Violent Delights | Peaky Blinders [thomas shelby]

SIXTEEN

( book i, CHAPTER SIXTEEN )

ELIZA DID CONSIDER TOMMY'S WORDS CAREFULLY, DESPITE IGNORING HIM ON THEIR WALK TO AGATHA'S INN. He was right, she did have Ronan to consider; but Grace was also her friend. The two may not have been entirely close, but Eliza felt responsible for her - as a woman looking out for a fellow woman.

So, on the evening of the race, Eliza talked with Agatha about watching Ronan. The older woman gladly agreed and Eliza went in to get ready. She didn't have much - having up and left from London so quickly - so, she grabbed a dark dress that had a few sequins on it. It wasn't what she would have liked to wear for the races, but she thought it'd do. Besides, the last thing she wanted was to stand out.

She combed the hair from out of her face and placed a clip to hold it back before moving on to do add a bit of blush, lipstick, and mascara.

After she finished, she looked at her reflection in the small, hanging mirror in the room.

I look tired, she thought to herself, I am tired.

Despite the occasional highs that being back in Birmingham had brought, it was also accompanied by the ever present lows. Ever since arriving, Eliza couldn't shake the tense feeling she had. There were times where she could be distracted of it, but never completely ridden of it. It felt wrong to settle in one place when those after her could be lurking just beyond the corner - just waiting for her to lower her guard. She knew she was playing with fire by being in Birmingham with the Shelbys. The feeling only worsened as she thought of what she may be getting herself into this evening with Billy Kimber.

A faint whisper in her head urged her to take Ron and keep moving until they could no longer.

Remember what Alastair said about playing with fire, the voice murmured, Remember, remember, remember -

"Eliza, dear, are you alright?" Agatha's voice rang from behind the door, "Eliza?"

Eliza quickly opened the door with a forced smile, "Oh, hello, Agatha, I'm perfectly alright."

"Are you certain?" She asked with a raised brow, "I called and knocked twice and you didn't answer...?"

Eliza only shook her head, "Just got lost in my head for a bit."

Agatha did not look fooled in the slightest, "If it's to do with the Shelby boy waiting downstairs, I'll have no qualms in sending him away for you."

That'll be the bloody day, she thought.

"I appreciate the offer, but it's quite alright," Eliza mused almost distractedly, "Will you tell him I'll be down in a moment?"

"Of course, dear," Agatha smiled hesitantly, noticing the far away look in the Ramsey girl's eye. She decided to leave her to her own business and closed the door with a soft click.