The door to the treasury already lay open a crack as Guy walked up to it, surprised to hear his wife's voice echoing through the hall. Guy paused just outside the door, listening through the opening.
"You heard me, 1000 crowns in a strong box, by order of the Sheriff. We leave for York at first light, and it better be ready for us long before then, understand?"
"Well, my lady," the treasurer's deep voice answered, "Only the Sheriff or your husband can request a sum that great. I'm sorry."
A loud thud echoed in the hall, the sound of fist pounding wooden table. "I am Lady Gisborne," Catrine's voice becoming a growl. "And the Sheriff has put me in charge of this planning. So, you will do exactly what I say."
"My lady, I'm just obeying orders here…"
Guy pushed open the door, laughing as he saw his wife, leaning forward with both hands on the table, staring down the poor treasurer who cowered behind the table.
"Give her the money," he said walking over to Catrine. She stood rigid in place, a hard smile on her face. Guy pecked her on the cheek, then turned to the treasurer, "or rather, give me the money. I will see it properly guarded over night."
"Yes, my lord Gisborne," the treasurer replied instantly, standing and walking into the back corners of the treasury. The jingle of money resonated through the room as Catrine stared intensely at Guy.
Guy smirked and wrapped his arms around her, "Oh, Catrine."
Catrine pushed him away, "No. Don't Catrine me. Don't touch me."
Guy looked down at her, his eyes clouded by confusion and anger, "What are you doing?"
"Doing what I want to, doing what the Sheriff asked me to. I plotted for the Sheriff, I planned how to present ourselves at the summit so as to deceive the Prince's agent, my intellect was what the Sheriff wanted to figure this all out, so I will personally see to everything for my plan. And I don't need my overbearing husband getting in my way." She began walking out of the treasury.
Guy followed her out of the room, grabbing her arm and pulling her to a stop. "What do you mean, 'overbearing husband?' When have I ever been remotely overbearing towards you, except when you interfere with my work? You forget which one of us is actually the Sheriff's lieutenant," he growled, clutching her arm tighter. "And I won't have my wife doing my job in my place," his voice raspy with fury and his grey eyes shined in the dim light.
Catrine shook his hand off her arm, forcing it away with her other hand, "At least the Sheriff appreciates my intelligence. He rewards me for my brain. When have you even thanked me for getting us to this point, to this power in our lives? Without my cunning, my planning, you'd still be exiled in France—powerless, landless, and alone."
Guy sneered and began walking towards her, staring at her as she receded before him, backing her against the wall. "At least I might have married a wife that actually behaved like one. A wife that spun, and weaved… and bore children," Guy snarled in her ear, pressing his fist into her lower stomach.
Catrine looked to the ground, her lip twitching in anger and resentment, "You're just projecting your wounded pride on me. And still, you can't bring yourself to thank me for everything I've done for you," she grabbed his fist from her and clenched it hard, pushing him away from her. She quickly walked away from the wall and out of Guy's reach.
Guy snarled and lunged forward, grabbing her arm again, "You may be smart, my dear," he spun her around to face him, "but I'm still much… much stronger." His arm flew through the air, the backside of his hand meeting her cheek with a smack.
She made no noise in reaction, only a heavy breath escaped Catrine's mouth. She stared back at him, meeting his cold gaze. Straightening her dress, she walked quickly away from him and into the treasury once more.
Standing in place, Guy shook his head. He heard Catrine's voice again from the room.
"Where is my strong box?"
"I have it here for Sir Guy, my lady. He said… hey, wait!" the treasurer cried out.
"Thank you, I will see that my husband gets exactly what's owed to him," Catrine answered quietly.
Her footsteps grew louder, then the door opened once more. Catrine stepped out in the hall and turned to face Guy, still standing rigid in the same place. She stared at him for a moment with the heavy strong box in her hands, tossed her hair aside, then walked away down the hallway.
Guy clenched his jaw, watching her outline grow smaller and smaller and finally disappear around a corner. She really outdid herself this time, staring him down and showing no fear. Grabbing his head in his hands, Guy walked the other way. His anger burned inside him; she had already stolen his job and now pleased the Sheriff with talents he knew he didn't have. And he couldn't allow that. He had to make her, force her, to remember her place.