Sometimes it was just so easy to read people. Ordinary people. Not that Irene Adler was entirely ordinary but she knew when she was bested at least, and bested she had been. It hadn't taken much. Just a gentle reminder of who it was she was dealing with and what lines she really ought not cross with him. Oh she might have thought she was being clever, or using her skills of seduction in some way but that didn't work on him. It never had done. Not ever. And her reaction, oh she was spooked. Hilariously spooked, and trying desperately to dig her way out of her own failure. But it wasn't that easy. Equal in playing games she'd said. Equal? Him? To her? Hardly. It seemed she still hadn't learned her place. Not quite yet.
"I do don't I? Over you, Over him over this whole stupid city given time. I appreciate the admission. But don't call us equals my dear, we're far from that." he told her, a decided chill to his voice, a different tone to the time before. "But by all means, continue to flatter. I do enjoy it."
The bitterness was hilarious. Oh how she hated Sherlock for beating her, and probably him as well for simply being smarter than her, and like she'd said, more powerful. He had power over The Woman and it was kind of fun really. It would keep her from being skinned at least, for the next while. Although it was such soft skin. There would be such poetry to it. Maybe he'd send her to Sherlock one day if he thought he'd care enough. Maybe to Watson, or to one of the little friends she'd undoubtedly made by now. Or maybe he'd just use her, wine and dine her. Keep her on side. Keep her knowing her place. "There's no shame in failure to him. Not for you anyway, compared to him you're ordinary. But that's alright. I forgive you, shouldn't have sent someone else to do what in the end has to be my job. You don't seduce Sherlock with sex you seduce him with intellect, with puzzles befitting him. And I have such plans sweet Irene. Such plans.
Irene was back on form after her little moment of fluster and to tell the truth he was impressed with how quickly. "I like to think I have better taste than most yes. You're enjoying the wine then?"