http://paradisalogs.dreamwidth.org/53082.html#cutid1

[chastise]

[Irene knows better than to push her luck, for the moment. He's given her part of the game board, but if she doesn't keep careful hold of it, he won't have any qualms taking it back. So she does nothing than more than readjust slightly, when he snakes his arms around her to continue his work.

She hums out a low, noncommittal noise]

Patience is a virtue, Mr. Holmes. There are plenty who'd pay a fine price, for something like this, and slow is rather the point.

[But it's...Well, it's the elephant in the room, isn't it?] You must have done better than that.