Allisandra's eyes were so large they were second in size only to her mouth, which had dropped in surprise. He moved next to her, suddenly full of urgency.
“I stopped your coach that night to get Weldon. I happened upon evidence of his plot against the king and wanted the proof. He was to meet with other conspirators, a group of roundheads—the next day. I'd an idea he'd have a certain letter on him, highly incriminating, which he did. But I disguised myself—in case I was wrong—and to give me time to reach the King before he could stop me. If he knew my identity he'd have tried to kill me before I reached Whitehall, or he's a bigger fool than I thought.”
“I had no idea of finding you on board,” he continued. “I first thought, here's my chance to have a bit of fun with the lady Allisandra. I had no conception that my heart could be in danger.” He paused, thinking. “My heart! I wasn't sure I had one anymore. But somehow it began to stir—for you.” When she remained silent, he continued. “I wanted to please you, I so wanted to please you! More than any other woman I've ever touched. I wanted to stir
your
heart! I can't say why, perhaps I've always admired your virtue; only I didn't realize it myself until that night.”
In a different, strained tone, he cried, “Tell me now if I was mistaken! I felt that night that you could—care for me. I know I've nothing in my favour in your sight, for you have demonstrated that titles and money mean little to you. In addition, I know your piety, and my sins. However, I can offer you an escape from the Comte—and, God willing, from the king's future designs on you. He'll not trifle with me, after I've saved his neck from the likes of Weldon and his company!”
At first she made no reply, for her mind was still rapidly putting all the pieces together of what he'd been saying, in particular that he was the highwayman! He added, “Allow me to remove you from the danger of the Comte, whether you can favour me or no. If I cannot win your affection in a fair and just trial of time, I will set you up for life wherever you like—keeping as far from you myself as you will—you shall be your own mistress.”
It was an extraordinary offer. Still she was silent, but she lightly bit her lip, and was peering at him with a new look in her eyes. A softening was taking place inside her. Repulsion was changing to—tenderness! His consternation must have been deep, for he failed to note it, and went on, in tones which could be considered almost desperate coming from the unflappable earl.
"Madam! I--” He fell upon one knee before her, which she could not countenance, and, feeling suddenly very moved, cried, “Oh, John!” and threw her arms full around his neck. He rose to join her on the seat. He pulled her instantly upon his lap, and their mouths met in a firm, passionate kiss. A kiss that thoroughly assured her he was indeed the highwayman she remembered.
Afterwards, he said, “Of all the women Lord Dorchester might have fallen in love with—it took you, my angel, my innocent, virtuous lady to reach past the protests of my hell-bent
heart. How did you manage that, eh?”
“How, indeed!” she answered, smiling in wonder. “And when I cannot be so innocent as you believe.” To his questioning look, she added, softly, “Or how could I have fallen in love—with a highwayman?”
A Note from the Author:
John Wilmot, 2nd earl of
Rochester
, was a real person who lived during the Restoration, the time when Charles II was restored to the English throne after his exile during the Cromwellian years (the Commonwealth). I have borrowed Rochester's reputation (his “persona,” if you will), and renamed him Lord Dorchester for the purposes of this story.
Interestingly, though this story is purely fictional, Rochester did at one time abduct the woman he wanted to marry after she refused him. He was put in the Tower for two weeks. Much later he did marry that lady, and, before his untimely death at the age of only 33 (he died from complications of syphilis and alcoholism), he repented completely of his unsavoury lifestyle, famously putting his hope in God.
--LRB
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