METHOD OF MADNESS ━ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲 ¹ (Under editing)

𝒾𝓋. 𝓉𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝓉𝓌𝑜: just the two of us

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : somewhere only we know - keane

⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

iv. twenty-two: ❝just the two of us❞

✵✵✵

Small heath, Birmingham

Yearning for the room to be bathed in a golden hue, Marianna James eased the drape aside and returned to her dusting. Thomas had given her this task to occupy her time before she headed over to the Lees' enclave to finalize their arrangements.

Determined to start her day on a proper note, she set about dusting the kitchen area, her movements methodical and precise. It had been four days since she'd last seen Thomas; they were both tangled up in their separate tasks, part of the grand scheme to elevate Thomas's ambitions.

While Marianna found solace in the days spent with the Lees and had even made friends with some of their younger members, she couldn't escape the chill of unease that accompanied her. Her reputation for being standoffish was well-earned, and her association with Thomas did nothing to improve her standing.

Above all, despite her attempts to bury her feelings, the hazel-eyed gypsy couldn't ignore the pang of longing she felt for Tommy. She resented her own need for his presence, much like she did when she was younger, yet her body still craved the warmth only he could provide.

Lost in her reverie, she failed to notice her small family had gathered in the living room, their eyes fixed on her unmoving figure. Diego, leaning against his mother and barely able to contain his amusement, stood on one foot, swaying slightly with a relaxed grin.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, he spoke quietly, "Mum, I'll wager ya a guinea she's daydreaming 'bout Tommy Shelby."

✵

Marianna finished her dealings with the Lees faster than she'd anticipated, but rest eluded her. Tossing and turning, the sneering whispers of her own doubts roused her from sleep. Attempts to lose herself in a book only left her more frustrated, as the words swirled into nonsense.

The gypsy barmaid felt a fierce need for release but found herself helpless. Normally, she'd calm down by immersing herself in the bar's bustle. Yet, after her meeting with Zilpha, Thomas had strictly instructed that she stay away from the garrison tavern.

Thomas had suggested she take up painting rather than continue with her bar duties, though she couldn't shake the suspicion that he might be hiding something. Rumors about his closeness with Grace only fueled her unease.

Though Thomas hadn't directly addressed their relationship, Marianna knew he'd soon look elsewhere. Still, she clung to the hope that maybe she was wrong, finding solace in the delusion that her feelings for him were worth the pain.