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Category: Romance/Historical Fiction
Description: Raised as aristocracy, but reduced to a pauper by a diary that damned him as a bastard, Saxon took to the road as a highwayman. When captured, he faced the gallows only to survive and return to the road as Lord Devilment. Then he met Lottie who captured his heart.
eBook Publisher: DCL Publications LLC, 2010 USA
eBookwise Release Date: August 2010

2 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [174 KB]
Words: 39404
Reading time: 112-157 min.

Saxon aimed his flintlock at Jonah Thorwell. "Hand over your watch, and those gaudy rings glistening on your fingers."

Jonah cursed under his breath, but removed the watch, and two of the rings.

Saxon took them. "There is a third ring. Take it off, and give it to me."

"The ring is tight. I doubt I can get it off."

Saxon doubted that to be the truth. He guessed that the ring was the most valuable of the three, which was why he wanted to hang onto it. "I have a dagger on my person. Although it might prove a tad messy, 'twould be no trouble to cut off your finger." He heard Lottie, who sat opposite Jonah, give a shriek. "Oh dear, I seem to have upset the lady. I daresay she does not like the sight of blood. I apologise, milady, but I shall have that ring. Now, where did I put my dagger?"

"Give it to him! Your finger is worth more than a ring," she gasped.

"Curse you for the blackguard you are," Jonah growled as he easily removed the ring.

Saxon took it, and popped it into his pocket. "I see a purse bulging from that pocket. I shall have that also."

"Bastard," Jonah grunted, taking out the purse, and handing it over.

Saxon pocketed it, and waved his pistol at Ariadne. "I shall take the necklace, madam."

Ariadne touched her neck. "Please, nay, I am so fond of it."

"I think I may grow fond of it too. 'Tis a pretty piece. Take it off."

"Offer him a kiss, Ariadne. That might suffice instead of the necklace," Jonah suggested.

"Would it?" Ariadne asked, smiling.

Saxon scratched his chin. "Would I rather have a kiss than the necklace? Now, give me a while to think about it." His eyes locked onto Ariadne's lips.

She sat up, and pouted. "So, a kiss it is?"

Saxon chuckled. "I'd rather kiss my horse. Remove the necklace."

"A pox on you," Ariadne fumed, removing the item.

Saxon soon had it in his pocket. He looked at Lottie.

"I know, you wish to have my necklace, too."

"Nay, I do not. Give me your hand, lady."

"My hand?"

"Aye, your hand. Offer me your hand through the door."

"I don't understand. Ah, you desire my bracelet. Do you intend to remove my bracelet yourself?" she asked, extending her hand.

"Nay, I do not desire the bracelet. I desire something much warmer, and softer," Saxon declared, taking her hand and swiftly kissing the back of it. He smiled. "That is all I require from a woman of such beauty." He heard Ariadne give an almighty huff, and he chuckled. He had meant to insult her, and he had been rather successful.

"Damn you to hell," Jonah growled.

"I've been there already," he snapped back, thinking of Newgate, and then the pain of hangman's rope around his neck.

"Who are you?" Lottie asked.

He saw that she stared at him intently, but the mask hid his features, and the hat hid his dark hair. His voice he had made deliberately gruff, in order to fool her.

"Aye, tell us your name, you brigand," Jonah hissed.

He thought about that. What name should he use?

"The Devil take you," Jonah growled. "Why do you do this? Are you poor, or do you do it for devilment?"

Saxon touched his hat. He had his name. "My name is Lord Devilment," he chuckled, "and I bid you good evening. He laughed, and, turning his horse around, galloped off into the night.