Holmes said something about the blanket fort being the most efficient way to conserve heat while we couldn’t light the fire, and who was I to argue with him. Whether it was truly the case, or simply one of his charming whims I didn’t care to know.

I simply enjoyed myself, huddled close on the bed of cushions with the heavy blankets close around us, and another over both our shoulders. We passed a rather good bottle of brandy back and forth between us, and with every sip,  the taste of his lips infused me as much as the alcohol.