He holds her tight

Charlotte leaned into Mr. Fuller's broad mouth and hungrily clung to him until he slowly pulled his lips from hers.

"Shsss, Lady Marlton." Her captor carefully brushed wet tears from her cheek with his thumb - he was gentle, loving in his caress as he quietly reassured her. "I gave you cause enough to justify almost any retribution." Mr. Fuller shook his head slowly, "I still can't believe you tried to shoot me."

"What were you thinking, Mr. Fuller." Charlotte asked as she watched him carefully for any hint of how he might react. "I had every intention to capture you, and put an end to you and your wickedness, not kill you." He nodded quietly but before he could interrupt she continued. "What kind of madman walks into the muzzle of a loaded musket?"

"And what do you think would happen to me if I was brought in chains before your father's court, Lady Marlton?" Mr. Fuller snorted. "I'd rather be shot dead." Charlotte considered his vehement reaction and for the first time in her life wondered at the fairness of a criminal like Mr. Fuller being judged by the very man that he had wronged. She turned to face him gently returning his caress cupping the man's stubbled jaw with her palm and meeting his gaze steadily.

"But why are you still here?" Mr. Fuller asked, clearly as confused as ever.

"I found Mary's picture." Charlotte spoke quietly, hearing the truth in the words as they left her lips. "Your mother shouldn't have to lose her son as well as young Mary." While she was speaking honestly she lifted the iron chain that was still bolted firmly around her ankle.

"Furthermore, If I returned to my father with this pretty chunk of jewelry around my leg it would be impossible to hide what had happened to me." She laughed bitterly. "You have destroyed my reputation, Mr. Fuller. Everyone knows what a man like you would do to an innocence maiden, especially the daughter of your sworn enemy." His eyes narrowed when her words registered. "And even if my father for his own interests attempted to preserve my reputation, the members of the hunt that rode with me today will be all to eager to return to London with this juicy tidbit of gossip."

"I'm sorry Lady Marlton." Randy truly was sorry, he hoped Miss Charlotte could see that - but he was not blameless. His actions had shattered Lady Marlton's life, he had despoiled this virtuous young woman possibly even ruining her chance at marriage.

"I'm not." Miss Marlton's bold statement stunned him, but not as much as her explanation. "I'm no real beauty, but the men who court me find the title and 20,000 pounds that come with my hand in marriage enough to compensate for the lack of feminine appeal."

"What?!" How could this beauty not realize she was one of the most desirable young woman he had ever seen, but she ignored his protest and continued her assessment of her position calmly.

"Even if a man swears he would love me if I were a penniless orphan, how could I believe him?" Her warm hand traced the line of his neck until her finger tips rested where his neckcloth felt suddenly too tight around his throat. "You on the other hand have no hope of matrimony." She informed him coolly, but not unkindly.

"Perhaps your actions were driven by the need for retribution," Randy began to protest but Miss Marlton silenced him before he could start, "but I doubt it." She took a deep breath and then continued softly. "For the first time in my life, Mr. Fuller, I felt like a woman; I had neither the strength nor the will to fight any longer."

Of all the surprises, shocks and challenges that Randy had faced since foolishly abducting Miss Marlton, this confession was the most unexpected. It was more perplexing than finding himself admiring the woman he thought he despised, or discovering she had escaped from her chains, or even finding her waiting for him with a loaded musket. Perhaps the oddest part of the question was her assertion that she lacked feminine appeal. It was Lady Marlton's grace and beauty that had overcome his resolve when he had wrestled her to the bed.

"Now," Miss Marlton smiled up at him in a more confident manner. "How will you punish your willful captive?" Lady Marlton lowered her gaze modestly. "Are you planning to take me over your knee and spank me like a willful girl?" She teased, "Or are you going to punish me like a woman; throw me back on your bed and **** yourself upon me once again?"