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If beauty were a person it would be Francis. It would be her snappy remarks, her harsh words, her glares, her everything. With each of the flaws that show her beauty grows- Polly.G
Although Francis owned her small house, she also rented out an even smaller top flat for times when she needed to hide something or someone. The thing she was hiding today was Thomas.
Somebody had dobbed him in to the coppers. Meaning Thomas would have to keep his head way further down than his arse. Although it's rather hard to hide the man that runs this shithole Francis still managed.
Thomas looked around almost in awe at how sweetly decorated this little house was. He turned his head and looked at Francis expectantly.
"When I'm not here I rent it out, mostly female workers but they are lovely women and most clean up after themselves," Francis took a pause to lay her long coat down "it's how I make so much money, I don't just work at the garrison."
Thomas nodded his head and followed in suit of her.
She walked over to the thin white curtains and pulled them shut to keep wandering eyes away from the house. Small plant pots lay scattered around the house, aswell as many ornate furniture items. One being a cabinet full of china plates.
When Francis noticed his wondering eyes she began explaining each item "when I moved from Ireland, my older sister Elizabeth gave me exactly three plants, I just brought more." Her voice was soft as her hands ran over the petals of the small flowers.
She then lifted her head and walked to the China cabinet "these are my most prized possessions -well apart from my horses- these were my mothers they are worth a small fortune. Stolen unfortunately so I wouldn't bother selling them. I'd be causing myself trouble," she opened the cabinet and pulled out the smallest plate "see these markings here?" She asked him. Thomas nodded, "these show you they are real, they even have an approved stamp" she wiped the plate off and put it back gently.
Francis walked over to the corner of the living space and began playing a slow tune on the gramophone. She walked back over to Thomas and took his hands in hers "dance with me mr Shelby?"
He looked the girl over before shaking his head "I don't dance."
She chuckled slightly and began pulling him to the centre of the room. She smiled up at him as the two began to sway "tonight I am not a whore Mr Shelby, I am not a family friend, tonight I am yours..." the girl spoke barely above a whisper.
Francis couldn't tell if Thomas was happy or not, his face never seemed to change. But the way he held her tight in his arms and swayed showed he cared for her just as much. She knew he had a tough facade to maintain but for tonight and tonight only she wanted him to just be himself. To relax.
She slowly began pulling him towards a room at the end of a dimly lit hallway. He trailed behind her eyeing her up from behind. She opened the door and walked in, Thomas following after.
He took a short moment to look around before speaking up "is this the room you rent out to whores?"
Francis let out a loud snort "oh goodness no! This room is always locked." She smiled. He nodded softly and walked over to the girl.
"I can't keep hurting you" he pulled her closer to him almost squishing her.
"But I want you to..." she replied.
The two seemed to linger for a moment before deciding to ignore the alarms going off in their heads. Suddenly Thomas grabbed Francis's face and pulled it towards her own pressing a passionate kiss to her lips.
She took a moment to kiss back, but when she did, it was like she would never be able to stop again. Thomas was quick to pick her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her over to the large bed before gently placing her down.
"I won't ever hurt you again."
-
As the pair lay sweaty and smiling, Thomas gently pulled Fran's face up to his by her chin. Looking eachother in the eyes he finally spoke up "will you help me, Fran?" He asked.
She smiled up at him "with what?"
"Everything... Life, business, fucking everything, Fran" he gently smoothed over her face "please help me" he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
She smiled again "I'll help you until the day I die." —————————————————————————
Shorter chapter this week but I'm just warming up for the season finale (next chapter) I realise now going over and editing the story that I don't give much time for Francis to actually interact with the Shelby family and her own family. But next season should be different as I have big plans for the story line.
