Page 35 of How the Belle Stole Christmas

“Easy now.” Fiona lowered Lady Pelham carefully to the floor, her back protesting.

The stillness in the ballroom was almost surreal. Why wasn’t anyone stepping up to confront the bandits? If all the guests rushed at them at once, would the villains even have time to shoot?

Millions of thoughts raced through her mind, but one goal remained clear—take care of Lady Pelham.

“Oi!” one of the bandits snarled as she fumbled for the small silver vial of smelling salts she always kept in her reticule. “No moving!”

“I’m getting the smelling salts, ye cur!” Fiona shot back, holding up the vial as proof. “Or do ye plan to add murder to yer crimes tonight?”

“I’ve a gun, lass. Do ye think I care for murder?” he spat.

Fiona’s breath quickened. She wanted nothing more than to kick the arrogant cur in the shins.

The man sneered. “Search her.”

“With pleasure,” another said, his voice dripping with lechery as he stepped toward her, while the rest of the ballroom shrank back, saving their own skins. Cowards.

The bandit’s hands slid down her arms, along her waist and hips, patting her empty pockets. His palm lingered at her ribs, edging higher.

“Touch me there and I’ll bite yer nose clean off,” Fiona warned, her eyes narrowing.

He chuckled. “What if yer hiding weapons there, darlin’?”

“If I were, ye’d be seeing stars by now.”

The man barked out a laugh and deliberately slid his hand up, squeezing her breasts.

Fiona didn’t hesitate. Her hand shot out and slapped him across the cheek with a sharp smack.

“Ye bitch!” The lecherous bandit grabbed her by the neck and forced his vile mouth over hers. She flailed, pushing at his chest. When he finally broke the forceful kiss, she did as promised and bit his nose.

“Ow!” he shouted, squeezing her neck harder.

She gasped for air, clawing at his arm. When he finally released her, she stumbled back, but he stepped closer once more.

“Don’t worry,” he sneered, “I’m not interested in an old bird like ye.” His fingers fumbled at her diamond necklace. “Unlike yer jewels.”

Fiona burned with fury. With the large bandit towering over her, she felt small and utterly alone, despite being surrounded by two dozen panicked guests. But she would not allow him to strip her of what she valued most besides her dignity.

Taking advantage of his preoccupation with the necklace, she slipped off her wedding band and dropped it into the pocket he had already pawed through. He yanked off her earrings and remaining rings before finally stepping back.

“Who’s next?” he jeered, his eyes darting over the women in the room.

Fiona sank to her knees beside Lady Pelham. She wiped at her mouth in disgust, trying very hard not to cast up her accounts. Not the time to be sick.

She uncorked the vial and waved it beneath the older woman’s nose. Lady Pelham gasped and her eyes fluttered open.

“There now,” Fiona murmured, slipping a handkerchief under her head. “Breathe easy. Yer safe enough… for now.”

The scar-faced leader turned toward the host while the lecherous bandit continued rifling through the jewelry of frightened women.

“Where’s the key to the safe?”

Ellis’s voice trembled. “T-the safe? I… I don’t have one.”

“The one with all yer jewels ye brag about constantly,” the former footman spat.

“It’s all lies! I swear on my children's lives; there’s nothing there!” Ellis squeaked, and Fiona rolled her eyes heavenward. What a coward.

The leader’s mouth twisted. “Then ye won’t mind opening it for us, will ye?” He pointed at two of his men. “Bring him.”

Two men seized Thornbury, dragging him down the hall. Another aimed a pistol at the huddled servants. “Come, lads. Yer joining the others in the kitchen.”

The others. There were more bandits in the house and they held the servants captive, too.

Currently, four were in the ballroom. Two stood guard at the exit with guns, while the other two herded guests toward the left wall. How many more of them were out there? Was anyone hurt?

Fiona helped Lady Pelham move, settling as close to the music room doors as possible.

One bandit pulled on the doors to ensure they were closed, but Fiona still saw these doors as her best option for escape. True, the room itself was a dead end. But if they managed to get inside, they could barricade the door and wait out the thieves.

Her hand slipped into her pocket, fingers brushing the cool metal of her ring. She only wished her husband were here…