Captured again!

It was the tiniest flash of movement that caught Randy's eye, most probably a squirrel or grouse but lacking any other leads he stalked silently off the path. He moved with a poacher's stealth placing his bare feet carefully to avoid rustling leaves or snapping one of the many dried trigs. As he approached the fallen log his eyes noticed signs of a hurried passage and a few drops of water lay sparkling on a leaf. Could it be?

Even with the signs on the ground Randy was surprised to see her sprawled on the soft bed of pine needles as he stepped around the fallen pine. She had been so successful in her evasion that he hadn't dared hope that she'd be there. However, there she was, as beautiful and wild as he last remembered with tangled hair and wet dress hugging the curve of her thigh. She looked up at him with wide eyed fear, her bosom rising and falling rapidly as she lay at his feet.

"Hush my lady." He knelt gently a few feet away. "It's a fine chase you've led me on, but it's over now." Charlotte nodded numbly.

He had defeated her, not even her best attempt at escape had worked, and now he was here wearing nothing but his woolen trousers still damp from his swim. With his bare chest bronzed from long hours in the sun, high cheekbones and bare feet he looked like a savage from the American frontier, a hunter who had tracked down his prey. Would he claim her right here on the soft forest floor? There was no-one around for miles who could stop him if he decided to tear off her dress and press himself between her legs ...

"On your feet Miss Charlotte." His deep voice interrupted the image of her on her back pressed to the ground under his hard body. She didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed as he took her hand in his and lifted her gently to her feet.

"Will you walk or must I carry you this time?" He asked and Charlotte had no doubt that he could lift her easily and carry her if he had to.

"I'll walk." She turned and stepped towards the old road, seeking to avoid his touch if possible. There was something unsettling about the warmth of his fingers in her palm and she needed to keep her head clear if she was to deal with him.

Randy felt for the brave young woman as he followed her back up the forest road. She was not responsible for his sister's pregnancy, nor was she responsible for her father's callous treatment of Mary. For just an instant he considered letting her go. He would have to give up this opportunity to directly hurt Marlton as the Lord had hurt him and his family. Also, Randy would have to move from this location to one of his less comfortable hideouts, and the outrage over his treatment of the mistress of Marlton manor would intensify the efforts of the forces who searched for him. But none of these reasons were why he could not let his captive go free.

Everything about Charlotte intrigued him. She was unlike any woman her had ever met; brave, resourceful and intelligent, Randy could no more give her up than he could give up his heart. It was senseless, he knew that he could never have her the way he truly wanted but for now he would keep her as long as he could. The closer he got to his cave the firmer his resolve became to keep her using any means necessary for as long as he could.

Charlotte sensed Black Brand's dark mood as they approached the falls, he must feel angry at the way she tricked him nearly escaping from his strong arms. The bank on this side of the falls was even steeper than the original climb, and Randy climbed ahead lifting Charlotte by her hand over the last few feet. It didn't surprise her that once on the ledge he continued to hold her hand in his unwilling to let her slip away again. This time Charlotte made no attempt to pull free, not even when he retied her wrists and secured her from a root in the ceiling above. He stepped back out of the cave and returned carrying his clothes and weapons, the sight of the long blade and flintlock reminded her of just how dangerous this outlaw was.

"Please..." She did not even know what she wanted, but her words dropped off as her captor moved deeper into the dark recesses of the cave. He returned shortly with a great ship's lantern that filled the room with light. In the light of the lantern his eyes roamed over her hanging form hungrily. All too clearly the color plate lithograph of the captured innocent auctioned off to the dessert sheikhs of Arabia filled her thoughts. At least only one man stood before her, not dozens. Charlotte tried to emulate the fierce determination of the heroine as she waited for her fate.

Would he punish her attempt at escape? It depended on what his ultimate intentions were, was she to be held for ransom, or now that she was once again at his mercy would he continue his outrageous **** on her virtue?

"What are your intentions?" She asked, trying to keep her voice calm. "What are you going to do to me?"