Mrs. Shelby (Thomas Shelby x OC)

Chapter Six- Confrontation

In May 1919, Birmingham,Thomas tried to coax me out of my comfortable bed, but he failed. By the time I woke up, Thomas had already left.On his bedside table was a plate of jam-covered bread. Tommy couldn't even manage to warm up the milk, but I guessed it was the best breakfast he could prepare. I rubbed my eyes and felt a bit touched - I guess he had a little bit of a conscience.I finally overcame my drowsiness and left Tommy's bedroom, only to run into Ada.Ada looked at me in disbelief. "Did you come out of Thomas's bedroom?!"I nervously touched my nose. Tommy and I had an agreement to keep our relationship a secret from our family, even though Tommy was a bit unhappy about it. I was about to deny it when Ada interrupted me, "You like to touch your nose when you're lying!"Now it was even more awkward. Even though the truth was obvious, what could I do? Should I just tell Ada, "I slept with your brother"? Ada would surely think that Thomas forced me, and their misunderstanding would deepen.It seemed that ever since Thomas returned from France, Ada had been growing increasingly dissatisfied with their actions, probably because they had become more ruthless. When Martha was still with us, we would silently listen to Ada's complaints together. After Martha passed away, I was busy helping Tommy with the business, and it had been a long time since we had our "fireplace talks.""I... uh..." I was trying to figure out how to explain to Ada when she took my stammering as evidence that Thomas had forced me."He forced you?!" Ada exclaimed."No, no, no!" I quickly denied. "It was my choice, Ada. I love him, I love Thomas, and he loves me.""You love him? Good Lord - you say you love Thomas? You..."I sighed. I thought Ada was about to say, "What's wrong with you?" The fact that she didn't say it only confirmed Ada's dissatisfaction and prejudice against Thomas."Ada, Thomas is not what you think. He's the best man I've ever met - smart, resilient, strong, ambitious, compassionate. Yes, he's not that kind, but everything he does is for us, for his family."He's also very handsome, with the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. I thought secretly in my heart. He's my little prince.After Ada reluctantly promised not to reveal our secret, I felt relieved and left. When I sat at my desk, I realized there was a question on my mind: Where had Ada been last night? She had obviously just come home.But that didn't seem so important now. I wouldn't get an answer even if I asked her. I glanced at the calendar on my desk - today I had to go to the Garrison pub again.I actually liked going to the pub during the day. There were no customers at this time, no unbearable sweaty smells and noise, no strong smell of alcohol, no drunkards - everything was peaceful. Harry would pour me a glass of whisky on the rocks, and then we would each go about our business, talking casually.Harry said I didn't seem like a Shelby. He said I was quick-witted, nimble, and, most importantly, friendly. In fact, he didn't know me well - I just didn't like to talk much. Tommy used to say I could be as sly as a fox at times. But others didn't need to know that.The door was pushed open, and I heard a voice, so I looked up and saw a woman in a green skirt suit walking in. She had gray eyes, a tall and graceful figure, and an air of elegance. Her golden hair was slightly curly and shiny, like threads of gold.I hadn't seen a woman like her in Birmingham for a long time - the kind of hothouse flower that was clearly nurtured with money.After five years away from London, I had become better at discerning people's backgrounds, and at first glance, I thought she was beautiful but also dangerous.I think I suddenly understood why Tommy had asked me last year if I was a prostitute - a woman who looked like this and dressed like this would only come to Birmingham if she couldn't make it in London. Or... she might be a spy.I didn't speak; I just stood behind the bar and silently watched her as she talked to Harry.Experience, references... an experienced barmaid wouldn't be unaware of the danger of her looks in a rough pub like this, and she wouldn't stay after being rejected without asking for a reason. She was slender but not malnourished, and with her appearance and attire, she certainly wasn't short of money.But to be honest, she did sing beautifully.Harry glanced at me and, seeing me engrossed in the ledger, he didn't object, but agreed instead.This woman was a dangerous character, and it was best to keep an eye on her for now.I found out later, after I got home, that the new inspector had forcibly dragged Arthur out of the cinema at dusk and gave him a good beating in a secluded corner.Good, at least we know what those five-foot-tall Irishmen who can fight are here for.I helped Ada change the water in the basin, lost in thought as I did so.Poor Arthur. He really didn't know anything, and his power within the family was gradually shifting to Tommy. Yet he was being treated as the boss, and he was taking the blame for me and Tommy.I decided to make it up to him tonight and express the apologies I couldn't put into words.Tommy came back with the alcohol."He said he was sent by Sir Churchill himself to Birmingham..."Churchill... oh, an old friend. He was a former comrade of my father in the political arena, and I had been a flower girl at his wedding.I pondered for a moment, still busy applying ointment to Arthur's wounds."He said it was for the national interest and related to a theft case."I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.I guessed right.So many weapons, London couldn't just let it slide. This was Birmingham, filled with striking workers and ruthless gangs. If they could use the recovery of the weapons to clean up Birmingham, making this city, second only to London, a national arms factory - a double benefit. The newly appointed inspector could also expect promotion and medals.I didn't dare to look up at Tommy; I was afraid that if we made eye contact, we would reveal our intentions.Arthur said Tommy wasn't acting right and turned to Polly."If I knew, I would have bought the antidote from Compton's pharmacist a long time ago," Polly replied, glaring at me in the process. I played dumb as if nothing had happened.Tonight, we had a rare free evening, and I went upstairs to tuck Maria into bed."Aunt Demi, are you going to marry Uncle Tommy?"I was shocked by the child's words and was at a loss for words."Who... who said we're getting married..." I must have blushed. Faced with Maria's clear eyes, I couldn't lie and say I didn't love Tommy, but I also couldn't tell the truth that I didn't know, so I replied vaguely and fled.I didn't hear Maria's muttering."But Uncle Tommy really likes you."Tommy was sitting on my bed, waiting for me."I have to go deal with those things."I closed the door and nodded, "I see there are more patrolling police on the streets today, be careful."Tommy stood up, and his tall shadow completely covered me. His breath enveloped me, and I clutched his sleeve, lost in his kisses.Unconsciously, my dress was taken off by him, and the cold wooden floor pressed against my skin, which woke me up a bit. I pushed him away but didn't want him to leave. "You... you have to deal with..."He ignored me and carried me back to the bed.In the long night, we were each other's only warmth.When I woke up, it was still dark outside, and Tommy was still by my bedside."Is it all taken care of?" I wasn't fully awake, and I couldn't even open my eyes, so I just shifted my body and lay on his leg."Yeah," he stroked my hair, "it's been delivered to the old tobacco dock, where it's moisture-proof.""You can get some rest now, my little prince." I tried to open my eyes and sat up to give him a kiss. He held me and tossed me back onto the bed, lying down next to me.This morning, Tommy and the brothers went to the market in the suburbs."I want to buy another horse, Diana." He kept kissing me, annoying me until I waved my hand to shoo him away. "A white horse, all white, as beautiful as you."The commotion on the street shattered my beautiful dream.Those police officers were more like gangsters and barbarians than the Razor Gang. They took advantage of the situation, bullied the weak, and dared to act only when the Razor Gang was absent, breaking into people's homes in the early morning, dragging them out of bed and onto the street. They broke open chests and cabinets, smashed and looted people's furniture. They made life unbearable, with chickens flying and dogs jumping."Such gentlemen, truly God's chosen people!" I sneered, jumping out of bed. This was big trouble.Tommy and Polly weren't at home, but I knew what to do."The police said Arthur agreed to let them search.""I didn't tell them they could smash people's houses like this," Arthur shouted."All right," Tommy and I said in unison. Tommy patted my hand gently. "Have they searched the bars?""The Rifle Bar, Iron Chain Bar, and Marquess Bar all paid protection money," I said, rubbing my chin irritably. "Except for Garrison, which they didn't go to." Polly added.Ha, what a clever tactic - making people believe it was our tacit approval for the sake of more protection money and tarnishing our reputation. Wait a minute, Garrison...The woman who applied for the job was from Garrison. I think I knew which side Grace was on now.Polly chased the men out of the inner room, and only the three of us were left."We all know what he's looking for. He won't stop until he finds it.""Then let him pay a price, Polly." I picked up the glass of whiskey that Tommy had put down, took a sip, and felt the spicy kick in my mouth. "Since he's already convinced that we're his opponents, let him know that the Razor Gang isn't just a lapdog he can summon at will. We can only trade, negotiate, but never surrender or sign a treaty."Polly seemed surprised by my tough stance. Tommy reached out his hand calmly, and I walked over to him.Polly looked at us standing side by side in silence and then sighed to Tommy, "He wants to see you, he knows you're the boss. Will you meet him?"I reminded Tommy, "He's from Belfast, but Churchill isn't. You can see his tactics - so blatant, resorting to force and torture. He doesn't understand the rules of the London political arena, Tommy. There's a group in Parliament, the Fourth Estate, more important than anyone else.""Media," he said and kissed me.Night fell, and I led the reporter from the Birmingham Evening Post to the bonfire.While what Tommy said was all true, I had to admit that he looked like a charismatic politician, and he was more charming than my father, Lord Turner, a former British ambassador to Germany and a member of the Conservative Party.Sadness, disappointment, anger? Because of the king, because of God? For himself, for the people he sheltered? Of course, but these emotions were far from as intense as he appeared."You really look like a politician."After sending off the reporters, I stood next to him, and we watched the flames rise together."Is that a compliment?""My father once said that it would be a shame if I didn't marry a politician. He swore to marry me into 10 Downing Street."He laughed."He'll know; I found him a good son-in-law." I whispered in his ear as I lay on his shoulder.He kissed me.