Chapter eleven: Love and Anger
For a moment, Thomas wasn't sure if he was going to strangle her or kiss her. Kate's hair was starting to come free from her hairpins and her eyes were on fire. They both sat staring at each other, their fists doubled and breathing hard. Neither was choosing to back down to the other. She had a very valid point, he hadn't anticipated on her knowing this establishment, since she was a recluse. But she did and she went along with the plan in spite of her obvious anger towards him.
However, only when Arthur started chuckling did they dare to blink. His chuckle irked Thomas, so he kicked him under the table. "Ow!" Kate broke the stare down to glance at Arthur as he rubbed his shin. "I can't help it. You two are more entertain' than the movies!"
"Glad to be amusing." She bit out tightly.
"You're a regular firecracker." Arthur stated. "You bit off more than you can handle, this time Tom."
"I can handle Kate just fine." Thomas stated.
"Handle me?!" And he knew he'd managed to throw kerosene on the fire already burning within her. "I am not yours to handle, Thomas."
"Maybe I want to."
Her mouth dropped open in shock and she stared at him. He knew his words would shock her and he succeeded. "And what," she asked, her voice shaking slightly. "do you mean by that?"
"Katherine?" She obviously recognized the voice, for she spun around. She beaming smile on her face for the young man who approached their table which irritated him. The man leaned over and kissed her on both cheeks. Thomas felt his blood begin to boil in his veins. "I thought it was you."
"It's been a long time Daniel." She stated as she stood up and hugged him. She then began speaking in French to the man. They greeted each other and he kissed her cheeks, serving to burn Thomas further. She probably spoke in French, hoping that he didn't speak it. But he did, so he was privy to her conversation.
"Ah, and who is this?" He asked, looking at Thomas. "Much more intimidating than the man I thought you'd wind up with. I can see why a woman would admire his dark, smoldering looks."
"No." Kate patted Daniel's hand. "This is Thomas Shelby. He's a friend."
He frowned. "Not a lover? How disappointing."
"Stop it.."
"Why?" Daniel gave her a hug. "I was hoping to see you've moved on and had a new man in your life." He turned to Thomas. "I hope you've been treating my girl well!" Thomas was briefly surprised that this man, felt bold enough to state such a thing to a man he barely knew. "She's a good woman; I don't think any man on this world is good enough for her. She saved my life, you know?"
Kate shrugged as she sat back down in her chair. "It was nothing."
Thomas picked up the cigarette Kate had practically slapped out of his mouth and put it in the ashtray. "She didn't mention it, so, why don't you tell us about it?"
"It was during the battle of Verdun." Thomas let out a mental groan. Why did Kate have to be connected to that battle? "I was an ambulance driver. I was shot in the shoulder and barely made it to the hospital from the loss of blood. She bandaged me up and I was sent back out to get more men. She defied matron's orders and went with me. Good thing she did. I passed out halfway and she had to drive the truck to the field." Thomas stared at her in surprise. Kate shifted uncomfortably and took a large swallow of her champagne. "I regained consciousness just as she finished directing men into the back of the ambulance. On the way back to the hospital, a German soldier wearing a British uniform, flagged down our ambulance and he shot me when we slowed down to help him. He didn't see her as a threat, which was a mistake on his part. She a gun on her and she shot him in the face!"
Arthur choked on his drink and stared at her. "F**king Hell, you did that?"
Kate shrugged. "It was a lucky shot."
"You shot him between the eyes." Daniel stated. "You barely even bothered to aim. That's not really a lucky shot Kate."
"Ok, so I may have had some experience shooting guns." She shrugged. "It was no big deal, I wasn't going to risk one of those men getting hurt." Thomas studied her, Kate was clearly uncomfortable; whether it was from Daniel talking or reliving the past war, he couldn't tell.
"She then kept pressure on my wound and got us back to the hospital. Matron chewed her out something awful, but, she took it." Daniel's face sobered. "Things didn't go to well once they sent you away. Not as nicely maintained and a lot of the men missed you."
Kate nodded. "They felt that the men would view it as a betrayal, since I was engaged to one of the enemy."
"You were better than the whole lot of them. You got things done." A tango started playing and Daniel grinned. "Shall we Kate?"
"Oh, I couldn't," she shook her head. "it's been years since I've danced."
"Just hang on, I'll get you through it." His eyes narrowed as he picked up Kate's glass. "Yours?" She nodded. "Ok, drink it down and let's go."
Kate took a swallow and allowed Daniel to drag her out onto the dance floor. Thomas took a sip from the Ward 8 that she'd ordered for them. It was a bit sweeter than he preferred, but with the anger Kate was feeling towards him, he should be lucky that she didn't poison him.
"She's…different Tom." Arthur offered. Thomas nodded in agreement, as he watched Kate and Daniel dance together. Many people stared at them as Kate and Daniel adopted a hold that left them chest to chest. Kate seemed oblivious to the display she was causing and simply focused on her partner. "So, you two together?"
"Not really. Just…testing the waters."
Arthur studied him, as if deciding to press the issue. He did. "I hope you don't f**k this one up Tom. She's unlike any woman we've ever known. Even Grace." Now Arthur had his full attention. He glanced at him, his brow arched in a warning fashion. "I'm not speaking badly of her, I just mean…Grace was an agent…Kate was in the war. They're two different women."
"Excuse me." That irritating waiter was back again. "May I take your order now?"
Since none of them had to bother to look at the menu, he just ordered. "We'll take the steak specials."
"Rare." Arthur ordered and Thomas nodded in agreement with him.
The crowd let out a gasp, causing him to glance at the dance floor, to see Kate had her leg around Daniel's waist as he dipped her backwards on the floor. Their eyes met briefly from her upside down position. "And," he glanced at the menu. "the chicken special for the lady."
"Right away Sir." The man nodded. "Your food will be ready momentarily."
"And a extra bottle of champagne." Arthur added with an exhale as he reached into his pocket for a smoke. Arthur offered him a cigarette, but he shook his head. He still couldn't believe that Kate had actually smacked that cigarette out of his mouth. "I like her." Arthur declared. "I can see why you'd like her. She's f**king interesting."
Thomas nodded, not willing to admit to his brother that he found the woman downright fascinating. But this event proved one thing. Polly was right. Kate did have a past and she'd hidden it well. What that past was, he couldn't say. He was almost tempted to let Polly resume her investigation into Kate's life, but that idea gnawed at him, telling him not to do it. He needed to earn her trust and he wouldn't have it by allowing Polly to meddle.
"Ahh, the tango," Daniel's voice drew him out of his thoughts. Kate was smiling for a moment, until their eyes met, then the smile faded. Yes, she was still upset with him. "I'd be happy to give you some pointers Mr. Shelby. A real man has to know how to handle a woman, especially on the dance floor."
"Believe me," he bit out. "I know how to handle a woman."
"Wonderful. Kate always loves a good Tango." Daniel turned to Arthur. "Take Kate for a dance would you, my good man?" Kate's entire body stiffened and Arthur glowered at Daniel. "I'd like to have a word with Mr. Shelby alone."
"No." Kate said. "You will not Daniel."
"If Mr. Shelby is a gentleman, he will honor the request of a soldier, even if he was a mere ambulance driver."
Arthur stood up. "Come one Kate. Let them talk."
"Men!" She growled as Arthur moved her to the dance floor, despite all of her protests. "Always have to make a situation out of nothing!"
Thomas studied Daniel. He seemed like a harmless monkey that had decided to crawl into the cage with a lion. "I know who you are and you're going to listen to me." Daniel ordered firmly, causing Thomas to blink in surprise. Either Daniel was very brave or very foolish to be talking to him like that. "Kate is a dear friend of mine. In addition to saving my life, she saved the life of someone I loved very much. So I need you to do something for me."
""I'm intrigued." He admitted as he leaned back in his chair. "What do you have in mind?"
"Find the man who killed Emmett Webber and kill him." Thomas straightened upright. "I know who you are and you peaky blinders don't scare me." Thomas almost laughed at the man's stupidity. "I don't like to get my hands dirty, nor do I have the constitution for blood anymore since the war."
"And you think the way I do?"
"You're a peaky blinder, blood is always on your hands. So, the blood of one more man shouldn't make any difference. I see the way you look at Kate." Daniel stated. "I'm not sure if it's a game to you or if you genuinely care for her. I'd like to believe that you do, if I'm right, you'll do this for her."
"Any ideas on who I should begin interrogating?" He asked dryly.
Daniel nodded. "I think it was Kate's brother who ordered the assassination."
He frowned. "Assassination?"
Daniel nodded. "I'd call it an assassination, when you kill a man who's crippled and can't fight back."
"You told Kate you didn't know anything about his death."
"I lied to her. If she knew I'd been keeping my ears open for details these past years, she'd be angry with me." He reached for Kate's drink and took a sip. "She needs that peace Mr. Shelby. You can see it in her eyes that she needs to know why it happened so she can move on. If I were a violent man, I'd find out myself, but I'm not that kind of man."
"And you feel that I am that kind of man?"
"I know you are." He stated boldly. "You're ruthless too, so, I know that when you find the man who did it; you will make sure he pays dearly for robbing her of the life she could have had." He studied Thomas. "I daresay you know what that feels like, having lost your wife."
Thomas glowered at him. "You're going to far."
"You know that grief." Daniel stated pointedly. "I know you got your revenge. I'm asking that you see to it that she gets the same revenge."
He's quiet for a moment as he reaches for his drink. "I'll see what I can do."
"Good." Daniel turned towards Kate. "That girl's endured a lot. The war, her mother dying and her fiancé getting shot to death at the altar with standing there."
Thomas nearly dropped his drink. "Someone shot him during the ceremony?"
"Right in the middle of the vows, so, I'm told. Kate's father," he shook his head in disgust. "he's a gangster, bootlegger and smuggler. The man refused to find out who shot her fiancé, which is why she hasn't spoken to him since. She changed her name and cut all ties with her family."
He was now starting to understand her a bit better. His own father was a hustler; thief, whore-monger and he deserted his family. When he was finally shot and killed at a bar in Boston, almost 7 years ago, he'd felt nothing. However, he knew what it was like to be labeled because of one's father. He, as a man, could fight and shake free from his father's curse.
Kate, she'd had to change her name all together to be free from that legacy. But her father had done something worse than his had. He'd allowed her fiancé to die at the hands of her brother and left her to suffer. He hadn't even bothered to avenge her grief because it meant having to punish his son. Another reason Kate seemed to distrust men, her own father had let her down in the most brutal fashion. No wonder she was so upset with him. She wanted someone to be there for her.
"What is her father's name?" He asked.
Daniel glanced sideways at him. "Has Kate told you yet?"
He shakes his head. "Not yet."
"Then that's her information to share. Not mine." He took Kate's drink and downed the last of it. "Look at her." Kate was laughing as she approached the table with Arthur, who was actually smiling. "What could she have done to deserve such pain like that? She deserves to happy." Daniel turns back to him. "So don't hurt her, she's had enough."
Thomas extended his hand to Daniel. "I assure you…I only have her best interests at heart."
"Thank you." Daniel stood up. "I'll let you get back to your evening."
"Appreciated." Thomas extended his hand and Daniel shook it. "I give you my word…I will find that man."
Daniel said nothing, but his smile spoke volumes of his appreciation. "Again," both men turned towards Kate. "thank you Arthur, it was fun to talk with you."
"And you're a good dancer." Arthur was practically smiling his approval of Kate. She was a charmer, it was almost impossible for someone not to become enthralled with her. "Far better than me."
"Nonsense, you're underestimating yourself." Kate reached for her empty glass and frowned slightly. "Daniel?"
He grinned at her. "It's my favorite drink; you know how I love lemons. Now, you two dance and make up." Kate shot Daniel a warning look, which he blew off with a laugh. "You two can't fool me, go ahead."
Thomas stood up and reached for Kate's hand. "Come on, we can fit in one dance before dinner."
She frowned. "But I didn't order my dinner yet!"
"I ordered you the chicken special," he pulled her into his arms. "if that's alright for you."
Kate nodded. "Yes, it seemed pretty tasty. Good guess." She bit her lip and glanced nervously around the room. "What did Daniel want to talk to you about?"
"He wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to hurt you." He pulled her a little bit closer so he could speak to her. "And Kate," she glanced upwards and froze; her face tattled that she wasn't expecting him to be this close to her. She attempted to shift away, but he kept her secure. "I give you my word; I won't do anything like that again with you. I promise."
She smiled at him and he felt the tension leave her body. "Thank you. I don't like to be used." She bit her lip. "My father used to do that, use me as a distraction to get into a place…then he and his men would kill everyone there."
"With you in the room?" Thomas's disdain for her father was growing by the second.
"He'd always make an excuse to sit me near an open window. When the shooting started, Bertani would grab me through the window and get me to safety. No one lived to figure out the decoy and by the time I was 12, I refused to take part in any more of those and finally told my mother. I never understood what was going on prior to that. He'd started using me when I was 6."
He was silent for a moment, attempting to think of a subject to take her mind off her gloomy thoughts. Kate did have a dark past. "Now, am I to expect something of an apology from you?"
She stared at him. "Excuse me? It hasn't escaped my notice that you haven't apologized to me!"
"I'll consider it, once you explain your behavior with Daniel during that Tango."
The woman had the audacity to look confused before laughing. "Thomas," she leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Daniel's a homosexual. He's a very good dancer and I enjoy dancing with him. But…obviously, if my name were Kurt, he'd be more interested in me." She glanced back at the table and her face stilled. "However, he appears to be hitting on Arthur at the moment."
"Arthur can take care of himself." He stopped dancing on the floor, forcing her to look back towards him. "You really are a beautiful woman Kate," she flushed. "so forgive me, if I don't want to share you with anyone else in the room. Regardless of their choice in sexual partners."
Kate was silent for a moment before stating with conviction. "Thomas, look I need to make something clear to you. I've loved one man all my life."
He nods. "I know that Kate."
"What I'm saying is... I'm not capable of loving another man." He was a little surprised by her honesty, but not the answer. "So, it would be foolish of you to try-
"That's the thing about foolishness Kate." He said calmly. "From what Daniel's told me, I'd be a foolish man not to try to get you to fall in love with me."
Kate was stunned for a moment. He could practically see the conflict rolling around in her mind. "But what about Grace?" she asked gently. Her words, no matter how soft, still sent a sharp pang to his heart. She smiled gently at him. "See? You still love Grace and I still love Emmett. Looking for anything beyond friendship between the two of us is ridiculous."
He was silent for a moment. "Grace and Emmett are both gone." Her eyes flashed a little with some buried pain. "I don't think they'd mind if we tried again. After all Kate, I'm not proposing to you. We're just going out together, where's the harm in that?"
"I told you once before, I bring bad luck to everyone I know." She stated quietly. "I don't want to bring bad luck to you."
"You're not bad luck Kate. You're just scared to love again. And from what I know, you've got a good reason to be scared." People around the floor applauded the band as they departed the stand. People began to leave the floor, but they didn't move. "Just because we lost someone we love Kate…it doesn't mean we stop living." He gently rubbed his thumb across her chin. "Can we at least try Kate? You've never been with a man like me before; I can take care of anything that you or anything that someone else throws my way."
Kate blinked back tears and was silent for what seemed like a long moment. He could tell that she'd been thinking about the possibilities between them, but probably wasn't expecting him to call her on them. "I won't be easy Thomas. I'll probably fight you all the way."
"I like a challenge." He stated. "We both…lost people, we understand that feeling. We both deserve another chance. It won't hurt us to try."
She inhaled, staring at him deeply. He could feel the internal struggle inside her as he stepped closer to her. she inhaled as she studied him before shaking her head. "Yes, we can try." Thomas pulled her into a hug and she exhaled deeply. "I don't know why I'm agreeing to this. I know it's a mistake."
"Maybe…you're agreeing because you know it's a bigger mistake not to try." She didn't say anything to that and she didn't need to. The answer was in her eyes; she was scared, but she had feelings for him. In that moment, he made a promise to himself.
He'd find the man that killed her fiancé and he would make that man suffer.
