Harlequin Historical November 2016, Box Set 1 of 2 by Louise Allen

Author:Louise Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488025914
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

When making social calls, a young lady must be selective in who she visits. The wrong sort of acquaintance will reflect badly on you…

To save some time Amelia cut through an alleyway that would bring her out just shy of the soup kitchen, and instantly regretted her decision when she realised that she had been followed. She knew better than to trust deserted streets like this one. Even in the middle of the day there could be danger lurking around any corner.

‘Ain’t you a pretty thing?’ The first man was stocky and his toothless grin was not the least bit friendly.

‘Them look like a nice pair of boots,’ his younger accomplice drawled, eyeing her feet and then slowly trailing his eyes back up her body. ‘I think you should give them to me.’

Amelia whipped around to run, but another larger man was now lounging against the wall behind her, effectively blocking her escape while he innocently cleaned his fingernails with the small blade of a penknife. Experience had taught her that screaming would be pointless. No one would come to her aid here. She also knew that they would want more than her boots if they heard her true accent.

‘And I think you can get lost,’ she replied brazenly, parroting their cockney. ‘Go rob some toff and leave me be.’

The older man laughed and shook his greasy head slowly. ‘Mayhap we will just have to take them, then, and perhaps we might just take you too. Pretty young girls are always worth something in Drury Lane.’

Amelia tried not to look terrified. Drury Lane was the home of the worst of the bawdy houses and it was well-known that some of those girls had been sold into prostitution rather than going willingly. Her only hope was bravado. And speed. ‘Oh, get out of my way, you fools.’

The large man behind her scowled as Amelia smartly darted past him. Unfortunately, he was far quicker than his size suggested and he caught her roughly by the arm. ‘Not so fast, darling. We ain’t done with you yet.’

‘Yes, you are.’

The Duke’s deep voice brooked no argument, making Amelia momentarily slump with relief. She had absolutely no idea what he was doing here, but she had never been so glad to see another person in her life. The big man dropped her arm as her three would-be assailants immediately stalked towards him, and her relief turned to fear again instantly. He was just one pompous duke who was clearly out of his depth, and they were three ruffians used to violence. At least one of them had a knife. He did not stand a chance.

‘Look what we have here, gentlemen,’ the older man said sarcastically. ‘This must be her knight in shining armour. Come to rescue the damsel, have you, sir?’ The three men laughed, circling him and forgetting Amelia existed now that there were richer pickings to be had. And the Duke certainly looked rich. Even in the grey daylight his diamond stickpin shimmered on his pristine white cravat.

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