Page 22 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Impossible.”
“You callin’ me a liar?”
“I call you a lot of things. A liar is likely one of the nicer words I can think of.”
Alison’s body was shaking as she reached the edges of the window. It was dark outside, too dark to make anything out clearly, but through that darkness she could have sworn she saw the outlines of two bodies standing before the window.
“I seen it! Someone is home.”
“And how can that be? You was the one tellin’ me the place would be empty. Said they were gone as of today, you did.”
“I said no such thing!”
“You did, you was sayin’ –”
“I said what I was told! And I was told the place would be empty.”
“Maybe they just left a few candles burnin’? Forgot to put ‘em out, you know? I be doin’ that sometimes.”
“Yeah, but that’s cause you’re an idiot.”
“I’m just sayin’, how we meant to be breakin’ in if somebody is home? You said it would be empty. You said it would be the easiest steal we ever did.”
Alison stood frozen as she stared at the darkened figures through the window. All her excitement at being left alone, all her efforts to try and see the positive in the situation, and any bravery she might have felt were dashed in an instant.
Suddenly, being left behind didn’t sound nearly so good.
And that was when Pickle started to bark.
“Pickle!” Alison hissed at her dog. “Quiet!”
“What was that?” one of the voices outside said.
“Sounded like your stomach. When you eat last?”
“It weren’t my stomach you nonce. It was a dog! I heard a dog barking inside.”
“First, he sees a fire, next he sees a dog. I’m thinking you ain’t wantin’ to do this.”
“I did! I did!”
Alison’s first thought was to run. But she forced that idea down, figuring that perhaps this was not what she expected. How could it be? What were the chances that on the day her family left, two men just happened to come to her home with the intent of stealing from it?
It must be a misunderstanding. Surely…
Alison steeled herself as she stepped toward the window. And then, with a deep breath, she called out. “Is someone there?”
The darkened figures froze when they heard her.
“What was that?” one of them said.
“The wind, maybe?”
“It weren’t the wind! Someone is inside!”
“I…” Her breath caught. “There are many someone’s inside!” she cried out. “A whole family of them, in fact! Now, please, go away. Or I will be forced to call my father!”
Despite herself, Alison smiled, certain that had done the job. Her heart was racing, her body was trembling, but she was rather proud of how brave she had been.
