She reveals Black Brand's lair

"Here!" She yelled as soon as she saw the search party. "I'm over here!"

“Lady Marlton!” A strong voice called her name. She saw the broad shoulders of the village smith - Jackson or Johnson or something like that leading a party of three other farmers.

"Which of you is the fastest?" She asked eagerly "I need someone to run to Marlton Manor. I know where Black Brand's hideout is." It was easier this way, having said the words there was no way to unsay them. Not that she wanted to she reminded herself firmly.

A young man was selected by the others as the fastest among them and Charlotte quickly told him the essentials. If her father could contact Lieutenant Easton of the 43rd Foot or perhaps gather and arm a dozen men quickly enough they could trap Black Brand in his lair behind Rainbow Falls. Charlotte watched the wide-eyed boy nod in understanding and then take off like a colt running through the woods ahead of them.

Lady Charlotte didn't tell the men the identity of Black Brand, there was no need for now and she still wasn't sure what she intended to do about that bit of information. She tried to talk the three men into returning to the falls so they could make sure the Black Brand didn't try to flee, but Jackson (it was Jackson) firmly refused to take any chances with her safety. The other men agreed and insisted that they escort her back to the village and leave the capture of the Highwayman to the King's musketmen and her father's men.

She knew the three would have loved to know what happened with her and Black Brand. They must have noticed the state of her riding dress, her loosely laced boots and disheveled hair but she offered no explanation and they dared not ask. She would have to face the awkward questions from her friends and family later, but for now she was content to walk in silence.

Sure enough about thirty minutes later she heard the sound of horses approaching at a fast canter. It was not the earnest young lieutenant but Major Talbot accompanied by Jason Worthington and three other guests of her father all armed with hunting pieces. Jason leapt from his horse and swept her into his arms. Some other day she might have been impressed by his intensity, but compared to the fiery passion of Randy Fuller she found his concern both childish and false. He even tried to kiss her, but she turned her face quickly so his cold lips landed on her cheek instead of his intended target. Jase sensed her reserve and held her suddenly at arm’s length taking in her disheveled appearance for the first time.

"My God No!" He exclaimed, his face growing suddenly still as he imagined Charlotte's fate in the brigand's hands. "I'll kill him!" Charlotte felt a sudden sense of dread. This was not what she wanted. What if Jase was able to find Black Brand? He was after all a skilled hunter. She tried to ignore the sudden feeling of emptiness and watched the small party of armed men mount up again. Major Talbot paused for long enough to take a long cape from his saddlebag. He leaned closer to where she stood and passed it to her.

"Lord Marlton is following with men from the King's troops, Lady Marlton. Your Aunt Jane will be with him; she'll take you home." Charlotte grimaced. Did everyone believe that Black Brand must have **** her? Was that the only possible outcome of an encounter between a maid and a highwayman like him. Was it truly impossible for her to have escaped or for him to have released her unharmed?

She wondered which of the two would sound less implausible: that she had outwitted the cunning outlaw or that he chose to let her go free because deep down he was really a decent men. She knew what her father would believe no matter what she said, and her aunts too for that matter. With a start of cold reality she realized that she could think of no one in her entire circle of family and friends that she could count on to believe her without evidence to back her up.

Even as she wondered what it would take to convince her family that she had not been ruined by the the highwayman, Charlotte wondered if Mr. Fuller had been captured by Major Talbot, Jase and the other men.