About The High-Class Highwayman
by Julia Talbot
60 pages / 20000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-959-0
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, epub, and Sony Reader pdf
When Julian is forced to turn to
crime after he loses his inheritance, he decides that he can do better
than the incompetent highwayman who tries to waylay him one dark night.
That's how the High-Class Highwayman comes into his own, and he does
very well for himself, at least until Griffen Michalis comes along.
Griffen is far better versed in the criminal underworld than Julian, and
he has no interest in the legitimate, and rather modest, fortune that is
rightfully Julian's. Being a Lord would cause him too much trouble.
Griffen has far more planned for Julian than one night of excitement on
the high road and Julian finds that being with Griffen is not just about
mind-blowing sexual games, but danger as well.
Review
Jane Davitt, author of Wintergreen, writes: Julia Talbot's 'The High
Class Highwayman' whirls the reader back to the days of highwaymen and
pistols at dawn to spin a tale of two men who should be enemies or rivals
but who share too much to be anything but lovers. The story of intrigue and
danger is spiced with desire and the power dynamic between the two men adds
a delicious heat to their encounters. Julian and Griffen are perfectly
matched and there's a real ease and warmth to the banter between them and
their concern for each other's well being.
I loved the world evoked here, and the deftly drawn secondary characters,
and I'm looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
Sample
The heavy carriage lurched to the right and began to slow, the sound of
the coachman cursing ringing loud and clear, even through the layers of wood
and dirt separating them. Julian hoped to hell that the reason behind it was
a dead animal in the road, or perhaps a wash from recent rains. He could ill
afford anything untoward at this time of night, on this blighted country
road.
What on earth had his father been thinking, popping off in a brothel and
leaving his entire fortune to a bastard child? The old man had possessed
appalling timing, to be sure.
The highwayman, who was even now shouting something dramatic about standing
and so forth, had even worse timing.
Julian could not have summoned a worse mood if he tried, though it
threatened to worsen when he heard the clatter of Coachman’s weapon against
the side of the rough track.
So much for the loyalty of family servants. Perhaps he ought to offer to let
the man return to Town and serve the bastard heir.
“Oy! Out of the coach!” A loud banging on the door brought Julian out of his
rather dire thoughts, and he sighed, pulling out the loaded pistol he
carried when traveling, cocking the hammer fully as quietly as he could.
Julian waited calmly, not bothering to dim the lamp. The man outside would
be night-blind, which might give Julian the advantage.
“Empty your purse and give me your jewels,” the man said when he got the
door ajar. Filth caked under the man’s nails, and his clothes reeked of
manure.
“If I do not?”
“I’ll shoot you?” A half-cocked flintlock was pushed through the door, and
Julian eyed it askance.
“Is it too much to ask for you to at least make it fair? I swear, the
incompetence of footpads and highwaymen today. It’s too sad.”
“What?”
Perhaps he ought to be grateful it wasn’t a matchlock weapon. Then he’d have
to wait for the fellow to figure out how to light the bloody string. Tiring
of the wait, Julian aimed as carefully as he would in a duel and sent a ball
into the thief’s shoulder.
“Ah! You’ve shot me!” Staggering back, the man dropped his pistol, landing
hard against the embankment on that ran along the road.
“Well, what did you expect? I’m a busy man.”