nothing we desired. peaky blinders

𝐹𝑂𝑈𝑅

ꨄ

𝑁𝑂𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑊𝐸 𝐷𝐸𝑆𝐼𝑅𝐸𝐷

𝑁𝑂𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑊𝐸 𝐷𝐸𝑆𝐼𝑅𝐸𝐷
the betrayal

The house was teeming with people once again, on the night of Grace Shelby's charity ball. There were faces that I had seen before but even more that I had not, but I was practised in these such events and wore the same red dress that Amir had once told me Mr Allard had liked before the very event that had led us to England. It brought a sense of confidence that it had not previously.

Grace herself was sparkling, moving from person to person, wrapped in a fur boa and a golden dress. From her neck hung a large jewel, dark and gleaming. A blue sapphire that was so large it was the size of a fist, hanging down above her breasts. It was a sight one could not easily forget. I know that I now have not.

"We have almost reached our goal for the fundraising this evening. It has made me very happy."

"I'm sure it has," I said, smiling at the woman across from me. I remember feeling the pressure of Amir's hand on my back- something that was often always lingering there. "And I'm sure we can help you reach it too. We can arrange something. Amir?"

"Yes. Yes. Certainly," he said without really hearing me. Then he was ushering himself away, slipping from the two of us hastily. "If you'll excuse me."

I frowned, thinking of the wedding when he'd done the exact same thing. "My apologies, Mrs Shelby. He has been distracted as of late."

"Do not apologise for him, Dilara," Grace said, her hand resting on my arm gently. The champagne glass in her other hand had not been touched. "Men and their whims are something I know much about."

She left shortly to make her rounds, smiling at the same faces I couldn't recognise. It was then that I felt eyes on me. Beautiful, dark eyes that remained on my own face until the woman stepped to my side, a smirk playing on her shadowed features. No one had introduced us, as was usually proper, but she only tilted her half-empty glass at me

"I know a woman out of place when I see her."

There was an accent on her lips, though different to my own. But though the woman seemed sly in her movements, it felt comforting to find another that felt so foreign in that room. Though their personalities seemed so different, her presence there made me think of Lorita, of whom I'd met in France. It was the first and last time I would meet Tatiana Petrovna. For that, I am not sure if I was fortuitous or not.

She did not linger long, only remaining long enough to ask where I was from and raise a perfectly curved eyebrow when I answered. Tatiana seemed flitting in nature, something she would only later come to prove. Like a flighty bird, I could liken her to. A bird of prey.

It was not until before the dinner, that Amir found me again. His hand found my waist as I made my way across the edge of the room, gripping it a little too tight. There was a dark tint to his cheeks and when I looked at him, he only shook his head, dark hair falling past his shoulder.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The loyalty toast. To the King."

Amir's arm stayed down, though back then I could not tell whether it was out of rebellion or pure distraction. There was a haze in his eyes, one that did not leave until my hand found his back in return, pushing him towards the dining room where the rest of the guests were directed to.

It was then that the voice called out across the room. It was easy to find the man. He was dressed like the others, but his dark hair was unruly and, in his hand, outstretched a gun. Amir stopped in his tracks, eyes following my lead.