(Y/n) smiled, as she made her way across the grass. It was so much more fun down here. Much more fun than having to sit with Charles and all the others that viewed themselves as better than the people with whom she now mingled.

There was kind of a party atmosphere to the air. People were laughing, she could hear music and she could tell that everyone was there just to have a good time. The whole thing so wonderfully different to her world; and that was why she so enjoyed escaping her world. Often, she had used the excuse of going to see some friend that her parents approved of, so that she could instead go to the capital. So that she could go to the clubs and dance. So that she could let down her hair and just be herself, not the lady that she was expected to be. Not the title that hug over her head. (Y/n) more than happy to shrug off the traditions that her family so desperately wanted to cling to.

Since the war, it had become a new world. A world that was fighting against the likes of her family, and although that certainly horrified her parents and their friends, (Y/n) found that she didn't care; putting it down to the pressures that had been put on her shoulders from a young age, and her need to rebel against them. Even from a young age she had been chastised for doing things that a "lady" shouldn't do. For spending too much time down in the kitchens with the cooks and the maids, learning how to cook and listening to all their gossip. For playing with the village children in the hay in the stable yard or in the woods that surrounded her home. And for returning home with her hair, face and clothes covered in mud, twigs and feathers, doing her best to not laugh at the horrified look on the butler's face as he opened the door for her. But she had never cared. No matter how many times she had been reprimanded. No matter how many times she had been told that it was something that a young woman of her status should be above, she had continued to do it. This rebellion had even led her to James; the son of the blacksmith that would care for her father's stable. He was such a handsome thing; tall, broad and strong, with a mop of black hair that she loved to run her fingers through. He had had the most gentle of eyes and despite the fact that he was his father's assistant, his hands were always so soft when they touched her face. She would confess that she had been in love. That unbeknownst to her parents, she and James had spoken about running away together. About going to America and starting a new life. But.........but then the war had happened, and James being James had been the first in the village to sign up. Telling her not to worry, that it would all be over before the year was out. Yet the war had taken four years, and it had also taken James.

Suddenly she realised that she had arrived at her destination. The smile returning to her lips, as she shook the sad thoughts from her mind and her eyes fell on the man that trained her father's horses. An old man that she had always had a lot of time and respect for, seeing that it had been he, that had been the one to teach her how to ride.

"Milady............I didn't know that you would be here today." The old man said cheerily, as she made her way over to him.

"Joseph. Of course, I am here. You know that I always love to see your handy work at full gallop. Tell me, how do you think Zephyr will do?" (Y/n) asked, as she watched the horses that were walking around the parade ring.

"He's ready to win, milady. Should do well. I think he's the fittest he's ever been." The grey-haired man replied. His fond smile never leaving his lips, as the lady turned to look at the crowd. (Y/n)'s brows furrowing as she saw a man come through the mass of people. People seeming to move as he approached. His long coat flowing behind him as he moved, and his body surrounded by a cloud of smoke.

"Joseph............?"

"Milady..............?"

"Who is that?" (Y/n) enquired. Joseph looking to the man that was getting ever closer.

"That.............that's Thomas Shelby, miss. Everyone calls him Tommy. He...........he's sort of a business man." Joseph replied with a sniff. Not sure that he approved of the younger man's particular king of business.

"Ya should be careful, milady. I don't think that ya parents would like ya ta talk ta him. I've heard that he's a gypsy. That he's got ideas above his station. That he.........that his family are dangerous.............." Joseph added, shaking his head, as he saw that all too familiar rebellious look in the lady's eyes.

"Is that right. Well, I certainly wouldn't want anything to do with a man like that, now would I.............." (Y/n) replied with a smile. Before making her way to over to where the man had come to stand. Leaving Joseph to just shake his head, before returning his attention back to the horses.

                                                         >>--------------------------------<<

Tommy made his way through the crowd. The usual plumes of smoke surrounding him as he walked. The mass of bodies moving away as he passed. The thoughts were still in his head. The images of the woman, of her smile and eyes. But it was one thing having noble notions of wanting to make sure that she was alright. To protect her like he was some fucking Prince Charming from a fairy-tale; yet it was another putting that into practice. If he did find her, she would probably look down her nose at him, as so many of her ilk had done in the past. She would probably think that he was out of his mind and call the police on him. But some way..........some way he had to get that damn beautiful face out of his mind. Tommy too engrossed in his thoughts as he got to his destination, to notice the woman that had been walking towards him. Too lost in his mind to see that she had come to stand behind him. The former sapper turning around as he heard a voice.

"Beautiful..........aren't they.............?"