A Highwayman's Honor: (A Highland Highwayman Novella #1) Read Free

you.”
    “Just one? What of the others? You can’t just—”
    John held up his hand. “I can, and I shall, and if you insist on being rude I’ll leave now with all four bags firmly in my possession.”
    Lord Harding subsided with a huff; his cheeks growing so dark John feared he might expire on the spot. Better hurry this along.
    “As I was saying, I will return one bag to you. In exchange for your name,” he said to the bewildered girl who watched him with those glacial eyes. “And a kiss.”
    Her jaw dropped. Her mother resumed her wailing. And her father didn’t even hesitate. “Done.”

Chapter Two
     
    Lord Harding shoved the girl at John before she could utter a protest. He caught her easily and held her stiff form in his arms. Anger on her behalf filled him to the brim. Yes, he’d asked for the kiss. But he’d done so on a whim, almost as a jest. To torment the apoplectic old toad. He’d never expected the man to turn over his own daughter so quickly for so little. For all he’d known, John had meant to snatch her and carry her away.
    She held herself aloof, unresisting, but the rage permeating her easily eclipsed his own.
    “Your name?” he asked softly.
    She looked into his eyes, unwavering, unafraid. “Elizabet,” she answered with steel in her voice.
    “My lady.” He brought her hand to his lips, lingering over the soft skin. He’d have liked nothing more than to taste those sweet, full lips of hers. But he would not do so under such circumstances. The tension in her body eased slightly and with a final squeeze of her hand, he released her.
    She remained where she was for a moment, looking at him with her forehead creased in confusion.
    “Sir?” Philip said, his voice level though John knew him well enough to detect a note of caution and concern. They’d already tarried far too long.
    “The rope,” John said.
    Will dismounted and grasped Lord Harding, binding his hands behind his rather ample back. The driver was similarly trussed. Will glanced at the women but John shook his head. They were no threat to him. Well, Elizabet would shove a dagger down his gullet if given half the chance, he was sure. But he had yet to leave a lady tied and helpless in the middle of the road and he had no intention of starting with her.
    He removed one of the sacks of gold from Philip’s saddlebag and handed it to Elizabet.
    She frowned. “But you’ve received no kiss, sir.”
    “Be quiet, you insolent little fool!” her father shouted.
    She blanched and at a nod from John, Philip shoved a handkerchief into the man’s mouth and bundled him back into the carriage. Lady Harding followed, taking the sack from Elizabet and casting concerned glances back and forth between her husband and daughter before climbing into the carriage.
    John turned back to Elizabet and drew a finger down her cheek. “A kiss from such a lady as you would be worth more money than I have to give. And I am not such a blackguard as to force myself on an unwilling woman. I would be honored to kiss you. In fact, it is taking considerable restraint to refrain from tasting these sweet lips.”
    She sucked in a startled breath as his thumb caressed her bottom lip.
    He let his hand fall away, cursing his good intentions. “But I’ll not kiss you until you ask me to.”
    She gaped at him, her eyes appearing nearly silver in the light of the moon. He half hoped she’d ask him right then. Instead, she took a step back. He was not surprised. But he was strangely disappointed.
    “Sir,” Philip prompted again.
    John nodded and mounted his horse. “You may release the men once we are out of sight,” he said to Elizabet. “Until we meet again, my lady,” he said, tipping his hat to her.
    He had no idea why he’d said such a thing to her. He’d certainly never see her again. Not under the same circumstances in any case. But for the first time in ages, he wished differently.
    Elizabet reached for the door of the carriage, but she