her fan which was thicker and broader than a normal fan women used. 

"Such a pity that these flowers don't last very long. They make the entire area perfumed and help beautify the place." An aristocrat woman commented.

"Well I guess everything that exists to aid us nobility live short lives." Another woman commented, her dark comparison of the lower class not lost on the group. The woman giggled brainlessly behind their hands.

Lady Devonshire narrowed her eyes in distaste and walked away from the group.

Tenderly touching the edge of a flower placed in a vase she wistfully spoke to herself in a soft voice.

"Nobility are like these flowers. Pretty on the outside with poisonous properties."

"Well said my Lady." A voice praised behind her.

Turning her head she found Lord Albert standing next to her with a charming smile.

"I couldn't agree more. Most aristocrats are a haughty, vile bunch. It thus, truly is an honour to have met a lady in the likes of you." He said kissing the back of her hand.

William studied the conversing pair, his red eyes narrowed to slits with irritation.

"We have a rather intriguing programme set up next. Come let me escort you." Albert held his arm out to her and led her to the a large piece of land at the back of the garden.

A makeshift stage made of flattened wood, large enough to floor a small room, was set on the ground.

Chairs were lined up in rows for the guests to be  seated. Standing next to Albert, William addressed the crowd with a calm serene voice.

"My gentle ladies, crime seems to be getting to the better of us nobles. Many petty attacks are made on what thieves believe to be weak prey."

The enraptured crowd listened quietly, hanging onto every word of Williams.

"We decided to hold a small demonstration to teach you ladies on how to defend oneself, God forbid, should the unfortunate event of a break in or thievery befall you, you shall be better equipped." Albert said, locking his hands behind his back.

The Lord's sincere emerald eyes touched the hearts of the woman, making them squeal and chatter amongst themselves excitedly.

"Our man Bond here, shall demonstrate how to block and defend yourself in simple ways, while our personal guard Moran shall play the role of attacker." William said holding his arm out to acknowledge the two charming men in suits.

Within minutes Bond and Moran stood facing each other. Moran's stance poised and ready to attack while Bond stood coolly with his hands in his pockets. 

Glancing at the crowd he winked at the ladies who chimed with excitement. One of them screamed for Bond to be careful.

"You sure you'll manage?" Moran asked softly, taunting Bond.

"I think you should worry about yourself." Bond replied with a smirk.

Moran ran toward Bond and made to grab his tie when Bond hit Moran's forearm with the side of his palm.

Moran then proceeded to chokehold Bond, the latter spun around and jabbed his elbow hard into Moran's side.

The man doubled back with a small grunt, making Bond grin victoriously.

Albert stepped forward and explained the manoeuvre. Women were susceptible to being strangled or grabbed by the neck for their jewellery. So naturally being prepared and knowing what to do in such a situation was warranted.

"Being prepared and knowing what can happen makes all the difference. When you are aware of they could do, you'll know how to react on instinct." Bond explained to the ladies.

"How about we have one of the ladies come up and try it out?" William proposed with a small smile.

None of them volunteered, many of them making excuses.

"Hmmm how unfortunate. But I guess you wouldn't want to duel against me and my brother. We'll just have to pick ourselves." Albert said with a painted frown on his handsome face.

The ladies immediately began volunteering, each of them talking over the other.

"How about Lady Devonshire. Would you be interested?" William asked with an enchanting smile that belied his other name: Lord of Crime.

The young lady startled, her brown eyes staring at Williams with annoyance.

He held his hand out to her with an imploring look. Glancing around at the other maidens and the men of the Moriarty estate she gritted her teeth in a begrudging smile, waking up tentatively.

Her eyes darted around in thought as she walked to the makeshift stage. Her breathing grew erratic, her chest heaving more rapidly as panic settled in.

"Come now Miss, you've nothing to be afraid of. This isn't real." William remarked with a glint in his eye.

Nodding to herself she lifted her head up proudly, covering her fear and braving the next few minutes.

William stood feet apart with a widned stance a long knife held with poise and dexterity in his hand.

"Give me everything woman! Give me all you have, lest I leave my mark on you with this knife!" He mimicked the possible threats that an attacker would speak laced with his own message, his voice however, remained soft and gentle.

She stepped back astounded at his sheer nerve. Flicking her fan open, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Brown intelligent eyes flitted to his feet and noted his stance.

Albert, Moran, Bond and Fred watched her, their eyes widening ever so slightly at the tell-tale sign of how experienced she was.

As William forged forward, she thrust her open fan through the knife and twisted it in a circle. The motion disarmed William with the knife clattering to the floor.

Moran exchanged a knowing smirk with Bond. This was proof enough that she was the killer from the other day.

The ladies applauded Lady Devonshire and cheered for William breathlessly.

"That was an amazing show. How did you manage that?" Albert asked proudly with an applause.

"Oh I uh, I simply applied the manoeuvre Bond had showed us." She covered up.

William took hold of her hand and bowed low.

"Apologies for any offense and thank you for being such a delightful sport." He said softly to her through the cheer.

Her eyes reflected unease, a sulk clear on her features. Without answering him, she returned to her spot. William was baffled, unsure of how to tread further. 

Moran and Albert smirked at each other mischievously and Bond cleared his throat, pretending to not notice so as to hide his smirk. 

The tea party came to a close with Bond showcasing a thrilling scene of sleight-of-hand magic to thrill the ladies. The ladies laughed and cheered for the clever tricks that occurred right under their noses. Card tricks, bending a coin, floringing flowers out of no where; the ladies were enraptured by it all. Bond ended off with a few fire tricks, spitting out bursts of fire.

He then lit sparklers to brighten the dimming gardens of the grey autumn afternoon. The carriages pulled up just as the sparklers were lit, a perfect way to bid the ladies a farewell. 

An ear-piercing screech pulled everyone's attention away from the carriages and the Moriarty brothers. The voice of the lady disturbing the pleasant atmosphere that had settled around them. One of the aristocrat's dress had caught fire from the sparks. All the guests began running mindlessly as the fire fed on the material of her dress and grew greater. 

The brothers were distracted with putting the fire off and calming the women down.

Using the diversion created, Lady Devonshire escaped, rushing into her carriage without a proper farewell to the Moriarty brothers. 

She couldn't chance another meeting, lest he catch her and question her. There was no mistaking those ruby eyes. He saw her that night. 

A/N: Credit to owner of pic.