It's not always easy being a highwayman. Sometimes the carriages contain people with their own designs on a charming rogue.
Gabriel swung wide the carriage door with an elegant flourish. "Come, my lovelies," he cajoled. "Join me under the stars this beautiful night."
He graciously assisted the pair of portly matrons from the carriage. Despite Marisa's belief to the contrary, Gabriel's gallantry was more often bestowed on ladies such as these, rather than youthful beauties.
Still, the women would suit his purpose just as well. He smiled in his most flirtatious manner, ensuring the moonlight caught his features. It was important they remember the daring man who accosted their carriage, with only a strip of leather covering his eyes.
"Charlotte, this is not the Irish highwayman you said has been plaguing the countryside. This is another one entirely."
Gabriel hid his amusement at the patent disappointment in her voice. "Ah, but he was a bit of a rough fellow," he said, "so I sent him off to parts unknown."
"I had so hoped to see him one day," the woman named Charlotte lamented. "Now it seems we have missed our opportunity, Harriet."
Harriet fixed Gabriel with a baleful stare, giving him a thorough examination.
Gabriel executed a magnificent bow, winking at her when he righted himself. "I trust I shall prove to be an admirable substitution."
Charlotte pressed a hand to her throat as if to keep her words to herself. Yet there was no mistaking the appreciative gleam in her eye. Nor was there a prayer of misinterpreting the bold glance Harriet shot him.
Gabriel could not contain his laughter this time. "I am fortunate to have won your approval, ladies."
"He is quite obviously well-bred," Harriet confided to her companion as if certain Gabriel could not hear her. "I detect a lordly air about him."
Gabriel bowed his head. "I apologize, but I must request your jewelry, much as it grieves me to do so."
"It's quite a civilized demand for our worldly goods," Harriet commented. She removed several strands of pearls from her stout neck and deposited them, lovingly, in Gabriel's hand.
"Indeed," Charlotte said, extending her plump hand so Gabriel could pry the diamond ring from her finger. After several tries, most of them designed by Charlotte to prolong Gabriel's need to hold her hand, he had the jewelry in his pocket.
"Farewell, ladies."
He raised Harriet's fleshy hand to his lips. At Charlotte's pout, he repeated the gallant gesture with her, lingering a fraction longer.
Gabriel led them to their carriage, and took his time ensuring they were comfortable inside. He closed the door, congratulating himself on a good night's work.
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