Kiss of the Highwayman

March 2004 Release – Signet Regency
ISBN: 0451210344
(Click on the ISBN to order online from Amazon)

When Artemis Rothwell travels to London for her first Season, notorious highwaymen rob her of a precious ring. But one thief kisses Artemis-whispering that he'll restore it. Now Artemis longs for her masked man to fulfill his promise...

Read an excerpt…

Prologue

December,1818
London

Brian Warren, now Lord Cherrington, Earl of Cherring, sat cooling his heels outside the office of the Home Secretary. After spending a solid month in London paying his deceased brother’s debts before Christmas, Brian was no closer to knowing the identities of those responsible for Charles’ death than when he had first come home from India. Brian hounded Bow Street day after day. He finally sought out a higher authority by obtaining an audience with Lord Sidmouth, whom Bow Street ultimately reported. Brian was fairly burning with frustration.

A man with fine features and thinning gray hair stuck his head out of Sidmouth’s office. “Lord Cherrington?” he asked.

Brian hesitated a moment then stood. He had not yet grown accustomed to being addressed as Lord, his brother’s title. It sounded odd. “Yes.”

“I am Lord Sidmouth, do come in.”

Brian bowed slightly before shaking the man’s extended hand. Once inside the office, Lord Sidmouth gestured for him to sit down. Brian dropped into the chair, and his leg twitched. He was not accustomed to sitting patiently and he had waited longer than he could bear. Lord Sidmouth sat down across from him with his folded his hands atop his desk. Brian stared a moment at Sidmouth’s long white fingers with nary a scratch or bit of dirt beneath the nails. It was obvious. Sidmouth was a man of paper instead of action. How bitter the thought.

“Now then, let us get straight to the heart of the matter,” Lord Sidmouth said. His stare was direct, clear, and strong despite an outwardly weak appearance. “You have inquired repeatedly about the robbery which resulted in the loss of your brother’s life.”

“What is being done?” Brian asked.

“We have every available Runner in London working on catching the band of highwaymen.”

“But you have not captured any of them?” Brian had received frequent updates from his daily visits.

“Regrettably, no. They are fast and clever. And by the way, have become romanticized by the female contingent of the ton. I do believe their antics make quite a draw for the Season.”

Brian rose from his seat. “How can the murder of a peer be construed as romantic!”

Lord Sidmouth politely gestured for Brian to calm himself. “I truly believe your brother’s death an accident. In fact his - rather, your servants explained it as such. For the most part there has been no physical harm done to either servants or nobility at these hold-ups. The common element between the victims is their wealth and high social standing.”

Brian shook his head, ready to argue. “Regardless of what my servants have said, these men caused my brother’s death.” He gritted his teeth. This was absurd! It made his blood boil to think the authorities did not appear overly worried about these cutthroats.

Brian suppressed his sarcastic urge to berate their efforts and took a deep breath. “How long has this been going on?”

Lord Sidmouth sat back in his chair. He leaned back as if he had not a care in the world, his hands gently resting in his lap. “There have always been instances of crime in London, Lord Cherrington. Although you are new to the city, I must assure you that I am not a man to sit idly by.”

Brian returned to his seat. The steel glint in Lord Sidmouth’s eye revealed that perhaps he was not a man to be taken lightly. He was, in fact, deadly serious.

“This particular sort of robbery by this group started late in the year. The incidents were far and few between, so we did not realize at first that they were one and the same. The group’s actions have increased on several roads leading into London. They disappear without a trace. We cannot find anyone willing or able to turn one of the fellows in. These thieves dress in dark clothes covered with greatcoats that are neither shabby nor poorly made. Stealing jewels or anything of worth from their victims, they leave the ladies with nothing more than a token kiss of appreciation. These men may, in fact, be gentlemen.”

“You are joking.” Brian thought the idea preposterous that gentlemen would resort to such measures.

“Lord Cherrington, I am not in the least amused. Bow Street must keep quiet about it, for now. If this is a ruse perpetrated by a bunch of bored men of breeding, we must tread carefully. We must have absolute proof before pulling them in.”

Brian chewed the end of his thumbnail. An idea took form and shape in his mind. “What if I were to help you obtain such proof?”

“How?”

“By becoming one of them.”

Lord Sidmouth’s eyes gleamed. “Then I shall put you in contact with John Stafford. He is the Chief Clerk of Bow Street and is quite used to undercover operations.”

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