[16]
"maybe they can save each other."
ALENA HAD WOKEN up to the faint sounds of chirping birds and swishing leaves. However, her body still felt just as heavy as it did when she went to sleep. It was tragic knowing that a new day didn't make her feel much better.The strange feeling of not hearing her brother's loud voice or her aunt and uncle coming downstairs for breakfast troubled her. She was so used to running into Tatiana's room and dragging her hungover sister out of bed.
Now, everything had changed.
Slowly, she trudges over to the bell in her room and rings for assistance. In no time, a couple maids come rushing in.
"Good morning, Your Grace." They all greet after the other, curtsying to her.
"Breakfast is being prepared. We will also run a warm bath for you." One of them inform.
Alena nods. "Thank you. Have any of you heard news yet of Mr Shelby?"
They all shake their heads and Alena's heart sinks. It was becoming concerning now. Tommy said he would be home before sunrise and it was well into the morning.
"Send a message out to Small Heath, inform them that Mr Shelby has been gone for hours." Alena orders.
"Of course, Your Grace. Also, your sister called early this morning. Would you like to return the call?" A maid asks.
Alena shakes her head. "No, no thank you."
As much as she missed Tatiana, she couldn't talk to her. Alena's mind was still muddled from the affair she saw last night.
Soon enough, the duchess gets ready for the day. Surrounded by maids and ladies in waiting that helped her into the bath before tightening and fitting a perfect purple gown on her. Getting ready like this wasn't a foreign feeling to Alena as a royal, what was a foreign feeling, was doing it all alone in a great big manor.
And now, she was having breakfast all alone too, on a large grand dining table that stretched to the end of the room.
"Is the food to your liking, Mrs Shelby?" A butler asks.
Alena nods, trying to seem less anxious. "Yes, thank you."
Maybe it was time she got used to being by herself. After all, she hadn't married Tommy for love but rather to have independence as a woman. Over time, she hoped she'd get familiar with her new life and not feel so empty.
YOU ARE READING
HIS DUCHESS • TOMMY SHELBY
FanfictionWhen Tommy is assigned the deadly task of rescuing kidnapped duchess, Alena Petrovna, he quickly realises his mission doesn't quite end with her once he's completed it. ••• [tommy shelby x oc] [mature] RANKINGS: #1 Birmingham [28/12/23]