Chapter One

It was only the unnecessarily flamboyant way in which Sheriff Vaysey threw open the door at the top of the stairs, that caused Lady Marian of Knighton to look up in his direction. This new Sheriff certainly liked to be noticed. She had made very little effort to like him when he had first taken up what she considered to be her father's rightful position as Sheriff of Nottingham. She did not know the true reason for her father being replaced but she did not think that it was for any good purpose. Sir Edward chose to believe that his daughter had taken him at his word and accepted that it was his own decision, based on his increasingly poor health. She did not.

She was ready to turn away again, whilst casting a look of disdain that she had cultivated especially for Vaysey, but suddenly became aware that he was not alone. It was in that moment that she first made eye contact with Sir Guy of Gisborne. She regarded him coldly. After all, was he not simply another of the Sheriff's lackeys, although he was not what she would have expected. Examining every detail from his tall and slender frame to his thick dark hair, she concluded that he was handsome but dressing from head to toe in black leather made him seem austere. She wanted to reserve judgement, wondering if this one was different – but she knew that she would not. It was no longer in her nature. Her family had been betrayed once, and once was more than enough in her opinion. She watched as the Sheriff spoke to him softly, but never did the Sheriff take his eyes from hers. She put to use the look she had practiced and turned from the two men, placing her hand gently on the shoulder of her father who was seated before her.

Sir Edward hated to be in Nottingham Castle. This was the very room in which he had held Council not so very long ago but now it was cold and dark; not in aspect so much as in atmosphere, and this he put down to Vaysey. There was something not to be trusted about the new Sheriff although Sir Edward had yet to 'put his finger on it'. The punishments he handed out were severe and were becoming more so with each passing day but there was no denying that crime had decreased. Perhaps it was that his men had a little more free rein than Sir Edward would have allowed them and Vaysey was certainly more autocratic than he had been but even so, he refused to allow himself to criticise the man for running the county differently than he had, determined as he was to give him the benefit of the doubt. He had hoped that Marian would do the same. She had not. Today, even that gentle touch of his shoulder, his daughter's subtle show of support, was not enough to lift his spirits. This mysterious new arrival produced, in his wake, a feeling of trepidation in the old man. A sense that things were changing and that finally, Sheriff Vaysey was going to show his hand. Sir Edward turned slightly in his seat, enabling him to see Marian from the corner of his eye.

"Marian," he whispered to her, waiting for her to lean a little closer. "I must ask you to say nothing that might antagonise the Sheriff. I understand that you do not like him but anything you say to embarrass him in front of these people will not look well for us." He sensed Marian tense and wondered if he should, perhaps, have been a little more firm handed in her upbringing but it was too late for regret, not that he really did. He had a daughter that he could be proud of; a strong willed woman with a sharp intellect and a still sharper tongue but she was young, young enough to believe that she could change the world. A feeling he wished that he could have again.

"You know that I cannot promise, father, but I shall do my best – for you," she replied and straightened up again. Over the last months she had been a good deal more restrained, more cautious in vocalising her opinions; conscious of her father's deteriorating health and certainly not wishing to do anything that may exacerbate his quiet suffering. Sir Edward sighed and Marian was not sure if through despair or relief, but either way it brought a smile to her lips that lit her countenance.

That same smile vanquished any reluctance Gisborne had felt on entering Nottingham only a few moments ago. Suddenly the prospect of being Master of Locksley did not seem so unpleasant. Perhaps this was where his life would begin; the life that he was meant to have before the loss of the Gisborne lands, and his father. Here he could have land and status again. In time, he may find a wife, raise a family. He stopped. One thing at a time, he told himself. He did not even know who this woman was and yet he had allowed himself to become swept away. There were more important things. Vaysey had told him this on many occasions, told him how women will just get in the way...but she was beautiful and he suddenly realised that he had not taken his eyes off her since he entered the room. Inside he smiled as he heard his mother's voice chastising him for what he knew she would regard as his utter disrespect.

"My Lords!" Vaysey's voice rang out through the cavernous hall, jolting Gisborne from his daydreaming. Vaysey paused before producing a sort of grimace for a smile. "And Lady," he said with a slight patronising nod of his head in the direction of Marian. She did not meet his gaze. "Locksley Village is falling to ruin in the absence of the Earl of Huntingdon. Without leadership peasants become lazy. I have already been forced to...punish...several of them. That will all change now. My Lords, this is Sir Guy of Gisborne. The new Master of Locksley." The collection of elderly civic leaders cautiously glanced at one another before finally, one of the braver amongst them stood and asked to be heard.

"When the Earl returns..." he stammered. Vaysey stared at him, his eyes wild, daring him to continue. The speaker hesitated, just a moment too long.

"Well? Did you have something to say?" Vaysey asked with a menacing undertone that quickly returned the man to his seat. "Hmm, apparently not! Good. I do not like dissension in the ranks." He smiled broadly and the candlelight glinted off the bejewelled tooth he wore. Marian could feel her temper rising and even though unable to see his daughters face, Sir Edward knew what was to come.

"My Lord Sheriff, may I ask if the Locksley estate will be returned to its rightful owner on his return?" she said. Vaysey stared at her for a moment, apparently stunned that she had the audacity to speak, before slowly comprehending the reason for her question.

"Ah, of course. You and Huntingdon...mmm...heard about that. Nothing to worry your pretty little head about." he began, waving his finger and grinning. Marian forced herself to hold his gaze, even as a crimson mask of discomfiture warmed her cheeks. "Although he showed little concern for his estate or for you when he decided to leave...did he?" Vaysey concluded with a sneer. Marian could bear it no longer.

"My Lord Sheriff, really I must..." she began but Vaysey immediately cut her off.

"Must you?" he replied, finally raising his voice. "Really...Must you?" Vaysey was close now, so close that the curling wisps of hair at Marian's temples were stirred by his breath. Sir Edward watched the exchange in silence, praying that she would say no more. She did not.