The Lord of the Highwaymen by Bramwell Elizabeth

Author:Bramwell, Elizabeth
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

They put me into gaol while my crimes they were accounting

Like robbing Captain Howell up there on the Mountain

I sighed and sent word to me brother, the one ’twas in the army

For luck was on me side and he were stationed in Killarney

Mush rim damma dur um da

One for the daddy-o

There’s whiskey in the jar

Darling Sporting Jenny

Amelia managed to locate Lydia just before the unmasking at midnight.

“There you are,” said her friend with a broad, expectant smile.

“Where’s Conway?” replied Amelia, looking about for him.

Lydia’s expression quickly darkened. “In any other circumstances, I would be very cross with you for leaving me in his company, but luckily, I met Harlequin here, who was happy to keep me company.”

“Anything for my sister,” said the gentleman in question, instantly identifying himself. “Although I think Lydia’s being rather unfair to the earl.”

Amelia agreed but knew that to say so out loud would only cause a squabble to erupt. “May I steal your sister away, Mr. Willow? I need her assistance in making repairs to my costume.”

He acquiesced with grace, and so Amelia was soon able to lead her friend to the corner of the card room, where it was a little less crowded.

“What happened? Why do you look like thunder?” demanded Lydia as soon as they were comfortable.

“Because William Haddington is an idiot,” she seethed in response. “Would you mind very much if we left soon? I’m afraid that I’ll lose my temper and do something awful if I don’t have the opportunity to collect my thoughts.”

“In any other situation, I would say we should leave immediately, but Lord Gowding has taken up residence in the vestibule, and I doubt we would be able to get past him without his attempting to kiss you. It seems the champagne is more potent than most have realized.”

“Gowding,” spat Amelia, and at the look of alarm on Lydia’s face, she knew that she would have to tell her everything.

In Lydia’s defense, she managed to keep her expression neutral for the majority of her explanation of events in the orangery. Still, when it came to the recital of William’s comments about Marc Antony, she was unable to keep herself from laughing.

“I don’t see what’s so funny,” complained Amelia, crossing her arms over her chest. “The man I am in… I mean, the man I am exceedingly fond of just implied I was looking for an affair.”

“He did nothing of the sort!” laughed Lydia, “I swear, Amy, you are as foolish as William is!”

“I have no patience for prevarication, Lydia. Tell me what you mean this instant.”

“That discussing historical figures at a masquerade is bound to lead to confusion,” replied her friend, still smiling. “Think about our favorite Roman general for a moment.”

Amelia frowned, and then her friend’s meaning dawned on her.

“William was talking in metaphors,” she groaned. “Damn and blast it, he meant the actual Marc Antony and not Lord Gowding.”

“That’s the problem with clever men,” replied Lydia with a commiserating tone. “I have often wondered if intellect comes at the cost of romance.

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