By Order Of The Peaky Blinders

Chapter Eight

AN//// SMUT, SA, MURDER, VICTIM BLAMING.  This chapter is 1912-1914 :D 

"Another invitation?" Tommy grumbled as they sat in the living room of watery lane, surrounded by Tommy's family, he was basking in the warmth after a rainy, freezing day in Birmingham. He had to work out on the river today, smuggling some gear with Uncle Charlie and he had gotten soaked to the bone and unable to meet Viola for lunch. And then he had to fight for their lives and gear when their contact turned on them.

So, he had sulked home, gotten dry and changed then pouted to Viola as she fixed him up, earning some sympathy kisses and some delightful gropes. and the Shelbys were spending the night inside playing cards and relaxing as a storm roared overhead, John and Martha were cuddled up together, John had his hand on her stomach and kept shooting her utterly besotted looks. Tommy would have teased him but he was just as bad, if not worse.

"If you do not wish to go, you don't have to" Viola pointed out to her partner as she turned the page in her book, Polly sat next to her embroidering a baby blanket for the forthcoming Shelby and shooting looks at Viola.

Polly desperately wanted more Shelby babies to spoil and thought that Viola should already have a couple sprawled out on the rug in front of them. Her hints weren't subtle and were more demands.

"Dear God! Vi, please, please don't leave him here alone without you! he just sulks or picks fights, Pol almost locked him in the shed" Arthur begged

"Fine, I'll have mercy on you" Viola grinned at Arthur, adoring the older man and ignoring a sulking Tommy.

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Viola stood between Tommy and Sybil, dressed to the nines as Isobel and Matthew Crawley came into Downton Manor, Matthew Crawley was a handsome enough man, tall with broad shoulders and light blonde hair brushed away from his aristocratic features but Viola found his light blue eyes to be lacking in comparison to her Tommy's ice blue gems.

"Welcome to Downton." Mama greeted them and the staff dipped into bows or curtsies, making Matthew look distinctly uncomfortable.

"Thank you. You've been so kind." Isobel said with a nervous smile and Viola tried to keep her judgements to herself for now.

"What a reception committee." Matthew tried to joke but it fell flat.

"And I thought me being here was problematic" Tommy whispered to Viola

"You're not here apparently stealing Mary's inheritance" Viola muttered back

"The women of your family, so tenacious" Tommy complimented

"Nice word for deluded" Viola muttered coming back to the room when Sybil dug her elbow into her ribs.

"This is Carson. We'd all be lost without him. Mama, may I present Matthew Crawley and Mrs Crawley, my mother, Lady Grantham." Papa introduced

Isobel stepped forward and held out her hand with a smile "What should we call each other?"

"Well, we could always start with Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham." Grandmama said tartly and Cora stepped forward to guide Isobel.

"Come into the drawing room and we can make all the proper introductions." Cora invited her and Violet glanced at Carson who was trying to contain his amused smirk, but wasn't doing a very good job. The family moved into the next room to sit down for dinner.

"Do you think you'll enjoy village life? It will be very quiet after life in the city." Robert spoke up once they had been served, focusing on his new heir.