Embers of the Brave // Peaky Blinders

Chapter 12

Marble Stairs

           

Michael was overjoyed to have his arm snaked around Ella's waist, even if it was just part of the role he was playing. The races were in full swing, large crowds spanned the generous entry building. It was made from very fine American materials. The wood, the marble and the golden accents. The interior was lavish in the least. Many people turned to watch the couple enter, wowed by her style and beauty. The crowd flowed from one side of the room to another. The spirited mood of the people swirled in the air as cheers and laughter could be heard in the background.

Poor man, what a waste of his money. Thought Michael to himself.

Once the pair where well into the middle of the congregation, Michael found the group of Shelby's.

Slowly, Ella was weaved towards them. Her eyes almost missed them, they had all dressed to impress. Surprisingly though, Ada was there and immediately Ella took the lead to the group excited to see the brunette. 

"Oh my. Absolutely stunning." Ada blurted once he got a good look at her and just like that the whole Shelby Clan turned towards the oncoming couple. The boys were shaken at just how pretty she looked all dressed up in gold. The dress shined underneath he lights and it wasn't just a few pairs of eyes that stared after the blonde, it was more like the half of the room.

Tommy however couldn't help but notice how well the two worked together, the way Michael's arm was draped around her. Yet, she didn't look like an accessory to him but rather the other half of him. It brought the smallest of smiles to his face, it made him miss his own blonde – Grace.

When Ella was finally at the group she turned her attention to Ada, "I thought you didn't like to get involved in this kind of thing?" While the question was abrupt and somewhat rude, the grateful and genuine smile on Ella's face told Ada just how happy she was to see her. The two had become a whole lot closer over the past few days, after all they were both equally strong women.

"Got to take care of my firecracker." Was the sweet reply.

"Alright everything good?" The eldest Shelby said looking between Michael and Ella. Michael could feel Ella's eye roll from beside him causing him to let out a small smile. Sure enough, the dramatic roll of her piercing blue eyes followed, causing a small laugh from Arthur.

"Wow Ella, you look very pretty." Sarcastically came from the blonde, who let her playful eyes meet Tommy's.

"Yeah Yeah, Ella. Very nice" He said with as much dramatization. He continued with a raised eyebrow, "good enough for you?" 

Laughter passed through the group. Then Ada reached out and grabbed at Ella's wrist, whisking her away from Michael and the group. The girls headed for all the important people of the room, mingling and talking. Michael's eyes followed her until he was dragged off by the boys.

A few times, Ella would glance back to where the rest had been previously but they were no-where in sight. To Ella, small talk was good for only one or two hours but Ada and her had been making their rounds for almost three now. At first the conversations were enlightening but it was now the tenth time that she had to discuss equal rights between men and women. Her feet fell in to a deep ache, but neither the less a bright smile didn't falter from her face.

In that moment she was stood with Ada in a big group of middle aged men, clearly co-workers. The discussion was focused on the great American Revolution, the group as passionate as Ada having travelled out from New York for their friend. It was with little prying that Ella had learnt that they were close friends with the track owner, the famous Henry Gunther. They even paused their talk to point him out in the crowd. The conversations grew long and had Ella was bored, Ada was adamantly arguing with the group of men. Ella lazily gazed around the room, up till Mr Gunther himself caught her eye. He was walking with purpose towards a hallway at the right, followed by another aged man. Their closeness proposed something other than business.

Ella laid her hand on Ada's forearm, "I'll be back in a minute."

Her eyes still focussed on the retreating figures that she didn't notice one of the men reach out to her. Startled she looked over at him.

Laughing at the young lady's uneasiness, he spoke. "We didn't get you name?"

"Josephine." She said with a dazzling smile. "Lady Josephine of Waterford."

With the disturbance out of the way, Ella darted for the hallway that she saw them disappear down. Now was definitely not the time to loiter around, now was the time to be switched on a ready. Any bit of information Is useful.

The corridor wide and deep, the t-intersection at the end was barely visible in the dark light. In the darkness, the hallway looked as though it was monochrome. It was unusual considering the roaring gathering only metres away. But there at the very back was two men. Ella slithered further down the hall, trying desperately to keep her heels silenced. A difficult task against the bit marble slabs. The closer she got the more she became aware of what the situation was.

Against the far wall was Henry Gunther passionately kissing with a man that she had only just met half an hour ago. The rich Brit Harold Bloom. She almost couldn't contain her laughter as she slinked back into the lively crowd. The plan just got a whole lot easier. Way too easy.

The beeline could have been drawn behind Ella as she stormed over towards Ada, unforgivingly she tore her from the heated conversation she was in.

"Ow, what are you doing?" Ada grimaced once they had come to a stop on the foot of the stairs. The grand staircase ascended to the next level, its glossy marble steps and golden rail was shining under the bright lights. The room was filling up with more and more people, the races should be starting soon.

"You need to go find the boys and tell them that Tommy's plan is out the window. We use my one. I need everyone in the upstairs male toilets in 10 minutes." It was a quick and tight response that also held excitement.
"Tommy won't like this. You can't just scrap his plans babe."
Ella tore away from her. "Tell him to suck it up."

The brunette stared after the girl as she gracefully ran up the staircase. 
Ada was left standing awkwardly, trying to understand the situation. From her excitement it must be a somewhat positive change to the plans. But then again the blond girl as hard to read. With that, Ada set out to complete her orders.

Oh, how the Shelby hierarchy was shifting. She thought with amusement.

A/N:

So I was going to just do one big chapter but it was easier to break this up into three or so parts. Hope you guys are enjoying the feel and the direction - it's about to get spicy.

Image is of our beautiful Ada - and them sharp brows.

- A