The roads around London were treacherous places. Lonely, shadowy routes covered by dark forests and ominous countryside.

Empty.

If you were to be caught out there no-one would come to your aid, no-one would hear your screams, no-one would.

This was the year of 1678. This was the time of the highwayman. This was the point at which one Beatrix Clarke, daughter of one of the wealthiest landowners outside of London, was to be married to Sir Henry Fielding; a high-ranking gentleman of the English society.

"But Papa-"

"No buts Beatrix, you are leaving and that is final." Her father's rough voice cut through the air and she sagged against one of the smooth, polished columns of her four-poster bed.

The handmaid tugged upon the corset strings once more and Beatrix gasped and clung to the wood as the tight material squeezed against her ribs and sucked the breath from her lungs.

"That's enough Alice. Thank you." Whispered Beatrix softly as she turned to smile kindly at the younger girl behind her who dipped her head and finished tying off the laces.

A heavy silk dress covered Beatrix's head for a few moments as Alice helped her into the expensive clothing and set about pushing and pulling it carefully and methodically to make sure it fell just right.

Beatrix took this time to look sadly around her room as it was to be her last view of it. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the smooth walls and she smiled to herself as she remembered all the times she had danced with them, wanting desperately to be a part of their game, to escape the world she was trapped in. Running and hand along the dark wooden column next to her, Beatrix sighed forlornly and felt her large blue eyes glazing as she reflected upon all the memories this room held for her. How she had hid under this bed when playing with her older brother in years past, how she had sobbed upon it when he had left, how she had screamed and tore at it when her mother had died…

"Miss, if you'd please." Alice murmured gently, her face smiling kindly as she led Beatrix over to the vanity table and began fixing her hair.

Beatrix sighed again and caught Alice watching her in the mirror so she smiled and shook her head.

"You'll come with me, won't you?" She asked quietly, her voice taking on an almost desperate quality and her eyes pleading with the girl behind her in the mirror.

"Of course Miss."

Beatrix relaxed ever so slightly at the gentle response and let her mind drift.

Alice, though she was 'a simple handmaid' as her father told her, was her closest and most trusted friend. She had arrived just after Beatrix's mother had died and when she was she was in danger of retreating into herself and becoming a sullen, morose child that her father feared she was to be.

She had skulked around this large house, watching the small golden child fetching plates and towels, washing the parquet floors, helping the other maids to make the beds. Beatrix had soon learnt her name was Alice and had memorised it and stored it away in her mind. The happy child, the small girl never without a soft smile on her face, intrigued Beatrix and she wondered how she could always be so cheerful; she was after all working for her.

Alice had caught her one day watching her from behind a pillar in the foyer, and had started talking to her. The inquisitive questions that had followed were so blatant in a way that only a child can ask them and Beatrix had, at first, resisted them. The great loss she was suffering was eating her away inside, she rarely talked to anyone and she was forever sullen and morose. But Alice had persisted and with time Beatrix had found trust within this new friend and had made Alice her new companion, and later her only handmaiden so that they could spend as much time as possible together.

Alice did not mind serving Beatrix, she was glad of the fact that she had such a kind mistress and in fact Beatrix treated her of more of a friend rather than maid. They were about the same age, only a few months separating them and Alice could still remember the birthday not so many years ago that Beatrix had snuck in the servants' chambers late at night and placed one of her mother's necklaces within Alice's small hand.

"This is your's now. It will symbolise our friendship. If ever something should happen to you, leave this necklace and I will know." Beatrix has whispered quickly in the darkness as she attached the simple amethyst pendant around the young girl's neck.

Alice had simply nodded, falling asleep as the other girl vanished into the darkness, thinking it but a dream until she had woken the next morning with the silver chain hanging comfortingly around her neck.

She still wore it to this very day; hidden under her clothes of course or else she would have it taken and would be punished severely. But it was still there, as was her friendship with her gentle mistress and soon they would be leaving for London.

"Beatrix, are you dressed child?" Came the booming voice of Ernest Clarke as he knocked against the large oak door leading to his daughter's bedchambers.

"Yes Papa." She sighed quietly and watched in the mirror as he entered and closed the door behind him.

"Ah, petal. You look charming." He told her heartily, clapping his hands together as he stood in the middle of her room.

Beatrix did not make to turn towards him but simply eyed him coldly in the mirror with an impassive stare. Alice was finishing pinning up her long, deep brown curls with small flowered clips and Beatrix waited patiently for her father to say something.

"Dearest, your carriage will be arriving soon. Are you packed?" He asked, his deep voice rolling around the room.

"Of course Papa. Alice has packed her things too." Beatrix replied quietly and patted Alice's hand on her shoulder as the blonde girl curtsied and scurried out of the room; leaving Beatrix and her father alone.

Beatrix swivelled on her vanity stool and sat staring at the man that was sending her away to London. He smiled warmly and opened his large arms.

"Come, let me see you child."

Beatrix stood and walked slowly towards him, careful of her movements in the heavy dress and aware of the appraising and proud eye he held her in. His ruddy cheeks glowed in the candlelight as he looked her over, and his overly large figure bounced slightly as he clapped his hands together once more.

"Exquisite, absolutely exquisite." He told her and Beatrix smiled slightly as he embraced her.

It was not that her father did not love her, no that was not the case at all. It was just that he was a wealthy man, a man who had built a passion for it and enjoyed the gifts his position in society brought. To marry his daughter to such a prestigious and worthy young gentleman was an achievement indeed. His position and wealth in society would increase due to his daughter's standing; whether his daughter was happy with the match or not.

"Come, cherub. Your carriage awaits." He told her gently, brushing aside her heavy drapes and peering out into the darkness at the sound of crunching gravel beneath wheel and horse hoof on the drive.

A cloak was deposited around her slim shoulders as she stood on the glowing galleried landing and she thanked the maid with a kind smile and embrace as she made to go towards the stairs. She was sure to miss this place with all of her heart; the house she had grown up in, in some many ways.

Her father was stood downstairs talking with some gentlemen, from the sound of it but the quiet chatter stopped as Beatrix appeared at the head of the stairs and started to make her way carefully down; forever mindful of the damn hefty dress she was in. She lifted her head a touch as she walked down the large staircase, to see who these other gentlemen were. Her heart sped up a beat when she saw the seven new men standing in a semi-circle formation and her father at the foot of the stairs. She failed to notice all of the men assembled take a breath as she began her descent.

"Ah Beatrix, there you are cherub." Her father announced proudly, holding out his hand to her as she stepped off the stairs.

She had never understood why he called her that: cherub. She looked nothing like an angel; Alice was much more angelic in comparison to her. Alice had the long golden hair, the bright blue eyes and the rosy cheeks of the angels in the paintings. Beatrix, on the other hand, had long, dark, thick waves, large deep blue almost purple eyes and she looked almost nymph-like, although she was still quite tall compared to other women.

"Beatrix, this is Arthur Castus and his men. They shall be escorting you to Sir Fielding's residence in London, my dear."

Beatrix's eyes shot up from where she had been staring at the marble floor and she blinked a few times as the man she presumed was Arthur, stepped in front of her.

"Miss Clarke it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Arthur Castus." He was soft-spoken, yet emanated authority and power as he bowed low and kissed her hand softly.

So it was true, these were Arthur Castus and his infamous horsemen. They were known throughout the land to protect the wealthy from any highwaymen as they made their way to whatever destination they were presented with. Beatrix paused and wrinkled her nose in confusion as she looked around at them. To protect the wealthy from highwaymen….

"I thank you Mr Castus. Pray tell me, are we to be travelling through Highwayman country?" Beatrix asked calmly, although inside her heart was beating ten to the dozen; she had heard the tales of the ruthless highwaymen that roamed the countryside outside London, robbing and killing with no remorse.

"Why yes, Lady. That is why we have come to escort you." Arthur answered gently, bowing his head to her.

Beatrix returned the gesture and stood uncomfortably as they waited for some signal to leave. All of the men could see she was hiding her fear well, and they praised her for it.

"Miss Clarke, your carriage awaits." Called one of the man-servants from the open doorway and Beatrix looked to her father stood next to her.

"Well, Papa." Beatrix murmured softly, and her father smiled warmly at her.

"Do not fear my child. These gentlemen will take good care of you, rest assured. Make me proud my dearest, you are about to marry one of the country's most respected young men." Her father told her with an enthusiastic voice and she couldn't help but smile as he embraced her tightly. "You look beautiful child. Just like your mother." He whispered as he hugged her fiercely, and Beatrix nodded as she kept any stray tears at bay.

"Goodbye Papa." She told him softly, and turned away. Away from everything she had ever known, everyone she had ever known and all of her memories and into the chill darkness of the September night.

Arthur presented her with his arm, and she took it with a shy smile and small curtsy.

And then she was gone.

A/N: Well this is a new story that I just had to start as we were doing Highwaymen in History the other day and it gave me an idea lol. I don't think it's been done before and I thought it might make for an interesting story (although the plot will probably end up the same as others, -sigh-) lol. Tell me what you think about it, and rest assured there wil be much more 'Knight' interaction and thoughts in the next chapter. Thanks very much for reading and please don't hesitate to give me suggestions, tell me your opinion or flame me as I'll use them creatively lol. Thanks xx