Yes after a long pause

Lieutenant Easton paused again for what seemed like an eternity, the sounds of the village in morning filled her ears as she waited anxiously for the somber lieutenant's decision. She could hear the chatter of housewives as they tended their little gardens, the ringing of the anvil from the smithy and the good-natured exchange between a teamster and a brewer before finally Lieutenant Easton nodded his head in slow measured consent. Charlotte let out a silent sigh of relief; she hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath.

"All right Lady Marlton." He spoke deliberately "I give you my word as a King's officer. I will do everything in my power to see to it that Black Brand is not hanged, and will recommend that he serve time in His Majesty's Royal navy." Charlotte waited expectantly and Easton continued. "As for your other request...” he paused again "... it will not be easy but I think I can arrange for you to visit the prisoner. I'll do my best." He finished still speaking calmly, but clearly less happy about the second part of the arrangement. "Are you satisfied Lady Marlton?"

Charlotte smiled at the young officer, a genuine smile, not the careful reserved smile that she usually used when dealing with men. Easton was a fine young officer, she wondered again about his family and if she could convince her father to use his connections to help him advance. Perhaps even, Lord Marlton could buy him a Captaincy, and later even help finance a Major's commission. With the support of a Peer of the Realm in parliament and enough money to buy commissions, in this time of tension with Napoleon who knows how far an capable young man like Easton could rise …

“My Lady?” Easton interrupted her musings.

“Yes, Lieutenant.” Charlotte responded with a start. “I trust you to do your best.” She rested her hand gently on the lieutenant’s arm “And thank-you for your discretion.”

Charlotte explained what she had deduced about Black Brand. Who he was, and why he hated Lord Marlton as he did, she told him that Fuller might well be located at the Saint Theresa's explaining to the skeptical officer that Mary had loved the abandoned chapel. She also suggested that if the Lieutenant were to approach Fuller carefully he might use the outlaw’s duty to his mother to ensure his peaceful surrender. Charlotte could see Easton’s **** to use Mrs. Fuller as leverage in apprehending Black Brand; an officer and gentleman should not have to threaten a man’s family to **** his surrender, however Charlotte knew that the alternative was either Fuller’s escape or a bloody shootout. Neither of these outcomes was satisfactory. As angry as Charlotte was with Mr. Fuller’s mocking rejection of her when he had her at his mercy, she could not imagine the horror of seeing his limp and bloody body dragged back like that of a fox after a successful hunt.

Charlotte was insistent. She reminded the hesitant officer of how elusive Fuller was in the old forest and of the lieutenant's duty to capture the outlaw. She was also charmingly persuasive and by the end of the conversation Easton agreed to try to take Black Brand into custody without bloodshed. They walked slowly back to the the barracks in silence each one deep in their own thoughts, their shoulders almost touching as they followed the narrow village paths.

Charlotte made it a point to call on the local vicar and his wife before she returned to Marlton Manor, the last thing she needed was for her aunts to catch wind of her walk with the young Lieutenant Easton and conclude, as they surely would that Charlotte had become infatuated with the handsome, although perpetually somber, officer of the King's foot. She could just imagine the hours of lecturing she'd have to endure about how poor a match he was, with no family, no money and a Calvinist to boot.

Back at Marlton manor, Charlotte found her guests in the card room waiting for the announcement that luncheon was being served. Jason Worthington was in a good mood, he and Priscilla must have won several hands and the two were chatting happily by the bar when Charlotte rejoined the party. She noted with amusement that Jace put a little more distance between himself and his pretty blonde whist partner when he noticed Charlotte step into the room.

The rest of the day was spent pleasantly with her guests, until after dinner once again the company returned to the card room to enjoy a few more hands and a fine bottle of brandy that her father's butler had brought them with his compliments. Soon enough the three women said their goodnights and left for their respective chambers. Charlotte sat in her room while her maid Sarah brushed her hair wondering again why she asked Easton to let her speak to Fuller. Whatever did she have to say to him, and why did it have to be said in private?

When Sarah finished she sent her away and lay on her bed her mind racing.