Page 53 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
Alison could not say why, but she found herself growing attached to the young boy. Maybe it was because she was feeling so darn alone? Or maybe it was because he was the one person that she knew who did not seem to want anything from her. In his eyes, she was not a lady, she was not someone who was in need of protection. She was just a friend, and Alison did not realize how much she needed such things until now.
“Come on then.” She held out her hand for Tommy to take. “Before the storm comes.”
Tommy took her hand, and where she meant to lead the way, he took charge and walked in front. She laughed at the showmanship, and how seriously he was taking his role. For the first time all day, Alison found a reason to be happy.
That was until they came upon the front door of the manor…
“You left it open!” Tommy cried. “You know how dangerous that is?”
“No…” Alison released Tommy’s hand and hurried down the drive. “I certainly did not.”
The front door was wide open, and Alison knew beyond question that it had not been the last time she was home. That was when she’d returned to gather some clothes of her own, at which pointshe had used the servant’s door to come and go. The front door was supposed to be locked tight. But that it was not…
A stone dropped in the pit of her stomach, and she realized exactly why it was open. Just as she remembered suddenly the very real reason that Daniel had been so insistent on her staying with him.
“Oh no…”
“Someone is inside!” Tommy cried when they both heard a loud crash echoing from beyond the open doors. “Your family?”
“No,” she said cautiously, staying back while reaching for Tommy’s arm. “My family is away on holidays. The house is meant to be empty.” She bit into her lip as she considered, knowing immediately what she needed to do. “Tommy, let us return next door.”
“What?” Tommy wrenched his arm free. “I promised I would see you home safely, I did.”
“You did, but –”
“Who goes there!” Tommy cried out and then, before Alison could stop him, he charged indoors.
“Tommy!” she cried after him.
Pickle was next to charge in, barking all the while.
“Pickle!”
Alison looked about desperately as if help would suddenly appear from thin air. But that was the problem with being on one’s own. When trouble came calling, there was nobody there to vanquish it.
With no choice left to her, Alison took in a deep breath as if that would instill in her a sense of bravery and hurried inside.
She heard the voices right away.
“Who’s this then?” a gruff voice demanded.
“Let me go!” she heard Tommy cry out.
“Just a street rat,” another gravelly voice answered. “What do ya think? He’s tryin’ to get one up on us.”
“What does that mean?” the first voice asked. “Up on what?”
“It was a joke, you dolt. My meanin’ is, he’s tryin’ to steal what we have rightfully stolen. Very sneaky.”
“Let me go!” Tommy cried again. “You’ll regret it.”
“Oh-ho!” the second voice laughed. “He got stones in him.”
“Stones where? I can’t see none.”
“It’s an expression!” the second voice barked. “Means he’s brave.”
“Well why didn’t you just say that?”
