Page 54 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Why are you such a damn fool?”
Alison’s heart was racing as if it were trying to break through her chest. Her legs were shaking so that with each step taken she thought she might collapse. The voices were coming from Lord Pemberton’s drawing room, and despite knowing how dangerous this was, how darn foolish, she carefully made her way there.
And then what? I doubt my presence will deter them any more than Tommy’s. Probably less…
Again, the downside of being on her own. And while Alison hated to admit such things, what she would not have given to have the Earl with her in that moment.
She came upon the drawing room, pausing just outside the doorway. As luck had it – if it could be called such a thing – those inside were too busy to notice her, allowing Alison to duck around the doorway before being spotted.
“What do we do with him?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What you mean you’re not sure?”
“I’m not sure!”
She recognized the two men immediately as those who were following her at the Christmas Fair. The tall, gangly one had Tommy by the scruff of the neck while the shorter one was pacing the room. They both held large, bulging sacks in their hands, and a quick sweep of the room confirmed them to be filled with many of her family’s ornaments.
“And where did this dog come from!” Pickle darted about the room, barking and nipping at their heels. “This your dog, boy?”
“I ain’t tellin’ you nothin’!” Tommy snapped as he tried to wiggle free.
“Will you shut that dog up,” the short one growled.
“How’s that?”
“What you mean?”
The tall one looked confused. “I got the boy, don’t I? You should be takin’ care of the mutt.”
“I don’t want to be takin’ care of anything,” the short one snapped. “What I want to be doin’ is getting’ in and outta here quick. Dammit! What if he’s not alone?” The short one was on Tommy, grabbing him by the coat and lifting him in the air. “You alone, boy? Who else is with you?”
Tommy said nothing, doing his best to scowl at the two men. But he also dared a glance toward the door, where he saw Alison hiding. His eyes widened and he gasped and that was enough to give her away.
“Hey!” the tall one saw her. “Who’s that?”
“Get her!”
Alison cried out and attempted to flee, but the tall one was after her. He dragged Tommy with him as if he weighed less than nothing, and before Alison could do much of anything, he snatched her by the arm.
“Let me go!” she cried out and took a wild swing.
“Oh-ho!” the tall one chuckled. “We got a fighter. A darn pretty fighter – see here!” he then said eagerly as he dragged her into the room with Tommy. “What you think?”
“Let he go!” Tommy snarled. “I’m warning you!”
“See that!” the tall burglar laughed. “He’s a damn brave one. Reckon we might have to – argh!” He yelped suddenly when Tommy’s elbow found its way into the tall burglar’s crotch.
Upon release, Tommy darted across the room to escape. Which he did do, vanishing beyond the drawing room like wind in a storm.
“After him!” the shorter burglar screamed.
“My nuts!” The tall one kept a hand around Alison’s arm, but his other went to his crotch as he remained doubled over. She tried to wiggle free, but his grip was strong and there was nothing she could do.
“God dammit!” the short one snapped. “You let him get away.”
“Me? You saw what he did.”
