Almost

Randy is sweating by the time they make it through the French doors and out into the garden. In part because of the weight of Lady Charlotte's hastily packed trunk, but more so from the stress of being deep inside Marlton's estates and knowing Charlotte's fate if they fail to escape. There was no sound from Marlton's office as they passed by on the way out, but a glimmer of light from under the heavy door reminded Randy of just how close they were to their worst fears.

Twice as they made their way down the hill towards the safety of the forest he though he heard a faint scuffle but in the dim light he saw nothing moving and chalked up the sounds to his overworked imagination. It wasn't until they reached the bubbling brook that separated the pasture lands from the old forest that he finally relaxed. He shifted the trunk to his right shoulder and turned back to see why Lady Marlton was no longer by his side.

The look of horror and despair on her face told all he needed to know and following the direction of her gaze he saw the young man from the hunt who he guessed could be none other than Charlotte's nightmare, Jason Worthington. The unmistakable sound of a hammer cocking made any hope of escape remote and as the man stepped forward from the shadows Randy could see the steady aim of the pistol aimed right at his chest.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" The tone of disdain and righteousness made Randy want to smash the young Lord's face in, but although Worthington looked a little ****, the hand that held the deadly firearm was rock steady. "My dearest Charlie sneaking away in the middle of the night with a man, and not just any man ..." Worthington's eyes flickered up and down Randy with practiced contempt, "my guess is that this is none other than 'Black Brand' the scourge of Marlton shire."

"Let him go Jason." Charlotte's voice was loud and clear in the still night, "let him go and I'll marry you - just like you want."

"You're not really in much of a bargaining position Charlie," Worthington took another step closer to the two and Randy wondered if perhaps the heavy trunk would stop the lead ball at this close range. Perhaps reading his mind Worthington motioned with the barrel of the handgun. Drop the chest churl, that way to the side." With a sigh Randy let the wooden box drop and turned to face the nasty piece of work holding the gun. "When I discovered your room had been ransacked I took a chance and rode down here to see if I could catch my little wood hen. You can imagine my surprise to find the cock accompanying her. I think the capture of Black Brand would make a fine wedding present for your father, don't you?"

"Jason, he's done -" Worthington silenced Charlotte with a raised finger.

"I think I have a pretty good idea of what he's done, and for that I think a simple hanging is too good for him." With a sneer Worthington transferred his pistol to his left hand and drew his small sword. "I'm going to to teach this rustic yokel the price for taking what doesn't belong to him." He gestured to the chest sitting on it's side, "have a seat Charlie, while I demonstrate how a peer of the the land deals with rabble like him." When she settled on the chest Jason uncocked the gun and tossed it to the ground behind him. "Draw your blade outlaw, or I'll run you through as you stand there."

For the first time since the encounter started, Randy felt an inkling of hope. He knew how to use the saber better than most of the sailors on the whaler, it was a heavier blade than Worthington's much finer weapon, but then again he was several inches taller and outweighed the young lord by two stone. If he could use his size and weight to beat down Worthington's defenses he and Charlotte might still escape into the dark.