A kiss is forfeit

Charlotte looked over the man carefully as he walked confidently back to where she waited. His shirt was finely made, but looked a little worn, his trousers too showed signs of wear. 'He wanted Money' she realized feeling a little more confident now that she understood the situation. Charlotte of course didn't carry money with her, but she could easily direct this strange gentleman to her father's secretary and he would be able to deal with him appropriately. It could be a little awkward, some men from impoverished families were too proud to take pay for work even when they clearly needed it.

Brushing aside the tiny tickle of disappointment that she felt at this new revelation, she greeted his cheerful grin with a polite smile. A smile she found herself using more and more as the number of her suitors grew. It was pleasant, but distant enough not to encourage familiarity. As he stepped from the water she held out her hand for Copper's leads.

"Thank-you so much." She said, and when he made no move to hand her the leather reigns she added "Major Talbot at Marlton Manor is my father's man, I'm sure he'd be delighted to recognize you for your kindness." Pleased with the way she was able to handle the delicate situation Charlotte took a half step closer and reached for the reigns that dangled casually from his hands. She was startled by his chuckles.

"Hah huh, huh." His voice was rich and open and she felt herself drawn to his laughter. It was honest and relaxed, not the polite simpering so many of her gentlemen callers would affect. Or worse yet, the condescending snickers that they would use when they were amused by her opinions on foreign policy or the likelihood that a favorite race horse would run well enough to win at the tracks. This handsome man was not trying to impress her, he was not laughing at her, he was simply laughing because he found the situation amusing.

"I don't want your father's money." Randy told Miss Charlotte "I wouldn't take a farthing. And I certainly don't need it..." he paused assessing her as she stood waiting for him to give him her gelding "... but you did say that you would be in my debt, did you not?" His look may have been too bold because her cheeks flushed with color and she stepped back nervously. Randy loved the way Miss Marlton switched back and forth from a mature and confident lady to a charming young woman who was clearly not prepared for this type of encounter with a man.

"Never mind Miss Charlotte," he told her as he stepped the rest of the way out of the water offering her the reigns "it would not be appropriate to claim the forfeit I had intended from a girl as young as you." Randy's words were a gamble. He guessed that Lady Marlton would be too proud to leave a debt outstanding, and determined to show him that she was no longer a girl. However, if Miss Charlotte thanked him again and took her leave he would have to either seize her by **** or let this opportunity slip away. He doubted he'd be able to do that, she looked magnificent, the color in her high cheekbones rose as his words registered. Holding his breath from the tension Randy dropped the reigns and moved as if to pass by the young woman.

"You overstep your bounds. Sir!" She moved with the quickness of a fencer blocking his path, stepping to a spot just inches from him and staring at him with flashing eyes. No doubt she was used to using her height and station to intimidate men, but this time she miscalculated. Her body looked petite this close to his broad frame, and as an outlaw, her station meant nothing to him.

"Not yet, I haven't." His hand gently brushed her cheek with a boldness that shocked her into silence "But perhaps I was wrong about you. I see now that you are no child. I will claim my payment." Randy didn't even wait for Miss Charlotte to respond. His hungry lips found hers - they were just as soft and full as they looked. As she gasped in shock, his tongue slipped through the small opening between her teeth and tasted the sweet softness of her mouth. Randy's kiss was more demanding than he planned but the anger he felt for her family could not be completely repressed. To his delight, after just a second of tension he felt the innocent woman surrender in his arms, opening her mouth and accepting his tongue's invasion.

Lady Marlton's hands circled his neck tentatively and her soft body melted against his. He could feel the warmth of her bosom through his linen shirt and one of her thighs was pressed in a most unladylike way against his inner leg. Her response dulled the anger that drove his initial kiss, and as he felt her react, his embrace became more seductive. His tongue teased hers, inviting it to taste his mouth as he tasted hers; soon he was rewarded by her response. As his kiss softened, she became more needy. The book of sonnets fell to the warm sand forgotten. With a moan of desire, her hands griped his hair with strong fingers, and she pulled his face lower as her tongue danced with his.