Scotland Hard (Book 2 in the Tom & Laura Series) Read Online Free Page B

was to talk to Laura and find out what she knew.
    “How do I get to Laura?” he asked Tricky with a full mouth. The buttered toast was particularly delicious and it was a shame to rush it.
    “There’s a passage through the wall. Lots of secret passages in this old ‘ouse they don’t know nothin’ about.”
    “Show me,” Tom said as he wolfed down the last of his toast.
    Tricky led him to a spot behind the tapestry. Tom was still naked but was far too concerned about the situation to worry about such minor matters. Tricky pushed a piece of the panel that looked much like all the other s and Tom heard a distinct click. A large section of paneling in front of Tricky opened up like a door.
    They looked into a stone-floored passage beyond, which on the right became steps leading down. To the left of the passage another set of steps led up, so in effect the passage inside the wall was little more than a short landing. Tricky pulled an iron lever inside the passage. A door swung open on the other side to reveal the back of yet another tapestry.
    “That’s ‘er room,” Tricky whispered. “I’ll wait ‘ere.”
    Tom stepped through the passage into the other room.
    “ Alice is watching ‘em and she’ll let us know if any one comes our way,” Tricky whispered urgently. So if I calls, you come running.”
    Tom nodded. He slipped along the back of the tapestry and stuck his head out around the side. Laura was standing by the window looking out. She was as naked as the day she was born and Tom had to admit that Tricky was right about one thing, she was a truly delightful sight.
    “Fancy meeting you here,” Tom said softly, keeping his torso safely hidden behind the tapestry.
    Laura glanced over her shoulder in Tom’s direction before returning her gaze to the window. “So it was you back there. I thought I had heard something moving behind it. I fear we are being held prisoner for some unknown reason.”
    Tom grinned.
    “Trust you to figure it out without any help. We are apparently being put up for sale along with some magically gifted children. It seems that James Saunders is a member of an organization called the Brotherhood, which is the same outfit Snood worked for.”
    Laura nodded without glancing back. Tom found it difficult to keep his eyes above her waist. The sight of the luscious curves of her bottom had produced an inevitable effect and he hoped there was no obvious bulge showing in the tapestry.
    “If we had known that all we had to do to flush out the traitor was to come back to London , we could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble.” Laura paused and glanced in his direction again. “And pray tell me, why you are not coming out from behind that tapestry?”
    “Err, I’m a bit naked, I’m afraid.”
    “And what do you think I am currently wearing, a ball gown?”
    “I take your point.”
    Tom stepped out from the tapestry, using his hands to try to prevent her from seeing the state of his manhood. Laura examined him with her eyes, starting with his face and working her way down.
    “It would appear that you have been up for some time, Thomas.”
    Tom moved forward to stand behind her and therefore out of her gaze. He stared over her shoulder and out of the window to try and see what Laura found so interesting. Laura reached back and grabbed Tom to pull him closer.
    Tom’s voice rose an octave as he stepped forward to avoid irreparable damage to an important part of his anatomy.
    “That’s not my hand,” he told her, though it was certain she knew.
    Laura smiled as she stared out of the window. She continued to hold Tom and squeezed when he made an attempt to pull free.
    “I do beg your pardon. I was, of course, reaching for your hand. Though I must confess the consequence of my mistake has proved an enjoyable experience. I trust my fingers are not too cold for you?”
    Tom gave in as he realized Laura was not going to let him go and that she had captured exactly what she