Stolen Heart [Tommy Shelby x OC]

Chapter 30

‘Good morning, Miss Peyton.’ Mary greeted Lily as she walked downstairs the next morning, wearing her printed red dress which buttoned up to her neck. After yesterday, she wasn’t taking any chances.

‘Good morning, Mary.’

She wished her back and walked in the dining room for breakfast. On her way, she almost collided into a rushing Tommy Shelby, dressed immaculately in his dark suit and cap.

‘Good morning, Lily.’ He appraised her outfit, a small smile tugging at his lips.

‘Good morning, Tommy. Going somewhere?’ She said civilly.

His expression became distraught as he said indifferently, ‘Yeah, we’re meeting the Russians today.’

Her eyebrows shot up, ‘Good luck.’               

He nodded, and took a step to move forward.

She interrupted him, ‘Tommy, last night-‘

He hesitated for a bit and said, ‘I apologise if-’

She shook her head, ‘No, it’s about Charlie.’

‘What about him?’

‘He has called me that before, but he is only asking for Grace. Don’t think otherwise.’

Tommy swallowed, looking at a far space, ‘I didn’t.’

Lily smiled a little. ‘So I was wondering if I could leave today?’

His refocused his eyes on her, ‘Why?’

‘Well, you are back. I am no longer needed.’

He looked around them and said, ‘Let’s talk it over breakfast, eh?’

‘Sure.’

When they were seated on the table with a variety of food before them, Tommy said, ‘I need you here for a while. With the robbery, I won’t be able to be with Charlie. You take good care of him.’

‘And you pay the nannies for that.’

‘They are employees. They work for the money.’

‘But I am an outsider too.’

‘Oliver is Charlie’s brother.’

She dismissed the warm unfurling in her heart and said, ‘Tommy, I care for Charlie too. A lot. But staying here with you is hardly appropriate.’

‘Since when did you care about propriety?’ He asked as he reached for a cigarette from his coat pocket.

She knew she had to say it out loud.

Sighing, she said, ‘It’s not about me. People talk. They know I am not married. And Oliver is -‘

He paused with the lighter lit in his hand, ‘Who talked?’

‘No one. It’s just an expression.’ She said, trying to divert him.

‘Was it Mary?’

‘Everyone,’ she said finally. ‘So instead of reprimanding them, let me go.’

‘I won’t ‘reprimand’ them. I will sack them all.’ Tommy tried to restrain himself from hitting whoever had called his son a bastard.

‘It is hardly fair, Tommy.’

‘No one talks shit about my son and gets away with it.’

‘Why do I bother with you?’ Lily murmured as she got up to leave the room.

Tommy got up too, leaving his food untouched, ‘I expect you to be here when I come back tomorrow.’

‘Oh? You’re spending the night with her then.’ She said coldly and wanted to bite her tongue after she saw the shocked expression on his face.

Walking away, Lily wondered why she had said that. They were not in any relationship for her to reproach his dalliances. Was she bothered by his perverse sexual life? Or by his lack of reaction about last night?

Whatever it was, living in Tommy Shelby’s vicinity was disrupting her sanity.

~~~

‘There is a man to see you, Miss Peyton.’ A maid informed her that afternoon, judgement dripping from her voice. The staff had been reserved in their behaviour since the beginning but last night’s incident had added fuel to the fire. Now, they were certain she was Mr. Shelby’s mistress who had an illegitimate child.

‘I’ll be there.’ Lily said as she left the kids in the nanny’s care and went downstairs. She had received his letter a few days back, informing her that he was preparing to leave for England.

‘Lily!’ Alexander bellowed as she reached the hall and abruptly lifted her off her feet, spinning her around in his arms.

She suddenly became aware of the watchful eyes of the maids. ‘Put me down, Alex.’ She hissed.

He put her down quickly and searched her face for any sign of distress.

‘How was your journey?’

‘I am fucking tired to my bones. And lifting you probably broke a couple of them.’

‘Then go take a nap. Don’t bother me.’

‘Here?’

‘I am not to leave Arrow House until Thomas Shelby’s further orders.’

‘Fuck.’

‘Stop swearing.’

‘Well, I will take that nap now. After that, I have some news to share.’

‘Good or bad?’

‘I’ll tell you when my eyes are no longer scratchy.'

‘Bad, then.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll tell you.’