Read Online The Highwayman of Tanglewood by Marcia Lynn McClure - Free Book Online

Sarah’s eyes lit up like fire on a nocturnal lake. It was quite obvious Sarah was overly excited at the prospect of Lochlan Rockrimmon’s return. Faris wondered for a moment if the young master of the castle had stolen the hearts of the young maids at Loch Loland before his departure to do his father’s bidding. By the look of excitement on Sarah’s face, she guessed he had.
    Sarah had been somewhat put off when Faris had joined the staff at Loch Loland Castle. Upon Faris’s arrival, Sarah had been moved from her post as chambermaid to Lillias and Lochlan Rockrimmon to that of chambermaid to Lady Rockrimmon. Even though the change in post was an honorable one, Sarah had been quite unfriendly to Faris at first. Still, as Lady Rockrimmon began to rain compliments upon her, Sarah’s frustration had vanished, and she was now quite friendly to Faris.
    “Within the week,” Mary answered. “And there was a whisper I caught too,” Mary added, lowering her voice. Everyone at the table leaned forward as Mary’s voice dropped. “A name,” she said.
    “A name? What name?” Sarah prodded.
    “Tannis. Tannis Stringham,” Mary whispered, raising her eyebrows in an expression of disapproval.
    “Tannis Stringham?” Sarah exclaimed, disappointment all too blatant on her pretty face.
    “Hush, girl!” Old Joseph scolded.
    “Oh, but Joseph—Tannis Stringham?” Sarah repeated in a whisper. “Why ever would her name be mentioned in conversation among the family?”
    “Why ever, indeed?” Mary said, sitting back in her chair, an irritated purse upon her wrinkled old lips.
    “Surely you do not mean to suggest Master Lochlan has…intentions toward Tannis Stringham, Mary?” Old Joseph rather chuckled. “Master Lochlan is far too wise a man to give attention in such a direction as that.”
    “Then why is there to be a visit from Tannis and Lady Stringham next month?” Mary added.
    “No!” Sarah gasped.
    Faris smiled, entirely entertained by the tittle-tattle of the servants concerning their young master. How she adored to sit in the kitchen in the evenings and converse with Mary, Old Joseph, and the others. It was quite like being part of a family, and Faris savored it more than the sweetest confection.
    “Yes!” Mary said. “I heard it with me own ears. Lady Stringham and her daughter, Tannis, are to visit here for a holiday next month.”
    “Am I to understand this Tannis Stringham is an unfavorable young woman?” Faris ventured.
    Old Joseph, Mary, Sarah, and the others at the table exchanged glances. In the end, each disbelieving expression settled on Faris. It was obvious the staff of Loch Loland did not think Tannis Stringham, whoever she was, worthy of their young master.
    “Suffice it to say Lord Stringham has frequently received, shall we say, attention from the Highwayman of Tanglewood,” Old Joseph said.
    At the mere mention of the Highwayman, Faris could not keep the butterflies from rising within her! The sun was low in the sky, and soon she would see him again! Furthermore, she understood why each person at the table disapproved of the young woman who was to visit Loch Loland Castle for a holiday. If her father was the sort to need the reprimand of the Highwayman of Tanglewood, then it did not serve that his daughter should be deserving of having Lord and Lady Rockrimmon as father- and mother-in-law.
    “And Tannis Stringham is as haughty as any spoiled she-cat with sharp-ended claws,” Mary added.
    “Then why,” Faris ventured, “if Master Lochlan is as wonderful as you paint his portrait to be—why would he invite her and her mother for a holiday?”
    “Mary! Joseph! In fact, everyone!” Lady Rockrimmon exclaimed as she entered the room. Her cheeks were pure pink with excitement. “I’ve the most wonderful news!”
    “Yes, milady?” Old Joseph asked.
    “Lochlan is coming home! This very week!” Lady Rockrimmon said.
    “Wonderful news, indeed, milady,” Mary said, smiling.
    “Yes, is