Perhaps

Miss Marlton caught Randy completely by surprise. Only minutes ago he had been plotting how to abduct the young woman and use her as a tool to punish her family. Now after having risked his life foolishly and taken the life of the despicable sergeant Randy wanted nothing more than to protect this remarkable young woman. He was pleased she had had the courtesy to thank him even in her shocked state, but he had not expected a kiss. Certainly not a kiss like this!

Randy had kissed many women in his time, but none of those kisses felt like this. Charlotte melted into his arms and her lips clung to his with a softness that he could not have predicted. In the heat of the kiss he felt the irrational urge to protect Charlotte from all harm grow even stronger. She was bewitching him with the scent of her perfume, the softness of her skin and the warmth of her breasts; if he didn’t stop soon he would be guilty of the very act that he had saved Lady Charlotte from.

Charlotte's small mouth welcomed his tongue, surrendering willingly to Black Brand's strength and confidence. In his arms she could forget the brutal sergeant and his squad of depraved lackeys. How ironic it was that the Highwayman outlaw was the man who she felt safe with and the very troops brought to hunt him down would have treated her so foully. All doubts dissipated and she offered herself in complete surrender no longer afraid of anything that this Highwayman might choose to do to her inexperienced body.

With a groan of effort, Randy lifted his lips from Charlotte’s and taking her slight shoulders in his strong hands pushed her away from his chest breaking the spell she almost trapped him with.

Charlotte stood in stunned silence, as her bosom heaved pressing dangerously against the thin strip of lace that held her full breasts inside the just refastened bodice. The kiss was not only unlike the crude embrace of the foul soldier, it was different from any other she had ever experienced. Certainly it was nothing like the casual kisses of her family or even the eager attempts of her suitors who pressed their lips to her face hoping to win a sign of her affection.

This kiss, Charlotte realized as color rose in her cheeks, was the kiss of a man and woman whose souls were meant for each other so truly that there was no hesitation or doubt. It was as deep as the passionate embraces she had read about in her romances; in fact she still was tingling with need as she looked up at him in confusion. This strange man must know that she'd give him anything he wanted with no reservations and he wanted her too, yet somehow he had pushed her away.

Desperately she yearned for him to pull her again to the firm embrace of his arms and pick up where her kiss had ended. For a moment all thoughts of modesty left her, wishing that he would kiss her again and again in this open pasture running his strong hands over her body and exploring all she had to offer. More than anything in her life she wished she had the nerve to open her bodice and pull his bronzed face down to breasts giving him willingly what the other pig had taken by ****.

For a moment the two stood locked together, neither having the strength to separate completely nor to pull again together and lose themselves in each other's kiss. Finally, off in the distance the sound of a hunter's horn broke the spell.

“Thank-you again.” Charlotte didn’t have the words to express her gratitude. “Remember that I am completely and absolutely in your debt.” She lifted his hand in hers and kissed his fingers with modesty so unlike her earlier boldness. "Will I see you again sometime?” Charlotte blushed prettily even as she asked, but she would not take back her forward words for all the tea in China. Seeing Black Brand again was the most important thing in her life.

Randy knew he should simply say 'no' and disappear, but seeing Charlotte again could very important to Randy to find Mary's Jack and see to it that honour was done. “I have an issue of importance that concerns your family.” The sound of the horn was louder now, as the hunters backtracked looking for their missing companion. “Take this book, Lady Charlotte, and read the inscription.” He glanced over his shoulder at the distant horsemen. “I will be in the ruins of the old Papist church on the west side of your estate tomorrow; if not then I will find another way.”

With that Randy backed into the woods away from any eyes that might recognize him. How close he came to being surprised in her embrace. If he had not found the will to push Charlotte away he might have pulled her to the ground and pressed himself into her as they lay. In part, his **** on Lord Marlton would have been complete if the hunt found his chaste daughter rutting with a common outlaw like animals, but Randy had no desire to throw his life away. Not anymore.

As he walked back to one of his hideaways he wondered if Charlotte would come find him at St. Theresa's.