The Highwayman of Tanglewood

by Marcia Lynn McClure

  ❦

  “Master Lochlan is requesting your presence in his chamber, Faris,” Old Joseph said.

  “Me?” Faris asked.

  “He says you were to have awakened him first this morning—that you were gathering some information at his behest and that he wishes to receive it now.” Old Joseph smiled. “He will not scold you, Faris,” he said. “He is a mischievous lad. You will come to know him and his ways.”

  “Then shall I attend him? Or is he in jest?” Faris asked.

  “Oh, he is most certainly in earnest,” Old Joseph said. “And you may wish to attend him at once—for he and Lord Rockrimmon are riding out in visiting many tenants today.”

  “I-I suppose I should attend him then,” Faris stammered.

  “It would be wise,” Old Joseph said. “But do not go in fear, Faris. He is not angry with you—simply impatient to be told whatever it is you have to tell.”

  “I fear disappointing him,” Faris said. After all, what grand information did she gain from Bainbridge? Only that he himself was certain of Lord Brookings’s murderous treachery, that the Highwayman may or may not have been born in Saxton, and that indeed rumors were abounding in Saxton of the Highwayman of Tanglewood’s potential appearance there.

  “He is waiting, Faris,” Old Joseph said, gently reminding her of Lochlan Rockrimmon’s position in the household.

  “Yes. Of course,” Faris said. Smiling at Old Joseph, she started toward the large staircase leading to the family’s chambers.

  Her heart beat with anxious anticipation as she climbed the stairs. She feared she might faint as she approached Lochlan Rockrimmon’s chambers. His door stood ajar, and it took every thread of courage she could muster to knock upon it.

  “Come,” came the deep intonation of his voice from beyond the door.

  “Sire?” Faris said as she pushed on the door, entering the room as it opened.

  “Ah, Faris,” Lochlan Rockrimmon said.

  Faris gasped, her eyes widening as she saw he was not yet properly attired. Indeed, he wore black boots and brown breeches—yet the white billowing shirt he wore yet hung opened to his waist.

  “Forgive me, sire,” Faris said, turning away from him.

  “For what?” he asked. “Did I not tell you I was only teasing you about the draperies? Besides, they looked to be perfectly mended.”

  “Yes, sire—but I meant to beg your forgiveness for intruding when—” Faris began.

  “Do not concern yourself,” he said. “I awoke easily enough of my own will this morning.”

  Faris sighed. He did not seem to understand she was uncomfortable in his presence when he was not properly attired.

  “See here,” he said. “What news have you brought me?”

  It was obvious he wanted her to look at him as they spoke. Slowly she turned to see he had finished fastening his shirt. He appeared even more attractive for his casual appearance, and Faris scolded herself when she felt a spray of butterflies take flight in her stomach as she looked at him.

  “Well?” he prodded.

  “B-Bainbridge Graybeau yet has strong family connections in Saxton,” Faris stammered. “He is in agreement with you—that Lord Brookings indeed murdered his wife.”

  “And what of the Highwayman of Tanglewood?” Lochlan asked. Faris watched as he tucked his shirt into his breeches at the waist. “Does he have an opinion as to why our Highwayman would ride so far west?”

  “Only the same as do you, sire,” Faris said. “Either for loyalty to Saxton and its people—or because of the great injustice done Lady Brookings.”

  “Hmm,” Lochlan said, frowning and hastily donning a black vest. “Then we have no more information than Gawain has offered already, it seems.” Tossing a coat over one arm and stripping a white cravat from its place on the arm of a nearby chair, he ran a hand through his tousled hair and said, “It is a question of Saxton—of waiting to hear news of the Highwayman appearing there. I suppose we will just have to bide our time where tales of the local rogue are concerned then. Yes?”

  “It would seem so, sire,” Faris said. She could not help but return the smile he bestowed upon her then. How his green eyes did flash in the morning light!

  “Pray endeavor to make me presentable, Faris,” he said then, coming to stand before her. “Mother says I do not take care with my hair. Only yesterday she told me I looked as windblown as any old seadog she had ever seen.”

  Yet Faris smiled. She preferred his rather disorderly appearance. Further, she would never find the courage to instruct him in any matter—in clothing choice, hair combing, or anything else. Therefore, she paused.

  “Come, Faris,” he said then. “What is amiss with me this morning and bound to disturb milady?”

  “Nothing whatsoever, sire,” she told him.

  He quirked one eyebrow in suspicious disbelief. “Then when she reprimands me for looking the vagabond, I shall tell her it is no fault of my own—only yours.”

  “I am quite sure you look as well as any gentleman, sire,” Faris said. Oh, he looked far better, if the truth be told. But she would never dare to tell him the truth of it.

  “Then I’m off,” he said. “Good day, Faris.”

  “Good day, Master Lochlan,” Faris said, dipping a quick curtsy.

  As he strode past her into the hallway, Faris frowned as her gaze fell to the young master’s bed. Spread up in perfection, Faris would have thought she had already been about the room had she not known better herself. She smiled, however, when she noticed that, although his bed was well spread up, his clothing littered the chair and floor. Indeed, it appeared a toddler may have been visiting the grand chamber of Lochlan Rockrimmon.

  “Faris, darling, there you are!”

  Faris turned to see Lady Rockrimmon approaching. “Yes, milady?” Faris asked.

  Lady Rockrimmon looked past Faris in to Lochlan’s chamber, shaking her head. “One would think he were yet six years aged to look at his chambers.” Faris smiled as Lady Rockrimmon rolled her eyes. “The boy is near to obsessive about his bedding—found a spider in his bed once as a child and has spread it up himself ever since. But this clothing strewn everywhere…”

  “I will see to it, milady,” Faris said.

  “Thank you, Faris,” Lady Rockrimmon said, smiling. “But first—would you seek out milord and give him this, please?” The great lady held a basket hooked on one arm. “It is for our friends the McGoverns, on the east tenant farm. I had promised Mrs. McGovern several books from my collection of poetry, and Mary has wrapped up a fresh loaf of bread as well. Will you ask Lord Rockrimmon to see to it? Lillias and I are in with the seamstress at present.”

  “Of course, milady,” Faris said, taking the basket when Lady Rockrimmon held it out to her.

  “Thank you, darling,” Lady Rockrimmon said. “Now I must return. The wedding dress is almost completed! You must come and see it today when you can.”

  “Yes, milady,” Faris said.

  Descending the staircase, Faris made her way to the large room Lord Rockrimmon used for his study. She gasped, however, terrified as Kade Tremeshton suddenly appeared, taking hold of her arm in a fierce grip. Instantly, Faris began to tremble. There was a certain malicious sensation that lingered in the air whenever Lord Kade Tremeshton was present. Furthermore, Faris was entirely startled to see him at Loch Loland Castle. She knew Lord Rockrimmon only allowed him to visit to settle purchasing matters, and she thought Lord Rockrimmon had purchased all the property from Kade Tremeshton that he intended.

  “Faris,” he said, an evil smile of ill-intent upon his face. “There you are.”

  “Lord Tremeshton,” Faris said, her heart hammering with such fear she thought she might expire. “I-I am on my way to see His Lordship,” she said, trying to pull her arm from his grasp. Certainly he would unhand her now—knowing well she intended to speak to his lordship.

  “Lord Rockrimmon will wait. It has been far too long since I have set eyes upon you, Faris,” K
ade Tremeshton said. “Where have you been hiding?”

  “I have not been hiding, sire,” Faris said. She must escape! She felt sickened merely being in his presence. “I have been laboring here—as you know.”

  “Yes,” he said, an expression of disgust owning his countenance then. “Laboring for Lady Rockrimmon at Loch Loland Castle. My mother was quite vexed at your leaving—and in such a cowardly manner, Faris. Surely you know you owe my mother a greater debt and far more respect than to leave as a thief in the night.”

  “I did not leave without explanation, sire. There was a note—” Faris began.

  “Ungrateful wench that you are—yet my thoughts still linger on you often,” Kade said.

  His grip tightened on her arm, and Faris’s fear heightened. Yet she was safe—safe in Loch Loland Castle. Surely no harm could come to her there—could it?

  “Pray unhand me, sire,” Faris said, her voice trembling. She sensed she was not so safe as she should be. “I have milady’s business to be about.”

  Instead of releasing her, however, Kade Tremeshton reached forth and took hold of Faris’s other arm, holding her fast and drawing her closer to him.

  “Unhand me, sire…else I should scream,” Faris stammered.

  He did not unhand her, however, and suddenly his hands were tight about her throat! Faris tried to call out, dropping Lady Rockrimmon’s basket as her hands went to his, endeavoring to free herself from his clutches.

  “Scream?” he growled, his breath hot on her face. “And who would come for you, Faris? Who would champion a lowly chambermaid in the face of the Lord Kade Tremeshton?”

  Faris thought of the Highwayman of Tanglewood—thought of his besting Kade Tremeshton twice before. Her heart swelled at the very thought of him—swelled with courage and anger at her attacker.

  “There is one who has easily bested you before,” Faris choked.

  Kade Tremeshton’s face glowed red with fury then. “Silence!” he growled. “And do not think you will slip away so easily this time. I intend—”

  Faris felt the grip on her throat relax. She gasped for air but was rendered breathless once again when she turned her head a little to follow Kade’s astonished gaze. There, protruding over her right shoulder from behind, was the silver glint of a sharp steel blade.

  Faris felt hope, relief, and even elation instantly rise within her. As Kade Tremeshton dropped his hands, she realized it must be he—her beloved Highwayman had come to champion her! But in the broad light of day and from within the walls of Loch Loland Castle?

  Chivalry, Speculation, and Impatience

  “My father has been far too tolerant of you, Tremeshton,” Lochlan said from his stance behind Faris.

  It was Lochlan Rockrimmon’s sword at her shoulder. She could feel the warmth and strength of his body against her back—his breath in her hair at the top of her head. Faris was simultaneously disappointed and relieved—disappointed it was not the Highwayman of Tanglewood championing her and relieved it was not he, for it would have meant his safety might have been compromised.

  Faris looked to her left as Lord Kendrick stepped into the room. Taking hold of Faris’s arm, he gently pulled her from under the blade of Lochlan Rockrimmon’s sword—pulled her from the place where Lord Kade Tremeshton stood to her front, Lochlan Rockrimmon at her back, with peril in between.

  “You dare to draw your sword on me?” Kade growled.

  “You dare to enter my father’s house and accost one of his own?” Lochlan growled in return.

  “She was mine before ever she was his,” Kade shouted.

  “She belongs to no one,” Lochlan shouted in return. “Least of all a coward the likes of you!”

  Faris gasped as Kade Tremeshton drew his sword from its sheath at his hip.

  “Milord?” she cried. She looked to Lord Kendrick, yet he shook his head and held fast to her arm. Did Lord Kendrick intend to stand by and simply watch as Lochlan Rockrimmon and Kade Tremeshton struck swords? It was apparent that he did, for his grasp on Faris’s arm tightened.

  “He is a miscreant of the worst sort, Faris,” Lord Kendrick said. “Allow Lochlan to best him. It will serve many.”

  Faris felt tears escape her eyes—her heart beat like a hammer against an anvil. The scene playing out before her was a nightmare! What if the young master were injured? It would be her fault if he were to be injured! Oh, why had she ever agreed to work at Tremeshton Manor? Why had Kade Tremeshton come to Loch Loland Castle?

  “What goes on here?” Lord Rockrimmon’s voice boomed. Suddenly, he appeared from the direction of his study. “Tremeshton? Why is your presence still staining the very air at Loch Loland? I ordered your prompt departure!”

  “He has attempted to accost Faris, Father,” Lochlan explained. “I found him fairly choking the life from her just here! Let me slit him open from chin to foot, and he will never again—”

  “Rein in your temper, Lochlan,” Lord Rockrimmon said. “And do not give him the honor of having his throat slit by one such as you. Rather, throw him out as a rabid dog. Throw him out of Loch Loland Castle!”

  Faris brushed the tears from her cheeks. She was so overcome with dread, fear, and disbelief that she did not pause to allow Lord Kendrick to gather her into the protective strength of his arms.

  Faris watched as Lochlan seemed to consider for a moment. He did not lower his sword at first—instead stood inhaling and exhaling angry breaths.

  “Lochlan!” Lord Rockrimmon shouted.

  “As you wish, Father,” Lochlan said.

  Faris gasped as Lochlan easily disarmed Kade with one quick sword tactic. As Kade’s sword clattered to the floor, Lochlan lunged forward, taking Kade by the back of the coat.

  “Unhand me!” Kade shouted as Lochlan pushed him toward the grand doors of Loch Loland Castle. Sheathing his sword and opening the great front door, Lochlan turned Kade to face him.

  “You owe my father your life, Tremeshton!” Lochlan growled.

  “You will pay for this, Rockrimmon,” Kade threatened. “You will pay dearly for such—”

  Faris gasped as Kade Tremeshton was suddenly silenced by the force of Lochlan’s fist meeting with his nose. Instantly, blood ran crimson over Kade’s lips and chin.

  “You’ve broken my nose!” Kade shouted.

  “Good! Count yourself fortunate,” Lochlan growled, pushing Kade Tremeshton out of Loch Loland Castle and sending him tumbling down the great front steps.

  Closing the great castle door, Lochlan tugged on one coat-sleeve and ran strong fingers through his hair—gestures in attempting to restore his temper.

  “Perhaps the Highwayman will finish him before he reaches Tremeshton,” Lochlan growled.

  “Let us hope,” Lord Kendrick said.

  Faris brushed tears from her face and stood trembling in Lord Kendrick’s arms. Realizing her weakness, Faris gently pushed herself from Lord Kendrick’s embrace, wiping the tears from her cheeks and smoothing her apron.

  She gasped, breathless as in the next moment Lord Rockrimmon himself dropped to one knee before her.

  “My apologies, Faris,” he began, “for allowing such a man into Loch Loland that he might endeavor to harm you.”

  “Sire,” Faris breathed, “it is no fault of yours. Pray do not lower yourself to—”

  Lord Rockrimmon reached out, taking one of Faris’s hands in his and kissing the back of it. “All in this house are meant to know safety, Faris. I have failed you in not providing it.”

  “Please, milord,” Faris begged. “It is none of it your fault. I…I…”

  “He will no longer torment you, Faris,” Lord Rockrimmon said. “He will not set foot in Loch Loland Castle again. This is my promise to you.”

  “As it is mine, Faris,” Lochlan said, unexpectedly dropping to one knee before her as well. “All who dwell at Loch Loland Castle should, and will, know peace and safety. We will not fail you again.”

  Faris found drawing breath to be difficult. Lord Derrick
Rockrimmon knelt before her—looking as a knight of old pledging loyalty to a great lady—as did his handsome son. She was a mere chambermaid and could no more believe the truth of who knelt before her and why than she could have defended herself from Kade Tremeshton.

  “What is all this?” Lillias asked as she entered to see her father and brother kneeling before Faris. “What has happened? Gawain?”

  “Kade Tremeshton has assaulted Faris—just here—in Loch Loland Castle,” Gawain explained.

  “Oh, Faris, no!” Lillias exclaimed, gasping and covering her mouth with one hand.

  “Lochlan and your father have driven him out,” Gawain added, “sworn he will never set foot in Loch Loland again.”

  “Oh, my poor Faris!” Lillias exclaimed, throwing graceful, caring arms around Faris to embrace her. “He is the devil, I swear it! Sometimes I believe Kade Tremeshton is in truth the very devil!”

  “I-I am well, Miss Lillias,” Faris said. She received and indeed returned Lillias’s embrace, however—grateful for obvious affection and friendship.

  “You should have beaten him within an inch of his life, Loch!” Lillias said, releasing Faris and studying her face—an expression of deep worry and concern blatant on her own.

  “Father would only allow that I break his nose and throw him out,” Lochlan said, rising to his full stance in unison with his father.

  “Father!” Lillias exclaimed—a deep scolding tone of disappointment in her voice.

  “It was enough,” Lord Rockrimmon said. “In the least, for now it was enough.”

  “I beg your pardon, sire,” Lord Kendrick began, “but may I inquire as to what the villain was about at Loch Loland in the first of it?”

  Lord Rockrimmon nodded. “This is entirely my fault,” he said. “I should never have allowed him to step a foot into Loch Loland. Yet he sent me word yesterday of his desire to sell his eastern properties—the properties on which he keeps five families of tenants in utter misery. I could not refuse the offer. Still, he was determined to strike hands and signatures on parchments here at Loch Loland.” Lord Rockrimmon’s eyes lingered on Faris a moment. “I think now I understand why he refused to sell me the properties unless I allowed the purchase to take place in my own house.”