JOHN LIT A CIGARETTE, turning to everyone. "Right, all you lot make as much noise and fuss as you can, especially fucking you," he shouted, kicking Johnny Dogs leg. "So we're a fucking distraction, John, is it?" he laughed, shaking the younger boy as they walked.

"Tommy is doing business on a night he should just be fucking."

John shook his head, walking through the stables.

"Right, place your bets with me," Johnny shouted. "Your favourites. Your favourites. Come on, boys. Cause i hope my boy Finn doesn't fall off that fucking horse. Come on,"

Rosalie stood aside, looking at the boy as he got on the horse. "My money is on the brown horse," she told the man with the flat cap.

"Who're you?" he asked, his accent thick.

"Are you taking my money or not?" she hissed. He took the notes from her hand, tucking them into his pocket.

Everyone began cheering as the two boys rode the horses down the paths. Rosalie squinted, watching carefully.

"Fucking beautiful horse Tom," Arthur told his brother. "Beautiful,"

"He's a natural, that boy," Tommy said. "Yeah. Good posture, rides like dad." Arthur hummed. "All right, listen to me," Tommy stopped him, "tell Johnny Dogs and his boys to light a fire in the woods. A big one, to take meat. And send Finn to watch the gates. Moss is bringing someone"

-

Micheal walked into a room, closing the door over and freezing when he saw Rosalie sat on the sofa, staring at the fire. "Sorry, i didn't know anybody was in here-"

She shook her head. "It's fine, sit"

Micheal sat opposite her, placing his jacket over the back of the chair. Rosalie pulled out a bottle of cocaine from down the front of her dress, pointing it up toward him.

He shook his head.

"You don't?" she asked. He tilted his head back, drinking whiskey. "I was told all of you did it," she said, sitting on the floor.

"Not me, but it's all right. Go on."

Rosalie poured some on the table, making a mess. He chuckled. "I see you don't either?"

"Don't be silly, everyone does"

"So go on then" he sighed. "Cut the snow," He leaned back. "We call it Tokyo," Rosa corrected him.

"We call it whatever the customer calls it,"

"Back in London, I was told you were all gangsters." She said, her head practically spinning from the alcohol.

He tapped his cigarette. "So that's why you got in a car to dirty, old Birmingham?" he hummed. "For a dirty old night"

"I actually did it because my father got me a new dress made, it's all about deals." She grinned, tapping the razor blade on the glass. "You don't look like the others,"

"That's the idea. I put it all together but i don't partake. See i've got a bright future, mapped out," Micheal pulled money out of his wallet, rolling it. "But you want me to be like them, don't you?"

Rosalie stared into his eyes, saying nothing and taking the note from his hand.

"In the next year or two I am to marry somebody of my father's choice, my guess is that it will be a Changretta boy which I think is ridiculous because they are all so..strange. But i suppose, i have a bright future too, mapped out,"

"But you want to try things first?"

She leaned down, sniffing the white substance off the table and pulling a face, causing him to laugh. Rosalie extended her hand, passing him back the money.

"Keep it,"

"As if I were a whore?" she asked, slightly offended.

"Well if that's the game you want to play."

Rosa sat back on the sofa. "As a Lady, Micheal, I'd never play as a whore" she leaned back, tilting her head up.

He tilted his head, intrigued but curious as to how she knew his name.

"Lady Rosalie Williams, am I correct?" He raised an eyebrow. "You are," she nodded. "Close relatives to the royal family in Italy"

Micheal nodded, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"My father never wanted a daughter," she said. "Wanted a son, someone to continue the family name I suppose. But oh well,"

"I hear you have boys from all over the country falling at your feet," Micheal said.

"You could say that," Rosa shrugged. "I'm not interested in any of them. I must admit, I do like the attention." she laughed slightly.

"Well, I can see why they fall at your feet, Rosalie."

Rosa smirked, enjoying his flirtation behaviour. "You intrigue me, Micheal. You said you don't take part in it, why?"

"I was never raised to be like they were. I've never liked the idea of being like them." He told her.

Rosalie never believed in moving slowly, she thought it opened too many opportunities for things to go wrong. And besides, when Rosalie Williams wants something, she's almost certain she'll get it every time. And if she doesn't, she'll do everything she can to get it.

And this time, it wasn't a new dress of diamonds she wanted. Rosalie Williams wanted the son of Polly Gray.

Micheal sat straight, searching the girl with his eyes. "Stop trying to read me, Micheal, it wont work. Especially not if I'm high off cocaine." she mocked him, placing her hands on the back of the chair. He smirked slightly, blowing smoke into the air.

He stood, walking and sitting beside her. "So, Micheal, you went from being a boy who lives in the country to a boy who lavishes in whores and money, no?"

He chuckles, turning to face her. "And you, have always been about diamonds and lipstick." Micheal said quietly, staring into her eyes.

"You're funny," she sighed, looking away for a moment then looking back. "What are you doing?" she questioned when his eyes remained locked with hers.

Micheal gently brushed a piece of her dark hair away from her face. "Are you trying to charm me, Mr Gray?"

"Maybe," he said quietly. They shared another moment of silence. Micheal hesitantly leaned forward, pausing before placing his lips on hers. Rosalie was in shock but kissed him back. She pulled back after a few seconds.

Micheal's eyes darted across her face, afraid he'd done something wrong.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Rosalie, but arranged marriages are to be cancelled if you were to marry before, yes?"

Confusion and shock filled her. "You are quite direct, Mr Gray." she cleared her throat, moving away slightly. "But yes, if it were to happen, i'd no longer have to marry on my father's accord."

She was slightly worried as to what he could suggest next. But luckily, he suggested no such thing. "Then marry before he gets the chance to set you up with somebody you hardly know,"

"Michael, it is not that simple."

"You have so many boys to pick from how is it-"

"It is not easy because I do not want any of them boys, they disgust me, they're all so...desperate" Rosalie scoffed. Micheal grinned, ammused at her words.

Rosalie stood straight, "I must get back to the party" she told him, "I believe I promised somebody a dance." Rosalie said, and with that she left the room, leaving Micheal alone with his thoughts about the girl.