"Gisbourne! Come say, 'Hello,' to my predecessor and his daughter. Come, don't be rude."
Marian watched in vague disbelief as the new Sheriff, an ugly bald little man, smiled maniacally at her father and herself. He had only just arrived in Nottingham, and her noble father was generously showing him around the Castle. And now he was calling for his...his what? His assistant..his friend...his personal body guard? to come and meet them.
A tall dark figure stepped from the shadows, and Marian felt herself involuntarily shudder. The figure loomed so large, so menacingly before her. She couldn't make out his features in the shadows, but she seemed to feel his eyes boring straight through her.
"I am Sir Guy of Gisbourne." The voice was deep, and threatening, almost as if it expected to be mocked and was warding off an attack.
"How do you do, Sir Guy?" Marian's father was composed, and courteous in this awkward situation. "I am Sir Edward of Knighton, and this is my daughter, Lady Marian."
"I am very pleased to meet you." Marian uttered the words graciously, as she had been taught, but inside, she was seething.
Her father had been Sheriff for years, and had served the shire well. He had slaved and sacrificed to doll out justice, and now, he was being removed by Prince John, just because this ugly little weasel in his fur trimmed black clothing had purchased the position for a high price! In her heart, she cursed King Richard for going off to war and leaving his people in the corrupt hands of his younger brother.
Yes, everything was King Richard's fault! If he had not gone to war...then no one else would have been able to go to war, either. Been able to travel thousands of miles away to fight and probably get himself killed, leaving her here alone, without his smile or his company or his empty promises of a perfect life together.
Her anger increased as she felt tears sting her eyes. No! She would not cry again, especially in the company of strangers. Strangers who were kicking her father from his rightful place. She had too much pride, and she somehow mastered her tears.
She turned her eyes upon the man the new Sheriff had introduced. He was no longer looking at her, so she could study him, while her father explained how things operated in the shire. The first thing she noticed was how imposing he was. Like the new Sheriff, he was entirely dressed in black, his broad shoulders and strong limbs boldly outlined against the stone castle walls. His hair was black, as well, as was his expression. He was clean shaven, and she noticed that his guarded eyes were blue.
Blue! She marveled to herself how very different shades of blue could appear in male eyes. This man's eyes were steely blue, blue like the frigid water of a stream, blue like the glint of cold steel on the blade of a sword. Not the blue she longed to gaze into...the blue eyes she saw smiling back at her in her dreams. Those blue eyes were open, and honest, and full of hopes and dreams. Beautiful dreams he had invited her to share with him. Those blue eyes twinkled with mischief, or gleamed with pride, or smiled with approval and wonderment and adoration for her. They sympathized with her when she was sad, flashed at her when they were angry, and smouldered at her when they...when they... She stopped her wayward thoughts and smoothed her skirts, brushing away the hopeless memories.
Did she hear correctly? Did the new Sheriff really just interrupt her father by saying, "Well, la dee dah dee dah. Do I care? A clue...no!" Surely not! How completely rude!
Oh! She noticed Martin of Aylesbury standing by the stairs in the Courtyard, trying to get her attention. She had danced with him last evening, and had promised to ride with him today.
Last evening, she had enjoyed his company and attentions. He was an excellent dancer, and partnered her well. He was amusing, and decent looking, and polite. But today, now that the new Sheriff and his crony had arrived, she didn't have the stomach for company.
She would like to go riding, but alone, not in company. Well, it couldn't be helped. She had made a promise, and unlike some people, she believed in keeping her promises.
"Pardon me, Father, Sheriff, Sir Guy. I have a prior engagement I must keep."
As she walked away, she did not feel Sir Guy of Gisbourne's eyes follow her. She had no way of knowing that his interest in her increased when he saw her join Martin of Aylesbury.