Only a Viscount Will Do by Tamara Gill

Chapter 1

Surrey, two years later

Alice met her mother’s startled eyes and then turned to look out the carriage window. No one graced the road between home and Ashford, the small village they’d traveled from. Tony, their driver, yelled and the carriage jerked forward at increasing speed. Alice reached for the leather strap and held on as best she could.

“I cannot see anyone, Mama.” She sat back and clasped the squabs with her free hand. “And yet I can hear what sounds like a rider coming up hard behind us.”

Her mother removed her handkerchief from her lips long enough to answer. “Who do you think—”

“Halt the carriage!” a deep, muffled voice commanded, followed by a loud crack of a gun that sent shivers down Alice’s spine. Is Tony being shot at—their horses? Dear God, what is going on?

Again, Alice looked out the carriage window then jumped over to the other seat and opened the portal to speak to Tony. “Are you all right to continue? We’re so close to home, I don’t want to stop.”

Tony kept his eyes on the road but crouched lower on the box. “Right ye are, miss. I’ll not let him catch us.”

Another shot rang out just as the words flew from Tony’s lips. Alice gasped and grabbed her mother’s hand, not liking her pale gray color.

“Get down, dearest,” her mother tried to shout over the crunch of wheels on the gravel road.

The carriage continued to barrel up the thoroughfare at a blistering speed. Alice sat on the floor and pulled her mama down with her, before turning to look under the seat for the pistol their father used to keep there. She sat back on her haunches as her search turned up nothing more than empty space and a cobweb.

Tony cursed before yelling out that he couldn’t continue without putting their lives at risk. Sickening dread pooled in her stomach. Her mother threw her a frightened glance, her lips in a thin line of fear.

“Even under such circumstances I don’t believe Tony should say such words, cursing is never acceptable.”

Alice beat back the urge to roll her eyes. They had bigger things to worry about than a swear word. Had she been on the box and some idiot was shooting bullets at her, Alice was sure more than a few curse words would fly out of her mouth. “Tony is slowing down, Mama. If anything, that is what you should be worried about.”

“Alice, come sit closer to me and don’t let go of my hand, under any circumstances.”

Alice did as she was told and held on tight to her mother’s shaking fingers. “It’ll be all right, Mama. I’m sure he only means to rob us, and then he’ll be on his way.” At least that is what Alice hoped, but who knew with this highwayman. Anything was possible.

Her mother nodded but clasped her hand in a punishing grip as the carriage rolled to a stop. Alice listened to the sounds outside and the carriage when Tony jumped down. He came to stand at their door, his head looking in either direction, no doubt trying to garner the fiend’s whereabouts.

They waited like sitting ducks for the elusive fox to attack, but silence reigned.

“Who do you think he is?” her mother asked.

Alice frowned, wondering the same. “Perhaps he is the highwayman who has been terrorizing Surrey for the last year or so.” His escapades had London all a titter over the jewels he’d stolen, the wealth he’d amassed from the rich. Now it looked like they, too, would fill his coffers. She took a fortifying breath, not wanting to believe her own words. She had thought it such a lark that the gentleman stole from the rich and left the poor alone. But now, as one of the unfortunates to come under his ire, she didn’t think too highly of it, after all.

“What do you want?” Tony shouted toward the trees.

A shiver of unease crawled across her skin as the question was met with a deep masculine chuckle. A laugh that was both cocky and condescending at the same time.

“Get the ladies out. Now!”

Alice shushed her mother’s whimpering and nodded to Tony to open the door when he looked back for approval. He helped them down, then stood before them like a knight in shining armor. Alice inwardly smiled at the devotion her mother’s coachman had for the family, especially since he was older than England itself.

She looked down the road, bordered by thick dense trees that cast moving shadows everywhere. Her mother’s eyes were huge and full of fear as a ghostly apparition of a dark horse and rider stepped from the dark canopy. The horse’s ragged and uneven breathing made it seem dangerous, and not of this world.

Alice was sure at that very moment, they were going to die. Nothing that looked so evil could possibly do any good in this world.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have.” The rider jerked his mount to a stop, the horse’s eyes flaring at the sharp pull of the bit.

“That is none of your concern. Take what you want and be gone with ya,” Tony said, throwing them a concerned look over his shoulder.

Alice’s eyes narrowed at the tsk, tsk, tsk that sounded from the highwayman. She looked at the horse and wondered how a robber could own such a beast. Or perhaps, stolen would be a better summation. She studied the man, his breeches tight to his well-formed legs. His jacket and shirt, though not the best in quality, were clean and pressed. As for his face, she could not make it out at all, due to the black bandanna covering his nose and mouth. But his eyes, dark as night, were intelligent, calculating, and right at this moment, making a study of them. Thoroughly.

The highwayman bowed low on his horse. “I do believe the Duchess of Penworth is to be my quarry this day. And that lovely brooch you have upon your person will do nicely as my payment. Hand it over and no harm will come to you.”

Alice comforted her mother as she gasped, in vain trying to hide the brooch that made the robber’s eyes gleam with sickening greed.

“Who gives you the right to take what doesn’t belong to you, sir?” Alice raised her chin in defiance. The thought of her mama losing such a treasured family jewel made the blood boil in her veins.

She stilled as the man’s attention swung her way, the lift of his eyebrows declaring he had not noticed her, or had been ignoring her. Alice pushed down the sickening nerves that racked her innards when he proceeded to dismount, then walk toward them with a swagger that oozed confidence.

Alice lifted her chin further and refused to look away, even though her mind froze in fear. He was tall, strong, and could break them both in half, if he wished, if the size of his arms were any indication. Oh, dear, please don’t hurt us. I’m sorry I spoke. She swallowed as he came to stand before her, much too close for her comfort.

“You are a beauty, my little blond goddess. Perhaps I should steal you, instead of the man-made ornaments.” He reached out and flicked her mother’s brooch, dismissing it as nothing of value.

Alice gaped and then snapped her mouth shut at the man’s impudent gesture. Surely, he had not said what he had? But at the gleam in his eyes, Alice realized he was deadly serious.

“You sir, will leave my daughter alone.” Her mother moved in front of her, which pulled Alice from the trance she seemed to have fallen into while looking at him.

He smiled then walked over to Tony, and as quick as a flash, pushed the man to the ground, tying his hands with a well-versed ability that under different circumstances would’ve been impressive. Dismayed, Alice watched their only means of protection wiggle on the ground, no longer any help. The rogue turned back to them, his eyes darting back and forth.

“This is not the time to throw orders around, Your Grace.” He came over to them and unclasped the emerald brooch. Alice clasped her mother’s hand as her parent’s eyes filled with tears. She looked back at the robber, his eyes not sparing the jewel a second glance as he slipped it into his pocket.

“Your Grace, if you will return to the carriage, I’d be most appreciative. I have something to say to your daughter…in private.”

“You have nothing to say to me, sir. You’ve got your payment, now it’s time for you to leave us alone.” Alice held on to her mother, not wanting to hear anything this brute had to say. Fear crept up her spine that he would molest her in some way. Perhaps he wasn’t the highwayman Surrey was being harassed by, for she’d never heard of him attacking women while he robbed them of their worldly possessions.

He laughed and held the carriage door open. Then with a yank, pulled them apart and escorted her mama to the door. The pistol appeared again and when her mama hesitated at the door he jabbed it into her spine. Her mother refused to move and Alice read the defiance in her stance, but the last thing she wished was for her mother to be hurt. She had lost one parent, she wasn’t ready to lose another.

“Wait in the carriage, Mama. I’ll be quite all right. I promise.”

Her mother finally conceded, and Alice flinched as the carriage door slammed shut. The fiend walked back to her, though perhaps stalked would be a better word, before pulling her behind the carriage and out of her mother’s sight even as she leaned out the window, determined to keep her daughter in view.

He watched Alice for a moment. His eyes, which she’d thought to be black, were in fact, blue with tinges of gray through them. Any other time, Alice would’ve termed them attractive, but today, they were a window into hell.

She started when he leaned toward her. “You are a beauty, Lady Alice.” The whispered words against her ear spread a peculiar warmth through her bones. Alice put it down to her fear and the knowledge that she didn’t know who this man was, nor what he was capable of. She stood still and waited, refusing to say or react in any way, lest it stimulate him to do worse.

“A shame that a woman like you will enter a marriage of convenience. Such delectable flesh should be loved a great deal and pleasurably so.” His hand clasped her shoulder and pushed her against the multitude of parcels tied to the back of the carriage. He leaned in closer than she’d ever allowed a man to do. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a woman like you under me. Oh how I’d love to partake in mutual pleasure that would ruin you for anyone else.”

Alice swallowed, hating the fact that deep down, her body was reacting to his absurd, scandalous words. She shouldn’t allow him to say such things. She should knock him in the head, but at this moment she didn’t have anything to do the job with, so it was a moot point.

“How do you know me, sir?” she managed to ask, her breath stuck in her lungs, her nerves frayed by the thought of this man atop her, pleasuring her as his words promised. There was something seriously wrong, if such thoughts, instead of being vile, left her wondering what it would feel like. Other than his occupation as a felon, he seemed healthy, the whites of his eyes were clear, not bloodshot or yellow in color. But probably the oddest thing of all was that, although he was robbing them, had already stolen a brooch, and shot at their equipage, he didn’t frighten her.

Not one little bit.

He chuckled, his eyes stealing over her flesh. “I always learn about the people I plan to relieve of their possessions. You are not too angry at me, I hope,” he asked.

Alice raised her brow, knowing by the gleam in his eyes that he was smiling, laughing even.

“Perhaps you will grant me a boon if I do not steal those lovely earbobs you have on.”

“If I give you the earbobs, will you return the brooch?”

“What about,” he said, stepping closer, “you give me a kiss and I’ll think about the trade?”

Alice swallowed as the highwayman’s hand clasped her hip, his fingers flexing against her body. Their eyes met and she was surprised to see his darken with some emotion she didn’t want to delve too deeply in. Who is he? And how did she know, no matter his words, that he would not force her into anything she did not wish to partake in? It was very perplexing.

“Will you not kiss me, my lady?” he mocked, challenging her.

Alice ran her hands over his shoulders and into the dark locks at the nape of his neck. His hair was soft and the scent of lemons wafted in the air. How bizarre for such a man to be clean and fresh smelling. She played into his mocking and gave him the best saucy look she could muster.

“Sir, you don’t know how long I have waited to meet the famous Surrey Bandit, if that is who you are. And if your lips are as tempting as your voice, I would be honored to grant you my favor, but you’ll have to remove the bandanna to do so.”

Alice stepped into him with all the supposed desire she could muster. She suppressed the fear that rose within her that she was playing with the wrong kind of man. For all his desirable eyes and clean body and clothes, he was a highwayman. Ruthless and possibly more dangerous than one supposed. She prayed she’d not mistaken her insight and was not heading down a road of no return.

His lean muscled body touched all the way down the front of hers, and Alice blamed the lack of air entering her lungs on trepidation over what she was about to do, not what he made her feel after only knowing him a few minutes. A thief, no less. Her hands ran down his neck and settled on his shoulders. She leaned forward, so much so, that the man’s breath through the bandanna warmed her lips.

Her attention snapped to his lips when he lifted the cloth away to give him the ability to kiss her. She swallowed, her mouth going dry at the sight of a mouth made for sin. His lips were too perfectly formed to be fair for the opposite sex. How she’d always wanted lips as full as his, if not a little more red in color to tempt the opposite sex to kiss her, which unfortunately had never happened. And now, it looked as if her first kiss would be with a man who was robbing her.

Alice licked her lips and realized her mistake the moment his blue orbs darkened with hunger. Her breath increased and she tried to calm her beating heart, which threatened to jump out of her chest. She wasn’t supposed to want his kiss, but some scandalous part of her wanted it more than anything in her life.

“Kiss me, beautiful.”

Had she been able to, she would melt on the spot, like snow under a summer sun. Oh, that deep, masculine voice was temptation incarnate; it beckoned something wild within her to kiss him and be damned her manners and the expectations foisted on her, due to her heritage. Alice would never know how she tore her attention from his lips.

Instead of leaning forward and taking what they both desperately wanted, she mentally shook herself. She did not want to kiss him. It was the blood rushing through her veins that was making her feel giddy and…whatever else it was that flowed throughout her body. Not the man or the pleasure he tempted her with. Alice steeled herself to do what she must and so, just before their lips met, and with all the might she could yield, Alice lifted her leg and kneed him firmly in the groin.

He fell to the ground, his howls of pain loud in the quiet forest. Alice watched him for all of a second before she turned and ran to the front of the carriage, welcoming the sight of Tony staggering to his feet.

“Tony, get in the coach. I’ll drive.”

“But, my lady—” he stammered.

“No buts. Do as you’re told and now.” Alice climbed quickly up to the box and grabbed the reins. The highwayman was still on the ground clutching himself, and Tony still stared at her with widened eyes. “We haven’t much time. Move! Now, man,” she yelled.

He did as she bid, and she whipped the horses to an immediate canter just as the carriage door slammed shut. With a cloud of dust, she left the fiend where he belonged, on the ground and alone. She cracked the whip over the horse’s ears and frowned as the realization of what she’d done hit her with as much force as she’d hit him. The knee to his groin had been quite hard, perhaps harder than she ought to have done, and a small part of her hoped she hadn’t hurt him too much, for all her anger at his robbing them.

Robber he may be, but he had smelled very nice, like summertime fruits or something. And his breath, when he’d spoken, had not reeked of stale beer or yesterday’s meals, but of mint, fresh and tempting. Had he been a gentleman at a masquerade ball, he would have received the kiss he so willingly wanted to bestow. And no doubt it would have been an enjoyable, delectable few minutes. Her sister Beth had told her of a man’s kiss and Alice had longed to have one, but she drew the line at kissing a highwayman. She would not do it, no matter how much she may have wanted to rile against expectations and live for the moment. Rakes and libertines, such as the fiend on the road behind her, were always good at seduction, but were not to be trusted or enjoyed. Ever.

She inwardly sighed. Her life of late seemed one drama after another. Perhaps, she should do as her mother wanted and find a husband of her own.

She checked the horses’ speed as her body rebelled at the notion of being married. If she were married, she would be expected to cater to her husband’s every whim, give him babies and make him happy. Not that she objected to being happy, but only the deepest love would entice her into the marriage state, and all the men she’d met so far, since her first Season, had been less than inspiring.

Of course, they’d been rich, titled even, and with estates that would please even royalty, but as boring as watching water droplets dry on grass. And certainly none of them had inspired intrigue or attraction. The first time she had experienced that was today—with a thief.

Although that wasn’t quite true, since she had reacted to a man before, none other than their neighbor Callum Edwards, Viscount Arndel.

Alice stared at the road, not really seeing anything other than the horses cantering along. Maybe her mother was right and she needed to stop being so picky and viewing the wealthy as overprivileged idiots, because if she was reacting to bandits there was something wrong with her.

The piercing blue eyes of the man she’d left writhing on the road flashed before her and she grinned, hoping she hadn’t hurt him too much. Why, she couldn’t fathom. He had pulled a gun on them. He’d deserved everything he received. However, never in her life had she been so exhilarated and fearful at the same time.

It was an absurd reaction. The man was a scoundrel, not at all worthy of her attention. He deserved to be in Newgate for his crimes, and yet he had raised in her a devilish spirit, that was forever trying to break free. A spirit that yearned for a love match and a man who would spark her desire—every day of her life. Not someone who’d marry her for her wealth and the pretty face her mother was forever stating she had. Alice didn’t want to be anyone’s ornament. Someone who was hung in a grand home, admired and tittered over, but otherwise ignored. She slowed the horses as she turned them through the gates of Dunsleigh and sighed.

No doubt the fiend lived a wild existence that was neither hindered by Society nor family obligations. How she wished she could be as free as he was. Well, until he was captured and hanged for his misdeeds. That wasn’t the sort of ending she cared for at all.

But then what was life if one could not dream of possibilities? No doubt, no matter what she wanted, and yearned for, eventually she would settle down and live the life that was expected from the daughter of the Duke of Penworth. Although, no matter how much pedigree she held, it could not stop her from dreaming otherwise.

Callum Edwards, Viscount Arndel, sat up on the dirt road and leaned on his knees as he watched the coach barrel down the road and leave him in a pool of dust. He shook his head and frowned, wondering what the hell had gotten into him to act so reckless. He cringed and hoisted himself up to stand, dusted down his buckskin breeches, and whistled for his horse. As his trusty stallion Bandit trotted over, Callum pulled out the prized jewel from his pocket and grinned at the green gem. The trinket was the last gem required to resolve the debt to the moneylender—just as soon as he traveled to London to rid himself of it.

The rich, dark green emerald in a gold brooch twinkled up at him, the diamonds around the rectangular-shaped stone set off the jewel to perfection and anyone could tell it was worth a fortune.

He pocketed it and clasped the reins of his horse, lifting his leg into the stirrup without success as pain shot through his groin. He swore, rubbed his cock, and adjusted himself a little before trying again. After some time, he succeeded and cursed the little hellion to Hades. Lady Alice Worthingham had surprising strength in that delicate leg of hers, far more than he’d imagined.

Callum moved about on his seat, the blasted saddle causing throbbing in his own jewels and shooting pain up into his gut. He guided his horse toward home, needing a cold compress and a well-aged brandy, if not bed, after Lady Alice’s well-aimed knee.

Checking to see no one was about, he made his way across the fields toward his home, Kester House, and shook his head over his words to a woman well above him in social stature, but too young or too innocent to understand what his intent had meant.

What had he been thinking? Well, he knew what he’d been thinking, and damn him for the rogue he portrayed himself to be. It couldn’t be further from the truth. He’d never acted such a cad before. He’d taken what he wanted and run from all his other holdups. He had not played with his victims like a boy playing with wooden soldiers.

And he hated the fact that it seemed as if Lady Alice had not been fooled by his bravado or threat. If anything, he had the impression that she’d been laughing at him, daring him to try and seduce her.

Scamp came to mind when he thought of Alice and he laughed, absurd as it was. He’d not thought she had a rougher side, but for all her toff upbringing someone had obviously taught the girl to stick up for herself, both with her body and her mouth.

A mouth that he was sure would haunt his dreams for many a night to come. Delectable and succulent came to mind when thinking of her lips. She probably tasted as sweet as she looked.

Callum cantered across the meadow and welcomed another wooded grove that marked the border of his lands. The dense forest was as old as the estate and had been there ever since the family had bought the land in the 1600s. The old trees cloaked him in shadow and he paused a moment, taking the time to pull off his bandanna and wipe his face of any grime.

His horse ambled its way back to Kester House, as if it knew the direction on its own, and so it should, since the stallion had come with the estate when he’d inherited it. Soon, his future would be his to command again. With the emerald brooch in the moneylender’s hands, the estate’s debts to the fiend would be at an end, and if he could secure the sale of some lands that adjoined the Duke of Penworth’s estate, it would give him enough money to make the estate profitable again. Amelia and he could start afresh.

He’d longed for two years for this moment. He had a lot of missed time to make up for putting his family through the ordeal of never knowing if he’d return.

Callum frowned at the obscene amount of debt his idiotic cousin Robert, the former viscount, had left him floundering in. Such a waste of funds had been spent on gambling and the never-ending pursuit of women who had graced the stage. It had required a small fortune to keep those women honest. Not that they ever had, no matter how much Robert had paid them.

And Robert’s mother, who had allowed her son to run their only estate into the ground, was also to blame. Not that the old battle-ax would ever think her dearest, and now departed boy, could ever do any wrong.

He avoided the open fields at the front of the estate and, instead, made his way through the dense undergrowth of the trees, not wanting anyone other than his stable staff to see him dressed in the common man’s attire. The talk of the Surrey Bandit was all anyone was speaking about, and the detailed sketches of the fiend posted in the towns and roads were well done, too well done for his liking.

Should anyone take a good look at the wanted poster, they’d notice the little mole that sat on his right temple. Not to mention, his arrival home at all hours of the night, without the dress of a lord, would raise any staff’s curiosity, and that was the last thing he needed. His life of crime was so close to being over he could taste it, and nothing and no one would get in his way of a future brighter than his past had been.

Stuffing the bandanna into his saddle bag and slipping the brooch into his chest pocket, he made his way out of the trees and kicked his mount into a canter toward home. Tomorrow he would call on the duke and then make arrangements to travel to London for the sale of the gem. He couldn’t hie off to Town so soon after the theft. It would look suspicious, if he did. Time was his ally, and he would allow the local scandal to settle down, and once it did, then he would finally be free of the trouble he was in.

Then and only then, would he be able to breathe easy, to be free to take responsibility for the estate he had inadvertently inherited—without the ever-tightening noose that threatened to choke the life out of his future.

He pushed away the guilt over the many jewels and family heirlooms he had stolen over the past year and a half. Callum pacified his conscience with the knowledge that the rich could afford to buy new pieces, if they wished—bigger and grander jewels to surpass anything he’d ever stolen, but he could not replace his daughter. After the bastard moneylender in London had shown him just how easy he could get his hands on his daughter, Callum had understood he would have to do as the man bid. There was no choice between the life of his child and a bauble that a matron of the ton wore. Becoming the Surrey Bandit had been his only option.

In time, he no doubt would harbor guilt, but not when his thieving kept his daughter safe and out of the clutches of a money-hungry madman. And thanks to the beautiful green jewel that sat snug in his pocket, his bandit days were over. He patted the gem as his horse came out of the forest and gave him a clear view of the fields that sat before his estate.

Green stretched for miles, along with a small stream that ran west of his home, and eventually, into the Thames. He pulled up Bandit and took in all that he now owned and lorded over. It seemed absurd that an estate of this size was for one man. Callum doubted very much that he would ever understand the Society in which he now circulated. It was a sphere in which he wasn’t comfortable, and even less so after he started to steal from them.

The estate shone like a beacon under the afternoon sun. A home made up of different architectural designs—too many for it to ever be termed magnificent, unlike his neighbor’s estate, Dunsleigh. The only asset, he supposed, was the woodlands that came right up to the home’s lawns—it gave the place a sense of mystery and privacy, something he welcomed. Now more than ever.

Kicking his mount into a gallop, he headed home, enjoying the sun on his back and the wind on his face. He wished to see his daughter and tell her that he’d join her tonight for tea in the nursery. Just as he’d promised.

“You were robbed! At gunpoint?” Josh bellowed behind the mahogany desk from which he sat, his eyes wide with alarm and his mouth agape with shock. “When? Where?” He stood, his chair flying backward and landing on its back. “Are you unharmed, Mother?”

Alice started at his obscenely loud voice, which threatened to deafen her. “Yes, we’re fine. It was the—”

“We were robbed by the Surrey Bandit,” their mama blurted, coming up to the desk and partaking of her brother the duke’s half-drunk brandy. “He took the family brooch. The one I received from your father on the announcement of our betrothal.” Her mother’s voice wobbled with distress, and she poured herself another glass of the amber liquid. “I can’t believe it’s gone.”

Alice clasped her mother’s hand and hearing her sniff, she passed her a handkerchief. “It’s all right, Mama. We are unharmed and that is the most important thing. Now,” she continued, ushering her to a chair, “you sit. I’ll tell Josh the rest.” Her mother did as she bid, because now that the adventure was over, the woman was showing signs of distress. Perhaps she ought to call the local doctor to ensure she wouldn’t have a fit of the vapors.

“Alice. Tell me what happened.”

Her brother’s question pulled her from her musings and she met his eyes, reading the burning anger that simmered in their depths. “The highwayman stopped us not two miles from the gates of the estate. He knew our names, used our titles when speaking to us, and demanded what he wished to steal. Poor Tony was knocked to the ground, but he’s resting now in his room and promised it was a slight ache in his head.”

Josh strode across the room to the mantel and pulled the bell cord. “We’ll have tea and discuss this further. I think Mama needs a medicinal drink that doesn’t contain alcohol.” A footman walked in and bowed. “Please bring us some tea and whatever cakes or biscuits Cook has, thank you.”

Alice watched the footman leave and went to sit on a chair beside her mother. Her mama was very pale, and she hated the thief for making her parent ill with worry and sadness. Alice vowed she would find out who the fiend was and ensure he had the full force of the law brought down on his head that housed such lovely blue eyes.

“Did you get a look at the robber—his horse or what he wore? Any marks that could help the authorities recognize him and issue punishment? I’ll send a note straight away to the local magistrate and have him come out to the house. He needs to hear that the bastard is close to our county and wreaking havoc.”

“Josh, watch your language please,” their mama stated, throwing her brother a stern glance.

“I’ll do more than swear in situations such as these,” he said, sitting down behind his desk. “How dare the fiend take what doesn’t belong to him. To think he can terrorize innocent women, and in our home county, no less, is beyond acceptable.” Josh paused, a deep frown forming between his eyes and giving him a wild look that Alice hadn’t seen before, well, maybe once, when her sister Beth had been kidnapped and he had been determined to get her back before her reputation was ruined.

Josh looked up and pinned her to the spot. “Did he do anything else to you? Make any other demands or threaten you in any way, should you seek retribution against his attack?”

Alice stilled under his piercing eyes that seemed, since becoming a duke, able to read minds. Gosh, she hoped not, but she quickly squashed the thought of lying to him. To do so wouldn’t help the situation. He’d only end up learning the truth, and then she’d be the one in trouble. Of course, it was best that he know everything that had happened out on the road, even if it did put a cheeky thief behind bars, or worse. “He put Mama in the carriage and pulled me behind the vehicle.” She ignored her brother’s growl of temper and continued. “He tried to barter with me, said that if I gave him a kiss he would think about taking my earbobs and giving me back the brooch. I agreed and—”

“You what! You kissed a highwayman. Lady Alice Worthingham, the Duke of Penworth’s daughter, kissed a felon. Why I—”

“Stop, Josh, and listen to your sister. She hasn’t finished telling you what happened.” Her mama’s authoritative tone cut through her brother’s harangue, and his mouth settled into a displeased line, but he didn’t speak again.

Alice stood and walked to the hearth, a cold chill making her seek the warmth of flames. “I made out I was going to kiss him. I allowed him to hold me close, as if to kiss me and then I kneed him in the groin. Quite forcibly, I might add. He fell immediately and didn’t get up, didn’t even sit up once I had the horses moving at a good pace. He continued to lie there.” Alice frowned. “I hope I didn’t hurt him too much. It’s one thing to be expecting an assault, and it’s quite another when it comes out of nowhere. He wouldn’t have thought a lady would do such a thing, I’d think.”

Her brother’s bark of laughter brought her out of her musing. “Wonderful,” he stated, slapping his desk. “I knew that your gumption was not for nothing. I hope the bastard suffers and his balls swell up so he finds even walking difficult.”

“Josh,” their mother said again, her voice stern. “We do not use such words in this home.”

Josh shook his head but did not disabuse her.

“I ran for the carriage and returned home immediately. There is nothing more to add.” Alice shrugged and again the feeling of melancholy washed over her. How odd that a man who should’ve terrorized her, only intrigued her. For all she knew, his childhood may have been hard, an orphan child, his life rife with trouble and misfortune. What else could lead a man to do what he’d done? The whole situation really was very cheerless. Maybe, once she did find him, instead of sending him to Newgate, she should help him? Turn his life about to have some meaning and purpose.

Her brother nodded, reaching across his desk and pulling a piece of parchment before him and dipping his quill in ink. “I’ll write straight away to the local magistrate. If you could tell the staff, we’ll have one extra for dinner, Mama.”

A footman knocked and entered, placing tea on her brother’s desk, before bowing and leaving. Alice came back over to the desk and poured the tea, placing one rout cake on a plate and handing them to her mama and Josh. “It seems there are no biscuits today.”

Her brother looked down at the little cakes that were really biscuits, but everyone had become so serious, so thoughtful, Alice would do anything to cheer them up.

“I should imagine the magistrate will be out within an hour or so of receiving this.” Josh stood and walked to the door, and yelling out to a footman, handed him the missive with orders to make haste to Ashford and deliver it as soon as possible.

“Will you need Mama and me to tell him what happened or will you do it?” The day had been very long, and her mama was still shaking, if the rattle of her tea cup was anything to go by. Alice hoped her nerves would settle and she would soon be set to rights.

Josh shook his head, finishing off his biscuit before reaching over and taking another. “Now that I know what happened, I’ll take care of it from here. I’m beyond glad you are both unharmed from the whole experience.” He took a sip of tea, shaking his head. “And I want neither of you to worry about what happened today. We will catch this fiend, and then we’ll watch him hang for his misdeeds. I can promise you that.”

Alice frowned. The thought of those dark, mysterious eyes being closed for eternity made her stomach churn uncomfortably. Thinking back over the situation, it really hadn’t been so bad. Yes he’d stolen, but perhaps he was desperate. “I think we need to find him, yes, but I also think we should ask what has made him lead such a life. If given the opportunity, maybe he would stop his misdeeds and turn his life about.”

Josh looked at her as if she’d turned into Medusa. “Are you mad? We will do no such thing. He will pay for what he did to both of you, and I’ll not allow anything less for the blaggard. If I have to single-handedly take down the Surrey Bandit, I will. His life of crime cannot continue, no matter what has led him to do what he does. Even the poorest child can choose not to follow the path to which he was born. It may be hard work and difficult, but it is possible. This fiend has chosen to thieve and terrorize people, and now it is time to pay the price for such a life.”

Alice nodded and hoped her attempt to look agreeable was working. “Of course, let him hang.” But should she find out who the Surrey Bandit was before her brother, well, there was no harm in trying to help him, before all hope was lost.

With a little aid, maybe he could be redeemed, start afresh, and never have to face what her brother was so determined to see happen to him.