Elizabeth Summers, the local magistrate’s daughter was travelling at night in her coach. She was on her own, apart from the coachman and groom, which was unusual and very unsafe for the road was well used by highwaymen. Elizabeth had been in a hurry to see her father, however to discuss her forthcoming marriage to Lieutenant Riley, and her maid had been far too slow in getting ready. In the end, Elizabeth had gone on her own, with just the driver and groom to guard her. They both had pistols to protect them and she was quite sure that no one would dare attack her coach. An assumption she was to regret as a pistol shot sounded.

The coach came to a standstill and she heard the infamous words, “Stand and deliver – your money or your life!”

They were spoken in a deep and well-spoken voice, and yet they sent shivers down Elizabeth’s spine.

She listened to some scrambling around on the roof, felt the carriage sway a bit and then total silence. Elizabeth frowned, wondering why the silly fools hadn’t shot the rogue dead. After all there were two of them! She was about to get out and investigate, when the door furthest from her swung open and she was confronted by the highwayman.

He wore a black tricorn hat, black eye mask and black scarf over his lower face – typical garb. But Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the quality of his boots, cloak & clothes. This was no ordinary highwayman.

The stranger stepped into the carriage, aiming his pistol at her, “Well, well, well, my pretty,” he drawled, “You’re a surprise. Normally I get old crones and fainting popinjays.”

Vivid blue eyes appraised the girl in front of him. She was quite lovely. She had long golden hair piled up on her head and loose curls framed her pretty face. Luminous hazel eyes stared at him in a mixture of fear, anger and loathing and luscious lips pouted enticingly. His gaze travelled further down and couldn’t help but notice that the girl’s cloak did nothing to hide the trim figure displayed to advantage in an expensive gown of light blue, especially the expanse of bare bosom heaving indignantly.

“Do you know who I am?” She asked haughtily.

The blue eyes twinkled in amusement, “No! Why don’t you tell me, Kitten?” He purred, lowering his scarf as he spoke.

Elizabeth gulped and flushed at the endearment, “I’m the magistrate’s daughter and I shall see you hang for this. Your body shall swing from a gibbet at the crossroads like every other rogue who plagues this road!”

To her chagrin, the man wasn’t threatened in the slightest by her words and laughed, “Oh, and who will be doing the capturing, Pet? Your servants, who ran away and left you alone as soon as I fired my pistol?”

Elizabeth bit her lip. The cowards – fancy leaving her to the mercy of this monster!

“Well, I shall see to it personally that you do not go unpunished,” she said bravely.

The man smiled, “I think you’re forgetting who has the pistol,” he said.

Elizabeth had to admit defeat. But damn him for laughing at her.

“I suppose you’ll want my jewels then?” She said coldly and started to unclasp the glittering sapphire necklace from her neck.

“We may as well get this over and done with as soon as possible so I don’t have to put up with your odious presence any longer.”

Blue eyes narrowed at the insult. He had only intended to take the girl’s jewels and leave her unharmed, but he was supposed to be a bad man and the haughty chit needed to be taught a lesson.

“I don’t want your baubles. There’s another jewel I’m interested in seeing.”

Elizabeth froze, “Another jewel?”

“Yes. Strip, Princess. Let’s see the goods.”

Hazel eyes flew wide open. He couldn’t mean take her clothes off?

“I’m s….sorry. What did you say?”

“Take. Your. Clothes. Off,” he said and cocked his pistol.

Elizabeth jumped in fright. Oh, God, why had she provoked him? She was always getting herself into trouble for saying exactly what she thought.

“Please…don’t do this…wouldn’t you rather take my jewels?”

The man shook his head, “Sorry, Luv. Didn’t you know that highwaymen sometimes take more from their victims?

There! That should scare her a bit. He had no intention of doing anything. He’d humiliate her by making her strip naked, and then he’d take her necklace and go.

Elizabeth trembled. If she survived this night, she promised she’d never be so stupidly independent again.

She started to untie her cloak and let it drop to the floor. Then she stopped. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t show herself to this man.

“I won’t do it!” She said determinedly, “You’ll have to shoot me first!”

Blue eyes twinkled, “William the Bloody does not like to be kept waiting. Take your clothes off, Pet, or I’ll rip them off you!”

“W…William the Bloody?” Elizabeth stuttered. She had heard of him! He was the most notorious highwayman and had proved extremely elusive to the law.

The man bowed, “At your service!”

Elizabeth paled and started fumbling with her clothes. She was in a much worse position than she first thought.

William looked at the girl undressing before him and felt almost guilty for what he was making her do. She was a haughty miss make no mistake, but did she really deserve this treatment from him? He’d never behaved like this towards any of his female victims before, so why this one? Who was he kidding? From the moment he’d stepped into the carriage and seen her, she had aroused his passion.

Elizabeth stood trembling before him in just her chemise. It left little to the imagination and William felt himself grow hard at the sight. My, God, she was beautiful and he gulped as she slowly lowered the shoulder strap, letting the garment flutter to the floor.

Rosy nipples stiffened in the night air and he stared at her perfect bosom. His gaze then travelled down over her flat belly, slightly rounded hips, golden curls and shapely legs. He was stunned by her and lowered his pistol.

“You’re incredible!” He rasped.

Elizabeth looked tremulously up at him, her face flushed and her hazel eyes sparkling with unshed tears, “Pl..please don’t hurt me,” she whispered.

William took off his tricorn hat, revealing white, blond hair tied back and threw it to one side. He placed his pistol down and took a step towards her.

“I couldn’t, even if I wanted to,” he said in wonder, before pulling her to him. He had to taste her damn it.

Elizabeth suddenly found herself crushed against a muscular chest, and her lips devoured by his. They teased and sucked her lower lip, before demanding more. Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest and found that horrors of horrors his tongue invaded her mouth.

William groaned. The kiss was intoxicating. She tasted delicious and he repeatedly plundered the interior of her sweet mouth with his tongue. His hands also stroked her bare skin. He couldn’t help himself.

Elizabeth should have been outraged at what was happening to her, but it strangely didn’t matter that she was being held naked in a strange man’s arms. She had never been kissed and found the experience extremely pleasurable. She even began to kiss him back, much to her surprise. And everywhere his warm hands touched her skin, she tingled.

More! He needed to taste more of her. William loosened his hold on her and trailed his lips down her long throat, before making his way across her chest and finally her breasts. He massaged, licked and suckled the globes, eliciting small excited moans from his temptress.

“You have beautiful breasts,” he said huskily, “I could kiss them all night.”

And he proceeded to prove his point by sucking and licking them until Elizabeth’s legs turned to jelly and she sagged against him.

William picked her up and laid her on a wide seat. He then covered her with his body, careful not to crush her with his weight. He kissed her senseless again, before moving down her body. He caressed her legs and gently spread her thighs so that he could trail kisses up to her golden curls.

Elizabeth looked down in shock at the masked man between her legs. Blue eyes mesmerised her with the passion in them, before a tongue darted out between sensual lips and licked her womanhood. She bucked beneath him in response and he repeated the action. She threw her head back and mewled in pleasure. She really should stop him. Somewhere in the back of her mind registered the fact that this man was a criminal and he shouldn’t be doing this…but…..

William flicked his tongue across her clit and sucked gently on the tiny bud of nerve endings. Her musky scent filled his nostrils and he grew harder. He knew he should stop this madness and make his escape, but she had bewitched him. He had to have her.

Elizabeth’s head thrashed about, as William continued to pleasure her with his tongue and fingers. She felt a sudden increase of pressure build inside her, until she exploded. She lay back, panting, her lower body throbbing with indescribable pleasure.

William quickly undressed and lay beside her, gathering her to him for another kiss. She reciprocated his kiss and her hands lightly touched his shoulders and chest. She seemed to act on instinct alone, but even her feather light touches aroused him.

William’s fingers delved between her legs once more, preparing her slippery channel for him. Then he settled his weight between her legs and slowly thrust his manhood into her.

Elizabeth gasped at the intrusion and bit her lip at the sharp pain she felt as he entered her. Then she felt only delicious warmth as he began to thrust in and out. She instinctively moved with him and kissed him back, as his mouth claimed hers once more.

William groaned. She felt wonderful around him. She was so tight. He knew she’d likely be a virgin and he was completely mad for taking her like this, but he couldn’t help himself. He was drowning in her.

“Say my name, Pet!” He ordered, lips breaking free from hers. It suddenly seemed important to hear her say it.

Glazed hazel eyes stared at him, “William,” she said breathlessly, as she arched under him to meet his thrusts

“Please…I…,” she babbled, as she began to thrash her head helplessly.

William watched transfixed as her orgasm crept up and overtook her. She trembled beneath him and he came soon after, turned on by the sight. He collapsed on her and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

When he had recovered sufficiently, William eased himself off her and began to dress.

The feeling of euphoria slowly left Elizabeth and she suddenly felt the chill of the night air. She shivered and slowly sat up, looking at the man’s muscular back, as he quickly dressed. Oh, God, what had she done? Just let a highwayman deflower her is what. She quickly scrambled up and began to dress, shame flooding her being.

William looked back at her, once he was fully clothed.

“Will you be alright on your own, until help arrives?” He asked quietly. He seemed almost embarrassed.

Dumbfounded she nodded and watched as he simply disappeared into the night.

Elizabeth was so engrossed in her thoughts about what had happened that she didn’t hear the horsemen approaching and it wasn’t until her fiancé, Lieutenant Riley stepped into the carriage that she came back to reality.

“Oh, my poor darling,” he said, “Was it really terrible?”

Elizabeth looked up at him and wondered when he had become so pathetic? She carefully hid her sapphire necklace from view.

***

William entered his town house, minus his disguise and went to the library. He called for his faithful servant, Alexander Harris and waited impatiently for him to arrive.

“Get rid of these in the usual way and ensure the proceeds go to the poor house!” He said, handing Alexander a black cloth bag.

Alexander looked quickly at the jewels in the bag and smiled, “William the Bloody has done well tonight.”

“Indeed,” was his master’s reply, before taking a swig of brandy.

Alexander knew when he had been dismissed and quietly left the room.

William was left alone with his thoughts. He had robbed five coaches tonight, but it was the last one that he had taken something precious from. And he didn’t know the chit’s name. What had possessed him to act like that? But just thinking of her lush body again made him hard and he had his answer.

Still, it was a mistake he wouldn’t make again. From now on he would stick to what he was best at – robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. That was if all hell hadn’t broken loose after the deflowering of the magistrate’s daughter. If the militia had been after his hide before, they would double their efforts after tonight.

William’s double life as a highwayman had started a few years ago, and had originated from a night of boredom. He’d decided to hold up a carriage as a joke, just to see if he could get away with it. Not only had he escaped, but also he’d found the whole experience exhilarating. He also found it a good way to punish people from his own class, who constantly disgusted him with their behaviour towards people of the lower classes. He sold their jewels to help such unfortunates and couldn’t help but take pride in the reputation he’d earned as a highwayman. The price on his head was going up too. William smiled.

***

Elizabeth proved to everyone who knew her that she had completely recovered from her ‘terrible ordeal’ at the hands of the highwayman, by attending the ball her father had thrown in her honour. She smiled and made polite conversation with people, answering all of their questions about the incident. Had she been frightened? What had he taken? She answered all of their questions, until her head span with it.

Finally, she made her excuses and stood by Riley’s side. He smiled at her and patted her hand patronizingly, while he continued his conversation about military tactics with another man. Elizabeth tried hard not to roll her eyes in boredom and was about to say something, when through the crowd she noticed a white blond head. She froze. Surely only one man had hair that colour!

Elizabeth’s heart beat faster and she felt hot, as she watched the blond head coming towards her. Several people parted nearby and she suddenly found herself face to face with her father and him. It had to be him, as there was no mistaking those piercing blue eyes.

Fighting the light-headedness she felt, Elizabeth turned expectantly to her father.

“Elizabeth, my dear, this is the Duke of Tintagel, William Blakeny. He moved here a few years ago, but is constantly abroad, so we’ve only just had the pleasure of meeting him.”

Elizabeth curtsied and tried desperately to gather her thoughts. She should denounce him for the criminal he was, but somehow the words wouldn’t come and she could only stare helplessly at him.

“Good evening, Elizabeth,” William said, taking her hand and kissing it. He watched in amusement as she trembled at his touch.

“I understand that you were the victim of a highwayman the other night? I’m sorry to hear that and hope they catch the scoundrel soon.”

Elizabeth could only nod. Why hadn’t she said anything? Riley was here with his men. They could arrest him in a moment.

“Did he take anything of value?” William asked. He couldn’t help asking Elizabeth that, wondering what she would say. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he’d had to see her again and she hadn’t denounced him yet.

Elizabeth nearly gasped aloud at his audacity, “He…took a valuable sapphire necklace,” she lied.

William quirked a scarred eyebrow at that and hid a smile.

“I’m sorry to hear that. But it’s better that you’re alive. Necklaces can be replaced.”

Riley glared at the stranger. He didn’t like the way he was looking at Elizabeth.

“She wasn’t just stopped by any highwayman, it was William the Bloody and the necklace was a gift from me!”

“Oh,” said William, “And why is he called that? Has he killed many people?”

He looked at Riley as he asked, wondering if the man would be honest or not.

Riley had the grace to look slightly uncomfortable, “Well, actually he hasn’t killed anyone, but we have to give these rogues bloodthirsty names to help protect the public.”

Elizabeth’s head snapped round at that, “You never told me!” She said accusingly.

Riley patted her shoulder, “It need not concern you, my darling. These are criminals we are talking about, robbing innocent people and they deserve all they get.”

“But surely it’s one thing to be hung for murder, and quite another to be arrested for stealing?” William said, trying to provoke the idiot in front of him. He was unworthy of Elizabeth’s attentions.

Riley’s eyes narrowed, “And what does his lordship make of highwaymen then?”

William looked at Elizabeth before drawling, “Why, Lieutenant Riley, I believe that all highwaymen should be hung and left to swing in a gibbet at the crossroads like any other rogue.”

Confused at the unexpected answer and missing the joke between William and Elizabeth, Riley merely nodded, “Erm..yes…well…good.”

Elizabeth didn't know what to do. This man scared her; or rather she was scared of how much he affected her. He made her act irrationally and question her feelings for her fiancé. He had revealed that Riley wasn't such a good man and she had to admit that she was getting rather tired with Riley patronizing her. She hadn't really noticed it before, or maybe she just hadn't wanted to.

Then there was William himself. He was devastatingly handsome and clearly not what she had first thought. Although he seemed to revel in his reputation as a highwayman, he hadn't done half the things he was accused of and he seemed to be a good man. Elizabeth frowned. She was so confused.

Her father turned to her, “The Duke is staying as our guest, my dear. Aren’t we honoured?”

Elizabeth remembered her manners enough to say that ‘indeed it was,’ but inwardly she was horrified. This man in her house? She wasn’t sure if she wanted to sleep under the same roof as him. He was far too disturbing to her equilibrium!

William smiled at her, knowing full well the effect he was having on her. Then he made his excuses and disappeared back into the crowd of people, leaving a worried Elizabeth and a frowning Riley. Riley didn’t know why, but he felt threatened by the man.

***

Elizabeth stood looking out of her window in just her nightgown. It was very late, but she couldn’t sleep and so she stood staring up at the moon.

Suddenly arms enveloped her waist from behind and she was pulled back against a hard body.

“Thinking of me, Pet?” drawled a voice softly in her ear, sending shivers down her back.

Elizabeth gasped, “You!” She said and started wriggling to get free, “I’ll denounce you and they’ll hang you.”

William chuckled as he tightened his hold, “Then why didn’t you do so when you had the chance?”

“I…I…nevermind! It’s not too late. Riley’s here with his men and…”

“That idiot!” scorned William, “He’s not for you, Elizabeth and you know it. Too boring! Besides, what would he say on your wedding night when he discovers you’re no longer a virgin?”

Elizabeth stopped struggling. He had a point, damn him.

“I’m sure he’d be very understanding and would love me anyway…” she tried saying, more to convince herself than him.

William nibbled her ear, “I seriously doubt it, Sweetheart. Anyway, you’re mine!”

“Yours?” She squeaked. God, she couldn’t think properly when he was nibbling her ear like that and sending delicious thrills down her back. She unconsciously leant back against him.

“Yes, mine!” He growled softly and began pulling the ribbons loose on her gown. In no time at all his warm hands were massaging her breasts.

“You were mine from the moment I saw you, Elizabeth. You can’t deny it.”

“I ….but this is so wrong….I shouldn’t be doing this…”

“What? Feeling? You’re a passionate woman and deserve to be made love to properly. If you marry that buffoon, Riley, you’ll merely be a trophy on his arm. He’s not interested in talking to you, or hearing your opinion on anything. He just wants to show you off and use your position in society to advance his career.”

Elizabeth gasped as William tweaked her nipples hard and she felt a rush of warmth between her legs. Her brain just about functioned and she knew that he was right about Riley. She just didn’t like the fact that it was him pointing it out to her.

“Whereas your intentions are perfectly honourable I’m sure,” she answered sarcastically.

William laughed, as his hands wandered over her body, stripping her gown away as they went lower.

“My intention is to make love to you as you well know. But, marry me, Pet. Come away and rob carriages with me. Live an adventure.”

Elizabeth writhed in pleasure at his touch, “I…I can’t ….can’t think straight when you touch me!”

“I know,” he said, kissing her neck, “It’s my unfair advantage over you.”

He span her around and kissed her thoroughly on the mouth.

Elizabeth kissed him back, eager for more of his caresses. It was madness, but she had no control. Her heart and her body told her that this was right. This man was her equal. And she relished the idea of adventure.

“I will go with you,” she said quietly.

“Although I’m not sure about the robbing of carriages.”

“I only rob from the rich and conceited and give to the poor. Does that make it any better?”

Elizabeth smiled. He was incorrigible.

“No!”

William pouted sexily, “Shame. I can just see you with a pistol.”

“What kind of girl do you think I am?” She said mock outraged.

“My Girl!” He told her seriously and picked her up in his arms. He strode to the bed and placed her gently on it.

“And I prefer my girl naked,” he purred, peeling the rest of her gown off her and caressing her curves.

Elizabeth arched up into his touch and groaned in pleasure. She looked at her handsome lover and drowned in his eyes. All of this was wonderful, but there was something missing.

“William?” She asked quietly.

“Yes?”

“Have you got your eye mask by any chance?”

He looked down at her in surprise, before grinning,

“Oh, Pet….”