The Highwayman of Tanglewood Read Online Free

her coming to Loch Loland that she yet held high above all else—the Highwayman of Tanglewood. As Faris arranged lilac sprigs in a delicate crystal vase, the sun shone bright and warm through the window of the chamber in which she labored. Yet it was not the day filled with sunshine that owned her thoughts—but the memory of a purple-curtained sky in a fragrant summer meadow.
    Drawing one large set of lilac florets to her face, Faris inhaled deeply the sweet scent of it. Closing her eyes, she could almost hear the rhythmic approach of the Highwayman’s mount—almost sense the cool of evening, see the amethyst of evening’s drapery being drawn over the Tanglewood Meadow.
    It had been a year—an entire year since Faris had quit Tremeshton—an entire year since the Highwayman of Tanglewood had stolen a kiss under the cloak of darkness. Yet the cherished memory had lingered in Faris’s mind, heart, and soul every day since. Often she fancied she heard the Highwayman’s raspy brogue—fancied her lips still warm and tingling from his kiss. In leaving Tremeshton, in meeting the Highwayman of Tanglewood, it seemed Faris’s life had begun anew—her heart awakened.
    Yet Faris had not set eyes on the Highwayman since the night she had traveled to Loch Loland Castle. Each night of the year’s passing, Faris’s head lay on her pillow, her eyes closed as she reminisced upon her chance meeting with the fascinating rogue. Over and over, she dreamt of his broad shoulders, strength of body, and tantalizing kiss. Many were the evenings she had ventured to the Tanglewood Meadow at night—hoping, praying for another chance meeting with the dashing Highwayman. In vain she had hoped and prayed for it: she had never seen him again. Though the Highwayman of Tanglewood continued to battle the corrupt noble and wealthy, though his legend thrived as fast and as strong as the ivy clinging to the outer walls of Loch Loland Castle, it seemed Faris was doomed never to see him again. At least twice a week the Highwayman of Tanglewood was seen riding over the countryside—seen by others, but never again by Faris. Having stopped a rich man’s carriage or waylaid a corrupt nobleman, the Highwayman of Tanglewood continued to strip greedy and dishonest men of undeserved gold and riches—gold and riches taken by means of inflated rent charged to struggling tenants or by other equally treacherous means. Such pompous men, dishonest or not, were outraged at the very existence of the Highwayman of Tanglewood—furious at being bested by a common thief. Many deserving victims had hired men of questionable character to track down and detain Tanglewood’s famed Highwayman. All failed. The Highwayman of Tanglewood remained free, roaming Tanglewood and the surrounding countryside, championing the bitterly oppressed and unfairly abused.
    Adjusting one fragrant sprig of lilac, Faris sighed, pleased with the results of her labors. Miss Lillias would find her chamber sweet-scented and brightened by the arrangement of lavender loveliness. Faris was happy in knowing she had contributed to the young woman’s being comfortable. Satisfied she had adequately finished with Miss Lillias’s chambers, Faris made her way down the hall to the abandoned, yet ever maintained, chambers of Miss Lillias’s brother, Lochlan.
    Upon arriving at Loch Loland, Faris had been charged with the maintenance of three sets of chambers, as well as various other duties pertaining to the efficient running of the household. She had been flattered as well as humbled when Lady Rockrimmon had charged her with the bedchambers of both her children, and Faris maintained them well. The third chamber in her charge was the empty rooms across the hall from Miss Lillias. Having finished the empty chamber and then Miss Lillias’s, Faris opened the door and stepped into the large rooms of the absent Rockrimmon heir.
    It was understood that Lochlan Rockrimmon—sole heir to the Rockrimmon titles and