Mrs. Shelby (Thomas Shelby x OC)

Chapter Thirteen - Proposal

In January 1922, Birmingham, the Garrison Pub was bombed. The surroundings plunged into darkness, and the heat from the explosion was extinguished by the drizzling rain. The wind stirred the black veil in front of me, carrying the scent of the bar.

Tommy managed to dismiss the police with the excuse of a gas explosion and some pounds. Polly found some scraps of paper at the entrance.

Green... Ireland...

I frowned, thinking that Finn had become a thing of the past.

"You're going back to London today. I'll have John escort you."

"I'm not leaving. As you said, it's dangerous in London for the Shelby family."

I couldn't leave. I couldn't turn a blind eye to the unknown dangers my little prince would face. And if they dared to bomb the Garrison Pub, why wouldn't they dare for the Shelby mansion?

"Go out without revealing your face, avoid betting stations, avoid dealing with the police, don't disclose your name, use a fake name, and don't flaunt wealth," Tommy instructed before leaving, and I responded adeptly. "Don't worry, little prince."

I adjusted his collar and kissed his lips, speaking a coded language only we understood. "Stay safe, Tommy."

Watching his back, I suddenly felt like an ordinary but loving old couple. After breakfast, a wife bidding farewell to her husband before he left for work.

Then I stayed at home, taking care of the children with Esme. Maria was still the sensible girl who made my heart ache. She got along well with Esme, but I could feel she was more attached to and dependent on me. I understood her; even if a teenager could accept it intellectually, there would still be resistance to a young stepmother—that's why I resisted my father's remarriage at the age of 13, taking on the responsibilities of a lady of the house.

I talked to Thomas about taking Maria to London for a while when things calmed down. She was too tense, much more mature and sensible than Finn, more like an adult. In the mansion, she could be carefree like her peers on King's Road.

"You like your daughter so much... why don't we have one ourselves?" After hearing this, Tommy raised an eyebrow, saying something contradictory.

"You liked John's previous wife, didn't you?" Esme interrupted my contemplation.

I looked at Esme strangely. Even though we both considered me a member of the Shelby family, whether I liked or preferred one over the other... did it matter?

"Yes, Martha was a good person. She was one of the kindest people I've ever met. But I would also like every wife of John and Arthur—as long as they don't betray Tommy or the Shelby name," I answered truthfully.

I thought she heard some gossip, felt that John loved her less than his deceased wife, and added another sentence of advice. "The deceased have passed; never compare yourself to them. You and John have a long future ahead."

She looked at me in silence for a long time. "You really seem like the mistress of a household."

Would she say I seemed more like a politician's wife? My father used to say that before he died.

"Thomas must be eager to marry you. Young, beautiful, wealthy, and many suitors. Even if you chose him, I think he would still feel..."

"What are you trying to say?"

As she spoke, I walked to the opposite side of her and faced her.

She chuckled, as if surprised by my quick reaction. "Thomas expanded to the south for you."