Into the cave

Randy's cave was hidden behind a curtain of falling water, the main entrance required him to climb 15 feet up the side of the fall and them move along a narrow ledge to reach the cave entrance. He had found a second way out of the cave that exited high above the cliffs, but that exit was even more dangerous than the cave mouth and used for emergencies only, so Charlotte would have to be led through the spray of water.

Randy quietly watched his bound captive as she followed meekly behind him, he wondered if she would be this compliant if she knew who he was and what he intended to do. Lady Marlton had impressed him with her ability to move along the narrow game paths with her hands bound at her wrists, would she be equally adept at climbing the wall?

With the roar of the falling water, she no longer needed the gag that separated her full lips. He stepped back to his prize and gently loosened the neckcloth that had kept her silent during the walk.

He expected a torrent of strident words from her and was surprised as she waited for him to speak first. This was, he had found, a rare trait in a woman, and he nodded at her encouragingly.

“You did well, milady.”

“Where are you taking me?” She asked, and then quickly added “My father will pay well for my safe return. He is …” Randy stopped her by touching a finger to her mouth, noting as he did the softness of her full lips.

“I know who your father is, and what he is as well.” He pointed halfway up the falls, “That is where I am taking you.” Charlotte stared at him blankly and he smiled at her confusion. “Come.” He said and stepped back to the path that led up the cliff to his secret lair.

“I can’t climb up there!” Charlotte exclaimed, craning her neck to see their destination as she wondered why this outlaw seemed to hate her and her family with such passion.

“You will climb, or I will carry you over my shoulder, milady.” Growled Black Brand with the fierceness she had heard reported by her father's agents. Charlotte believed that this man had every intention of carrying out his threat; furthermore, she had no doubt that his strong arms could enable him to do it as easily as a nursemaid carrying a naughty toddler up to bed. Better to make the climb herself with as much dignity as possible than be carried like a naughty child in his brawny grasp. Charlotte nodded her head and started up the tiny path by the falls.

Working together the two of them made it up the goat path and along the narrow ledge behind the falling water into the highwayman's cave. Once inside the dim cave, Black Brand secured the end of the lead to a thick root that crossed the cave above her head. He then headed deeper into a drier section of the surprisingly large cavern and soon returned with a lit lantern that he hung from the same root. Charlotte could see him studying her in the light of the lantern and she could not help but tremble as he looked over her helpless form hanging from the cave ceiling.

Several wavy locks of brown hair had pulled free from the neat arrangement and a few leaves were caught in her hat. Charlotte’s skin glistened with tiny drops of spray and her nostrils flared as she recovered her breath from the steep climb. She was acutely aware of the way her breasts, pressed from below by her tight corset threatened to burst from the lacy trim of her bodice, and of the way that his eyes lingered on the bounty of her bosom. She could only imagine what an outlaw like him might be thinking, and it was not at all comforting, so Charlotte was more than a little surprised when he turned his back on her and knelt by the fire pit.

Tearing himself away from her suspended form, Randy kicked the smoldering fire of his hearth back into life. As the glowing coals ignited the dry pieces of pine, light and warmth from the fire spread through the cavern. Pulling his damp shirt over his head he stood bare-chested before Miss Marlton like a Saxon warrior from an earlier millennium. His golden hair falling loose across his bare shoulders and the naked strength of his muscular torso finally loosened her tongue.

She tried to hide her nervousness, but her voice trembled as she asked:

"What do you intend to do with me?"

Randolph looked over the bound woman considering his options. He had expected one of two reactions when he removed her gag, either tearful begging for mercy or a tirade of threatening bluster. Miss Marlton's quiet determination both impressed and intrigued him. Of course, her lithesome curves tempted him as well; how he wanted to enjoy feeling her surrender as he took from her what had been tricked from his sister.