band?”
“He is,” said Dook, sounding for all the world like a schoolboy trying to deflect blame on another. “He’s the man responsible for all crime on the road tonight. He’s the one you should speak with.”
It took William a moment to realize that his friend was not pointing at the notorious criminal in their midst, but directly at him instead. The rest of their group nodded their agreement, and Louis went so far as to casually ride to the back of the carriage, while Dook and Conway positioned themselves between the real footpads and William.
One of Abershawe’s gang went to protest, raising one of his pistols as he growled his disapproval, but his leader raised a hand to stop the motion and favored Amelia with a charming grin.
“Aye, my lady, yon footpad speaks the truth. The gentleman in front of you is none other than the Lord of the Highwaymen. You’re privileged to be in his presence.”
William met Abershawe’s laughing gaze, unable to fathom what the criminal was thinking.
“I am never drinking pink champagne again,” he mumbled but swung up his leg so that he could dismount. Killarney came to hold the reins of his horse, allowing him to approach Amelia with at least some pretense of dignity.
He bowed to her as though she were Queen Charlotte herself, his leg extended and his body sweeping low. Amelia raised a brow in surprise, but then performed a deep curtsey in response.
“Thank you for speaking with me, my lord,” she said as though they were meeting in a Society ballroom. “Will you explain the meaning of your actions this evening?”
She doesn’t recognize me, he thought with surprise. Whether by miracle or not, she doesn’t recognize me.
“I am sure you understand the nature of highway robbery, my lady,” he replied, deliberately deepening his voice to a pitch he could only usually reach with a bad cold.
The corner of her mouth kicked up, but she did not comment on his obvious efforts to disguise his tone.
“Indeed, I do, but I would like to know why you targeted me, a mere woman traveling home alone, instead of some rich noble or merchant. The stories of your fraternity often speak of the respect and honor you show toward the fairer sex.”
Abershawe snorted with laughter. He turned and murmured something to his companions, who laughed uproariously at his observation. Even Killarney and Dook seemed to find it amusing.
Amelia, however, acted as though they had remained in respectful silence.
She is so brave, thought William, admiring her more than ever as she stood as proud as a tigress before him. I knew her to be intelligent and beautiful, but never considered how brave she must be.
Something in his brain clicked into place as he was suddenly aware of how ridiculous he’d been to fear declaring his intentions to Amelia Fellowes. There was nothing to fear in loving a woman of such character and grace, and if she could stand before a man she believed to be a desperate criminal with such poise, then dash it all, the least that he could do was flirt with her.
He assumed the arrogant posture that served Louis so well with the ladies and allowed his eyes to rake over her until the faintest blush could be seen on her cheeks, barely visible in the moonlight.
“I had been told by my brothers that the greatest jewel in London would be safely tucked into this carriage tonight. I was determined that anything so valuable must be added to my collection. It seems, however, that my sources were wrong, for you are superior in all ways to a mere rock or shiny bauble. It seems I have captured the greatest treasure in all of England, and must now take a moment to admire it.”
Someone, possibly Abershawe, gave an appreciative whistle, while William distinctly heard Conway ask Dook in a loud whisper, “Where the devil did he learn to speak like that?”
Amelia, much to William’s delight, had turned her head coyly to one side, but a smile hovered on her full lips, tempting him to kiss them.
“You flatter me, Lord Highwayman, but surely you can see that I am no mere object to be desired. You cannot possess me or keep me locked up with your other trinkets.”
“It would be a great crime to lock you away from the world,” he said, stepping toward her. He reached out before he could talk himself out of it and stroked her cheek. The tiny gasp of surprise from Amelia