Chapter 2

The Surprises of Rachel of Brookfield

As they neared town, Guy noticed an unfamiliar caravan standing outside of Locksley Manor—clearly, someone Marian was glad to see, as she stood up in her stirrups and waved furiously, a broad grin on her face. "Rachel, you didn't tell me you were bringing along Daniel!" Guy nudged Makhara up into step beside Rachel as Marian cantered ahead to the caravan, jumped down, and threw her arms around the neck of a tall, gangly young man with shaggy brown hair, leaving her horse standing with his reins dangling.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Rachel sighed. She turned and leaned in towards Guy. " She knows full well he's been in love with her for years, and yet she gives him hope anyway, even though she's planning her wedding to somebody else. She really needs to stop doing that. "

"You're quite right," Guy muttered.

"Pardon?"

Guy straightened and shook his head. "Nothing. Who is that, anyway?"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "That's my brother, Daniel. My parents always accompany me when I visit Marian, but Dan's stayed home the past few years. He absolutely adores Marian. Most of the time I'm rather fond of him, but he drives me absolutely mad around her. He's too busy trying to show off to actually be any fun."

"Don't be too hard on him. Marian has that effect on people."

Rachel glanced up, and Guy thought he saw something like pity flash in her eyes for just an instant. "So I've noticed, Sir Guy." And with that, she swung her gaze back to the caravan, legged her horse into a trot, and caught up with Marian to fall into conversation with her family.

Guy's eyes lingered on Marian for another moment as she continued her lively conversation with Rachel's brother before tearing his gaze away in an attempt to both distract himself and see if he could place the other members of Lady Rachel's family party. The tall, gray-haired gentleman with the dark eyes had a bearing about him that could only mean he was Rachel's father, and her mother had to be the short, slim woman beside him—she and Rachel looked very much alike. There were a handful of servants dressed in matching green livery scattered about, unloading trunks and managing horses. And, there was one other person—a broad-shouldered, narrow-eyed man with a shock of dark hair and wearing a dark cloak. He stood a little ways off from the rest of the group, leaning against a fencepost and watching the bustle around him with a calculating look. Guy felt like he'd seen him before, but couldn't place him.

"Sir Guy! Come and meet Rachel's family!" Marian's voice dragged his attention back to the more distinguished of the visitors. Master Daniel leaned in and whispered something to his sister as he approached, and she responded with a glare and a quick reply that Guy couldn't hear. However, he was pleasant enough when they were introduced—somewhat nonchalant, but that could be written off as his desire to get through the formalities so that he could give his attention back to Marian (It was a desire he could understand perfectly well, he didn't blame the young man in the least.), and Rachel's mother—Lady Genevieve—was rather reserved. Her father, however, was another story. Marian did the honors.

"Might I present Sir John of Brookfield, Sir Guy? Sir John, this is Sir Guy of Gisborne."

The silver-haired man pierced Guy with a cold stare, barely inclining his head in a short bow. He was just as tall as Guy, which was something he was fairly unaccustomed to, and combined with Sir John's stern countenance, Guy was rather uncomfortable. "Welcome to Locksley, Sir John," he coolly greeted the older gentleman, dipping his head in a short bow that mirrored that of Rachel's father.

"Gisborne," Sir John replied. "I've heard so much about you."

'Damn,' Guy thought. "I hope you have a pleasant visit."

Sir John nodded again, eyes still icy, and motioned for his wife and daughter to follow him. Rachel shot him an apologetic glance before linking arms with her brother and following her parents indoors, leaving Marian and Guy alone.

"That went well," he muttered sarcastically, leading Makhara towards the stables. Marian shook her head at him.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Guy. It's going to take time to erase your reputation, and being frazzled about it now isn't going to help." She stopped him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Guy, look at me."

He looked down at her reluctantly. The kindness in her expression was almost too much for him, knowing how little he deserved it, but he managed to keep his eyes on hers as she spoke. "You're going to have to rely on those few who are willing to give you a chance to help you change how you're viewed, Guy. No one said it was going to be easy, but you've made yourself one ally already today, and that's a start, at the very least." She let her hand drop from his shoulder, her fingers drifting over his briefly before closing back over her bay's reins. "Would you mind putting Prince away for me while you're taking Makhara back to the stables? I want to help Rachel unpack."

Guy wordlessly held out his free hand for the horse's reins, and Marian smiled a quick "Thank you" at him before heading back towards the house. Guy started to turn towards the stables, but caught sight of the man in the dark cloak again—he still hadn't moved. "Marian, wait one moment," he called after her. She looked over her shoulder, dark hair swinging, and he beckoned her back over to the horses, waiting until she was at his side again to question her in a low voice. "Do you know who that man is?" he asked, indicating the dark figure.

Marian glanced over Makhara's withers. "No, I've never seen him before. I thought he might have been with you, actually. You don't know who he is?" Guy shook his head, and Marian shrugged. "Well, when you find out, let me know." And with that, she left him standing alone with the two horses and a great deal to think about.

After he'd put the horses away, Guy went back to Locksley Manor, looking for Robin—though they were still far from being friends, the young man usually was usually willing to play chess with him most mornings, as they were really the only two in the village who were a match for one another when it came down to pure wit. Passing a doorway as he walked down the hall, though, he paused at the sound of Rachel's raised voice, muffled by the door, but nonetheless clearly irritated.

"… will go out riding with whomever I please, Father!"

"Rachel, do you not know who that man is? What he has done with his life, and more importantly, to other people?"

Guy groaned silently to himself. He suspected the loss of one of his only allies in the course of the next minute and a half. Well, it had been nice while it had lasted.

"Father, you know full well that I know exactly what he's done with his life." Guy's head shot up. She what? Rachel's voice continued through the door. "He's threatened to torture and kill children, has tortured and killed countless innocents, made an attempt on the life of the king, and tried to force Marian to marry him." Guy's knees threatened to give, and he sank to the floor—he knew how bad it was, but it just sounded so much worse in the voice of a woman. "He also risked his life to betray and bring down Vasey, Father. He's done nothing since that to suggest that he's not really a changed man, and until I see otherwise, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Guy's mouth fell open in silent shock. This woman barely knew him, and she was fighting a father to whom she was clearly very close in his defense? He could hear Sir John's ragged sigh even through the door. "I can see there will be no talking you out of this. But Rachel, please, be careful. I worry that he's still not to be trusted. Please, at least do that for me?"

"Of course, Father."

Author's note: See, I knew I could get a new chapter up by the end of the week! (Please ignore the fact that it's technically Monday, as I'm uploading this at one in the morning. Ahem.) Anyway, I'll be out of town next week, so it might take a little longer to actually post, but I'll be on vacation, so hopefully I'll be able to get several chapters written and then I'll be able to set all of you up for awhile. Thanks so much for reading! ~Grace