Chapter 2
For three months Polly winnowed down possible aristocratic matches for Tommy using information gathered from her lover Ruben Oliver. Finding a member of the upper classes who was prepared to marry off a daughter to a man with Tommy's reputation was no mean feat and his insider knowledge of the vulnerable and desperate amongst that class was invaluable. In the end, as with so many things, it came down to money – or rather the lack of it.
'I have her!' Polly said triumphantly as she settled elegantly into the chair next to Tommy in the kitchens of Arrow House. 'Finally!'
He looked at her impassively. 'Well?'
Polly checked her notes and then smiled slightly. 'She's the only remaining child of Lord Anthony Fairfax. She lost three brothers during the war and she therefore inherits everything – such as it is – from both sides of her family. She's 27 years old, never been married nor is she ever likely to be since her father is all but bankrupt. Fortunately he owes a good percentage of his debts to the Shelby Family Company or one of its affiliates so we have a measure of control over what needs to be paid and when. There's some disgrace in the family too. Word is that even trade won't touch her. Still it's a long established family and when her father dies she'll become a Baroness. You could do a hell of a lot worse.'
'How big are his debts? Tommy asked levelly. At Polly's reply he whistled. '£50,000 not counting Shelby affiliates! Do we have enough to hand?' Polly nodded. 'OK. Set it up'.
'Don't you at least want to know her name or perhaps even see a picture of her?' She asked.
'Would it make a difference? He responded flatly.
'Well it might be a good idea', Polly said irritated. 'We don't want you refusing at the first fence!'
Polly handed over a photo of a handsome, strong faced young woman in formal court attire flanked by two sour faced attendants. Tommy reviewed the photo carefully for a moment, rubbing one long slender finger against his bottom lip. Then, without any change in his demeanour, he threw the snap back to Polly and levered himself out of the chair.
'Like I said Polly, set it up. I've got business to do with Jonny Dogs over a horse. I'll be back tomorrow or maybe the next day. Any problems and you can let me know then.' At that he strode from the room. Polly watched him go in silence, a little perturbed by the fact that he proposed to spend more time considering the purchase of a new race horse than he did over the acquisition of a new wife.
Whilst preparations were being made to secure a new bride for Thomas Shelby the business – both legitimate and illegitimate wings - was going from strength to strength. Although Darby Sabini's men had recovered control of a number of businesses in the big smoke, including the infamous Eden club, gambling prospects in the south were multiplying profitably. Sabini's monumental treachery in forbidding Alfie Solomons' boys access to the Epsom race course had backfired against him and merely served to strengthen the bond between the Jews and the Blinders. Huge profits were also being made in respect of the movement of illicit booze. Although Alfie had claimed that rum was only for fun and fucking whilst whisky was for business they were making a tidy profit on sales of both particularly once income from the prohibition countries was considered.
In the end all that mattered now was to ensure that Lord Fairfax was suitably encouraged to part with his daughter in exchange for a reasonable fee. Subtle and not so subtle measures were employed by the Blinders and their allies in order to ensure his agreement but in the end it was fairly certain that the cost would be substantial on both sides.