Once outside, Mary allowed herself a little hiss of breath. Ouch, that had hurt.
“Are you all right, miss?” Aggie asked. “I heard a thump.”
“I tripped but am well.” She would have bruises but nothing permanent.
“Mr. Zachariel Deville appears and suddenly you’re clumsy.” Aggie tsked.
“I was not clumsy because of him,” Mary denied.
A loud, high-pitched woof had them looking left. A group of boys appeared to have surrounded a dog. They parted briefly, and she saw the animal’s large head.
“Walter?” Mary hurried toward them. “Stay here, Aggie, I will not be long.” She moved to the narrow opening between the buildings. “You boys leave that dog alone at once!”
They turned as she approached.
“We’re not hurting him. Just making him do things,” one of the boys said.
“Clearly he doesn’t want to.” Mary took in the wild eyes of the dog as she pushed the boys apart. “Stand down at once. You are scaring him.”
“He’s a brute,” one of them said. “He bit me. We was just teaching him a lesson.”
Ignoring them, she wrapped her arms around Walter’s neck and felt his tremors. “There now, sweet boy, you’re safe.”
The dog was huge, with grey hair that was washed and groomed most days. He’d started out his life living on the street and had then adopted Dimity. Thus, he now lived in luxury.
“You should pay us.”
Looking up, she realized the boys had blocked her escape.
“You’ll move aside. I have my maid and two friends out there. If necessary, I will call them, and it is you that will be sorry.”
The boys ranged in size and age. They did not appear dirty or dressed in ragged clothes as some did who spent their days on the streets.
“We want that.” The biggest one stepped closer. He was pointing to her reticule.
If it were a matter of money, she’d hand it over. But what was inside that small bag was vitally important and not only for her.
“I will give you the money out of it but not the bag.”
“Miss Mary?” The call came from beyond the wall of boys.
“Aggie, stay away.”
“I will bleeding not!” she heard her maid say. “Are you lot intimidating my employer?”
The boy advanced on Mary, and Walter growled, low and deep in the throat. Mary held a firm grip on his collar.
“Now, hand over the bag,” the boy said. He made a grab for it. Mary struggled as his hand wrapped around hers. His other one flailed, catching her on the cheek. She felt a sharp tug of pain as his nails scratched her. It gave Mary the strength to fight her way free. She then swung her fist and hit him in the jaw. Putting her weight on her left leg, she jabbed out with her foot, catching him in the stomach and sending him back. She then stumbled and fell on her bottom.
“Run!” one of the boys roared. “Men are coming!”
Mary heard the thud of feet as Walter licked her face.
“Mary!” She heard Zach calling her name and then there he was, looming over her.
“I-I’m all right.”
“Where do you hurt?” He dropped down beside her, face serious.
