She is safe

Randy stared into the old forest in frustration. Somehow she had eluded him, perhaps she was still wandering around the falls and he'd still find her there, but in his heart Randy knew that wasn't the case. Charlotte Marlton had simply outwitted him. The same Black Brand who had eluded Lord Marlton, and his men for months and who had made the 43rd foot look foolish in their attempts to put an end to his banditry was out-smarted by an unwed lass.

"Oh but what a lass!" He reminded himself speaking aloud. Laughing he spoke to the empty forest.

"Go ahead home Miss Charlotte, I'll see you again. I promise." With that promise to himself he smiled and strode back towards his lair unaware of just how close he had come to recapturing his prize.

Charlotte was more confused now than ever. She was sure Black Brand had seen her but instead of following her into the woods he just laughed and sent her home. Was it a trap? She waited breathlessly expecting him to materialize out of nowhere and wrap her in his strong arms. It took her several minutes to believe she really was free to go. Had he changed his mind?

Charlotte struggled to understand just what it was that Mary's brother wanted from her. He dragged her to his cave and then when she ran from him he just let her go. Had he expected her to willingly enter his cave and let him ravish her without protest? She trembled slightly as she remembered how firmly those strong arms had held her when he first **** her; there was no doubt in her mind what would have been her fate if she hadn't fled.

Clearly he wasn't all that interested in her long awkward limbs and freckled face if he let her escape that easily. Well that's fine. She was thankful to escape Randolf Fuller's attentions! She'd set him straight. She would tell that earnest lieutenant from the 43rd who he really was and where to find him. That would be the end of Black Brand.

Randy Fuller must make it his goal in life to complicate hers. Her birthday party from last fall was completely ruined by his uncouth manners. Her guests soon seemed to have dismissed his horrible interruption, but the sudden news of Mary's ****, and his accusations against Lord Marlton?s treatment of the poor servant girl awoke her own misgivings at her father's treatment of shy little Mary. None of the planned amusements, not even her friends and families best attempts could lighten her mood after seeing Randy beaten from the dance hall. Long before the party ended Charlotte had retreated to her chambers and neither her father's threats nor her aunts whining and other petty manipulations brought her from her chambers and back to her duties as a hostess.

And this time, he **** her by ****! Her jaw still ached from the wretched gag and her shoulders and wrists were sore from her **** march. Not to mention ? Charlotte could not even begin to process the wild flood of emotion that swept through her body as she remembered the way he held her as he **** her to put on her boots and led her bound and gagged to his hideout. Her breasts swelled against her bodice pinching her hard nipples against the lace of her dress even as her hands clenched into fists and her boots stomped against the packed dirt of the old road.

He had laughed at her! He laughed at her and sent her away. As she made her way back to the safety of her father's estate, she wrestled with the weight of her new found knowledge. If she spoke to her father, he could both destroy the highwayman's hideout and arrest his mother and hold her until he surrendered.

But Mrs. Fuller deserved none of this. She didn't deserve to have her daughter corrupted, nor did she ask for her son to turn outlaw. Could she live with herself if she gave up this secret? Charlotte knew she'd have to decide soon; the distant sounds of searchers calling her name made it impossible to put off the decision.