Stealing from kitty before paying (12)

I believe the answer is:

pussyfooting

'stealing' is the definition.
('pussyfoot' can be a synonym of 'steal')

'kitty before paying' is the wordplay.
'kitty' becomes 'pussy' (synonyms).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'paying' becomes 'footing' (as in footing the bill).
'pussy'+'footing'='PUSSYFOOTING'

'from' is the link.

(Another definition for pussyfooting that I've seen is " moving stealthily".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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