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Chapter 4

James, followed by his two friends, entered the Norrington house through the kitchen door. Theo, spotting the almond macaroons freshly baked and set out to cool, reached over to nab one and had his hand rapped with the wooden spoon of Mrs. Walker, much to the amusement of James and Andrew.

"Manners Master Teddy, I know yer Mum taught ya better 'n that." Mrs. Walker scolded. A moment later, seeing the pitiful look on Theo's face she relented. "Go on then take one." Turning her gaze on James and Andrew she added motioning with her spoon, "The both of you as well I suppose."

The lads each took a macaroon, Theo flashing her a wide smile as he grabbed his, "Thank you Mrs. Walker, you make the most marvelous treats I've ever tasted."

"All yer flattery will only get you just the one Master Teddy." She said with a raised eyebrow, then motioning again with her spoon she added. "Now you young scallywags be on about yer business. I've a meal to prepare."

The three, munching on their plunder, filed out of the kitchen and made their way up to James' bedroom.

Theo, upon entering the room immediately flopped down on James' bed, with a slight frown James walked over and pushed Theo's feet off the quilt, "Have a care Theo, I do not relish the thought of sleeping with what ever you might be carrying around with you on the bottom of your shoes."

Theo smiled mischievously as he sat up and gave Andrew, who had seated himself in the chair opposite the bed, a wink, "Oh I'm sure it would not be my dirty shoes you'd be relishing sleeping with. Not after that cozy little scene between you and Miss Victoria Stemple Andrew and I stumbled upon."

James huffed at Theo, "That matter is at rest."

Theo reached up and gave James a playful shove, "You may have put it to rest in your mind James, but Andrew and I have no intention of putting it to rest till we hear the whole of it, right Andrew?"

Andrew nodded his head in affirmation as he popped the last of his macaroon in his mouth and brushed the crumbs off his shirt front.

James, not nearly as irritated as he was putting on, returned Theo's shove, "Is that so? Well gentlemen I warn you, it will take more interrogation skills than either of you possess to get another word about the matter from me."

Theo slumped back and caught himself with his elbows. He sat there for a moment before a knowing smile lit his face. With another wink in Andrew's direction he snarked at James, "You've the right of it there James, neither Andrew nor I are skilled interrogators. But you've overlooked something very important in your analysis of the situation."

"And that would be?" James returned with a raised eyebrow.

"We know you too well James, we know the methods to use against you that an interrogator wouldn't." Theo answered with a cocky look and the same snarky tone.

"Then you know me well enough to know there are no methods you can use against me, and therefore you will get nothing more on the matter from me." James said with just a slight bit of arrogance in his tone.

Theo smiled a devious smile at Andrew and gave a quick nod of his head. The next instant both boys had James down on the bed and were tickling him mercilessly.

The 'interrogation' went on for several minutes, and James was laughing so loud and hard he was gasping for breath and about to give in to their demands. Theo and Andrew were laughing every bit as loud and almost as hard, when there was a loud rapping on the door.

"By all that's holy I'll not have all that racket and horseplay in my house!" A very angry Edward Norrington shouted at them. "All of you are of an age to act like civilized young men, and while I draw a breath on this earth you will show more respect toward my house and possessions or by gods it will be a willow switch to your backsides! Do I make myself clear?"

An uncomfortable hush instantly fell over the boys, after a few moments a totally humiliated James replied, "Yes Father, sorry, it will not happen again."

"I should hope not!" James' Father huffed before stomping off down the hall.

The boys sat in silence as they listened to the footsteps fade down the hall. Then Theo, seeing that James was staring at the floor in a state of mortification, and knowing he needed to do something to ease his friend's distress leaned over and stage whispered in James' ear, "Angry Father, willow switch threats, or sundry James, Andrew and I will have the Victoria Stemple story." Then in an imitation of James' Father, "Do…I….Make…Myself….Clear?"

For a moment James just sat there without responding, then with a sideways look at Andrew, and then Theo a small smile appeared on his face and he snipped, "Only if you are able to catch me and inflict your torture once again." Before either Theo or Andrew could react James, a grin on his face, was up and out the door.

To Be Continued

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