Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain

a brandy .
    "Really, we mustn't put you to any trouble, dear ladies," Lord Malton said quickly with a beaming smile, which faded as he broached the subject of his visit. He leaned forward from the chair he was seated in and confided, "We have paid this call on a most serious note, I'm sorry to say."
    "Oh, dear me, how dreadful."
    "You may well say that, Lady Mary," Lord Malton expostulated, settling his bulk more comfortably in his chair, his sword and gold-headed cane complicating matters as he tried to cross his legs.
    "We come to warn you, dear ladies," Lord Newley began carefully. "We certainly do not wish to frighten you, but we are all in the gravest danger."
    "No! Whatever from?" Sabrina exclaimed.
    "Last night, in my own dining room, a few friends and myself were held up at pistol point and robbed!" Lord Malton told them vehemently, his face turning red.
    "Robbed! How scandalous. Surely you jest. Who would dare?" Mary asked faintly.
    "Bonnie Charlie, that's who !" Lord Newley spat, his thin lips drawn back from his teeth in almost a snarl.
    Richard gasped, his blue eyes widening in admiration as he stared at Sabrina's elegant figure as she sat quietly on the settee, appropriately frightened by the news.
    "An outrage! Why I should think you'd have his head," she whispered.
    "Exactly my words, Lady Sabrina! The impertinence of it all. Well, that is why we've come. You ladies must be warned, and prepared to defend yourselves. Have you good, strong footmen to protect your home?"
    "Why, yes, we've several big country boys footing for us," Mary reassured them.
    "Not sure even that'll do it. Monsters they were. Stood seven feet tall, those henchmen of his. And him! Well, let me tell you, he was six feet if an inch, and a meaner ruffian I've yet to meet."
    "Tch, tch. Six feet if an inch, you say? How distressing," Sabrina breathed. "I do fear, Mary, that I shan't be able to sleep a wink for fear of my life."
    "Dear lady," Lord Newley exclaimed contritely, leaning closer, "you've no need to fear. I don't believe he's killed anyone yet, and besides, we're calling in more dragoons to patrol. I shall personally guarantee your safety. I promise you we shall hang that scoundrel before the week is out He has gone too far this time! Coming into a man's home, it's uncivilized."
    "You're too kind to be concerned on our behalf, and I am sure we shall be quite safe. We do live a very simple life," Mary reassured them, and then added ingenuously, "Why, I'm sure we have nothing here that he doesn't already own."
    "You're too modest, my dear," Lord Malton contradicted. "Well, we really mustn't detain you any further. We just wanted you to know the truth, should you have heard any exaggerated rumors that there are going to be reinforcements coming."
    "Thank you, I'm quite reassured now," Mary thanked them. "We appreciate your solicitude, my lords, don't we Sabrina?"
    "Indeed we do, and although your description of the highwaymen quite terrified me, I was most interested and reassured to know about the dragoons."
    "As good neighbors it was our duty, and of course it's always a pleasure to visit such lovely ladies," Lord Malton complimented as they heartily made their good-byes.
    After the doors had been closed behind them, they remained silent for a moment until Richard couldn't control his giggle and started to laugh, his slight body shaking with mirth.
    "It is just too priceless. I should've asked Lord Newley for the time," Sabrina laughed as she untied the ribbons beneath her chin and flung aside her hat.
    "Yes, it is rather," Mary agreed, wiping her eyes with a lace-edged handkerchief. "But I hope we aren't underestimating them. Foolish though they are , they're not completely blunt-witted."
    "No, but they're windbags. They couldn't keep a secret if their lives depended upon it. With their chatter, Will and John can pick up any news at the tavern from their servants, who love to gossip, and we can gather what we may direct from the horse's