Chapter 2 "Learn to Love Me"
Prince John arrives sooner than I expected. Accompanying him is all his extravagant litter of servants and advisers. I despise the very sight of him. He has the face of a spoiled child who can't get what he wants. How pathetic! I know I should feel furious at Guy for putting me in this position, but now I feel more frightened than anything. What if he was taken by Prince John as a trap to destroy Nottingham, or he's being held hostage by someone else? He can't be dead! I was not going to come close to losing him again. I try hiding my fear as best I can for the prince's arrival.
"Ah," Prince John smiles, entering the great hall. "You must be Lady Gisborne."
"Yes, your Highness," I reply, kissing the ring on his finger. I wish I could spit on it instead.
"Charmed," says the prince, his eyes glancing over me, the way Lord Winchester did. I shift uncomfortably, trying to put on a calm façade. Men, sometimes I just can't stand them.
"Where is Sir Guy of Gisborne? I wish to speak with him."
"He is not here," I say. "He is ill, your Highness and will recover soon. I will send him word of your kindly visit."
"Leave us," announces Prince John to his staff, waiving everyone out of the room. I wish Allan was here to stay with me. I shouldn't have let him go. I must be strong now that I'm the one in charge of Nottingham.
"So, Sir Jasper informed me you're now in charge here. I think you've forgotten that permission to act as sheriff is approved by me alone." Suddenly he slips off Guy's insignia off my finger. "Whether or not your husband is really ill doesn't mean you can just take his place."
"Your Highness I didn't know what else to do," I plead.
"You should have sent me a message on his state," replies Prince John smugly as if I had been the foolish one. "Until you prove to me you're a capable sheriff, I must appoint someone else. Sir Jasper will take your place. After all, I'd like to know how the people are faring here in Nottingham rather than having secrets kept from me."
I am shocked, unsure what to do. And to think that I thought Sheriff Vaisey had been dreadful and insane. Nothing compares to Prince John who is unpredictable and unbearably controlling. I can never trust him. The only thing I can do to protect the people is to get my position as sheriff back.
"Your Highness, my father was the old sheriff. I was there by his side when I was a little girl. Not only that," I beseech him, "I led the council of nobles today. I used to always attend them with my father when he was alive."
Prince John smirks, "Your father, Sir Edward, I believe, was appointed by my poor brother Richard. His decision is of no consequence to me."
"Please," I urge him, hating that I have to beg from my enemy, "The people here trust me and my decisions. You need a sheriff whom the people love and trust."
"Oh, well you see that's my point," smiles Prince John. "With Sir Jasper in your place, the people will learn to love me, their future king."
How I wish I could slap him back into reality. The people, like me, would rather see him dead. Why did his brother ever leave England when the real battle is here? I feel Prince John's fingers brush against my neck for a sudden moment. I can't help, but flinch as if something slimy has touched me. How dare him!
"That is, unless you will do something for me in repayment," murmurs Prince John in my ear. He disgusts me.
I try to brush aside my feelings, but I fear what's coming. "And what, your Highness, is that?"
"You will do me the honor of coming to my quarters tonight."
Damn him! Does he really think I will bow to his wish? "Your Highness, I am a married woman," I remind him.
"Then why isn't your husband here?" he smirks. "What do you have to lose?"
I can't hide my disdain for him any longer. I slap his hand away from me. "I am here for England, not for you, not for anyone else! I'm here because I actually care about the people, not my own vanity!"
"Oh," sighs Prince John. "Tragic. I take it that was a no."
I am silent, only shooting him a look of utmost defiance. Without another word, Prince John signals for the castle's guards to take me away. Where are they taking me? Not to the dungeons I hope. No, instead it seems I am to be placed under house arrest. The last time I had been in that position was when Guy and the sheriff had arrested me and my father. It's no wonder I can't stand living in the castle! What does Prince John want from Guy anyway? That's what really troubles me. I hope to God Allan has found Robin, or some solution with his gang.
Another day passes during my house arrest and a part of me can't help despairing. Where the devil is Allan? I hope he hasn't been captured in the same way Guy has somehow. Alone in the same room I once had during Vaisey's rule, my mind is restless. Being locked up is the worst for me, especially when I have no answers. I know one thing now though. Prince John must not know this. No one can, that is, until Guy returns. He must be the first to know.
I am pregnant.
I remember the first time Guy had ever implied having children with me. It was after my father had died and he still wanted me to marry him. At the time I had still been repressing my feelings for him. Instead I had played with his feelings. He had offered me his heart, urging me, "What better way to grieve than to create new life?" I hadn't cared then, but now I wish the time was right to have a child. Now Prince John was going to terrorize Nottingham and there was no way I could return to the comfort of home. I want my child to be born in a country with a just king that has finally come home. Not one that seeks the throne for himself. Not in a country where good people are forced to become outlaws.
Lying in my bed, I awake to a sudden knock on my door. I had just had a dream I was back in my home curled up in Guy's arms. Full of longing, I drag myself out of bed. When I open the door, I am surprised to find Allan there. He quickly enters making sure no one is watching him.
"Marian, are you alright? I hear you've had been placed under house arrest."
"Yes, it's true," I say.
"Well, you'll be happy to know I got Gizzy back," smiles Allan.
I embrace him, relief falling over me. "Is he alright?"
"Yes, he is," Allan reassures me. "Don't worry. Prince John is having a private audience with him. He sent me to tell you he'll come and see you right after."
I let out a cry of frustration. "So Prince John doesn't have the nerve to free me, now that Guy's back? I should expect no less from filth like him!"
Allan tries to quiet me. "I know this is hard for you, Marian. Look, I've been in a difficult position like this before, trust me. I will help you out of this, I promise."
I nod, trying to calm myself. With Vaisey dead and Isabella safe in France, I didn't think things could get much worse. Well, I was very wrong.